Most of us will consider ourselves lucky to reach age 80 without any major health problems, but for an older couple, only peak physical condition will suffice.
Former Canadian rugby player Phil Mackenzie’s grandparents have become Instagram famous thanks to their unusually muscular physiques at the grand ages of 80 and 84.
McKenzie, who With nearly 500,000 followers on Instagram and more than 870,000 on TikTok, she has impressed social media users with clips of her older relatives’ dazzling fitness routines.
In one video, Mackenzie shows her grandfather lifting weights and claims he does “500 push-ups three times a week,” a regimen that even people in their 30s can find difficult to achieve.
In another, she praises the sleep schedule, walking regimen and dietary essentials her grandmother recommends for living her “fullest, most capable life.”
Fans are in awe of retired Canadian rugby player Phil MacKenzie’s grandparents, who at 84 and 80, still sport toned abs and lean muscles.
The couple have taken social media by storm with their grandson sharing tips on how to turn back the clock and stop one of life’s biggest guarantees: aging.
In a video, Mackenzie reveals that his grandfather lifts weights and “does 500 push-ups three times a week” – a regimen that even those in their 30s can find difficult to achieve. Pictured: Phil Mackenzie with his wife Brodie
“I love how your parents are fit and a family that works out together stays together,” one follower said.
“They are rich… rich in health and life, the true wealth that money can’t buy,” commented a second.
Taking to InstagramMr Mackenzie told his followers that the key to his grandfather’s success was “focusing on strength training”.
He said: ‘One of my earliest memories of my grandfather shows him working out with a pair of dumbbells.
‘To this day, my grandfather still lifts weights and does 500 push-ups three times a week.
‘Strength training improves muscle mass, hormones, metabolic health and has a direct correlation not only with living longer but living better as we age.’
She added: ‘I was also always eating small meals without knowing it.
For as long as I can remember, I have practiced a consistent, small form of calorie restriction.
‘Lastly, I have never met anyone who appreciates the ability to move as much as he does.
‘He once told me that he hates going to bed more than anything because he hates missing out on life.
‘There’s not a day that goes by that I take my ability to move for granted.
‘It’s a constant reminder that the moment you stop moving is the moment you stop living.
“I’m going to do my best to follow his three rules for the rest of my life to make the most of it, just like he did.”
On Instagram, Mackenzie told her followers that the key to her grandfather’s success is “focusing on strength training.”
In another video, Mr. Mackenzie shows the rules his grandmother has sworn to in order to “live her fullest and most capable life.”
It is well known that cutting calories makes obese people healthier by losing weight.
But some studies have also suggested that the controversial calorie restriction fad could slow the rate at which people age biologically. However, this research is still in its early stages and many scientists say this is not proven.
Some experts believe that restricting calories can lead to fatigue, nutrient deficiencies and impaired fertility in both men and women.
In another video, Mr. Mackenzie shows the rules his grandmother swore to follow in order to “live her fullest and most capable life.”
He says: ‘Life can look very different at 80 if you do these simple things.
‘She is so inspiring and has not only shown me that at 80 years old it is still possible to jump a 20-inch box in flip-flops, but more importantly she has shown me how capable we can be as we age if we prioritise our health now.’
Her tips include getting enough sleep, “always avoiding processed foods” and “walking everywhere, whether it’s a five-minute walk to the supermarket or a 10-kilometre trip to the shops.”
Her tips include getting plenty of sleep, “always avoiding processed foods” and “walking everywhere, whether it’s a five-minute walk to the supermarket or a 10-kilometre drive to the shops.”
Phil Mackenzie, from Ontario, Canada, is the founder of the fitness app Leansquad. The former rugby player has over 870,000 followers on TikTok and nearly 500,000 on Instagram, where he documents his workouts, meals and life at home.
He added: “It’s not just the fact that she walks but how fast she walks that has helped her remain so capable for so long.”
‘Research has shown that there is a direct correlation between walking at a faster speed and longevity.
‘It’s no wonder my grandmother can easily keep up with her great-grandchildren.
‘My grandparents have also been consistent with their bedtimes and wake-up times.
‘Irregular sleep patterns have been linked to increased risks of hypertension, obesity and diabetes, all of which are risk factors for mortality.’
Staying fit has long been considered vital for longevity as it can help maintain a healthy weight, boost metabolism and increase muscle mass.
Being overweight increases your risk of a range of chronic diseases, including heart disease, type 2 diabetes and some cancers, while being frail can make minor ailments worse.
But exercise improves cardiovascular health, muscle and bone strength, and reduces inflammation.
Chronic inflammation is a hallmark of aging and is thought to be responsible for a range of age-related diseases and shorter lifespan.
Lack of sleep can lead to obesity, memory loss, diabetes, heart disease, intense and unstable emotions, impaired learning ability, and a reduced immune response, leaving you vulnerable to disease.
It also improves insulin sensitivity, which is vital for protecting against type 2 diabetes.
In addition to these physical benefits, exercise improves mental health by improving mood and reducing stress and anxiety levels.
Previous research has also suggested a link between lack of sleep and an increased risk of obesity and type 2 diabetes.
The most common causes of insomnia are thought to be anxiety, depression, alcohol, caffeine, recreational drugs, and shift work.
While adults need between seven and nine hours of sleep, children are advised to get between nine and 13 hours, the NHS recommends.
The health service estimates that most people take an average of 14 minutes to fall asleep.
Studies suggest that at least 30 percent of the problems faced by primary care physicians are directly or indirectly related to sleep.
Yet only one in ten Britons speak to their doctor about insomnia, despite 30 per cent taking medication to try to combat it.