Never Too Old! 77-Year-Old Woman Transforms Herself Through CrossFit

"My quality of life is improving each day, and I am going to keep on keeping on," Constance Tillett tells PEOPLE

Photo: Katharine Reece/CrossFit Brooklyn

Constance Tillett is proving it’s never too late to get in shape.

The 77-year-old has been taking CrossFit classes for the past 11 months at the suggestion of her son, who thought the strength and conditioning program could improve her health. Before starting she’d had two hip replacement surgeries and two knee replacements, and was taking medications for diabetes, high blood pressure, congenital heart failure and arthritis, according to CBS News.

“From a training perspective, her range of motion, strength and overall work capacity have increased,” her trainer David Osorio of CrossFit South Brooklyn tells PEOPLE. “Additionally, she’s decreased her medication drastically and the doctor appointments have all been coming back with good news, and now require less frequent visits.”

In addition to her good health, Tillett – who has lost about 50 lbs. since she began working out – believes CrossFit has contributed to her overall quality of life.

“I have to really give all credit to my son for continually opening a way for me to keep up a better lifestyle,” Tillett tells PEOPLE. “In CrossFit, I find that everyone is very positive. That kind of energy makes you want to function each day in a better aspect of life.”

“Some days are difficult, but after the training and the energy [it gives me], I have a better outlook on survival,” she continues. “It is quite true that if you don’t use it you lose it. My quality of life is improving each day, and I am going to keep on keeping on.”

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Osorio explains that because CrossFit can be tailored to an individual’s needs, it’s a great fit for clients of any age.

“CrossFit can be scaled to anyone’s abilities,” he says. “Even with her history of joint surgeries and limited range of motion, Constance can still safely do many staple CrossFit exercises such as deadlifts, sled drags, step-ups, and ring rows.”

“For her and many folks her age and older, CrossFit is more about being physically capable and living a life not bound by weakness or decrepitude,” he continues. “The CrossFit methodology gives them the tools in a controlled setting to live the life they want outside the gym.”