BoomerGirl Diary

People often complain that they don’t have time for exercise, they can’t afford gym fees, or that they don’t know what exercises to do. Fortunately for them, the solution is as close as their nearest PBS station. For over 20 years, and on 134 stations around the country, Margaret Richard, creator of "Body Electric," has been helping people move toward fitness as a way of life. Her particular mix of strength training and graceful dance-inspired movement, along with her down-to-earth attitude has made BE an enduring PBS classic.

Movement has been a way of life for Richard. In these days of 10,000 steps, people are walking for fitness everywhere, but when Richard was a child, her mother walked.

“She walked everywhere — not just to get places, but just for the sake of walking. This was quite rare at the time. Whenever she traveled, she brought her sneakers with her so she could walk.”

This made a big impact on Richard, who also took classical ballet training from the age of 3. Classical dance informs her fitness choreography to this day.

“I try to bring a real aesthetic feel to the practice of lifting weights. The routines, which combine dance-inspired movement with basic weight training, seem to transport people in a way that is different from other training methods.” This, the “graceful strength” concept, has been a constant since the show’s inception, even as other aspects of BE have evolved.

“It used to be all about looking good. Now, we know the critical importance of maintaining muscle and bone, especially for women after midlife.”

Richard knows what she is talking about. Her show has evolved along with her as she ages. She turned 60 in November, and models what an active, healthy, 60-year-old woman can be.

“It’s all about defining it for yourself,” she says. “I’m not — I can’t be — anyone else’s 60. But I can be my own best 60.”

She acknowledges that there have been some changes—unexpected changes, especially as she hit menopause in her early 50s.

“I thought menopause would be like this science experiment. I have had the good fortune to be a 'lean' type of person my whole life. I was interested to see how my body would deal with this change. It was like a bad science experiment,” she says, laughing. “I put on weight around my abdomen and really saw a shift in my body. And don’t think my viewers didn’t notice, either.”

As someone in the public eye, Richard had to face the scrutiny of our youth and weight obsessed culture. She did make changes, both dietary and in her personal fitness regimen, but ultimately decided that it was okay for her body to change a little.

“It’s real. It’s genuine. We as women need to be easier on one another. It is important to take care of your body. It’s part of respecting and caring for your self. But it’s also important to acknowledge and accept change. I’m strong, healthy and functional, and that’s what’s important. Get real!”

BE is on five times weekly on PBS and Richard also teaches three times weekly at a local YMCA. She loves the classes, loves being able to offer something that makes a difference to others.

“My classes are like a little family. Everyone gets to know each other, knows one another’s names … it’s a great atmosphere.”

That atmosphere is something she is able to create on BE, as well. Shot outdoors in her beautiful backyard in western New York, you feel like a friend stopping by for a little exercise session. Richard’s humor and playful attitude is part of her success.

“I know it sounds funny, but as soon as the camera goes on, I can feel the people on the other side of the camera. It’s kind of like a conversation.”

In describing her work, Richard spoke at length about two concepts: balance and empowerment.

“People, especially midlife women, need to know that it’s never too late to start taking care of your body. No matter how old you are, the muscles will respond, to create strength and improved function. This is such an empowering feeling — it’s something you can do.”

She realizes, however, that for some, motivation is more of a challenge than others. Earlier this year, even she lost motivation for a bit.

“Oh, you know, the weather, my schedule, I had a cold … I just got out of the routine. It happens. So I started to walk the dog again in the morning, and kept at it, and eventually, it felt so good, I missed it if I didn’t do it. You have to get to that turning point.”

BE makes it easy — you can literally roll out of bed in your jammies and work out with Richard at 6 a.m.

“You still need the aerobic exercise and a healthy diet, though. That’s where the balance comes in.”

Richard leaves the dietary advice to the nutrition experts, but acknowledges that each person has to find what works for them in terms of food choices.

Richard has a deserved reputation as an expert on fitness and health in aging. In 1999, she was invited to speak before the United States Senate’s “Special Committee on Aging.” Her testimony helped to highlight the importance of exercise to health and quality of life for aging persons, and culminated in a video collaboration with the National Institute on Aging as a companion to their book, "Exercise: A Guide from the National Institute on Aging." Richard is currently finishing up a book on fitness for baby boomers, due out in April 2008, and is pleased to be modeling all of the exercises in the book herself.

“So often fitness books for the over-50 set are off-target, or have really young models performing the exercises.” Richard offers authenticity to the process, as someone with a credible background in fitness and a member of the Baby Boom generation. This authenticity is what sets her apart, and what has made BE the PBS staple that it is today.

BE offers playful “fitness clubs” based on age: Forty and Fabulous, Over Fifty and a Fox, and now, the Over Sixty and Sublime. As she hits each milestone, Richard celebrates her achievement and invites viewers to join. She doesn’t really relate to those who hide their true age.

“I heard Carol Channing (Of 'Hello, Dolly!' fame) speak once, and she mentioned that people 'peak' at different ages. In her 70s at the time, she felt she hadn’t peaked yet. That’s how I feel … I really haven’t peaked yet. There’s good stuff ahead.”