Bob Smith, 86, a Move 4 Life member for 18 years and counting

Robert “Bob” Smith is 86 years young and is proud of the fact that he still gets to help his wife of 59 years around their Olathe, Kan., home by lifting and removing heavy objects from the highest shelves and cabinets, something that he attributes to his 18-year involvement with the Move 4 Life Program at AdventHealth Shawnee Mission.

“I always incorporate free weights into my exercises,” Smith said. “I do two reps of arm extensions on each side with 25-pound weights, followed by two reps of arm lifts. At home, I can lift 15 pounds above my head without fear of losing control.”

Lifting weights is just part of Smith’s routine. Smith, who attends Move 4 Life three days a week, always makes time for leg lifts, chest extensions, 15 minutes on the treadmill, and doing balancing exercises.

“I have a special trick,” Smith said while balancing on one foot. “I look out the window and focus on something in the distance. This is good practice for anyone wanting to improve their balance, just focus on one thing at a time.”

Smith recalls how he learned about the Move 4 Life Program, which is geared toward people and former patients who have chronic health conditions and are at risk of other health complications. In the early 2000s, Smith was having difficulty breathing. He was diagnosed by a pulmonologist with sarcoidosis, a condition that causes swollen lumps called granulomas mainly in the lungs and the lymph nodes of the chest.

Upon this discovery, he was told he only had 68% lung capacity and needed an outlet to improve his overall lung health beyond what medication could do alone.

“My wife found this brochure for the Move 4 Life Program and encouraged me to go,” said Smith. “I never had great energy or stamina in my life as I had a sedentary career working in an office as an engineer. This has helped me and changed my life.”

Smith has participated for 18 years, when the average timespan for participants in the program in 2.5 years, because of the trust and relationships he’s built with the trainers.

Recently, Smith complained of hip pain to his primary care physician who suggested heat packs to help with pain and swelling. When he spoke about this pain to his trainer, Andrew, Smith was taught to do bird dog exercises, which strengthens the core, hips, and back muscles, and helps relieve lower back pain and promotes proper posture.

“I truly believe the Move 4 Life Program at AdventHealth Shawnee Mission added more years to my life; and if not more years, it added more quality,” said Smith. “I hope to be coming for another 18 years.”