What an inspiration!

joanlawson

My best friend is my neighbour who will soon celebrate her 89th birthday in November. She has had a great deal of ill-health in her life, including operations for heart disease, arthritis, and cancer, but she always seems to manage to come through and stay positive, no matter what.

Last week I was telling her about an exercise class which I was planning to attend, which is mainly chair-based, but has some elements of Tai-Chi, Yoga, and Pilates. To my amazement, she announced that she would like to come with me, so off we went!

It turned out to be a very popular class, with women of all ages, but my friend was by far the oldest woman there. She has never been to an exercise class of any kind before, but she amazed everyone, including the instructor! The exercise lasted 45 minutes, and it was quite energetic, although enjoyable as it was accompanied by music. At the end, we did some relaxation techniques which were very enjoyable too.

My friend is now very enthusiastic to carry on with the class, so it proves that you are never too old for exercise.
She is such an inspiration to me and everyone who meets her!

Joan

julie47

What an amazing friend joan

can I borrow her to inspire me

Love Juliepf x

stickywicket

Yes, she would inspire me too, Joan. Obviously she's the sort that takes life's knocks on the chin and ensures she makes the most of what she has. Luckily she also has a kind neighbour I hope you both get a great deal from the class.

villier

Gosh Joan she sounds a wonderful lady, could be doing with borrowing her myself.........Marie xx

dachshund

Hello Joan
thank you for saying about your lovely neighbour i was wondering how she was she is a lovely friend to have.
take care both and tommy and venus.
joan xx

arfaitis

Joan I am a volunteer for our local council, and you would be amazed at the age of some of the folks we get to our classes.
We do do a Tai Chi chair based exercise, we call Chai Chi, it certainly gets you moving again after heart ops etc. Up till last year we had a guy still playing badminton at 93, we still play with well over 80's, and they don't just pat the shuttle over the net, they run for everything, some of them put me to shame at 74.

Arfa

joanlawson

Thank you for all your replies, Julie, SW, Marie, Joan and Arfa

I always tell my friend that if I live as long as her, I hope I will be like her, especially in her positive attitude to life.
She is totally independent and still drives her car, despite all the serious illnesses she has overcome.
She is my mentor in life, my role-model, and above all, my dearest friend.

Arfa, that's wonderful to know that so many older people are taking part in exercise and sport these days. I love the idea of Chai Chi

My grandparents seemed really old when they were only in their sixties, and I can't imagine them doing any kind of sport. Things have changed so much now, and they say that 60 is the new 40, so I guess that 90 must be the new 70

With so many people living longer, I expect that we'll get used to seeing more centenarians in the gym etc. I hope that I'm one of them

Joan

arfaitis

Joan said :--so I guess that 90 must be the new 70

I like that Joan, I will mention that Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday Thursday, and Friday, yes that's right they come from all corners of the town to do exercise, everyday.

Arfa

stickywicket

Tody wrote:

Love is inspirational, not excercise.

I don't think it's an either/or, Tody, but I think you have misunderstood what Joan wrote. She was inspired not by exercise but by the fact that a lady who is almost 90 has such a zest for life and I agree with her that that is inspirational. I know that if, like Joan, I was giving a lift to someone of that age to get her to the same exercise class as me, then I would certainly be giving my all at the exercises. The lady would have inspired me to try harder.

stickywicket

I think that's rather sad, Tody.

Joggers, cyclists, horseriders are all individuals. Some are nice, others aren't. Some are sensible, others aren't. I used to ride horses. I assure you I never put any life at risk. I have seen many motorists put horseriders' lives at risk by reckless overtaking but I don't therefore dislike motorists. I probably wouldn't dislike the reckless ones if I knew more about them. We all have our good points and our bad ones.

I'm pretty sure I won't live to be 90 but I'll have a damn good try and I applaud anyone who tries to keep themselves fit and healthy whatever their age.

stickywicket

Oddly enough, Tody, from my observations as a horse-rider, I’ve noticed that NOT all horse-riders are women.

Of those I have ridden with – David H and David L were not women; Paul wasn’t a woman; Mick, Danny, Peter and Richard were all men. I can assure you none of them saw themselves as princesses.

Actually, quite a lot of roads were built for horses and carts, not cars.

tjt6768

I don't agree with having horses on main roads but that's cos I'm scared of em.. I wouldn't just come out with some ridiculous statement about people I dint know... Apart from cyclists, og, and students.. Cycling students are the worst :shock: However...... I wouldn't join in a thread about a wonderful lady giving her all at a brilliant age and start going off on one just to get a reaction... Crazy....

Joan, I know how much your friend means to you and I also know how inspired you are by her..
She sounds great....

joanlawson

Thanks Tony

I couldn't go to the exercise class last week, but my friend went without me. She is really enthusiastic now and has put both our names down for next week, so there can be no slacking on my part.

elnafinn

Who do you acquaint yourself with Todds?

Boris125

You have a good friend who has a good technique to inspire you for a a healthy and fit life.
You should care your friend and help her in all matters.

wall1409

Wow thats really inspiring, where's my just dance from WII game

holliesfan

A friend like that would inspire me to, sometimes I think you need someone to give you a push, just to get yourself moving again and those classes sound great. I must check up after xmas to see if any exist round here.
Horses frighten me too, just their size more than anything but I do admire anyone who can get up and ride one, in traffic in a field or forest

Colin1

Tony i must tell you about the time a horse ran away with me and i could not stop it oh i just did.
Anyway Joan i'm with you i just cant spell insperational because i never went to school
Colin