By Stephanie Irvine

With many people’s New Year fitness resolutions underway, one Manhattan resident is encouraging others not to worry about the small stuff and to simply focus on “getting some exercise every day.”

That’s Loretta Sartore’s resolution, at least.

Hot on the heels of her 90th birthday, Loretta Sartore still walks four miles every morning — and that’s before she embarks on a fitness routine complete with rowing, weight-lifting and using the elliptical for five to 10 minutes — all with no intention of slowing down.

After all, it’s what her cardiologist says is keeping her going.

With the big 9-0 coming up on February 16, Sartore has had her share of health challenges over the years. She had heart bypass surgery in 2020, survived melanoma in 2013 and has a bad back — but none of that has stopped her, largely in part to her dedication to taking care of herself.

“Go to the doctor, that’s what they’re there for!” Sartore says, joking that she has a specialist for just about everything.

The daughter of a farmer, Sartore is no stranger to staying busy. She recalled climbing up on the beam of her father’s one-horse plow, observing at an early age what it takes to get by. An early riser, waking up at 3 a.m., and daddy’s girl through and through, she learned the attitude to “just keep going.”

Some mornings, she said she would say to herself, “I don’t think I’m going to fitness today,” but instead of following that thought, she would just get dressed and go.

“I always feel better after, and my day is started right,” Sartore said of her early-morning workouts, demonstrating that it’s not about being motivated, it’s about doing.

She’s kept going through a lot of things, including personal tragedy.

On her 50th birthday, she endured a life-changing event. A fire tore through the home of her daughter and son-in-law, claiming the lives of their two young sons. A devastating event for the entire family, it dramatically changed her perspective.

“I used to just really worry about all kinds of little stuff, but after that, I thought well, I made it through that and the little things, I mean, them little things don’t mean anything anymore. I just kind of let them go in one ear and out the other one,” Sartore said.

After the fire, Sartore learned that having fun and not being so serious are what life is all about.

“I don’t stay mad long,” she added.

Throughout her life, Sartore has experienced a lot. She was a lunch lady at Anna McDonald School, served as a band booster, and dressed up as an Elf to help the kids at the holidays.

She’s participated in nearly every parade Manhattan has to offer, which any Manhattanite knows, is a lot. She and her late sister would ride a surrey bike, and one time, twice through.

Three years ago, she lost her husband of 50 years, Stephen, to Alzheimer’s. She cared for him much in the same way she raised her three children, now grown.

Of Stephen, Sartore laments that he was a good husband who spoiled her kids as if they were his own. Sartore had married at 18, but later divorced. Despite the marriage not working out, she still considers her former in-laws family, demonstrating the power of unconditional love.

Her personal strength extends beyond her 55-pound lat-pulldowns. Sartore also has immense personal and mental stamina.

In the warm-weather months, she tends to her garden filled with multiple varieties of tomatoes and shares the wealth with friends and neighbors from the muffler shop and church. You might also catch her cutting her own grass with her Ego mower.

An active member of the Will County Farm Bureau, American Legion and women’s club, she’s always doing something. She considers her fitness friends family.

She crochets flags and told her kids if they get her yarn, they just might get it back. Crocheting keeps her sharp, she says, because she’s always creating. She’s an avid reader, loves music, but doesn’t watch much TV, except for the news before bed.

Often compared to an Energizer Bunny, Sartore stays focused each day on what she has to do.

“You don’t have time to worry if you’re busy,” Sartore said.

Last year, she had a surprise birthday celebration at the gym. She’s not sure what her kids have planned this year, but she’s certain it will be a good time.

If you see Loretta around town on February 16, wish her a happy birthday. And in her honor, try not to sweat the small stuff — unless it just means breaking out into a sweat lifting weights.

As she says, “You’re never too old to have fun!”

Stephanie Irvine is a freelance reporter.

Ten-pound weights are no challenge for Loretta Sartore. (Photos provided)

Loretta stays strong by using the leg press at Fitness Premier Manhattan

Manhattan’s favorite elf, Loretta Sartore, makes a stop at Fitness Premier Manhattan for a workout. No days off for fitness for Loretta.