I'm young. I want to be spry when I'm old. What do I do?

[spenczar]

I see some old people having difficulty walking down the street. One foot moves a few inches, barely getting over the ground, then the other foot. Others, similar ages, just as old, have barely any (apparent) difficulty.

I'm 22 years old. Fifty years from now, I want to be able to walk around easily and be able to get out of a chair without needing a hand, etc. In short, I want to be spry when I'm old.

What should I do? I want to know what current medicine says. For example, I have to imagine that exercise is a good idea. But is running a few miles every other day a bad idea because of the strain on knees and joints?

What about nutrition? Activities like yoga? Is stress believed to be a factor? Is this the sort of thing that's like 90% genes, or is it 50% or 10% or what?

Enlighten me. I realize that answers will not be perfect, but I'd like to know current opinion.

[Hilarity N. Suze]

I had a physical therapist for a shoulder issue. I noticed that a lot of people in the waiting room with me were older. So I asked her, what did the old people do who were in the best condition? She said: Yoga, pilates, walking, swimming, tennis, golf, running. Keep moving, and stretch. Strength and flexibility are harder to maintain as you get older, but it's important to do so.

[KarlGauss]

The most important thing is to choose your parents very, very carefully.

[Chief Pedant]

It's all the things you already know:

Don't smoke.
Don't trash your joints. Stay moderately active. Light running is fine, especially if you are a lighter and smaller build. It won't add anything that moderate walking does not.
Don't get fat.
Don't have bad genes. Don't get bad glucose metabolism.
Don't smoke.
Until we sort things out better, emphasize high-fibre, low-carbohydrate foods; fresh colorful veggies (not overcooked) over starches and easy on the animal fat particularly if it's been fried and/or burned.
Within the next 20 or 30 years we'll have much better drugs and regimens to keep your bones and muscles healthy, particularly with respect to replacing the hormones you lose as you get older. We might even have some preventive approaches to keep your brain from deteriorating. So in the meantime keep the baseline in good shape.
Don't smoke.

[LouisB]

Don't fall down a flight of stairs and fracture your femur so that you need a cane the rest of your life.

[Una Persson]

I want to put in a shameless plug for one sport which appears to have a very large number of older people participating in it and staying fit - fencing. I cannot count the number of folks in their 70's and 80's who can still get out on the strip and have a reasonable chance of defeating someone in their 30's or 40's. My instructor is in his mid-70's and he can kick the ass of anyone in his classes.

Fencing is good for keeping you fit as you're older for a few good reasons:

* There is a focus on stretching and flexibility, and any good program teaches you some extensive exercises to work flexibility every day.

* The foundation of fencing is balance, and every exercise includes a strong component towards practicing maintaining balance at all times, which translates into a situational awareness outside of the sport in keeping your balance. It even changes the way you stand in line, as well as walk, climb stairs, etc. Given the propensity for the elderly to suffer serious injuries from falls, I think preventing the falls in the first place must be key.

* Hand-eye coordination and reaction time are also skills which can be built really well in fencing.

* Fencing is a sport which can consist of either short bursts of high energy, or moderate levels of moderate energy, so you can adjust how much effort you need to put out quite easily. You are not pounding constantly on joints like running.

* It has a very low serious injury and death rate compared to other sports, with the primary injury being pulled upper body muscles (in women) and lower body muscles (in men). I have some hard citations on this in my notebook, but IIRC it has a lower injury rate than most NCAA sports.

Fencing has some disadvantages - it's asymmetrical unless you actively train with both hands, which is much harder to do than it sounds. You can practice by yourself and get a great workout, but it's not as good and decidedly un-fun. It costs money to belong to a studio.

Yoga and Tai Chi have been used by older folks to stay flexible and fit for a very long time, and may be a better option to get into.

Another thing to do is to consider your health investment as something like compound interest. Positive, persistent, long-term changes to your diet, weight, habits, and activity done when you are in your 20's may seem stupid, but they help cut down on the accumulated interest of health problems later in life. At 22 you are in the perfect place to start a plan to be "active at 100" provided you have a good plan and you keep to it. Keeping your weight down is going to be key to avoiding long-term health problems, as will be avoiding things like cigarettes, environmental pollutants, etc. I'm in my 40's and I wish I had started in my 20's instead of my 30's on a plan to be fit. But then I suppose it's like planting a tree - the best time to plant it was 20 years ago, the next best time is right now.

[Telemark]

Originally Posted by KarlGauss

The most important thing is to choose your parents very, very carefully.

I came here to post the same thing.

[Ca3799]

Thirding the parents, moderate exercise, and keeping the weight off. I've been having trouble with (and treatment for) bad feet for years and now the problem is creeping up my legs and into my hips and back.

Now I know why old folks walk that way.

[Annie-Xmas]

Ways to be fit when old, in order of importance:

!. Genetics. Can't do much about that.
2. Do Not Smoke.
3. Exercise.
4. Take care of your teeth. Dental health is extremely important.
5. A healthy diet.

[Chefguy]

Most people who have been doing yoga since an early age seem to retain flexibility even after developing arthritis. It certainly can't hurt. Wish I'd done it.

[panache45]

To paraphrase Lou Grant:

"I hate spry."

[rhubarbarin]

There sure is an element of luck (genetics, and accidents) involved. However, even if your genetics aren't steller eating well (real food), staying active (don't sit down all day), not smoking, not drinking to excess, and keeping your body fat under control (once you get fat, it's very difficult to get thin again, much less maintain it) will take you pretty far.

Most important: strength train. Weights and body weight exercises - the more physical type of yoga are good. Build and maintain as much muscle as you can. Continue to do so as long as you are physically capable, and barring accidents or illness you will remain much more fit and energetic than other people your age. There have been a lot of studies done on the amazing effects of weight training on health - even people in their 80s and 90s can see huge health improvements after starting a weight training regimen.

[hibernicus]

It seems to me that Pilates and Tai Chi will both help in retaining core strength and range of movement in the joints.

[Gary "Wombat" Robson]

Originally Posted by spenczar

Enlighten me. I realize that answers will not be perfect, but I'd like to know current opinion.

[moderating]
When you want current opinion, the "In My Humble Opinion" forum is probably a better choice than "General Questions."
Thread moved.
[/moderating]

[DSeid]

Originally Posted by rhubarbarin

Most important: strength train. ...

As a 51 year old fitness ... eh hobbyist, enthusiast is too strong a word ... I would echo this. Middle age and over WILL result in muscle loss unless you take very active measures against it. Medically that process, the baseline default state of 0.5 to 1% muscle mass and strength loss per year, is called "sarcopenia", and while aerobic exercise is still an important part of overall fitness as we age just like it is when we are younger, preventing that muscle and strength loss from middle aged on, staying "spry", requires resistance training too, with much greater emphasis than when you were young. And, IMHO, mixing it up lots is always a good idea.

[Cat Whisperer]

I read the OP as "I want to be sorry when I'm old. What do I do?" Well, have I got some ideas for you!

My ideas - not smoking, not getting fat, staying limber and active. I'm pretty active (for someone who dearly loves to just sit around), but I'm not limber. I was born not flexible, and I've stayed that way. I probably could have worked on it a lot more than I did - I have problems with almost all of my joints now.

[rayman5321]

Originally Posted by panache45

To paraphrase Lou Grant:

"I hate spry."

spunk

[Snnipe 70E]

Do not do things that will stress your joints.
I work on machinery. I have used my hands rather than a rubber mallet to align a motor and pump. Or hit a wrench to loosen a bolt. I now have arthritus in my hands.

Years ago going into a ships engine room I would put my hands on the unpainted handrails of ladders and slid down to the next level. Dropping 10 feet onto a steel deck. Feet, Knees, Hips and back.

My hearing is shot because we did not wear ear muffs in those days.

So my advice do not do stupid things.

[pravnik]

Thirding strength training.

[Cheshire Human]

Walk a lot. All the old people I know who are "spry" now, did things like parking a ways away from the store. The gimps now are the ones who spent time searching for the closest spot. Even people my age (mid-40s) who do that are in generally better shape than the ones I know who try to park close.

[ExTank]

Good advice here, and I'll plug swimming as good exercise. It works lots of muscle groups from head-to-toe, especially if you change up your strokes, and is very low impact on muscles and joints. It keeps the icky/sweaty factor down, but if you do much of it, you may wind up smelling of chlorine, or getting Swimmer's Ear.

You can do it fast for cardio, or slow for fat burn.

It doesn't do much for flexibility though, so a good regimen of stretching exercises to go along with it will help.

[gonzomax]

I am 67 and walk my dogs 2 to 5 miles every day in the park. Lately it has been through snow. I also play 8 to 10 hours of racquetball every week. I play with a group of oldsters and we have been playing together for over 20 years. Summer, winter ,it does not matter. get moving and don't stop. If you do you rust.

[Ignatz]

Eat a lot of high fat food and be a couch potato = http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spry_Vegetable_Shortening

[Acid Lamp]

Part mental, part physical:

Learn to toughen up. The slow process of learning to accept pain and uncomfortable positions, removing it from your mind, and moving on is vital. If you are a baby about things now, then start taking measures to slowly build up your tolerance. Most spry elderly people I know had moderately physical jobs that they worked at for many years. They continue to stay active, and refuse to accept minor discomfort as a reason to stop. They do their own gardening, sweeping or snow shoveling. They carry their own groceries, and reasonably weighted bags/ purchases. They park farther and walk, even when it is cold/ hot out. They don't allow themselves to become old in their mind. They don't give in to the slippery slope of minor creature comforts that eventually leads to jackets in 75 degree weather and dinner at 4.

There is a lot to be said for that philosophy, provided you don't take it so far that you don't seek medical help when there is a serious problem to be addressed.

[Sage Rat]

One aged scholar had this to say on the subject:

'You are old, Father William', the young man said,
'And your hair has become very white;
And yet you incessantly stand on your head --
Do you think, at your age, it is right?'

'In my youth', Father William replied to his son,
'I feared it might injure the brain;
But, now that I'm perfectly sure I have none,
Why, I do it again and again.'

'You are old', said the youth, 'as I mentioned before,
And have grown most uncommonly fat;
Yet you turned a back-somersault in at the door --
Pray, what is the reason of that?'

'In my youth', said the sage, as he shook his grey locks,
'I kept all my limbs very supple
By the use of this ointment - one shilling the box -
Allow me to sell you a couple?'

'You are old', said the youth, 'and your jaws are too weak
For anything tougher than suet;
Yet you finished the goose, with the bones and the beak -
Pray, how did you manage to do it?'

'In my youth', said his father, 'I took to the law,
And argued each case with my wife;
And the muscular strength, which it gave to my jaw,
Has lasted the rest of my life.'

'You are old', said the youth, 'one would hardly suppose
That your eye was as steady as ever;
Yet you balanced an eel on the end of your nose -
What made you so awfully clever?'

'I have answered three questions, and that is enough,'
Said his father, 'don't give yourself airs!
Do you think I can listen all day to such stuff?
Be off, or I'll kick you downstairs!'

[rhubarbarin]

Basically, if you're lazy, your physical health is going to suffer from it... and usually it happens before you're old. I know people in their 20s who already have issues caused by not moving their bodies more than they absolutely have to (I'm not talking about gaining weight, either - it's mostly joint and back issues and pain, and injuries incurred when they finally have to move more than they are accustomed to).

[lavenderviolet]

I will be the next person to endorse the idea of doing some low impact exercise like walking or swimming. Being involved in such activities does seem to be a common theme with the healthier and more mentally alert 80 and 90-something people I've treated in my career.

[E. Thorp]

May I recommend a book that you're currently too young for, but that gives (imho) good advice?

Younger Next Year

Its advice boils down to:

1. Strenuous exercise 6 days a week for the rest of your life
2. Quit eating crap
3. Have good relationships

[outlierrn]

http://www.bondon.com/sunscreen_song.html

[Wesley Clark]

Originally Posted by E. Thorp

May I recommend a book that you're currently too young for, but that gives (imho) good advice?

Younger Next Year

Its advice boils down to:

1. Strenuous exercise 6 days a week for the rest of your life
2. Quit eating crap
3. Have good relationships

Damn. I've been having good craps and quitting my relationships.

As others have said, a big factor is not abusing your body in your 20s, 30s, 40s, etc. The fact that standing and walking on concrete all day in bad shoes, or high impact sports, or whatever doesn't hurt now doesn't mean it isn't slowly destroying your body and will catch up to you when you are geriatric.

[Anaamika]

Enjoy everything you want, in moderation, and do whatever you want, in moderation. Because you may spend your whole life exercising and doing everything just right, and then get bone cancer when you're 66, and die by 69, like my mother.

[Valerieblaise]

Another vote for strength training, which I understand increases bone density in addition to the many other health benefits.

[Projammer]

Yoga and Tai Chi and Pilates have been mentioned already. This can be expanded to include most martial arts as really good for cardio, strength, and flexibility.

There are some like Brazilian Ju Jitsu and Mixed Martial Arts that probably should be avoided as they tend to be brutal on the joints.

[control-z]

Eat healthy overall. Don't be afraid to eat something unhealthy occasionally.

Stay in shape. Doesn't mean you have to work out every day, but stay active. Avoid high-impact activities that stress your joints too much because you'll pay for it later. Don't do too much heavy lifting. Don't feel ashamed to get help lifting heavy items, your back will thank you later.

[ENugent]

Originally Posted by Una Persson

I want to put in a shameless plug for one sport which appears to have a very large number of older people participating in it and staying fit - fencing. I cannot count the number of folks in their 70's and 80's who can still get out on the strip and have a reasonable chance of defeating someone in their 30's or 40's. My instructor is in his mid-70's and he can kick the ass of anyone in his classes.

Most of the advantages of fencing as a sport that you describe in your post also apply to ballroom dancing, and I have also noticed that serious dancers can continue to dance very well to a relatively advanced age. (Note that I'm talking about serious dancing, not shuffling around the floor at somebody's wedding - although that's not such a terrible place to get started.) It also has the advantage of being a life skill that most of us get more chances to practice socially than fencing.

[akrako1]

I can't overemplasise the benefits of yoga as you age. it'll not only keep you flexible, but can help your posture. How many old people have you seen that can't even look you in the eye? Their heads are stuck in a downcast position. Sometime it is due to an actual condition, but it's frequently a bad, hunched posture carried over years.

Also, don't crash diet. You frequently loose the connective tissue cushioning fats before fat in the undesirable areas - causing joint stress.

And most importantly, Food.
Most people don't give it enough importance, but we litterally are what we eat. Food consumption nourishes and directly influences our immune systems, metabolism, growth rate, decay rate, etc.

Be extra vigilent about what you eat and what chemical products you use. i know i'll get lots of flak here about this... but when it comes to safety, you should actually listen to the concerns of the most-paranoid (those "anti-science" Europeans, Naturopaths, other corporate watchdog groups). the FDA is corrupt and beholden to private corporations. The actually independent groups, using actual user experience and anecdotal data from health practitioners, typically know when something is dangerous or toxic, even if it'll take years for the FDA to accept the toxicity of said chemical/food. For example, my naturopath told me to stop using plasic tupperware almost 20 years ago and use stainless-steel water bottles - before it was in the mainstream news that a LOT of plasic is toxic. Google Phthalates, bisphenol, or BPA. BPA was declared toxic in Canada. But the, um, american BPA isn't toxic. Yeah, right. I'm happy that I "overreacted" and reduced my exposure.

See:
http://www.ehow.com/list_7482248_pla...les-toxic.html
http://toxictort.lawyercentral.com/P...14-195252.html

Also, google 'Aspartame toxicity' or 'Aspartame side effects'. It's the most complained about item to the FDA, has been demonstrated to become a neurotoxin when metabolized, yet still isn't banned.
http://aspartame.mercola.com/

Another terrifying fact... read the label - aspertame should never be heated or used in cooking. Geez I hope those unrefrigerated trucks carrying your diet coke across the county don't count. Except they do.

And shit, Teflon will kill your birds. (think of the whole 'canary in the mineshaft' warning system). The EPA has finally asked DuPont to start phasing it out. Shit!! what about the decades and decades people were using this? I'm happy I stopped using non-stick and switched to Cast Iron or stainless steel a while back.. you should do the same! Even if "science" doesn't fully understand the side effects, or the mechanism, I'd avoid 'em anyways!
http://www.ewg.org/node/21780

Other food additives, specifically coloring agents, have been proved to greatly effect neurochemistry!
http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/81599.php

So what should you do? Listen to the overly cautious. Should you be eating GM corn, or the recently approved cloned meat? I know I wouldn't. How could they possibly have been doing studies to find out the long-term effects of these foods? They simply haven't had enough time. Our testing process for food and drugs is compromised by the private corporations that have financial interests in furthering their own goals, not ours.

Organ Damage In Rats From Monsanto GMO Corn
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/2427373/posts

Check out this site:
http://www.naturalnews.com/

Yes, they're "natural" proponents - which might turn some people off, but really, those types of practitioners are usually more up on this then your average g.p.

Oh yeah, unless you're immune compromised, don't get the flu shot. Or at least demand one without any of the neurotoxin Mercury (called Thermasol - it's used as a preservative, so they can use multiple dose bottles, saving themselves money).

Good luck.

[FasterThanMeerkats]

Watch what exercises you do. I did some military presses in my mid 20's and blew out my shoulder joints. They'll never be the same again.

Stick to the basics or whatever a trainer recommends.

[control-z]

Originally Posted by akrako1

Oh yeah, unless you're immune compromised, don't get the flu shot. Or at least demand one without any of the neurotoxin Mercury (called Thermasol - it's used as a preservative, so they can use multiple dose bottles, saving themselves money). Good luck.

I think what you mean is Thiomersal. Yeah sounds like it's bad stuff used for a good purpose.

I too err on the side of caution. I think too many things are done by companies for cost, appearance, and convenience that aren't particularly good choices for health.

[DrDeth]

Originally Posted by Chief Pedant

It's all the things you already know:

Don't smoke.
Don't trash your joints. Stay moderately active. Light running is fine, especially if you are a lighter and smaller build. It won't add anything that moderate walking does not.
Don't get fat.
Don't have bad genes. Don't get bad glucose metabolism.
Don't smoke.
Until we sort things out better, emphasize high-fibre, low-carbohydrate foods; fresh colorful veggies (not overcooked) over starches and easy on the animal fat particularly if it's been fried and/or burned.
...Don't smoke.

Yep. Get moderate exercise on a regular basis. Walk briskly (it takes no special clothing or euiptment) 20 minutes twice a day. A nice little walk also get you away from your desk, which is good for several reasons. It's all too common to join a gym, work out like crazy for a month, then stop. Instead, just walk- briskly. Get your fat ass out of the car. If whatever errand you can do is a 30 minute walk, then walk, instead of drive. Ok, buy a dumb-bell or two, keep one at your desk one at home to get in a little upper body stuff, if you like.

Don't eat junk or fast food. Meat is good for you- in moderation, but you likely don't eat enough veggies, whole grains or get enough fiber. No chips, no candy- altho a little dark chooclate is good for you.

Maybe try some Reservetol from red wines. Drink in moderation only.

Get enough sleep.

Don't smoke.



I am not a real Doctor.

[rhubarbarin]

Originally Posted by FasterThanMeerkats

Watch what exercises you do. I did some military presses in my mid 20's and blew out my shoulder joints. They'll never be the same again.

Stick to the basics or whatever a trainer recommends.

Important point. I disagree that there are certain exercises we should all avoid - I do military presses all the time now, but I also tend to have weak shoulders which are prone to mild tendonitis, and it's been a very slow and careful process working up to doing any sort of presses with real weight. When exercising it's very, very important to take things very slowly, use proper form (and don't do anything you can't do right), and NOT to push your body to the limit. If it hurts - stop. That goes for strength training and for cardio - I know an awful lot of people who've seriously injured the joints and/or tendons in their legs from overuse while running, or using various exercise machines.

Do whatever you can to avoid getting injured, because sports/exercise injuries can be serious and have a really terrible effect on your whole life.

[bouv]

Originally Posted by akrako1

I can't overemplasise the benefits of yoga as you age. it'll not only keep you flexible, but can help your posture. How many old people have you seen that can't even look you in the eye? Their heads are stuck in a downcast position. Sometime it is due to an actual condition, but it's frequently a bad, hunched posture carried over years.

Also, don't crash diet. You frequently loose the connective tissue cushioning fats before fat in the undesirable areas - causing joint stress.

And most importantly, Food.
Most people don't give it enough importance, but we litterally are what we eat. Food consumption nourishes and directly influences our immune systems, metabolism, growth rate, decay rate, etc.

Be extra vigilent about what you eat and what chemical products you use. i know i'll get lots of flak here about this... but when it comes to safety, you should actually listen to the concerns of the most-paranoid (those "anti-science" Europeans, Naturopaths, other corporate watchdog groups). the FDA is corrupt and beholden to private corporations. The actually independent groups, using actual user experience and anecdotal data from health practitioners, typically know when something is dangerous or toxic, even if it'll take years for the FDA to accept the toxicity of said chemical/food. For example, my naturopath told me to stop using plasic tupperware almost 20 years ago and use stainless-steel water bottles - before it was in the mainstream news that a LOT of plasic is toxic. Google Phthalates, bisphenol, or BPA. BPA was declared toxic in Canada. But the, um, american BPA isn't toxic. Yeah, right. I'm happy that I "overreacted" and reduced my exposure.

See:
http://www.ehow.com/list_7482248_pla...les-toxic.html
http://toxictort.lawyercentral.com/P...14-195252.html

Also, google 'Aspartame toxicity' or 'Aspartame side effects'. It's the most complained about item to the FDA, has been demonstrated to become a neurotoxin when metabolized, yet still isn't banned.
http://aspartame.mercola.com/

Another terrifying fact... read the label - aspertame should never be heated or used in cooking. Geez I hope those unrefrigerated trucks carrying your diet coke across the county don't count. Except they do.

And shit, Teflon will kill your birds. (think of the whole 'canary in the mineshaft' warning system). The EPA has finally asked DuPont to start phasing it out. Shit!! what about the decades and decades people were using this? I'm happy I stopped using non-stick and switched to Cast Iron or stainless steel a while back.. you should do the same! Even if "science" doesn't fully understand the side effects, or the mechanism, I'd avoid 'em anyways!
http://www.ewg.org/node/21780

Other food additives, specifically coloring agents, have been proved to greatly effect neurochemistry!
http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/81599.php

So what should you do? Listen to the overly cautious. Should you be eating GM corn, or the recently approved cloned meat? I know I wouldn't. How could they possibly have been doing studies to find out the long-term effects of these foods? They simply haven't had enough time. Our testing process for food and drugs is compromised by the private corporations that have financial interests in furthering their own goals, not ours.

Organ Damage In Rats From Monsanto GMO Corn
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/2427373/posts

Check out this site:
http://www.naturalnews.com/

Yes, they're "natural" proponents - which might turn some people off, but really, those types of practitioners are usually more up on this then your average g.p.

Oh yeah, unless you're immune compromised, don't get the flu shot. Or at least demand one without any of the neurotoxin Mercury (called Thermasol - it's used as a preservative, so they can use multiple dose bottles, saving themselves money).

Good luck.

I don't have the time or wherewithal to debunk all of this, but 99% of this post is pure crap.

I will address the Thiomersal/mercury issue, though:

First off, not all flu vaccines have it. Only the multiple dose vials do. The nasal inhalation vaccine, and single-dose vials do not contain it.

Secondly, and most importantly, thiomersal is not toxic in the tiny, tiny amounts used. Yes, it breaks down into mercury in the body, but the kind of mercury it breaks down into (ethylmercury,) is much less toxic and cleared from the body much, MUCH faster than the more dangerous kind of mercury, methylmercury, which is the kind of mercury that's often found in seafood.

Fun fact about that. There is more mercury (the bad kind, methylmercury, at that) in a measly five average cans of tuna than what was in ten years worth of thiomersal containing vaccines.

(But you were right on one thing...you did receive flak!)

Sorry for doing a quick and dirty reference, but my info comes from QuackCast. The references he uses for his podcast on vaccines can be found here. And you'll be happy to know that none of them are the FDA, which, as you say, is corrupt.

[Markxxx]

The most important thing you have to take care of is your heart. This means lots and lots of aerobic exercise. You need to raise your heart rate up and keep it up for about 60 minutes, five times a week.

Second is muscle training. You don't need big muscles, but using weights increases bone density and it allows the tendons to stretch and strengthen as well.

Yoga is very good for learning how to relax. Tension is a major issue as you age. You'd be surprised how much stress effects you and you don't know.

Love is also another thing. You need love in your life. I don't mean a physical love or even a mental love of another person, though that's fine. It can be a love of animals, a love of your career, or a love of humanity in general. But you need to find a passion

Finally learn to cope. It amazes me there are people my age, in their 40s, who never learned to cope with problems. Life is PROBLEMS, but you have to learn to cope with what you can and do the best with what you can't

[samclem]

I'm posting without reading the replies.

Choose your parents/grandparents well. Genetics is most of life.

[jtgain]

If you give up whiskey, smoking, and wild women, you will be guaranteed to live that long. But if you give those up, then why would you want to?

[PunditLisa]

Don't get fat. It's hell on your knees, feet, and heart.

Don't smoke. It's hell on your lungs.

Don't drink too much. It's hell on your liver.

Don't get addicted to the internet or video games. Your ass will grow exponentially and it's hell on your wrists.

Avoid drama queens. They're hell on your nerves.