The family treating healthy aging like a team sport
The family even has an acronym for the way they eat: No SOAP, which stands for sugar, oil, additives, and processed foods.
Charlotte Lim, who began strength training at the age of 72, showcases remarkable physical fitness and determination. Lim, a resident of Singapore, started her exercise journey alongside her daughter Yan, a fitness trainer, after her mother's father passed away unexpectedly at the age of 69 due to an aortic dissection. This tragic event motivated Yan to make her mother's health a priority.
Initially, Lim was unsure about the idea of starting strength training, but her daughter's encouragement proved pivotal. Within a year of commencing her workouts, Lim managed to perform unassisted sit-ups and within four years, she could execute a chin-up. Yan's brother Tiat, also a fitness trainer, expressed his amazement at his mother's newfound strength, never imagining she would be able to perform such advanced exercises.
Research indicates that people can continue to build muscle and strength even in their later years. A study published in 2023 found that adults over 85 benefited from strength training just as much as those aged 65 to 75. Dr. Chia Jia Qian, a geriatrician at Tan Tock Seng Hospital in Singapore, emphasized that starting strength training at any age is never too late and that muscle mass and strength naturally decline with age, leading to increased risks of falls, fractures, and a decline in physical and cognitive function.
To prevent these adverse effects, Chia recommends that older adults start with exercises that match their fitness level and gradually increase the intensity as they progress. Lim recounted her early experiences at the gym, which were challenging, particularly when she had to perform 210 prison burpees during her second day. Despite the initial difficulty, Lim's perseverance paid off, and she remains the oldest member at the family's gym, where most clients fall within the 40-60 age range.
The family's approach to healthy aging extends beyond exercise, incorporating regular health screenings, monitoring biomarkers, and paying attention to nutrition, sleep, and social connections. Their meals primarily consist of home-cooked, clean foods, with only two cheat meals per week. The gym, now operating out of the family's living room, has become a community hub for Lim, who shares her workouts, home-cooked meals, and interacts with other members online.
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