Senior Walks Underscore Centers’ Role
At almost 74, Elda Dix takes pride in looking and feeling good.
Dix’s secret is exercising daily: She does Jazzercise, teaches country line dancing and plans to participate in water aerobics this summer.
“I’ve fallen in love with the concept of exercise,” said Dix, a Huntington Beach resident who has dropped from a Size 18 to a Size 12. “It gives me an incentive to get up in the morning and something terrific to do.”
Dix will be among more than 400 participating in today’s “Step Out For Senior Centers” walks in Huntington Beach and Mission Viejo.
Earl Biddulph, 69, of Huntington Beach, who walks a couple of miles every day to stay active, will be among event participants.
“It’s good for weight control and good exercise,” Biddulph said. “It’s very refreshing. When you come back from a walk, you may feel tired, but it makes you feel like you’ve done something for yourself.”
Nora Webb, director of the Michael E. Rodgers Seniors’ Center in Huntington Beach, said seniors will walk about two miles to and from the center on Orange Avenue.
In Mission Viejo, the 1 1/2-mile walk will begin at the Norman P. Murray Community and Senior Center on Veteran’s Way and ends at the Montanoso Recreation Center.
Registration in Mission Viejo starts at 8 a.m. and is free. Registration has already closed in Huntington Beach due to the overwhelming response of about 250 participants.
The event celebrates Senior Center Awareness Week ending Sunday.
“There’s a stigma associated with senior centers,” Webb said. “A lot of seniors are active. Our push is to promote wellness, feeling good and keeping healthy.”
Dix and Biddulph agreed that it’s important for seniors to get away from sitting in front of the television or at the bingo table.
“The fringe benefit is that you feel strong and healthy, and what gets better than that? Nothing,” Dix said.
Information: Norman P. Murray Community and Senior Center, (714) 470-3062; Michael E. Rodgers Seniors’ Center, (714) 536-9387; or a local senior center for activities and programs.