I drink too much and eat poorly, no wonder I am 30 lb overweight. We used to run the OKC memorial 1/2 marathon each year, but have not since teh covids.

 

And honestly, we will never know if what we do really helps. We could clone ourselves to do a case study/comparison...

 

And honestly, we will never know if what we do really helps. ...

Well, not exactly true. You will know what you are doing actually helps. If you do it right that is.

A little over a year ago I was 40lbs heavier then I am now, diagnosed with Type 2 and experienced Keto-Acidosis more then once. Had to up blood pressure meds and basically on the edge of dyeing. Didn't really know any of this as I was completely happy with my Captain and seven's pretty much every day, tomahawks and ribeye's on the weekends with all of the trimmings. In the summer months added Cruzan coconut rum and pineapple to the mix during the day. Got to the point I was drinking a qt. a day and switching to Capt. at night. Nothing wrong there right? Add that to an Italian bbq diet on the boat and all is good ... always had a lot going on that made things extremely stressful, so I found an out and as a result was on my way out.

A year ago February I changed my life. Switched the outlet to being projects instead of drinking. Switched to only drinking on the weekends and not nearly as much, switched to Vodka drinks (I hate vodka, except orange crushes). Changed eating to being more healthy as in vegetable based meal replacement shakes for breakfast and dinner with a chicken caesar salad for lunch M-F only. Weekends are pretty much what ever I want, within reason. Still eating a nice steak and instead of potato's, grilling red cabbage and red onions together as a substitute. Smart decisions like that through out my life. I use to always work out when I was younger and ride mountain bikes etc. But my 50's pretty much stopped all of that and was paying the price for that. I re-added the bike ridding to 3-5 times a week ~5 miles a day in a few short months I dropped 40lbs. And after a few more months dropped my blood pressure meds to a much lower dose. Weekends at the boat if we are not going anywhere, we bring our bikes with us and ride the bike trail system we have right here (~15miles). I will say this, if my wife wasn't on board with all of this I don't think it would have been so "easy" to do this. And believe me this was anything but easy, but you what it's a hell of a lot better then the alternative. I love life way too much to loose it.

 

No soda. Lots of water.
30-45 minutes cardio 2-3x week.
The hardest part is controlling sugar/sweets.

 

By "helps" I meant extends our lives (keeps us alive) if you will. We just don't know. Everything you have done should, however there's no way to know for sure that I am aware of unless there is "another you" who did not make the changes to compare to in 5, 10, 15, 20 years.

I am not discounting all the good work/changes you have done by the way, I think it's amazing, more folks should do it.

 

Boating, hunting, fishing, camping, bike riding, walking, and not on a treadmill.
In the past, snowmobiling, skiing snowshoeing.
Anything outside. I worked outside for half my career and partially outside for the last half of my career.
I Cut back on red meat. It’s just better for me, and makes me savor that occasional ribeye all the more.
Humans are meant to be outside and eat better than we do.
The first two humans were put in a garden

 

Boating, hunting, fishing, camping, bike riding, walking, and not on a treadmill.
In the past, snowmobiling, skiing snowshoeing. ...

Use to Snowmobile in Old Forge area for years, ton's of fun. Could not agree more about being outside.

 

Pharmaceuticals and oatmeal.

 

I stay active - physically and mentally. It's vital. I eat and drink whatever I like and am very healthy. On my last physical my Doc says my weight is good and my blood pressure is that of a 20 year old - I'm 71. Partly good genes and mostly being positive and enjoying life.

 

Quit smoking 2 years ago;
Take my heart & cholesterol meds;
Hardly ever eat beef anymore;
6 beers a day to stay well hydrated.

 

Cardiac meds, bourbon, and the boat. One day off to myself every week

 

Waking up every morning…. Some mornings it’s like damn i must be tougher then I thought.

….mostly my wife though…. If it wasn’t for her there is no way I would have the discipline to eat right

 

….mostly my wife though…. If it wasn’t for her there is no way I would have the discipline (add discipline here)

Took the words right out of my post. I had to do a little modification.

 

I am a walking example of what stress will do to you. I spent 35 years in the wood products industry and 26 in an upper management position with Georgia Pacific. When I left 12 years ago, I was on 2-BP pills daily and 2-Cholesterol pills daily. I did not work to enjoy life, I worked to work the next day. Worked 6 days/week and phone rang 24/7. A year later, taking one low dose generic BP pill and one low dose pill for cholesterol. I need to drop 20, but all in all, numbers are all in a good range. I do not think most people understand what stress does to them. Diet, stress, and genetics all play a major role....I also quit drinking 2 years ago and that has not hurt anything either.

Bennett

 

Pretty much my heart beating. That's basically what keeps me alive

 

Lost about 90 pounds in the last year. Currently close enough to where I want to be

I run 15-20 miles/week
Swim 6 miles/week
Elliptical 2 hours/week

low carb, plenty of meat, egg and cheese

Last time blood pressure was taken a couple weeks ago, it was 106/65

physical annually, including psa numbers, had colonoscopy a month ago, all was good.

I haven’t done the prostate exam, rely n the psa, I am not that close to my doctor yet… lol

The only med I take is 10 mg rosuvastatin per day for cholesterol….

49 years old, hope to live another 30 years

 

Lost about 90 pounds in the last year. Currently close enough to where I want to be

I run 15-20 miles/week
Swim 6 miles/week
Elliptical 2 hours/week

low carb, plenty of meat, egg and cheese

Last time blood pressure was taken a couple weeks ago, it was 106/65

physical annually, including psa numbers, had colonoscopy a month ago, all was good.

I haven’t done the prostate exam, rely n the psa, I am not that close to my doctor yet… lol

The only med I take is 10 mg rosuvastatin per day for cholesterol….

49 years old, hope to live another 30 years

As a cancer survivor, definitely have your prostate checked. The Docs all use lube.

 

So, I have to take issue with folks that don't get annual physicals, especially when they take the attitude they don't like doctors (for whatever reason.) Guys there are certain common sense things that can be of much much greater value to staying healthy than all that other stuff you've mentioned above....
1. Annual history and physical exam which includes all screening blood tests and chest X-ray
2. PSA for men along with annual prostate examination
3. Screening/diagnostic colonoscopy after age 50

We are so fortunate to be able to make an early diagnosis of some seriously deadly diseases just by doing these things once a year. IT'S CALLED A WELLNESS EXAM AND IT'S USUALLY FREE!

I don't care how many vegetables you eat, you are in big trouble if you get an end stage diagnosis of a cancer that was easily diagnosed, treated and cured early! Don't like doctors? Guess who is going to pay the price for that approach to your health??? Please don't be a statistic!

 

Agreed for all 3. My prostate cancer showed no symptoms except for elevated PSA levels. It was aggressive and would have metastasized and killed me. I'm here and healthy, 12 years later, because of early detection and surgery.

 

Alive? Hmmm, with stage 4 cancer that's a tough one to answer. I walk every day with my dog. He's as old as I am so I let him set the pace and distance. I take my Dr. prescribed meds, have cut back on red meat and alcohol. I've lost about 25 pounds and am pretty physically fit except for some of the effects of the cancer.

ATTITUDE is the biggest thing in my life right now, and my attitude is damn good.

 

Besides companionship, love and providing some with a purpose, owning a dog makes us oldsters get outside and walk them. All Good medicine.

 

Dogs are great therapy for almost any illness. Their happiness and enthusiasm is contagious.

 

I am a meat and potatoes guy. Quit drinking when I was in my late 30's. Tequila and beer were my go to drinks. My sister and dad were both functioning alcohics and I saw I was following the same path so one morning I told my wife I was going to quit and then my buddies at work. Except for a celebratory glass of champagne I haven't since. I need to become more active. Since moving north I don't get near the walking and working in the yard like I did down south. I have a membership at LA Fitness and I don't use it. Medicare pays for it. I should start and at least use the rowing machine. Physically can't run with the replaced knee and a bad original equipment one. Get two doc check ups a year and do all the blood work which is all good for my age. I'm not about to make myself miserable eating or doing things that I don't like.

 

I’m a Masters swimmer. Been competing in swimming since age 6. Still compete into my 60s. 3000+ yard workouts 3-4 times a week. Used to run on off days but pull too many calf muscles now. So don’t do that anymore. Plus I’ve always had ants in my pants. Gotta always be physically doing something that feels like a workout. Now it’s working on boats, yard work, repair house and cars. Oh, and I’m basically a single parent to my 6 year old granddaughter. That’ll keep you in shape. All parts are original and working normally except my right eye. An enlarged lacrimal gland has it pushed out of alignment so I have double vision when I look to my right if I don’t close my left eye.

 

I think other than purposely not drinking as much as I have the opportunity to, the biggest thing I do that keeps me alive is I don’t sweat the small stuff anymore. I refuse to worry about that which I have no control over. I don’t ignore it, I just don’t let any of it bother me. My Dad had a type A personality and seemed worked up over everything all day long. I am convinced that lead to his early demise.
Carpe Diem

 

I’ve been an undisciplined runner for 23 years now. Got into triathlon 11 years ago and had a pitiful completion of an Ironman plagued by a horrendous case of hemorrhoids.
After that was over and I recovered I decided I wanted to qualify and run the Boston Marathon.
A friend of mine sent me a green smoothie recipe that was absolutely life changing.
I started training for a marathon and drinking this smoothie every morning. I was running every other day and on run days I’d drink it after the run.
My progress was unbelievable to me. Not only was my performance improving at a rate I’d never experienced but my hair and nails were growing about 4 times faster than normal. (When I was training for the Ironman they almost stopped growing)
Then I noticed that I couldn’t get a sunburn (which I had always been somewhat susceptible too) if I got a cut on my hand that bled it would be gone the next day.
Digestion got way better, I never got sick, allergies gone, acid reflux gone, and libido off the charts. Every factor of aging seemed to have set itself back 20 years.
All cravings for anything were gone.
I felt incredible.
Anyway I wore out my running shoes but went on a long run anyway instead of missing a day to go get new shoes and injured my shin.
Then I fell off the smoothie wagon.

I found out the recipe came from a guy named Rich Roll and his story is incredible if you care to read it.

Here’s the bad part. That smoothie takes some hard core discipline to drink every day.

If anyone cares for the recipe here it is:

2 Kale Leaves

Equal amount of spinach

Handfull of Raw Almonds

Jalapeño Pepper

2 Granny Smith Apples

1 Thumb of Ginger Root

1 Whole Lime With Peel

18-20 ounces of water

Ground up in a Ninja blender.

I’m now drinking the smoothie occasionally and trying to make it a daily habit again but my will power ain’t what it used to be.

 

ok, I’m a glutton for punishment and I like spicy foods, so I tried this today.

My insides are still feeling it! Not sure if this is a 1 and done for me or not.

 

Eat and drink whatever you want.....but in moderation.

Don't smoke, but that's the only "don't".

Have a life partner and be sure to engage in romantic efforts as much as you can.

Have a hobby that keeps you mentally and physically occupied.

Don't sweat the small stuff.

Be active.

Finally, forget about all that I just said, because its all genetics. If you are going to get cancer or heart disease it's simply in the cards.

Cases in point.....smokes 3 packs a day for 40 years and lives a ripe old age....never smokes and gets lung cancer......drinks beer every day and eats hot dogs 6 days a week and lives to 95.....afraid to eat processed meat and dies at age 60.......

 

You left out getting hit by a car

 

At being right at 65, the last 2 trips to the ER kept me alive. Period! Glad to be here and thank full when the feet hits the floor in the mornings. however i do not live in fear, i have a good time regardless.

 

My oldest daughter had a friend 20 years ago or so, when she was in grade school, they lived around the corner from us. I knew her dad pretty well, lets call him Kevin. Well that was his name, so its a good thing to call him, Anyhoo, he was the nicest guy I probably have ever met, he didnt drink, smoke, cuss, I never heard him say a bad word about anyone. He looked to be in great shape, he was probably 6' 170#, he only had 1 vice, he liked to have a small bowl of ice cream in the evening while they watched tv. One night his wife gave him his bowl of ice cream, he took a bite or two and told his wife the ice cream just didnt taste good for some reason, so she took it and told him she would put it back in the freezer and maybe he would want it later. She went to the kitchen and came right back, and he was dead. 42 years old, no family history of heart problems, just dead.
She never re-married, and still lives in the same house, a very nice lady. When the good lord decides to take you home, you are going home. Period.

 

A long-time friend had just retired. He did some gardening that day. Came in for supper then sat down to watch the news. 10 minutes later, he was dead. A genetic heart defect, there since birth, ruptured.

Another very good buddy had just retired and bought a new boat. He had a persistent cough that didn't clear up. Went to the Doc and found that he had advanced lung cancer. He died within the month.

And that's why I keep working: retirement kills you!

 

I think we all have a "good friend or relative" story that throws all of this out of wack.

My step dad worked almost every day of his life for 50+ years, blue collar, construction, ran a bull dozer, heavy equipment, up at 5AM, out the door at 6, home at 7PM, dinner, a beer, go to bed. Always had a "backyard" project as well, usually a boat of some kind. Smoked and drank until his first heart attack then stopped cold turkey. He got hit by a backhoe bucket once, thrown across the job site. Went to the ER, back on the job site the next day. He had a bizarre/strange hand issue where his hand started to lock up, and he had excruciating pain. They never figured it out. It forced him to retire in his late 60s. At the same time my folks moved into an apartment. I remember him calling me asking if I had a project for him, he was stir crazy, bored. A few months later he was diagnosed with dementia and ended up in a senior living facility. 4 years later he died. I truly believe not working, not having a project or something to do killed him.

One of my good tennis buddies died in his mid 40s. Perfect health on the outside. Guys went out for beers one night. He went home, wife found him dead in the bathroom the next morning, heart. Another good tennis buddy died recently from a brain aneurysm, same thing, perfect health, early 50s, died in hours.

Events like this are one reason I doubled my boat budget and bought another boat. Do it now while I still can.

 

I spent the first 5 years of my post college career at McDonnell Douglas (Boeing now). The average life span of an engineer post retirement was less than 4 years. This was a problem for the company because a lot of those guys had specialized knowledge that was still useful and would be called upon to consult. The company commissioned a study to find out why. Turns out the vast majority of these guys lived to work. They didn't have hobbies, their hobby was work. These are guys who took vacation days and still came to the office to work on their program because the budget was running out. If they took vacation, they didn't have to charge their time to their program. These guys literally died of boredom.

My dad was an engineer at McDonnell Douglas as well. He was passionate about his work and traveled for business 45 weeks/year. But he was a work to live guy. As such he retired at 60 and never looked back. He always had a project around the house and also cherished his grand children. But for a rare disease caused by the exposure to dioxin (ironically as a result of one of his projects in the back yard) he would still be alive and be 91 now.

 

Just noticed you are now boatless. You better get another one soon, it's good for your health

 

No doubt boating is a healthy lifestyle, but just doesn’t work with our busy lives right now.