Athlete Profile: Susan Heitzman

1. Name: Susan Swaim Heitzman

2. Age: 65

3. Occupation: Wife, mother, grandmother. Staying in touch with family and friends in Alabama. Helping my husband with an exercise product to get it to market.

4. years training: and why): Since early1990's in Tuscaloosa, AL with a personal trainer. I had just sold a business and was "coming up for air", wanting to feel better, to lose weight, and to have more energy.

5. How/why did you get started?: I asked around town and found someone who was just starting out as a personal trainer. I wanted to get fitter and stronger as I was beginning to ride horses again (since childhood years)..."Dressage" is a style of riding that takes lots of core strength and quiet control from the rider. I was also volunteering with a horsemanship program that helped children with cerebral palsy and other disabilities. I wanted to be strong and confident around the horses, as each horse had 3 volunteers-one to lead, and one of each side of the rider to make sure the rider stayed balanced.

6. Favorite sport (and why)?: since moving to Hawaii in 1995, my favorite sport is canoe paddling - competitive in 6 person canoes, and training in the solo canoe. Horse back riding is prominent in Hawaii, but paddling is something I could not do in Alabama, so my husband encouraged me to give it a try. Several 1st, 2nds, and 3rds later after competiting for 12 summers, he was right... it is a blast. I've made a lot of good friends and to be able to go out on the ocean on a gorgeous Hawaiian day is something really, really special.

7. Favorite workout (and why)?: I enjoy working out with KC Carlberg at the Honolulu Club. At my age I do not want to run the risk of injury, so the workouts give me the support and fitness for paddling. I am one of those people that need someone to be accountable to and to have a personal trainer who knows the right way to approach the workouts.

8. Pre-race ritual?: Nutrition, rest, and focusing on the strategy ahead, plus a good warm-up, of course.

9. Lessons learned from training and being active?: I know that I feel better, I have more energy, I enjoy being outside, it's fun to have goals when competing...the people you paddle with become your friends, the people you workout with become your friends. I like being part of a crew, or a team.

10. Future goals?: I know that paddling competitively will not continue for much longer, but to enjoy canoeing with my husband and friends will be the reward while I continue to focus on the importance of some kind of daily exercise to keep me fit and energized...when an opportunity comes up for paddling or walking or hiking. I'll be ready. And what about horses? hmmmm.

The Importance of Regular Exercise

As we age, the body begins to slow down a little bit, affecting various aspects of our health. In particular, our muscle strength, endurance, and flexibility begin to suffer. In fact, once you pass the age of 25, your total body strength decreases by 4% every decade. This can make it more and more difficult to participate in daily activities and put us at greater risk for heart disease, obesity, diabetes and other lifestyle related diseases. Regular physical exercise can help to combat the loss of this muscle strength, and bring back much needed flexibility and endurance and improve quality of life.

Our health and fitness is an integral part of our quality of life. Have you ever heard the expression "use it or lose it"? It's true! If you don't use your body, you will surely lose it. Your muscles will become flabby and weak. Your heart and lungs won't function efficiently. And your joints will be stiff and easily injured. Inactivity is as much of a health risk as smoking!

Working out is not something that you do once a week, once a month or whenever your schedule will allow, it is something that should be done regularly, CONSISTENTLY.

I like to tell my clients that working out is like putting money in the bank. The fitter we are, the better able you are to handle illness, aging, and other stresses in our life. I was very fit when I was diagnosed with cancer. The surgery and treatment were rather grueling, but I believe that my fitness helped me in my recovery.

What we do today to maintain health and fitness is going to pay dividends in the future. Like life itself, it is how we handle the setbacks in our life that define not only how sweet the victory but how well we succeed. A fitter YOU will be a stronger and happier YOU.

“Accomplishment – like life – will prove to be a journey, not a destination.”

I really love this quote. It serves to remind us that although our goals, dreams, and desires, are in the future, what is important is the NOW. It is our daily, regular exercise routine that is important. In order to make your journey of life a little easier, start working out today.