At 66 - Motivated and a True Motivator

Motivation to stay active and healthy starts with family and friends.

My 66 year old father, who we call Poppy (his grandchildren chose that name), just returned from a 4 day, overnight, intense water-ski camp in Louisiana. Poppy resides in Minnesota, and no he won't be waterskiing anytime soon in our neck of the woods, but he's thinking about next spring and summer. Plus, he's always looking for fun, exciting ways to stay active and healthy. Poppy is lucky; his 72 year old neighbor, Roger, has the same philosophy and provides a great challenge for my dad. The water-ski camp in Louisiana happened to be Roger's idea. Both Poppy and Roger can navigate the slalom course with a strong finesse, although not as fast as the "young pups" they ski with.

Growing up, my family did all sorts of activities together. It was our family norm to be active. Early on, I realized that I had to stay in really good shape, just to keep up with my dad. What a terrific motivation that was! Through college and my twenties, perhaps my strongest motivation to stay fit was to make sure that when my dad and I went out for a run, hike, ski, etc. together, I could keep up with him. Even now, Poppy provides my greatest motivation to maintain an exercise regimen. When we take our annual downhill ski trip out West and he takes me into the "crud" or back country, I want to be able to enjoy the experience - and not be huffing and puffing my way through it.

Admittedly, Poppy is not as concerned with keeping up with me. In fact, I think one of his main motivations to remain healthy is to keep up with his grand children. He loves to be the one who takes my 12 year old son down the double black diamond chute out West, or races up the sledding hill with my 9 year old daughter, or carries our 2 year old for the longest amount of time on a family hike. And my kids love it too!

Motivation to stay active and healthy comes from many different places. I believe the strongest motivation may come from family and good friends. Don't underestimate the positive message you're sending your loved ones when you put health as a priority in your own life!*

*contributed by Mimi Stender, Director, Fit City Duluth