Nate Wilkins was living the good life. He was traveling a lot for work, as a parks and recreation administrator in Florida. He was eating out and indulging at business lunches and happy hours. Sure, he noticed he was packing on pounds, but he was busy -- dealing with that would have to wait.
Read MoreWill you be ready if adventure beckons?
For Rich and Liz Clapp, the answer was a resounding “Yes!” Their journey to conquer Mount Kilimanjaro in Africa wasn’t just a testament to their physical fitness, but also to the commitment they share to embracing life’s opportunities, no matter their age.
Read MoreRoy Englert survived not only World War II in the Navy, but he also survived being part of the historic D-Day invasion. Decades later, he’s also managed to become just one of two competitors to participate in all the National Senior Games, which have been held every two years, essentially, since 1987.
Read MoreJudy Young has been swimming since she was a child. But this year was her first time competing at the National Senior Games. Judy, of Youngstown, New York, is 97. She underwent two surgeries last year and says swimming helped her recover. She’s dedicated to remaining active and enjoying her life.
Read MoreSome people are motivated to get strong and stay fit by one or two reasons. Among the most common for people over 50? Playing with grandkids, traveling, maintaining physical autonomy, and continuing to enjoy their favorite activities. Susan Kupferberg, 65, has all of those and more motivating her quest to get strong and stay fit.
Read MoreWhat type of grandparent do you want to be? The strong and healthy kind that plays with the grandkids, even learning new sports later in life? Or the frail, retreating kind that sits and watches, instead? Well, we all know which we would rather be: strong and healthy, right? Strength makes all the difference as we age. We all lose muscle as we age unless we practice resistance training to maintain muscle. Without it, we get to the point where we simply can’t do much of anything.
Read MoreWhat’s the secret to a long, happy marriage? For Karl and Susan, who just celebrated 61 years together, it’s a combination of things. Like being kind and thoughtful with each other, while maintaining common interests and enjoying walks on the beach… And keeping the romance alive, with sweet gestures every day, like the way he brings her tea in bed every morning… And … EXERCISE!
Read MoreIndia Bridgette is a professor in the course titled “What’s Possible?” The 61-year-old champion sprinter and former Marine knows it takes discipline to answer that question and to excel at anything. She recently added strength training to that answer, too – for everyone, no matter what age, lifestyle, or fitness goals. Working out with weights has helped her show What’s Possible on the track and in everyday life.
Read MoreTodd Allen and his wife took a European trip seven years ago. He felt terrible by the time they got home. Blood tests revealed cancer. Stage 4. Bone marrow. Todd went through 18 months of chemotherapy and had knee surgery and hip surgery. Never much for exercise, Todd then made a decision: “After the recovery, I said I gotta get my act together.”
Read MoreA motto can be effective for anyone trying to get in shape. Angela Staab uses one you’ve heard before or seen on T-shirts. But she also has come up with her own bit of advice and encouragement “You can’t be a slug.” Now almost 80, she has used it to motivate her through life as a “senior athlete,” working out with a trainer regularly, enjoying time with family, and improving her quality of life.
Read MoreEver heard someone say something like this? “Oh, he’s a very handsome man for his age. ”What about: “I don’t like waiting on old people because they’re so tight with their money.” These are all part of the persistent myths attached to people over 50. But like many myths, they’re wrong when it comes to the millions and millions of active agers who are fit and determined to enjoy life as long as possible.
Read MoreSheila Howard didn’t recognize herself in the mirror after she ballooned to more than 300 pounds in her late 40s. “I looked foreign to myself. I said, ‘I know you’re in there. You’re trapped inside yourself, and we’re going to get you out,’” Sheila recalls now at 57. It took years, but she finally did, after two scary medical diagnoses, multiple surgeries – and completely changing her lifestyle to include exercise and healthy eating.
Read MoreRicky Banks is a walking advertisement for fitness over 50 – which makes sense because he owns a successful gym and turned 57 this year. But it’s true now more than ever after a near-fatal medical emergency this year. Doctors and Ricky believe his healthy lifestyle helped him survive the loss of blood, the surgery, and the medically induced coma of his ordeal.
Read MoreA common myth about aging says that after 50, people (especially women) face a dreary life of loneliness, physical difficulty, and despair. But the opposite is true for millions, who are finding that the "grandma years" are turning out to be the best time of their lives.
Read MoreWhen Glenna Brown’s husband became ill, she found that regular exercise at a nearby studio helped her deal with the stress and remain strong enough to be a good caregiver. When he died, Glenna (above, left) found more: a loving support group that helped her through her loss and a new friend who was going through a similar experience.
Read MoreLike most women of her generation, Margaret Cone, now 79, never saw much reason to lift weights. She had always been pretty active and tried to stay in decent shape. Her family had a strong health history. But about 10 years ago, Margaret noticed she had gained weight from the long hours she was putting in at her sedentary job. And to make things worse, her doctor diagnosed her with high blood pressure.
Read MoreDon Phillips won a slew of medals at the recent National Senior Games. But the real value of his healthy lifestyle is far more ordinary. It’s also what so many people want as they get older: functional fitness.
Read MoreSports Illustrated’s annual swimsuit issue has been a touchstone of fit female beauty for decades. This year’s edition features the oldest woman ever to appear on the cover, which heralds her as a world-class beauty at 74. It’s Maye Musk, mother of Elon, herself a veteran model who proves you can still knock ‘em dead well past 50.
Read MoreOne of my favorite events for active agers is back for the first time since 2019. I love the National Senior Games because of the boundless inspiration they offer everyone, regardless of age or fitness level!
Read MoreSheri knew something was wrong. She’d always been active, particularly enjoying daily walks. But lately, her balance and posture were off. Her knees jerked. Her hands trembled. So when her doctor diagnosed her with Parkinson’s disease last year, it was almost a relief.
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