Judy Young has been swimming since she was a child. But this year was her first time competing at the National Senior Games.
Judy, of Youngstown, New York, is 97. She underwent two surgeries last year and says swimming helped her recover.
She’s dedicated to remaining active and enjoying her life.
“I don’t have many friends left. Fortunately, I’ve made new friends and younger friends, so in order to keep up with them, I have to get up and get moving,” she says.
Her advice applies to anyone of any age, whether you want to swim or not.
“Keep moving, if it’s just walking. Just don’t spend your days sitting,” she says. “If you want to be active, it’s very active to be. You just have to make up your mind and do it.”
Almost 12,000 people over 50 competed at the games in Pittsburgh. Judy was one of 28 to receive national recognition as a Humana Game Changer, which celebrates athletes’ commitment to healthy aging and their inspiration to others.
“Judy’s passion for swimming is proof age isn’t an obstacle to engaging in activities that bring joy and promote well-being,” said Julie Mascari, Medicare president at Humana in New York. “While not everyone has a desire to compete, I think Judy can inspire us all to change the game for active aging and challenge society’s expectations of what it means to be a senior.”
Whether you want to compete athletically, enjoy hobbies by yourself, or just stay independent longer, we can help with regular exercise that’s fun, safe and effective. Call us today.
Holly Kouvo is a personal trainer, functional aging specialist, senior fitness specialist, brain health trainer, writer, and speaker.