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Post by Deleted on May 3, 2014 19:20:43 GMT
Most of us don't want to get "too old" but wouldn't mind squeezing a few more years out of life if we are in reasonable health. I found this study to have a number of encouraging elements in it, since I am neither skinny nor a teetotaller, don't take vitamin supplements and walk quite a bit when I am not on a bike.
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Post by bjd on May 4, 2014 5:41:54 GMT
I don't want to live to be too old either, but right now I can keep going for a while yet. I too walk, don't take vitamin supplements, socialize, have an occasional drink (not daily though), and am not skinny.
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Post by mossie on May 4, 2014 14:40:30 GMT
As one of the wrinkliest on here I have to say I am not keen on growing old, it does restrict ones lifestyle. So I don't believe in it. (" "," ") I realise I am well past my "sell by date" and should be thrown out with the rubbish, in fact I told my doctor recently that when we get to a certain state of decrepitude we should be issued with a pill to enable us to end it all with the minimum of trouble to the rest of society. All the while I am able to force two glasses of red wine past my lips each day I will continue and to hell with the consequences even though I am slowly gaining weight. So I am afraid you will just have to put up with my ramblings for a little while. (" "," ")
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Post by Deleted on May 4, 2014 14:57:37 GMT
Mossie, you are valuable because your posts always make me smile. And you should not be bothered by gaining weight at your age. My father, who went through a long, trying period of nursing my stepmother up until her death, lost about 30 pounds and has not been able to gain it back, despite trying to stuff himself and drinking Horlicks and calorie-rich shakes every day. It's the thing that bothers him the most about growing old. That, and all of his friends passing away and him being left.
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Post by lagatta on May 4, 2014 15:38:08 GMT
Yes, it is heartening. My mum lived to 98. My dad, who was a heavy smoker, died in his early 60s, only a few years older than I am now. He was also one of those men who were very athletic as young men (he played hockey and lacrosse, which is a VERY tough sport) who didn't keep exercising later on. That often contributes to coronary problems.
I was considerably too heavy at one point and have lost weight, and still have some more to lose. Nothing to do with wanting to look like a fashion model; at my (lack of) height, that would be ridiculous.
Some experts nowadays say that diet is everything and that exercise has little influence on weight gain or loss, but in my own case, I disagree. I can't lose weight without "daily life" exercise; I'm not a big eater to begin with and in general eat nutritious food. I remember imec here saying the same, and losing some early-middle aged spread by stepping up his cycling. The Dutch eat much as the English do, with a similar climate and rather a lot of dairy and sweets, but there are far fewer obese Dutchpersons than Englishpersons.
Gaunt people can have a problem if they have a "wasting disease" or disease-induced anorexia.
I agree with the wine, but it should be with food, and of course not in great excess. Note that the ladies with the red wine are also eating in cheerful company, which is an important factor, and not so easy for many people as we get older. I have no shortage of friends, but all are busy with their own families, work and other interests. And later on, we will all start to die off on the survivors of our cohort.
This made my mother very lonely; fortunately her best friend is still alive, and this friend has other friends and family of her cohort, and a very large extended family.
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Post by mossie on May 4, 2014 19:55:52 GMT
The present day fixation on weight is very unhelpful, especially to ladies who are predisposed to be large. My late wife was always concerned about her weight but it obviously ran in the family, her mother and her two sisters were both generously built. Her mother and older sister were happy jolly people always ready for a laugh, while she and her younger sister were more serious. Her younger sister regularly played golf and did a lot of walking but the weight stayed with her and bore and raised 4 children into the bargain. Each weighed around 15 stone, say nicely over 200lbs or 90 kg and no amount of worry or dieting would make a difference.
So, ladies, please do not stress over weight. I have always lived by the mantra "I prefer my ladies built for comfort, not speed", and do not find todays beanstick models attractive.
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Post by lagatta on May 4, 2014 21:46:41 GMT
Actually, it is because I have a bit of arthritis (hereditary), and was trying to reduce pressure on my joints. I'd have to have my limbs extended to look like a fashion model.
It depends on one's height. At 15 stone, I'd be really overweight (in medical terms) because I'm short.
I'm not weight-obsessed; I had put on some excess weight with the menopause, and wanted to reduce a bit for health reasons.
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Post by htmb on May 5, 2014 0:09:04 GMT
A fascinating study, for sure. Thanks for posting the link, Kerouac. I watched it on 60 Minutes on television tonight, but assume it was the same as the report at your link. Those 90+ folks interviewed struck me as a group of very positive thinking people. I'd be interested to hear how they each handled stress and to know if that made a difference in their health and longevity.
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Post by Kimby on May 5, 2014 18:16:44 GMT
Visiting in Florida, I am surrounded by old folks, many of whom are quite spry. I think perhaps having a climate that favors outside activity is part of it.
BTW, Mr. Kimby's father turned 94 yesterday and celebrated 68 years of marriage to his 90 year old bride on the same day!
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Post by Deleted on May 5, 2014 19:42:36 GMT
Wow, impressive.
I was always pretty impressed by the activity of the very elderly in Florida. Although I'm sure that the climate helps to keep people active, I think there is also a "survival of the fittest" factor for this sort of thing. The "fittest" are the ones who move to Florida (or other warm places) while they can still move.
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Post by bjd on May 6, 2014 7:43:35 GMT
Ah but cold preserves better.
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Post by lagatta on May 10, 2014 21:58:38 GMT
Ce n'est pas vrai! At the end of this past winter, I felt about 95.
Fortunately it is finally nice and I'm cycling and walking as much as I have time for.
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Post by Kimby on Aug 1, 2014 16:02:13 GMT
My Mom noted that people from the northern countries (read cold climates) lived longer in general. And then she bought electric blankets for all the beds, perhaps negating the benefits of cold weather.
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