Staying healthy

By Selma Greenberg-Ludmer

It’s 7:30 in the morning, a cold dark fall morning. Twenty-five elderhostellers are gathering for breakfast at the Outdoor Lodge in Glen Sutton, fortifying themselves for a day on the road, riding their bikes up and down the hilly terrain of the Townships and across the border into Vermont. These elders range in age from late fifties to early eighties. I join them for breakfast and ask them to share their secrets for staying healthy.

They’re discussing the pros and cons of taking Lipitor, a cholesterol-lowering drug, and beta blockers to lower blood pressure. Eddie Voss, Glen Sutton’s local heart health expert, delivered his lecture last night as he does every week for the elderhostel groups at the Outdoor Lodge. “Everyone’s on these drugs,” says Phil. “You go to your doctor and he gives you a prescription. It’s become routine.” When you’re over fifty, talk about visits to the doctor and pill-taking comes easily. But I’m more interested in what keeps this group healthy and out of doctors' offices.

“A good family life,” Jim answers without hesitating. “My children. My grandchildren. Just living. And throw in exercise. If you have a good family life,” Phil adds,“nothing bothers you.” Phil’s wife, Carol, jumps in, “We do a lot of gardening. We just love it. If I’m worried about anything, I go out into my garden and my worries lift. My neighbour, who’s seventy-five, recently became a master gardener. He didn’t think he was too old. You have to stay interested in life.” Jim chimes in, “If you’re happy, you’re healthy. You have to feel you still have something to contribute.”

Photo by Selma Greenberg-Ludmer

More elders join us in the big room that opens into the dining room and kitchen in the lodge. Coffee is ready and so they fill up their cups and sit down on the comfortable chairs and sofas. They’re dressed in their biking clothes, ready for the day even though the air is chilly, the sky is grey and the wind is howling.

Joe joins into the conversation. “What’s my secret? Faith in God. You need someone who listens to you.” “Seek out friends who do things and keep a happy attitude,” Ken adds. Judy says, “I have this quote on my fridge. It goes something like this: It’s not my intention to die in a well-preserved body but rather to slide into heaven in a well-used one with a glass of wine in one hand and a chocolate bar in the other.”

It’s eight o’clock, time for breakfast. Everyone files into the dining room and helps themselves to fruit, yogurt, wholesome bread, peanut butter, jam, eggs and, the piece de resistance, hot oatmeal cooked with dried fruit, apples, cinnamon, chopped walnuts, maple syrup and milk. David, who is in his seventies, tells me: “I had a heart attack last year, and six weeks later, I was biking. You have to just keep going. And have a positive outlook, the idea that you can overcome something. Plus, avoid junk food and eat healthy.” Hal joins us. “I’m a biologist. What you need to stay healthy is great genetics and lots of luck.” But what about exercise and eating well? “You can’t escape your genes,” he says. “It’s possible to override every good thing you’ve got.”

It’s eight forty-five. Breakfast is over and everyone is gathering outside, in front of the lodge, waiting to receive the map of today’s cycling trip. Nancy says, “Keep your mind busy. You need to have things to look forward to.” Mary adds, “My mother lived to a hundred. She worked hard, didn’t drink and didn’t smoke. She always said, "everything in moderation."

The bikes have all been loaded onto the trailer behind the van. The elderhostellers are eager to start their day of cycling up and down the country roads of Quebec and Vermont.

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