How old are you... really?
How old are you... really?NBC15 Blog Listing
How old are you... really?
Topic Author: Leigh Mills
Posted: 9:37 PM Jun 5, 2009
Replies Posted: 11 comments
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We did a recent fitness segment on NBC 15 News at 5 on the top 5 anti-aging fitness tests. It spurred quite the conversation between John, David and me later that night… so I thought I’d share a few things we discovered and see if you’d be willing to play along!
 
Here are the 5 tests to show how old you are biologically:
 
  1. Strength (dip test)  -- Goal: 15
  2. Core Function (bicycle test)  -- Goal: 20 each side
  3. Flexibility (reach test)  -- Goal: reach toes and beyond
  4. Balance (one leg test)  -- Goal: balance with your eyes closed
  5. Endurance (step test for 20 seconds)  -- Goal: lower heart rate
(Thanks to Faith Dey of Siren Fitness for coming up with this list! Her source: Wayne Westcott, PhD, South Shore YMCA, Quincy, MA)
 
The closer you are to the goal, the younger you should feel. And if you can reach the goal, your body feels as if you’re in your 20s. Use your own judgment to determine whether you’re there or in your 30s, 40s, 50s or 60s.
 
I’ve always heard you’re only as old as you feel. Here’s your chance to see how you check out!
 
My co-anchors, John Stofflet and David George, were good sports about it and played along! Here is how they stack up:
 
John: age 47
He feels: 38
He acts: 31 (I had to throw this one in for fun!)
 
David: age 46
He feels: 55
He acts: 32 (Based on his music selections, I’d say he and John are right on!)
 
I’m happy to report that I met or exceeded the goal on 4 of the 5 tests. My weakness is flexibility. I can only reach my ankles, which I’m hoping means my body is in its 30s based on flexibility. Otherwise, I’d say I’m living in the body of an energetic 24 year old! (wouldn’t that be nice!)
 
Leigh :)
 
So how did you do? How old do you feel? Act? Remember, knowledge is power! Hopefully this is a reminder to take your health seriously, because small changes you make now can have a big impact on your health and overall happiness for years to come.
 
Cheers!
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  • by Kyle Location: Oregon on Aug 27, 2009 at 04:29 PM
    Hey I found out I'm really 25 when I'm 53, not too shabby, great post!
  • by brenda on Jun 15, 2009 at 07:19 PM
    did very well, turns out!! When but fun.. felxability was my high mark... going more than a foot past feet!!! And yes, legs flat out on that floor! My weakness balance (but always been that way) I'm so darned clumsy.
  • by Tanya Location: MG on Jun 12, 2009 at 06:39 AM
    Matt, I would have guessed Leigh to be about 35. Maybe she'll verify for us????
  • by Packer Fan Location: WI on Jun 11, 2009 at 06:36 PM
    This is a little off the original topic but in response to Matt-Actually, according to the Dead or Alive website, Keith Richards, guitarist for the band The Rolling Stones, widely believed to be dead based on appearance, is 65. The amazing thing is that he is still alive.
  • by Matt Location: Stoughton on Jun 11, 2009 at 03:51 PM
    Additional comment to blogs below. It's not too hard to figure out Leigh's age within plus or minus a year. Just look at what she wrote in other blogs. In "The great blessing of friendship" blog she said she was in middle school in 1992. Typically that is grades 6-8. Pick the middle grade of 7. She normally would be 12 in that grade. Since she said her birthday is January 15th in the "It's already here" blog, she had her birthday for this year so she is 29. How about something more challenging like figuring out Rolling Stones Keith Richard's age? You would probably have carbon date him to figure that out!
  • by Matt Location: Stoughton on Jun 9, 2009 at 11:06 AM
    I had a great come back from a resident in a nursing home once. When I asked him how old he was he said, "Well I'm 90 years old but I've had so many parts replaced I probably average out to about 75".
  • by Interesting! on Jun 8, 2009 at 11:04 AM
    I'm 30 years old and quite frankly, most days I feel older! BUT..... every so often, I'll spark a conversation with people that'll lead to our ages. To this day, the most popular age people guess is 23. So I feel 35 but look 23 when I'm chronically 30. Interesting!
  • by Eric on Jun 7, 2009 at 03:16 AM
    Jim: Don't you know the golden rule regarding women and their age? It should be no surprise that Leigh's keeping that secret.
  • by Al Location: Vin on Jun 6, 2009 at 02:28 PM
    Jim....I agree with yuor comment, but it's just another example of how women are weak and can't come to grip with things. (LEigh included) BTW, the saying that states you're only as old as you feel rings true, however, we all still die, or have a decent quality of life, until 75. So think what you want, but you can't prolong the inevitable. (even women)
  • by Packer Fan Location: WI on Jun 6, 2009 at 09:29 AM
    Leigh- Looks like John and I are very close on all three areas. I might say that I feel a little older due to old sports injuries (broken bones never seem to heal completely.) Musically, I am all over the place, even though jazz is still my first love. I could enjoy the Rolling Stones one night, David Sanborn the next, and the MSO the next (Actually, I have been to all three.)
  • by Jim on Jun 5, 2009 at 11:40 PM
    I won't argue that you are living in the body of an energetic 24 year old. However, I find it interesting that you disclosed the age of your male co-anchors and didn't disclose your own age.
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