Aging Doesn’t Add Up to Old


 

Running at any age

Last week I caught a fascinating news bit on The Today Show which featured a segment with researchers from  MIT. They were demonstrating an aging suit they refer to as AGNES ( Age Gain Now Empathy System), in an effort to better understand the aging process.  The idea is that the more companies understand how people age, the better equipped they will be to develop and design  more user friendly products for the aging population.  Pretty cool, but sort of a downer as I watched Natalie Morales, who was wearing the aging suit, basically give up because moving around was just too hard. Is that what we all have to look forward to? (Insert sound effects for Debbie Downer)

As I watched this segment two things came to  mind, first, not everyone over 70 is that slow and limited in movement and second, why did the segment make aging seem so depressing? I’m sure that wasn’t the intent, but it was.

The truth is that we’re all going to get older, we’re all going to get aches and pains where we didn’t before and we’re all going to notice the ramifications of accumulated use of our body. But does it have to be all “doom and gloom?”

I’ve always believed that life is what you make it and how you live it,  in both thought and action. I have seen  many a 70 year old move swiftly and effortlessly. I have seen 80 year old people run marathons and participate in exercise classes with more vim and vigor than someone much younger.

Who says you can't be an athlete over 60?

For me, I hope to never stop being active even if I’m told old age means being subjected to a life in a chair because living is just too hard. I will never stop feeling youthful despite what my knees and birth certificate tell me. I will never stop laughing at the prospect of slowing down, because that is not what I choose. I will always pay attention to the food I put in my body and the thoughts I put in my mind because those are major culprits of unhealthy aging.

There are numerous studies showing the value of exercise and sound nutrition as we age, it plays a big role in both quantity and quality of life. I’d like to think that the aging suit is simply an illustration of those that for whatever reason are inactive and less engaged with life. I completely understand that there are extenuating circumstances for many and how they age, but my point is that, if we have a choice can’t we embrace our advancing years versus fear them?  I’m thinking absolutely we can, I’ve seen others do  it, I know it’s possible.

Who better depicts active aging than Jack Lalanne?

Regardless of how long I’m meant to be on this planet, I plan to keep my body and mind healthy through thought, word and deed,  no matter what everyone else may say, including AGNES.  How about you?


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