by Petra Newman

Created on: December 04, 2007   Last Updated: March 29, 2009

Three years ago my husband, daughter and I spent the winter with my family on Vancouver Is. The Island is jokingly referred to as a place for "Newly Weds and Nearly Dead," The beauty and moderate climate makes it a desirable place for both honeymooners and retirees.

What I found amazing wasn't only the arresting beauty of the Island, but the energy and vitality of the people who lived there. Demographics show, the largest population living on the Island are 55 and older. They weren't the run of the mill senior or the stereotype we associate with older folks; someone forgot to tell them they were old.

Sure some have health problems; but what surprised me was their attitude, their wit, their spunk. More than once, gutsy seniors zoomed past us on their scooters cutting in front of us on busy, slippery intersections. You haven't seen anything until you've seen a little old lady with a determined look on her face give her scooter a shot, then off she goes off the sidewalk at full throttle; racing down the congested road at ten miles an hour. Cars pull to the side as she parts the way. A speed demon; a geriatric Easy Rider, she's king of the road and loving it.

They display the same enthusiasm and determination with everything they tackle. It's hard to beat them at Bridge, Chess, Back Gamma, Scrabble or any board game. Seniors race in marathons, they sail boats, kayak, bike, ski, dance, swim, hike and climb. They love going to theaters, play golf, paint and write. They're never bored; there's too much to do; their calendar's always full.

The life span is longer for people who live in Vancouver Island than any other place in Canada. Through my observations I concluded it was the state of mind that contributed to their longevity. If you take care of your mind, your mind will take care of your body.

The wonderful news is that anyone can achieve this state of mind. Everyone can start right now to reinvent themselves. Think outside the box; forget what everyone told you about old age. If you think you're old, you'll become old.

* Nutrition- Try to eat healthy. Even on a budget, like so many seniors are, you can still eat nutritiously. Buy just the basics such as fruit, vegetables, whole grains etc. Remember the five essential vitamins that help you stay young. They're easy to remember, they are the first five letters in the alphabet, A,B,C,D and E. To ensure you get your optimum nutrition, fortify your diet with these supplements.

* Exercise- Just as you have to keep your heart

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