How long do you want to live?
Walk faster, eat less.
We’re always getting advice on how we can prolong our lives, and one study recently released said people who walk at a faster clip will outlive the more leisurely strollers.
That came just after a burst of coverage of studies that showed people who eat less — a lot less than most folks — can live longer.
Most of us know that probably makes sense, especially if we take in too many calories via fat and sugar and junk. But somehow, the version of that particular piece of news that resonated with me came via a headline that topped a piece by a Baltimore restaurant critic – “Being hungry for the rest of your life.”
Just last week, a relative of mine was one the phone with another relative — an elderly woman of 96. She wasn’t feeling well, and the first relative suggested drinking some warm milk.
If I’ve lived to the ripe age of 96, I do not plan to drink any warm millk. Ever. More likely, a beer and some chips. Or a glass of wine. At 96, I surely deserve it. Or maybe I don’t want to live to be 96 if doing so means cracking out a scientific analysis of every calorie I take in, every activity I enjoy, every chance I take.
What trade-offs are you willing to make in exchange for a long life? Do you want to stick around as long as possible, regardless of the limitations on what you do, what you eat, how you play, how you travel — or do you want to enjoy life to its fullest if it means a shorter time here on Earth?
There are hedonists and spartans among us, but where do you fall on the scale?
When I thought about this, I thought about quality of life and having a happy life. I guess we all try to do things that will extent our lives. I’m looking more at the aspect of having a good life while it last. I don’t want to be a burden on anyone when I’m old. I wouldn’t be happy drinking warm milk or doing without a bowl of ice cream every once and a while. It’s second hand smoke that will get a lot of us and that is hard to escape in this state.
I don’t put much stock in what others say is good or bad for me. My life is a good one and I’m living it well. I will enjoy it to the end.
My grandmother lived to be 100 years and a few weeks old. She was going strong until her body had just given up the will to live. We all thought she’d live forever. A year or so before she died she said when asked about her health, “I’m just waiting to go”.
I think people will get to the point in their life when they’ve done everything they wanted to do and seen everything they wanted to see and decide it’s just time to go. Waiting around for it would probably be the hard part but in your mind you will probably prepare for it. Iv’e wondered if people can will themselves to die.
I have to laugh when people say do this and do that to prolong your life. Hahaha. Tell me when I’m going to die, and if I do what you recommend, how much longer past that time will I live? For me, I’ll live my life day by day and hope I wake up each morning and go to bed each nite.
The facts are that for most people the United States is not that great a place to live. Short vactions, low pay, long hours, poor medical care at a high cost, oppressive government, pollution, the list goes on and on. Whenever anyone tries to make things better they are met with a list of personal defects they must make public. See Nazis want to put the public interest superior to personal interest especially privacy. There is enough personal income yearly in the United State for every man, woman, and child to have about $32,000 yearly in this recession. Health care is about 11% of gross domestic product. 78% of earnings goes to just 40% of the households leaving some 60% of households with just 22% of earnings. Thus for most employment does not make things better. There is very little real opportunity for most people. Homes and professional services cost a fortune that most people do not have. The Europeans have things much better than us and so do the Japanesse. Lower income folks are being assaulted publicly for demanding equality. If you want a long life move to Europe.
A wise man said, “everything in moderation”. This is applicable in exercise and in diet. Work hard, play hard, and get 6 hours of sleep on weekdays and 4.5 hours on weekends. Sunday sleep in. Brisk walk or bike one hour a day. Make your heart work at 80-90% for at least half-hour. Drink plenty of fluids. Eat fresh, eat locally, and smoke a big fat cigar every evening,[Macanudo preferably]. If you are happy in life and love, your prospects for longevity are improved.
My sister-in-law is one of those vegetarian exercisaholics, and she looks and sounds miserable all of the time. She never takes time to “smell the roses”, and will stroke out at 55-60.
Balance is the key.
Malarkey,
–Never has a poster held a more appropriate name. How can you twist this topic to a commercial for national socialism?
I want to live long enough to see the end of Diversity as a cause célèbre.
Diversity doesn’t make us a better society…
what makes us better as a nation is treasuring our similarities.
(and long enough to see the Kennedys exposed as the frauds they are)
Some will say a positive attitude is the key to a long life. If that’s the case, Michael Mullarkey wont live much longer.
You know Michael, no one is keeping you here.
My grandmother on my mom’s side lived to be 93. Neither of my grandparents on my dad’s side lived past 50. I’m 60 and plan on living till I’m 90. If I get there fine, then I will look forward to 100. Yes people can will themselves to die. My dad (76) decided to quit eating and died within a few weeks. If you don’t want to live there isn’t any way you can keep them alive.
“What trade-offs are you willing to make in exchange for a long life?”….none, I have zero desire to reach old-age. I do watch what I eat, but that’s only because I don’t want to be fat again and because I feel better thin. It has nothing to do with wanting to live a long life.
hanson gregory is a creep! diversity is the only reason this country even exists. for that matter, all of life and nature–diversity is what makes the world go round. you should find a nice aryan nation camp to go die in.