70 life sty le

T H E E D M O N T O N S U N T h urs d a y , Ma r c h 9 , 2006

Shaping up in her 60s

I

EDITOR: Sally Johnston

PHONE: 468-0115

FAX: 468-0139 E-MAIL: sjohnston@edmsun.com

I feel better now than when I was 40, says dedicated Ursula Sinha
doesnt have any children. ts not quite like findIn the gym, Sinha has ing the fabled Founbeen known to amaze patain of Youth, but Urtrons half her age with sula Sinha believes her some of the poundages she exercise routine and balhoists. For example, in the anced diet have helped CARY CASTAGNA leg press, one of her her at least slow down the strongest exercises, Sinha aging process. says she pushes 140 The energetic Edmonpounds. tonian, who is in her 60s but didnt want her Not bad for someone who didnt start seexact age published, works up a sweat four riously working out until after she turned 60 times a week at the south-side Club Fit. Her regimen includes everything from years young. I feel better now than when I weekly spinning and pilates classes to lifting was 40, says Sinha, who has tried to keep weights and not the lightest ones on the relatively active throughout her life. But the German native who immigrated to rack, either. I challenge myself. Ill increase the Canada in 1970 says shes not perfect. There weights gradually, explains Sinha, who are some days when she doesnt make it to the gym for her scheduled workout. On those weighs a fit 115 pounds at five-foot-three. I just want to stay healthy. I always say rare occasions, she makes sure to go for a people have a responsibility to stay healthy. brisk 40-minute walk around her neighWe have to eat balanced meals and exer- bourhood. Sinha also avoids elevators, opting incise. A former nurse who now works full time stead for the stairs. And when she takes the at MacEwan college putting together nursing bus, she often gets off one stop early and courses, Sinha is all too familiar with the walks the rest of the way to her destination. However, none of this exercise would matmany illnesses that result from poor lifestyle choices. During her nursing career, she saw ter much if she also didnt eat well. Exercise in combination with nutrition patients as young as 40-something suffer does the trick, she advises. lifestyle-related heart attacks and strokes. Sinha, who has never weighed more than It can happen, she says. If I ate greasy stuff all the time, Id clog up my arteries and 135 pounds, says she uses Canadas Food Guide as a basis for her six small daily meals probably have a stroke. Its a constant reminder that as she grows breakfast, lunch, supper and three snacks older, she must work harder to stave off de- at mid-morning, mid-afternoon and before bed. bilitating diseases. I dont eat big meals. Youre never hunAnd although she hesitates to publicly criticize Premier Ralph Kleins proposed gry and it stimulates your metabolism. Although she hasnt had fast food in more health-care reform, Sinha admits shes uneasy about the impact it will have on the than three years, Sinha admits to having a state of medicare. Thats another reason sweet tooth, which she satisfies by treating why the fitness fiend isnt leaving anything herself to cake, chocolate or ice cream in to chance when it comes to her own health. moderation. And on Saturdays and Sundays, she enjoys I dont want to have a hip replacement or any of those things, she says, adding shes a glass of wine with her supper. Theres that not interested in using the health-care sys- word again moderation. Sinha has some sage advice for anyone tem at all other than for routine medical who wants to make their golden years shine: checkups. If I can avoid it, I will. Consult your doctor and then get your butt in So far, so good. Thanks also to good genetics, Sinha says gear by doing some form of regular exercise, she doesnt have any known ailments, hasnt complemented with a balanced diet. I dont think theres any age when you taken any sick days off from work in nearly six years and doesnt require any medica- should stop exercising, she says at the gym following a recent workout. When I retire tion. Its enough to keep her family physician if I ever retire Ill probably come here very pleased. She thinks Im in great every day. Do you have an inspirational story for Keeping Fit? shape, boasts Sinha, who is married but
E-mail Cary Castagna at ccastagna@edmsun.com.

WALTER TYCHNOWICZ, Sun

Ursula Sinha does a workout at Club Fit as part of her diet and fitness routine.