Mark Twain said, "Age is an issue of mind over matter. If you don't mind, it doesn't matter." A century and a half ago Mark Twain didn't have the benefit of RealAge.com. Today my real age is more important than my actual age. Knowing my real age and working to lower my real age requires not only my mind, but my attention and discipline as well.
According to RealAge.com, I'm seven years younger than I actually am. The amazing thing about this is that when I began my exercise and diet routine on January 17th this year, my real age was slightly above my actual age. Without any science fiction time travel I've become younger as I've aged these last ten months!
In June I wrote about the five primary things I've done this year to improve my health. In August I shared an app that has helped me tremendously. In this post I'd like to share the Real Age Test itself and why knowing your real age is so much more than knowing the number of candles on your last birthday cake.
The test itself took me about 30 minutes to complete. I was asked a series of lifestyle, genetic, and health history questions. Some of the questions were what I expected: What is my weight? What is my waist size? What is my blood pressure? However, there were a lot of questions that I didn't expect. For example, How many relatives do I see or hear from on a regular basis each month? Does anyone rely on me to do something for them every day? What is my marriage like? How hot-tempered am I?
According to Dr. Keith Roach the new Real Age Test is based on recent scientific studies that tell us more than we've ever known before about the aging process. "In the last 2 or 3 years, a group of big, long studies wrapped up one after the other, which changed much of our knowledge about what makes you grow old too fast -- and what makes you stay young longer."
I also greatly appreciated the recommendations that came at the end of the assessment. It's one thing to know my real age. It's another thing to know what I need to be working on now. In my case there were seven primary reasons given to me that told me why my real age was lower than it really is AND four things I could do to lower my real age further. These recommendations were not just diet and fitness related, but also encompassed my feelings and stress levels.
I love being a pastor. This is my second career and I'd love to be able do it for as long as possible. In order to make my second career as long as my first, I need to do everything I can to remain healthy. I know there are many factors beyond my control. Ecclesiastes 12:3 reminds me that "in old age, your body no longer serves you so well. Muscles slacken, grip weakens, joints stiffen. The shades are pulled down on the world." However to the extent that I can control my health choices, I want to make every effort.
The Real Age Test is a free assessment tool that has helped to motivate me toward better diet and fitness decisions. Why don't you set aside 30 minutes to discover your real age? Like George Burns, "you can't help getting older, but you don't have to get old!"
