“You don’t have to get old the way our society has brainwashed us into believing”, is what my late father Elmer Fredericks (shown below at around 90 years of age) used to always say.
And, after spending a lifetime with virtually thousands of men and women from every walk of life, I have to wholeheartedly agree!
However, there are unfortunately (in my opinion), too many people who use their age as an excuse for not only their health problems – but also for their declining golf games. There is NO DOUBT in my mind, that if a person follows nature’s simple rules for good health, a person doesn’t have to break down and become dysfunctional – ON and OFF the course.
So – what are the rules?
In my opinion, here are NATURE’S RULES
#1) THE NUMBER 1 RULE IS KEEP A POSITIVE ATTITUDE. Having a positive attitude affects EVERY single aspect of your life.
#2) CONSISTENT AND MODERATE EXERCISE. My dad was probably the greatest health and fit person I’ve ever seen (and who had a long and beautiful golf swing) who lived to be one month shy of 98 years old. Virtually every day, he’d do some moderate and consistent exercise. For example, one day he might swim 20 or so laps in our pool – the next day, he’d go on some vigorous walks in the canyons we lived in – another day, he’d jump rope for about 5-10 minutes – another day, he’d lift some very light dumbbells, etc. AND, when he played golf (around 2-3 times a week), he ALWAYS walked and took a caddy (he hated carts!). Again, NOTICE I SAID ‘MODERATE AND CONSISTENT EXERCISE’. Staying in motion and moving around moderately throughout the day is the key. YOU DON’T HAVE TO BEAT YOUR BRAINS OUT LIKE A 21 YEAR OLD TRYING OUT FOR NFL COMBINE WORKOUTS.
#3) HAVE A PURPOSE EACH DAY – Set goals as often as possible and try to achieve them. Where your mind goes, your body will follow.
#4) EARLY TO BED, EARLY TO RISE – This old cliché has proven to be true with the discovery of Circadian Rhythm Cycles. It DOES make a difference!
#5) EAT AND DRINK MODERATELY – Remember, if it wasn’t around 2,000 years ago, try not to eat it. Although this is very tough to do, the closer you can get to following this rule, the better.
#6) STOP BLAMING – I’ve been blessed to have gotten to get to know virtually thousands of incredibly successful people, and sports legends. ALL of them take responsibility for their own lives…ALL OF THEM! You don’t hear winners whining and moaning about the curve balls life’s thrown them. When you hit a low spot, just KNOW that ‘This Too Shall Pass’ and get up and walk through it. Or as my friend Gary Player says, “Going through Adversity leads to success”.
If you follow these rules, I can assure you that you’ll definitely retard the aging process, ON and OFF the course.
HAVE A GREAT NEW YEAR!
I’ve been blessed to have known and worked on the bodies and golf swings of virtually thousands of men and women, from virtually every walk of life; including many Super Successful people and Sports Champions. The ones that improve the most, are the ones whose bodies are still fit and especially – flexible!