'I’m 73 and in the Best Shape of My Life—This Is the Exact Workout Routine I Swear By'

Aging and creativity often go hand in hand. As we age, sometimes, the activities we used to do time and time again won’t work with our current bodies and physical limitations, so we need to mix it up and find alternatives that also keep us healthy and happy. That is especially true of fitness ventures, and it’s something that Madeline Habib knows about through experience.

With a focus on strength and flexibility, and a spinal condition that she doesn’t allow to hold her back, this Macomb Township, Michigan resident isn’t slowing down anytime soon.

Always Athletic

Habib says that she’s always been active and interested in sports, dance and exercise. In high school, she was a cheerleader, the co-captain of the girls’ basketball team and played baseball as well. In college, she expanded her repertoire even further by playing racquetball, bowling, taking folk dance classes, doing some downhill skiing and serving as the co-captain for the first women’s fencing team at Wayne State University.

“I was ranked second among women college fencers and third in the state for women fencers in the Midwest,” Habib shares.

Habib’s husband, who has always been equally active, was the captain of the football team in high school and continues to work out almost every day at a nearby fitness club.

Related: The One Easy Stretch Physical Therapists Are Begging People Over 50 to Start Doing ASAP

Physical Challenges

Over the past three years, Habib has been met with physical challenges that are associated with aging. Before being diagnosed with degenerative disc disease, Habib would routinely jog 50 minutes several times per week, but then she had to quit.

“After being diagnosed with degenerative disk disease, I quit jogging and dance classes, as jumping and pounding on pavement can exacerbate the condition,” she says. “I spent a lot of time laying around and gaining weight, so I knew I needed to get moving. I registered for Pilates, but my stamina was so bad that sometimes I could not complete all the exercises, as I felt nauseated. I quit Pilates and limited my workouts to walking, but I could not even finish half the length that I had previously jogged.”

That’s when she realized that she had to adjust her workouts to fit her declining strength, energy and flexibility. In other words? She met herself exactly where she was at and embraced trying different forms of exercise.

Related: ‘I’m 63 and in the Best Shape of My Life—This Is the Exact Workout Routine I Swear By'

Madeline Habib’s Workout Routine

Stretching

Following Habib’s challenges with degenerative disc disease, she says that her workout schedule is a bit lighter than it used to be. “I only walk currently, 50 minutes every day, for cardio, and go for my assisted stretching session once a week for flexibility and recovery,” she says.

She says that discovering StretchLab, the global fitness studio with over 900 locations, has been so valuable for flexibility and recovery.

“A year ago, I registered for 50-minute sessions once a week,” she says. “The Flexologist takes you through a series of stretches tailored to your needs. I was able to indicate the range of the stretch that felt right. Being a former dancer, I was used to stretching, but I had not done so for three years, so it was great to get back into it. I was pleased to hear that my Flexologist said that I was flexible for my age. However, from my perspective, I was not as flexible as I had been in the past, but over that year with regular stretching, my strength and flexibility increased.”

Walking

Habib walks for 50 minutes a day, which serves as her cardio. “I enjoy walking in our condo complex and always bring doggy treats,” she says. “I not only meet the dogs, but the owners as well.” After walking and meeting neighborhood pups, Habib follows her workout with a sauna session.

Related: This Is the Absolute Best Walking Workout for People Over 50, According to a Physical Therapist

Classes

In addition to stretching and walking daily, Habib takes a wide array of classes that are kind to her back. Keeping her spine in mind, she participates in chair yoga, Zumba, senior aerobics, Pilates and she joined a fitness center.

Now that she’s feeling better, she’s looking for a Tai Chi class and is aiming to reintegrate strength training into her routine.

Wise Advice

“Exercise helps seniors stay active, feel great and keeps your body strong and flexible,” Habib says. “It also helps to build stamina, prevent falls and can also help seniors live independently for longer. As we age, it becomes increasingly important to maintain physical activity, exercise and recovery to promote healthy aging.”

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