text: Salvina Formosa does weights and sit-to-stand exercises every week to improve her fitness . She may be too old for a lot of things but working out is not one of them. Salvina Formosa from South Wentworthville, west of Sydney, has been taking part in step classes to improve her fitness and strength to walk after tripping over on an uneven footpath. The 101-year-old widow, who was never keen on exercise in her youth, now does weights and sit-to-stand exercises several times a week at Southern Cross Care in Merrylands . And there's no sign of her slowing down at any time soon. 'I can now do 20 sit-to-stand exercises,' she said. 'I feel a lot more confident getting up out of a chair, walking on uneven ground and walking to the letterbox.' The Western Sydney Local Health District's  community-based program  Stepping On is designed to improve strength and balance in elderly people who have had a fall or are fearful of falling. Ms Formosa, who is a trained sewing teacher, has made over 13 wedding dresses and insists she still enjoys sewing and cooking. The centenarian wakes up at 5am every morning and attributes her longevity and wellness to her fitness as she lives a life with a kind heart free of jealousy and prays daily. The 101-year-old, who celebrated her birthday on March 16, recently tripped over an uneven footpath . The 101-year-old widow now does weights and sit-to-stand exercises several times a week . The centenarian wakes up at 5am every morning and attributes her longevity and wellness to her fitness . Ms Formosa has made over 13 wedding dresses and insists she still enjoys sewing and cooking . Nearly 1000 older western Sydney residents have taken part in NSW Health's program, which began in 2012. The free program runs for seven weeks, two hours a week in a community setting. It incorporates speakers as well as group exercises focusing on improving balance and strength. WSLHD's coordinator Shayda Marek said: 'We've seen an increase in confidence in a participant's mobility, strength and balance. This has positive effect on in their daily life, mentally and physically.' An evaluation report of the program showed that 70 per cent of participants improved their performance in balance and strength at the completion of the program. More than 83 per cent of participants reported changes in their behaviour since the program, such as doing more exercise at home, wearing safer footwear and reducing hazards in their home environment.
target: Salvina Formosa does weights and sit-to-stand exercises every week .
  The 101-year-old recently tripped over an uneven footpath .
  She has been taking part in step classes to improve her fitness .
  The Sydney mother celebrated her 101th birthday on March 16 .
  The centenarian is going strong and there's no sign of her slowing down .