Active Aging

September 21-27, 2014 Active Aging Week 5 R emember being a child, running on fields playing games with your friends? Remember the exhilaration, the thrills and the laughs? Why not recapture that feeling? "This is just as wonderful, and you still get in the zone like when you were a kid," says Don Norquay, president and founder of the Golden Masters Soccer Club, whose players range in age from 50 to 81. "I can tell you, even if you are going half the speed that you might have gone when you were young, the experience is the same because most of the players are in the same boat. It feels just as fast." Aging doesn't mean giving up on fun and games. And with a growing number of programs designed for the 55+ crowd, there's never been a better time to broaden your horizons. Jumping back into a high-energy childhood game is a great way to improve fitness and add some spice to your life. But many other programs can get you active and involved in an entirely new way — even if the very idea of exercise is foreign to you, says Janet Cranston, director of support services at the Reh-Fit Centre. "Even if you're somebody who's sedentary and not been physically active, there are programs that can teach you how to change that behaviour and easily incorporate activity into your daily routine," Cranston says. "These are great programs for people who are starting out and just don't know how to become active." The sooner you can get your body moving, the better you can enjoy everyday life well into your senior years. "It's about having enough strength to function independently," Cranston says. "People want to carry on with a lifestyle they are used to, and fitness allows them to function in daily life." There is special training designed for people with different needs, so an injury or illness is no reason not to break out of a sedentary rut. There are programs designed for those with arthritis, those who are pre-habilitation (before treatment), and those with a variety of chronic diseases. Programs at the Reh-Fit Centre cover every fitness level on the spectrum, and Cranston suggests taking a chance on trying something completely new. The challenge of a new activity can be stimulating both physically and mentally — and it can also be a lot of fun. Options for seniors at the Reh-Fit Centre include line dancing — featuring music from all genres — an urban poling workshop that will show you how to use poles to increase the health benefits of walking, and pickleball, a racquet sport that combines the speed of tennis with the skills of badminton. You might also want to try Pilates, Zumba dance fitness classes and even golf. Back at the Golden Masters Soccer Club, Norquay keeps four teams active year-round, thanks to indoor facilities. Some members learned to play as children, while others came to the game only as adults, but skills are allocated evenly across the club, so everyone can strive for the win and enjoy the competition regardless of athletic ability. Groups throughout the province provide countless opportunities to get out, get healthy and try something new. No matter what your fitness level now, a new challenge will help you feel good and boost your quality of life. All you need to do is get up and get going! By Carolyn Kosheluk For the Winnipeg Free Press get up and get going Spice up your life with new activities Aging doesn't mean giving up on fun and games. VICTORIAE.LEHMAN LAWOFFICES 412WardlawAvenue, WinnipegMB, R3L0L7 T:453-6416 F:477-1379 www.vlehmanlawoffices.com • Wills • Estates • GeneralPractice • Trusts • FamilyLaw • Divorce • ChildCustody • MaritalAgreements • CohabitationAgreements • BusinessConsulting • Property • ConsumerLaw Providingpersonal,effective representation,andconflict resolutionservicessince1982. CAAnow hasaclubfor peoplewho lovetotravel, butdon't haveatravelpartner.Thisisanexciting opportunitytosharenewexperiences andbuildfriendships,allwhilesaving moneyandstayingsafe! Informationevening: Wednesday,Oct.22,2014 FairfieldInn&SuitesbyMarriott 1301ElliceAve.,Winnipeg 7p.m.(Doorsopenat6:30p.m.) olo S CLUB Lovetotravel butdon'twanttogoalone? ToRSVP,emailgroups@caamanitoba.com orvisitourwebsiteat: caamanitoba.com/presentations Refreshmentswillbeserved. Local company prides itself on service Local company prides itself on service

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