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Published on August 10, 2024
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She Found the Sweetest Motivation
Renee Rose knows precisely why and when she decided to start exercising regularly.
And telling the story brings a tear to her eye.
Last Thanksgiving her family rented a bounce house for the grandkids. Renee had looked forward to playing in it with the little ones, but she quickly lost her breath and had to leave.
“I was really upset,” recalls Renee, a nurse who’s now 59 and had gained weight over the last year or two. “I couldn’t do the things that I wanted to do. It was at that moment I decided I’ve got to change.”
She started working out after the holidays and hasn’t looked back.
“The best thing I ever did was walk through those doors,” says Renee, a veteran nurse.
Previously, everyday chores had been growing more difficult. She got winded walking up the stairs. Most importantly, she couldn’t play with her grandkids on the floor like she longed to do.
She’s working out three times a week in small group personal training.
And in just a few months, Renee’s doctor has taken her off one medication and hopes to drop another soon. Her stamina is up. Her clothes are too big.
She’s even doing burpees and squats.
Big Plans for a Big Birthday
And for her 60th birthday, Renee is planning “something physical” like rock climbing, ziplining, or white-water rafting.
It could be a celebration to match the family’s Fourth of July. They rented a tall water slide for the kids, and Renee put memories of the bounce house behind her. She went up and down the slide with her granddaughter tirelessly, over and over.
“She came up to me with her little arms up and said, ‘Again, Nana.’ It was the best. I want to cry just talking about it.
“It was so much fun and made me feel good having that time with her. You want to be there for them. You don’t want to be the Nana in the rocking chair. Not at 60.”
A Powerful Motivation for Many
What type of grandparent do you want to be?
The strong and healthy kind that plays with the grandkids — or the frail, retreating kind that sits and watches, instead?
Studies show that being an active, involved grandparent is one of the most common and powerful motivations for millions of people to exercise regularly.
- Today’s grandparents want to share experiences with the grandkids, not just buy them things.
- Almost 70% live within 50 miles.
- And polls show that grandparenting stands out as one of the most positive aspects of later life.
Strength makes all the difference as we age. Humans lose muscle as we age unless we practice resistance training to maintain muscle. Without it, we get to the point where we simply can’t do much of anything.
We love Renee’s example!
What will be your motivation to change your life? Call today and start learning how we can help you.
Healthy Aging Month Chips Away at Stereotypes
In the 32 years since September was designated Healthy Aging Month, organizers say negative stereotypes about getting older are diminishing.
“Of course, there are still stereotypes about older adults,” said Carolyn Worthington, president of Healthy Aging, the multimedia platform promoting the month. “Perhaps the baby boomers embracing aging like no other generation started turning the tide. It is not unusual to see people in their 80s and 90s doing spectacular things today.”
We regularly feature news and information about older adults and fitness. Some of them perform amazing athletic feats. More are just devoted to living healthier, happier lives for as long as possible, and they know that regular exercise is a key part of that.
What else can you do to support healthy aging? Organizers suggest:
- Moving more and sitting less
- Aiming for 150 minutes a week of moderate intensity activity and two sessions of strength training each week
- Cutting back on salt, which is linked to high blood pressure, stroke and heart attack
- Volunteering
- Maintaining an active social life
- Pursuing something you love
- Owning a pet
- Manage stress with these tips from Mental Health America
If you’ve been waiting for a sign that you need to step up your healthy habits, here it is! Come see us today, and let’s get you moving – the key to healthy aging in every month.
Healthy Recipe, Stuffed Peppers
This remarkably filling recipe is adapted from “Plantifully Simple” by Kiki Nelson, which focuses on high-quality carbs, whole plants, and an active lifestyle. The “cheese” sauce that tops the peppers is revelatory. Serves 2-4. RECIPE HERE – Susan Puckett
Ingredients
- 4 large bell peppers (any color)
- 1 cup cooked brown or white rice
- 1 can (15 ounces) black beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 cup corn kernels (fresh, frozen, or canned)
- ¼ cup store-bought or homemade tomato salsa
- ¼ cup chopped cilantro leaves
- Juice ½ lime
- Garlic salt, to taste
- 1 cup Poblano “Cheese” Sauce, warmed
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 425 degrees. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside.
- Slice off the tops of the peppers and use a spoon to scrape out the seeds and ribs. Set the peppers aside.
- In a medium bowl, mix the rice, beans, corn, salsa, cilantro, lime juice, and garlic salt. Divide the mixture among the peppers then arrange on the baking sheet.
- Roast for 25 minutes, until the peppers have softened and are beginning to brown. Top with the warmed Poblano “Cheese” Sauce.
Poblano “Cheese” Sauce
Ingredients
- 1 medium poblano pepper (or 4 ounces canned fire-roasted green chiles)
- 1 ½ cups peeled and diced Russet potatoes
- ¼ cup raw cashews
- 1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon sea salt
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 425 degrees. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- If using a fresh poblano pepper, place it on the prepared baking sheet and roast for 20 minutes, until charred on all sides.
- Meanwhile, place the potatoes in a small pot and add water to cover by 2 inches. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat, reduce to a simmer, and cook, uncovered, until the potatoes are fork tender, about 15 minutes. Reserve 1 cup of the cooking water, then drain the potatoes and set aside.
- When the peppers are done roasting, immediately transfer to a paper bag or a bowl covered with plastic wrap and let steam for 10 minutes. Remove the pepper, let it cool, then slip off the skin and scoop out the seeds.
- Transfer the pepper, cooked potatoes, and cooking water to a blender and add the cashews, lemon juice, garlic powder, salt, and onion powder. Blend until smooth.
- Store in a sealed container for up to a week. To reheat, microwave for 30-second intervals, stirring between intervals, until warmed through.
Susan Puckett is an Atlanta-based food writer and cookbook author.
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