Good Health

Champions Of Active Aging

By Cammy Dennis

Champions of active aging” is not a term I can take credit for, but the concept is one that has galvanized my mission to help change societal views of aging after I adopted the idea from the International Council on Active Aging. I have learned a great deal from this organization, whose philosophy is “the conviction that people can significantly improve the quality of their later years by staying active and fully engaged in life.”

Colin Milner, CEO of ICAA, ascertains that we need to “get over the idea that older adults are broken versions of younger adults.” Experts agree the key to living a productive, engaged life is to remain active. The science is simple—a body in motion stays stronger.

I know many older adults who teach and live by this philosophy. These “active aging champions” (all between 60-78) are certified fitness instructors and personal trainers who teach Zumba, dance aerobics, strength training, spinning, TRX, aqua aerobics, and/or yoga at several fitness facilities here in the Ocala community.

“I feel like the Energizer Bunny—I just keep going and going,” notes Barbara Day, 78, an aqua aerobics instructor. “I got hooked on water fitness 42 years ago and have never stopped.”

I firmly believe that the ability to thrive in later years isdependent on some very important factors, including the strength in your body, the health of your brain, and the happiness in your heart.

Sue Lassiter started her “encore career” as a Certified Fitness Instructor at 66. She was newly retired when she decided to get her fitness certification so she could share her passion for staying healthy with others. She loves teaching aqua aerobics and thinks the water is a wonderful environment for exercise.

“I don’t see age in my students, I see capabilities,” she says. “The reward from helping others improve their lives is astounding.”

Sandra Sierra and Kitti Surrette are seasoned instructors, with many years of experience in their respective disciplines. Sandra took up yoga when her boys were little as means of managing stress and she has maintained this practice for over 20 years. Kitti entered the fitness world after working as a professional dancer.

“I encourage having fun because that is what keeps people coming back,” says Kitti. “The social connections that form in fitness classes are just as important as the physical activity.

“There is no better feeling than getting people moving and smiling,” she adds. “Everyone leaves feeling great, including me!”

John and Denise Paquet both found their way into fitness for personal health reasons. Denise wanted to quit smoking and John was overweight and consumed with stress from his job. They both found a passion for fitness in the process.

“Fitness is my ‘happy hour,’” Denise describes. “It provides many health benefits for me and my students.”

Although deconditioned at the start of his journey, John notes “my first day at the gym I was overwhelmed,” John remembers, “but I jumped into a fitness class and loved it from day one. It can be hard to take the first steps, but once you do you will look back and wonder, ‘Why didn’t I do this earlier?’ Oh, and the instructor of that first fitness class... I married her!”

Cammy Dennis is the fitness director for On Top of the World communities and The Ranch Fitness Center & Spa. She lives the lifestyle she promotes and has trained for triathlons throughout the state, aerobics while living in Tokyo, and various weightlifting events.