Living a long and healthy life is something many of us aim for. People often focus on managing weight, keeping cholesterol in check and controlling blood pressure. While these are important, there may be one simple habit that matters even more. Dr John Scharffenberg (a 100-year-old preventive medicine doctor and nutrition professor from California) shared his insight about longevity in an Instagram post by LongevityXlab on August 25. According to him, this daily habit is simple, doable and life-changing. It;s nothing but everyday exercise.
Exercise Is The Daily Habit That Helps You Live Longer
Dr John believes staying active is crucial. He says, “We need to exercise every day. That’s very important. I have outlived my two brothers. They’ve already passed away. And every year that’s gonna increase another year. And I’m not gonna die next year. So it’s gonna keep going up.”
Even at 100, he credits daily movement for keeping him healthy and energetic. He notes that exercise isn’t only about losing weight or avoiding illnesses. It can actually reduce the risks of many serious health problems.
How Exercise Can Offset Health Risks
Dr John shares a story from his own practice. “I had a lady who helped me with the PowerPoint lectures. She was a graphic artist. She did it for a living, for advertising purposes. She did a lot of work for me, but she was kind of big. I mean, big, big, big. I said to her one day, you know, I’ve got to talk to you about your weight.”
He explains that being overweight can raise the chances of dying from several diseases. “But now let me give you the good news. Even though you are obese, if you exercise every day, you will live longer than a woman of a normal weight who doesn’t exercise. A man who smokes, has hypertension, has high blood cholesterol, but if he exercises every day, he will outlive the man who doesn’t have any of those problems, who doesn’t exercise.”
Simple Advice For A Longer Life
The takeaway from Dr John is clear: daily exercise can significantly increase life expectancy. Even people with obesity, high blood pressure, or high cholesterol can benefit greatly by staying active.
Health experts recommend at least 30 minutes of moderate activity each day. Walking, cycling, or light strength training can strengthen the heart, build muscle, and boost overall energy levels. For Dr John, this simple habit has been key to reaching 100 years while remaining healthy, active, and alert.
