Some people celebrate with flowers and Champagne, others prefer wild parties and dancing into the night.
But Margaret Deas marked her 102nd birthday with an eye-watering challenge: to complete one squat for each year of her life.
The sprightly Sydney care home resident – who uses only a metal bar for support – squats four times a week as part of her regular exercise routine.
“I only used to do 26 – the date of my husband Colin’s birthday,” the great-great-granny from Sans Souci, NSW, tells New Idea.
But in December last year, physiotherapist John Abd- Mariam asked her to consider the incredible challenge to mark her birthday on January 31.
Margaret burst out laughing. ‘I said: “John, forget it. I couldn’t possibly!”’ she admits.
But Margaret is a proud and passionate supporter of the Australian Wildlife Society, and John had a little trick up his sleeve.
“John said: ‘Well, do it for charity,’ and I thought: ‘Oh well, I’ll try it,'” she explains.
Margaret is living proof that age is no barrier to keeping fit – despite undergoing two hip replacements, a broken leg, a broken ankle and a broken pelvis – which almost killed her two years ago – Margaret smashed her birthday target of 102 squats.
“I got up to 130!” she smiles. And what does she think of this remarkable achievement? ‘I think of how silly I am!’ she says.
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