Vim & Vigor - Fall 2013 - Parrish Medical Center - (Page 50)

COMMUNITY HEALTH After the war, she continued to work as a surgical nurse for a pediatric orthopedic surgeon, and later for a heart surgeon. And with each passing day, her stress mounted and ulcers began to form. It was time for a vacation. In 1960, Mitchell came for holiday to visit her brother, who lived in Wisconsin. “He teased that I was an old maid—37 years old and not married,” she says. “I met some of his friends but began corresponding with a man in Huntsville, Ala., named Harry. I went back to Germany, but Harry and I kept writing for about two years until I returned to the United States to marry my sweetheart, Harry. “He was the right one,” she adds. “He was sweet and respectful.” The Mitchells had one son, Thomas. Anne Mitchell continued to work as a nurse until she retired at age 78, when a new chapter of her life began to unfurl. 78 IS NOT TOO LATE FOR NEW TRICKS “When I was working, there was not much exercise in my life—just a lot of standing around and running on the [hospital] ﬂoor, and there was a lot of stress,” Mitchell admits. “I never worried much about my health or weight, but I started to really look at my diet and exercise, as my friends in Germany all died early.” Mitchell took up gardening after retirement and began a beautiful infatuation with working in her yard. She has marigolds, hibiscus, petunias and whatever strikes her fancy throughout the year. Her beautifully tailored yard requires much of her time and attention, but it is certainly a labor of love. After retirement, Mitchell also began walking three miles every morning and attending local ﬁtness programs. She began her membership at Parrish Health & Fitness Center with some trepidation, but she was already unstoppable in her pursuit of wellness. 50 FA L L 2 013 ONLINE COMING TO AMERICA Fitness for Everyone. Get Started Today Parrish Health & Fitness Center has a fitness class to meet your needs, whether it’s Zumba for the energetic types, Zumba Gold for those just starting their healthy lifestyle journey, or swimming or cycling that is easy on the joints. Check out all the classes offered at prshmd.com/vigorzumba. Call 321-268-6200 for more information. SETTING AN EXAMPLE “I started with the treadmill, bike and elliptical, but Robin [Rymkos] said I should try Zumba. I just watched in the back for a while, thinking what’s an 80-something-year-old woman going to do in a class like that?” Mitchell says. “Now, Zumba is my favorite class,” she adds. “I just do what I can do, and shake what I can shake. It really makes me motivated. The young ones see me and say they want to be like me if they get to my age. I can tell that I have gained strength all over—physically and mentally.” Anne Mitchell says she loves to spend hours in her flower garden. Tending to her flora helps her relax and enjoy nature’s beauty. http://www.prshmd.com/vigorzumba

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Vim & Vigor - Fall 2013 - Parrish Medical Center

Vim & Vigor - Fall 2013 - Parrish Medical Center
Contents
Tasty Tips
Opening Thoughts
Community Calendar
Someone to Guide You
Step It Up
Your Mightiest Muscle
Well, Well, Well
Are You Doing More Harm Than Good?
Is Your Shut-Eye Serving You Well?
Kate Middleton, the Duchess of Cambridge
Anatomy of an ER Visit
Next-Gen Surgery
Attack from Within
Virtual Health
Community Health
A Love for Helping People
Cruising with a Chronic Condition
Foundation Focus
Ask the Expert

Vim & Vigor - Fall 2013 - Parrish Medical Center