SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO, Calif. (KABC) — Is it possible to feel energetic and healthy for nearly 100 years? A local 97-year-old may be the oldest practicing Zumba participant in the world! One clue may be a recent discovery about how people of age.
Longevity secret No. 1 is to live with joy! On Thursday nights, you can find Saturia Martinez at the front of a high-powered Zumba class.
“She’s there. Always engaged. Always positive. No matter what,” said Zumba instructor Ailyn Larsen at 24 Hour Fitness in San Juan Capistrano.
The class reminds her of her Colombian roots.
“Like I’m dancing cumbia in my country. I used to dance cumbia,” said Martinez.
Her love of dance began early in life.
“I was born on August 12th, 1928,” she said. In her 30s, Martinez moved to the U.S. with her husband and four kids.
Despite the rigors of work and family, she joined a new fitness craze.
“My mother never drank, never smoked. And she was one of the first members of the Jack LaLanne club in the 1970s,” said Martinez’ daughter, Gloria.
Her dedication at this time in her life paid off! A recent Stanford study on longevity finds in your early 40s and early 60s, we undergo biological changes that can age us faster.
“We want to make sure we are in the best position possible when we hit those ages so we have some resilience,” said UCLA Geriatric expert Dr. David Lee.
He recommends that in our 40s, we should focus on heart health. Cut out smoking and drinking, eat well and exercise.
By the time you hit your 60s, you want to be prepared for the next big hit, which could impact your brain.
“There’s this concept in geriatrics called cognitive reserve,” said Lee.
Building cognitive reserves helps stave off Alzheimer’s disease. Lee said the trick is to keep learning.
At 54, Martinez got a bachelor’s degree from Cal State Los Angeles.
“I adore my children, and I want to show them that you can do whatever you want. It doesn’t matter your age,” she said.
But even if you ate poorly and drank a lot of alcohol in your 40s and became really sedentary in your 60s, Lee says the human body is resilient and like Martinez has taught us, it is never too late to make those healthy changes.
“I always want to do something else. If you can move, you should do it!” Martinez said.
What drives Martinez is living with purpose and joy.
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