South Interlake 55 Plus exercise instructors recently received a recreation award that’s sure to put a spring in their step.
On March 15, Recreation Manitoba awarded the organization’s Steppin’ Up program with a 2024 Health and Wellbeing Award, with special recognition for instructors Lauren Briggs, Stephannie Motuz, Joie Van Dongen and Pam Moody.
Steppin’ Up with Confidence is an active living peer-led exercise program developed by Active Aging in Manitoba. The local instructors received training through Active Aging in Manitoba and are instrumental in providing this program through South Interlake 55 Plus, a non-profit charitable organization.
The Steppin’ Up program works on functional fitness to support daily living activities. With an emphasis on strength, mobility, flexibility and balance, the program’s goal is to support fall prevention and continued independence.
This inclusive program can be done seated or standing, and it supports individuals at various levels of fitness and mobility. Although the program is geared for adults aged 55 and older, it can also be intergenerational.
Motuz describes Steppin’ Up with Confidence as a community of like-minded older people who enjoy meeting up, making connections and moving their body to music.
“Each participant has their own motivation for joining in, setting their own challenge level and weekly schedule since we are available six times a week at 9 a.m.,” Motuz said.
“The program is geared for older people who want to connect with others and move to feel better. No exercise experience is necessary. It is low impact with plenty of chair work and led over video six days a week — with one day a week option of in-person group class at the 55+ activity centre (Oddfellows Hall). For those participants who may not feel confident in a regular exercise class, remember you can move at home in your PJs connected by Zoom.”
The program improves health and well-being in a multitude of ways.
“Participants might benefit in a variety of ways such as the social-emotional impact of seeing familiar faces and hearing familiar voices every morning. When we put our heart, lungs, muscles and joints to work in a fun way, we might feel an improvement in our memory, circulation and balance,” Motuz said.
“As little as 10 minutes of ‘puffing’ can improve your body’s use of dietary sugars. It is a fact that older adults lose muscle and bone mass and that lifting weights can slow this loss.”
Motuz speaks from experience, since she joined the program during the pandemic lockdown period when she had a broken foot and frozen shoulder.
“As you can imagine, I was feeling pretty down. But with encouragement from my sister, this program picked me up and helped me recover,” she said. “My intention is to pass on this gift to others.”
She enjoyed receiving the award, and she encourages others to get involved.
“What a pleasure it is to have our fun recognized as important and awarded,” she said.
“Hopefully someone reading this will be inspired to join in — and maybe this will encourage others to take up a role of leadership too. There is always room at the party.”
Similarly, Briggs said the Steppin’ Up exercise class helps keep older adults active, while maintaining mobility and bolstering social connections.
“The exercises help with the health and mobility issues that we all encounter as we grow older, and the camaraderie that is also part of our program is a lift to the spirits,” Briggs said.
“Winning the award has let us know we are doing a good job with the program. Even being nominated was a wonderful feeling, but I have to admit that leading this program has pushed myself to keep healthy and active.”
Likewise, Van Dongen believes that motion is the best medicine.
“We appreciate this award,” she said, “as it recognizes our interest in health and well-being, gives encouragement to continue the program and recruit new members.”
To learn more about Steppin’ Up or to join the program, contact South Interlake 55 Plus at si55plus@mymts.net or 204-467-2582. The program is free, but participants can purchase an annual membership for $25 to help cover costs associated with the Zoom account.
The Recreation Manitoba awards aim to acknowledge individuals and programs that make an outstanding contribution of recreation, parks and leisure in the province.
Other 2024 award recipients include Tom Chwaliboga of Arborg Parks and Recreation Commission, who received the People and Community Award; Altona Community Action Network, which received the Nature Award; Wawanesa and District Recreation Centre, which received the Facility Award; Demetra Hajidiacos of Winnipeg, who won the Therapeutic Recreation Award of Excellence; and Chantel Todd of the Town of Niverville, who won the Prairie Crocus Award.
