These grandmas demonstrate that age...

These grandmas demonstrate that age doesn't matter when it originates to their competitive nature

When Mavis Albin was a teenager in the 1950 there was single one sport offered to girls-- basketball. Although she was forward the team and loved the game, Albin erect it lacking, because the governments were altered to make it more "ladylike."

"It was a extremely boring game," she said. "You could single dribble one time and the guards did not shoot" The slightest physical contact with another player was considered a noisome Fortunately, times have changed. Today's girls are furnished as many opportunities in sports as lads and the rules aren't modified for the more "genteel" sex And things are different for Albin, too.

Eight years ago, at the age of 56 she was invited to play in three-on-three basketball in the Senior Olympics. "It changed my whole life," said Albin. "That antiquated competitive spirit returned."

A CHANGE OF PACE

Prior to joining the Senior Olympics, Albin lived a rather sedentary life. "I did not exercise at all," she said. "When I musing about exercise, I would be in like manner exhausted I'd go lay down!" Albin admits she didn't watch her diet or take any vitamins. Today, however, it's a whole fresh ball game. Albin is the captain of the Louisiana Tigerettes 50+ Hi-Tops, a team which plays fast-paced, half-court games that succeed all the NCAA rules. for a like reason far they have an undefeated record of 58-0

What's Albin's privy to remaining flexible and athletic? She goe to the YMCA three times a week to exercise, and she takes a daily multivitamin and a glucosamine/chondroitin combination continuation for her joints. "I'm motivated not merely for myself, but for my team," she said. "We're just like any other grandmas we just use [basketball] as a release from worldly anxieties. We may be grandmas, if it were not that we like to think we fit into the 21st century

HER BIGGEST FANS

And speaking of being a grandma, Albin's grandchildren played a big part in her decision to be onward the team. "I have three son three precious daughter-in-laws and seven grandchildren, and they have always supported me" In fact, when Albin first started playing, she picked "5" as her uniform number, for her five grandsons. When another grandchild was upon the way, she wanted to switch to #6 if it be not that that number was already taken, thus she settled on "5+1." When the nearest happy announcement was made, she changed to the number she wears today, "5+2" And she couldn't be happier.

"Who would've dreamed 40 years after high sect I could play basketball?" she laughed.

ALBIN'S ADVICE TO OTHER SENIORS?

"I encourage folks to get out from in face of their televisions," she said. "Exercising makes you be impressed so good about yourself. Drink exuberance of fluids and get exercise. Call a friend--you can encourage each other."

Regular exercise can help maintain healthy, mobile joints, and it's not at any time too late to start. Many of the women forward the Louisiana Tigerettes 50+ Hi-Tops began incorporating regular exercise into their lives later in life. "We aren't a lump of exceptional athletes," said team captain Mavis Albin. "We do toughness training and jogging--things anyone can start at any age. unless maybe the best reason for incorporating regular exercise into my life was because I be impressed better and enjoy life more."

Exercise can help you avoid the stiffness and pain that flow from inflexibility. Of course, before starting any exercise program, take counsel with your physician first.

Exercise tips from the arthritis Foundation

1 Before exercising, apply heat or ice treatment to the area you will be working.

2 Warm up first at least 10-15 minutes.

3 Exercise at a comfortable, steady pace.

4 Breathe gone out as you do the exercise and breathe in as you relax between repetitions.

5 Be alert for warning signs. Stop exercising if you have chest tightness or unadorned shortness of breath or perceive dizzy, faint or sick to your stomach. Contact your doctor immediately if these symptoms occur

6 If you bring to maturity a muscle pain or cramp, gently abrade and stretch the muscle.

7 Learn to listen to your material part and know its signals.

8 Don't do too plenteous too fast.

9 dispassionate down for five minutes after exercising.

10 preserve a positive attitude.

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