Sinclair Cares: How to stay active while aging

SINCLAIR BROADCAST GROUP — With Americans living longer than ever, it's important to feel your best in the process.

One of the key things you can do to safeguard your health, pump up your immune system and supercharge your mind is to move your body.

Gayle Goad dares you to guess her age -- but before you do, check out her splits and her cartwheel.

Though we wouldn't recommend this if your pool is padlocked for the pandemic: "I actually climbed the fence and went swimming twice this week," Goad said.

There's no question that "GG," as her friends call her, is active.

"Pickleball, badminton, was doing dancing and swimming," she said.

And she teaches yoga.

Ready to guess her age now?

She's 80.

"According to the doctor, I have scoliosis, fibromyalgia, spinal stenosis, bulging discs, pinched nerve, arthritis, osteopenia," Goad said. "But I just ignore them all."

Better put, she just doesn't let them slow her down.

A telling study from the University of Birmingham shows that less than half of people over 65 exercises enough to stay healthy

In addition to improving balance, strength, flexibility and brainpower, the same study shows exercise throughout life keeps the immune system young, too.

That's a big motivator in a global pandemic.

Gretchen Funk is with Fifty Forward, an organization that helps people enjoy the second half of life as much as the first.

"Even if you used to run a marathon, and now you walk your dog around the block, that is excellent," Funk said.

Even with things closed, the National Institute on Aging recommends getting up during TV commercials to march in place, simple stair-stepping, taking walks.

"Keep pushing, get up and do something," Goad said.

For GG, when things shut down for the pandemic?

"I made a commitment not only am I going to survive it, but I'm going to be healthier and stronger when it's over," Goad said. "There's a big battle between my brain and my body."

Most days, her brain wins.