PLATTSBURGH — Antonio "Tony" Gagliardi gets his Zumba on every chance he gets.
Though the octogenarian mixes it up with senior aerobics, Nautilus, free weights, treadmill, step machine and elliptical, Zumba gives the widower fitness with social benefits at the Plattsburgh YMCA.
"I have done it, maybe a half-dozen times," said the Plattsburgh man. "I more or less participate on Friday with the seniors. I'm the only guy."
RELUCTANT DANCER
Zumba originated in Colombia in the 1990s. Created by Beto Perez, a Miami-based dancer and choreographer, the aerobic movement fuses salsa, merengue, cumbia, reggaeton, calypso, soca, samba, African, cha cha and hip hop.
Gagliardi never really danced until he turned 80, when he began line dancing at the Y.
"I started with it very reluctantly, and it grew on me. And, it (dancing) seems a thing I enjoy."
One of the line dancers talked him into trying Zumba.
"I like it that there are other people," he said. "It's good. I live alone. The other thing I like about it, after a while, you get the idea of the rhythm and music. You feel you really want to move around. Sometimes at home, I do the dance steps because it feels so good. I had a sedentary job. I was never active. I started doing the weigh lifting and that kind of thing."
Five years ago, Gagliardi was packing 245 pounds.
"I didn't want to go there. I went on a diet. I weigh less now than when I went into the Navy during World War II. I was a flag control man, not controlling fliers but controlling gunfire, torpedoes and that kind of thing. I took care of gunnery computers, the gunnery data computer, firing system and control system of the guns. I was always in technology. I was a ham radio operator."
NO-SALT DIET
He embarked on his weight-loss odyssey on Thanksgiving Day.
"It became natural to me. I cut out everything with salt. I learned that when I went on prednisone because of an eyesight problem. My doctor said, 'I don't want you to do anything with salt.' I lost 17 pounds. I thought there must be something to it."
Gagliardi is a no-dessert gent. Ice cream is taboo.
"I just eat healthy things. I make pancakes from whole-wheat flour, flax seed and blueberries. I try to stay with all the natural foods. I lost 60 pounds. I've kept it off four years now."
He attributed his former bulk to years of $100 lunches in New York City, where he was the superintendent of street lighting for 38 years.
"I don't miss it," he said of that life. "I'm satisfied with what I got and what I eat. For dinner, I will have a sweet potato and no butter, a vegetable and a piece of fish. For lunch, I make my own soups in the Crock-Pot. I put it (separate portions) in the freezer. For breakfast, I have oatmeal, a banana or grapefruit or something like that."
NATIVE NEW YORKER
His cuisine and exercise regimen have made him a rival of the Energizer Bunny. At a recent family wedding, Gagliardi glided across the dance floor, capturing the photographer's eye. His daughter-in-law chided him that there were more pictures of him than the bride.
"I enjoy it. I don't seem to run out of energy, anyway. I don't know what I have been doing that's been so good to me. I don't see well. I don't hear well. Other than that, I'm perfect."
A native New Yorker, he came to the North Country to manage a Champlain plant that manufactured lamp posts. He later worked in Canada for a Ohio-based company.
In his platinum years, he's keeping busy and active.
"I try to enjoy myself at the same time."
Although much of Zumba is choreographed, there are opportunities for self expression. Gagliardi can freestyle with the best of them.
"I love it," he said. "I will continue to do it."
E-mail Robin Caudell at: rcaudell@pressrepublican.com
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