Defying the Aging Process
- 89-year-old great-grandmother Flo Meiler is defying the aging process, taking up track and field at age 60 and racking up medals ever since — and it all began with a push from an encouraging pal.
- The native New Yorker has racked up 1,040 medals ever since and has won 35 world records. In addition to being a champ hurdler, she’s also a pole vaulter, high jumper, long jumper, javelin thrower, hammer thrower, distance runner, sprinter and steeple chaser.
- Healthy aging isn’t just about accomplishing medical check-ups or managing illnesses. It’s also about maintaining a high quality of life as you age, keeping your body and mind as robust as possible, and living life to the fullest.
- SurvivorNet has provided an overview of aging to guide you through this universal process.
“My friend, Barbara Jordan, pleaded with me to join the masters track team and compete in the Vermont State Senior Games with her,” Meiler told Growing Bolder. “I had no idea that it would change my life.”
Read MoreA Role Model for All
Daily Om featured the athletic force on Instagram, sharing that “Flo is a walking reminder that aging does not have to be your enemy.”
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“Oftentimes, our fears and inadequacies around the topic are simply simply negative, judgmental thoughts. By clearing these negative associations, it’s possible to reset your relationship with aging and live a freer, happier, healthier life embracing age with passion and gratitude.”
“Chronological age is just a number,” one supporter wrote in the comments section on the post. “Biological age is where you’re actually animated to do what you can and love to do!”
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Another commenter recalled running on a track the other day and being tempted to try to hurdle, but ultimately gave up on the notion.
“I looked at them and thought ‘man, I really want to go for it.’ Then I thought about it how much it was going to hurt when I missed. Now I see this and I’m all like ?. That’s ?.”
Understanding Aging
It’s understandable that aging can feel like a mystery at times. We’ve all heard phrases like “Age is just a number,” but what does that mean? And how does it impact our health and well-being?
From the day we are born, our bodies and minds start to change and grow. This continuous process is, fundamentally, what we call “aging.” Life is a journey filled with countless changes, and aging is an integral part of that journey. Quite often, when we talk about aging, we focus on the physical changes, but it’s also about the evolution of our mental and emotional states.
SurvivorNet has provided an overview of aging to guide you through this universal process.
Watch Jacques Houot in ‘The Frenchy,’ Downhill Skiing and Mountain Biking at 82
Some key points to remember about aging:
- Aging is a natural biological process that affects everyone.
- The experience of aging can vary greatly among individuals.
- While aging comes with some inevitable changes, many aspects of aging are influenced by lifestyle choices and attitudes.
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- With the right information, support, and proactive strategies, aging can be a rich and fulfilling stage of life.
- Aging isn’t something to fear or shy away from—it’s a phase of life that we all share.
Healthy Aging Tips
Healthy aging isn’t just about accomplishing medical check-ups or managing illnesses. It’s also about maintaining a high quality of life as you age, keeping your body and mind as robust as possible, and living life to the fullest. SurvivorNet has put together some tips that can help you age healthily:
- Physical Activity: Try to incorporate at least 30 minutes of moderate exercise into your daily routine. This could be walking, cycling, swimming—any physical activity you enjoy!
- Nutrition: Eat a balanced diet heavy on fruits, vegetables, lean protein, and whole grains. Limiting processed foods, sugars and unhealthy fats can make a big difference in your overall health.
WATCH: The role of diet and exercise in cancer risk
- Social Engagement: Stay socially active. Whether it’s attending family gatherings, participating in group hobbies, volunteering, or just catching up with friends, maintaining social connections can significantly enhance your emotional health and well-being.
- Mental Stimulation: Engage in activities that stimulate your mind. This could include reading, doing puzzles, learning a new skill or language, or even playing memory-boosting games.
- Regular Check-ups: Don’t forget about your regular medical, dental, and eye check-ups. Prevention is always better than cure.
- Sleep: Good sleep is vital for your overall health. Practice good sleep hygiene – keep a regular sleep schedule, make your sleeping environment comfortable and quiet, and try to avoid screens before bed. In describing a recent study that connected sleep apnea with cancer risk, Dr. Eric Zhou of Harvard University told SurvivorNet, “the use of proven therapies like continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) for sleep apnea could potentially reduce a patient’s cancer risk.”
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