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I just keep thinking about it lately. Perhaps the seeds were sown having children in my 40s. I decided I want to be physically fit and able to play around with them as they grow up. My father is in his early 80s, he still rides around on his e-bike, loading it up with shopping etc, although he's starting to struggle more now.
But so many people my age, no, younger, in their thirties talk as if they're old already, as if that's it, it's too late to turn things around. They say they don't want to live past 60 etc.
I'm no 'fitness freak', but I'm doing more forms of varied exercise more frequently than I've ever done in my adult life. No coach or training plan or gym membership. No big rides or big runs or big weights. Just trying to make it sustainable. I unsure if it's made more difficult because I didn't exercise for a large chunk of my adult life (didn't believe in it!) or more viable because I wasn't out there doing crazy shit breaking limbs etc.
In a few years time I'll be half way to achieving it. Anyone else want to live as long as possible?
I watched this earlier:
Found this just now:
Good luck. But it’s a lottery in my opinion. I know of a fair few Uber fit folks who’ve passed way too young.
I also know old unfit folk who have lived great lives and are damn old (into their 90’s).
For me it’s about quality of life. My uncle is in his 90’s and is struggling with day to day tasks. I’d rather not be in his position.
My parents are just into their 80’s. Live normal lives and thankfully still mobile and healthy brains.
Have to admit it’s the healthy brain that I find really important, equally as important to the healthy body.
Personally I’ve no number. I don’t want to rely on people to wipe my backside and I don’t want to be a financial burden to my family (children). As my dad says when he can’t wipe his arse anymore feel free to book him a one way holiday to Switzerland.
I’m just coming up to 50. Was supposed to have retired early but divorce put an end to that, so now having to work into my pension years……dunno if I really want to be old, senile and poor. And don’t think lifting weights as a pensioner is a guaranteed tonic for a long happy existence.
(Jeez I sound a grump, never invite me to a dinner party!!!)
Nope that's a good counter to my naive optimism! No chance of me retiring for a long time either. On days where my mood is darker, it feels like it could all go out the window. Will see I guess.
I just enjoy the videos of physically able old people putting us younguns to shame... in contrast to the 30yos I mentioned.
Yes. I'd like to just so I could bore the great-grandkids with tales of the world before cellphones. "Back when I were young the planet was capable of sustaining life and we had to make plans to meet each other at a time and a place before going out."
Anyway, the oldest US F-16 pilot just retired at nearly 60. This puts some things into perspective for me as I whine about multiple injuries I've picked up this year while still in my mid 40's.
Average life expectancy of my parents was 50. My sister came in under that. Road accidents and cancer. But surprisingly genes tend to trump lifestyle to a significant extent. If you have old parents and/or grandparents, then you have a reasonable expectation of a longer than average life expectancy. Moderation in all things, don’t smoke and a little exercise (weight bearing) goes a long way.
Professional cyclists have a shorter than average life expectancy.
In my 40s here and recently starting ‘accepting’ that I’ve more than very likely passed the halfway mark of my time on this planet. Whilst I have much I hope to achieve/experience - individually/ selfishly and as a partner/dad - I certainly don’t want to outstay my welcome here.
I made some mistakes, particularly in my 20s, and I’ll never make that time back. Those, I regret. But while I’m young at heart and can keep physically and mentally active, engaged and curious about the world, I’ll keep on cracking on.
I’ve also spent a fair bit of time reflecting back on my younger days, thinking about old friends and the adventures we got up to. Not sure if that’s anything more than sentimental bo11ocks or a sign that I’m mindful of how monkey jnr is growing up and finding his way in this complicated messed up world.
I think what I’m trying to say is that I know I have responsibilities, especially as a parent, but on a selfish level I’d rather go out on my terms and not burden anyone.
Dad is 82 this year, still does a 30 or 40 mile club ride on Tuesday and a 20 or so on Sunday morning, he says he will get an ebike when he gets older, he has had to switch to flat bars as a bit of arthritis means he can't pull the brakes on the drops, he does more miles a week than me! Use it or lose it.
At 68 I still feel and behave like when I was 15. Lucky to have Mrs BigJohn with me, who I met when I was 15 and feels and behaves like me. We're off to Greece at the end of the month for 2 weeks windsurfing and biking. I'm slightly sheepish that I'm often outdone on my local lake by the big bloke who comes on the windiest days, all year round, rigs a bigger sail than me and complained the other week that he wouldn't be able to come on Friday which was looking good and breezy because his family were taking him out for an 82nd birthday treat.
But I certainly think I'll have had enough before another 32 years have passed. Let's hope the euthanasia rules have sorted themselves out soon.
They say live every day like it might be your last. What, semi-conscious with pipes sticking in you and pissing through a tube? No ta.
My folks were super active right up into their 70's - i was amazed at how much lust for life they had.
Into their 80's now and i'm really sad to say that it's like they've reached some sort of invisible barrier - this is partly due to illness (Dad), but they both seem to have lost something that i can't quite define. They both just seem, well, old now.
And of course they are, and tbf i don't think the last two years were easy, obviously, but it almost feels like a switch was tripped. It just feels like the change has been quite sudden.
@Matt, conversely my dad was super fit, former member of the parachute regiment for many years, mountain biker and a climber. Never smoked and only an occasional drinker, had triple heart bypass a few years ago and now only rides on an ebike. He’s not allowed to stress his heart. He’s still mobile but has to be careful.
Heart issue is a genetic problem, he lost his dad early and one of his brothers (another soldier who was incredibly fit). Genetics are key. All part of life’s lottery. I honestly don’t think there is a right or wrong. It’s awesome that your dad is still mobile and out riding. But equally he may well have been as mobile and living a fulfilled life without riding.
Not being a miserable contrarian. I just think genetics are the most important factor rather than exercise (but obviously some exercise is incredibly important)
My dad's 97 and my mum's 91
I'd take death above either of their current lives (and so would they, given the chance) 🙁
I’d like to grow old so I can take up heroin. It’s one of those things that quite rightly gets a bad rap, but the recreational positives are rarely discussed. Obviously, it would be unwise to dabble with this in your productive years as you have much to lose. But as an OAP?..
Anyone else want to live as long as possible?
Nope. Really not looking forward to having to still be working into my 60's and beyond only to retire with very little mobility and health left. Both sides of my family have a history of living well into their 80's but losing their health and mobility rapidly from 60 onwards and the thought of living that type of 'existence' horrifies me. Fully aware my best years are now behind me so it's now just putting off the decline for as long as possible.
Professional cyclists have a shorter than average life expectancy.
I suspect that holds true for many ex-athletes, particularly footballers.
Despite their fitness, elite athletes aren't really engaging in looking after their wellbeing. It's more like a measured and controlled process of self-destruction such as the demands. I suspect that means many don't look after themselves too well when they retire.
My dad is 95 and still fit. Walks into the town here in Ireland most days 2kms. Got a fair few aunts and uncles who've been in their late 90's. They all played lots of sports when younger. And lived independent good lives right to the end.
I’d like to grow old so I can take up heroin. It’s one of those things that quite rightly gets a bad rap
Standard therapy in palliative care for my mother (morphine).
On a positive note, three of my grandparents lived beyond 80, one to 92 and his dad, my great grandfather, to 99.75.
For the cyclists, it’s thought the long period of inflammatory stress through training, rather than hitting the good stuff once the bike is out away is the reason.
https://www.cyclingweekly.com/fitness/cyclists-live-longer-asked-google-weve-got-answer-389628
Pro cyclists live longer.
Use it or lose it. Hedge your bets into a healthy active old age. Better give yourself a chance than no chance.
Having witnessed from afar my Nana decide she'd had enough in 2016 and then live with a steady decline until dying aged 97 last year, I'm definitely not fixated on a number. I never saw her do more than a short walk and she smoked plenty into middle age, when she apparently just put her fags down and didn't pick them up again.
I guess it would be nice to live until I see grandchildren, but other than that I think i'd rather live as long as comfortable than as long as possible.
Pro cyclists live longer.
Compared to the general population - well that's not at all surprising. I'd be interested to see that analysis against a population of regular exercising people.
We've got a small family on my side, never knew my grand fathers, and only one gran beyond the age of 5, and my social circle has diminished... completely, so other than a couple of years working in a hospital a decade or more ago, have not witnessed the debilitating effects of old age that much. I'll be surprised if this desire lasts. Having read some of the responses it almost feels childish and actually, was probably at primary school that I last thought "I want to live to 100". They say that social circles play a part in living to old age, so unless I rebuild that (something I've consistently failed to do) it'll count against me, and I can see myself suddenly reaching a certain age and thinking that's it, that's enough now.
No target age but I definitely don't want to get to the stage where all I'm just about capable of is feeding myself and shuffling about the place, brain fried. Both parents died 3 years ago in their eighties. One in a home and one with full time care at home. I'd say, given the choice both would have opted to die with dignity at least 3 years earlier.
Hopefully, at 60 I,m two thirds through life. My dad made 90. He was physically active all his life. Non smoker. Moderate drinker. Many interests.
Only had a poor quality of life for the last 6 months. Up to then still playing golf and driving. Got snowed in at a bothy in his 80s.
So I've been dealt a good hand as far as genetics go. I live reasonably healthily. No health issues at all right now. But life is a lottery. No matter how good your hand is you never know when you will get dealt a joker.
By this reckoning,My rum and cigarette habit will have me living to a ripe old age 😀
But so many people my age, no, younger, in their thirties talk as if they’re old already, as if that’s it, it’s too late to turn things around. They say they don’t want to live past 60 etc.
I'm not hugely surprised they feel like that. In most of Europe, unless you are already wealthy or on the housing ladder or likely to inherit soon, you're never likely to have much of a lifestyle. As all your spare cash (and time) will go into someone olders pension pot. Add to that we have increasing retirement ages and less financial stability generally.
I'm not yet 50 but I'm unlikely to retire until nearly 70 at the rate the retirement age is changing. I'm also unlikely to have cleared my mortgage by then thanks to a divorce.
Can't really imagine how it would feel to be 20 years younger with all that in front of me.
I had grandparents that lived to
70
89
87
101
and a great aunt of 105
the two oldest were by far and away the most enthusiastic and mentally sharp as anything righ to the end long after their bodies were beginning to fail them through frailty.
I'm not sure i have that mind set to be honest.
I'm going to hire a contract killer to take me out some time after maybe 60.
Only got about 11 years left 😐
Anyone know how much a hitman is these days?
On my Dad's side:
Nana died relatively young (cancer)
Grandad made it to a decent age and remained generally active and [I]compos mentis [/I] right until the end. He was riding his little folding bike into the village every day right up into his late 80's.
On my Mum's side:
Her Mum got Alzheimer's and ended up in a care home, no idea who anyone was, where she was etc. Thoroughly miserable existence.
Her Dad lasted longer but became extremely withdrawn and actually quite an unpleasant person once she'd died. That accelerated his decline and he died a few years after her, also in a care home.
I'd hate to become mentally incapable like they were. They simply existed. Someone woke them up, wiped their arse, put their clothes on for them...and then they'd sit in a care home staring at the wall or the nonsense on TV, with cups of tea bring brought to them until it was time for the whole lot in reverse.
As kids, we knew a woman who lived to 100 (friend of my Grandparents). She'd lived in the same house her entire life. Never really went anywhere. Doesn't seem a great way to spend 100 years to be honest. She seemed happy enough though and she showed us her telegram from the Queen.
As long as possible while I’m still enjoying it and I know I’m still enjoying it, and I accept that I have limited control over that.
My mum was lucky, she went on just a tiny bit longer than was sensible, dad was made to go on far, far, far longer than was humane or necessary.
I keep in touch with my mums brother, the conversations aren’t great now, his wife went ages ago, his mobility and independence are going, he doesn’t really want to be here.
I want to live as long as long as I feel my life is valuable (excluding mental health issues of course)
I started riding again when my first kid was born in my 30s, to stay fitter for him. I'm now in my 50s, started mixing in yoga and looking to start a little gym work again to work on my wider "fitness".
I suspect fewer of us will make 100 as pressure on the NHS and care budgets mount, let alone the effects of increasing poverty and maybe climate change as well. I'll take quality over quantity though.
I'd like to live as long as possible. I want to see as much of my daughter's life as possible and see what happens to the world.
But family history is varied, and mostly meaningless I think. My dad's parents died very young, he was in his 20's I think.
My mum's dad around 70 from stroke and my mum's mum lived to 95. She didn't look after herself at all, smoked until her 50's, drank a lot of sherry, no exercise, bland diet. But no major illnesses, just slowed down and got a little bit forgetful. But, despite living a comfortable life, she hated it and would tell us all the time she wanted to die.
Mum died of brain tumor at 72. Dad had a stroke in early 60's but mostly recovered. Died of mesothelioma last year, 77.
My MIL fell, banged her head and overwhelmed her pace maker, died in mid 70's otherwise fit and healthy.
Anything could happen!! I know "fit and healthy" people who've had strokes and heart issues in their 40's and 50_s.
You can mitigate a lot of risk factors, but there really is no accounting for some of the shit that can happen to you!
52 here and from a family with shit genetics. OA in my wrists and knee (one replaced) and heart issues. I'm struggling a good bit to keep fit and active, but cycle walk and stretch. Did loads of running, climbing, martial arts, weights in the past which could account for some of my issues.
Dad died at 53, mam is still bumbling along at 76, for all she is happy in her self she is not at all well with a host of health issues and dementia coming on. Other family relatives all had circulatory issues that finished them off, but I don't drink or smoke and do plenty of cardio exercise.
Brother is celiac with low thyroid, keeps very fit and active but also has some joint issues possibly from those diseases, but also a history or endurance training.
Some people are just lucky and I'm amazed what some older people can manage, but they're probably the outliers which is why the make the news/media.
Longeivity is not great in my family and it hasn't generally been lifestyle related, so not great and think I just have to accept I didn't win the genetic lottery but can still try and live a good quality of life while here.
Listening to Andrew Huberman's podcast the other day they mentioned a Swedish (I think) study that looked at a cohort of 40 year olds and classed them as unfit/fit/very fit and then went and found them again when they were 80. The ones who were classed as very fit at 40 had achieved on average 9 years longer good cognitive function over the other groups. That seems like a good reason to stay healthy to me.
Also from today:
https://www.theguardian.com/science/2022/jun/01/research-may-reveal-why-people-can-suddenly-become-frail-in-their-70s
I suspect the pro cyclists dying young, plus some other super athletes, might be from performance enhancing drugs. 😉
For me it will all depend upon how I feel about my quality of life as I get older, nearly reached 50 and my cycling performance stats are the best they've been of the last ~5.5 years of trying to get fit again after letting myself go through some dark times that began in the late 90s. Although back last October during and just after that flu I thought chasing my old numbers was all over.
Genes on my mum's side suggest I could reach 80+, no idea on my dad's side. I smoked 1-10 cigs a day approx 1998-2004, never been a big booze drinker (~10 units a week max at it's peak around 2006), these days you can count the number of units I drink a year on one hand.
Standard therapy in palliative care for my mother (morphine).
balls I just realised old age is going to blow for me. Morphine has zero effect on me, no pain relief or happy place. I need to go out with a bang!
Current world record for the 100 years x 100m is more than 26 seconds. I reckon I'll be able to shuffle my way through that target with ease.
Otherwise I have no idea how I'll cope with the inevitable decline in health and mental capacity past middle age.
I reckon I’ll be able to shuffle my way through that target with ease.
How about when you are 100 though?
For me this thread has interesting timing. I’m not sure what caused it, but from Jan to May been stressing and beating myself up over “the next 10 years”. It’s only in May I’ve mentally relaxed. I think this isn’t helped that I have older friends who have taken early retirement to sunny Islands at 60 and 55, whereas at 50 I’ve at least 10 years before I could, and the whack that pension SIPP and savings have taken recently.
I’m driven by two things; the memory of my parents and grandparents essentially just sitting opposite each other at home doing bugger all whilst waiting for old age to take its course, and - becuase I didn’t have a close family - wanting to see my kids into a well supported start to their adult future. Beyond that, I want to live peacefully with Mrs K with minimal worry being able to have the odd holiday and weekly activities together until we can’t due to our health - whenever that may be.
No one can predict i the future, hence I keep telling myself to take every day as it comes and make sure I have some pennies in the bank for the future to ensure I’m able to get out of the proverbial retirement armchair and enjoy my years.
The older I get the more I'd really like a Logans run style build in end of life date, from a pension planning point of view it would be very convenient...
Some people are just lucky and I’m amazed what some older people can manage, but they’re probably the outliers which is why the make the news/media.
+1
The ones you see in the YT videos are the +6 sigma genetic freaks.
Plus I suspect quite a few are jacked up on HGH and Steroids...
HGH is a very popular anti-aging drug which if you're rich enough is easy to get prescribed or you can just buy it in the car park of your local bro-gym (TM)...
my grandads 77 - of all his brothers - he was the one that took care of his health.... most of them were 6'6/6'8 and 20+ stone. He kept to 15 stone and was active into his late 60s with a gardening business.
Of his genetic brothers hes the only one not to have heart issues / be dead.
MY old man had his first Heart attack ( of 4 serious and many minor) at 34..... he was fit as a fiddle massively active and strong (he was a builder) - Stress and smoking on the other hand .... 40 a day. HEs 56 now.
We cremated his younger brother on monday. Sudden heart failure.
Personally - so long as im cognizant then cool but once i am a passenger .... im done.