VIDEO: Fighting fit at 98 in Silverton
She has three children with her eldest son being 72 years old while her youngest is 67.
A great-grandmother to 12 children will stop at nothing to keep fit.
Bep Ekama (98) wakes up every Wednesday morning without fail to go the Silverton recreation centre for a session of aerobics with the “Silwer Sterre” fitness group.
“I feel so satisfied and happy after some exercise,” she said.
“I still have a lot of energy which the Lord has given to me.”
While many of her peers experienced issues with their health, the 98-year old said she has hardly had any.
She said she was still in good health and enjoyed taking walks.
“I have been exercising here since 1992,” she said.
“Exercise is not only good for the body, but it’s also good for the mind.”
ALSO READ:
https://www.citizen.co.za/rekord/162888/autumn-season-health-fitness-tips/
To keep her mind sharp, the 98-year plays soduku and crossword puzzles and insists on eating light meals for breakfast.
“I avoid having a big breakfast, so I usually eat oatmeal or muesli with a fruit,” she said.
The aerobics group consisted of elderly people between the age of 70-98 with Bep being the eldest.
Friend and Gym partner Anne Reynecke (75) said Bep was indeed sharp and active.
“She is a role model and an inspiration to all of us,” Reynecke said.
Aerobics instructor Madel von Schalkwyk said Bep was always energetic and was in good shape.
“She is really amazing,” she said.
The grandmother of seven insisted there was nothing unique about her and nothing unique about her lifestyle.
WATCH:
She sometimes gets overwhelmed during exercise but said after a good breather she got going again.
“Sometimes it gets a little too much, I simply take a break and when I am ready again I head back to the floor.”
Bep depended on nobody to drive her around until two months ago when she started experiencing nerves at an intersection.
“It happened on two occasions at the same intersection where I really got nervous and confused, so I decided to stop driving.”
She uses a bus provided by the retirement village at which she stays and sometimes gets a lift from a friend.
“My children, who are very supportive sometimes collect me when I need to run some errands.”
She has three children with her eldest son being 72 years old while her youngest is 67.
An addition to her family are her 12 great-grandchildren.
Do you have more information about the story? Please send us an email to editorial@rekord.co.za or phone us on 083 625 4114.
For free breaking and community news, visit Rekord’s websites:
For more news and interesting articles, like Rekord on Facebook, follow us on Twitter or Instagram
