A perfect partnership

My age is 78, I have been a member of the gym for 22 years and have done resistance training using heavy weights with Betty for the past 15 years.

May 2013, I fell heavily at home and sustained broken ribs and a punctured lung. I was treated at SCGH, then referred to their after care clinic for Aged Care in the “Falls” section. Here I was shocked to see the debilitation suffered by my contemporaries who all had someone caring for them & appeared unable to walk without assistance.

I was sent for a bone density scan, returning some months later for results. Here the Doctor informed me that I was different from everyone else, I had the bones of a 20 year old man. He then added that if he lined up on hundred 20 year old men, I would be at the head of the queue. Also I needed no medication or further treatment, but to return in 2 years for another scan.

I recently visited my doctor for the second scan results. He showed me a graph of all my scan results with one from 30 odd years ago showing about 15% loss from both femurs which was considered normal for my age & build. The latest scan had me completely off the scale, way above the coloured zone. My doctor looked at me with suspicion and asked if I had been taking something that started with the letter Z. I said no, I am doing resistance training using heavy weights with Betty at HBF Stadium. He said “Charlies” want to see you again in 2 years. I will be 80.

From this it would seem obvious that to avoid this disease take up resistance training with a qualified instructor to monitor your form to prevent injury with a program to suit your body & fitness level.

Thank you Betty for giving me strong bones.