Accentuate the positive, eliminate the negative, and don’t mess with Mr. In-Between is a song by Bing Crosby and the Andrews, but it is 88-year-old Alice Fleming’s motto to growing older gracefully.
She does it with the help of her physical therapist, Samantha Marner, who uses traditional exercise methods but also applies innovative ways to exercise.
“You might not have a 10-pound dumbbell or the heavy weight ball that we use here so I usually say a gallon of milk or a case of water or a bag of dog food,” said Marner.
Fleming visits with Marner where one of their activities includes getting on a treadmill. One of Marner’s creative ways of building stability, strength, and flexibility is balancing on one leg using a chair or picking up a laundry basket filled with clothes.
Fleming said she has been active all of her life, but the exercises help her mind as well. She said she is more mindful when climbing the 14 stairs in her home and that has helped prevent falling.
Marner added while exercise builds you up physically, it also benefits the aging population, allowing them to maintain their independence. She said it eliminates them from having to depend on siblings, grandchildren, and kids.
Marner encourages starting small if you are not currently exercising. She suggests walking around your favorite store without a cart. She said before you know it, you will have walked for 20 or 30 minutes.
See the accompanying video here: https://www.kake.com/clip/15398857/aging-gracefully-tips-on-how-to-do-it
