WILMINGTON, N.C. (WECT) – Natalie Sherwood said it was “survival or the couch” that got her into the gym seven months ago. Now the 80-year-old’s biggest regret is that she didn’t start sooner.

Personal trainer Vicki Maysack has worked with Sherwood for about a year and has seen tremendous improvement.

“Tremendous improvement, because when she started, she wasn’t doing any weights at all. A little bit of walking,” Maysack said.

Maysack said they have increased weight and balance challenges, including work with the TRX system.

The changes have been dramatic for Sherwood’s daily life.

“Well, when I started, I was holding on to things like a car or the counter in the kitchen. And now I don’t do that, you know. I can put my pants on, you know, without holding on to something,” Sherwood said.

Now she can plank for 15 seconds as well as perform rope slams and ball slams.

“I’m always proud when I can do a plank. I don’t think that was something in my toolbox before,” Sherwood said.

Maysack said the progress has been inspiring.

“I brag about her all the time. The progress physically and also the mentality of her being confident is incredible. It’s very inspiring to me,” Maysack said.

Sherwood has noticed improvements in her physical strength.

“I noticed opening jars. Something as simple as that is not a big deal anymore,” she said.

But the biggest change has been her body confidence.

“I no longer spend a lot of time picking out what I’m going to wear or fixing my hair. I just do it and I just, I feel what a shame that I had to wait to 80 to feel body confident,” Sherwood said.

Both Sherwood and Maysack said the key to success is making the commitment, staying consistent and remembering it’s never too late to start.

Sherwood wants to do more cardio and plans to come to the gym more to ride the bike. Maysack said they will continue to work on strength and balance.

Copyright 2026 WECT. All rights reserved.