January 2024

Visit our website at: https://vital-aging-network.org/

In this edition:

• Learn about Aging with Gusto
• What is age: a feeling, or an action?--by Donna Comer
• Not motivated to stay fit?--by Mia Bremer
• Wellness 50+ activities
• Notes from our partner organizations

News from Aging with Gusto

Learn more about our Aging with Gusto and Confronting Ageism workshops

Aging with Gusto workshops: are designed as a three-part, interactive series of sessions, with each session lasting about 90 minutes. Sessions may be held in person or via an online platform such as Zoom. They are led by trained facilitators.

Learn more about Aging with Gusto by watching this short video.

Download this flyer about the work of Aging with Gusto

Confronting Ageism workshops: are one-session events also led by trained facilitators that guide you and your group through activities that explore the roots and impacts of ageism and create opportunities for you to discover ways to combat them.

Both workshops are available in person or virtually via Zoom.

Contact AWG facilitator Donna Comer at donnajmcomer@gmail.com for more information about Aging with Gusto.

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A testimonial about AWG

Recently, VAN's Sally Brown and Donna Comer facilitated an AWG session for staff and volunteeers at Senior Community Services. Here's what Deb Taylor, Senior Community Services CEO had to say:

“I have had the privilege of participating in the Aging with Gusto workshop three times, and I can honestly say that each experience has been nothing short of transformative. The program resonates with me on a deep level, and I find myself learning something new with every time.

Aging with Gusto has not only encouraged me to adopt a more positive and empowered perspective on aging but has also heightened my awareness of ageism and its pervasive influence on societal attitudes, behaviors, and experiences related to growing older. It's a crucial conversation that we all need to engage in.

Moreover, the workshop has provided invaluable insights on how to maintain our overall well-being as we age, and it offers practical strategies for navigating the challenges that inevitably come our way.

In essence, the Aging with Gusto workshops have been inspirational, guiding me towards a future where I can embrace each stage of life with purpose. I am immensely grateful for the wisdom I gained and I wholeheartedly recommend this workshop to anyone seeking to approach aging with gusto.” ~Deb Taylor

Is age a feeling or an action?

by Aging with Gusto Facilitator Donna Comer

The past few weeks, I have encountered several comments that gave me pause to ask the question, "Is age a feeling, or is age an action?" On a walk with a friend on my birthday she asked, “How does it feel to be a year older?” At a conference , one of the speakers commented, “I don’t know why older people don’t act their age rather than trying to act like 20-year-olds.” 

To my friend, I said, “I don’t feel any different than I did yesterday or last year for that matter. If anything, I feel grateful to be able to celebrate another trip around the sun."

Read her thoughts here.

It's January--and you might not be motivated to get fit...

by Mia Bremer

January is the time of year when we are inspired to buy memberships at health clubs and fill

journals with resolutions full of promise. Holiday sluggishness is replaced with renewed energy

and resolve. Suddenly clients call me eager to begin a workout program.

Sometimes we feel motivated and sometimes we do not. Yet, needing to be motivated before making time to workout gets you nowhere. So, how do you start or continue an exercise program if you lack motivation?

Read her suggestions.

News from Wellness 50+

Wellness 50+ community-wide events

Wellness 50+ hosts a series of community-wide events in addition to events organized and led by our community groups (Oakdale, Cottage Grove, Stillwater, and Phillips neighborhood). All of our community-wide events are listed in this newsletter AND are posted on the Wellness 50+ website calendar (https://vital-aging-network.org/wellness-50). Registration for community-wide events is via our Meetup Group "Wellness 50+ Twin Cities". Join the group (Wellness 50+ Twin Cities Meetup Group). You will receive email notifications when an event is ready for registration.

Upcoming community-wide events

-1st Tuesday, February 6, Snowshoeing at Lake Elmo Park Reserve, 10 am

Come experience winter outside with us. We will snowshoe if there is snow, otherwise we will hike. Washington County Parks has snowshoes if you do not own a pair. All abilities welcome, short and longer distances will be offered. Register on Meetup

(Feb 6 Snowshoeing at Lake Elmo Park).

-3rd Tuesday, Bowling at Sun Ray Lanes, 12 - 2 pm

Cost is $10 including shoes!

Register on Meetup: 

(Feb 20 Bowling at Sun Ray Lanes)

(Mar 19 Bowling at Sun Ray Lanes)

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Community-wide events we've enjoyed recently

-1st Tuesday, Bowling at Sun Ray Lanes, January 2

A good time was had by all bowlers, from those who bowl in leagues to those who have not bowled in a long time. The group had so much fun that we have decided to add additional bowling events in February and March to help get us through winter. See above to register for an upcoming bowling event.

Upcoming Oakdale Wellness 50+ events

Essentrics Classical Stretch sessions will be held weekly January through March on Thursdays from 10 to 11 am at the Oakdale Discovery Center Community Room**. Join us for a free, drop-in session, no registration required. We stretch and strengthen using two 22-minute sessions from a DVD by Miranda Esmonde-White. Her program is designed to increase flexibility, loosen joints, strengthen and stretch with relaxing, gentle movement. 

The Wellness Book Club will discuss The End of Alzheimer's by Dale Bredesen on Tuesday, January 23, at 6:30 pm at the Oakdale Library*.

Wellness Movie Club will discuss Nomadland on Tuesday, February 27, at 12:30 pm at the Oakdale Library*. 

Wednesday Walks will continue through the winter at 10 am through the month of March. Meet in front of the Discovery Center** and we will walk the paths of the Oakdale Nature Preserve.

*The Oakdale Library is located at 1010 Heron Ave. North, Oakdale

**The Oakdale Discovery Center is located at 4444 Hadley Avenue North, Oakdale

News and information from our partner organizations

Know someone who needs shelter this winter? Julie Wolfe from St. Paul/Ramsey County Public Health shared this list of warming shelters in Ramsey County. (Click the image to see a larger version.)