It Has Nothing to do With Age

More thoughts about a successful aging and what you can learn from “It Has Nothing to Do with Age “Part 1.

Have you seen the TV commercial with the attractive woman eating a certain food that I will not name? The message, of the commercial, was something to the effect that if you ate this particular product you could be like her. She was repelling down the side of a rock formation. She was screaming gleefully with a large smile on her face. Based on the commercial all you need is that foodstuff and you will become strong, active, and youthful and have the time of your life.

I believe there is another way to think about the process of aging. It is based on the belief that we have the power, the will, and the determination to make healthier lifestyle changes in our life. In other words, we might have more control over what happens to us if we begin to think differently about aging and retirement. I believe contrary to what Woody Allen said in” USA Today”,”You can live to be 100 if you give up all the things that make you want to live that long.”
I believe that aging is not about what you're going to lose but what you're about to gain. Retirement does not have to be associated with unhappiness. I believe that you can find meaning and develop passion in your life. In “It Has Nothing to Do with Age”, you'll read the stories of both men and women who are 65 -85 years of age and compete in unique and extreme physical activities. You will learn in detail about them, their stories, their motivation, their successes, their failures, the hardships they have overcome, their passions, their secrets, and their beliefs about successful aging.

According to Chopra and Simon in their book:” Grow Younger, Live Longer”; and Goldman and Klatz in their book” Stopping the Clock”, you can actually reverse the aging process.
Weil in his book,” Healthy Aging”, and Small, in his book “The Longevity Bible” suggests that you can increase your longevity. The maverick biologist, Aubrey de Grey claims that eternal youth is within the reach of some people. However, I believe they have overlooked one important ingredient, which is, finding meaning. Research findings have shown that yoga, meditation, and deep breathing exercises, reduce stress and anxiety by helping the person to relax. Also, research suggests that aerobic exercise not only improves immune and cognitive functioning, but also has a marked effect on mood, and helps with depression by increasing the production of endorphins. Other findings include the following: exercise can even add a couple of years to life expectancy, it can lower the risk of heart disease, it can reduce the risk of developing Alzheimer's disease and it can lower the rates of breast cancer and diabetes. It can boost the immune function and increase circulation throughout the body, can help control weight, can lower blood pressure and reduce the risk of stroke. One study found that men who exercised regularly had more frequent and satisfying sexual encounters. If it is true that aging successfully is one third controlled by genetics and two thirds based on personal life style choices, then biology does not fully control one’s destiny.

To be continued tomorrow. Today's trail run with Tony and Chris took on a familiar theme. Tony starts off easy just like Secretariat. Then he takes off and finishes first. Tony is to be referred to as Secretariat. He has earned that distinction.