From a distance you see how alert they are – looking, talking, laughing. Call their names and they pop up – never even touching the armrests for a boost. Now guess their age; 70 at most?
Quickly and confidently they walk your way – impressive posture. No canes, no walkers, but each carries a bulky gym bag. Their secret? At age 83 and 82, Helen and Jim Bastian fight aging with fitness.
Let's play!
Married for nearly 60 years, the Bastians have always been active – tennis, walking and biking. But in 2003, Helen took exercise to a new level. Recovery from knee surgery led her to exercise at MeritCare Southpointe in Fargo. She joined the Lifelong Fitness Program and faithfully followed her prescribed routine. While exercising one day, she got a glimpse of a new world.
"I watched an aerobics class and thought how fun that looked. I wanted to go play with them, but those women were in their 40s and I knew I couldn't keep up, especially with my problem knee," says the retired chemistry teacher.
Helen's fun-loving spirit and curiosity led her to another option: MeritCare's twice-a-week "Splash Water Workout" at L.E. Berger Pool in West Fargo. There she met Annie Young, class leader and MeritCare exercise specialist. Considered a rock star in the world of group exercise, Annie leads a wide variety of MeritCare classes.
"The buoyancy makes all the difference," says Helen, now a four-year Splash veteran. "I've tried jumping jacks in the kitchen and they're hard to do. But jumping jacks in the water? Painless." Helen made many new friends, too. "We laugh a lot and that's always important," she says.
Jim takes the plunge
Helen's enthusiasm caught Jim's interest. A home exerciser, including rowing, jogging and biking, he never had much interest in exercise classes. But he saw a real difference in Helen. "She enjoyed it so much and was having such fun," he says. "That's what got me going."
Jim had another reason, too. "Alzheimer's is our biggest health worry," says the retired pharmacologist. "We have a family history of the disease and want to do everything possible to avoid it. Research has shown that mental stimulation, physical fitness, nutrition and socializing can all help."
Jim joined Splash and was sold. "You exercise muscles you don't even know you have," he says. "And we love Annie. She introduces new stuff every week and keeps the class moving." Like Helen, Jim enjoys the social aspect, too, including birthday celebrations, after-class coffee, even Nintendo Wii parties.
"Younger than our years"
The benefits of exercise make a noticeable difference. For Jim:
- Improved heart health, including no more need for medication.
- Ease in walking their dog, Lucy, three times a day.
- Increased strength and better balance.
For Helen:
- A smooth, rapid recovery from knee-replacement surgery last November.
- No more neck tension, fewer aches and pains.
- Restful nights of sleep.
For both:
- Weight control. They supplement their water aerobics with individual exercise at MeritCare Southpointe two to three times a week, and often at home.
- Independent living in their own home.
- More energy! "We feel younger than our years," says Jim.
This summer, thanks to good health, Jim and Helen will once again enjoy their cottage on Pelican Lake. One of their favorite activities? A six-mile bike ride around part of the lake for breakfast at the Cornfield Café. "We're best friends," says Jim. "We like to do things together."
So how's your health? Your fitness level? Your zest for living? Take a page from Jim's and Helen's book – enhance your quality of life through improved physical fitness. We can help! Call MeritCare Lifelong Fitness at (701) 234-8750 or toll free (800) 437-4010, ext 8750.