ROBIN Swan’s raising the bar for grandparents everywhere.
The 60-year-old grandmother recently deadlifted 100kg at Tamworth’s Snake CrossFit gym, an achievement which mightn’t have seemed conceivable two years ago.
Ms Swan said her kids “conned” her into joining the gym two years ago, when she thought “there was no way Crossfit would be suitable” for someone her age.
“I never thought I would be able to do it,” she said.
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Ms Swan she “couldn’t get up off the floor” before joining the gym and had worked her way up slowly keeping her goals small.
Likewise, it was little things she received from exercise that she treasured the most.
“Just being able walk up steps and walk up hills, it gives you so much more energy,” she said.
“I just want to be fit and healthy, grow old gracefully and see my grandchildren grow old.”
Her feat comes as doctors are reminding patients aged over 50 to be aware of the signs and risk factors for osteoporosis during Healthy Bones Action Week 2018, which starts on August 20.
Rural Doctors Association president, Dr Adam Coltzau, said exercise on a regular basis was one of the best ways to reduce the risk of osteoporosis.
“All men and women older than 50 should start talking to their doctor about their risk factors and to find out whether they need to have a bone density test,” Dr Coltzau said.
“The best way to reduce bone density loss and osteoporosis is to ensure you have adequate calcium, vitamin D and exercise on a regular basis.”
Jacob McArthur
Jacob McArthur is opinions editor for The Canberra Times and Australian Community Media. As part of the Canberra Times' production team, he helps the people of Canberra and beyond get the stories they need, when they need them across a range of platforms, while helping maintain a high editorial standard. Before moving to Canberra in 2020, he started with Australian Community Media in 2015 as a journalist for The Northern Daily Leader in Tamworth where he kept a close eye on Tamworth Regional Council. Jacob was also the co-host of ACM's Water Pressure podcast where he and Jamieson Murphy took a deep dive on issues and key decisions arising during one of the region's worst droughts on record.
Jacob McArthur is opinions editor for The Canberra Times and Australian Community Media. As part of the Canberra Times' production team, he helps the people of Canberra and beyond get the stories they need, when they need them across a range of platforms, while helping maintain a high editorial standard. Before moving to Canberra in 2020, he started with Australian Community Media in 2015 as a journalist for The Northern Daily Leader in Tamworth where he kept a close eye on Tamworth Regional Council. Jacob was also the co-host of ACM's Water Pressure podcast where he and Jamieson Murphy took a deep dive on issues and key decisions arising during one of the region's worst droughts on record.
