We all know that exercise benefits our health. But if you need extra convincing, see the graphs below.

I have been reading “Outlive: The Science and Art of Longevity” by Peter Attia. Attia’s work is filled with information on how to live long AND better. I’ll do a review post later because the book is outstanding, but I want to talk about the importance of getting fit. Like really fit.

Outlive referenced a study published in the Journal of The American College of Cardiology. This study featured more than 750,000 patients, which is a great test population, and spanned several years of observation and follow-ups. Data showed that the fitter someone is, the lower their mortality risk. The gap in risk between the fit and non-fit widens as they age. In any age bracket, higher levels of fitness are linked with lower mortality risks. By a wide margin.

My takeaways from this article are:

• It’s a must to be fit, but it’s even better to be in the top percentile of your age group fitness-wise. That is if you want to even have a chance at living longer and better.
• The impact of cardiorespiratory fitness is not limited to older people. Young generations will benefit from being fit too. Those still blessed with you should not wait and their their health for granted. Remember that the longer the time frame, the better compounding works in your favor
• VO2 Max is an important metric and we all should learn how to SAFELY raise it as high as possible

I regret the past 10 years neglecting my body and health. I could have eaten and trained much better. Instead, I had an unhealthy diet, exercised intermittently and was pretty clueless about longevity and health. The more I read and the older I get, the more I desperately want to prepare myself so that I can live in my 80s at least comfortably and NOT as a burden to anyone.

Fortunately, like they always say, the second best time to start is now.