One of my heroines at the gym is Joyce
Ostheim. Her warm smile, tanned and athletic body and boundless energy triggered my
curiosity.
Who is this lovely woman who takes Michael’s high-low impact
classes, stays for barbell blast and makes Abbie’s step class look easy?
Well, it turns out she is a retied pediatric nurse who loves
exercising and says she feels more like a kid than a 67-year-old woman.
“I love going to the gym,” she says. “People think I
am making a sacrifice by working out, but I’m not. I love Michael’s class.
It’s like dancing. And I feel so much better both physically and emotionally when I
exercise.”
Joyce has been married to Henry, 69, for 47 years.
“We met in Yonker’s, New York on a blind date,” she
recalls. The Boca Bayou based couple have three boys and two grandchildren.
“I have always been active and make exercise a priority in my
life,” Joyce says. “I play tennis and workout almost every day. On weekends,
Henry and I ride out bikes.”
Joyce rises at 7, has oatmeal for breakfast and heads to the gym or
the tennis courts where she enjoys heated doubles play. Lunch is a salad and dinner is a
simple dish of fish or chicken and vegetables.
“I love white wine,” she admits. “I like simplicity.
I play bridge in the evenings or crochet. I do things that make me feel happy and
don’t dwell on the inevitable aches and pains.
“I am probably the oldest participant in Michael’s classes
but I feel like a kid at heart. I don’t focus on my age or on the wrinkles I’ve
earned.
“I thoroughly enjoy my life,” Joyce says with her
trademark laugh.
Joyce admits that the idea of having cosmetic surgery has crossed
her mind, but says that as a nurse, she has her reservations.
“I really don’t approve of trying to be who you’re
not,” she says. “I have sons as old as Michael. Why pretend to be younger?
“
Her enthusiasm in class is contagious. Her warmth is refreshing. For
me, Joyce is not only a role model—that’s a cliché. She’s the embodiment
of how a healthy lifestyle and positive attitude can make your golden years truly blessed.
I am sure many of you have seen Beverly Blum
"clowning around" A.K.A. “Freckles” with a big smile on her face. She
has been a member of our club since 1995. She is always ready to help everyone and a true
caring heart.
Bev transforms herself into an amazing clown and visits nursing
homes, rehab centers, hospice and children's events.
Having lived in Boca Raton for 15 years, Michael's has become her
extended family and her 5-6 time visits per week are truly enjoyable. Bev enjoys Michael's
and credits the success of MBS's fifteen years to the staff and friendly atmosphere.
