Choosing Your Path at 70 and Beyond

Speed walking at 70 or late for the bus? Which do you want to be?

70 is the avg. age of the 35 people I just spent a week with touring Spain. In traveling with them, taking city walking tours, long bus rides, and other physical activities, I observed two groups:

1. Energetic, vital 70 yos.

And 2. Those who had trouble walking up one flight of steps.

I do now know intimate details of their personal situations and health conditions who seemed less able. But I do know that I want to be in the former camp if at all possible

This experience, combined with the slew of articles coming out daily (latest being how women are using low-key measures for longevity and “beating” men obsessed with high-tech a) does really make me stop and think about longevity and what it means to me.

Which is why the bonus this week was to explain what longevity means to you, summarized in 1-2 sentences. See comments below:

What does longevity mean to you?

I’ll go first: Easily living autonomously until I pass away and I’d like to make it until 90ish.

Shannon: To me, longevity is having mobility (and using it) until the end. But also having a community of peers with that same mindset. I want to be able to call up Gertrude to go play pickleball when I’m 88.

Flo: Longevity means having a fulfilling life whilst being in good physical and mental health surrounded by family and friends doing work, hobbies, activities that make me happy.

Robert Chow: My goal would be to keep moving well and enjoying fitness while eating good food and traveling to new places with loved ones

Karen:I don’t know about 'longevity' per se; I don’t care to live long (though my perspective might change when I have kids), but I want to live well. That means being free of pain and sickness, age gracefully, maintaining a sane mind, having a mobile body, fostering a positive attitude, and surrounding myself with loved ones and good people. 🫶🏼✌🏻

Stephani: I’ve never thought much about longevity goals, I just want to live into ‘old age’ and enjoy my life, spending time with my kid, and stay active and healthy as long as possible.

Yehua: to be chronic illness free and have relatively good mobility past…70/75? It is hard to gauge bc that sounds old but it’s also like my parents age now and they don’t feel that old to me

William: My longevity goal in abstract is to have my healthspan lineup with my lifespan and to live at least until my daughter is comfortably retired. My actual numeric goal is 120

Nikki: I’m gonna say longevity to me means to feel good in my mind and body at any age. I was surprised when my grandma died at 83; I thought she was going to live much longer, but she became very inactive later in life. She didn’t like discomfort or pain. Then I have my parents, who are 62 and 64, and my dad just had his knee replaced but they both work out every day, travel the world, fight through fibromyalgia/ body pain / knee pain / etc bc they want to have freedom and enjoy life. So I feel like there are examples from each end of the spectrum in the family (there are many others heading down unhealthy paths) but I hope to be more like my parents when I’m older. Also recommend watching the blue zone on Netflix if youre interested in this topic! All about people who live 100+

Rick: Longevity is an interesting topic and yeah, to maybe @William Anderson and @Karen Hsieh s point, “healthspan” to my is important, and increasing that to me makes sense. Medication and technology can keep people’s heart pumping and lungs breathing for a long ass time, but doing so being able to get up and down stairs, walking and seeing friends, that to me is important. Living to 200 is meaningless if I’m doing it from a hospital bed. So longevity to me is how long my health span lasts. Then you can toss me in a dumpster. I was helping a friend move last week and her elevator was down. As I was entering the apartment this older, obese woman was trying to get through the door and needed a rest before she even hit the stairs. In the time it took us to clear out all the bags from her apartment, that woman was still working on the second flight of stairs. I would later find out she’s not even that old, just 5-7 years older than me, but never took care of herself. Not the way I wanna be fam.

Myla: Want to be able to keep hiking until I die and my retirement goal is to hike the Appalachian trail

Carey: i want to live as long as possible, ideally in good health. there’s so much more to learn about the world! and i’m excited about new discoveries and seeing what the future holds (even if things feels pretty grim rn) would love to get another masters in something that’s interesting w no pressure of it been practical for my life

Aging Well - Additional Thoughts

What sets the energetic seniors apart besides what I’m assuming were life style choices (and health circumstances)? Here are some observations:

• They smile often and engage warmly with others.

• Many had fulfilling careers or passions.

• They're curious, have hobbies,

• They know when to rest

One more A heartwarming takeaway? The more active seniors weren't just keeping up for themselves; they were also supporting their less able partners. It echoes what William said was one of his motivations: staying healthy is important to care for loved ones.

Week 12 Challenge: FITFLUENCER

Time for our seasonal, influencer challenge: Flaunt your favorite workout outfit in a hypebeast-style pose, share why you love it, tell us the brands involved, and drop your creative discount codes 😉. The community will vote for their favorite.