When doctors recommend seniors lead an active life and do some exercises to promote their mobility, they usually refer to low-impact sports that do not damage their joints. So few could know that the next challenge that Merce Hershey would face, a 97-year-old woman would lift up to 42 kilos of partial deadlifts in the gym.
Having been the mother of five children, cared for eight grandchildren, and become a great-grandmother to fourteen great-grandchildren, few challenges could provoke fear in Merce. Therefore, when he began to feel that his mobility was not the same as beforedecided to come up with a drastic solution and listen to all those who recommended exercising in their daily lives. He joined the gym and started lifting weights.
According to what she said on ABC News’ ‘Good Morning America’ program, the decision came when she was already 95 years old. He began to feel that the consequences of the scoliosis and back fractures he had were beginning to reduce his independence. To avoid this type of wear and tear and improve his physical strength, he chose to join a gym located in West Chester, Ohio.
Two years of training have helped him lift 16 kilos in the military press
An act that many consider brave, but that for her did not involve any type of effort because, as she stated, she had never felt that her age could be an impediment to achieving her goal. “I was just hoping to get stronger,” he explained to the American outlet, “I didn’t have any fear. I just came“. Something he achieved after two years of dedication and perseverance.
During her first months in the gym, the woman was only able to lift 5 kilos of partial deadlifts and 2.3 kilos in the military press. However, after going twice a week with a personal trainer, he achieved something that few thought possible: lifting up to 42 kilos of deadlifts and up to 16 kilos in the military pressas well as improve your physical and bone health.
“My bone density has improved. That’s good. I still use a walker, but I’m happy with it,” she said. An improvement that has not only been noticed by herself, with greater ease in performing tasks that a few years ago were somewhat complex for her; but also by her doctor, who encouraged her to continue going to the gym as long as she took the precautions that every person who lifts weight should follow.
The importance of exercise and proper nutrition
Although she does not always have the necessary spirit to attend her routine training session, she always ends up convincing due to the physical and mental well-being she achieves after surpassing herself. “Every now and then I think: ‘Oh, I don’t feel like going’, but I come and I feel much better“, she explained. A mentality that has not only served to improve her quality of life, but also to inspire her colleagues, who see in her an example to follow.
Therefore, although it is not an activity as demanding as lifting weights, what doctors and experts recommend is to acquire a weekly and constant exercise routine, especially in people over 35 years of age. This is because at this age, people begin to lose strength and balance. Something that, although at first it does not usually make a big difference in mobility, can worsen the effects of muscle aging.
Likewise, staying active is just as important as following a balanced diet adapted to the age group and the physical activity carried out. To do this, nutritionists recommend that, from the age of 60, you continue to a nutrient-rich dietwith a large amount of fruits and vegetables, as well as foods with polyunsaturated or monounsaturated fats, such as fatty fish, nuts or avocados. This recipe, added to exercise, will make it easier to overcome 90 years of age with the same enthusiasm and energy as Merce Hershey.