I've only been posting sporatically over the last half year or so....due to a knee injury, and then a stupid, freaky kind of stroke due to an eye migraine, but I am now back on track, and just wanted to give you all kudos for helping me to hang in there and work it all through....mostly lately through my lurking rather than participating.

Just a little background....I'm a month away from 64, thinking strongly about retiring from my office job next year, and after seeing the great examples here, not only started focusing on weight loss through resistence training and eating differently, but also decided that I wanted to become a personal trainer...to help myself stay on track, and also help others to become more focused on living more healthily. By others I mean older adults, people like me, who are at the point where they are losing bone mass, flexibility, and have conditions that need age appropriate physical activity.

Well, this weekend I took....and am feeling good about the results of....the ACE certification exam....which psychologically has become a cornerstone for me in what I hope will be my new life in my coming retirement. I also, just last week, found at least four very positive job possibilities which will be available for me as I ease out of my present job next year and into retirement. Evidently all kinds of organizations are craving older trainers who have an understanding of the special needs of men and women as they grow older. I am really excited about the possibilities opening up, and owe alot of my present situation to coming here and reading all the threads, as well as by both positive examples and the continous encouragement offered to everyone. So THANK YOU! to all of you, and especially to Mel and Meg, who I keep in front of me as my shining examples of what is possible; that age is not a barrier.

Who would have thought that at age 65.....and hopefully for a long long time after, I will be a trainer, and dedicating my time to help others attain a better quality of life. What more could a person ask for!?!

Thanks again.

Susan

Congratulations, Susan! No doubt you ace'd ACE. (everyone should know that ACE is one of the oldest and most prestigious of all the PT certifications and that being ACE-certified is a huge accomplishment)

You, my dear, are a shining example to all of us. You've overcome a lot of adversity in the past year and are on your way to a wonderful new career (I have to agree that being a trainer is the best job in the world ) You're going to touch countless people and show them how to live a better and healthier lives.

It's so good to hear such wonderful news from you! Even though you're going to be incredibly busy and successful, don't forget to stop by and tell us all about it.

Susan,

I agree with Meg; what wonderful news. And what inspiring news. I, too, have been thinking about where I go from here. I've just turned 58, which I think of as a "difficult age" : too young to retire but old enough to be seriously thinking about it. One thing I know for certain is that I want to keep "working," but I sure want to do something different. And I would like to have a "service to others" kind of job. The other day, as I left my water aerobics class, I found myself thinking, hey, I could do this. And now your words strike an equally resonnate chord. It so happens that I've long had a real interest in gerontology (even when I was much younger myself), and you may have identifed for me a perfect melding of interests. So thanks for posting and best wishes. I hope you'll let us know how it goes!

Congratulations!

Mel

I bow down to both of you!
I work in a small rural hospital where the average age of my patients is lots of times about 75. It is such a blessing to meet one who is fit and healthy!
Please ... go make more!

hi artmaker!

CONGRATULATIONS! How absolutely incredibly marvellous! I am sure you will make a great trainer!

Rabbit

Congratulations! My trainer is 67 years old, in incredible shape, and has clients of all ages (her client on Saturday is 16 years old). With your attitude and drive, you'll have people flocking to you!

Congrats Susan. I remember reading here about your stroke and think this ace'ing of ace is a wonderful way to finish the year! Keep us posted on which of those job opps you decide to pursue!

Susan -- Artmaker -- Congrats on your active retirement plans....

Wow, you are an inspiration!!!!!!

My trainer just got into this game in his 50s, retiring from his old job as a sales-manager. He seems to be loving what he's doing!! I bet you will too!

Susan Artmaker - Congratulations!! You are an inspiration to me too. I'm about to turn 62, and need to work another 2.5 years to have medical insurance included with my retirement. I'd love to find a trainer in my own age group. Want to move to Alaska??

LOL - and let's not forget my infamous post when I first joined about how I was doing a whole body workout on my cable machine and Mel had to point out that I wasn't doing shoulders, back, or strong glute exercises! LOL. I thought bc I was doing cable pulls with my inner/outer/front and back of thighs that I was good. Since that "enlightening" moment and moving to free weights and a REAL complete workout, it's made a ton of difference!