At 95 years old, David Scott continues to be a frequent visitor at the gym, where he lifts weights to maintain his muscle strength as part of his ongoing health regimen. This is just the most recent page in the book of his lifetime commitment to staying fit.

He exercises at Planet Fitness in Dover, New Hampshire, thrice weekly using weight machines focused on his shoulders, arms, legs, and core. As for cardiovascular workouts, the former U.S. Army serviceman additionally engages in them.
walks
several times a week.

“It gives me a great feeling,” says Scott regarding his exercise routines. “Proper blood circulation becomes crucial when you become too inactive. Additionally, it’s also
good for the mind
.”

Scott and his 86-year-old wife, Lydia, live independently in their house in Dover. Both share a lifelong love of sports — the couple met on a bus in her native Italy as they headed to ski in the Alps and struck up a conversation on the ski lift.

“When we reached the summit, she exclaimed, ‘Let’s head down,’ and then she vanished. She skiied significantly quicker than I did. However, I eventually managed to catch up with her,” Scott remembers. “To me, this experience was
love at first sight
.”

“For me as well,” Lydia Scott shares. “Two weeks after that, we got engaged.” Now they’ve been married for 62 years and have three children.

Scott mentions he remains in excellent health as he nears 100 years old. Below are key points regarding this nearly centenarian and his guidance on how to lead a lengthy lifespan:

Eat a healthy diet

Scott and his spouse enjoy their meal.
Mediterranean diet
, known for being particularly beneficial for the heart and brain. The menu features homemade dishes loaded with fruits and veggies, along with some chicken and fish, ensuring an abundance of
olive oil
.

The pair cultivates a garden where they raise salad greens, carrots, zucchinis, snap peas, edamame, Brussels sprouts, broccoli, and various types of herbs.

Lydia Scott serves as the cook at the residence.

“I prepare numerous soups during the warmer months, which I freeze for the winter season. Additionally, we enjoy freshly harvested vegetables throughout the summertime,” she explains.

I also prepare jams using all the fruits we cultivate, and I store plenty of berries for smoothies.

David Scott’s go-to meal is the “spaghetti cooked by my Italian wife,” he mentions. “Since getting married, I’ve never dined better.”

Vegetable-heavy pasta dishes
make up a delicious and nutritious component of the Mediterranean diet.

To ensure longevity, Scott recommends avoiding greasy food and limiting alcohol intake, opting for some wine instead of strong spirits when consuming alcoholic beverages. He has abstained from alcohol completely for approximately two decades now.

For dessert, Scott likes
dark chocolate
, which is abundant in polyphenols, or useful plant-derived compounds.

Pick the right spouse

When asked about his secret to longevity, David Scott is quick to reply.

A great wife,” he says without pause. “She understands my needs and is always there for me.

People who are married tend to live longer and maintain an active lifestyle for more years without experiencing disabilities when contrasted with those who are not married. This effect is notably stronger for men, as being married offers considerable health benefits.
studies
have found.

According to studies, married men often have healthier habits such as eating well, exercising regularly, and receiving consistent medical attention compared to their unmarried, divorced, or widowed counterparts.
Harvard Health
.

Getting married even increases the likelihood of surviving cancer.
research suggests
.

Think positive

However, Lydia Scott thinks his enduring life spans beyond just their lengthy union.

She mentions that the key is adopting a positive mindset, possessing a good sense of humor, and embracing life as it comes without complaint.

Optimists live longer,
studies
It has been discovered, possibly due to the fact that optimism might assist individuals in developing and sustaining healthier routines, as well as managing their emotions during challenging periods.

Be adventurous

Scott enrolled at Harvard at the age of 16, enlisted in the U.S. Army at 17 in 1945, and subsequently came back to the college post-World War II to earn his degree in Greek philosophy.

He proceeded to attend Harvard Business School and gained experience at multiple firms prior to his decision to relocate to Europe.

“I believed I ought to visit Italy since skiing appeals to me,” he remembers. As an unmarried man, he was employed at a U.S. plant in Milan when he encountered his soon-to-be spouse on a bus en route to the ski hills.

He spent twenty years in Italy and journeyed to Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, and Nigeria for work-related purposes prior to returning to the United States. He documented his experiences in a book called, “
My Two Decades in Italy: How Opera and Skiing Transformed My Life
.”

Move your body

Scott can vividly recall how amazed he was at age 10 when he came across a magazine piece featuring a well-built man claiming that individuals could achieve similar physiques by adhering to a specific workout regimen.

Since then, being resilient has been on his mind, particularly as he grew up in Chicago in what he describes as a “fairly rough neighborhood.”

He has consistently enjoyed sports, participating in football and wrestling during his college days.

He and his spouse enjoy skiing. Lydia Scott also took up fencing and represented the Italian team. Later in life, she engaged in tai chi and qigong practices.
activities that leverage the mind-body link
.

“As a family, we place great importance on participating in sports,” she explains. “We have always been involved in numerous sporting activities, and our children are equally enthusiastic about them.”

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