Joan Packer did not start working out until age 77. She had been a smoker for 20 years and never exercised. When she first came in she couldn’t walk upstairs without holding on to the railing. Now at 90, she does the elliptical for 30 minutes without holding on to anything. Her goal was to lose weight and regain her health so she could stay independent.
Poor balance and lack of strength are big issues as we age. Resistance exercise is a must to preserve muscle mass and body function. It’s also important to get enough protein, fruits and vegetables.
Joan admits it was challenging at the beginning. “I could barely do a bicep curl with 2 lbs., now I use 15 lbs. Seeing Diane twice a week has changed my life. My strength and balance are much better and I have never been more flexible. My sciatica pain has also disappeared.”
When Joan went to visit her daughter in Seattle, they went for a hike up Mt. Rainier. To her surprise she went up the path and left her daughter trailing behind.
Joan’s last bone density exam showed she has the bones of someone in her thirties. She takes no medications, has no aches or pains, and still drives her car. Joan says she is in better shape now than 30 years ago. All from proper diet and exercise.
Joan is a role model for all my clients, including 87-year-old Victor who works hard to keep up with her. Whenever I introduce a new movement, the first thing everyone asks is: “Does Joan do this?” She sets the bar for all of us.
As a trainer, I’m constantly researching new movement patterns and approaches to connect the mind to the body. The more movements you learn, the more synapses you develop, and the sharper your mind stays.
Working with seniors has changed the way I think about aging. Joan is living proof that it is never too late to grow young again, in mind, body and spirit!
Diane Cadinha is a certified fitness trainer and lifestyle coach. She has been in the fitness industry for more than 25 years. She works out of two studios, in Mililani and Honolulu. Contact her at shapingup@hawaii.rr.com or call 221-3905.
I love my vegetarian friends and family (my daughter eats NO meat). This can get challenging at times, but there are some vegetarian dishes that are so good even the carnivorous type will take a bite or two. On friends and family gatherings, try serving poke’ that everyone can cheer about!
Nestled within the heart of historic Mo‘ili‘ili in Honolulu, The Willows sits upon one acre of lush tropical gardens, abundant with native Hawaiian flowers, and bordered by cascading waterfalls. Guests can enjoy award-winning dining outdoors or within one of the many private rooms. Like the Shangri-La of myth, The Willows is an unexpected oasis amid the hustle and bustle of the city. First-time guests usually catch their breath as they walk through the doors, while those who return always feel welcomed and at home.
The Willows Chapel has been the venue for many isle weddings, and is a popular choice for wedding receptions and other celebrations for up to 150 people in private rooms, as well as restaurant buy-outs for larger private events. Contact Keri Endo, Catering & Special Events Director for information, (808) 952-9200 ext. 63.
A special event occurs every four years called the Festival of Pacific Arts, where over 27 South Pacific nations gather to share their culture and develop friendships. The festival lasts for approximately two weeks and is filled with events from morning till night at different venues. There are over 2500 participants and many of the countries have competitions in advance to be sure they are represented by their best performers. There is no “competition” as the focus is on the celebrating and sharing of each other’s cultures. This year’s theme will be Culture in Harmony with Nature.
The festival is held in the summer, when school is out, as the local villages are responsible for the housing and feeding of participating delegations. This opportunity allows for sharing hospitality and cultural interactions between the locals and visiting countries.
My mother Sue (Sumiko) Higa died in July of 2010. She was 84 years old and for nearly half of her life she suffered with rheumatoid arthritis. Mom came to live with us in our Ma¯noa home for the last two years of her life.
What are the blessings of having a church family?
My interest in this field piqued while attending UH, Manoa in 1993 in pursuit of a degree in Gerontology. In a Sociology of Aging course, the professor lectured about the importance of storytelling throughout history. He talked about elders transferring valuable cultural and personal information from one generation to the next.
Hawai‘i is paradise but so are her Pacific sisters – the Islands of French Polynesia. Earlier this year, I drift snorkeled over coral reefs in the beautiful lagoon of Bora Bora, swam in shallow water with sting rays and black-tipped sharks, visited a black pearl farm and spotted spinner dolphins up close off the island of Moorea.
For our program — Heart of French Polynesia — the first two days of the trip were spent getting acquainted with Tahiti. We made ourselves comfortable at our great hotel with a beautiful, sandy beach and a coral reef just offshore that was teeming with colorful tropical reef fish. A daylong bus tour took us for a drive through the city of Papeete, to a cascading waterfall, a visit to the Paul Gauguin Museum and a stop at a carefully restored historic temple called a marae. As part of the Road Scholar program, we had a private local guide, who shared Tahiti’s history, people and culture with us. We visited the local open market with many booths displaying the abundant tropical fruit, fresh reef fish, and various crafts and fabrics.
Then it was time to explore the Pacific! We boarded the luxurious cruise ship Paul Gauguin, which is specially designed to enter the shallow lagoons of the Islands. The crew was attentive and gracious, and the dining service was outstanding. Complimentary wine and other beverages added to the enjoyment of a relaxed and comfortable atmosphere where fellow travelers shared the events of the day’s adventures. After dinner everyone retired to comfortable cabins with a view.
Our snorkeling excursions at each island stop began with a shuttle from the ship to the pier, where we transferred to a local dive boat that was either a catamaran or large outrigger canoe. The boats accommodated us well with large outboard motors to speed us along to our next dive site. Gratefully, they also featured canvas covers to protect us from the tropical sun while underway. The boat operators were good singers with ‘ukulele and lots of fun entertainment. The dive locations offered something for everyone. On drift snorkels we entered the lagoon in about 10 feet of aqua-clear water over a coral reef and then floated effortlessly down a slow current while we “soared” past schools of fish and colorful coral mounds. If you wished to linger in one area, swimming against the current allowed you to hover over the bottom. The boat remained close by if you wished to be picked up early. Snorkeling with stingrays and black-tipped sharks may sound dangerous, but the years of boat tours have conditioned the fish to calmly swim up and wait for a handout of fish food. They were waiting for our arrival! Snorkelers were invited to either wade in chest-deep water over a soft sandy bottom, swim out to observe the feeding or remain aboard to watch.
Road Scholar is for adults who love to learn for learning’s sake. Road Scholar provides a memorable learning experience in an informal and friendly environment. If you enjoy exploring new ideas and places, and meeting interesting people who share your interests and love of learning, then Road Scholar will be perfect for you. My fellow travelers ranged in age from 45 to 85 (average age for tours is typically mid-60s to mid-70s), and the excursions, although active, are not strenuous. If you enjoy the tropics and snorkeling, a trip to the Pacific may well be the highlight of your life, too. Hope to see you in Tahiti!