Centenarian Stuns with Fitness Routine and Longevity Secrets

Connecticut Woman, 100, Credits Strength Training, Diet, and Curiosity

At 100 years old, Mary Coroneos is demonstrating that age is no barrier to an active and fulfilling life, attributing her remarkable longevity to a consistent fitness regimen and a vibrant outlook.

A Century of Movement

The Connecticut centenarian is a dedicated attendee at The Edge Fitness Club in Norwalk, maintaining a rigorous schedule of working out three times a week. Her program emphasizes full-body resistance, focusing on building strength in her arms, legs, and core, alongside crucial balance exercises.

Her daughter, **Athena Coroneos**, shared that her mother finds her workouts invigorating. “They make you feel tired, but then you feel good afterwards,” **Mary Coroneos** told TODAY.com, highlighting her motivation as the inherent challenge of her sessions.

Athena Coroneos, 65, actively encourages her mother’s commitment, urging trainers to challenge her. “I want her core to be strong and her legs to be strong because that’s how she gets up and out,” she explained. Strong core and leg muscles are vital for reducing the risk of falls, a significant concern for individuals in her age bracket.

Holistic Approach to Well-being

**Mary Coroneos**, who celebrated her 100th birthday in June, has a history of prioritizing physical activity. She spent decades as a teacher and, as a young divorced woman, juggled four jobs while raising her children, even waitressing on weekends.

Her approach to longevity is multi-faceted, incorporating regular exercise, nutritious eating habits, mental engagement, robust social connections, and a sustained sense of purpose and curiosity.

Athena Coroneos noted that her mother’s competitive spirit persists, even at 100. “My mom is very competitive. She likes to win, even to this day,” she stated, emphasizing that exercise has been instrumental in her longevity. “The body is meant to be in motion and once you stop that motion, you rust.”

Dietary Wisdom

Her current fitness routine includes using light resistance bands, two-pound weights, and gym machines for exercises like seated rows, reverse flies, front pulldowns, and leg extensions. Sessions can also incorporate sit-to-stands, low-weight leg presses, hip adduction and abduction, and seated leg curls, along with riding a recumbent bike.

“She loves a challenge,” said one of her trainers, **Stephanie DiNoi**, to the Norwalk Hour. “She can sustain a nice workout, and her memory is as sharp as a tack.”

Home-cooked meals were a cornerstone of her upbringing, emphasizing vegetables with minimal meat. Junk food was virtually absent, and her daughter recalls **Mary Coroneos** regularly baking bread.

Her dedication to healthy eating stems partly from her brothers, who were chiropractors and believed strongly in the power of good nutrition. This philosophy deeply influenced **Mary Coroneos**’s own dietary choices throughout her life.

She has always been mindful of her intake, stopping when she feels satisfied. While fish is not a favorite, she enjoys nutritious soups like cream of potato, cream of mushroom, and New England clam chowder.

Desserts are not entirely off-limits; she favors creamy treats like ice cream and root beer floats with whipped cream. Occasionally, she enjoys a small glass of prosecco, reflecting a lifelong habit of light drinking, with alcohol typically reserved for special occasions.

Mental Acuity and Social Bonds

**Mary Coroneos** advocates for staying active both mentally and physically. She is an avid reader and actively uses her smartphone to stay informed and learn new things.

Her independence is remarkable; she continued working as a substitute teacher into her 90s and drove until she was 95. “She has an insatiable curiosity about life,” **Athena Coroneos** commented. “Her mind is constantly at work.”

Beyond physical health, **Mary Coroneos** identifies her faith and social connections as key to her long, healthy life. “I would say being around people would be the answer,” she stated.

Her daughter elaborated, “That’s crucial because a big deterrent to longevity is the isolation, the depression and lack of purpose. She enjoys being around young people because it’s vitality.” This connection to others contributes significantly to her sustained well-being and sense of purpose.

Research consistently highlights the importance of social engagement for older adults. A 2023 study in the *Journal of Gerontology: Social Sciences* found that individuals with strong social ties experienced a 15% longer lifespan compared to those who were socially isolated (NCBI 2023).