Jill, 65 – Building Strength and Camaraderie

Meet Jill Hartzog, one of the 2026 Senior Planet Sponsored Athletes. She’ll be sharing updates on her health and wellness journey through the rest of this year. After turning 50, Jill decided to get serious about moving her body. Through a renewed interest in swimming, and a discovery of weigh training, she’s working toward her goal of aging well. Now, as a Sponsored Athlete, she hopes to help other older adults realize the reward of self-improvement through their own strength and power.

As a 65-year-old, the definition of “aging well” for me is being strong and healthy for as long as possible. As a young child, my mother always told me: “I can’t imagine an old lady named Jill.” The interesting thing is that the name Jill means ‘forever young’ or ‘youthful girl,’ – and that I am!

When I turned 50, I realized I was gaining weight, and it wasn’t easy to lose like it was when I was younger. That’s when I decided I needed to get serious about moving my body, and the idea of being able to swim came back to me.

My Swimming Journey

During my twenties, I met a friend at work (we are still friends today!) who’d always swim at a pool or beach and invite me. He always looked so graceful when he swam. He tried to teach me, but I never had the time or confidence to put in the effort… Many years later, I moved into a building with an outdoor pool, and a neighbor taught me how to blow bubbles in the water. It was then that I began to be more comfortable under water.

I took my initial swim class at St. Bartholomew’s Church in Manhattan, gaining basic breathing skills, but still lacking comfort in the water. Through the years, I began taking more lessons at the various NYC Parks & Recreation centers in Brooklyn and Manhattan. I wanted to prepare to age well in my retirement. I continued through many swimming lessons and practices after work and during weekends and holidays, eventually becoming a more confident swimmer.

“[Swimming is] relaxing, meditative, and physically strengthening.”

Once I retired, I increased my swimming frequency to three times weekly. It was a game changer! I still stayed in the shallow end when I practiced alone, but some of the regular lifeguards would give me tips so that I began to understand my buoyancy and become even more confident. My breathing rhythm was the hardest to achieve.

Finally, after years of practice, I gradually transitioned to deeper water, and then to lap swimming. I have now established a routine of swimming three times weekly, finding it relaxing, meditative, and physically strengthening.

My Strength Training Journey

Although I was swimming regularly, which is a great full body workout, I realized I was not gaining muscle. One day while online, I discovered a video reel from a strength training gym near me. The participants were doing amazing strength training workouts. I stopped by and signed up to take a series of five “on board” personal training sessions. After the sessions, I was sold – and I joined right away! Since April 2024, I have attended the gym 2-3x per week.

“It’s hard to believe how strong I’m becoming…”

Stretching is the start of all exercises. I’m becoming more flexible, and I can now squat and dead hang from a pull-up bar. I’m able to lift single arm dumbbells at 10lbs, and I’ve learned to use kettle bells. I’m working toward doing push-ups from the floor, and many other strength and balancing techniques. It’s hard to believe how strong I’m becoming, and how I’m capable of using my own body weight to achieve my workout goals!

My Volunteering Journey

While swimming at the Chelsea Rec Center pool, I decided to stop by the Senior Planet center when I found out it was just a few blocks east. I visited out of curiosity and enrolled in an artificial intelligence lecture. I had only recently found out about AI, and the class and was so informative! I signed up for more tech presentations, and even a 10-week course. They were all so amazing and had great instructors, and I learned a lot. Then I met some of the volunteers and found out about the need for more help at the center.

“I’m excited to know that in our great city, there is so much for older adults to do to remain active and lead productive lives.”

I started volunteering in October 2024, and it was perfect for me. I assisted older adults who wanted to learn about technology. I loved being the welcoming face at the front desk ready to assist. I built many relationships and friendships while volunteering. I got to meet many OATS staff, and I was glad to speak with Tom Kamber and hear of his passion and vision of how Senior Planet was created. I’m excited to know that in our great city, there is so much for older adults to do to remain active and lead productive lives.

Let’s Build Strength – and Community – Together

When I choose hobbies and activities it is important to build relationships as well. The community of swimming, strength training and volunteering connects me to my love of learning, socializing and giving back. I always keep in the forefront of my mind the iconic quote from the movie The Shawshank Redemption: “Get busy living or get busy dying.”

“It’s my hope this year as a Senior Planet Sponsored Athlete that more older adults will realize the reward of self-improvement through their own strength and power.”

I look forward to connecting more with the Senior Planet community at my upcoming virtual presentation on Wednesday, June 17 at 1:30pm EDT. Save the date and stay tuned for more information as the date draws near! It’s my hope this year as a Senior Planet Sponsored Athlete that more older adults will realize the reward of self-improvement through their own strength and power.

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 | YouTube | Instagram) to get to know these awe-inspiring athletes. You might just find a new love for fitness along the way!

 

Images courtesy of Jill Hartzog