Local woman celebrates 90th birthday at gym
<p>Joyce Dillman, of Hayden, reacts as nearly 30 members of Peak Health and Wellness sing “Happy Birthday” after she arrived for her workout just after 5:00 a.m. Monday morning at the Hayden gym. Dillman celebrated her 90th birthday on Monday.</p>
<p>Joyce Dillman is all smiles while working out on a weight machine on her 90th birthday.</p>
HAYDEN — It's 5 a.m., and 90-year-old Joyce Dillman isn't just rising and shining or even reading her morning Press.
She's at Peak Health and Wellness Center in Hayden, inspiring and working out next to the hardest of hard bodies.
The Hayden woman celebrated her 90th birthday on Monday at Peak, where she has been a member for 19 years. That’s 10 days after it opened.
"You've got to keep moving," Joyce said while taking a quick break in the weight room. "If you don't, you're going to go to pot. Your muscle can go to flab really fast."
Peak members and staff had birthday cake waiting for Dillman when she arrived in her workout duds. After the singing and photo ops, Dillman quickly ate a small bite of cake before journeying into the exercise area with a cane she needs from having recent surgery.
"The whole gang is here today," she said with a wide smile. "It is great to spend my birthday with my friends at the gym. There's no place I would rather be."
Dillman is the epitome of determination to stay fit. She has recovered from two hip replacements, pneumonia and breast cancer.
"The woman's a stud," Peak member Darrell Gamble said. "She refuses to give up. She will do anything to make life better. I've been training for 37 years, and I haven't seen anyone with as much dedication as she has.
"There has been more than once when I've been tired and thought about skipping, but then I think, well, Joyce is in there and if you don't show up she'll ask where you are. Whenever doctors have said that she's not going to make it through something, she said they're exaggerating."
Chris Maiani, a friend and Peak member, gives Joyce rides to the gym the three mornings a week she works out.
"She's always up at 4:45 a.m. and is always excited to go," Maiani said. "She never gives up and she inspires us all by her beautiful spirit, love of life and kindness to everyone. She always has a smile on her face, is interested in everyone and knows them all by name."
Joyce brought in homemade caramels at Christmas for Peak members and staff, and she also has a reputation for whipping up wonderful breads.
"Everybody here is great," she said. "It's family."
Dillman downplayed her dedication of being at the gym by 5 a.m.
"It's not that hard when you go to bed at 7 p.m.," she said.
A former high school PE teacher, Joyce initially worked out at the gym with her husband, Laurie, until he wasn't able to make it.
Fitness director Julie Larrison said Joyce has even stepped in as a substitute instructor for her "boot camp" class.
"She's very dedicated and committed — qualities of a true exerciser," Larrison said.
Peak member Ed Tulloch, 68, called Joyce a "special person." He said she inspires him and others to keep pushing, especially when hurdles arise.
"She shows us that it's possible to overcome adversity in life," he said. "She stays active and doesn't let disease or health issues get her down. Anything is possible when you're healthy and surrounded by good people."