Dear editor:

With a smile, I'd like to comment “Retirement Coach” Mike Keenan's column, “Should seniors engage in regular exercise?” (Oct. 29).

I am confident Mike is also an avid fisherman. Well, I'll take the bait. 

Seniors who exercise have vitality and this vitality equals a life insurance policy that will yield in longevity.

I have the privilege of coaching seniors to increase their strength and therefore, functionality.  

I have witnessed the change of actual health stats that demonstrate decreased risk for lifestyle diseases such as Type 2 diabetes, hypertension, osteoporosis, heart disease and deaths associated with falls.  

Physicians, specialists and health practitioners have endorsed the physical lifestyle I encourage.  

According to the annual report of the chief public health officer of Canada, 30 minutes of physical activity per day will decrease mortality by a whopping 19 per cent!

Mike, you have an opinion against traditional fitness practices which is absolutely fine, however, please do not fuel ageism. Sustainable transportation, physical labour, sport and training, offer the opportunity to increase quality of life.  

I am pleased that you acknowledge gardening as your preferred choice of exercise. Gardening replicates lifting iron and produces similar effects.

In these uncertain times, we need to be able to control what we can. In life, there are controllable factors and uncontrollable factors that predispose life expectancy.  

I intend to control what I can and inspire along the way, no matter what the age.  Will you join me, Mike, in encouraging all forms of fitness for all ages?

Coach Jenny Brown

St. Catharines