Senior Success Story at Fit For Life

A Preventive Health & Fitness Company
"Keep Active and Have Fun!"

Use Endorphins for Pain Relief

It's been 15 years since Mozelle Payne's doctor told her to get moving - or else she'd end up in a wheelchair for the rest of her life. Diagnosed with degenerative arthritis, spondylosis, scoliosis, fibromyalgia and osteoporosis, Payne could barely walk without crying. The disks in her spine were nearly worn out.

Payne had never stuck with an exercise regimen, but this time she had no choice. At 62, she joined the YMCA and learned to swim despite her lifelong fear of deep water. She began to work out every day.

Today, the energetic 77-year-old teaches seven arthritis and senior aquatic exercise sessions per week at local facilities in Chattanooga, Tenn. She has taken no pain medication in more than 10 years and has never missed teaching a class because of arthritis. "Yes, it hurts to move," she admits. "But if you do it consistently and regularly, then at some point, whether you're just walking or doing aerobic exercise, the endorphins in your brain kick in. That's your natural pain reliever."

Motivation tip: "Stop making excuses. It's never too late to start exercising."

Carol Glasscock, MS, PT