Baby boomers: Hazelwood woman exercises, eats healthy to to stay fit
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| David Kennedy photo - Mary O'Reilly of Hazelwood tries to stay healthy by exercising and eating nutritious foods. Still, she said, "I'm on three or four prescription medications, which is hard for me to believe, because I feel pretty good." |
"I'm on three or four prescription medications, which is hard for me to believe, because I feel pretty good," she said.
Mary's major health concern is a family history of heart disease, which took her father's life when he was in his 70s. At her doctor's suggestion, she's had to curtail some of the more strenuous activities she used to enjoy, such as mowing the lawn.To stave off further medical problems, Mary tries to follow a moderate exercise regimen. She occasionally goes walking inside of St. Louis Mills, and a large piece of equipment for abdominal exercises occupies a prominent place in her living room.
Still, she admits, "I should probably do more."
Eating well comes more naturally to her, as she enjoys fresh vegetables and salads and calls herself a "lifetime weight watcher."
Unfortunately for Mary, the biggest obstacle to maintaining good health is one she can't control: the rising cost of medical care.
Since she took an early retirement offer from the Ritenour School District, she's on her own for health insurance. Premiums for individual coverage can be staggering - especially for someone on a relatively fixed income, as she is. Her AARP membership has helped offset some of her prescription drug costs, but she still worries about what might happen a few years down the road.
"Everything just keeps getting more expensive," she said. "You hear about people having to choose between paying for health care or buying groceries, and if things keep going the way they are in this country, it could happen to any of us."
