Health Update: My Fitness Journey Q & A with Jessica Tipton – What Experts Say

This highlight brings Fit Friday’s Health & Wellness Winter Series to a close with the spring season upon us. It gave us a chance to get up close and personal with our community’s fitness leaders who serve as role models with invaluable tips on prioritizing health and wellness. Jessica Tipton, 63, has been a fitness instructor for 30 years and a diving coach for 15 years after being a collegiate diver.

Do you switch up your workout routine in the winter months to stay engaged, and what do you recommend to others?

I don’t switch up my workout routine during the winter months in my personal life. I do total body conditioning, which works well for me. At the senior center, I switch things up in the classes I teach to enhance muscle memory. We play brain games where we count backwards while working out — they like to play mental games. During the winter months, older adults are more confined and are more prone to depression. They are more contemplative, so I bring in guest speakers to talk about self-growth. We also have cooking classes during the winter months. They’re receptive to learning and quick presentations are engaging for them.

What kinds of classes that you’re offering during the winter months do you find people are most drawn to this time of year?

The most popular classes right now are cardio interval, Silver Sneaker circuit, arthritis class, chair yoga, chair with weights, balance, and Tai Chi. I switch up the routine and they also like to play games like ‘roll the dice’, which tells them how many repetitions they have to do

of a certain exercise.

What is your favorite aspect of instructing fitness classes?

I love the interaction with our seniors — it feels like you’re part of a family and brings so much joy to my job. People care about each other here and so you reap benefits on a personal, emotional and professional level.

Since you have such a strong community of seniors who attend your classes, do you find it helps inspire people to get out the door for workouts during the winter months when it is very cold?

It motivates some to get there, but the socialization aspect dominates the fitness, which is secondary.

What have been some topics of conversation in your fitness classes these days?

There is a lot of chatter about keeping healthy. Arthritis is the biggest culprit that is talked about a lot, along with balance. Everyone is afraid of falling in the wintertime, so we offer fall prevention. There is also talk about GLP-1s and other things they are hearing in the news, so we offer speakers from Villanova and Westchester to discuss various topics.

What are your personal fitness goals right now?

I’m going to start going back to a swimming masters program. It’s great for cross-training, and my body needs a change.

What types of foods do you crave in the wintertime?

My husband is the cook, and I love salmon and eat spinach daily. My diet is basically protein, vegetables, and greens.

Do you have any fitness tips to inspire people to get out the door and to the gym this time of year?

It’s important to work out with a friend because it makes fitness more fun. Whether you do weights, a class or take a walk together, you will find yourself doing it more than if it is just yourself.