Exercise makes Alabama couple’s 80s and 90s truly ‘golden years’
Using the back press, Simmons surprises younger patrons at her gym. At 85, she is the picture of divine health, with the gusto and stamina to work out three days a week at Solid Image Fitness in Jasper, in addition to walking 2 miles daily. She says that exercise and a good diet play a huge part in remaining strong and healthy. (Nick Layman/Alabama NewsCenter)
At 90 years old, Charles Gilliland feels as though he has discovered the fountain of youth.
That’s because, through strength- and cardio-building exercises – coupled with a healthful diet – he has gained newfound health and vitality. The difference, Gilliland says, is like “night and day” compared to his physical condition five years ago.
Personal Trainer Meadows (left) advises Gilliland during a workout. (Nick Layman/Alabama NewsCenter)
He and his wife, Jackie Simmons, 85, are accustomed to hearing gasps of awe and having young folks stop to watch while they use the weight machines at Solid Image Fitness club in Jasper. The couple arrives at the club around 9:15 a.m. three days a week, and complete their workouts in an hour.
“People are like, ‘I can’t believe what I’m seeing,’” said Simmons, who exercises with her husband. “A lot of the younger people are just amazed when they see us working out.”
Keeping an admirable fitness routine
Gilliland starts on the treadmill for a 20-minute walk, while Simmons hops on the arc trainer machine for a dose of cardio. From there, they take turns at the back press, the bench press, the leg press and machines that strengthen the abdominal muscles, with 10 repetitions on each machine.
Always a great believer in exercise, Simmons is one of the health club’s charter members. However, she began working out in earnest after her first husband, Richard, an Alabama Power retiree, passed away. For three years, she worked out with personal trainer Cynthia Meadows, who devised an overall strengthening plan for her.
“I told Cynthia that I needed to be stronger so that I could do things around the house, by myself,” Simmons said. “I knew that I wasn’t able to do what I needed to do, unless I was stronger.”
Pumping iron in their golden years, couple stays healthy and close from Alabama NewsCenter on Vimeo.
Meadows said, “I trained Jackie with heavy weights. We switched from one type of machine each time, as she got stronger and learned what to do.”
Enviably fit and trim – Simmons weighs 120 pounds – she has always maintained a healthy weight and, even as an octogenarian, has lots of energy. For more than 30 years, Simmons has risen early to take a 2-mile walk through her quiet neighborhood in Jasper.
“It’s fulfilling to me to be able to exercise,” Simmons said. “I feel like it is part of my routine. Your ability decreases if you don’t exercise. If I don’t go, I can feel it, and I’ll tell Charles, ‘We need to go to the gym.’”
Simmons has never been on a daily medicine – which astounds her family doctor – and takes only daily vitamins, fish oil and a supplement for her joints. Her blood pressure and other health readings are perfect.
For Gilliland, attaining good health seemed as elusive as the figurative “pot of gold at the end of a rainbow.”
For many years, other than his work activities on the job, Gilliland didn’t exercise much. He began working at Alabama Power in 1947 as a tree trimmer, progressing to grounds man, lead lineman, crew foreman and engineering aide until his retirement in 1989 with 41 years of service. Afterward, Gilliland owned and operated a Sears, Roebuck Co. appliance store in Jasper, which kept him busy. After his first wife, Lora, passed away, eating healthily went by the wayside, Gilliland said.
“I wasn’t real good at cooking,” he admitted. “I ate whatever was easy to fix, and most of that was carbohydrates. I have Type 2 diabetes, and I didn’t eat foods that were good for me. When Jackie and I first got married, I was on so many medications, I would stagger when I first got up in the morning.”
“I weighed 185 when we got married, and now I weigh 154 pounds,” Gilliland said, with pride. “I lost 2 inches off my waist. I take about one-third of the medicine I used to take. I feel better now than I’ve felt in 25 years.”
Eating fruits and vegetables, and very little red meat, promotes one’s health, Simmons believes. The couple eats meals with sensible portions that include either chicken or fish, with vegetables and occasional fruit. For instance, breakfast might include cereal with blueberries; lunch may consist of a turkey sandwich and fruit; and dinner might be baked chicken with three seasonal vegetables. The couple rarely eats bread or sugar.
Enjoying divine health
Several months ago, while she was grocery shopping, Simmons saw one of her former co-workers from the Jasper School Board.
Simmons said, “The lady tapped me on the shoulder and said, ‘At first I didn’t know that was you. I saw you from behind, and you looked so good, your back is so straight and upright. Golly, you sure have not aged.’”
The couple has plenty of energy to work in their 2-acre yard. (Nick Layman/Alabama NewsCenter)
“I told her about my exercise and what I do,” Simmons said. As she continued shopping, Simmons saw her friend a few more times. Each time, the woman checked Simmons’ shopping cart.
Finally, her friend announced, “I’m getting whatever you’re getting,” and began following Simmons through the aisles to see which vegetables she selected.
“I was so tickled at her,” Simmons says.
Simmons’ family is thrilled that she’s in great health and is proud of her uncommon stamina.
“They think Nana can do anything,” Simmons says about her eight great-grandchildren, with a laugh. “My grandson, Clark Humphreys, is a track and field coach at Vanderbilt University, and he tells his daughters, ‘This is what you can do when you’re older, if you keep doing your exercises.’ Another of my friends who is 52 says she hopes she can do the same thing, someday.”
Truly golden years: Living a happy, blessed life
Simmons said that Gilliland isn’t the same person he was when they married – his lifestyle change has benefited him greatly. While much of his improved health may be attributed to diet and exercise, Gilliland’s daughter noted that the loving care and support he gets from Simmons has made a big difference, as well.
“Charles works in the yard with me quite a bit now, and he’s so much stronger,” Simmons said. “He always tells people he feels so much better. We really enjoy our time and our lives together. We are just so happy.”
