Edna, 74, aerobics champ

THIS is Edna’s time to exhale. No one, not even her husband, could keep the 74-year-old away from competing in the upcoming Masters Aerobics Championship (MAC) on April 3. The event is organised by Kenneth Wafe of Muscle Movers Ltd in collaboration with the Ministry of Health. Edna Andrews is the reigning Caribbean Aerobics Championships (CAC) Masters/Female title-holder. She was the lone willing participant in the 70 and over category of that 2003/2004 event and, as a result, won the title, no holds barred. Who will challenge the Couva resident, who trains at several gyms, in the MAC south zonals on March 19? Competitors should take note that Edna’s physician deemed her “fit as a fiddle” for competition.

The oldest member at Health Connection Fitness Centre, Edna was described by her instructor as a woman with zeal who possesses good technique. CAC organiser Selwyn Melville said of Edna: “I admire her spirit. She has come out (in the competition) when people are shying away.” Outfitted in trendy gym wear — a lyrca body suit with a brand name — sourced from her daughter in England, Edna pointed out several of the weight-lifting devices she likes to work out on. She totally enjoys leg presses, but added, “I like to work out all parts of my body.” “You are never too old” to do anything, Edna said. It was at age 40 that the wife and mother of four children decided that her spare time could be better spent doing something that kept her active. “I said one day it was about time I come out and do something for myself. I told myself, ‘you’ll get pretty dumb remaining like a mustard seed. It was my time to exhale,’” she said. She joined the Couva-based Harlem Sports Club and played netball with the youngsters. When the team fizzled, she contemplated her next move. “I thought I needed a change and sometime in 1986 I started out at The Phoenix. The gym instructor there, John Malcolm, always had a competitive spirit and he encouraged me to go into competition.”

Edna entered the first national aerobics competition at age 62. “But they didn’t cater for me, for my age group,” she said with a little disappointment. However, Edna walked away with a special prize to add to the collection of prizes she has accumulated over the years. “I want to be an inspiration in this field, because at 40 years they expect you to walk with a stick. They think that you’re over the hill. But I tell people, when you go in there, don’t give up, do a little and gradually you will see improvement. For me, it’s not about winning. When I started I was 165 pounds and I ran out 20 pounds. I work out because of the satisfaction I get and to remain healthy. And you know, my friends miss me when they don’t see me, so I try to always be there. “Sometimes when they come in and ask for Miss Andrews at the gym, they see my back and don’t know it’s me. It is only until they see the face,” she laughed. She boasted of having “young people” as friends because most of her time is spent associating at the gym. “They all encourage and support me.”

Edna is also a member of Neil Total Fitness in Couva. She is also engaged in social work and is a member of the Home for the Aged in Couva. She attends the gym for aerobics and weight- training four or five times a week and has worked out a diet of “eating anything I want.” “You see, when you sit and do nothing, negativity gets hold of you and the more you think about it, the more intense it becomes. If you are sick and stressed out, when you work out here and go home you sleep like a baby. Many of them (the aged) are regretting they didn’t start to do anything at an early age. But it is never too late,” she advised. “Check your doctor, work to your limit, do a little and gradually it takes time.” There is no letting up in her training programme and competition in the near future, as far as Edna is concerned. She said, “Exercise is part of my life. When you get attached to something you miss it. But all good things come to an end. I thank and praise God for my health and the care of my family.”