My husband's Grandmother is 93. She still lives in her own house, and does everything for herself and her family! She proves to me everytime I see her that the key to keep going is deffinately to stay active!

When we stay a weekend to visit, she cooks breakfast and dinner for everyone! Even Thanksgiving dinner every other year. It is such a joy that we still have her, and my children love to be with her. She still has her witty sense of humor, and is sharp as a tac! I am only 31, and can only hope to live that long and be as healthy and bright as she.

Ever since our marriage more than 46 years ago, Judy and I have had little or no interest in sports or other physical activity. As a matter of fact, I have generally taken the position that any kind of physical exercise was pretty much a waste of time.

When we retired some twelve years ago, we moved into an apartment in El Paso that was reached by a set of about fifteen outside steps. It wasn't long before I discoverd that in order to get up the steps I was having to pull myself up by grabbing the bannister. This was becoming something of a problem as I was also having to rock back and forth several times every time I wanted to get up from my chair in front of the TV. Worst of all, I was beginning to shuffle. My wry joke was that I was like the old admiral in the sitcom, "Get Smart"; I just "needed a little push."

At the same time, Judy was having a considerable stiffening in the joints of her hands, accompanied with pain that often kept her awake. In addition, she was diagnosed with osteoporosis with a significant amount of bone loss.

All of this was contributing to a general feeling of depression and a feeling that we were coming apart. Then came the day when I was crossing a street and had to scurry out of the path of an oncoming car. I nearly didn't make it because I was unable even to scurry. That was when Judy suggested that we might benefit from some kind of exercise. Horrors!

We talked to our physician who suggested that we check out the Columbia LifeCare Center in El Paso. After a complete physical examination and an evaluation, we began an exercise program. How well we remember the first time we climbed on a treadmill. We had to walk on it for three full minutes. We were both exhausted and our muscles were all sore the next day.

That decision to try exercise completely changed our lives. For the past eight years we have faithfully maintained our exercise schedule, and we both feel like we were twenty again.

When we moved back to Albuquerque in 1993, we spent three days checking out all the health clubs in the area. We chose Midtown Sports & Wellness. Only after deciding where we would work out did we begin looking for a house nearby, knowing that it's much easier to maintain a workout schedule if the gym is nearby.

Our three-times-a-week exercise schedule includes thirty to forty minutes of cardiovascular exercise...we try to keep our heart rate within its aerobic range... followed by a strenuous weight training program involving both weight machines and free weights. We conclude with stretching and flexibility exercises.

The results have been dramatic. Our muscle mass has increased and we have plenty of endurance. We hike in the mountains and last year I did some rollerblading and took up Tae Kwon Do (not a smart move...I wrecked my knee and had to have a total replacement). Judy's bone mass, as a result of the weight bearing exercise, has actually increased, reversing the effects of the osteoporosis. I not only can scurry if need be, but I am able to run, and on the treadmill I often skip to get my heart rate up.

Our lives have been changed...we both feel so much better about ourselves, and our optimism is boundless. When you feel physically fit, you feel like the world is brighter, and that's really a happy feeling. We're very grateful for that.