How many of use are really prepared to live a long life?

[ThomD]

There are a couple threads floating around where the focus is on (or has become) dealing with human conflict as a risk. While that's fun and all, how are we doing on the real threats?

Is everyone keeping their weight down? I had two morbidly obese Uncles who did not make it to 60 because of diabetes and strokes. If you are looking for what WILL kill you, that cheeseburger is high on the list.

Are we all getting enough exercise? The medically accepted standard for quantity and type of exercise to keep the heart healthy seems to be a moving target, so I'm trying to get 2 intense and one moderate work out (bike ride) per week. I'm not having much luck though because of my work schedule. I'm trying to figure out what I can change to get those 2 mid-week rides in.

Nobody drinks and drives, right? And no Mary Jane and driving either. Yes, there is a thread on another forum I read where that is a real topic of conversation. It is hard to tell if anyone is serious about it, but I suspect that one of two might be.

Moderate alcohol consumption? One shot per night is my desert when the wife has a little ice cream.

Seat belts baby, they're not just a fashion statement. Does anyone really pick one vehicle over another because of safety features? With ABS, front airbags, seat belts and structural improvements I figure cars are safe enough - side curtain airbags don't excite me.

Did you know that there are 60% more firearm suicides in the US than firearm homicides?

We are all above average drivers of course, so we don't tailgate or pass unsafely.

What's your favorite SPF? 30 used to be my standard, but now I see 50 and 70!

Does anyone still smoke? If you are planning to enjoy your grand kids...

I found these pretty interesting.

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/3/3b/Preventable_causes_of_death.png

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/a/a5/Causes_of_death_by_age_group_%28percent%29.png

[Hilldweller]

I ate right, had a bodyfat percentage between 9&14%, worked out rigorously, cholesterol level below 160 with correct ldl/hdl ratio, went back to college & studied nutrition, and even was a personal trainer for a while.
But I had heart disease the entire time and my physical conditioning fooled all the tests; I was walking around for years with 100% blockage of my left lower descending artery and finally had my widow-maker heart attack almost 2 years ago.

At the risk of embarrassing myself, here's a photo of me from Muscle & Fitness Magazine from 1993; I'm the guy under Joe Piscapo.
I just wanted to point out that it's good to eat right and be in shape. But nothing wins against genetics.
If I hadn't been a gym rat, I wouldn't have survived. My years of stairmaster built up a network of collateral arteries that sustained me.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v352/billpearlman/BillCybergenics.jpg

[bugnout]

Did you know that there are 60% more firearm suicides in the US than firearm homicides?


Not trying to start an argument, but this particular statistic is misleading.

Overall suicide rate in the U.S. is lower than:
Finland,
Sweden
Norway
Denmark
Canada
Japan
France
Belgium
and many others.

The only country I could find that had strict gun laws and a lower suicide rate than the U.S. is UK.

Source WHO (http://www.who.int/mental_health/prevention/suicide/suiciderates/en/)

[ThomD]

Not trying to start an argument, but this particular statistic is misleading.


The point of my post is taking care of ourselves, not to focus on guns. 33,000 suicides per year in the US (source CDC). That's the 11th leading cause of death and mostly preventable.

If anyone wants to talk about guns in particular, go find another thread.

[Every Miles A Memory]

I agree with what you're trying to get at 100%! I have so many friends who save for retirement, sock away as much money as they can and work their butts off so they think they will be happy when they finally call it quits.

I try and talk sense into their heads telling them that they're way overweight, way over worked, their stress levels are through the roof and most of them wont make it to retirement at this rate.

If they do, they'll be so unhealthy, that they wont be able to enjoy it in the least.

I think many Americans think once they retire they'll start getting in shape, taking better care of themselves and doing what they were supposed to be doing all along. By that point, the damage has been done.

Like I said, I agree 100% and think more should look in the mirror and take action now. I had one buddy who spent thousands to lighten his mountain bike thinking it would make him faster and he'd be able to keep up with me. He was about 30lbs overweight.

I told him he would save thousands to lose that 30lbs and not worry so much about the weight of his bike. Stop smoking, stop eating so much junk food and stop drinking a 12 pack each night, it'll do wonders for your health!

[02TahoeMD]

In my early 20's I knew of two people who defied these rules, good and bad. The husband of my mom's best friend was a marathon runner, running 6 days a week, usually 14 or more miles a day.

He dropped dead of a massive heart attack at 52 while on the return leg of his daily run.

My first employer was a widow who owned a sizable farm. She smoked like an absolute chimney and I suspect enjoyed her liquor cabinet. She died at 94.


Eat healthy, stay fit, die anyway. (pardon the cynicism....I am a glass half empty and leaking type of guy)

[BIGdaddy]

-I don't smoke
-I drink very little (a beer every two weeks or so)
-I eat soy products exclusively due to allergies and therefore had very low cholesterol when I was tested about three months ago.
-I walk on my breaks here at work
-I try to be active and play roughly with my kids at least 3 or 4 times
a week.

I am overweight though, by about 50-60lbs, I'd say. When an athlete in high school swimming 6000 yards a day, i was about 220lbs. I'm 275-280 right now.

When I go to the doctor, I'm usually on the high side when it comes to blood pressure. I'm sure its directly related to the weight,and have been told as much by my doctor.

(I'm honestly afraid that this /\ is going to kill me, eventually...I've never said that out loud...)

I simply have a hard time shedding the weight. I don't feel like I eat a lot, but its obviously enough to sustain my weight. I've even added Wii Fit to my exercise routine, but I certainly could be more consistant with it.

So, I'd say I'm pretty good overall, but the weight just needs to go.

Any input?

[BIGdaddy]

Specifically what would you say is a good goal weight to be at, at say Christmas?

What do you advise for someone who eats when stressed, or simply
doesn't have that "off" switch when they're full.

I feel like sometimes I really try to set standards and goals, but they
just fall by the wayside...

[BlueBomber]

WOW, im going to die....soon. I smoke, drink, and dont work out (im 5'5" and 170). yeah im gonna die soon. But the good news is males in my family rarely live past 55.

[bugnout]

The point of my post is taking care of ourselves, not to focus on guns. 33,000 suicides per year in the US (source CDC). That's the 11th leading cause of death and mostly preventable.

If anyone wants to talk about guns in particular, go find another thread.

I agree with your premise. Living a long life means eliminating health risks. I also understand that suicide is a mental health issue and a leading cause of death in this country and others. Eliminating mental health issues that could lead to suicide is a complex issue.

You brought up firearms as related to suicide, and the underlying connotation of your statement is that somehow we could reduce suicides by reducing firearms. I was just pointing out that the choice of method for suicide has nothing to do with the mental health issue. Suicide exists in all countries and its cause is no way related to firearms.

Having a support network and actively seeking mental health treatment are two methods for preventing suicide. What other methods do you know of?

[BIGdaddy]

WOW, im going to die....soon. I smoke, drink, and dont work out (im 5'5" and 170). yeah im gonna die soon. But the good news is males in my family rarely live past 55.

You know, I've been in several car accidents and a plane crash, dude, and honestly, I feel like if God wanted me gone...I'd be gone. haha!

Makes me a lot less afraid of dying, but also shows me the fragility of
things, and gives me motivation to live the best I can.

Those things you mentioned are all choices and they're your choices to
make. If its what you want, then thats fine, but you'd be surprised what events may cause you to "click" and choose to live more healthily(sp?)

I basically stopped drinking when my wife was pregnant with my first, for one reason only. I, personally, needed to be able to take her the hospital safely and soberly at any hour. This choice stuck for nine months, and bang, there you go...Brian's not a drinker anymore. That was in 2005.

It wasn't a big booming God thing, it was just a "click" that happened.

cool.

[alosix]

WOW, im going to die....soon. I smoke, drink, and dont work out (im 5'5" and 170). yeah im gonna die soon. But the good news is males in my family rarely live past 55.


I work out (the dogs needs the exercise, though I used to be a pretty avid cyclist/runner). But my grandfather died of melanoma before 50, my father did @ 47, I had a stage 0-1 (very close) melanoma removed from my back in my 20s.

I'm also a pretty bad asthmatic sometimes and really believe I'll be lucky to hit 60. I'll be happy if I outlive my dad @ 47.

Retiring and growing old somewhere really haven't been on my mind (well, given the economy I really doubt I'd be able to retire anyway). I'm normally just happy to get through the day.

[ExpoMike]

I agree that no matter what you do, everyone is going to die someday. I know of people and stories about healthy, athletic people dropping dead before 50 and people like George Burns who drank and smoked and lived into his late 90's. My dad, who had a heart attack 6 or so years ago and had a quintuple bypass is doing great today. About a year ago he started working for a company that does DNA and Genome research and build the machines to test them. He found out working with many scientific doctors and researchers, that genetics play the biggest role in your overall long being. Other factors play more into the quality of your life.

I don't think everyone should go out and live for today but I do think you should try to make each day count and live it as happily as you can. Treat other with respect and tell those you love, how much you do, as often as you can. You never know when you will no longer be in this world.

[BIGdaddy]

I agree that no matter what you do, everyone is going to die someday. I know of people and stories about healthy, athletic people dropping dead before 50 and people like George Burns who drank and smoked and lived into his late 90's. My dad, who had a heart attack 6 or so years ago and had a quintuple bypass is doing great today. About a year ago he started working for a company that does DNA and Genome research and build the machines to test them. He found out working with many scientific doctors and researchers, that genetics play the biggest role in your overall long being. Other factors play more into the quality of your life.

I don't think everyone should go out and live for today but I do think you should try to make each day count and live it as happily as you can. Treat other with respect and tell those you love, how much you do, as often as you can. You never know when you will no longer be in this world.


Mike...I love you, man.

[adventureduo]

My dad's dad died at 50 years old of a heart attack chopping wood.

My dad died at 53 years old of a heart attack mtn biking.

I have high blood pressure and will most likely die from a heart attack around the same age.

Anyone have a lead on heart transplants?

[Esmi]

I am going to live forever in spite of myself.

I quit smoking hundreds of years ago for parent/kid example reasons (ie not for health reasons).

I quit drinking about five years ago for day-to-day happiness reasons [not really for health reasons, but I got to start sleeping inside again ;-) ].

My work is somewhat physically-demanding, so I assume I am reasonably cardiovascularly fit (again, health independent).

I pay my bills on-time, use good judgment when choosing who to piss off, and drive without using my horn (these are personal traits, not directly tied to health maintenance). I don't really do much drugs.

So on the OP's chart, seems like death by sexually transmitted diseases is my calling. I suppose everybody has got to go somehow...

[stevenmd]

My paternal side tends to live to almost 100. My dad is 62 and has been fighting pancreatic cancer for almost 10 years now.

I was quite sad when Patrick Swayze died. He and my dad have(had) the same doctor and are(were) on the same experimental treatment medication regime at Stanford.

My great grandfather died at 102 years of age. Drank hard liquor and smoked cigars everyday but exercised as much as possible, including riding his bike several miles a day until he was 96.

My maternal side dies around 60. Fat, angry people.

I plan to exercise, hug my kids, drink beer, smoke cigars and make love to wife everyday of my life. Not all at the same time of course.:ylsmoke:

[dieselcruiserhead]

I feel pretty well prepared personally. Luckily I don't smoke, which is surprising because my whole family as I was growing up did, more or less. I have some genetics to fight which I think I'm doing a pretty good job of on the alcohol and weight fronts. Alcohol consumption is totally appropriate (way less than 1 shot a day but I have too many friends friends and went to college with people who live in binge drinking environments, which me and my wife occasionally partake in) and I'm only 5-10 lbs over weight at most though my BF percentage is a little high at about 23% (which surprises me). Cosmetically I believe I mostly look like a 'skinny guy' to an extent. My brother got the opposite, the skinniness gene from my mom but unfortunately has some difficulty with alcohol. My old man believes it is a native American gene (in this case from South America - my mother is Brazilian) and some sort of variant on the same gene that allows many Native Americans to be strongly affected by alcohol. I respect his opinion on it as he wrote a book about kinship and genetics nature versus nurture etc in the early 80's. I am tremendously lucky and thankful to not be affected by it as its a hell of a beast. That said alcoholism, smoking, drug abuse, are all rampant in the pasts of both sides of my family.

There is also an interesting blood test that measures your fat content and ability for your blood to fight infections and repair itself which I think is also a good long term indicator of health as well, if you ask me. When my wife was in for ACL surgery we all took the test for shts & giggles and I scored the worse unfortunately, somehow indicating that my BF percentage was due to a higher fat/poorer quality food diet than I would have expected as well when honestly at the time I really ate fastfood seldom (though I exercised a lot less, which I do now rigorously, via my mountain bike), though my diet has probably not gotten particularly better and probably a hair worse. I'm going to research what that test is and post the name unless anyone is a physician and can remind me. It was recommended to us by the famous knee surgeon Rosenberg here in Park City who has a very holistic approach to surgery and also did Tiger Woods' knees (and is very good, I might add).

The one area I'm weak personally is personal strong life savings mostly because it wasn't a focus, at all, in my 20s (and I'm only 30 now). Though the marriage of the assets with my wife and I strengthened our position considerably though it is something constantly on our mind. I do think financially is relevant to the discussion as well and should be discussed in terms of stress, etc.

[trailsurfer]

JAMA recently came out with a study, last couple of months, that studied about 40,000 individuals over about 30 years. The purpose of the study was to determine what type of individual lived the longest on average.

The conclusion was skinny people died the earliest. Obese people died next. And those that were 5-10% overweight lived the longest.

They concluded that those a little overweight could fight off illness better at older age, and that those a little overweight saw their doctor more often and took recommended prescriptions.

But as talked about earlier, the best way to live longer is:

wear your seat belt
don't smoke
drink moderately

[kerry]

I recall an article in the NYT last year, reporting on a study which showed that there was no correlation between the life expectancy of any individual and the lifespan of that person's parents.

[ExpoMike]

Mike...I love you, man.

Group hug... but I am not snuggling with you in a sleeping bag... :elkgrin:


Actually I feel I was headed for a very early grave. I spent 36 years of my life very angry, hateful and revengeful. I really didn't care about others and was a self proclaimed a-hole. This had transpired from a very early childhood of being picked on and teased due to my birth defect. Children were very mean and nasty to me and in turn I shut the door on everyone around me and used that to protect me and get me through life. It was a very unhappy life, even with as much as I might seemed happy on the outside.

In late 2004 I made a trip to Maui, my first to any Hawaiian islands. Something over there caused me to have what I call "my awakening". The second day back home, I awoke and said to myself, "I am never going to be the person I have been previously" and from the very moment, I have changed my life around 180 degrees. I broke thru the walls I put up, I opened my heart and let it guide me. I truly became a happy, positive spirit and in turn my last 5 years have been the happiest I have ever known. There were times in the beginning that it was a struggle to continue this change but anytime I would think I might start slipping back into old ways, I would pause for a moment and reflect on what was happening and how this played into the grand scheme of things. This was even through a divorce, which was not something I wanted to see happen but know it was the best thing that ever happened to me. It was a very negative, hurtful relationship, which I found out later, had started very early in our marriage.

Today I am married to my soul mate, Lisa and life could not be better. Our love and positive energy we share together, no matter what life throws at us (and it has done a couple good ones). With this life altering change, everything about me has become a very different outlook. I cherish what truly is important, family and friends. Material things are just that material. They do not define who you are nor your happiness in life. Sure they can add to the enjoyment of life but they are not life.

Beyond all the drinking, smoking, drugs, etc. (not that I do any of these), find the really deep rooted problem within yourself and make the change for yourself. I believe that a life is not how long it is but how happy you can make it. Anyone with an addiction problem, there is really a much deeper problem and the addiction is a symptom of it. Start fixing that problem and the symptoms will start to go away. I know the hardest part is taking the first step but don't forget that other steps will be hard as well. Continue with the focus of where you want to go and the steps get easier with time. Soon you look back and can't believe you were the person you once were and you'll vow to never go back. No matter how many years you live, life is short and make the best of it, with inner happiness, peace and love.


I guess I'll stop my ramblings here as when I get started, I can write a novel. Not sure anyone wants to read for the next couple hours. :Wow1:

I only hope I have inspired someone to make a positive change in their life and in turn, it will add years to their life. Cherish those you love... including yourself.

[SunTzuNephew]

You're stuck with the genes you got back when your zygote first formed. For awhile longer, anyway.

However, I see the results of people making bad life choices all day long. People who should know better (you'd think) who just don't seem to care, or think that medicine can overcome stupidity (it can't).

The single biggest problem I see: Smokers. No, not everyone who smokes will die from lung cancer (only about 1/3 of smokers will - if you were electrocuted one time in three flipping a light switch, would you flip the switch?). However, I see people with heart disease made far worse by smoking (the smoke irritates your blood vessels, folks: It makes them rough on the inside, so clots form! You get strokes from that!), lung disease (hunched over, breathing from an O2 concentrator your last days seems a particularly nasty vision of hell that Dante missed, imho - especially since you can live for years like that), and just flat out smelling bad are the results of smoking.

Next on the list: obesity (and I have a problem too, in this regard). Get out, take a walk every day. It doesn't have to be far today, just further than the TV, toilet, and refrigerator. Figure out what sort of diet program you can handle and follow it at least mostly. Try and lose excess fat, it's bad for your heart and makes things like diabetes far worse.

#3 is alcohol. I enjoy a drink or two (actually a cocktail, and a glass of wine at dinner) just about every day. I also enjoy my beer (Moose Drool!), but if it's the center focus of your life there's a problem. Taper off, down to the point where it doesn't control you: For those who can handle it (and a large percentage of the population can't, due to biochemical reasons that have nothing to do with character) there are positive health benefits from moderate (1-2 drinks per day) of alcohol consumption, but it has to be moderate. Too much? You get fat, and your heart has to work harder, and you turn into a socially unacceptable slob.

And finally, if you have an existing medical condition (high blood pressure, whatever) take care of it. The common (and very effective) drugs for most common problems cost less per month than a single package of cigarettes ($4 prescriptions at Walmart, Target, Walgreens, etc) even if you have to pay out of pocket, and will do a hell of a lot more to improve your life than a package of smokes will. I strongly suggest to most of my patients (not all, and while I'm a physician I'm not YOUR physician so this isn't professional advice) is to take an 82mg aspirin every day: It helps prevent strokes. And gorked out from a stroke, in a con home bed, developing bed sores from your urine and feces filled diaper is no way to spend your last days.

[ThomD]

Specifically what would you say is a good goal weight to be at, at say Christmas?

What do you advise for someone who eats when stressed, or simply
doesn't have that "off" switch when they're full.

I feel like sometimes I really try to set standards and goals, but they
just fall by the wayside...

Opps. Not sure how I missed this.

No one solution works for everyone. I'm pretty good a limiting what I eat, but not good at regular exercise. My wife can't live without a daily ice cream nibble, but works with a trainer 3 times a week and does yoga runs.

You just have to find what works for you. Don't keep trying the same method over and over again if it doesn't work.

[stevenmd]

Opps. Not sure how I missed this.

No one solution works for everyone. I'm pretty good a limiting what I eat, but not good at regular exercise. My wife can't live without a daily ice cream nibble, but works with a trainer 3 times a week and does yoga runs.

You just have to find what works for you. Don't keep trying the same method over and over again if it doesn't work.

I recommend the ebook "Burn The Fat, Feed The Muscle" by Tom Venuto. That book changed my lifestyle. Remember, being healthy is not dieting to get to your "ideal" weight. Being healthy is a lifestyle.

[bobDog]

WOW, im going to die....soon. I smoke, drink, and dont work out (im 5'5" and 170). yeah im gonna die soon. But the good news is males in my family rarely live past 55. Genetics.....everyone in my gene pool has lived to 90+ they all ate french food, smoked and drank to excess. I gave up smoking 20 yrs ago but now I'm worried. What if I messed up the formula!:coffeedrink:

[cstamm81]

Take from it what you will...
http://www.westonaprice.org/moderndiseases/benefits_cholest.html
Always remember to do your own research. Believe it or not what the big drug companies are selling you might not be in your best interest. And some of the most well-meaning doctors may not know any better.

If that has sparked any interest then I strongly suggest you all give this a read:
http://www.amazon.com/Nutrition-Physical-Degeneration-Weston-Price/dp/0916764206
I know a lot of this seems to contradict a lot of what we have beaten into our heads, but the alarming rates of heart disease and cancers in the past 100 or so years has me thinking we must be doing something wrong.

[YJake]

Bump for good health!

Very inspirational. I try my best to stay fit and go to the gym at least 3 times a week but as mentioned before, there are many more factors at play here than just excercising. Although, staying active does provide a better quality of life for however long it is that you share the Earth with the rest of us.

So cheers and :friday:to our health folks!

-Jake

[BlueBomber]

Thought I should post an update to my previous post. Ive started to quit smoking (down to 2 or 3 a day), I only drink wine now and thats down to a glass or two on the weekends and it seems my father, who is 53 now, will live a while longer if he gets his weight down and stops eating so badly (ie : DAD GET YOUR FACE OUT OF THE CHIP BAG!). Maybe I should start for a long life after all.

[109 Pretender]

Good read everyone! Especially XJ Mike's and Sun's thoughts...

My take on this comes from nature - there must be balance in all we do, think and feel. I guess we westerners would call it 'moderation'??

Anyways, a deep and hearty "Ommmm" to all who shared their feelings and flaws - after all, that IS the 1st step towards achieving your point of balance...

cheers!

[Fireman78]

Stress is a major componant in death. The stats don't lie, given the same factors, a career firefighter/policeman will die, on average, 10 years earlier then the rest fo the population.
I'm sure there are plenty of other careers out there with similar numbers. I feel it is important to manage STRESS in your everyday life, JUST as important as managing weight, tobacco, ect, ect.


(Using this fomula on my wife.. , I get a week in Moab at least once a year, and at least one river trip). :sombrero:

[LaOutbackTrail]

I'd like to add to this discussion, from a young man's point of view. I'm glad to have found this thread, it really isnt a new topic to me, but its an important one none the less.
I like to use my dad and brothers as examples when talking about this to anyone, for they all have some very bad habits/problems that I feel will cause them misery later.

I lost my dad last year from a multitude of health problems. To start, he was marginally obese (healthy weight for him would have been 180, he weighed close to 240 before he pssed). His diet was very poor, ate anything and ate alot. He had cardiovascular diesease worse than most. He had a heart attack in his 40s and barely survived. Heart surgery fixed most of the problems for a while. Would have lived a little longer had he changed his diet and tried to exercise and NOT over work. He was a working man, didnt know anything else. He also had colon and liver cancer. Not once did I see him eat an apple and his favorite drink was coca cola.

My brothers arent much better. Poor diet. One smokes. One has chronic stress. I do not see either of them making 60... to be honest.


My wife has a degree in Nutrition and has taken her learnings out on me. I do not mind honestly. Love of life and family has made me change a lot. I ate LOTS of junk food. Oatmeal cream pies, zebra cakes, if Little Debby made it I likely ate it. I am not obese nor am I anywhere close to being fat. I'm 5'11 155lbs. I'm about 10 points into the healthy (sorry I used the Wii fitness scale to give me that number) .
http://bp3.blogger.com/_-axVU8yI9nM/RpuMwTMxD6I/AAAAAAAAAHA/r2KGtpeknk4/s400/Weight+Chart.jpg
Just for reference folks, use the chart above and find where you are at. If you have never seen this sort of chart and fall into Moderate or Severe overweight, you might need to go see a doctor.

Things my wife has helped me change:
Less junk food. I replaced alot of candy and snacks with fruit and yogurt.
Instead of that burger, I get subway or make my own sammich. If I'm lucky I might get taco bell.
I've started eating smaller portions of beef/pork and actually try to eat those veggies. Who knew that I deep down loved asparagus and broccoli.
We eat more fish now a days. Salmon is one of the best proteins we have learned.
Less soda, more fruit juices, or sports drinks (low calorie).

I try to exercise as much as possible, but its not enough. I battle lung issues. Nope never smoked. But i've had pneumonia at least 3 times and it seems every time I get nice and healthy while running, I catch a cold. Sucks.

[Fireman78]

One thing is for sure. We are all going to die. Even those folks who enjoy life to the fullest and eat nothing but Tofu.. will die. Those who jog every day.. will die. those who smoke..will die, those who drink..will die. Those who don't drink.. will die. You may smoke and drink, yet live to be 100, or a plane may crash into your house tonight while you sleep after you get back from your ten mile run.

The time to do the things you "Always wanted to do".. is sooner then later.
Just my take.

[DonL]

My dad died at 45, his dad at 63. I`m 41 and worry about it sometimes. Heart disease is a big problem as well as alcoholism in my family.

I`m somewhat physically fit, eat right and have a beer or some wine once or twice a week. I hope I live long enough to see my daughter reach adulthood. She`s almost 2.