Winning at the Game of Life in Peachtree Corners

A brief chat with Gerrie Wydeven makes you want to be her when you grow up. Turning 72 this March, she admittedly struggles to call herself a senior. It could be because she is the poster woman for someone who has done life right for a long time, and is continuing to live it to the fullest, reaping the rewards of her good habits into her retirement years.

Wydeven has been making fitness a priority for over 30 years, alternating exercises to include strength training, stretching and aerobics. “My favorite gym activity was attending different classes at the old Gold’s Gym, and the two subsequent buyouts. Now I do a similar routine at home four to five times a week since the gym has closed,” she said.

She and her husband, Tim Nolan, walk two to three miles four to five times a week — usually in their neighborhood, yet they also drive to various Gwinnett and Fulton parks for a change of scenery.

Along with working out, making small tweaks to her diet like eliminating sugar in coffee, limiting the use of butter and oils, reducing sodium, maximizing proteins, minimizing carbs and limiting unhealthy choices have kept her at a healthy weight. “I try to eat the magical foods like blueberries, spinach and nuts as often as possible,” Wydeven added.

Rolling with the punches

A broken foot from slipping on the stairs — a common injury among mature adults — has caused Wydeven to tread more carefully on steps or any uneven surface. She added balancing exercises to her routine and invested in better walking shoes.

Keep an active mind

Wydeven considers herself a lifelong learner. “I love discoveries that make me appreciate the wonders of this world and recognize that there’s so much more to know and incorporate in my worldview,” she said.

Free online courses available from Yale and Harvard have stirred her curiosity. She’s taken about 14 over the years. Of note were two Yale courses: Epidemics in Western Society since 1600 (useful given our recent COVID experience) and African American History — Emancipation to the Present. A favorite Harvard course is Justice. “Everyone can do these courses at their own pace; they’re easy to access,” Wydeven said.

An avid reader, Wydeven read almost 80 books last year. She belongs to her neighborhood book club and is a voracious user of the local library.

Feed your soul

Wydeven and Nolan travel both domestically and abroad more than most. She sites Mark Twain in defense of her wanderlust: “Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry and narrow-mindedness.” Some favorite destinations include Istanbul, Morocco, San Francisco, Peru, Amsterdam and Paris.

When traveling, they opt for walking tours and visits to parks and gardens. They’ve taken over 30 in San Francisco alone. “Walking tours wonderfully combine exercise and learning experiences,” Wydeven said.

Hobbies

A passion for scrapbooking and photography collided in the creation of over 40 travel journals over the past 15 years. Last year’s journals highlighted the mini and domestic trips they were limited to because of COVID. Wydeven enjoys using Facebook to share her photographs too.

Relationships – the secret to healthy aging

“My husband, daughter, son and their families/significant others give me joy every day — they are the reason I am a happy camper and very seldom get down. I have a close relationship with my sister as well,” Wydeven shared.

She maintains friendships throughout the country from her days of traveling for work as a senior manager with the federal government.

Purpose

Finding meaningful things to do with your newfound time after retirement is key to aging well. Wydeven Designs was her business finding, refurbishing and selling heirloom quality upholstered furniture.

“For 15 years, I scoured estate and garage sales, Craigslist and thrift shops to find high-quality, reasonably priced chairs, settees, chaises, loveseats and ottomans,” she said. “I bought discounted fabrics, learned how to chalk paint, developed relationships with the upholstery shop, shippers, woodwork refinishers and clients throughout the country. I loved doing this and was always amazed with the before and after transformations and the joy of happy customers! Over this period, I maintained three different websites and a blog, selling through Etsy, eBay, One King’s Lane and directly.”

Art classes are something she’s had time for since retiring. She’s been sketching with colored pencils for ages and sells her work online. “I need something to motivate me to create this art. Another adventure to keep me busy,” Wydeven smiled. Her artwork is available at etsy.com/shop/WydevenDesigns.