Just Keep Walking

By Alison Cardoza • Photos By Matt Johnson

Milestone member Roz Schneider is committed to her workout routine at Baptist Health Milestone—and at 90 years old, she's still going strong!

"I've always enjoyed walking, swimming, and biking," says Roz. "I worked in retail for 45 years, and I walked for an hour every morning. I think being on my feet for so many hours was beneficial to me. My feet might have disagreed, but I'm still walking!" she laughs.

Staying active has always been a way of life for Roz.

"One summer I ran four miles, biked ten miles, and swam a mile almost every day. I also ran in the first ten mini marathons and even won my age group one year," she says.

As the years passed, Roz decided to shift her focus from running to walking.

"Later in life, I switched back to walking because there's less chance of injury and more time to stop and smell the roses," she says.

Roz's daughter and son-in-law gave her a membership to Baptist Health Milestone for her birthday several years ago, and they continue to renew it for her each year. Since then, Milestone has become her happy place. She enjoys strength training, walking the indoor track, and especially loves taking Sue's Stretch and Abs class.

"I treat it like my job five days a week, spending two to three hours there each day. It's a comfortable atmosphere, and it feels like family. I never feel like playing hooky! Some of my time is spent visiting with people, and that's a good thing," says Roz.

At 90, Roz says staying healthy and independent remains one of her top priorities.

"Life at 90 is good for me, and taking care of myself is important," she says. "I have three children, eight grandchildren, and five great-grandchildren. None of them live here in Louisville, so it's important that I remain self-sufficient. Fortunately, I'm still able to travel and spend time with them."

She adds with her trademark humor, "My biggest handicap is hearing loss, but I'm happy I can still see, walk, and talk."

When she's not at Milestone, Roz enjoys working crossword puzzles and completing puzzles on both her phone and in the newspaper.

"My family and I love to travel- we recently went to Hilton Head, and I even participated in a 5K. I came in last place, but I finished!" she laughs.

Her advice to others is simple:

"Just keep moving. I've had falls and other setbacks, but I've always healed and gotten back to my routine."

Roz's story is a reminder that it's never too late to stay active. Walking every day can improve heart health, boost your mood, and help you maintain a healthy weight. Regular walks also build strength and support overall well-being.

For general health, experts recommend aiming for 7,000 to 10,000 steps per day, although meaningful health benefits can begin with as few as 4,000 daily steps. Many free smartphone apps, including StepsApp, Step Counter, and Step Tracker, can help you monitor your daily activity. Wearing a pedometer or fitness watch is another great way to track your progress and stay motivated. Or leave the apps and trackers behind, and simply walk until your body feels like it has gotten a good workout. Listen to your body, and challenge yourself in a healthy, sustainable way.

Alison Cardoza, ACSM Certified Personal Trainer and FiTOUR Group Exercise Instructor at Baptist Health Milestone Wellness Center. Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science and Sports Medicine with a minor in Health Promotion from the University of Louisville. Former University of Louisville Ladybird and NFL Indianapolis Colts Cheerleader.