An octogenarian (age 86!) still teaching Pilates!
Thank you to Leslie Barker with The Dallas Morning News for this profile of an extraordinary Pilates instructor. It is our health mantra: keep exercising! This octogenarian is a true testament to that!
Although exercise has been a constant for her, she also teaches Pilates! A cancer survivor, she gives classes to those dealing with the disease.
So if your excuse is you’re too old to exercise, read this!
Fitness Profile: At 86, she still works out six days a week
Ethel LaBranche, 86, leads a beginner Pilates class for cancer patients at the Texas Oncology-Presbyterian Cancer Center Dallas. She exercises six days a week. Exercise has always been part of Ethel LaBranche’s life. She ran for many years, then took up sailing for 15 years and eventually turned to exercise classes and Pilates. Now 86, the two-time cancer survivor teaches Pilates at Cancer Support Community North Texas to others fighting the disease. She also exercises six days a week.
If I had just 20 minutes to exercise: I would do Pilates.
What gets in the way of my workouts: Not much. Recently, health issues have slowed me down but never stopped me from exercising. I feel better physically and mentally when I exercise.
Proudest fitness moments: Seeing my senior students and cancer survivor students succeed in their fitness goals.
Favorite healthy food: Chopped salad with avocados.
Favorite indulgence: Braum’s Premium Rocky Road and Braum’s Cappuccino Chunky Chocolate.
Fitness goal: To balance flexibility and strength.
What I’d tell someone who wants to follow my routine: It will be time well spent and your body will thank you.
What my workout says about me: That I am persistent and that practice pays dividends. It also says that I have a desire for an active independent life. As I was recovering from my cancer surgery and treatment, I knew I wanted to help other cancer patients. Pilates helped me in my recovery, and I wanted to share my experience with others.