Meet Jamie Moyer, major league baseball pitcher
What he's known for: The venerable major league baseball pitcher has racked up an impressive 267 wins. However, 103 of those victories -- second most in major league history -- were earned after Moyer turned 40. When Moyer threw his final pitch last season, he was indeed the oldest player in baseball, by 4 years. Ageless is an adjective that has often preceded Jamie Moyer.
His current age: 48
His RealAge: 44
How he reacted to finding out his RealAge: "I'm not surprised that my RealAge is less than my chronological age, because I try to take good care of myself," Moyer said. "I don't have a choice, because I play a game with those younger than me. So I have to be in shape."
What keeps him young: The lean, flexible southpaw keeps it basic when it comes to care for his middle-aged body. "I think the best thing you can do is get your rest," Moyer said. "I know it sounds basic and simple, but I think that's key, particularly as you get older. It takes the body longer to recover as you age. You need proper sleep and rest."
(Check out these four surefire ways to sleep better.)
For Moyer, diet and exercise are right up there with rest. "I've always been about getting my three square meals a day," Moyer said. "You need to eat well and eat healthy. I know that's not easy for a lot of people today. People have very demanding lifestyles, but you have to make that effort."
What challenges him: Exercise was part of Moyer's job, so it wasn't difficult for the former Phillies hurler to maintain a very good physique. But for the first time in 40 years, Moyer is not working out on a baseball field. The biggest difference he has noticed is on the scale, because he has added some pounds to his frame.
"I've gained about 10 or 15 pounds since I last pitched in July," Moyer said. "Karen [his wife] tells me I'm fat. It's easy to see why I gained some weight. I'm not exercising like I did when I was reporting to the clubhouse every day. I'm around the house with my kids, making sure they eat right and exercise. It's a new role for me, and I've put on some weight due to that."
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What the future holds: Moyer hopes his new role as a stay-at-home dad is temporary. Moyer would love to add some more wins to his total when he attempts to come back to the majors next season after rehabbing from ulnar collateral ligament reconstruction (Tommy John surgery.) If all goes well, he will showcase his arm for major league teams by October. He would like to become only the third player to ever play in the majors past the half-century mark. Moyer believes he has a chance to come back, but if not, he won't just slack off and age prematurely.
"I would rather not age dramatically like some people I see," Moyer said. "I think I look good for 48. I think perhaps I'm aging better than some people. I was at a game for one of my kids, and I met this one guy who was my age, and I thought, 'Holy cow, you look like you're 58.' It's nicer to look younger, but it's also nicer to feel younger. And you can achieve that if you rest, eat right, and exercise. It's pretty simple."
(See if your habits are helping you stay young longer. Take the all-new RealAge Test.)
