STILL PUMPING
Maureen Law is fit at age 75
Maureen Law has just completed another batch of pushups. A former federal public servant, she began a regular exercise routine after her retirement.
“I started because I realized it would be a good thing for me to get more exercise than I had typically been getting when I was working full-time,” says Law, who celebrated her 75th birthday in January. “I was never very interested in sports and am not a particularly athletic person. I just realized I needed to do this.”
She says that she tried going to a fitness class but quickly discovered that group exercise classes were not for her. “I would always have been making excuses to myself not to go,” she says, candidly.
Instead, she decided to try working with a personal trainer. “It seemed like a good idea, because once I made the commitment I would stick with it.”
That was more than 12 years ago. She has been a regular client at Wellness on the Rideau, a personal fitness studio for women, ever since.
“Having a personal trainer has been very worthwhile for me, both in getting me there and in getting the personal attention that ensures I do the things that are just right for me,” says Law, who attends a weekly session at the studio and repeats the various exercises at home.
“As a trainer, I’m pretty impressed with what Maureen can do at 75,” says Wellness on the Rideau owner and certified fitness instructor Elaine Giacobbi.
“Coming here has been really helpful for my physical health,” says Law. “Elaine is very inspirational as a trainer and makes workouts fun. I’ve enjoyed coming all these years and will keep on coming.”
Since she began working with Giacobbi, Law has had hip replacement surgery. “Having had the exercise both before and after the surgery meant that I needed almost no rehab,” she says. “I was back exercising after about a month. I had to be a little more careful about what I did at first, but I needed physiotherapy for only a very short time after the hip replacement. Being here (at Wellness on the Rideau) helped me a lot both in preparation for the surgery and in my recovery.”
Law, a vegetarian, adds that, along with paying attention to a nutritious diet, another major support in keeping her fit is her Havanese, Lola. “A dog is good for you mentally and physically and makes sure that you go for two walks a day, whatever the weather,” she says.
“Maureen is a wonderful example of what exercise can do for you if you keep at it on a regular basis,” says Giacobbi. “Fitness builds muscle strength and has an overall effect on the mind, body and spirit.”
Giacobbi adds that safety during exercise is one of her prime concerns. “I’m very strict and very careful,” she emphasizes, pointing out that in over 30 years as a trainer, she has never suffered an injury. “I want people to be safe. It’s all about the individual’s health and ability and doing what is right for them.”
For further information about Wellness on the Rideau or to arrange for a free no-obligation consultation, call 613-220-3141, email inform@wellnessontherideau.com or visit www.wellnessontherideau.com.
Maureen is a wonderful example of what exercise can do for you if you keep it up on a regular basis. ELAINE GIACOBBI, Certified fitness instructor