Good health is both a blessing and a choice. We can’t prevent all physical ailments, but we can certainly make choices that give us an edge toward better health.
Rich DeSchepper and Verlyn Van Batavia are two 70-somethings in Luverne who are living proof that staying active allows for an active lifestyle.
I interviewed them last week for a lighthearted feature about how they’re spending retirement.
The story will appear in a July 28 Star Herald special edition about senior living.
Verlyn is 73 and Rich is 72 (and a half) so it’s appropriate they’re featured in a “senior” edition, but they’re not your typical senior citizens.
They’re retired city employees who work part time for the city on an as-needed basis. The hours are sometimes long and the jobs can be demanding, but they don’t complain. In fact, they “love to come to work,” and you can tell they do.
They’re grateful to have been blessed with good health that allows an active lifestyle.
But there’s also a lot to be said for good attitudes and motivation. They stay active because they know it’s good for them and it has allowed them to maintain the lifestyle they want well into their 70s.
This week’s Star Herald carries a disappointing report about the state of public health in southwest Minnesota.
A survey shows that nearly half of southwest Minnesotans think they’re at a healthy weight, when in fact this is true for only 18 percent. More than 70 percent are overweight or even obese.
Also, many claim that they’re trying to be active, but they face “too many barriers” to exercise. Among these barriers is “lack of motivation,” and meanwhile, over half reported spending two or more hours at a screen (TV, computer or other device).
This week’s paper also carries a story about the exciting possibility of an expansion and improvement project at the city’s pool and fitness center.
The facility is heavily subsidized by city taxpayers (about $300,000 per year) in order to keep memberships and admissions affordable to all community members.
And the pending expansion and improvement shows the commitment of our city leaders to the health of the community.
That has been abundantly clear with the recent work on the LOOP biking and hiking path under construction around the city, in addition to the pool and fitness center improvements.
Also underway are improvements to The Lake and plans for a water trail on the Rock River, providing even more opportunity for active recreation.
Ultimately maintaining good health is as simple as putting on a good pair of walking shoes, even if it’s only for a few blocks.
But the first step is the hardest, because choosing a walk instead of the couch takes a great deal of motivation.
In this community — with all these opportunities for active recreation — there are few true barriers to good health.
We just need to muster the motivation to enjoy them.