Getting fit over fifty

CLEAR LAKE, TX (KTRK) -- Getting in shape becomes more challenging with age, but it's crucial to lead a long, healthy life.

Three Clear Lake women have made a healthy lifestyle their priority. As they reach milestone birthdays, they're proud to share how exercise improved their health and their attitudes.

"Us three girls have been together for 25 years normally every day at some point after 5 in the afternoon," said Kay Smith.

Smith and her friend Nancy Butler are about to turn 60. Their friend Sherry Wells will be 50 this year.

"I love the friendship, and I love the working out together - the expectation to meet there and workout, and kind of challenge and push each other," Wells said.

Wells worked out her entire life, but for Butler and Smith, their motivation came from family health issues. Butler's mom was diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes.

"I knew I had to focus on trying to stay fit and eat the right foods to show them that it can be done. It's not the end of your life," Butler said.

It was a similar situation for Smith.

"I started working out - really hard working out about 35 years ago, I watched my dad have some bad heart attacks," Smith said.

CAST Fitness Studio owner and trainer Charles Anderson says exercise helps preventable diseases like diabetes, high cholesterol, and high blood pressure.

"I tell people all the time, you don't want the doctor to tell you it's time to start working out. At that point, you're in trouble. So, the best thing is to do it now," Anderson said. "In order to control that high blood pressure, we need to train the most important muscle in the body, which is your heart. The main way to do that is cardio."

Anderson recommends 30 minutes of cardio daily. In addition, weight training at least twice a week will regulate hormones that change as bodies age and help the bones.

"The impact of working out puts pressure on both muscle and bone, and in response to that pressure, the bones become denser to avoid the breaking and the fractures," Anderson said.

The trio hitting their milestones are in the best shape of their lives, and were able to avoid the common diseases that run in their families. They have advice for anyone looking to do the same.

"Start moving, start slow," Wells said.

They also recommend making workout dates to keep yourself accountable.

"It makes you commit because you know someone's waiting for you," Smith said.