How old actually are you? Do you know your fitness age?
Almost every morning (even in rainy days), my husband and I
see this man (in his mid-50’s) who runs around our streets over and over. We live
in a suburb which is named “…HILL” so you can simply imagine how hilly the
streets would be but he runs like almost flying (I am not joking). I have never
spoken to him (as he runs too fast…. Haha) to know how old he is but, I am 100
percent sure that his fitness age will be far lower than his chronological age.
He is truly inspirational.
He is not the only one. I can find many older people
(chronologically) who have more stamina than the youngsters to pursue their
hard-core exercise regime. I call my Pilate teacher ‘A machine’. She is far
older than me (A mum of 4 grown-up kids) but I have seen not many people who
are as strong as her. So, I am neither exaggerating nor making stories.
So, what is person’s real age then? Is age only number? How
old really are you?
It is easy to pick up the number for our chronological age
as it is unchangeable fact from the moment of our birth. However, do you know
what will be your fitness age? Is it not easy to guesstimate? The good news is
that modern technology and studies can help us to figure out our fitness age by
answering a few simple questions.
The idea about fitness age has been developed by researchers
at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology, who have studied fitness
and how it relates to wellness for years. Main idea of the study which I fully
agree with is that a person’s fitness age is a better predictor of longevity
than chronological age. I am not quite sure how our fitness level can help us
to live and how much longer but I trust that our fitness level can help us to
enjoy our life longer and more. The good news is that we can decrease our
fitness age unlike our actual age. It sounds promising, doesn’t it?
If you want to know your fitness age, try this online
calculator (https://www.worldfitnesslevel.org/#/).
It asks a few simple questions for determining fitness age. I was nicely
surprised by finding out my own fitness age is more than 20 years younger than
my chronological age. No wonder how I feel so young and healthy. Please allow
me to be proud of the result and show-off. Some people would be proud of their
careers or wealth but for me, the most important thing in life is health so, I
am very pleased to know my fitness level is higher than I expected.
Hereunder are what I have found out from the questions of
the online fitness age calculator in order to decrease our fitness age. They
are surprisingly simple and basic.
1. Regular
exercise
2. More
movement at work (reduce sitting hours)
3. Keep
a healthy waistline and weight/BMI(Body Mass Index)
4. Reduce
alcohol consumption
5. Stop
smoking
6. Watch
food what you eat (More fruits and vegetables, less sugar and fatty food)
7. Control
stress level
8. Be
happy with yourself and life
We already know these, don’t we? Unfortunately, knowing them
will not help us unless doing them.
I often see young people who ignore their body and health.
It truly makes me upset. We all have only one life and the life is finite. It
should be the full reason to love and look after our body and mind. I seriously
recommend you to find out your fitness age. There is nothing to lose. If you
are happy with your fitness age, keep your life style. If you get disappointed
(shocked) with the result, it is time to do something. Don’t forget that you
own your life and only you can change your life. The good thing is you can
decrease your fitness age. It is all up to you.
Read more: http://www.smh.com.au/lifestyle/diet-and-fitness/whats-your-fitness-age-20141020-118vcn.html
