Maintaining an Active Body!

Helen working out at Juniper Village

If you were to say only one thing about Helen Peterson, it is that she truly embodies vibrancy in life that most folks only dream about.  Helen moved into Juniper Village Senior Living Community this past August and we have been trying to keep up with her since!  Recently, her daughter, Nancy Stover went to visit Helen at the Wellness Extension (WE) to observe her fitness regime.  Helen attends the WE twice a week for one whole hour of aerobics.  Nancy peered on and Helen did not see her secret admirer.  “She did the leg lifts and band stretches; she was in constant move the entire time!”  The Instructress approached Nancy after the program and told her she had initial concerns about her mother “because of her age.”  After a few weeks with Helen, the instructress commented that Helen has increased her range of motion and her balance has greatly improved. Of course, Helen says to this, “this is why I don’t tell my age.  They think I am old!”  Nancy smiles and thinks “we should all be so old…”

When asked her age, Helen recalls that Jack Benny on the Radio said it best: “39 and holding!”  Helen describes her fitness routine as a mixed group of all ages who work out together and “we don’t stop, we really move the whole time!”  Helen attributes her youthfulness to her positive attitude and her husband saying “he was the best husband a woman could ever have; you never walked into the room without a smile on your face.” She further comments:  “The good Lord made me this way, I was just lucky!  I was fortunate God blessed me.” 

Helen feels exercises should be something you enjoy doing.  “Don’t be so serious about it, do it because you want to and because you like it…It will keep you younger and healthier, what more could you want?”  Helen prefers to keep her true age a mystery to the public, and she sticks by her original statement, “I am 39 and holding!”