Fitness includes more than exercise for Seniors

By Cathy Spaulding

At age 79, former secretary June Wake knows just the right steps to keep herself healthy and spry.

“I try to exercise every day and I try to eat right, but I don’t always,” Wake said as she marched, glided and stretched her way through a group arthritis exercise Thursday morning. “You feel better, and you can be more active and have more energy.”

Wake found all sorts of ways to get and stay healthy when she attended Senior Health and Fitness Day, held Thursday at Honor Heights Park. The two-hour program, sponsored by Muskogee Swim and Fitness Center, was geared to helping seniors learn more about nutrition, exercise, mental fitness, even community service and employment.

“We wanted to provide an opportunity and resource for seniors to allow them to be active,” said Brooke Hall, Muskogee Swim and Fitness Center facilities manager.

Various agencies and programs had tables at the event. Muskogee Regional Medical Center employees performed finger-prick cholesterol tests. The Muskogee County Health Department offered free toothbrushes, dental floss, pumpkin cake, bite-sized veggies and hummus, a spread made from mashed chickpeas.

Leanna Morgan, activity director at Broadway Manor, at first shied away from tasting the hummus, which was used as kind of a vegetable dip.

However, when Health Department educator Martha Alford encouraged a bite, Morgan changed her taste.

“It’s better than I thought,” she said.

Morgan said she took nine Broadway Manor residents to the event and followed with an outing at the park.

“We were invited out here to get involved,” she said. “This refreshes the residents and keeps us busy. They love the sunshine.”

Megan Shea, the tobacco cessation coordinator for Muskogee County Health Department, waved a wand and made soap bubbles at her table.

“I want to encourage people to blow bubbles instead of smoke,” she said. “This is a good time for seniors to give up the habit. It’s never too late.”

Other programs with information were the Oklahoma State University extension, Muskogee Public Library, Retired Senior Volunteer Program and Experience Works, a job program for older people on low incomes.



Stay fit for Life

• Moderate-intensity physical activity can help you live longer and reduce health problems.

• Include cardiovascular exercise, muscular conditioning and flexibility in your exercise regimen.

• End each workout with stretching to help maintain mobility and range of motion.

• Wear comfortable, well-fitting shoes.

• Drink plenty of fluids to stay well-hydrated.

• Listen to your body when determining appropriate exercise intensity.

• Avoid outdoor activities in extreme hot or cold temperatures.

• Be aware of such danger signs as pain, pressure in chest, arms neck or jaw; feeling lightheaded, nauseated or weak; shortness of breath; pain in legs calves or back.

• Rapid or skipped heartbeats.

• Brush and floss more often; see your dentist at least once a year.

• It is not too late to quit smoking.

Sources: Muskogee County Health Department, American Council of Exercise



Reach Cathy Spaulding at 918-684-2928 or Click Here to Send Email

Text Only