# Signs of getting older **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [August 6, 2018, 8:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/signs-of-getting-older/819194 "2018-08-06T20:50:43Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 4\ **Page:** 5
**Author:** ![romansperson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/romansperson/32/17100_2.png) [@romansperson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/romansperson)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2018, 11:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/signs-of-getting-older/819194/81 "2018-08-12T23:57:55Z")
> [@Fotheringay-Phipps](#): > > Two words: reading glasses. Yeah, my eyesight sucks anymore and I hate it. Photography is a hobby of mine and all I can say is thank Og for autofocus. I have several friends my age who have had cancer (I’m in my mid-50s). One died. These folks have, for the most part, taken good care of themselves, so it was a shock to see this happen. My parents, their sibs and the oldest of my cousins are all gone now too. I had a small family to begin with, so not much left now. ---
**Author:** ![Mangosteen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/6a8cbe/32.png) [@Mangosteen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangosteen)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2018, 12:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/signs-of-getting-older/819194/82 "2018-08-13T00:16:17Z")
> [@Brayne\_Ded](#): > > Some researchers think that 120 is about the limit for humans, and the weak link in the system is the brain. It shrinks with age. You might keep a body alive for 150 years, but it might well not even be sentient. On the other hand, we will probably have a boatload of centenarians, it won’t be a big issue any longer. > > But, despite the fact that people are living longer on average, I see an awful lot who drop out, even in their fifties, and then more of them in their sixties and seventies. Cancer is becoming the major killer. It is also thought to be the reason why it would not be possible to achieve really long lifetimes, because a rejuvenation process would simply provoke the development of all kinds of cancers. And what is the point of living to the century if you are semi-blind, deaf, incontinent and unable to get around due to joint and balance problems? > > There is of course the issue that, if the technology to rejuvenate the human body became available, it would be horrendously expensive and only available to the very wealthy. Which is in a way the situation in the world now, with existing medical care. I don’t think anyone cared for their body more than Jack LaLanne. He started working out and eating right at age 15 and died 81 years later at age 96. According to his family, he worked out the day before he died. He never ate processed foods and went through a 2 hour workout every day. I think Jack was pretty much the best an average human can do. No one is ever going to take care of their body better than him, yet he didn’t make it to 100. Good anti aging genes will get people into their 100’s and beyond, but what good is it to be that old and not be able to go outside and get around on their own. ---
**Author:** ![Siam\_Sam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d78d45/32.png) [@Siam\_Sam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Siam_Sam)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2018, 2:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/signs-of-getting-older/819194/83 "2018-08-13T02:12:10Z")
> [@Mangosteen](#): > > I don’t think anyone cared for their body more than Jack LaLanne. He started working out and eating right at age 15 and died 81 years later at age 96. According to his family, he worked out the day before he died. He never ate processed foods and went through a 2 hour workout every day. He actually died aged 32. It just felt like 81 years to him. ---
**Author:** ![China\_Guy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/779978/32.png) [@China\_Guy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/China_Guy)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2018, 5:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/signs-of-getting-older/819194/84 "2018-08-13T05:40:28Z")
My 13 year old took up snowboarding this year. I went about a dozen times in my 20’sand 30’s. So I got a used board. Holy fucking shite, the first time on the slopes was hell. Didn’t have the core strength to get up facing downhill, but didn’t feel so bad until the next day. Second time a week later just about did me in. Had strained stomach muscles. Got my ass back in the gym for the first time in decades. Rowing machine and elliptical a few times a week has really helped. Gawd, I thought I could at least beat a beginning snowboarder straight down the mountain for one run. I still have the dream that this winter I can do that, but prolly will have a rude awakening. The wake up call was when my contact prescription could no longer give me a full range of close/distance perception. And then when it got to where I could see my mobile phone but not read a freeway sign. Had to move to graduated lens glasses. I refuse to wear bi focals or tri focals as I associate that with old people. I’m mid 50’s and no health issues [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/signs-of-getting-older/819194.md?page=4)