Senior fitness isn’t some vaguely defined ideal. It can save your life. To better understand what it means, we present real life stories of seniors who aren’t just surviving the aging challenges, but who are thriving. Our hope is that you will be inspired to find your own program for senior fitness. Here’s a book review sent to us by a long time colleague, Dr. Maynard Brusman, a real example of what’s possible.
Dr. Patsi and Rob Krakoff, trusted health advisors serving seniors, have written a highly educational new book for older people on how to live a long healthy life. Senior Fitness 4 Life is written in a style that both educates and motivates seniors to change habits that are unhealthy, and create new positive habits to become more resilient and thrive.
Senior Fitness 4 Life provides evidence-based research including the latest brain science, and real life experience in the areas of exercise, nutrition, managing stress and shifting one’s mental model developing a positive mental attitude that contribute to optimal health. The book is written with humor, great examples from their own all too human lives, and numerous case studies of people that followed their wise advise, and became happier and healthier aging well.
I am a senior who works out with free weights at home, briskly walks two to three miles almost every day, practices mindfulness meditation, takes an occasional yoga class and usually eats pretty healthy. I stay hydrated drinking eight to ten glasses of water a day with fresh squeezed lemon. Vibrant health is my highest value.
After reading Senior Fitness 4 Life, I was inspired to set even loftier lifestyle goals. I am now motivated to create more energy, and am committed to reach “Level 9,” the highest level of fitness.
Some of my most creative ideas are generated when I am in a state of flow working out, biking, kayaking, or going river rafting and having fun. Leading leadership retreats in Northern California, and participating in outdoor ecology travel adventures in beautiful locations like Costa Rica, crossing the Sahara Desert in Africa, and running on the Great Wall of China fuels my curiosity, keeps my body in motion, mind engaged, and spirit young.
I taught a self-management class for fifteen years. Some of my most appreciated strategies were to focus on your strengths, savor the present moment, take baby steps, pace yourself, and the power of the environment as a trigger. On those days when I prefer to watch CNN rather than work out I put on my well-worn cargo shorts, “Darn Tough Socks” and comfy running shoes and get out into nature.
Once I start hiking everything changes and I feel life is good. I even get to have some great conversations with neighbors who also live on our beautiful mountain in Northern California.
I purposely don’t track my steps with any technological device wanting to be fully present. I enjoy the quiet, inner peace, and not being connected to outside distractions only listening to my heart trusting my inner wisdom.
Do you remember my namesake Maynard G Krebs in “The Many Loves of Dobie Gillis” TV show? Monitoring your workout progress with technology or some other method for many is a super idea, but for me it seems like too much work!
Recently, I was facilitating a meeting with the Chairman of the Board and the CEO of a San Francisco Bay Area company. We stood up to take a stretch break, and I noticed they both were scanning my body from top to bottom. Initially, I thought I might have left my fly open! I took a quick look, and a subsequent deep breath of relief. Seeing the concerned look on my face they smiled, and after asking my age said they were in awe of how lean and healthy I looked at 69.
A highly anticipated follow-up book by the Krakoff’s is in the works focusing on body weight exercises for active seniors. Another upcoming book “Senior Fitness Diet 4 Life” will go into even more depth on nutrition and healthy eating. Our family continues to work on eating healthier mostly organic foods savoring each bite mindful of cutting out the sugar found in processed foods.
The Krakoff’s are a great example of a husband and wife team driven by purpose, passion and possibilities to help educate seniors about living a healthy and fulfilled life. I plan on recommending “Senior Fitness 4 Life” to my senior executive coaching and leadership development clients working with the whole person.
Senior Fitness 4 Life, the blog, is a great growing interactive wellness resource that accompanies the book. I hope to contribute some articles i.e. “How to Overcome Insomnia…The Article Guaranteed to Put You to Sleep!” to the website. As part of my legacy, it feels enlivening expressing gratitude while contributing to humanity and the greater good. May you be well, kind, compassionate, and around a long time.
In Health, Wealth, and Happiness,
Dr. Maynard Brusman
Consulting Psychologist & Executive Coach
Emotional Intelligence and Mindful Leadership Consultant
www.workingresources.com
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