Posted: Nov 4, 2009 08:02 PM
Updated: Nov 5, 2009 11:43 AM
Reported by: Ryan Foran

Many credit the advances in modern medicine and healthier lifestyles.

Some say it's simply a matter of good genes.

Whatever the reason may be, there is no denying the fact people are living much longer than they used.

The debate definitely continues on just what it takes to live to 100 years old or if you have a say in the matter at all.

At 95, Central Coast resident and fitness celebrity Jack Lalanne is well on his way to triple digits.

And Lalanne definitely has his say in the matter.

"I just finished working out and I'm pooped," Lalanne said after a workout at his home.

At 95 Lallane says he still works out everyday.

It's Something the fitness guru has done on the KSBY airwaves for years and nationally for more than three decades.

"Exercise is king, nutrition is queen. Put them together and you got a kingdom," added Lalanne.

100 years ago living to 100 was almost unheard of. But the number of centenarians is growing rapidly and has more than doubled since 1990 alone.

But why are people living longer?

Dr. Oz a frequent guest on Oprah says 70 percent of how you age comes from how you live.

Other experts say your genes play a more significant factor.

"I would say 75% would play that they are going to be healthy to a long health span depending on their parents and grandparents," Yvonne Deena a registered nurse said.

Lallane says he's living proof that you can control your own health destiny.

"This whole stuff about genes, my dad died at 50. Do I have to die at 50. It's an athletic event, you got to work at it," Lallane said.

At the Village at Garden Creek Assisted Living Center in San Luis Obispo there are plenty of seniors smiling and tapping their toes well into their golden years.

"I smoked until I was 50 years old then I quit," Temple Herron who is 103 said.

Besides smoking until he was 50, Herron, a world war two veteran also survived a plane crash and a torpedo attack.

As for his genes, he definitely has a good pair.

"My mother lived to be 90 and six months and my father 89 and six months," Herron said.

No matter what you believe most experts agree that exercise and a healthy diet will help you live a longer life.

As for the man who on his 60th birthday swam from Alcatraz to San Francisco handcuffed and towing a one thousand pound boat, he says enough with the excuses.

"Living long it's an athletic event as I said. You got to eat right, you got to exercise, you got to have goals and challenges. Forget about the good old days, the good old days are right this second," Lallane said.

Jack also says if it's man made don't eat. Stay away from the cakes, pies, and ice cream. He says the five seconds on the lips is not worth the lifetime on the hips.