Sally Konopka found SilverSneakers helped with pain reduction

The moment that changed everything:

At age 30, I was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis, which continued to progress, leaving my joints very stiff and my hands and feet deformed. Last year while doing housework I fell and broke my hip. But I was determined not to spend the rest of my life in a wheelchair. After I had my hip replaced I did everything possible to continue my normal daily activities. Eventually I was able to walk without assistance, but I was exhausted all the time from the constant pain.

Small steps, big changes:

I began researching ways to decrease my arthritis and hip pain and found that a healthier diet and regular physical activity were supposed to help. Then I found SilverSneakers and began going to my local fitness location twice a week. I started slowly using elastic bands, small exercise balls and light weight training and kept progressing.

Where I am today:

Healthy eating habits and attending SilverSneakers classes have helped me improve my strength and energy level. My husband saw how much better I was doing and he now goes with me to the classes and our friend who also has arthritis started going with us too!

Getting Fit Just Got More Convenient

At times, your schedule can make it difficult to find a convenient time to work out, especially if you start your day earlier than most or stay up a little later. Now, early risers and night owls alike will have reason to celebrate—we’re happy to announce SilverSneakers just added Anytime Fitness to our list of participating locations!

What does this mean for you? Not only are there more fitness centers for you to choose from, Anytime Fitness offers amenities including:

• access 24 hours a day, 365 days a year
• state-of-the-art fitness equipment, treadmills and free weights
• more than 1,600 locations nationwide

Now you’ll be able to find a fitness center that accommodates your schedule, day or night.

To find your nearest participating location, visit www.silversneakers.com, then call your nearest Anytime Fitness location to schedule your orientation. When you arrive, show your SilverSneakers ID card at the front desk. It’s that easy!

Try out one of these new locations, open 24 hours a day, and take another step toward a healthier, happier lifestyle. And don’t forget to call before your first visit to schedule an orientation

Plans with her granddaughter fuel Priscilla Farrell

The moment that changed everything

I got a call from my health plan saying it included the SilverSneakers Fitness Program. I was told the program was designed just for people like me.

I had nothing to lose, so I hung up the phone and made up my mind to change my situation.

Small steps, big changes

While still using oxygen, I decided to go to the gym near me and join SilverSneakers. I couldn’t climb the stairs, so I took the elevator. After starting SilverSneakers

classes, I also began working with a trainer; I got nutrition training and began eating healthier too.

Where I am today

I’ve lost 74 pounds, got my diabetes under control and got rid of numerous aches and pains. The best part is that my doctor reduced my oxygen use to nighttime only.

He continues to encourage me to keep eating healthier and getting daily exercise. I’ve already achieved one of my main goals, to reduce reliance

on an oxygen tank, and I know walking with my granddaughter on the beach isn’t far behind.

Words for others

You are responsible for your own life choices, and joining a program like SilverSneakers is a life-saving choice. You can do it! All you need to do is go at your own

pace surrounded by wonderful, supportive people.

Ready to submit your nomination form for the 2012 Richard L. Swanson Award?

If so, visit us on Facebook to submit online or visit our web site.

Building strength is key for Roger Wadley

The moment that changed everything

I suffered a debilitating stroke in 2005, leaving my left side (arm, leg and foot) paralyzed. I spent 45 days in a rehab hospital, and when I got out I was released in a wheelchair and given two months of outpatient therapy. I joined SilverSneakers in 2009, coming to class with a cane and wearing an ankle-foot brace.

Small steps, big changes

I began in the SilverSneakers class using two chairs for additional stability and to assist in getting up and down. Determined to get better, I worked hard to gain my strength and range of motion back. Eventually, I could go from seated to a standing position without the aid of my cane or a chair.

Where I am today

I now attend the Muscular Strength & Range of Movement class three times a week and YogaStretch twice a week. After seven months of SilverSneakers classes, I was able to stop using the foot brace. I’ve also been able to decrease my blood pressure meds and been able to stop taking certain cholesterol medications. I’ve lost 20 pounds and my waistline shrunk from 42 inches to 36. My left hand and arm have gone from total paralysis to moderate usefulness and I can even lift my arm over my head; previously I could barely lift it to shoulder height. YogaStretch has improved my flexibility, posture and balance. I am now able to lift my left foot and leg off the floor without help.

Words for others

We have a lot of fun in the SilverSneakers classes. It’s a great group of people who share love and concern for each other. As far as I’m concerned, everyone should join SilverSneakers!

Ready to submit your nomination form for the 2012 Richard L. Swanson Award?

If so, visit  us on Facebook to submit online or visit our web site.

Talking prevention with your doctor

Does this situation sound familiar? You go to the doctor, you fill out some paperwork and the doctor sees you. Your doctor wants to make sure you’re healthy, so you go over any current medications and your present health. But do you talk about prevention?

Going to the doctor is an important step in caring for your health, but it’s important to get a complete picture of your future health and not just your present state. While you’re there, you might only have a few moments with your health care provider, so be prepared with the questions that address prevention.

Preventive health includes the actions you can take to prevent illness and promote your overall wellness. Exercise is one of those actions. Exercise can help you keep your weight under control, improve your cholesterol levels, and manage high blood pressure.

Some of the questions we often forget to ask:

• What are my health risks? Will exercise help
  lower my risks?
• If I exercise and follow a healthier lifestyle
  could I reduce the number of medications I take or take lower doses?
• Is it OK for me to start exercising? Is there
  any exercise I shouldn’t do?
• How will exercise help me stay healthy?
• How much exercise is appropriate for me?

It might even be a good idea to keep a health journal to help you track different aspects of your health, and take notes during your appointments.

For other ideas on questions to ask your doctor, visit the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality website: http://www.ahrq.gov/questions/.

Prevention is a key component of our health that we often overlook, but staying healthy in the future means being healthy now. You can address this with your doctor and make sure you’re taking the right steps to stay healthy and stay young!

If you’ve met with your doctor about prevention and started SilverSneakers, how did it go?

Was it easier than you expected? Were you anxious or nervous about discussing prevention and ways to keep yourself healthy? Or did you learn something that you wouldn’t  have learned if you hadn’t asked?

What To Do With Your Extra Day

Leap Day’s coming up, which means you’re about to gain an extra 24 hours. What will you do with them? Here are a few possibilities:

Get a Day Smarter

• Is there a subject you really didn’t understand in school? Well, it’s never too late—there are loads of free college lectures, math and science classes, and other educational materials online.
• When was the last time you memorized a quote or a poem you like? Go for it – Leap Day’s a freebie!

Get a Day Stronger

• Spend a little extra time at the gym. Work just a little harder on your normal routine, or learn how to use a machine you’ve never used before. The gym employees will help you if you need it.
• Set new goals for your current strength training routine, increasing your target weight or repetitions.
• Go for a personal record. Clear your gym schedule of all other activity and try to beat your previous high for one exercise, like push-ups or crunches. (Be safe as you do this and don’t go overboard.)

Get a Day Faster

• Try interval training on for size: do your normal warm-up, then one minute of high-intensity work (running, biking, or whatever you do for cardio) followed by a minute of low-intensity work. Repeat this 6-8 times, then cool down.
• Go for a personal record for speed or distance.

Get a Day Thinner

• Eat like normal, but keep copious notes on everything you eat (we mean everything: meals and snacks, portion sizes and quantities). At the end of the day, go online and find out how many calories each food contains, along with any relevant nutritional facts. This eye-opening experience will likely change your eating habits forever.
• Try making half of each meal (by volume) fruits and vegetables, and eating only whole grains. You may find that you like it.

Get a Day Wiser

• File your taxes early. The sooner you file, the sooner you’ll get a refund (if you qualify for one).
• Plan out the major events that are happening for the next six months. You’ll have more peace of mind when you don’t have to remind yourself of upcoming calendar items.
• Find some time to meditate, do yoga, or whatever it is you do to find inner peace.

We know what you’re probably thinking: Leap Day isn’t a freebie—time doesn’t freeze on February 29th. Don’t worry. We won’t tell anyone if you don’t.