![cbd32c8603c2adb578fba75af3b4dd50--paddle-boarding-senior-fitness[1]](https://saskatoonseniorsglobewalk.files.wordpress.com/2017/08/cbd32c8603c2adb578fba75af3b4dd50-paddle-boarding-senior-fitness1.jpg?w=170&h=244 "cbd32c8603c2adb578fba75af3b4dd50--paddle-boarding-senior-fitness[1]")
![Staying-Active[1]](https://saskatoonseniorsglobewalk.files.wordpress.com/2017/08/staying-active1.jpg?w=178&h=118 "Staying-Active[1]")
When Anna Mary Robertson Moses, better known as Grandma Moses, died in 1961 at 101 years of age, she was more than a “celebrity,” she was something of a legend. She was an artist who started to paint when she was 76 years old, after her hands became too crippled by arthritis to do her old favourite hobby, embroidery.
She was untrained as an artist, but decided to paint every day, persistently and with determination. She created more than one thousand paintings in 25 years. A collector bought them all and showed them at the Museum of Modern Art (MOMA) in New York City. When Grandma Moses died, her paintings were on display in museums around the world. One of her works recently sold for 1.2 million dollars.
“Life is what we make it, always has been, always will be”
Grandma Moses
Hank Brunjes is 78 years old and has been dancing all of his life. He was born in Brooklyn and started dancing at age 4. At barely 20 years old he began his Broadway career as an ensemble cast member in Pal Joey. He was also part of the original cast of West Side Story in 1957.
Today, Hank is still dancing as a regular in the Fabulous Palm Springs Follies in Palm Springs, California. He has performed over 200 shows in a year in his seventies! That is amazing!Mee
And remember …![654a9d3f24d501d8379fcebd7450ea6c[1]](https://saskatoonseniorsglobewalk.files.wordpress.com/2017/08/654a9d3f24d501d8379fcebd7450ea6c1.jpg?w=611)
According to Statistics Canada, Saskatchewan has Canada’s highest obesity rate, with 45.9 per cent of adults falling into that category.
Saskatchewan’s obesity rate has climbed very quickly – growing from 30.8 per cent to 45.9 per cent between 2004 and 2015. This allowed it to overtake Newfoundland and Labrador, where the percentage of obese adults grew from 33.9 to 38.9 per cent in 11 years.
The next Globe Walk begins in January 2018. Our theme will be the 2018 Olympic Games (watch for details). This would be a great time to invite other older adults to join us for fun, fitness and social gatherings. BE PART OF THE SOLUTION!
He was a Saskatchewan native and an inspiration to multiple generations. Gordie Howe broke several NHL records including only player to play in 5 different decades (impressive for any sport), oldest NHL player at time of retirement (52), and oldest player to play in an NHL game. He was also the only player to play in the NHL after age 50.
Deborah L. Mullen, CSCS
Strength Training: The Primary Weapon Against Aging
They still haven’t found the fountain of youth, but something close to it. Researchers at Tufts University exercise lab say that strength training is a potent age eraser. It is their weapon of choice for fighting physical declines associated with aging.
More and more fitness experts are recommending strength training for health reasons–for women as well as men, older adults as well as younger adults. Strength training is extremely important in combating the age-related declines in muscle mass, bone density and metabolism. It is an effective way to increase muscle strength and to shed unwanted inches. Strength training also helps to decrease back pain, reduce arthritic discomfort, and help prevent or manage some diabetic symptoms.
The Muscle-Fat Connection
Physical inactivity causes an average muscle loss of 5-7 pounds per decade. This muscle loss leads to a metabolic rate reduction of 2-5% per decade. Calories that were previously used for muscle energy are put into fat storage, resulting in gradual weight gain. One study on older adults (Campbell, 1994) showed that a 3-month basic strength-training program resulted in the exercisers adding 3 pounds of muscle and losing 4 pounds of fat, while eating 15% more calories!
Osteoporosis Prevention
At Tufts University, researchers found that strength training can add bone density. Prior to this research, it was thought that women might be able to slow their bone loss, but not increase their bone density. This new study shows that strength training at any age can actually add bone, not just slow its loss!
Arthritic Pain Decreases
According to Tufts, sensible strength training may be one of the best ways to get relief from your arthritis. Not only will it help to lubricate and nourish the joint, strength training will also strengthen the muscles around the joint, providing it with greater support.
Glucose Metabolism Improvement
As we age, our glucose sensitivity decreases. Poor glucose metabolism is associated with Type II diabetes. One study (Hurley 1994) found that after 4 months of strength training, there was an average increased glucose uptake of 23%!
