How to become a SuperAger

All the tips for how to stay happy and healthy as you age.

͏ ‌     ­ ͏ ‌     ­ ͏ ‌     ­ ͏ ‌     ­ ͏ ‌     ­ ͏ ‌     ­ ͏ ‌     ­ ͏ ‌     ­ ͏ ‌     ­ ͏ ‌     ­ ͏ ‌     ­ ͏ ‌     ­ ͏ ‌     ­ ͏ ‌     ­ ͏ ‌     ­ ͏ ‌     ­ ͏ ‌     ­ ͏ ‌     ­ ͏ ‌     ­ ͏ ‌     ­ ͏ ‌     ­ ͏ ‌     ­ ͏ ‌     ­ ͏ ‌     ­ ͏ ‌     ­ ͏ ‌     ­ ͏ ‌     ­ ͏ ‌     ­ ͏ ‌     ­ ͏ ‌     ­ ͏ ‌     ­ ͏ ‌     ­

Presented by

In a nutshell Happy Friday, Wellness Wire fam! You all love the topic of healthy aging, and so do we. When I got the opportunity to interview James P. Owen, the 83-year-old "SuperAger" who rocks the coolest "Geezer-Fit" shirt, I knew I couldn't pass it up. I'm so excited to share his inspiring tips for how to take care of your body and mind as you age below. After our Q&A, we'll be talking about: • A must-have digital picture frame for the older adults in your life • One way to stay in the home you love as you age • The best fall detection services of 2023 • Thyroid cancer symptoms in females Be well, Morgan Mandriota Newsletter Editor, Healthline

Written by Morgan Mandriota August 18, 2023 • 8 min read

Jim Owen is an inspirational speaker, bestselling author, film producer, and "SuperAger." His latest documentary film, "SuperAgers: Getting Old, Living Young," will air on PBS stations across the country starting this fall. Below, he shares some valuable insights from his lessons learned and healthy aging journey. *This interview has been edited for length and clarity. Q: In a past interview, your wife said you turned from a spud (couch potato) into a stud. What inspired you to get off the couch and start moving? A: When I turned 70, I'd been on the road with book tours and speaking gigs for a decade. It was a lot of sitting on planes, banquet dinners, and meals on the run. I was in terrible shape. My back was killing me, both knees were shot, and I was 35 pounds overweight. On top of that, I woke up every morning with no energy in the tank. One statistic changed my life. I read that if you make it to 70, the odds are you'll live at least another 15 years. I couldn't help thinking, "If I look and feel this bad now, what will my life be like when I'm 85?" That's when I set a long-term goal for myself. I was determined to get in shape, no matter what it took. So I started walking every day and went on from there. I've never wanted to go back to my old way of being. At age 75, I finally discovered my inner athlete, and that's been transformative, both physically and mentally. It's made me confident that I can handle whatever life throws my way. Q: How do you take care of your body and mind every day? A: I believe the key to a healthy lifestyle is really pretty simple. It comes down to dropping bad habits and picking up good ones. I keep that mantra in mind as I go through my day. A big focus for me was managing my weight. That got a lot easier once I started thinking of food as fuel for my body, and not just a way to satisfy my hunger or gratify my taste buds. I don't count calories, but I do follow a Mediterranean diet, write down everything I put in my mouth, and try to avoid sugar, salt, and processed foods. Three or four years back, I also decided to try giving up wine, which I usually had with dinner. It turned out that I feel and sleep a whole lot better. Too often, people who want to get healthier think they have to massively overhaul their way of life, but radical makeovers almost never stick. If you want lasting progress, think about the many small choices you make each day, and get in the habit of making the healthier choice. Q: Can you share any words of support or encouragement for our older readers who may want to follow your lead but don't know how to get started? A: If you've been inactive, like I used to be, I'd suggest starting with a daily walking program, even if it's only around the block at first. Then gradually push the envelope, going a little farther or a little faster week by week. Think of it as a 30-day challenge, and then renew for another 30 days. I promise that before long, you'll start to feel and look better. At that point, you can start to branch out into other physical activities — ideally, ones you enjoy. Don't try to do too much, too fast. I've learned that small steps add up to big strides over time. One thing I strongly recommend is building some kind of strength training into your program. Core strength is especially important because those are the muscles that hold up your body and help you avoid falls. A lot of people don't realize that we gradually but steadily lose lean muscle mass from our 30s on. For that reason alone, strength training becomes more necessary as you age. It's not about vanity; it's about staying functional and safe when you're older. Q: Is there anything else that you'd like to share that you think our readers would love to know or can benefit from? A: When you look at people who are in their late 70s or 80s and still active and enjoying life — the ones I call "SuperAgers" — the one thing they all seem to have in common is an unmistakable positivity. If you can bring that spirit to whatever you do, life is a whole lot better. It's not about pretending that everything is roses. I've never met anyone past the age of 75 who doesn't have some kind of health issue or hasn't suffered some personal loss. It's about being grateful for what you still have and finding small moments of joy in being alive. Scroll down to the end of this email to rate this interview!

great finds Editor faves with health perks       nixplay Smart Digital Picture Frame My grandpa is 95 years old and lives too many states away. For his birthday this year, our family gave him this nixplay picture frame that anyone can immediately upload photos to at any time just by emailing a unique address. The joy on his face as he watched his loved ones and memories pop up on the screen was a beautiful thing to witness. If you live far from an older loved one who may not be able to travel or see your family often, keep them connected with this frame. I truly believe it's worth every penny. Shop now Every product we recommend has gone through Healthline's vetting process. If you buy through links on this page, we may receive a small commission or other tangible benefit. Healthline has sole editorial control over this newsletter. Potential uses for the products listed here are not health claims made by the manufacturers. Healthline is owned by RVO Health.

Presented by

Friday Kick Start One way to stay in the home you love as you age Home for the long haul. According to a 2021 AARP survey, 77% of adults over 55 want to age in place, or stay in their homes long-term. But a National Poll on Healthy Aging found that most older adults would need to modify their home in order to make this happen. Accessibility concerns. As you age, it may get harder and harder to do everyday things, like walking up flights of stairs. This is especially true for folks with conditions like osteoporosis or injuries that affect joint health and mobility. (Of course, you can try stretches and exercises, but those may not always do the trick.) Stay in the place you love. Don't want to move out of the home you own and love? Stiltz Homelifts offers in-home elevators that can be installed through the floor of almost any room in your house –– even a closet! Why choose an elevator over a stairlift? Stiltz Homelifts are more accommodating than traditional stairlifts, which can't carry a wheelchair or walker, and may not work with narrow staircases. In fact, with a Stiltz Homelift, you can easily and safely travel between floors with a loved one, laundry, pets, or groceries in hand. If you want to avoid the hassle and costs of moving, this may be a great way to enjoy your entire house again –– upstairs and downstairs. To learn more and request a no-obligation home visit, click here.

health stories you need What we're reading next 🔊 11 best fall detection services of 2023. Don't worry about falling and not being able to get back up. Gain peace of mind with these wearable tech and in-home alert options. 🪧 Thyroid cancer symptoms in females. Women are three times more likely to have thyroid cancer than men. Learn why, plus survival rates and signs to look out for. 🥥 Coconut oil for Alzheimer's disease. Can it help prevent or treat this condition? Read the research to find out. 🤔 Do I need therapy? If you've been asking yourself that question lately, take this short quiz to see whether or not you might want to speak with a therapist.

Thanks for reading! Keep your eyes peeled for our birthday celebration edition next Friday, featuring our favorite quotes from YOU over the last year of Wellness Wire. Want a chance to jump in on the fun? Send us some birthday love or tell us what you enjoy most about our newsletter at wellnesswire@healthline.com for a chance to be featured. (Please note that we may use your name and response in this upcoming edition!)

Did you enjoy this interview?

Until next time, Take care of yourself, and we'll see you again soon!     This edition was powered by healthy, happy aging.   View in browser Did a friend send you this email? Subscribe here. To see all newsletters, click here. Privacy    |    Unsubscribe Our website services, content, and products are for informational purposes only. Healthline does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment and should not be used as a substitute for medical advice from a healthcare professional. Healthline encourages you to make any treatment decisions with your healthcare professional. Healthline is owned by RVO Health. © 2023 Healthline Media LLC 275 7th Ave., 24th Floor New York, NY 10001