Seen it time and time again.
Sit around, eat, watch tv, eat, sit, shuffle to bed.
Repeat.
No one tells them. No incentive to tell them.
Here
are some quotes I found interesting from Dr. Eugster:
…'
There are three main techniques to achieving healthy old age, he believes –
work, diet and exercise, and of these, number one is work: "Work keeps you
healthy. You have to work because it keeps your mind and body active," he
says, adding that soon after giving up work on his newsletter at the age of 82,
he began to notice a physical decline.
"My
mind and body weren't as busy. You must have a purpose in life. If you retire
you're a nobody; you make no contribution to society and your health
deteriorates," he says.
Retirement,
believes Eugster, "is a financial disaster and a health catastrophe."
It was never meant to go on as long as it does nowadays, he maintains. The
second most important factor in a long and healthy life is nutrition, he says:
"What we're eating nowadays is destroying our health. The human race is
committing mass suicide by eating too much of the wrong food."
Thirdly,
is exercise – take it regularly and make sure it's the kind of exercise that's
relevant to your body type, he says. "In old age, no matter how old you
are, food and exercise are crucial," says Eugster, adding that he is
preparing to publish a book about ageing and, while he hasn't yet decided on a
title, he's thinking about calling it, "95 and Loving It!"
He's
currently in discussions about the establishment of a fitness training scheme
for the elderly. While old age may be associated with problems such as loss of
strength, muscle mass, balance or mental agility, Eugster believes these common
ailments can be combated with specifically-tailored fitness programmes.
A
passionate advocate for training in old age, he believes that the right type of
training can be of huge benefit to older people.
Most
gyms are targeted at 30-50 year-olds, he says, and don't usually have fitness
programmes specifically tailored around problems related to old age. He is now,
he says, at the age of 94, considering a potential business opportunity in the
fitness coaching sector. Such a training programme for older people would
emphasise continuous assessment of their physical strengths and weaknesses and
their progress.
Although
you may be old, competitive sports keeps both mind and body healthy, he
believes. Life is all about challenges, and it's important to always attempt
something new, no matter how old you are.
"One
should take part in competitive sports at any age – or start a new sport at any
age," says Eugster, pointing out that, although he has never run in his
life, he is currently preparing for the British Masters Athletics Championships
race in Birmingham next August. He will attempt the 100 and 200 metres for men
aged 95 and over.
Since
no records have yet been set in this age category, Eugster is currently aiming
to beat all records set in the lower category, for men aged 90-plus.
And, if
you need to be reminded, he himself is living proof of his own adage:
"Anyone's
life in advanced years can be dramatically better than they can ever have
imagined if they invest in the right type of training."
