The secret to a long and healthy life might not be as complicated as you think. Miss Peggy would tell you just to have a good time.
Colorado football's biggest fan is none other than Peggy Coppom, affectionately known as Miss Peggy, who turned 100 years old on Nov. 19. She recently went viral for her birthday celebration, which involved head coach Deion Sanders and 54,000 fans at Folsom Field in Boulder, Colorado, during a game against Utah.
While the crowd sang "Happy Birthday," Coppom, a lifelong fan, was brought to tears as she received praised for her dedication to the Colorado Buffaloes.
Coppom and her family moved to Boulder when she was 15 years old after growing up in eastern Colorado. Along with her dad, uncle and the rest of her family, Miss Peggy was glued to the radio whenever the Buffaloes played.
More than eight decades later, Coppom still lives in Boulder. She and her twin sister, Betty Hoover Fitzgerald, became staples in the stands at Folsom Field, with Coppom missing just three home games since 1966, according to Colorado Athletics. Fitzgerald died of cancer in 2020 at the age of 95.
"I'm still in awe and disbelief of all the wishes and the big celebration that I've had, and I wish my twin sister were here to be enjoying it with me," Coppom tells TODAY.com. "So those are the feelings I've had, and thankfulness."
Since being hired as Colorado football's head coach ahead of the 2023 college football season, NFL Hall of Fame player Deion Sanders has formed a friendship with Coppom that started when Sanders surprised her at her home in Boulder.
"My word for him is honorable. ... He really had the players' answers at heart, and he's an honest man, and he's proving to be a pretty good football coach," Coppom said.
Here are Miss Peggy's tips that have given the 100-year-old fan a happy and healthy life:
Faith was essential to Coppom's upbringing, and she still attends church daily. She says her faith built a strong connection with her family, a necessity to her happiness.
"I never heard any arguments or quarreling or harsh words or anything," Coppom recalls about her upbringing. "It doesn't mean we didn't have discipline, but they did it without losing their temperatures or anything like that."
"Family life, and I think for anybody, it's so important," she continues. "And those who don't have a loving, happy and peaceful home life as they're growing up, I think they must have a struggle learning how to be happy."
Because of her strong family life, Coppom learned how to maintain a positive attitude. Studies have shown that optimism is associated with a longer lifespan past age 90.
"I don't have an answer for everyone, but I think it begins first mentally. I think your attitude makes a big difference," says Coppom.
When talking about her daily habits, Coppom says she's prioritized moderation throughout her life. For example, she doesn't regularly drink alcohol and has never been much of a drinker, even though she's not against it altogether.
Drinking alcohol in any amount can lead to health problems, according to the Mayo Clinic, but the risk of these problems is lower with a moderate intake.
In the later part of life, Coppom also emphasizes getting plenty of rest and not cheating oneself out of sleep.
"I'm not one to get plenty of sleep. I didn't use to, but I do now," says Coppom. "I have to make sure I get my rest."
According to the Mayo Clinic, women who get adequate sleep live around two years longer while men live five years longer with adequate sleep. Not getting the sleep your body needs can increase blood pressure, blood sugar, and daily calorie intake, while possibly causing a decline in brain function.
Coppom does consume caffeine, but she will only have one cup daily, whether it's in her morning routine or if she goes out to eat. According to a study in the New England Journal of Medicine, moderation is the best way to approach caffeine consumption to have a safe and healthy caffeine intake.
This past year, Coppom had some health problems. In July, Coppom was in her driveway and lost her balance, falling and breaking both her hip and femur.
While she recovered, she's was also recently diagnosed with COVID-19, which she said made her feel weaker in her legs. Fatigue is a common symptom of long COVID-19, according to the Center for Disease Control.
Her doctor had given her exercises to keep strength in her legs after her fall, which she finds time to do. While has a walker at home, Coppom tries to walk as much as she can, all while keeping up with her regular Colorado game attendance
"I try to do what the doctor said; if you're not going to do it, you might as well stay home," says Coppom.
Coppom has made it a habit to start her morning with a piece of toast and has done so ever since childhood during the Great Depression. She prefers raisin toast and will pair it with oatmeal. Oats contain soluble fiber, which lowers blood glucose and cholesterol levels while promoting gut and intestinal health.
The Colorado superfan explains that she does not eat excess meat or seafood. She tries to fill her diet with fruits and vegetables and only has two meals a day: a late breakfast and dinner later in the evening around 8 p.m.
Research has found that red meat consumption correlates with a higher risk of heart disease, stroke or diabetes, according to the Mayo Clinic. Intermittent fasting, with one approach restricting meals in the day to eight hours, can lower calorie intake and possibly lead to weight loss.