Not Dead Yet

 

Introduction

Whether fit or fat, active or sedentary, successful or struggling, we will all, in time, face myriad  age-related changes, some welcome, most not so much. The welcome changes are modest – lesser duties and expectations, more leisure.

The unwelcome changes, however, are ultimately dramatic if temporarily gradual – poorer physical and mental health, loss of connections and a future initially dim that grows progressively worse until, at last, rest eternal.

While we can’t change realities, we can promote the odds for effective adaptations that allow extended enjoyments in later life. How? By attitude adjustments based upon worthy insights, and wiser lifestyle choices made before, during and after age changes commence. Successful aging is something that should appeal to all age groups.

Not Dead Yet is a book inspired by the attitudes held and choices made by a selection of elder triathlon world champions. The eighteen women and men profiled share two salient characteristics:

  1.  The benefit of good fortune (the single most vital ingredient for successful aging); and
  2.  Lifestyle qualities known to promote successful aging.

All are currently experiencing the culminating phase of their lives, and doing so in a manner that seems worthy of note. Without exception, their lives appear to model a hopeful set of positive, optimistic expectations for what’s possible during advanced seniorhood. Thus, the advice they offer, and this book is loaded with it, should be of benefit for readers old and young.

That, in any case, is the goal of the endeavor.
Scholars of human affairs believe that history is difficult to appreciate at the time it is being made. This observation seems applicable to growing older – it’s not noticeable at first, and acceptance and adaptations are often too long delayed.

Rectifying that situation is another goal of Not Dead Yet.
Ideas about aging are changing, but not fast enough. The stigmas are fewer, at least in most western societies. Best of all, the elderly are less dependent on family, charity or government than in earlier times, though assistance from any or all of these sources are welcomed, when available.

There are many difference between this book and the overwhelming literature on aging that crowd bookstore shelves today. One is that NDY celebrates positive, successful aging; nowhere in NDY do the senior authors bemoan the myriad negative aspects of doing so.

The others are top secret.

We’re kidding – no secrets here.