In 2020, during the pandemic, I spent most days sitting alone in my apartment. My husband had recently passed away from lung cancer, and for years before that I had focused entirely on caring for him. I don’t regret it, but I had stopped taking care of myself. When life slowed down, I finally realized how much I had lost.

My children noticed I was struggling and encouraged me to move into a cottage on my son’s property. That change of environment helped more than I expected. Away from the home I had shared with my husband, I slowly started rebuilding my routines—eating better, feeling stronger, and eventually returning to the gym.

That decision changed everything. Instead of only low-impact exercise, I began strength training at Crunch, attending classes four to five times a week. I tried Pilates, yoga, resistance training, and weight classes. The community kept me motivated, and I quickly felt changes in my body—less pain, more energy, and better balance.

Now, at 75, I work out six days a week. My routine includes upper-body training on Mondays, TRX on Tuesdays, Pilates on Wednesdays, lower body and abs on Thursdays, and yoga on Fridays, with optional Saturday sessions and rest on Sunday. I’ve gone from 5–7 lb weights to 10–12 lb weights, something I’m proud of. Cardio comes through classes, pickleball, and golf.I also focus more on nutrition, prioritizing protein while still enjoying treats. For me, this isn’t just fitness—it’s strength, confidence, and feeling alive again.