Age 86 and still going strong in many ways

Morjorie Newlin is an 86-year-old bodybuilding champion. Yes, you read that right. Eighty-six years old. Newlin won her first competition a year after she began working out — at age 71.

When I first heard about Newlin I was suspicious of a hoax perpetuated on the Internet. Then, discovering that it’s a true story, I was intrigued enough hunt up a photo. Sure enough, she has the body of a weightlifter — a 40-year-old weightlifter. She also has 25 weightlifting trophies from competitions she’s won.

Newlin began working out after she had to carry a 50-pound bag of cat litter home from the store without any help. It was a struggle.

There are two things I especially like about Newlin.

First, she’s doesn’t focus on weight loss, or looks, or how to better fit into your clothes. “It’s not about losing weight, it’s about gaining strength,” she’s quoted as saying. “I want to be as independent as I can be, for as long as I can. I just want to do things for myself.”

Second, she doesn’t suggest that everyone rush out and join a gym. To start increasing your strength, she suggests soup cans. That’s right, soup cans, to be used as small hand weights.

After reading her story, I’m motivated to begin my own strength-training program. Like Newlin, I want to be as independent as I can be, for as long as possible. There are just too many benefits to ignore: Boosted metabolism, increased bone mass (helps prevent fractures), and increased endurance and energy levels.

(If you have Internet access, do a search for “Morjorie Newlin” to find photos and more information.)