Genetics aside, can we say that our clubs are not just selling fitness and exercise, but are actually in the business of longevity?
When members come to us to lose weight, there may be several reasons for that objective. It could be that they simply want to look better, but they are probably just as concerned about the negative impact that carrying extra weight may have on their health. They may already be suffering with diseases that require medication and have been advised by their doctors to diet and exercise.
In a recent article in the U.S. News and World Report, eleven health habits were described as helping you live to be 100, and one of the biggest factors that determines how well you age is not your genes — but how well you live.
Of the eleven habits, three were nutrition related and at least three others were lifestyle habits. None of the habits were very difficult or unique, yet a study published in 2009 in the British Medical Journal of 20,000 British folks shows that you can cut your risk of having a stroke in half by doing the following four things: being active for 30 minutes a day, eating five daily servings of fruit and vegetables, and avoiding cigarettes and excess alcohol.
Since centenarians tend to share certain traits in how they eat, move about and deal with stress, it seems like a great idea to propose to our members a plan on how to become a centenarian of the future. Call it the “I Wanna Be a Hundred“ club.
Centenarians keep their bodies in equilibrium their whole lives by being creatures of habit. They generally have a strict routine of diet, exercise and get at least six hours of sleep per night. So our future centenarians will have to do that, as well as have fiber-rich whole grain cereals for breakfast every day and consume whole foods including an abundant amount of veggies, full of phytochemicals, not supplements.
Centenarians don’t retire, and they keep moving. Even if work life is officially over, it’s important to stay involved in daily activities, such as volunteering. Activities allow you to stay connected with others in many different ways. Isn’t the gym a great place for that?
Something we all could practice in finding better ways to deal with stress. A healthy dose of humor and rolling with the punches helps centenarians live longer. If that is difficult for some members to do, then they can try your yoga or tai chi classes, or other forms of meditation and exercise.
Finally, flossing every day is a way to prevent a buildup of bacteria in the mouth that can enter the bloodstream. Now — start your club and live to be 100!
Judith Samuels, M.A. is a certified nutrition and wellness consultant and master personal trainer at Sport&Health Clubs in the Washington D.C. Metro Area. She can be reached via e-mail at judi@judisamuels.com.
