The holiday eating marathon is in full swing. Temptation sings its siren song from every buffet table in the land, and most of us end up carrying an extra pound or three by New Year’s Day.
Is it possible to thoroughly enjoy the holidays and still stay fit? If you live at The Gatesworth, the answer is a resounding yes. “’Tis the season to make merry, and most of our residents tend to imbibe and indulge a bit more than usual,” says fitness instructor Juliana Renner. It’s completely understandable, she adds: “Our award-winning chef and kitchen staff can deliciously accommodate any request and dietary restriction. Who wouldn’t splurge?”
But thanks to the community’s holistic approach to physical and mental well-being, residents seldom go overboard. “The focus here, during the holidays, and always, is on the joy of social engagement, not just food,” Renner says. “That nightly cocktail with friends or piece of pie with visiting family members can be good for the soul. If they overdo it a little, they know they can make up for it with an extra exercise class or two, or by adding a stroll around the grounds or hallways to their usual routine. It’s all about balance, not deprivation.”
The Gatesworth encourages active aging with a wide range of social, educational and recreational activities. When it comes to burning off the extra Christmas cookies
and eggnog, nothing beats the community’s state-of the art fitness center with six highly trained instructors, a heated pool, 18 exercise and conditioning classes a week, and specially designed equipment that meets the needs of seniors. “More than half of our residents use the center at least two or three times a week,” Renner says. “Attendance isn’t mandatory. They come because it’s fun!”
Fitness training and classes are offered at every level, and each resident gets an individually designed program based on his or her medical history and a thorough physical assessment. “Our goal is to improve their daily function,” Renner explains. “When we teach somebody how to get out of a chair more easily or move without fear of falling, it makes our day.” Activities include water fitness, ideal for seniors with arthritis; seated classes for those with limited mobility; numerous classes that improve balance, flexibility and strength; and the always-popular dance classes.
Mrs. Robert Cave, who proudly gives her age as “89 and a half,” takes Renner’s balance class once a week. “We have a great time—Jules is like our Pied Piper!” she says. “The class keeps me flexible and helps me maintain my mobility.” Cave loves holiday season at The Gatesworth. “The atmosphere is festive and the food is absolutely four-star, as usual. But what matters most is how kind, respectful and caring everyone is, from the management team to the servers in the dining rooms. There are no strangers here. And that’s true not just during the holidays, but all year long.”
By Tony Di Martino
Photo by Tim Parker Photography
Pictured: Juliana Renner
[The Gatesworth offers free programs and services to residents and requires no down payment, entry or endowment fees for residency. For more information, call 314.993.0111 or visit thegatesworth.com.]