Staying Active is the Key to Living a Stronger Life

"Being alive is not enough, live a  stronger life."   by Tony Lorrich

Ida Keeling is an extraordinary 101-year old woman, and an incredible inspiration for everyone, especially seniors.  She is an international running champion, holding several track and field records for women 95 to 99.  Ms. Keeling recently set a new standard for women runners over 100 years old at the Penn Relays in Philadelphia.  " You see so many older people just sitting around- well that's not me.  Time marches on, but I keep going," said Ms. Keeling, who is 4'6 and weighs 83 pounds.

Ms. Keeling overcame her heartbreaking depression and lowered her  blood pressure when re re-started her running routines at 67.  Her daughter, Shelley Keeling, who is a track and field coach, inspired her mother to run and exercise.  Her daily hour long exercise routine includes push ups, wall sits, shoulder presses, sprinting and stretching.  Ms. Keeling states, "I just threw off all of the bad memories, the aggravation, and the stress on the track."  Her peace of mind and positive well-being were restored by staying active.

Exercise is the best anecdote for emotional, physical, hormonal changes and psychological ailments because it strengthens the heart, increases energy levels, lowers blood pressure, improves muscle tone, builds self esteem, improves sleep and releases endorphins.  Endorphins trigger a peaceful, euphoric state of mind.

Ms. Keeling prefers to live alone.  She feels that self-sufficiency is a key to her longevity.  "I don't beg nobody for nothing," she said, "I wash, cook, iron, scrub, clean and shop."  Her diet consists of many fresh grains, produce, limited meat, very little sweets and a tablespoon of cod liver oil.  Sometimes she feels aches and pains, and a hint of melancholy.  "I never want to go backwards, she said, "I'm a forward type of person."

Reference: The New York Times, at 100, Still Running for Her Life, by Noah Remnick, April 22, 2016

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