At 100 years old, Joseph Caminiti goes to the gym more often than many people a fraction of his age. He works out five days a week with a routine that includes cardio and weightlifting.
Caminiti lives independently with his 98-year-wife and drives himself to The Edge Fitness Club in Bristol, Connecticut, every weekday morning for a workout that lasts about an hour.
He credits the
active routine
for his long, healthy life.
“You’ve got to exercise. You’ve got to keep going. You’ve got to keep moving,” Caminiti tells .
“If you see me, you wouldn’t think I was 100. Everywhere I go, they (say), ‘You’re not 100 years old.’ And I say, ‘That’s what I am.’”
Most people exercising next to the energetic gray-haired fitness buff likely have no idea about his incredible life story.
Born in 1924 in West Virginia, Caminiti was part of a large family that included eight children. He joined the U.S. Marine Corps when he was 17 and served in World War II and the Korean War. The veteran is a survivor of the
Battle of Iwo Jima
, fought 80 years ago, and watched the
U.S. flag-raisin
g on the island.
Caminiti went on to work for many years producing bearings at a unit of General Motors located in Connecticut. He has been wedded to his spouse for 78 years.
The centenarian has few health problems and never had cancer or heart disease. That he has good genes is helpful too — his parents and some of his siblings lived into their 90s. He has one surviving sibling, a sister who is 92.
Being 100
is “like any other day in my life — 100 is just a figure. I’m just lucky that I made it this far,” he says.
Below are his suggestions for a lengthy lifespan:
Move your body
Caminiti has been involved with the gym since his childhood days. As a young boy, he delivered newspapers and would frequent a Boys Club starting at age 12.
Every weekday morning, he heads to the gym. There, he spends 30 to 40 minutes walking on a treadmill before using various weight machines to build muscle in his legs, arms, and elsewhere. To unwind at the end, he lies down on a hydro-massage table for relaxation.
"Some individuals hire a trainer to guide them through their fitness journey, but at my age, I find it unnecessary. I've frequented the gym since childhood," states Caminiti.
Nothing requires motivation for me; I simply do it because I enjoy it.
Caminiti’s son William, aged 77, recounts that a physician advised his father to steer clear of a sedentary lifestyle and keep active.
"He likes heading to the gym. He often mentions, 'I have to stay active,'" he shares about his dad.
Aid your body in maintaining wellness
Caminiti didn't smoke cigarettes. He enjoyed an occasional beer but otherwise
drank little alcohol
.
"He never smoked, he never drank," his son says.
When questioned about his primary advice for long life, Caminiti straightforwardly states: "Number one, don't smoke. Stay as active as possible. If you can, avoid relying on pills," he recommends.
He mentions that he doesn't consume any medication except for this one.
vitamin D
and
B12
supplements.
Have things to anticipate with joy.
For Caminiti and his spouse, it involves a monthly trip to a casino where they engage in playing slot machines.
For her, it feels like therapy," he observes. "She really enjoys being there.
The hundred-year-old mentions that he has been visiting casinos for seven decades and has never had a significant win, yet still finds pleasure in the activity.
Enjoy food
Caminiti has maintained a hearty appetite and follows an unrestricted diet. His preferred meals consist of lobster, baked stuffed shrimp, steak, spaghetti with meatballs, and salad.
"I never shied away from any cuisine. No matter what was placed before me, I dug in," he states.
"He maintained a healthy diet, yet he also consumed nearly anything he desired," his son adds.
The centenarian has recently lost weight because of an esophagus problem, which makes it hard for food to go down — a
common issue as people age
— so he now has to take his time to eat and choose foods carefully.
But he still loves dessert.
“Oh, yes. I have ice cream almost every night. I eat pie, I eat cake, I eat cookies,” he says.
Stay independent
Caminiti still drives a car and he maintained his big house until a few years ago, including going up a ladder and painting it himself when he was 95.
Looking after the home eventually became too much work, so he and his wife sold the house and moved into an apartment, which they enjoy. She still cooks their meals.
“It’s a regular apartment house,” Caminiti emphasizes. “Assisted living — I don’t need that yet.”
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