Diane Watkins gets full extension on the leg press machine at Gold’s Gym in Albemarle. (Contributed)

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By Charles Curcio
Stanly News Journal

ALBEMARLE — Getting into shape and increasing one’s fitness level brings its own challenges, but the challenge level rises for Americans past a certain age, as well as for members of racial and ethnic minorities.

According to studies published by the National Institute of Health, energy level and physical activity decline with age, and older Americans of racial and ethnic minorities engage in less physical activity than their Caucasian counterparts do.

One African-American woman in Stanly County is bucking both trends.

Diane Watkins, a resident of Stanly since 1958, decided on her 72nd birthday, two years ago, to get in shape.

Watkins, a Norwood resident who had retired from her work with seniors at the Stanly Department of Social Services, started easy but now can be found two years later at Gold’s Gym in Albemarle working out two to three hours a day, five days a week.

“When I had that birthday, I decided then I need to better,” Watkins said.

Having worked at various times in her life as an actor, a model for Ashley Stewart clothing, a certified nurse’s aide and a local senior director for Legal Shield, Watkins bucks the trends when it comes to her physical activity level.

“I wanted to be around here to see my kids have grandkids and be here for them.”

Beyond family considerations, Watkins said she wanted to have better health “because we have to function on our own” referring to older Americans.

“We can’t depend on our kids because they’re grown and have their own families. I want to be able to do stuff on my own as long as I can, so that started my journey.”

Instead of waiting to have a health problem, Watkins took the initiative and got a handle on her own health, starting with just walking 30 minutes a day.

“ I just want to be an inspiration to others, as well as myself. I was talking to several other ladies about this,” Watkins said.

When they asked why she was working out, Watkins said, “Because it makes me feel good. It gives me strength.”

One of her mottos for her fitness journey is the mantra, “if you don’t do anything, you’ll turn into mush. What does mush do? Nothing.”

Walking at Darrell Almond Park for 30 minutes turned into an hour, which then soon turned into jogging and finally, to lifting weights.

“I would push myself every week to do a little bit more of what I was doing,” Watkins said.

Like the Pied Piper, people started noticing Watkins walking, jogging and exercising at the park, and started joining in with her, often people much younger than her.

Along with the help of trainer Julius Smith, Watkins started lifting weights, calling Smith an inspiration. She said Smith walked and lifted with her, encouraging her when the progress showed.

She lost 15 pounds in the first year, but the journey for her was more about feeling good, including revamping her nutritional plan.

“I don’t diet. I just eat healthy,” Watkins said.

Her diet comprises fruits and vegetables from the grill and organic juices, fixing her own meals.

“You can taste your food now without a whole lot of unnecessary stuff that we use,” Watkins said.

Watkins said she gets stopped all the time in public, at Wal-Mart and various places, getting questions from people about how she has transformed herself. She added she hopes her story will be inspirational to others.

“You can be healthy at any age,” Watkins said. “It goes back to movement. The longevity that you want. You want to look good, you want to feel good, you want to be able to move.”

Sometimes, though, she admits her body tells her to take a day off, but when she gets to the gym, she makes the time count.

“I always say, ‘Keep it moving. Keep it moving.’”

cutline: Diane Watkins gets full extension on the leg press machine at Gold’s Gym in Albemarle. (Contributed)