Janet Osborne, a 62-year-old trainer, shares how working out with her 87-year-old mother has transformed her approach to aging and fitness. Despite their 24-year age difference, the pair regularly exercise together, which has allowed Osborne to observe firsthand how her mother’s movements have adapted over time.
Osborne’s mother has maintained an active lifestyle for decades, engaging in activities such as golfing, cycling, and rollerblading well into her 70s. However, when they began doing mobility exercises, Osborne noticed her mother struggling with some movements, such as getting up from the floor. Together, they worked through these challenges with patience, which led Osborne to reflect on how aging affects physical abilities.
Before founding her online platform, Janet Osborne Fitness, Osborne and her mother exercised consistently, with the latter completing a 30-minute step-and-strength workout five days a week. This routine not only contributed to their physical health but also created a meaningful connection between them, enabling regular check-ins and shared goals.
Currently, Osborne focuses her mother’s workout plan on strength, balance, mobility, and stretching to support daily activities like climbing stairs, carrying groceries, and standing up from a seated position. She provides modifications during sessions, adjusting exercises to accommodate her mother’s comfort and physical limits. For example, instead of overhead presses, her mother performs front raises and lateral lifts. Over time, her balance has significantly improved, moving from requiring wall support to standing unsupported on one leg for 40 seconds.
The duo incorporates movement throughout the day rather than concentrating it in one long session. This approach has led Osborne to value consistency over intensity in fitness routines, a shift influenced by training with her mother.
Lighthearted moments during workouts, including laughter and playful interactions, underscore their sessions and emphasize joy in physical activity. Osborne credits her mother’s sense of humor as a key factor in her positive aging experience.
Outside of exercise, Osborne’s mother has long adhered to a simple, wholesome diet focused on unprocessed foods and ample protein intake. Her lifelong dedication to nutrition, which includes growing vegetables and preparing meals from scratch, has supported her vitality and independence at 87. This dietary approach influenced Osborne’s own interest in nutrition.
Public response to videos featuring Osborne and her mother has been significant, with many viewers expressing inspiration and renewed motivation to exercise. Commenters often see reflections of their own older relatives and find hope in observing an active person in their 80s.
For Osborne, exercising with her mother is not only a means of maintaining physical health but also a source of emotional connection and a reminder that it is never too late to prioritize body care.
