When George H. W. Bush turned 90 last week, he became one of just four US presidents to reach this milestone birthday. The other presidents who lived to 90 and older? Presidents Ford, Reagan and believe it or not our founding father and 2nd US president, John Adams. How was it that Adams was able to be a part of this elite group without the benefits of modern medicine? Genetics certainly plays a role as well as the comfort and serenity Adams found in his marriage to his beloved Abigail. But AADE member Nancy Dowling, RD and CDE feels Adams commitment to physical activity also led to his remarkable longevity.
Adams was an avid exerciser and farmer and his life is well documented in his diaries and letter writing. He writes on May 14, 1756; “ A lovely day. Soft vernal showers. Exercise invigorates and enlivens all the faculties of body and of mind. It arouses our animal spirit and disperses melancholy. It spreads a gladness and satisfaction over our minds and qualifies us for every sort of business and every sort of pleasure.” Based on this history and Adams longevity, Dowling chairs a committee called the John Adams Health Walk and tries to live by the patriot's own words, “I walk every fair day, sometimes 3-4 miles.” Every Saturday morning from May-October Dowling and others lead walkers on a tour of Adams likely steps through the city of Presidents, Quincy, Massachusetts. The walk includes a spin through the historic sites and is narrated with both history and health information.
Ultimately the group would like to see a permanent marked trail in honor of our founding father with health and history along the 3-4 mile marked path. Dowling has the support of the both the mayor of Quincy, Thomas Koch and her employer, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts located in Quincy along with others. All of this Dowling sees as a former of patriotism. “As a health coach, I can appreciate the benefits of daily exercise. Helping people reach this goal as well as offering interesting history about such a great US president is really fulfilling.”
Visit John Adams Health Walk on facebook for more information.