The last decade

The last decade. I don’t know when that will be and I don’t think anyone knows. But during those years I want to be able enjoy my present lifestyle. I’m 92 now and that’s why I exercise regularly. I’m healthy and fit and I live mostly as I have been for years and I want to continue.  And I’ve got my mind trained now to exercise regularly, it's become a habit. I look forward to my exercises and I feel good when I’m finished.

 I’m healthy and fit and I live mostly as I have been for years and I want to continue.  And I’ve got my mind trained now to exercise regularly, it's become a habit. I look forward to my exercises and I feel good when I’m finished.

It may seem odd that I think like this since I’m already 92. But I didn’t know when the last decade would be when I was 82, 72, or 62. I didn’t want to be in a wheel chair, or a hospital bed, and have to be helped all the time.

I didn't know when the last decade would be when I was 82, 72, or 62. I just knew I didn’t want to be in a wheel chair, or a hospital bed, and have to be helped all the time. So I exercised.

I had started exercising regularly in my late 30s and I didn’t have a plan. I started because I thought it was a good idea to be fit as a result of an experience that proved I wasn’t. And I didn’t want to lose my good quality of life. Earlier in my teens and 20s I was very fit and had been a competitive runner. But after a decade or so of doing nothing, I was not fit so I started jogging. The routine I do now got started then, about 60 years ago. Back then I did my running outside and I only did a few exercises.

Years went by, I reached my 60s and 70s. That was a period when my body needed a lot of various repairs including dental work, a meniscus tear in left knee, prostate cancer, Dupuytren’s contracture, lower back and right knee issues, toe problems with my right foot, sciatica, and a few other things common to aging. All those things got fixed and I’m fine now. That period was like living through a bad storm and then the sun comes out! My primary doctor, Andre Leonard MD, is a marathon runner and Iron Man participant, so I was in good hands!

I eventually changed from running outside on hard surfaces to using an elliptical in my house. It provides a low impact full body workout using a variety of large muscle groups and is easier on my joints. And it strengthens my heart, increases oxygen intake and lung capacity.

I began to better understand the importance of exercise as I approached old age and it became a huge incentive and a motivation to continue the type of exercises that had already become my ‘routine’.

Some say that I must have good genes to be fit at 92. If so, I don’t see that in my family history. Most of my family has experienced all the same afflictions in later life as most other families. A lot of research has been done in recent years about genetics, lifestyle, and longevity. Many believe that genes are generally not thought to be the most influential factor in determining longevity. It seems that lifestyle and in particular exercise can have a much larger and more significant role in that process. I want to maintain my quality of life into my old age and I have to be fit and healthy to do that. So, I exercise.

My primary doctor, Andre Leonard MD, is a marathon runner and Iron Man participant, so I am in good hands!

I began to better understand the importance of exercise as I approached old age and it became a huge incentive and a motivation to continue the type of exercises that had already become my ‘routine’. There are nine that I do starting with the elliptical and ending with pushups. I do these 9 almost every day of the week and have for several decades. I continue to have a good quality of life. I can do just about everything I used to do years ago.

So, for good reasons I am committed to my exercise and fitness program. Aging is inevitable but I believe you can prepare your body and mind for old age and continue to live a good life!