Neil Forsyth

Editor’s note: The Steamboat Pilot & Today asked readers to tell us about their favorite seniors over the age of 75 and then we asked these Super Seniors to share their secrets to living a long and healthy life. 

Neil Forsyth

Age: 79

Super powers: Neil Forsyth has the enthusiasm of a man half his age. He still enjoys racing his grandkids on dirt bikes, and he singlehandedly built a garage out of recycled logs and tin last summer. To alleviate his arthritis, Neil completely changed his eating habits and has stuck with his new diet. Neil is a man of many talents. He cans vegetables from his garden, loves to encourage people to be their best selves, is an advocate for eating healthy and puts his trust in the Lord, believing he will always guide him. Neil, who is retired from Yampa Valley Electric Association, has lived in the same house north of Hayden for 36 years. In 1973, he built a log cabin on his property so that his children and grandchildren would have a summer and winter playground.

What are your secrets to living a long and healthy life?

“Don’t talk, walk or dress old — think young. I had a nasty bout with arthritis. This is what I did: I stopped eating red meat, I ate fish, beans and vegetables, mostly raw, nothing with white flour in it, no sugar, lots of water and did four-day juice fasts two times a month and got eight to 10 hours sleep and started walking every day — all from the book, “There is a Cure for Arthritis.” I prayed every day, and after seven months, my symptoms began to fade away, and now three years later, I am 99 percent free of any arthritis symptoms and am on no arthritis meds or pain pills. We are what we eat; our bodies are a miracle. I still watch my diet and slip in a little dark chocolate every now and then. I take two brisk walks a day with my dog. I try to fast one time each month. I give the good Lord all the credit, and I’m very thankful for a great and active life. P.S. I’ve been drinking water from a lithium spring on and off for the last 35 years.”