Lakefield Herald Special Report

Use it or lose it, exercise matters for all ages

by Jamie Steel

After a heart attack in 1998 and quadrupal bypass surgery in 1999, Dave Green was feeling pretty sorry for himself.

Soon enough, he says, his wife was telling him he needed to find something to do. That’s when he became involved with the walking program put on by Community Care.

It started out as once a week, Mondays, with usually six or so participants.

Now, however, it has grown into two classes weekly, with typically 35 participants on Mondays and 25 to 30 participants Thursdays.

Classes in the gymnasium of Lakefield Intermediate School, and at the Lakefield Legion when the school is closed, are comprised of men and women of all shapes and sizes.

The only thing asked of people who want to participate is that they indeed participate, even if they can’t do all the stretches or aerobics.

“Just come out and do what you can do,” the fitness instructor and former squash and soccer player says.

“Just so long as you’re getting out and having fun (that’s what matters).”

There is no age limit for people interested, Green says, adding they’ve had 13-year-olds attend before and have welcomed people as advanced as 88 in years.

Even after his heart surgery and three replacement left knees, Green is still, perhaps more adament that fitness is key, especially as people get older.

“As we get older, if you don’t use it you definitely lose it,” he says. “That’s your body, your mind, everything.”

Classes are free of charge but when they move to the legion in summer months people are encouraged to donate a dollar. At the end of the summer season all funds donated are given to the legion as a token of thanks.

Return to The Herald Home Page