Health Success Stories

Kari Richie

By Kari Richie, Springmoor Health and Fitness Director

What does it mean to have a health success story? The health and fitness industry often relates success to weight loss. One of my objectives as the Health & Fitness Director is to help the residents and staff members at Springmoor understand they can have health successes no matter their age or what physical obstacle may be in their way. One definition of success is “the accomplishment of an aim or purpose.” Nowhere in the definition of success does it mention perfection or accomplishing everything at once. Someone can be living with a chronic disease such as diabetes or heart disease and celebrate health success stories when they accomplish a goal like managing blood sugar or cholesterol.

Yoga at Springmoor

By Kari Richie, Springmoor Health and Fitness Director

Kari Richie

Yoga has been part of the Pathways fitness schedule for years. The residents that participate are very faithful because of the benefits they experience. The word “yoga” can be intimidating for new participants because it’s often believed that it’s a religion. The goal of our yoga instructors and the Pathways fitness program is to help people understand that yoga is not a religion, but a practical aid to assist our residents in their wellness journey.

Springmoor Offers New Fitness Schedule, Emphasizing Strength and Balance

Kari Richie

By Kari Richie, Springmoor Health and Fitness Director

The Pathways Wellness Center is open and the staff is running full steam ahead to provide new programming for the Springmoor community. The current fitness schedule offers 25 classes a week with a variety of options: aquatics, yoga, Tai Chi, balance, strength and cardio! With the beautiful, new state-of-the art facility, we can now expand our schedule to 35 classes a week!

Water Exercises Give Seniors Increased Strength, Stimulation and Quality of Life

Kari Richie

By Kari Richie

Springmoor Health and Fitness Director

Swimming is not just for kids or vacationers at the beach. You can find Springmoor residents in the pool Monday through Saturday as they faithfully participate in water exercise. The residents are unique – ranging in age from 77 to 96—and living with various health conditions—ranging from arthritis and osteoporosis to hypertension and  spinal stenosis and joint replacements; but they have one thing in common – they love to exercise in the water!

As Springmoor’s Health & Fitness Director, why do I encourage residents to participate in water exercise? Five reasons:

Springmoor Walks its Way to Fitness—and Paris!

Springmoor Walks its Way to Fitness—and Paris!

By Kari Richie, Springmoor Health and Fitness director

We just finished walking from Raleigh, N.C., to Paris, France, and, boy, are our bodies feeling the benefits.

Ninety Springmoor Life Care Retirement Community residents and staff just completed a 10-week walking challenge, S.A.M.E. (Springmoor Actively Making Efforts) Goal, and recorded walking the equivalent of 13,172 miles—or a little more than the distance from Raleigh, N.C., to Hawaii (about 5,000 miles), followed by a stroll from Hawaii to Paris, France (about 7,500 miles).