Fat 2 Fit: Fred Hillerman: Still Fit and Going Strong
You wouldn't know from meeting him that Fred Hillerman is in his 90s. His days are so full of exercise that fitting in volunteering is a squeeze.
By: Carole Carson | Source: AARP.org | 2008-12-18
Retired from two careers—first from teaching, then from a business he started growing orchids from Africa and Madagascar—Fred Hillerman has abundant energy and good health. Talk about being a walking advertisement for the value of exercise! At 94, Fred does it all.
In addition to serving on the board of directors for a senior center in his community of Grass Valley, Calif., Fred also delivers hot food for the Meals on Wheels program. Because Fred has a regular route, the recipients have become his friends—he keeps an eye on each of them. In addition, one day a week, Fred teaches English to Spanish-speaking students. The Interfaith Food Ministry also receives the benefit of his talents.
Volunteer activities, however, must be fitted around Fred's exercise schedule. Five or six times a week, he lifts free weights at his fitness center. He is especially happy that he can do 10 pull-ups. Mary, his wife, with whom he has celebrated more than 55years of marriage, recently joined him at the club, attending an aerobics and resistance-training class.
On Mondays, a spinning class claims Fred's attention; Tuesdays, it's yoga. On Thursdays, he hikes for five to seven hours with the German-American Hiking Club.
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