Senior News October, 2004 Vol. 25. No. 10

 

Published by the Humboldt Senior Resource Center in Eureka, California. HSRC is a non-profit community-based organization offering services for senior citizens, multi-generational families and caregivers.

Enthusiasm and a touch of the world build high energy

15th annual benefit walk

I wonder why

Decade of pain control

Humboldt Classics Senior Softball bring Lindy Gravelle to North Coast

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I am your 50-Plus Fitness Ambassador, and I am going to tell you what 50-Plus Lifelong Fitness is all about.

Fifty-Plus Lifelong Fitness, a nonprofit international organization, has a mission to provide a longer and more independent lifestyle for adults by expanding awareness and involvement in health and fitness activities to prevent illness, disability and obesity.

The cornerstone of the organization is the 50-Plus Fitness Ambassador Program, a grassroots network of volunteers. Just as the Peace Corps was a catalyst for public service in the 1960s, the Senior Fitness Corps is energizing older adults to be more active and fit in the new millennium.

When my mother died of complications from osteoporosis three years ago, I had to take my own osteoporosis seriously. My sedentary modus operandi had to change. And change it did!

I first got involved in my health through taking strength training classes with the STRONG program at the Arcata Community Center. STRONG stands for Strength Training Resources for Osteoporosis - Northcoast Group There are more than 15 STRONG classes in Humboldt and Del Norte counties. Pretty soon I became an accredited Senior Fitness Instructor through the Senior Fitness Association.

My enthusiasm carried me away, and I became a member of the STRONG Task Force, the Humboldt Senior Resource Center's Advisory Council, Humboldt Child Nutrition Task Force, and finally the Humboldt Del Norte County 50-Plus Senior Fitness Ambassador.

The field of fitness isn't new to me - I taught nutrition and related subjects for 35 years at local high schools, San Francisco City College and College of the Redwoods. I bring those skills and training to my role as 50-Plus Fitness Ambassador.

Recently, I visited friends in Europe. While there, I attended some 50-Plus Fitness classes in England and Switzerland. I was introduced to the skill of using walking sticks, or walking staffs. They give an upper-body workout while walking and take stress off ankles and knees. Walking sticks debuted when humans first learned to walk. Modern improvements have made advances to the function and usefulness of the walking stick. Although they are used by walking enthusiasts of all ages, many older adults use them in Europe for an added sense of balance.

You can get involved in your own fitness. Many opportunities exist for exercise classes. Build fitness into all parts of your life by increasing your physical activity - even just a bit. A new walking group - with or without sticks - is being organized in Arcata. This will be a class for all skill levels. If you'd like to get involved in the Walking Group, or have any questions, contact me through the Area Agency on Aging, 442-3763.

Cristie Wold, a 50-Plus Fitness Ambassador, generously shares her enthusiasm with all of her volunteer groups and classes.