Meet Nancey Walker. She’s one of the 2024 Senior Planet Sponsored Athletes, and she’ll be sharing updates on her health and wellness journey through the rest of this year.

At age 37, Nancey weighed 250 pounds and was diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes and Ketoacidosis, a life-threatening disease. Having seen family members suffer due to chronic pain and disease, Nancey decided to be the family cheerleader by letting them know — and showing them — that health can be reclaimed as we age. Today, at age 62, Nancey has found a  fitness routine that works for her. Now she’s moving, lifting, and living her journey out loud.

From my teenage years until today, I have always been the person called when someone needs a lift. (And I mean a literal lift!) Need help moving a dresser from one spot to another? Call Nancey. Got a move across town and you need help loading the truck? Call Nancey! I’ve always been naturally strong.

So, imagine my surprise when about a year ago, I tried to open a new jar of food… and couldn’t! Forced to resort to the tricks I used as a kid, I held the lid under hot water and then tapped around the edges with the handle of a butter knife. Is this what’s meant by “second childhood?”

Getting a Grip

Not wanting another “This comes with age…” speech, I didn’t mention this event to my doctor. Instead, I took to “Dr.” Google and learned that the gripping of weights, while working out, may improve the strength in your hands.

Cardio has always been my go-to type of workout because for me, it has always been easy. However, adding weightlifting to my routine became a priority. I immediately added weights from as small as 2 lbs. to as large as 35 lbs. to my at-home gym, and began to press ‘Play’ on weight training workouts.

A Head-to-Toe Mentality

Fitness is not about a dress size or a number on the scale but about how I feel (mentally and physically), how strong I am as a senior, and how much joy this journey actually brings me.

After many years of yo-yo dieting (up and down on the scale) and working out feverishly to try to lose weight, my understanding of fitness has evolved into a head-to-toe mentality. Fitness is not about a dress size or a number on the scale but about how I feel (mentally and physically), how strong I am as a senior, and how much joy this journey actually brings me. Being open to learning new fitness skills, sharing what I learn with others, and not being afraid to fail forward is what keeps me going!

Finding the Right Balance

Having diabetes (since I was 37) has been a major factor in everything I do when it comes to fitness. Often times, people with diabetes also have blood pressure and cholesterol issues. A regular check (and balance) of these numbers is just as important as the number on the scale. Keeping my blood sugar, blood pressure, and cholesterol levels at a near normal level has been my constant focus.

Interestingly enough, I’ve found that adding weights to my fitness routine has made it easier to keep each under control. At a recent doctor’s appointment, my blood pressure was 126/64. I was shocked and my doctor was impressed…very impressed! My HDL (good cholesterol) is 57, and I’ve set a new goal of 60.

Staying strong, for my family as well as my own satisfaction, is what keeps me motivated to seek out and try new things.

Taking on a New Challenge

Staying strong, for my family as well as my own satisfaction, is what keeps me motivated to seek out and try new things… like training to run a marathon! That’s right! Along with the incorporation of weights, I have been challenged by my childhood “bestie” to train for and run a marathon with her. I figure, even if I don’t finish the entire run (although I intend to), the preparation for it alone is a WIN!

As a Senior Planet Sponsored Athlete, one of my goals is to continue learning how to hold on to physical strength as I age, and share what I learn with my senior community. Stay tuned, as I’ll be hosting my first live presentation here on seniorplanet.org on June 19. My motto has always been “move something to move something” — so let’s get moving!

In need of a little motivation to get moving? Join our daily health and wellness programs, stay tuned to the latest news and articles from SeniorPlanet.org by signing up for The Orbit weekly newsletter, and follow us on social media (Facebook | Instagram | X) to get to know these awe-inspiring athletes. Plus, check out past Senior Planet Sponsored Athlete programs on our YouTube channel. You might just find a new love for fitness along the way!

Please consult your physician or other health care professional before starting a fitness program to determine if it is right for your needs. The advice and information presented in this article are in no way intended as a substitute for medical consultation.