Prepare for Aging

“It is not the strongest of the species that survives, nor the most intelligent. It is the one that is most adaptable to change." – Charles Darwin The goal of this book is to help you to enjoy your Golden Years, by remaining active, both mentally and physically for as long as possible. As a scientific lecturer for many years, the author learned that lecturing people doesn’t work. Stories do! We are a story telling species, thus the use of stories in this book. Each short tale, from his life as a country vet and a research scientist, has been selected to provide a valuable lesson. For instance, he tells the tale of repairing the jaw of an old dairy cow, for a poor country farmer, while working as a young veterinarian in England, in 1970. This opened his eyes to the need to include affordability into the solutions to aging provided in this book. He says that the real trick to enjoying your ‘Golden Years’ is preparation. Such preparation should include correction of life’s chronic injuries, where possible, be they physical, intellectual, emotional, spiritual or interpersonal. To do this, it helps to be open to learning new things, which may require forgetting some of your old ideas. "It ain't what you don't know that gets you into trouble. It's what you know for sure that just ain't so." Mark Twain During your reading, and consultation with over 200 linked videos on the author's FitOldDog Video Channel, you will be provided with tips and tricks to help you to adapt to the inevitable physical challenges of aging! It starts with the need for glasses in your forties, and then it continues relentlessly - youth is most certainly wasted on the young; they have no idea! The author’s approach to aging problems, based on a life-time of sports and body-movement training, is his OQS Method: OBSERVE, QUESTION (the obvious), SOLVE, with professional guidance as appropriate. This strategy grew out of the author's experience with repairing the jaw of that beloved dairy cow, Mabel. He subsequently applied OQS to his desire to undertake a full Ironman race in his 50s, and to continue to do so into his 70s and beyond. Even with his aortic disease. The sport of Ironman Triathlon became a way of life, much to his surprise. It still is after 20 years - go figure! The Lake Placid Ironman race saved his life from an aortic aneurysm in 2010, as explained in the book. Ironman is tough for the older athlete; 2.4-mile swim, 112-mile bike ride, 26.2-mile marathon, all in one day. He says, with a shrug, “Aging is tougher!" Each life lesson, as a story from the farm or the laboratory, made his life easier, while enhancing his effectiveness and happiness. Many of these lessons are related to staying mobile and active, both mentally and physically. To enjoy your golden years to the full, says the author, take time to invest in a little preparation. Especially when comes to the way you think and move. “Adapt what is useful, reject what is useless, and add what is specifically your own.” Bruce Lee