Meet Nancey Walker, one of the 2024 Senior Planet Sponsored Athletes. She will be sharing updates on her health and wellness journey throughout the year.
At age 37, Nancey weighed 250 pounds and was diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes and Ketoacidosis, a life-threatening disease. Witnessing her family members suffer from chronic pain and disease, Nancey decided to be a source of inspiration by reclaiming her health as she aged. Today, at 62, she has found a fitness routine that works for her and is living her journey out loud.
From a young age, Nancey has always been known as the go-to person for heavy lifting. Whether it’s moving furniture or loading a truck, she has always been naturally strong. However, a year ago, she faced a challenge that made her rethink her strength – struggling to open a jar on her own.
Finding Strength
Instead of accepting this as a sign of aging, Nancey took matters into her own hands. She discovered that incorporating weightlifting into her routine could improve her hand strength. So, she added weight training to her cardio workouts and began to see the benefits.
A Balanced Approach
For Nancey, fitness is not about the number on the scale but about how she feels mentally and physically. With a focus on managing her diabetes, blood pressure, and cholesterol, she has found that weightlifting has helped her control these factors. Her efforts have led to impressive improvements in her health markers.
Embracing New Challenges
Staying strong for her family and herself motivates Nancey to venture into new challenges, such as training for a marathon. As a Senior Planet Sponsored Athlete, her goal is to inspire others to hold on to their physical strength as they age. She will be sharing her journey in a live presentation on June 19th.
Join our daily health and wellness programs, subscribe to The Orbit newsletter, and follow us on social media to connect with inspiring athletes like Nancey. Watch past athlete programs on our YouTube channel and discover a new love for fitness!
Remember to consult with your healthcare provider before starting any fitness program. The information in this article is not a substitute for medical consultation.
