“When people say ‘I want to be like you,”‘ I say, ‘ Welcome to the gym.'” Gomez said.<\/p>\n
Exercise for staying spry<\/strong><\/p>\n Gomez said she’s proud to be the oldest in her workout classes.<\/p>\n Her 60-year-old daughter, Pat Schneider, said Gomez is more than a little competitive \u2014 in her youth, she was always picked first for dodgeball and spent much of her childhood free time outdoors.<\/p>\n These days, her typical workout includes a mix of weight training and cardio<\/a> exercises, such as pressing three to five-pound dumbbells overhead and marching in place.<\/p>\n Cecilia Gomez was named a SilverSneakers member of the year for 2025 to recognize her dedication to exercise.<\/p>\n Courtesy of Cecilia Gomez<\/p>\n Gomez attends classes through SilverSneakers, an exercise program for adults 65 and older (available at no cost with eligible Medicare plans). She recently received a Member of the Year award for her commitment to fitness.<\/p>\n The program helps train balance and stability<\/a>, good longevity traits for any age, but particularly for older adults to prevent fall injuries, SilverSneakers instructor Andi Kwapien previously told Business Insider.<\/p>\n A surprising superfood<\/strong><\/p>\n Outside the gym, Gomez said her other key to healthy living is eating well.<\/p>\n Beans are a staple food in her diet, often with rice and vegetables. The humble legume is linked to major longevity benefits, as a major food source in Blue Zones<\/a>, regions with some of the longest-living people on Earth.<\/p>\n Gomez also enjoys other produce like plantains (a good source of potassium which supports heart health) and oranges (rich in vitamin C that helps bolster the immune system.)<\/p>\n The nutrients in whole foods, particularly those from plants, offer significant antiaging benefits<\/a>. Vitamins, minerals, and fiber help stave off diseases like cancer and cardiovascular illness, and protect the brain and body over time.<\/p>\n Strong social connections for longevity<\/strong><\/p>\n Gomez has a busy social calendar that her daughter said is a major factor in her good health and high energy.<\/p>\n “That’s actually a key to her longevity, is that she’s always active with everyone. The grandkids, great grandkids. She’s never alone,” Schneider said.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n