Photo courtesy of Parkway Place:
HOUSTON, October 29, 2019 – If you’re looking for Ruger Winchester at Buckner Parkway Place, a faith-based senior living community in Houston, you’ll likely find him in the wellness center. That’s because the 89-year-old resident hits the gym seven days a week. Four of those days he will work on cardio and the other three he will do weight training. Winchester started running about two decades ago as a way to exercise, and now he calls it his passion. He credits running for building his strength and getting him through the toughest time in his life. Two years ago he was diagnosed with cancer. He is in remission now and says his workouts helped him fight the disease faster. He is now training to run in the We Are Houston 5K in January. Winchester says the encouragement from his family, friends and Parkway Place will help him accomplish his goal of finishing the race.
“When I was visiting my son in Michigan my grandchildren said let’s go run, so I did and I haven’t stopped since,” said Winchester. “It is a fantastic exercise and I feel myself getting stronger and stronger each time I work out. We have a wonderful wellness center at Parkway Place. I use about half of the machines and run on the treadmill when I work out indoors. I am working my way up to running three miles to prepare myself for the 5K. This the second time that I will be participating in the We Are Houston 5K. I had a lot of fun last year and know I can be successful this year. My daughter will come out to run with me, so it’s a great bonding experience. While running may not be for everyone, it is what brings me joy, and I look forward to working out every day.”
Running is an efficient way to exercise and can be a key tactic in minimizing the chance of heart disease and stroke. Aerobic exercise helps you build muscle strength, lower blood sugar and cholesterol, build endurance, increase energy and self-esteem, improve sleep and live longer, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Running is also good for brain health, as it may help to challenge your brain and preserve cognition. Buckner Parkway Place is always looking for ways to enhance each resident’s lifestyle. By offering a state-of-the-art wellness center with multiple machines, workout classes and programs, residents are able to participate in different activities that cater to their level of need.
“My office is in the wellness center and I know I can count on seeing Ruger come in every day to work out,” said Linda Fitzhugh, director of resident engagement. “He enjoys working out and spending time in the gym, and it is inspiring to see. I love seeing the residents use the wellness center to improve their health as they age. No matter what their circumstances are, residents can enjoy all the amenities we have to offer. Ruger goes above and beyond with his workouts and he really thrives in that environment. He is really living the best years of his life at Parkway Place, and we can’t wait to cheer him on in January when he runs his 5K.”
ABOUT BUCKNER PARKWAY PLACE
Parkway Place in Houston, a Buckner Retirement Services community, is a nonprofit, faith-based senior living community located on a 15-acre manicured campus that includes flowers, walking paths, gazebos, benches and raised gardens, putting green, as well as an outdoor heated pool and spas. It is also one of the few Independent Living communities in West Houston that has no entrance fees or long-term contracts and provides spacious apartment residences on a rental basis. As a continuing care retirement community, Parkway Place offers Independent Living apartment residences, spacious Assisted Living, and innovative Memory Care and Skilled Nursing services.
At Parkway Place, residents can enjoy delicious dining and warm fellowship in beautifully arranged dining rooms, as well as maintain active lifestyles at the wellness center. The community also has an on-site life enrichment coordinator, chapel, full-time chaplain, on-site worship services, beauty/barber salon and weekly housekeeping/linen service. For more information about Parkway Place, please visit the community website at www.bucknerparkwayplace.org or call (281) 677–5912.
ABOUT BUCKNER RETIREMENT SERVICES
Buckner Retirement Services, Inc. is one of the largest not-for-profit senior living organizations in Texas dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for senior adults and their families by promoting an active, healthy Christian lifestyle while maintaining their independence and dignity. Buckner Retirement Services is part of Buckner International, a global faith-based ministry serving people each year in the United States and worldwide.