If The Future Is Not In Your Life Equation, You Are In Trouble

"Attempt easy tasks as if they were difficult, and difficult as if they were easy; in the one case that confidence may not fall asleep, in the other that it may not be dismayed."– Baltasar Gracián y Morales

 How open is your window?  How much time do you have left?  According to US census figures, the number of people aged 90 has nearly tripled since 1982 to 1.9 million.  Further, the 90+ age group is projected to increase to 8.7 million by mid century.  A century ago, fewer than 100,000 people reached   age 90.  Age increases are likely attributed to better nutrition, advances in medical care which has reduced heart disease and stroke.

Which states do you think have the greatest number or proportion of 90 year old youngsters?  Did you guess North Dakota, because that state led the list?  North Dakota has about 7 percent of its 65+ population over 90 years of age.  Did you guess, Connecticut as the second state?  Iowa and South Dakota followed.  In absolute numbers, of course, California, Florida and Texas led the nation in absolute numbers-each had more than 130,000 youngsters. These statistics were found in the November 18, 2011 edition of the Wall Street Journal.

So the population is aging, which means that we have to be smart and take care of ourselves.  Are you doing all that you can, as you age-are you taking care of your body and your mind?  There seems to be enough information about the dos and don’ts that is readily available.  It is obvious that some people need more than information.

During the resolution run on New Year’s Day, Marty and a 60 something James ultra runner were talking.  By the way, he was one of seven males in Secretariat’s age group. I told him about my second book having to do with mental toughness.  He thought that by the time you reach your 60s, as far as running is concerned, it becomes more difficult to leave the house and go out for your morning run.  He may be right.  I may be an exception since I do not have that difficulty.  If you have a goal or” on a mission” that may partly explain the difference.  I have a mission.

I was pleased that there were four males in my age group for that 10 mile run.  There are five  in my age group, so far, on the Way to Cool 50 K. to be held in March 2012.  On a number my runs this past year, I was the only one in my age group.  This may seem contradictory, but there are more people running and the running group seems to have aged.

Hopefully, if you are already exercising-cardio make sure you keep it going.  If you are having difficulty getting out the door, take a look at some of your rationalizations.  See what you can do to change your behavior.  You may have to talk to somebody, join a group, to figure out what will assist you.  Of course, thinking about the future and having a concrete goal easily measured is another part of the equation. I emphasize future and goal setting to be a major key for behavioral change. If the future is not in your life equation, you are in trouble. Read about some of my friends in my book, and hopefully that will help as well.