Consistent exercise is the key to longevity and health

I’m 92 now, and long ago in my late 30s I realized I needed to exercise and get myself fit. I wasn’t sure how to do it but by trial and error I came up with a plan that I’ve followed and adjusted every few years as my level of fitness developed. This has been going on for over 60 years and I now have a high level of fitness and good health. What had started as just an effort to get fit early in life become a regular routine and eventually it became almost daily and then a habit.

By trial and error I came up with a plan that I’ve followed and adjusted every few years as my level of fitness developed. This has been going on for over 60 years and at 92 I continue to have a high level of fitness and good health.

After I've warmed up on the elliptical I do my other exercises.

I do all my exercises at home and the first one I do is the elliptical for my heart and lungs and to give my hips, knees and feet a rest from the hard road surfaces. The elliptical provides a low impact full body aerobic workout and is convenient when the weather outside is unpleasant. After I’m warmed up, I do the other exercises. My hand drawn chart shows them in the order I do them.

I don’t have any special diet, if I need to lo lose weight I eat less and exercise more. We seldom go out for meals -- food is mostly homemade and I like a little vanilla ice cream for dessert. I eat mostly chicken, fish, fresh vegetables, berries, and fruit. I take several vitamins and fish oil, nothing special. And I started taking a protein supplement about two years ago. I used to drink alcoholic drinks but not anymore.

My hand drawn chart shows my exercises in the order I do them. Consistent exercise is the key to good health and fitness in old age.

I don’t have any special diet, if I need to lo lose weight I eat less and exercise more.

I like my fitness routine. I can watch TV; the routine is relatively short. I don’t want my life to revolve around trying to be fit. There are other things I do as well that keep me busy. Exercise has already become a habit and something I like and look forward to doing.

Getting to this stage was a gradual process, slowly doing a little more as each stage became easier. Getting fit takes a long time, and it is, in fact, a process. Doing too much too fast can result in being hurt, so I just do what my body tells me is the right amount and when I’m ready to increase the repetitions or the length of time I do it. My objective was only to be healthy and fit and once there to maintain it and that’s where I am now.

Getting fit is a process. Doing too much too fast can result in being hurt, so I just do what my body tells me is the right amount and when I’m ready to increase the repetitions or the length of time I do it.

There’s truth in the old saying “If you rest, you rust” and I believe almost anyone can reach a personal level of fitness and good health. I’ve been through the process including regular annual doctor checkups so I don’t try to ‘push through’ an ache or pain. I rest and try to determine the cause and get it fixed before it turns into a major health issue.

My approach is to go slow and make every step or level into a solid base. A long and healthy life was my objective and even now at my age I will continue my fitness routine into the years ahead! I firmly believe that consistent exercise is the key to longevity. My fitness routine gives me a sense of accomplishment and well-being! No matter how it went it’s a small success each day and it makes me feel good!