Fit Not Frail

They may be in their golden years, but these pensioners are committed to staying in shape. Here they share their tips for healthy living

- Dakalo Nemasetoni

IT’S only natural to slow down as we grow older. There may be health problems, weight issues or worries about falling while exercising.

But research shows that an active lifestyle becomes more important than ever to our health as we age. Not only does working out cut the risk of stroke or heart attack, but it also leaves you feeling younger.

While most people their age complain about body pain and aching joints, thanks to their training routines these senior citizens wake up with a spring in their step.

We speak to four golden oldies who are fighting fit.

GLADYS NGWENYA (77)

She moves swiftly in the ring as she punches her coach’s boxing gloves. It seems like she’s been training her whole life, but Gladys fell in love with boxing just a few years ago.

By chance, she heard there were classes being offered close to her home. And after just one session, she was hooked.

Now she and nine other women are called the “boxing gogos” of Cosmo City, Gauteng.

The mother of four tells us she attends boxing classes every Tuesday and Thursday. “I forget how old I am because when I’m in the boxing ring, I’m reminded of when I was young,” she says.

Gladys, a retired nurse, has always believed in healthy living and has followed the same diet since she was young.

“I was never a big fan of carbs because I always wanted to maintain my petite figure and I was more determined after I had children. I have also always prepared lots of vegetables from my own garden,” she says.

With age, her love for fitness grew too. When the grandmother of three worked at Chris Hani Baragwanath Academic Hospital her colleagues often wondered where she got the time to exercise.

“I felt like I could not live without exercise, so it was something that was incorporated into everything I did,” Gladys says.