By Marvin Scott
Pix11 News Contributor
Geraldine “Jerry” Leo is a living example, at least in her case, that age is just a number. She turned 100 this year. She doesn’t look it and Jerry says she doesn’t feel it. And she shows no signs of slowing down.
Jerry is the pride of Bay Shore Long Island’s Great South Bay YMCA. Other members of the aerobics fitness class half Jerrys age watch in envy as the great grandmother goes through her daily paces. She’s been crushing her workouts there since the Y opened 34 years ago. It’s her elixir of life. She explains, “The only thing I do is exercise faithfully. I don’t eat red meat, and have a good diet, ‘Mediterranean’ they call it.”
The Y’s Health & Wellness Director Despina Tenedorio is in awe of her centenarian gymnast. “She’s got a great spirit. We call her the President of the YMCA. She is religious with her workout. She doesn’t give up. She tries even harder and she pushes herself.”
The fitness fanatic is particularly fond of doing planks, an abdominal exercise younger members of the gym can hold for only two to three minutes, but not Jerry. To the applause and cheers of fellow gymnasts, Jerry got up after five minutes.
Janice Capetta watched in disbelief, declaring, “I’m a lot younger than her and I can’t do that.” Neither could Joel Radding, who says, “It goes to show you what exercise can do for your health. There are exercises she does that I can’t do. She has really inspired me.”
At 100, Jerry just boasts that she has recently renewed her driver’s license. She says she never smoked, but does have an occasional drink, an aperol spritz, she says.
Fellow gymnast Pat Mooney proclaims, “I want to be like Jerry when I grow up. Look at her. Wouldn’t you like to be 100 and look like her,” she quips.
Jerry challenges this reporter to join her in her signature plank exercise. “What are we doing Jerr?”
I inquired. “Down on my knees,” Jerry bellowed. “Elbows down, hands on the mat,” she barks. As I get down on all fours, she asserts, “That’s it you’re getting better.” She was being kind. After a matter of seconds I realized I was no match to this centenarian gymnast.
With two daughters in their 70s, Jerry has three grandchildren, and one great grandchild. Her advice to living a long life, “Exercise religiously, maintain a good diet, and be kind, be happy, be fearless.”
Jerry puts her fellow gymnasts to shame by her core strengths, going beyond the limits of most younger athletes. She’s an inspiration to others and proof at 100 that she’s a living example that exercise can certainly add years to your life.
"I feel great,” she proclaims, “Haven’t had any aches and pains.” And with pride she adds,
"How lucky I am, and I don’t take it for granted.”