Every morning, 104-year-old Vivian Levy took a cab to the gym for 45 minutes of her favorite exercise, swimming.
She uses the backstroke to do laps and trains with people a fraction of her age.
When asked how she stays motivated to exercise on days when she doesn’t feel like exercising, Levy says the concept doesn’t exist in her head.
“No way. I get up every day and go swimming,” Levy told TODAY.com. “I feel that way all the time. …I’ve been exercising all my life.”
The centenarian swimming in a pool at Lifetime Dumbo in Brooklyn, New York, is the oldest Lifetime member in North America, according to the gym chain.
She lived alone until the age of 102 and now lives in Brooklyn Heights with her son and daughter-in-law. She used her iPhone and email and drove her car until she was 90.
Born in 1919, Levi has been swimming since she was six years old and got into the water when her parents took her to Coney Island. “It’s good exercise. And I just enjoy it. I like water,” she says.
Studies show that swimming is one of the best exercises for a long and healthy life. Regular exercise may also prevent brain atrophy in older people.
Levi’s home is longevity. One of her sisters she lived to be 107 years old. Another died at the age of 103.
In addition to having great genes, here are her simple tips for living a long and healthy life.
keep moving
A lifelong swimmer, Levi also loved walking, biking and hiking when he was younger. She also played tennis and volleyball.
“[Exercise]makes me feel happy, it’s good for my body. I also meet people through exercise. I make friends when I go swimming,” she says.
Don’t let health problems discourage you
Levi has a pacemaker and three stents and sees a cardiologist every three months. She has also been unable to move much in recent months due to pain in her leg.
But swimming remains an ideal exercise because it’s gentle on your joints, keeps your heart healthy, and keeps you moving.
Apart from these health problems, she has never had cancer or any other major illness.
Levi calls himself a “slow swimmer,” but spending time in the pool keeps him fit.
be social
The retired teacher says he has always been physically, socially and politically active.
“Be curious about what’s going on in yourself, people, and the world,” she advises.
“Brooklyn Heights is nice. Get out of the house, meet people. And there’s a lot going on here.”
When Levi turned 104 in July, he attended three birthday parties, one at the gym, one at the senior center, and one with his family.
Eat well, but leave room for snacks
Levi said he grew up eating healthy foods such as chicken soup, meat and vegetables made by his mother.
“We were eating three good meals a day,” she recalls. “There was no bacon or sausage or anything like that.”
These days, she simply enjoys “good food” and has room to eat dessert. She likes blints, dark chocolate and coffee flavored ice cream. She eats a small portion of ice cream every night.
The 100-plus-year-old rarely drinks alcohol, but occasionally drinks rosé wine. she loves to drink coffee
train your brain
Levi regularly did crossword puzzles, a habit he picked up as a teacher. Now she loves to play Scrabble, play Wardle and spell her Bee word game. She reads her book on her Kindle.
enjoy work and family
Over 100 years old, she attended Brooklyn University, has a particular fondness for chemistry, and was a public school teacher and guidance counselor for 26 years.
“I loved it. If my husband hadn’t retired, I wouldn’t have,” she recalls. “[I retired]to spend a lot of time together, and we did. We traveled, we went hiking, and it was good.”
The couple had three children and were married for 50 years until his death in 1997. Levi also survived the death of his daughter. When asked if she was an optimist or a pessimist, she described herself as “someone in between.”
