Protecting, promoting health
Imagine battling leukemia, not once, but twice, and then add a heart attack, prostate cancer and a fractured femur that required months of bed rest. Most people would have given up, but not Ray George.
George celebrated his 90th birthday on May 3, and has not only managed to overcome all these ailments, but continues to live independently, pursuing his many hobbies, such as gardening, painting, airplane building/flying, piano and astronomy.
How has he overcome all these health challenges? George says years of staying active and exercising regularly is the reason. Regular exercise for George includes riding his stationary bike, and benefiting from a health and fitness program for seniors called Senior Moves.
Senior Moves was designed by Fred Weber and Charlayne Streeter, co-owners of Competitive Fitness and Physical Therapy. They have also designed Smart Moves and Kid Moves.
For their innovative health programs, the Panhandle Health District recently selected Weber and Streeter for the first year Health Heroes award in the business category.
The Health Heroes award “honors individuals, organizations, and businesses on the basis of their work to protect, promote and enhance the health of North Idaho citizens,” according to the PHD.
“Charlayne and Fred are terrific examples of what the PHD Health Heroes award promotes in our community,” says PHD public information officer Susan Cuff. “They’re making a difference in the health of the community, both through the wonderful work they do with the public and as role models for healthy living and personal fitness.”
Senior Moves offers post-rehabilitation exercise programs, weight management and nutritional education and consultation. It improves balance and increases muscle strength through exercise while promoting health, safety and independence.
Smart Moves focuses on one-on-one fitness and offers medically supervised programs, and training for any fitness level.
“Our participants have been successful gaining strength and losing inches,” says Streeter, a physical therapy assistant.
Kid Moves was developed after a few parents approached Weber and Streeter concerned about their children’s weight gain. The program focuses on weight control for children and integrates exercise and lifestyle choices that promote health, fitness and fun.
“Kids won’t generally participate for any length of time in a formal exercise program, so we don’t exercise, we play,” says Weber, who holds a master’s degree in physical therapy. “We play with purpose – games, contests, and challenges designed to have fun, burn calories, improve coordination and develop strength.”
Kid Moves meets twice a week for one hour, and participants vary in age from 7 to 10. The program also includes nutritional and weight management education, strength and cardiovascular, balance and coordination training.
Weber and Streeter are certified children’s fitness specialists.
“One of the things our Kid Moves program tries to accomplish is empowering kids to make the right choice,” says Weber. “Make the right choice with drink, food and exercise.”
Weber and Streeter point out that in order for an exercise program to be successful it needs to be consistent.
“That means it’s going to have to be fun and not cause undue soreness,” Weber says. “Exercise will be more enjoyable if you listen to music or have someone with you.”