Woman, 101, Who Still Competes in Shot Put, Discus and Long Jump Shares Her Simple Longevity Tips
For about 50 years, Bond taught water aerobics and stretch classes, and she was an avid gardener and member of a walking club. When the local health club opened in her hometown of Oriental, North Carolina, decades ago, Bond and her husband were the first to enroll.
She shies away from calling herself athletic and instead says she's simply been in tune with her body for more than 100 years. 'I've always been aware of when I've needed to put off a little weight or put on a little weight, and be active,' she tells TODAY.com.
This month, at 101, Bond will compete in the 2025 National Senior Games in the discus, long jump and shot put events for the fourth time. More than 12,400 athletes between the ages of 50 and 105 compete in Des Moines throughout July and August for this year's games.
Bond's daughter, Irma Bond, who's also competing, introduced her mother to the games when she was 90. Fay Bond has no idea how she'll fare, but she won't waste time wondering about it. She's ready to secure additional medals and add another record to her growing list. Or at least she'll try.
'If you see something and think, 'Well, I think I could do that,' get in, and do it,' she says. It's the advice she's always given her children and the mindset she's long maintained.
Ahead are Fay Bond's best tips for living a long and active life.
Invest in Your Health
'Mom has always been health-conscious,' Irma Bond tells TODAY.com. Her mom regularly canned her own vegetables, and 'we never had cookies or soda pops,' she says.
Fay Bond never smoked or drank either, and her go-to meals include oatmeal with fruit, chicken salad on a pita with tomatoes, and fish and chicken, often with sweet potato. She'll snack on yogurt and fruit and limits red meat.
Irma Bond attributes her own athleticism to studying the way her mother cared for her own body. At 75, Irma Bond sprints every morning, and at this year's games, she'll be competing in the 100M event for her age division. Her brother is headed to California this year for the slalom water skiing national competition, which he won last year at 78.
Build Community
Fay Bond builds friendships doing the things she loves. She joined a walking club, she played bridge, she and her husband were members of a dance group, and she pickled watermelon rinds to share with the neighborhood.
'She's always been very social,' says Irma Bond. 'She's known as the sweetheart of Oriental.' On Aug. 10, after the games, Fay Bond will host her 55th annual watermelon cutting in the front yard, where the entire community can participate and eat.
Say 'Yes'
Fay Bond lived on her own until she was 99 years old. When she 'started getting confused about things,' Irma moved her mother in with her three years ago.
Together, they're game for anything. 'We just enjoy living and enjoy life,' says Irma Bond. 'Mom has always been a very positive person. (She) enjoys being and doing. I try to entertain her as much as I can.'
Last weekend, she took her mom canoeing, and they go swimming in the sound. If an activity piques their interest, the mother-daughter duo will make it happen.
Be Positive
'Mom introduced me to Norman Vincent Peal, (author of) 'The Power of Positive Thinking,'' Irma Bond recalls. 'That probably did a lot for me growing up as much as anything ever has.'
Life isn't long for everyone, the Bonds have learned. Fay Bond will turn 102 in September, and while her aunt lived until she was 103, and her sister until she was 96, other family members didn't live as long. Both mother and daughter are committed to seeing the good in every day.
Have Something to Look Forward To
Fay and Irma are grateful for the games because it gives them something to work toward.
'You need to always give yourself something to look forward to,' the Bonds believe. 'This actually gives us something to strive for and look forward to and stay in shape for, so you can't get any better than that.'
This article was originally published on TODAY.com
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