I have good news and bad news. First the bad news: It was my birthday recently and I hit another milestone. The good news: I’ve been getting younger the past two years, according to one of the many web sites which calculates one’s biological age versus calendar age. Last year on my birthday, I was biologically seven years younger than my calendar age. Almost one year later, I am biologically 9 years younger. So, I’ve actually gotten younger over the past 12 months!
From now on, when someone asks me for my age, I’m not going to bother telling them my calendar age. Why would I? It wouldn’t be representative of my biological age – which is the true physical condition of my body and hence, my real age. Isn’t this what really matters? My birth certificate should become irrelevant!
I think healthcare institutions should start asking me for my biological age when I'm filling out medical forms and questionnaires. It would probably also be worthwhile to list my biological age, if requested, on LinkedIn and the job posting sites as well. I would think more companies might be interested in me if they knew I was physically capable of sticking around for nine more years. Of course, they’re not supposed to discriminate, but you get the point. And for all of you single men and women out there, it would be beneficial to list your biological age on your dating profile. This doesn’t apply to me, since I’m happily married. My wife enjoys being married to a much younger guy than she thought she married. Although we’ve been married for 20 years, I’ve only aged 11 years (biologically, of course) during that time. (Lucky for me, she hasn’t aged much as well!)
At a minimum, I think I’ll start listing both of my ages in the future. For example, if I was 35 calendar years old (which I’m not) and 9 years younger biologically, I would list my age as C35/B26 (Calendar 35/Biological 26.) This would certainly be beneficial when applying for insurance. Let’s start a new trend. If we all do it, maybe it will become the norm. At a minimum, it would be an incentive for everyone to work hard at reducing their “B” age, since they don’t have any control over their “C” age!
So how did I get to be “C minus 9” years old? A little background: A couple of years ago, my family and I went to see the movie The Curious Case of Benjamin Button. It was quite entertaining. As I was watching it, I was thinking to myself “how the heck has my life flown by so quickly?” I realized at that moment I needed to make some significant changes in order to slow things down. I made a promise to myself and to my family I was going to reverse the aging process. Sadly, they all burst out laughing. Despite their doubts, I was determined to accomplish my goal and fight “Father Time.”
Just for the record, I’m not crazy…although some people may say otherwise. Regardless, I knew there were so many very basic things I could do to further improve my health. However, I wasn’t positive I could reverse the aging process. With some real effort, I did.
Here’s how: First and foremost, I have exercised almost every single day for the past two years. I walk and run on the treadmill more than I ever have before. I jump rope. I do yoga and Pilates (although I must admit not very well.) I give every new exercise regime listed in Men’s Health magazine a try. I’ve tested almost all of the latest infomercial gizmos and fitness DVD’s along the way. Some of them are actually pretty good. Some are awful. However, I’ve always found the basic “body weight” exercises, including push-ups, sit-ups, planks, squats and pull-ups, the best choices. Most importantly, I try to do at least a ½ hour or more of cardio every day.
Second, I watch what I eat more than I ever have before. I have cut out at least 2,000 calories a day. In the past, I would eat 5,000 – 6,000 calories a day. I would think nothing of eating six meals every day. I’m serious. And that’s not counting the Nabisco Mallomars, Welch’s Fruit Snacks and the late night Ellio’s frozen pizzas (all of them each night!). Fortunately, I’ve always been relatively thin since I’ve always been constantly active. I have also been told that I have a high metabolism (although I have no idea what this means.) And, I watch a minimal amount of television, so I’m not sedentary at all.
I now eat four meals each day (and I manage my portions better.) Those meals consist of more oats, grains, fiber, fruits and vegetables. And you know what? They actually taste good! Who would have thought? Too bad it took me a few decades to figure this out. I still need to cut out at least another 1,000 calories. However, I probably burn close to 1,000 calories each day, so I guess it’s a wash.
Last, but certainly not least, I now have a doctor who is a fanatic about healthy habits, unlike my past physicians. He also cares deeply about his patients. When I went for my physical two years ago, he told me I had to lose six pounds (trust me, you never would have thought that I needed to lose weight.) Sure, he could have rounded the number to five pounds instead of six, but it simply indicates how exact he tries to be when it comes to good health.
So, six pounds, huh? Well, I have been to the summit of Kilimanjaro and I’ve hiked above Everest Base Camp to Kala Patthar. In the latter case, I arrived home almost 20 pounds lighter than when I left for my trip three weeks earlier. I survived on a diet consisting mostly of protein bars, peanut butter, stale bread, hot water and Fanta orange soda. Please don’t try this at home.
You don’t have to climb mountains (no pun intended) to get in shape. You simply have to do some very basic things, but do them as often as you can. Regardless, a few years later, when my doctor told me to lose six pounds, I realized I found someone who was really going to watch out for my health.
Am I glad I’ve gotten to this point? Sure I am. However, I still have more to do. I need to eat much more fruits, vegetables and fiber. I need to stretch much more than I do (I can barely touch my toes.) The list goes on and on. That said, I’m writing this because I’m hoping that if just one person reads this and gets inspired by it, I will have made a difference and set them on the right course. Exercising every day and eating better has truly changed my life for the better. I feel great every day. I hardly ever get sick anymore. If you need proof, USA Today reported recently that it’s been proven that people who work out regularly get colds less frequently and tend to have much shorter colds, recovering quickly when they do get them. I used to get sick for weeks at a time. This winter, I had two colds and they both lasted for less than two days.
There are way too many daily distractions going on in our lives to focus on good health every day. But if you don’t start eating right and exercising, the aging process will catch up with you before you know it. And then it may be too late. It doesn’t matter how old you are. The longer you wait, the more difficult it will be. So, start now. Schedule your annual physical with a doctor you admire, watch the calories and take a long walk. Do it for your family and do it for yourself. Either way, as Nike says, just do it.
And one more thing, if this wasn’t inspiring enough for you, go to The New York Times web site and do a search on Philippa Raschker or go to The Wall Street Journal web site and do a search on Joseph Maroon. If those stories and countless others don’t inspire you, then find something else that will. Don’t give up. You’re not getting any younger…but you can. Biologically, of course.
