3 minute read
Motivated to Move
Chuck Clark has always led a very active lifestyle, and thanks to Masonic Village at Sewickley, he can continue to focus on living well at his own pace.
He credits his good health at age 83 to physical activity. He initially leaped into his fitness journey when he was a gymnast in high school, and he’s been conscious of health and wellness ever since.
“I think exercise is very important in keeping our bodies and minds fit. It allows us to reach these ages that we’re at,” Chuck said.
Photo by Masonic Village at Sewickley resident Pam Braden
Chuck and his wife, Patricia, have lived at Masonic Village at Sewickley for over three years, and during this time, they’ve had the opportunity to develop personalized regimes at the Barley Wellness Center.
“When I first started going up to our wellness center, the people working there helped me get into a pattern. I go in and walk on the treadmill for 15 minutes at two-and-a-half miles per hour,” Chuck said. “They have program sheets for us, so when we complete things, they check them off. It’s nice having a record of what we’ve done and when.”
He said he aims to work out three times a week, whether it’s going to the wellness center or just going on a walk with his wife.
Regardless of what kind of exercise he chooses to participate in for the day, he said all of the facilities and options are “wonderful.”
“We have a very large pool, and we also have pre-planned sessions where someone directs the exercise,” Chuck said. “I tend to prefer to exercise more by myself because I like having the flexibility of doing what I want, whenever I want.”
Aside from fitness, Chuck found fulfillment in his life by flying airplanes. He was an airline pilot, and both of his sons grew up to become pilots. Additionally, he lived on a 21-acre farm with his family and traveled the country in a motor home with his wife.
A big part of his active lifestyle has also included shooting clay pigeons.
“For about 40 years, I was an avid trap shooter,” he said. “I’ve gone to many places like Jackson Hole, Reno, Vegas, Phoenix and Tucson for shooting. It’s a great sport and activity, especially for discipline.”
Chuck was also an avid hunter for a period of time, but said he “enjoyed the walking more than the hunting” because of his love for being active.
“I’ve been blessed with the ability to do these things. If I’m able to do something and am conscious of the benefits, then why not?” Chuck said.
He carries this same philosophy about working out today. He said as long as he’s able to exercise, then he doesn’t see why he wouldn’t.
“I know sometimes when you get a job or raise a family, you tend to get away from exercising. Now that we’re retired, there’s no reason not to,” Chuck said. “In fact, my wife and I are fortunate enough that we can exercise.” For residents who aren’t as experienced with exercise, Chuck said they don’t need to worry.
“The people at the wellness center are really good at what they do. They have residents who come in frequently, and residents who are total novices or have not exercised in decades,” Chuck said. “They’ll develop a plan for them. They can start out nice and easy and add, subtract or change things.
By Katy Shero, public relations associate/intern
