Fitness

KAREN DUNN

Age 68, Retail Manager Brand Home, Angel’s Envy

WHY KEEP IN SHAPE?

The best thing I gain by staying fit is keeping up with my children and my grandchildren. From hiking to zip lining, bowling, swimming, and kayaking, it means the world to me to be active and physically able to join in the fun. The other part of this is feeling great, just for myself.

WHAT HELPS?

I meet with my trainer, Alison Cardoza (Baptist Health/Milestone Wellness Center), about every 6 weeks. At each session we discuss nutrition, bone strength, hydration, and she adjusts my workout plan accordingly. I’m more successful with a set challenge; I’ve got goals to reach, and I have a person looking out for me. Also, my husband bought me the Fitbit Versa 2 for my birthday last year. I keep track of everything I put in my mouth so that I can stay on track. It’s like a challenge, and when it says, “you’ve reached your goal for the week,” I feel fantastic.

FOOD?

I usually food-prep once a week. I bake sweet potatoes, steam broccoli, make turkey meatballs, chicken burgers, etc. I also make organic pork sausage patties for breakfast, knowing there will be no preservatives. We roast vegetables often, which makes it easy to add veggies to my meals throughout the week. My husband grills an assortment once a week for our menus. I always have grilled chicken on hand. It’s important to change things up from time to time. No one wants to get bored eating at home.

ADD A STRETCH

Make time for stretching every day, especially after a good workout. I think it’s crucial as we age to stretch in the morning and before bed. Stiffness and old age go hand in hand. My neck, lower back, shoulders, and arms feel fantastic after a good stretch. I highly recommend adding this to everyone’s day. Alison taught me the benefits of a foam roller, and it has helped me tremendously. My neck and lower back feel so much better. It has increased my flexibility. She also emphasizes the importance of exercises for balance.

Karen takes a Zumba class three times a week, and adds in strength training and other cardio. Go to TodaysTransitions.com for more about her fitness journey.

By Karen Dunn | Photo by Melissa Donald

Winter 2022-2023 | TodaysTransitions.com