What started as a neighbourly challenge to get fit has turned into a healthy lifestyle change for two Denhams Beach women.
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Di Hall and Raija Johnston have been regulars at the gym for about six months and are already enjoying the benefits of getting back into exercise.
Ms Hall, 59, has dropped dress sizes and no longer requires medication for her arthritis since embarking on her health journey with Ms Johnston, 69, in November last year.
“It’s not that we were overweight, but we are more trimmed and we have more energy now,” Ms Hall said.
“There are more advantages to doing it than sitting on the lounge.”
Ms Hall’s return to fitness came after a few decades’ absence from competitive sport.
“I used to always be very active in my younger days. I did netball for 15 years and track and field – I was very, very fit,” she said.
“I had a break when I had my son and married life, working overtook everything.”
The pair initially attempted walking but said joining a gym together held them more accountable for any lapses in commitment.
“Moving back near the beach makes you want to be a bit more active. (Raija) and I started off walking together, but it was too easy to find an excuse not to go, so I joined the gym,” she said.
“My son and future daughter-in-law said I needed to do something.”
The pair attend a senior’s exercise class every Wednesday and do additional workouts on Mondays and Fridays.
They encouraged others to find a friend to exercise with.
“If you’ve got a friend, it makes exercising so much easier,” Ms Johnston said.
Ms Hall urged anyone getting back into fitness after a break to not be disheartened.
“You see people that live at the gym – and you go wow, they’re really toned. I thought, at my age, I’m not going to get that back, but I’m going to give it a good go,” she said.
“You’re never go to have what you had when you were 17, 18 or 19, you’re not going to have that sculpted body, but I reckon we’re doing really for our ages.”
Di and Raija are the latest stars in our Grey Grit series, encouraging seniors to stay active. If you’d like to nominate someone, email community.eurobodalla@fairfaxmedia.com.au with ‘Grey Grit’ in the subject field.
