While you may feel too old to have sleepovers or make forts, exercise is one thing you'll never outgrow. These seniors participating in the Senior Games are proof, and Furthermore, a publication from Equinox, documented the journeys of a few of the participants in a super inspiring video.
"Aging is not the enemy," the accompanying article reads. "And while some write off ageing as physical decline, depending on your mindset, the later years of life can actually be the most active."
The Senior Games are one such way the 50-plus community can stay physically engaged, and includes sports like golf, swimming, and track and field. The competition is first held state by state, with participants competing for spots in The National Senior Games, held this year in Birmingham from June 2 to 15.
“Folks have started to realise that living an active and healthy life makes them feel better in a variety of ways as they advance in age,” Stephen Rodriguez, senior vice president of the Florida Sports Foundation told Furthermore.
All the participants have a wide variety of stories. Some are competing solo, while others are taking the games on as a couple. Their exercise routines are small but effective.
"The mailbox is about one hundred meters from the house so I don’t walk to the mailbox. I run. I just love to run," says Norman Meeker (age 88), who lives with his wife Misako (age 89). "We have an elliptical and I’m using that as much as I can. We also go dancing once a week."
Other competitors participate in teams at their local fitness centres or practice entirely on their own, staying diligent in anticipation of the upcoming competition.
"When I first saw the list of events [back in November 2002], I said to myself, 'Oh my god, I’ve never done any of this!'" said JoAnn Sampson, age 76. "A voice said to me, 'You can do this.' So, I’ve learned to listen to the soft voice now that speaks to you because that voice normally be the right voice to listen to."
You can catch these athletes in action this summer.
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