I’m just back from a promotional day in the Nutgrove Shopping Centre – Dublin 14, where we met lot’s of interesting people who are keen to exercise regularly but find it tricky to get going and keep active throughout the year.
One local lady was very inspirational – probably in her 60s – she goes nearly every day walking in Marlay Park where she meets up with a few friends – they chat, socialize. She plays also at least once a week golf with two other friends and attends other organized events for women and men in her age group.
We talked a good 10-15 minutes and agreed on the importance of staying physically and mentally active throughout life – no matter which age your are. Looking at her I started to wonder how does she do it? She looks so vibrant, full of energy, enthusiasm and vitality.
Then I thought about all those 30 and 40 something year old business man, professionals and careers focused folks which I screened in the last 10 years in various gyms and fitness centres here in South Dublin and it amazes me over and over again how many of them have grey hair or no hair, a good few are overweight or unknowingly obese, they neglected their health and live in a body of a 50 something year old and are stressed out. What is the difference between them and this vibrant and active lady here in front of me?
All this made me also think of long distance running and the price giving after various road races or track and field events, at which I took part in the last 20 odd year. In long distance running the age groups are 20-29, 30-34, 35-39, 40-44, 45-49 and so on. If you are over 40 your in the “Masters Category” 🙂 like me. Two decades back when I started long distance running I was always stunned how young these 40, 50 or 60 something year old energetic age group winners looked.
It probably comes down to what is important to them – to her and to these men – what are their values, their priorities and what do or better DON’T they do on a daily, weekly, monthly or regular basis to sustain their health or neglect their health.
Back to this energetic lady – she said “It’s all up here” pointing to her head. She mentioned that she knows a lot of women and men in their 60s and 70s. Those who are active just made a decision at some stage of their life to be active, get into a routine, habit – doing something regularly and stick to it.
This raised the questions “How can I and my colleagues from Fitnecise here in our Nutgrove based studio make it easier for her and her friends to stay active, agile and assist to meet others, offer a social outlet where they can chat, socialize and maintain their health and a positive attitude?”
We exchanged phone numbers and agreed to touch base in early January 2012, meet up to see how we can possibly team up and organize a few activity and health classes for the retired and over 55s.
She took her two shopping bag, filled with lot’s of fresh fruit and veg 🙂 and said “I better go now otherwise I will miss my friends in Marlay Park for our walk.”, she left with a big smile and left me looking forward to January to meet her again.
