Health and Wellness Series: My Fitness Journey Q&A with Jessica Tipton

This highlight wraps up Fit Friday’s health and wellness winter series with the spring season. It gave us the opportunity to get up close and personal with our community’s fitness leaders who serve as role models with valuable tips on prioritizing health and wellness. Jessica Tipton, 63, has been a fitness instructor for 30 years and a diving coach after being a college diver for 15 years.

Do you change up your exercise routine to stay busy during the winter months, and what do you recommend to others?

In my personal life, I don’t change my workout routine during the winter months. I do full body conditioning, which works well for me. At the senior center, I switch things up in classes that I use to develop muscle memory. We play brain games where we count backwards while working – they love to play mental games. During the winter months, older adults are more restricted and more prone to depression. They think a lot, so I bring in guest speakers to talk about self-improvement. We also have cooking classes during the winter months. They are receptive to learning and quick presentations are engaging for them.

What types of classes do you offer during the winter months that you see people flock to this time of year?

Currently the most popular classes are cardio interval, silver sneaker circuit, arthritis class, chair yoga, chair with weights, balance, and tai chi. I change the routine and they also like to play a game like ‘roll the dice’, which tells them how many reps to do.

from a particular practice.

What is your favorite aspect of instructing fitness classes?

I love interacting with my seniors – it feels like you’re part of a family and brings a lot of joy to my job. People here care about each other and hence you benefit on a personal, emotional and professional level.

Since you have such a strong community of seniors attending your classes, do you see it helping people get out the door to exercise in the winter months when it’s too cold?

It motivates some to get there, but the socializing aspect dominates the fitness, which is secondary.

What are some of the topics of conversation in your fitness classes these days?

There is a lot of talk about keeping healthy. Hereditary disease is the biggest and most talked about culprit, next to balance. Everyone is afraid of falling during the winter, so we recommend fall prevention. There’s also talk about GLP-1s and other things they hear on the news, so we recommend speakers from Villanova and Westchester to discuss a variety of topics.

What are your personal fitness goals right now?

I will go back to the masters swimming program. It’s great for cross training, and my body needs a change.

What kind of food do you like in winter?

My husband is a cook, and I love salmon and eat spinach every day. My diet is mainly protein, vegetables and greens.

Do you have any fitness tips that encourage people to get out the door and hit the gym this time of year?

It’s important to work out with a partner because it makes fitness more fun. If you weigh in, take a class or take a walk together, you’ll find yourself doing more than you would if it were just by yourself.