I'm Training To Be 80, by Scott Stolz, CFP, RICP (week 55)

 

My wife and I are prioritizing the more active travel destinations while we are still in our go-go years.  Hence, a trip to the Galapagos islands landed near the top of the list.  While on our ship we were talking with a woman in her mid-50’s.  The conversation came around to working out and she explained to us that she was training to be age 80.  I knew exactly what she meant, because I’m now doing the same.  In my younger years I worked out to gain more muscle, or prepare for a half-marathon, sprint triathlon or long bike race.  Now my goals are much more modest.  I just want to put off the slow-go years for as long as possible – hopefully age 80 or later.  Oh, and I definitely do not want to become the guy in softball that gets thrown out at first base by an outfielder because they know I can barely hit the ball out of the infield and/or I’m struggling to get to first base.  Sadly, I’ve seen it happen.  The day that happens to me will be my last softball game.  In short, at this stage my goal is simply to put off aging.

I’m certainly far from alone on this.  According to a 2025 Pew Research study on aging, 78% of people age 65 and younger are actively taking steps to improve their chances of aging well.  In addition, most Americans believe they have some control over how well they age both physically and mentally (How Americans Are Thinking About Aging | Pew Research Center)

My wife and I both recently completed a ½ day of longevity testing at a medical practice that specializes in helping people age well.  After drawing enough blood to fill about two dozen test tubes, there were cognitive, hearing and physical tests.  Despite getting a cramp while fruitlessly trying to touch my hands to my toes, I got a pretty good score card.  However, I now have so many supplements and vitamins, I find myself the “proud” owner of a pill box for the first time in my life.  Fortunately, there were no unpleasant surprises for either of us.  And the suggestions were as expected:

·       Continue to eat healthy – organic when possible, less sugar and more fiber (is it really possible to consume 35 grams of fiber in a day?)

·       Stay physically active

·       Do things to stay mentally engaged (like write a blog)

·       Drink less alcohol and more water  (wine and bourbon are mostly water, right?)

·       Sleep well each night (but apparently passing out because of the wine and bourbon is not the preferred method)

We all know people that lived into their 90’s without following any of these suggestions.  Just as we know people that died young despite being the poster child for living a healthy lifestyle.  There’s definitely an element of luck to living longer.  At the end of the day, I don’t know if taking magnesium and mixing collagen with a drink each day is really going to make a difference.  Nor do I know if I’m hurting myself by choosing to skip that workout today.  And will it really matter if I consume 20 grams of fiber rather than 35 grams?  But when you are training to delay the slow go years until at least age 80, you do everything you can to tilt the odds in your favor.  So, pass the magnesium and collagen, add a dose of cod liver oil and open a new bottle of wine (after my daily workout).