Molokai Fitness: How Old is Old?

Community Contributed

By Ayda Ersoy

First, ask yourself how old you would be right now if you didn’t know your birthday.

It’s a tricky question, but really think for a moment. We limit ourselves by our beliefs. You think “OK, after 55 or maybe 65 my time is passed and I should just be happy with whatever I can still do.”

But what if you’re wrong? What if everything you’re feeling now — low energy, not as much strength as you had 20 years ago — were symptoms you created? I know this is hard to believe, but it’s only because we live so much of our lives on autopilot, not really thinking about what we’re doing every day. You may think this way is normal, because everyone around you is thinking that way.

Did you ever believe that if you really want something then you can achieve it? If so, why did you stop believing in yourself? Do you know if you stop, you are practically going backwards?

First, stop telling yourself you are getting old! Change your thoughts, use the affirmation that you are getting younger and stronger every day. Even just telling yourself this will have positive effects on your health.

Second, just move! It doesn’t really matter how, just do whatever you can — maybe walking, swimming, or even just practicing 10 or 15 times standing up from your chair without holding on to anything, then when you stand up hold on to the back or chair and just swing your legs side to side, front to back. You don’t need to do anything extreme, just do what you can. But the secret is, do it every day!

Here’re a few stories that inspire me so much, I hope they can inspire you too.

Fauna Sing was born in 1911. In 2011, he ran the Toronto marathon at age 100! It took him 8 hours, 11 minutes and 6 seconds. Queen Elisabeth II congratulated him. He took up running at age 89! Now, at age 104, he is still running. He says that running has given him purpose and a sense of peace. “Why worry about these small, small things? I don’t stress. You never hear of anyone dying of happiness,” he says. And he is, by his own admission, pretty happy.

Then there’s Harriete Thomson, who ran the San Diego marathon at age 91 in 7 hours, 7 minutes and 42 seconds. She started running at age 76.

And there’s Gladys Burrill. She ran the 2010 Honolulu marathon at age 92 in 9 hours, 53 minutes and 16 seconds. Or how about 96 year old yoga teacher Tao Porchon Lynch? She’s the worlds oldest yoga teacher, still teaching today. Her personal mantra is “there is nothing you cannot do.”

When you see these people, you will think they are 40 years younger than they are!

I know you’re thinking that these people are extreme. Maybe. But they believe and they didn’t stop because they got old. I want to remind you: whatever you are telling yourself, you are right!