Twelve years ago, when I was fairly new to personal training, I started working with a couple who lived at a country club in La Quinta. They were in their early 70s and pretty active. Bob golfed several days a week, and Peg played tennis. I saw them twice a week during the season, from October through May, when they would leave the desert and go to their other home which was in Northern California.
Today I trained Bob and Peg for the last time. They are now 83 years old, and have grown tired of being responsible for two homes, not to mention the strain of moving their household twice a year. Since their family lives in Northern California, the choice was easy. They sold their La Quinta home (in two days!), and they’re heading north.
After working with two people for 12 years, you become way more that trainer and client. I admire Bob and Peg in so many ways. They are hard working, honest, warm, and have put up with my “real job” hours and my liberal views for years (and that says a lot!). I am proud to call them friends. They, especially Peg, are who I want to be when I grow up.
Peggy is an active, forward thinking woman who loves to play tennis, read, and see movies. She makes sure that she and Bob eat healthfully and is the driving force behind getting them to the gym. When we work out, she always pushes herself, and even at 83 loves her workout to be challenging (check out her last workout below to see if you can keep up!).
While Bob needs that push from Peg to get him to the gym, when he arrives he’s ready to work hard. In spite of knee and shoulder issues, he completes each exercise with enthusiasm (sometimes telling me after the fact, that kind of hurt my knee).
I am very sad tonight. Bob and Peg shared stories about their lives and their children, I told them about my accomplishments and my plans. They cheered for me when I ran a race or rode a century, and they always saw every little mention in newspapers or television. We had many in depth conversations about who would or should win Dancing with the Stars. I helped Bob figure out his new iPhone, and introduced Peg to Angry Birds when she got an iPad. I feel like I know their children and especially their grandchildren. They are happy to sit through my photo show whenever I return from seeing Samuel.
Goodbye, my friends. I hope that you will stay active. If you need to, hire another personal trainer. I promise I won’t be jealous. I just want you to stay strong, fit, and healthy.
For those who want to give Peg’s last workout a try, here it is:
