A 101-year-old wants to outdo her husband by living to 103. She has 3 tips for longevity, including eating your favorite foods.
Ruth Goldberg Jaskow is 101 and does fitness classes every day.
She shared her tips for staying happy and healthy into your 100s.
These include staying active and eating what you like.
Ruth Goldberg Jaskow, who's 101 years old, has an unusual fitness goal: She wants to live to 103 to "beat" her husband.
Goldberg Jaskow, who lives in New York and worked as a teacher, has always been determined — when she was younger, her family gave her the nickname "Wouldn't Budge."
She was married to Lou Jaskow, a sailor who served in World War II, from 1943 until he died in 2023.
Though she said she believes "age is just a number," Goldberg Jaskow now wants to stay fit to live longer than her husband.
Centenarians' longevity is partly determined by genetics and luck, but lifestyle factors also play a role. Goldberg Jaskow shared the things she does that she thinks are helping her stay active at 101.
Keep moving
Goldberg Jaskow has always been active. She studied under Martha Graham, an influential modern dancer and choreographer, and played tennis when she was younger.
Now, at 101, she still does a workout class every day. She's tried every class available at the upscale New York senior living community where she lives, Atria Rye Brook. Options there include yoga, Zumba, and tai chi.
Her advice to younger people is that "you just need to keep moving."
Exercising is great for longevity — one 2022 study published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine found that of the 99,713 participants ages 55 to 74, those who did regular aerobic exercise and strength training were 41% less likely to die from any cause in the seven to 10 years after.
Eat what you want
Goldberg Jaskow has no special diet and eats everything she wants because she loves food.
While this approach works for her, dietitians recommend the 80/20 method for people wanting to start eating healthily. This involves eating nutritious food 80% of the time and allowing yourself to eat what you like the other 20%.
Nichola Ludlam-Raine, a dietician, previously told Business Insider that the 80/20 rule can make it easier to stick to a healthy diet because it doesn't involve a lot of restrictions.
Jennifer Aniston uses it, as well as Tom Brady.
Enjoy your life
Goldberg Jaskow also recommended that people try to enjoy life if they want to prolong it. She sees her family every week and makes jewelry, which makes her happy.
A small 2023 study of 19 people ages 100 to 107, published in the Journal of Happiness Studies, found that common traits among centenarians included looking for silver linings, nurturing relationships, and being grateful for the positives in their lives.
Katie MacRae, 106, previously told BI that her biggest advice for longevity was "just smile, be happy, and enjoy life."
Correction: January 21, 2025 — An earlier version of this story misstated where Goldberg Jaskow lives. She lives in the state of New York, but not New York City.
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