Fit After Fifty

In Photo: Selena Jones – looking fabulous entering into her fifties

Looking at Selena Jones you’d never guess this fit lady will be 50 years old this year. I hope I look 1/2 as good as Selena when I’m 50… heck lets be honest I wish I looked 1/2 as good as her NOW (and I’m almost 15 years younger than her)!

I met Selena at a party over the holidays and she got in contact with me this week because she wants to start running. She works out 5 days a week (weight training, fitness classes, yoga, you name it… she’s doing it).

Normally with new runners, I put them through their paces the first couple of times… many find it hard to finish the intervals… but not Selena (or if she did… she sure didn’t show it)!

Selena is my favorite type of new runner… no complaints… won’t give up… and actually listens to what I suggest about posture, breathing, core being engaged etc. Selena finished each interval and I could see in her eyes the exhaustion was not going to defeat her… actually she broke a sweat but I’m not even sure she reached exhaustion (note to self: push her harder next time)!

Whenever I run intervals with people (even newbies), I suggest that the last interval they really give’r… well I had no idea the speed Selena was about to bring when I suggested she run “full-out” for the last minute! I kept up with her (but I was going at my full-speed) and the entire time I was thinking… there is no question this woman can move… I cannot believe she is almost 50!

Like any new runner, I suggested to Selena she set a goal of signing up for a race. There is the Bluenose 5K this spring that would be perfect (and she’d totally be ready for it). I’m going to sign-up for the Bluenose 5K too and I hope to place in the top 10… I’m pretty sure if Selena signs up for the Bluenose… she’ll be right behind me… heck at this rate… she might even be in front of me!

I have a number of people in my life who are a testament to living healthy lives throughout their retirement by staying active. My wonderful parents (Phil and Paulette) are a perfect example of a fit couple in their 60s. My parents ran when I was a kid… actually they are so old-school it used to be called “jogging”. I remember them carb-loading with spagetti before long runs and then waiting at the finish line for them to complete a race. They don’t run anymore… but they do walk probably about as fast as my run! My mom and dad also workout out at the gym, swim and bike regularly. Spending winters in Florida, they go to dances and golf too.

Here’s an amazing video of my parents a couple months ago dancing at a wedding (quality of video is low because it was off my blackberry but seriously you can get the drift that my parents do not move like most people in their 60s… they rocked that dance floor out): view video here

Being snowbirds they can enjoy the outdoors all year long. People are often surprised when they meet my parents because of how young they look. I’m pretty sure it’s the active lifestyle they have that keeps them looking youthful! Even when they are at home… it amazes me to see how much energy they have and often offer to babysit all 4 small grandchildren at one time (I don’t even attempt that regularly)!

In Photo: Elsie Simon – looking sensational in her 60s

Then there is my sweet surrogate-grandmother in Louisiana (Elsie)… she’s 68 years old (though you wouldn’t think so cause she doesn’t look a day over 55)… she runs and/or walks every morning at the break of dawn (even though she’s retired)! Elsie watches what she eats (which is a challenge down south with all that great fried food) and also has a very active social calendar. Her dance-card is always full at the Cajun Dance Parties… and you should see her move!

When you think about the older people in your life… the one’s who are the most healthy are doing something to be that way… most likely it’s healthy eating and regular exercise. I don’t want to work my entire life only to have to sit in front of a television all day watching Wheel of Fortune because I don’t have the energy or ability to get out and enjoy life… this is why I’m glad I turned my life around… so I can enjoy life now… and later on too! There is no doubt in my mind, that becoming a runner was the best thing that could have ever happened to me!