Posted on: Monday, July 19, 2004
FITNESS PROFILE
Woman finds exercise keeps her bones dense
By Paula Rath
Advertiser Staff Writer
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Mary Ann Knerr, 75, paddles outrigger canoes, does Pilates and goes to the YMCA for aerobics and Butts & Guts classes.
Richard Ambo The Honolulu Advertiser |
Name: Mary Ann Knerr. Age: 75. Profession: Retired school librarian. Volunteer guardian for abused children. Active in Reading is Fundamental in the schools; helps prepare food at Institute for Human Services once a month. Height: 4-feet-11 ("I was formerly 5'2" but amazingly, my bones are still very dense according to a recent bone-density test. I am sure this is largely because of all the exercise I do.") Workout habits: "I have paddled outrigger canoes with two different groups for many years, three times a week. I do Pilates two times a week and go to the YMCA for aerobics and Butts & Guts classes two or three times a week. I do water aerobics once a week (in the summer only); play lousy tennis with my great, forgiving partners once a week; take qigong two times a week and tai chi on Saturdays. On Sundays, I am not athletic unless my husband and I go to the beach to swim or I go hiking with a friend." When and why I started working out: "I've always been active, but after I was diagnosed with a form of blood cancer seven years ago, I changed some of my eating habits and added some new exercises to my weekly regimen, such as tai chi, qigong and Pilates." My good foods/bad foods: "We eat a diet that includes lots of vegetables and fruits, as well as some fish and chicken. My biggest temptation, besides chocolate, is (Ben & Jerry's) Cherry Garcia Low Fat Frozen Yogurt; I could eat a whole carton of that in one sitting. I take a shot of wheat grass and a drink made from carrots, beets, apple, celery and ginger from Lanikai Juice three times a week." My biggest motivator: "My husband, who is very athletic, and the desire to keep feeling well and being able to do all the things I enjoy doing. I found after I had my hip replaced that keeping active helped me to heal faster. So when I had my spleen removed last September, again I resumed my exercise regimen as soon as possible. And as a result I got back to full activity in a few weeks. I've been blessed to have excellent health providers, including ... my naturopath and primary-care physicians, who all gave me encouragement and moral support. Prayer and meditation have always been an important part of my life." My biggest roadblock to fitness: "There is no real roadblock, but sometimes it is hard to find time to fit everything into a busy schedule." What saves my sanity: "Fun times with my husband and friends, paddling, hiking, trips to unusual places, reading." My next challenge: "I hope to take up hula again (I took it 40 years ago) in September. Advice for those in the same boat: "Keep active, keep a positive attitude and do things that you love to do!"