People are always asking, “Florine, what’s your secret?”

They want to know how I still feel and act younger than my years.  I am still as active and feel just as energetic as I did 20-30 years ago.  And it’s because I exercise regularly, eat healthy, and most of all – I maintain a positive attitude and outlook on life.

You can make the same choice. Imagine what we could accomplish if it didn’t matter how old we were. Take a look in the mirror and decide the age you want to be — then think, act, dress and, most of all, live your chosen age with real excitement!

We hit these milestones — 30, 50, 70 and older — and we think: “Oh my God! I thought by this age I’d have a lot of money, a huge home, be retired, living in Florida, or driving a certain kind of car.”

We even start to tell ourselves: “I’m too old to exercise. I’m too old to do new and exciting things. I’m too old to start dating again and keep the romance flowing in my relationship. I’m too old to care about how I look. I’m too old to create new dreams and pursue them.

Well, don’t fall into the age trap. You can do anything you want to do – no matter how old you are – but ONLY if you want to do it bad enough.

People never say: “Happy Birth Year!” They say: “Happy Birthday because life is about living in the present.  One of the most damaging phrases in the English language is “act your age.” I DECIDE THE AGE I’M GOING TO ACT, AND YOU CAN DO THE SAME!

Your life shouldn’t be about your age. That doesn’t matter. What matters most is how you feel about yourself, how you take care of your mind and body, and what you do with your life.

If you eat right, have good energy, a positive attitude, forgive and forget, and are a kind and charitable person, you’re going to have a good, long life. You’re going to be like me — 43 every year of your life. And I intend to live to be 110.

What I’m saying is don’t wake up at 40, 50 or even 80 years old – and say: “If Only.” Start now. It’s never too late. You can do anything you want to do if you want to do it bad enough.

 

Florine Mark is the President and CEO of The Weight Watchers Group, Inc., based in Farmington Hills, Michigan. Florine, has used her knowledge, influence, energy and resources to help people help themselves.

Florine serves as an advisor, advocate and board member on approximately 35 committees and civic organizations. She has also serves as a member of the Seeds of Peace and was the chair of the Detroit Branch of the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago.  In addition, Florine serves on The Women’s Leadership Board at Harvard University’s John F. Kennedy’s School of Government where she works to globally advance women in leadership and public policy.

To find out more about Florine Mark, visit www.askflorine.com