I discovered Beverley’s OsteofitnessTM class from a friend 15 years ago. Despite the pandemic and a couple of setbacks, I have continued to feel strong, healthy, and ready for my next challenge.
Beverley’s combination of strengthening, nutrition, balance, falls prevention strategies, stress reduction tips, and education about how the body works makes her program unique. I have often said that no two classes are the same, which is amazing over 15 years. Perhaps, the magic ingredient is the atmosphere of support and humor that Beverley fosters. I have always been inspired by my fitness classmates, including many in their eighties.
After a few years of taking classes, I noticed my friends starting to moan and groan when they got out of a car. I also noticed that I wasn’t. I realized that this was because of the OsteofitnessTM program. The adage that you’re only as old as you feel resonated with me.
Over the time I’ve been going to Beverley, I have seen my strength continue to grow despite some setbacks. Several years ago, I was experiencing soreness in my thumb likely caused by repetitive motion from using my computer. I took Beverley’s hand workshop. Not only did this pain go away (without shots or surgery), but I learned strategies to use when I begin to feel a twinge of pain in this area. I have never had a recurrence.
Several years later, I had a setback when I broke my wrist after being distracted by my father’s terminal illness. I am convinced that my faster than usual recovery from surgery was directly related to my overall fitness.
The doctor said he didn’t think I needed to go to physical therapy (PT) and could do the PT exercises on my own. Within a few months I was back in class.
My granddaughter was born a couple of years later, and I felt so good being able to lift her, play tag with her, and just keep up with her.
Another set-back occurred when I needed rotator cuff surgery from a fall during the pandemic. After a few months of PT, I resumed the Zoom OsteofitnessTM classes. During this time, I turned 70. We were attending a wedding in Vermont on my birthday, and I wanted to go kayaking in a single kayak (even though I had never done this before). I was thrilled and proud when I was able to not only row across the lake, but also lift the kayak myself on and off the ramp.
This winter I had fun ice-skating and jumping on a trampoline with my granddaughter. She thinks it’s normal for her “Grammy” to have exercise equipment like weights, balls, and bands.
I feel grateful that I discovered Beverley’s class. I’m looking forward to continuing my OsteofitnessTM journey and feeling strong. Maybe someday, younger classmates will look at me when I’m in my eighties and be inspire.