If you’ve ever been to Iowa, you know this part of the country is called America’s Heartland-and as soon as you meet Kay Glynn, 56, who was born and raised in Hastings, Iowa, and still makes her home there, you know why. This is a lady with a heart for living life to the fullest, and she has the medals to prove it. This amazing grandmom of three gorgeous grandkids personifies physical fitness and the right mental and emotional attitude to go with it.
With just one look, you can see that Kay is a magnificent example of physical fitness. How does she do it? Kay retired from a dance school business she ran for more than 22 years and now works with her husband, Mike, in his insurance business. She has been dancing since the age of 4, loves the outdoors and engages in lots of physical activity and sports with her family. Kay tells us, “To me, it’s not working out; it’s fun.”
At around age 48, someone suggested to Kay that she consider competing in the Iowa State Games in track and field. She did-and as they say, the rest is history. Kay has gone on to compete in the National Senior Games sponsored by Humana; winning medal after medal in the high jump, long jump and pole vault. She was the winner in the pole vault at the 2007 Louisville National Senior Games.
“I really enjoy my fellow athletes, or ‘Play Mates,’ as I call them,” says Kay. “We get together at these events and have a lot of fun. The social aspect is huge, and I just love the interaction. I get to meet new people and have developed lifelong friends. Most of the athletes I compete with are grandparents, which makes it extra great when our families and grandkids are there cheering us on.
“I bring physical fitness right to my backyard with high bars, rings in trees and more. It is my hope that younger people will see that physical fitness is not just for the young. I love that I’m setting a good example for my grandkids.”
Kay does not starve or go hungry to keep so fit; she eats several small meals a day of fruit, cereal, and peanut butter on celery. She makes her midday meal her “big” meal, which includes a protein such as chicken along with some vegetables. One of her secrets is that she tries not eating after 6 p.m. unless it’s a piece of fruit or popcorn with no butter. She starts the morning with a little protein to get her metabolism going: a little cereal with walnuts. She avoids breads and pasta; and if she does indulge, it’s only in small portions (Kay does admit to keeping M&Ms in the house).
She takes an omega-3 (fish oil) supplement, which she claims allowed her to stop taking the Aleve she used for some arthritis pain.
“If you want to be happy and healthy at 90, get started now!” says Kay. “You don’t have to be stuck taking all kinds of costly medications as you age if you get up and use your body and eat sensibly. It isn’t that much of a struggle once you get going.”
Ed note: To learn more about Kay, visit her Web site [http://www.kayglynn.com/].
Kay Glynn’s 5 rules for fitness
1. Start physical activity as young as possible.
2. Include your family in your physical fitness program.
3. Make exercising each day a top priority with NO excuses.
4. You’re never too old to start exercising and taking care of your body.
5. Eat lots of small meals instead of three big ones.