Wellbeing - Fitness Keeps You Young

I recently interviewed Di Westaway, Managing Director of Wild Women On Top after hearing about her groups of ‘wild’ women who go on hikes and climb mountains with great gusto. Keep an eye out for her interview which will be published soon. In the meantime, Di has kindly provided WomensNook with some thoughts fitness.

‘The amazing performances of older athletes in the 2008 Olympic Games has highlighted just how important exercise is in keeping us young. 

Dr. Michael Joyner of the Mayo Clinic told Canada’s National Post that it’s not just the athletes’ physical strength, but their mental strength, that sets them apart.

‘The message that these people tell us, whether it’s Gordie Howe, George Foreman, Dara Torres or any of these people, is that if people become obsessed with what they can’t do as they age, well then they won’t do it,’ he said. ‘These individuals are more interested with what they can do.’

Dr. Joyner notes that the physical capacity of most people is diminished at a rate of about 10 % per decade after 30 years of age, while that of the extremely fit decreases at a rate of about 3 to 4%. 

Wild Women on Top’s Eileen Robberds is a great example of what’s possible. Eileen is 59 years old, and she’s climbing the highest mountain in North America, Denali, 6,192m, with us in June to celebrate turning 60!’

FITNESS TIP 

If it hurts, don’t do it! Listen to your body and modify your training if a niggle persists for more than a week.  

MOTIVATION TIP:

‘Take the first step in faith. You dont have to see the whole staircase. Just take the first step.’ Dr Martin Luther King Jnr

 

Wild Wishes

Di Westaway

Managing Director

Wild Women On Top

0419 612 704

9907 9843

back to top