Every morning, Li Kezhong and his wife each consume 6 red dates, 2 walnuts (or other nuts), and a spoonful of vinegar-soaked black beans. Vinegar-soaked black beans nourish the kidneys and replenish fluids; they are ready to eat after soaking in vinegar for 2-3 months.
Li Kezhong also regularly enjoys Chinese cabbage, corn, and cloud ear fungus.His meat-to-vegetable ratio is 3:1, with a focus on "white meat"—high-protein chicken, duck, and fish—and less "red meat" like beef and pork, which contain higher fat content. Exercise Swimming for 76 years Li Kezhong's favorite exercise is swimming. He began at age 5 and continued until 81.This lifelong practice significantly increased his lung capacity, explaining why, at 86, his voice remains resonant and he climbs stairs without breathlessness.
Beyond swimming, Li frequently practices traditional Chinese health exercises like the Eight Brocades since retirement. He notes these exercises massage internal organs, making them longevity-enhancing activities.
Mindset
Practicing the "Six Constants"
Diet and exercise are concrete practices that many persistent individuals can maintain. However, sustaining a positive mindset is another matter—some grasp the principle yet struggle to adhere to it. Regarding this, Li Kezhong advises that people must find activities they enjoy that also benefit others, as this fosters a sense of accomplishment.
Li Kezhong finds his sense of accomplishment in healing others. Over years of practice, he often waived fees for families in hardship. In the 1950s, a hospital in Guilin, moved by his spirit, pledged to cover all examination costs for needy families referred by Li.
Beyond fulfillment, holding steadfast to one's convictions is equally vital. Li reflected, "The saying goes 'nine deaths, one life,' but I've endured far more than ten deaths and one life. I survived wartime chaos and the Cultural Revolution. Some feared I might take my own life during those dark times. I vowed I would never do so—I would outlive them all. Only then would I have the time to reclaim what I'd lost."
He summarized the six principles for longevity: maintain detachment in solitude, be amiable with others, remain serene in inactivity, act decisively when needed, stay unassuming in success, and remain composed in adversity.
When asked if he had achieved these ideals, Li Kezhong smiled and replied, "I believe I've attained about 50% of them, and I'll keep striving for more."