This 72-year-old boss is training to complete 100 marathons by age 100 — and he only started running at 50. How a healthy lifestyle in old age can make your money go the extra mile

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Greg Ho gets more done before breakfast than a lot of people do in an entire day - and he's hardly young. At 72, he's the president of a New York investment firm, a job that most people wouldn't take in retirement. But he's always been active, and at 56, he decided to try something big - running a marathon. Since then, he's tackled 43 marathons and has set himself a new challenge - to complete 100 of them before he turns 100 years old.

Despite warnings from his doctors and barely getting 4.5 hours of sleep every night due to his busy schedule, Ho believes that his intense training is a vital factor in keeping him going. "Physically and mentally, running allows me to stay active even when I'm getting very little sleep," Ho said in an interview with Business Insider. "It gives me the energy I need to do the things I want to do and keeps me engaged."

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As marathon running might not be the best fit for every retiree, Ho's experience shows how keeping your health in top shape in your later years can bring about a major transformation in your life. "It keeps him focused and allows him to connect with others who share his passion,"

Other retirees can learn from his example. Here are two ways that making healthy lifestyle choices can help you make your savings last longer.

You can save money on medical expenses

Health experts have noted that a 65-year-old person can expect to spend approximately $21,400 per year on healthcare, but this amount jumps to $36,600 by the age of 90. Those with health issues tend to spend significantly more than the average person. In fact, someone in the upper 10%, or 90th percentile, at 65 can expect to spend around $43,500 per year, while at 90 years old, that number increases to $79,900.

This situation leaves many older Americans with significant financial stress, as they struggle to cover all of their medical expenses, particularly for costly prescription medications. As a consequence, many are forced to use their savings to cover their healthcare costs.

If you follow Ho's example and stay in shape, you may be able to reduce your need for costly medical services and avoid the ongoing expenses associated with chronic illnesses such as diabetes.

"I was amazed by the gap between how I felt physically and what I was capable of achieving when I put in the effort," Ho told Business Insider. He allegedly noticed improvements in his cholesterol levels and blood pressure after starting marathon training, and even found that his joints, which had been a concern for him, held up well as he adopted an anti-inflammatory diet and his body adapted to the intense physical demands.

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2. You can delay or prevent the need for long-term care

Besides keeping healthcare expenses low, maintaining a good physical condition also tends to lower the likelihood that you'll need expensive long-term care at home or in a nursing home.

It was found that nearly seven out of 10 people aged 65 and older will need long-term care at some point in their lifetime. The average monthly cost for a semi-private room in a nursing home was $8,669, while receiving care from a home health aide at home averaged out to be $6,292 a month.

By staying healthy and in good physical shape, you can lower the chances of needing assistance with daily tasks and potentially live a longer independent life. Cutting back on nursing home expenses could help your savings last longer and ensure your finances can benefit future generations.

Engaging in just 150 minutes of moderate physical activity each week can lower your risk for many diseases and enhance health measures such as blood sugar and cholesterol levels. Ho stated that both his blood sugar and cholesterol levels improved significantly after he started training.

And you, personally, can go the extra mile.

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This article is for your general information only and cannot be considered as professional advice. It is provided without any guarantees.