88th Birthday Celebrated at the Gym

Six days each week, Montgomery resident Mary Moorehead heads to Fit 'n Firm, in the Mountainview Plaza, for her hour-long workout, something she's done regularly since 2004—after she'd beaten cancer for a second time at the age of 80.

"I'd been through two cancers so I decided I had to exercise," Moorehead said, while pedaling on a recumbent exercise bike Wednesday. 

After her 30 minutes on the bike, Moorehead interrupted her routine to celebrate her 88th birthday with a group of friends who came in to celebrate with her. Among those friends was Debbie Loupos, who met and befriended Moorehead at Fit 'n Firm, forming such a strong bond, Moorehead calls Loupos her "adopted daughter."

"She'll tell you she comes for the socializing, but she's a gym rat," Loupos said.

At the birthday party, Moorehead opened a few presents, enjoyed cinnamon rolls, blueberry and poppyseed muffins—and blew out two lighters standing in for candles.

Then, it was back to work on the rest of her exercise routine—a 30 minute cycle on various machines to keep her healthy. It's a routine she said starts her days.

"Gotta get here, right away," she said. "No fooling around."