Table of Contents
- Patty Branch claims that her life and health completely changed when she started exercising in her late 60s.
- She started by walking and now uses the Silver Sneakers community exercise program to keep herself motivated.
- Building strength, stability and balance has been shown to increase one’s healthy lifespan.
A 70-year-old woman, whose health indicators improved after she started a new exercise regimen, says it’s never too late to start exercising for a longer life,
A few years ago, Patty Branch, an Ohioan, was nearing retirement and struggling to manage her chronic health problems.
Her doctor advised her to increase her exercise, but she didn’t have much hope. She believed it was probably too little, too late because she had never exercised in her life. Still, she started walking once she realized she needed a change. She soon began tracking her steps and regularly attending community exercise sessions.
Branch first told Business Insider that she suffered from nerve pain and was on the verge of becoming pre-diabetes. Her blood sugar became controlled over time. Brand lost nearly 50 pounds in just four years. Every day in her sixties and seventies she had considerable vitality.
She now works out three times a week at Silver Sneakers, an initiative that offers free online and in-person exercise classes to people over 65 with qualifying Medicare insurance.
“It’s been such a positive thing that I can’t tell you what it’s done for me physically, emotionally, mentally, and especially for my health,” she said.
Branch claims that regardless of age, exercise doesn’t have to leave you feeling tired, injured or deficient.
simple Program of exercise helped her lose 50 pounds and control her blood sugar.
Stress worsened her health issues over the years
Branch said she began her health journey in her late 60s. Her family illnesses led to a difficult schedule that included several hospital trips as she contemplated retirement.
“I was gaining weight rapidly. For the past few years, my doctor has been trying very gently to point out to me that my blood pressure is too high. I have high cholesterol, sleep apnea, the whole nine.” Branch said. “This is no way you should start retirement.”
She was diagnosed with neuropathy in her feet, a serious disorder that involves nerve damage that can cause chronic inflammation, and was on the verge of developing pre-diabetes.
She went from ‘total couch potato’ to looking forward to her workouts
Branch had participated in the gym in the past and, despite knowing she needed to change, struggled to maintain her motivation.
“After spending hundreds of dollars and making a few trips, you start thinking, ‘Oh, this is a lot of work.'” And I always give up,” she declared. “I was just a couch potato.”
She started walking with a simple goal to fit more steps in —5,000 at first.
Walking proved effective as she began to lose weight and improve her health; Today, she takes about 10,000 steps a day.
Afterward, Branch began participating in group exercise programs thanks to a kind teacher who would invite her to classes whenever they crossed paths in the community.
The branch later began participating in group exercise programs as a Gragrer teacher invited her to classes whenever they crossed paths in the community.
The sessions, lasting about 50 minutes, combine resistance band workouts with weights, exercise balls and lots of playful fun. Social role playing exercises form a large part of the workouts. In one lesson, Branch claimed that she laughed so hard that she and one of her companions pretended to
“It’s just a hoot,” she remarked. “You never know what to expect. However, it keeps us active and happy.”
Building muscle and motivation — 2 secrets to a long, healthy life
The exercises also focus on stability and balance, two essential elements for long life and good aging.
Branch said one of the main benefits of strength training is muscle development, which can improve health and extend life.
Branch said there is a lot of incentive to work in the neighborhood.
“I feel like I’m letting myself and everyone else down if I don’t want to get up in the morning. It just makes my day go by,” Branch commented.
As for her health, she no longer suffers from severe neuropathy and her blood sugar is back in the normal range.
“My primary doctor is very happy,” she said.
Correction: This story originally stated that qualifying Medicaid recipients could purchase silver sneakers. Medicare, the health insurance program for the elderly, is eligible.
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