The recent release of President Trump’s annual physical caused quite a stir, (as everything related to the President seems too). The official result was that his overall health was rated as “excellent”. During the oral debrief, the doctor also said that the President had inherited some “great genes”. You can read the official report for yourself here: Trump Physical. After it came out, there was a lot of statements from various doctors and other medical specialists disputing the conclusions of those results. Many raised the opinion that rating the Presidents overall health as excellent was extremely optimistic, considering his being very overweight and less than ideal blood test numbers. There were many others who seriously doubted that he weighed in at the reported 239lbs and in fact was probably at least 250lbs, or even much heavier. I tend to agree there, having see him close up myself, as I thought he looks much heavier in person than what was listed. But, who knows, maybe they took off 20lbs for his wallet? In any case, no disrespect, I wish him a long life and best of health for him and our country.

Politics aside, lets just look at the facts (not alternative facts), that we do know. The President doesn’t exercise, though he does golf a lot. However, he always rides in a cart while playing. I heard him say once: “Walking on the gold course is too slow”. True, but riding in a cart does take away the only part of golfing you could realistically call exercise, which is the walking. On other hand his eating habits have been well reported (and boasted about by him), and are about as bad as it gets, with diet soda and fast food being the mainstays. On the positive side, the President has never drank alcohol or smoked in his life and those two good habits have no doubt gone a long way to keeping him as healthy as he is. Also, realistically compared to the rest of us, he’s had a pretty easy life, having never served in the military, or did any other manual labor. Plus, it goes without saying he’s never worried about health care costs, paying the bills, kids college, etc. Though, I’m sure he had plenty of other mental stress over the years running his business empire, especially when going bankrupt several times. However, to me he most interesting thing about President Trump’s health and/or fitness, is that while he makes no pretense of trying to eat right, or exercise, still brags about his great health and energy? Presidents Bush, Obama and even Clinton did demonstrate some actual effort (and a little humility) in that area. Remember the tapes of Clinton jogging to McDonald’s? I think this weird bluster on the President’s part speaks in part to what people actually think (and accept) of what’s considered excellent health and fitness nowadays. In other words, the bar is set pretty low.

I’m sure many people reading this would think, “Hey I would like to be as healthy as him when I’m 71”. Ok, but I’m not one of them, as I for one would feel pretty shitty if I was for all practical (and optical) purposes obese and was limited with just playing golf as my only physical activity. I think that the vast majority of people (even those like myself that aren’t rich or famous), can do better, and should expect to do much better. Take the example of Yuichiro Miura, who scaled Mt Everest at the age of 80. In fact he scaled Everest three times, all over the age of 70. Or 73 year old South African Otto Thaning, who became the oldest person to swim the English Channel in 2014. Or for a more recent example; Gary Patton (note the picture) who this past Dec set the world (over age 70) indoor mile record, running a 5:21 at age 71! Now these are extreme examples (there are many more) of some extraordinary physical accomplishments by people around President Trump’s age and older. I get that not very many people want to do those things (just like I never wanted to be president), at any age. I also get that playing golf, mowing your lawn and/or sitting in a soft chair watching TV is many people’s old age fantasy, but not everyones, certainly not mine. IMO there is a much better happy medium between the sedentary and physically limited old age stereotype, and extreme physical examples like those mentioned above and getting yourself to that sweet spot, is more about mindset and effort than just “great genes”.

My simple point here is not to be deceived that being very overweight and just being able to play a round of golf represents excellent health at age 71, or age for that matter. A consistent plan of REAL exercise combined with a diet made up of simple foods in the right amounts, can keep help you very healthy, get your weight right and ramp up your fitness to what ever level your goals may take you. We are all going to eventually take the dirt nap, as dying is as much a part of life as being born. However, rather than sitting around watching cable and tweeting about politics, I would rather go out like multiple marathon age group record holder Ed Whitlock, who after running a new world record marathon of less than four hours at the age 85, died six months later in his sleep. After living a long life, literally in the fast lane, he is now the perfect example of resting in peace. Till next month:

“Be safe always, be good when you can.”

Semper Fi

MGunz