Becoming 80 Years Old

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Today’s post comes from Healthy Fit for Women member Louise Cristina. You rock Louise! You’re an inspiration to us all! 

When I became 79 years old, I dreaded the thought of becoming 80, for when I was younger, I believed that this is when you become an old lady. I decided I better do something about this before I fell apart. Coincidentally, that week I received a coupon in the mail offering me ten free exercise sessions for only $19.00 at the new women’s gym called Healthy Fit. I thought this would surely get me moving and maybe feeling a little younger.

The first class I took at Healthy Fit was called “Zumba” which was really an advanced class, but I didn’t know it. What a workout I got!! Since this was my first exercise class I tried desperately to keep up with the young girls who were in their twenties and thirties, for they made it look so easy. As soon as I got home I collapsed on my bed – every bone in my body was aching and crying!


Since I was still alive two days later, I decided to take another class called “Tush, Tummy & ?”. I thought, why not lose some of my excess “tush” while I was at it? I don’t know if I lost any “tush,” but my exercise pants were much looser and I was very happy about this. After a few more exercise classes, I felt I had more energy and was moving my tired bones with less effort, so I decided to join Healthy Fit.

For the last 40 years, tennis has been my favorite sport, but I found I was running out of energy at 79 years old and couldn’t run as fast, or serve anymore like I used to. Tired of hearing about my lousy tennis, my daughter (who is a very good tennis player) found me a patient tennis instructor who claimed he could make me a good player again if I followed his instructions and practiced faithfully. After doing all the exercises and practicing faithfully, I was surprised that after only four tennis lessons I could play a decent game of tennis again and serve like a pro – not like Serena Williams yet, but practice makes perfect!

I couldn’t be happier, because now I can play mixed doubles again when I go to Florida in the winter. It seems that in Florida no one acts like a “senior citizen,” for they play tennis at every age – even at 95 or 99. One of my friends who was 100 years young finally had to quit because her eyesight was failing. I intend to play tennis until I can’t walk anymore. I really love the game and hate to give it up. I sincerely believe that playing tennis keeps you young, and would definitely recommend it to anyone who feels they are getting old too fast.

When I was 70 years old, I could swim 18 laps in the public pool, but at the beginning of this summer I could barely swim ten laps without huffing and puffing. With all this energy now, I decided to try swimming again before the summer was over. Much to my surprise, I finally swam 18 laps twice this summer. I hope I can do the same next year. This is one sport you can do no matter how old you are.

On the weekends when I get enough rest after all my exercising, I find that I can keep up with my husband and do a full cha-cha when we go dancing and not have to sit down in the middle of a dance. We both love dancing and have won a few trophies in our day. Those days are over and I don’t expect them to come back.

With all this new found energy, I thought that maybe we could go on the next Stardust Dance Cruise for my 80th birthday. We did go on a dance cruise two years ago, but found it very exhausting, for there were 40 hours of dance instruction in one week. I decided why not give it a try again and do only 25 hours of instruction? After all, we don’t have to become Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers at this age!

Becoming 80 years old is looking much better now, for I no longer feel my true age. Thanks to exercising, I have found my lost energy and have a new attitude on becoming older. Since I’m only going through life once, why not make the most of it and enjoy my golden years until I reach 100 or more years?

*Results may vary by member.


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