John Hamilton
A Second World War veteran will celebrate his 100th birthday tomorrow by taking his daily trip to the gym.
Retired army major John Hamilton, who was evacuated from Dunkirk, pumps iron every day for 90 minutes. The great-grandad, who smashed a rowing world record five years ago, is in remarkable shape and believes his health is improving.
He arrives at his local gym, Harridges Health and Fitness Studio in Warminster, Wilts., of which he has attended for the last 12 years, at 8am every single weekday morning and puts himself through a gruelling routine that would leave many men half his age out of breath.
A typical session for John includes 20 minutes on an exercise bike, 15 on the treadmill and then 400 stomach crunches. John’s impressive routine means he doesn’t suffer from arthritis, his lungs and heart are in perfect working order and he only goes to the doctors twice a year for check ups.
Despite hitting the gym most days, John’s life isn’t all about diet and fitness. He still likes to indulge. John drinks a glass of wine every other night and only gave up smoking an ounce of tobacco a week through a pipe six months ago.
Widower John, who lives by himself in the Wiltshire village of Sutton Veny, said: ‘I gave up smoking my pipe six months ago because I went to buy some tobacco from the shop but I lost it.
‘I took it as a sign and quit after that – I feel better without it – after rowing I used to gasp for air but now I’m full of breath.
‘I still enjoy a glass of wine every other night.’
John, who had a knee replacement aged 93, still drives his VW Polo into town every day – after having his licence renewed this month. He looks at least 20 years younger than his age and thinks he will live for at least another ten years.
John said: ‘I feel so fit and healthy like I could live on for another ten years or more.
‘Someone asked me if I would quit going to the gym when I’m 100 and the answer is no. ‘I feel good but it’s confusing – I’m so full of life and almost waiting for something to go wrong.’
John, who has three children, eight grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren, currently lives alone as he lost his wife of 67 years, Elsa, in 2006 to dementia. He is also the last of his friends, after his best friend of 80 years Art died in 2013 aged 97.
As a young man, John was a keen sportsman and regularly played cricket, rugby, golf, tennis, squash and polo, and served in the Army for 25 years. After joining in 1939 he served with the 1st King’s Dragon Guards and was evacuated from Dunkirk.
He met Elsa the same year, when they both sheltered under the same tree during a storm in Hyde Park. They married three years later. John served in Palestine, Germany and Jordan and worked as a tank instructor, during 25-year career with the MoD.
He retired 34 years ago aged 64 but his pace of life didn’t slow and as well as going to the gym he enjoys long country walks on weekends. John added: ‘My oldest friend was Art who died aged 97.
We met 80 years ago playing rugby before going our separate ways during the war. ‘I miss him daily. My big family helps to keep me going.
‘I entered a rowing competition five years ago and broke the world record for 1000m time trial.
‘It was for people aged between 94 and 99. ‘In early attempts I recorded a time of five and a half minutes but started lifting heavier weights and brought it down to four minutes and 47 seconds.’
On his old age and good health, John says it’s all thanks to exercising.
He said: ‘The key to a long life is exercising and going to the gym – it makes you physically well but is mentally stimulating too.
‘If I didn’t go I think my last days would be long gone by now.’
Source: Metro UK
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