I Want To Live To 110 Years Old

Say what? That’s crazy for a few reasons, right? Things like religion, our genes, viruses, statistics, etc. What if I told you, longevity is a choice… Ooooh, touchy subject… I like it!

Firstly, if you’re like me, and you come from a religious background, this might seem like a “voor op die wa” statement. Wanting to decide how old you want to become? “Is jy mal? It’s all planned out, bro.” I hear you. But, what if that plan was for me to live over 110 years old, but Edwin here decided not to look after what he’s been given, and die much younger. Maybe we have a part to play in this adventure. Maybe our mind and daily choices can have a massive impact on our lifespan.

If we blindly follow the modern world without making intentional choices to optimize our mental and physical health, we might just become too “busy” like everyone else. What do we spend our time on? Some of the people who’ve lived the longest, and happiest lives, did not focus on these “busy” things we keep ourselves busy with.

So, how did I come to decide to live to 110? I came across a book that changed my perspective on longevity, and life. It’s called, Blue Zones: 9 Lessons For Living Longer From The People Who’ve Lived The Longest, by Dan Buettner. Dan went on a journey to find common denominators which made these specific areas in the world give birth to the people who live the longest, longer than any other areas across the world. He found 9 common denominators that made them live longer and happier lives.

From the first few pages, you’re on the journey. It feels like you’re traveling with Dan, exploring and discovering. I was introduced to the most fascinating and entertaining centenarian men and women dominating their lives. Drinking sake with friends and gardening every day in Okinawa, Japan. Having lots of red wine and family dinners, walking long distances to tend to their flock in Sardinia, Italy. No canes, not even getting close to a walking frame. Serving their community with vitality in Loma Linda, California. The place of friendly banter, where the centenarians cause lots of embarrassment for their children with a whimsical presence in Nicoya, Costa Rica. They make people laugh, and are the first to cry with those in pain. No rush, no watches, and big Mediterranean family meals in Ikaria, Greece. The book called Blue Zones is one of the most inspiring books I have read in the last 2 years.

I’m craving my morning coffee as I’m typing this, so I’ll keep it as short and practical as possible.

In the last few pages of the book, Dan Buettner guides you to create your own Blue Zone, no matter where in the world you live. So, I started the journey to create our own little Blue Zone. It’s still work in progress, especially challenged by COVID’19, but we adapt and innovate daily.

I will share my own personal experience creating our Blue Zone. What activities and/or actions I implemented and what changes I experienced. I will be 100% transparent, honest, and real. Here we go:

LESSON 1: Move Naturally:

Centenarians don’t do Crossfit every morning, intense weight training, or even Iron Man’s and marathon’s; simply put it – they move. Jip, they have a daily routine that requires them to engage in regular low-intensity exercise. In Sardinia, the men were mostly shepherds. Okinawa, Japan, they keep a garden and tend it for hours to put food on the table. 7-Day Adventists in California, take long strolls in nature. The pattern: their daily routines require regular low-intensity exercise.

How I’m trying to Implement Lesson 1?

• I have a Deskstand: a contraption that makes me stand while I do any writing or work on my computer or laptop – my lower back and neck loves me for this change. I move more when I’m standing. I will sometimes balance myself on one leg between working sessions to keep it interesting. I also added an elastic workout band in my little studio to do a few band pull aparts between working sessions. Like my friends will tell you, I need to work on my “lang enkels.”

• I park far from the mall entrance so that I can walk further. Sometimes, when I buy a big bag of wood for a lekker braai, I regret that decision very much.

• I have a Victory Hour every morning to kickstart my day which consists of three 20min sessions (Robin Sharma in the book, 5 am Club). The first 20min is light exercise (yoga, easy walk, stretch exercises, core training, etc). Then followed by a 20 min of quiet reading or prayer or meditation session. I end the last 20min educating myself on my craft/skill. I do this by reading a book, listening to a podcast, or doing an online course on that specific subject.

• Once a week I play a 60min game of tennis with Mom. Obviously this was before Lockdown, otherwise, “HUGO, bell die polisie!!!!” Now, I do own bodyweight home workouts instead. I miss playing against Mom, but hopefully, Nadal is back on the court soon... haha laughing at myself as I type that, "Keep telling yourself you're playing like Nadal buddy!"

• I started a vegetable and herb garden which I tend to every morning with my first cup of coffee. The cucumbers are on their way!

Changes I experience?

• More energy and less body soreness/stiffness from sitting at a desk most of the day.

• I seem to feel more joyful and happy on a consistent basis: endorphins, serotonin, and dopamine, all these chemicals are released in our brain during exercising – that’s why we get that “good feeling” after an exercise.

• I feel more physically competent, it could be my masculine ego but still, it feels I can do much more physically. Even throw around those 1kg kettlebells for a few minutes.

• I sleep better. I have seen my sleep improve on days of exercising, in comparison with days when I don’t. I fall asleep much faster and after I started geeking-out on my wearable device (shoutout to WHOOP) I can also see better Deep Sleep (SWS) results. Interesting fact - Deep Sleep (SWS) helps our mood, balancing the mind, and restoring energy. Which makes sense as to why I seem to feel more joyful and happy. Or, it could just be Izel's date balls recipe, either way, the good feeling flows!

Implementing lesson 1 of the Blue Zones has had a positive impact on my daily life. Sometimes it’s really challenging when old habits start to kick in, but keeping with these new routines consistently has become the new normal!

Implementing this natural movement into your daily life might help you sleep better, feel better, and experience more joy in your daily life.

My next blog post will focus on Lesson 2: Hara Hachi Bu. This one gets interesting...

Let me know if you’ve read the book, busy reading it or thinking about reading it. What is your favorite lesson? What did you experience implementing it? What lesson do you feel is too difficult or unnecessary? Comment and share your thoughts.

Lekker maryntjies!!!

Have an adventurous, joyful, and next-level creative week guys!

P.S I would highly recommend you to buy the book and invest in becoming the best version of yourself!

This is a picture of me enjoying my time with our herbs and veggies in our garden and implementing Blue Zone lessons = wine at 5 ;)