At 75, Mrs. Teodora Simon is perhaps the fittest grandma (or great-grandma) I have ever seen. Looking at her with her firm legs, muscled arms and over-all tiptop shape makes me hope in myself even when I feel old in my mid-30s. She could well be my role model in this new regimen of working out.
Mrs. Simon, whom every friend fondly calls Mommy, even won the Slimmers’ World Great Bodies Competition when she was 67. As somebody who used to be 170 lbs., motivation and determination are her secrets for being the great woman she is today.
“Ano baaantayin mo na lang yung katandaan mo? Aantayin mo na lang na hihina ka? Habang kaya mo pang kumilos, kumilos ka!,” she exhorts her middle-aged peers. Mrs. Simon goes to the gym three times a week and is into ballroom dancing every Wednesday. Her diet consists mostly of fresh fruits, fish and vegetables.
I met Mommy S because we happen to be members of the same gym.It was two months ago when I decided to work out again a long time after our company decided to cut off sponsorship of our extra-curricular programs in the name of a government-wide austerity.I simply had to wean myself away from the whole-day engagement with the computer. Being sedentary wasn’t making me feel any better. Of course I kept my eyes closed while enrolling because membership in the gym caused me a prospective overseas vacation, or an iPod Shuffle, or that much-dreamed of XDA mini…aaargh!
On the other hand, working out can really be addicting. It’s amazing that the Cross Trainer, treadmill and all those assorted weight machines have become my best friend in so short a time.Of course it pays that the fitness trainers are cute and oh-so-friendly too. I like the fact that my gym is just a few minutes walk from my office.The proximity of the location, I think, is crucial in keeping this exercise thing going.Our company has a gym but it happens to be a ride away,not to mention a bit crowded and filled with all the manly equipment which seems to intimidate, rather than motivate me. There are also these fancy classes like yoga, pilates, and belly-dancing which I still have to try. Now I’ve come to the conclusion that I shouldn’t regret paying extra as long as it makes me feel good and benefits my health. Don’t you think so too?
Nice to know someone’s alive and kicking at that age. No, really.