I know I have spoken about this in the past. However, I think its time revisit an extremely important topic for people committed to a long, healthy and vital life.

It never ceases to amaze me how many people tell me I have to slow down.

“You’re getting older now George, have you thought about taking it easy?”

“You’re not as young as you used to be, you should leave that for the young guys.”

How much of this type of conversation is driven by social conditioning to believe that as we get older we should slow down and not be so active?

What people are really telling me is they have or are going to slow down as they clock up the calendar years.

Here’s a question for you to ponder:

Do we slow down as we age, or do we age as we slow down?

The body is the most magnificent thing on this planet, even if the mirror might give reason to perceive otherwise. It thrives on being used. Aging is nothing more than the slow deterioration of the 75 trillion cells that are the building blocks of your body. To slow down our physical aging, all we need to do is slow down the rate of cellular deterioration, makes sense eh.

It seems that most people think if I slow down physically, I slow down the rate of aging. Sadly, nothing could be further from the truth.

IF YOU DON’T USE IT, YOU LOSE IT!

If you don’t exercise your memory, it gets weaker. If you don’t exercise your ability to make decisions, you become worse at it. Equally, if you reduce the physical work load of your cells they will weaken or atrophy (as it is correctly referred to).

The Body’s Sewerage System

In addition to having your daily ‘cellular’ workout, you also need your lymphatic system to function at its peak in helping remove the waste from the environment in which cells live. Although there is almost 4 times as much ‘lymph’ fluid in your body as blood, the system does not have a pump.

Circulation is created through movement and deep diaphragmatic breathing.

As you move and breathe lower in your lungs, lymph is circulated and waste is filtered out of the body via lymph nodes.

if you don’t move and use the capacity of your lungs, waste builds up in the body and integrity of the environment of your body’s cells is challenged.

Jacob’s Ladder

Recently my good friend Rod (who describes himself to me as a “crusty old bugger”) told me about the ‘boot camp’ sessions he participates in every week with other work mates under the guidance of a 25 year old personal trainer. He was tremendously proud when he told me he had achieved a significant personal milestone at Perth’s infamous set of stairs known as ‘Jacobs’s ladder’.

He had run up and down the stairs 10 times in succession!

His personal achievement, which by the way is no mean feat for even a 20 year old, simply served to reinforce my beliefs that age is more a state of mind than a physical thing. Rod’s energy is amazing and he tells me he feels vital, young and enjoys every moment of his life, and he is certainly an inspiration me.

My Uncle

I have an uncle who is in his 70s. It seems to me that he has become more active as he gets older and he is fantastic role model to me and other members of our family. He has been competing in swimming in the masters age group for many years, and has now taken up cycling. In fact he recently completed a 180 kilometre trek on his road bike. He intends competing in a triathlon to do the swim leg for a team of 3 men later this year.

What’s amazing is the total age of the 3 team members is 240 years!

He tells me they are confident of winning their age group. More importantly, these guys will live a long, healthy and fulfilling life.

So, why would anyone want to slow down.

I’m certainly not saying you have to go out and play rugby league or take up moto-cross or work to excess. What I am saying is that you must remain active if you want to live as long as you possibly can and enjoy the potential longevity the temple you live in offers you.

Your body was designed to maintain itself through movement and use!

I hope you look after that body of yours at the cellular level and experience the physical energy and fulfillment you deserve - make your life an extraordinary one.

So with those thoughts my friend, dream big and make your life extraordinary

George Lee Sye