What immediately comes to mind when you envision yourself at 70? Are you a couch potato or preparing for a 10K?
While we have a multitude of fitness programs geared toward our children and ourselves, engaging our grandmother's generation has been an entirely different matter. Sure, there are fitness programs of some sort in retirement homes, but what about in "real" gyms?
Gym memberships are growing among senior citizens. According to Judy Yorio, head of the fitness programs at Willy's World Wellness, seniors are putting emphasis in strength and core training and health and fitness centers are embracing them, like The Workout Queens of Cape Cod.
My mother may not be a workout queen, but she can put a few 20-somethings to shame as she follows me along a 2-3 mile trail as part of her training for a 10K that she'll do to celebrate her 80th birthday next Spring. This weekend, a young Vietnamese gentleman commented on how strong and fit she looked (compared to what, we thought?). Staying fit physically also keeps mom fit mentally.
I just hope I'm as fit when I reach her age. How do you see yourself at 79?