Riding the rails for good health

The train whistle blows as conductor Pam Jasso Power calls, "All aboard!"

Some people cheer as they get ready to "ride" the Fitness Express.

Although they aren't boarding an actual train, residents of the Madison Retirement Community are excited to take their imaginary ride along the rails toward better fitness.

The Fitness Express program, an initiative of the community's parent company Holiday Retirement Corp., is designed to combine fitness and fun.

The Madison is the only Holiday Retirement Corp. facility in San Antonio.

Participating residents embark on their imaginary 37-day railroad tour across Canada and the United States by pretending they are visiting different destinations with accompanying fitness and social activities.

Jasso Power has been the activities director for the community for 16 years and is the "conductor" for the trip.

"We go from Nova Scotia to Quebec to Santa Fe on down to New Orleans and everywhere in between," she said. "The themed fitness activities are something we do in the winter, but there are ongoing fitness activities throughout the year."

On a recent morning, 18 participants gathered in the community's Fireplace Lounge for their workout. Some sat on the overstuffed couches and regular chairs while others stayed in their wheelchairs or walker seats during the workout. The group primarily does strength and stretching exercises while seated and some balance moves while standing.

As big band music boomed from the stereo, Jasso Power led the class in a series of exercises using an elastic band and light free weights. The seniors moved and grooved to the music as they stretched the bands across their torsos or above their heads.

Jasso Power, who is energetic and lively during the workouts, is highly regarded by the residents.

"If Pam ever quits, this place would go to pot. She really keeps it going," Kay Bates said.

Pat Lawrence also praised Jasso Power and the Fitness Express.

"Pam always comes up with fun things and really has something for everyone at all levels," Lawrence said. "We have so much fun as well as exercise. I have lost weight and can now walk the stairs.

"When I first got here 31/2 years ago, I had to look for curb cuts everywhere I went. But not anymore."

A Glenn Miller classic played as the class members flexed their feet and rolled their shoulders.

"This isn't really about losing weight, but about an enthusiasm for fitness," Jasso Power said. "Exercise can be humdrum, and it's all about them keeping strength, range of motion and flexibility so that our residents can continue to be independent."

The theme is key to keeping the residents interested in working out, she added.

"We really get into the train theme by using music such as 'Chattanooga Choo Choo' and 'The Loco-Motion'," Jasso Power said.

"When we stop in Hollywood on Valentine's Day, we do a Valentine's craft, and we had King Cake, beads and masks for Mardi Gras and cherry pie on Washington's birthday," she said. "We just really enjoy the different activities associated with the destinations."

Each participant also had a "luggage tag" shaped like a little brown suitcase. The tags were worn around each person's neck and indicated the progress each had made. They tracked their cumulative fitness minutes on the back and received stickers from all of their destinations on the cover.

In keeping with the theme, the group has taken a trip to the Texas Transportation Museum to ride a train, made model trains for a craft project, watched a movie called "The Legends of the Rails" and learned about the history of Amtrak.

"The railroad is from their era," Jasso Power said of the residents. "It is something they can relate to and reminisce about. When we were traveling to different cities, some of the residents would bring photos to class from when they were actually there."

Ed Salzman said the program has helped him tremendously.

"I used to walk down the hall like this," he said as he swayed side to side. "Now I walk straight as an arrow."

During one of the final locomotive rides, swing music filled the room as Jasso Power told the class they were about to do the "most important exercise of all."

"Here we go with chair stands. Do what you can but try to steadily stand up and sit down," she said. "Now balance on one leg and hold steady."

Balance and sitting may be the most important, but the most popular activity was the Train Track Toss, a game in which beanbags were thrown onto a "track" for points. The first segment of the track was worth five points and each additional segment increased in value by increments of five. The game was the highlight of the day's Fitness Express activities.

"The goal is to work on balance but also provide a little friendly competition," Jasso Power said. "We send in the points accumulated to the main office and compete with the other facilities. There are no prizes, just fun."

Bernice Helgrin was the big winner recently, earning a total of 285 points. Her last throw landed with a big thud on the 50-point mark — the highest possible.

"Woo-hoo, that was fun!" she exclaimed before heading off to lunch.

Jasso Power congratulated her and blew the train whistle.

By Amanda Reimherr. areimherr@express-news.net
Source: www.mysanantonio.com