61 years ago today: May 11, 1955

[2LaneCruzer]

Outside of good genetics, there are a couple of things that will extend your life span. Number one is being born to a young mother (hopefully one who takes care of herself). Think about this; see if it isn't verified by your own experience. Number two is lower caloric intake.

 

[ultrarunner]

^^^ I'm not so sure about this but it could be just my experience from managing Section 8 rentals... I know Grandmothers that are 31 years old and many under 40...

Seems these families all have many ailments... diabetes, high blood pressure, poor vision, etc... many of the kids are special needs... lots of problems.

On the other side... I work with Doctors and Nurses and many start having children in the 40's... they are active and the kids cherished.

I do realize both examples are at the opposite ends of the spectrum.

 

[OldMcDonald]

Outside of good genetics, there are a couple of things that will extend your life span. Number one is being born to a young mother (hopefully one who takes care of herself). Think about this; see if it isn't verified by your own experience. Number two is lower caloric intake.

My mother was 31 when I was born. She had a stroke when she was 89 - reckons it was kicking her height too many times one morning. She lived another 9 years. I take in a lot of calories, always have, but I use them. A couple of pounds either side of 200 for almost 50 years. 50" chest, 40" waist. It must be the genetics keeps me going.

 

[ultrarunner]

My grandfather was 5th generation dairy farmer... worked every day of his life except for his 3 day honeymoon and one trip to California to visit us when he was 65... he did take Sunday afternoons off except for tending to the cows.

The only time any of them had Doctoring was due to an injury...

I work in a Hospital and we do a lot of eye surgery... most people come in with a bag of prescriptions and their life is scheduled around Doctor appointments...

And then there are eye patients in their 80's and 90's that don't take anything.. they are active and disciplined...

We recently had a 100 year old eye patient... she was remarkable but due to vision problems could no longer live alone.

The Doctor had originally declined to perform the surgery... the family asked him to reconsider because Mom said she did not want to be a burden and not seeing made her a burden.

It's been a couple of weeks and she is a new person... just the joy in her face at the follow up... said if she was younger she would take her driving test... had to give it up due to eyesight.

I think outlook/attitude is very important and as is having a purpose...

 

[jerrybob]

You have to stay in shape. My grandmother started walking five miles a day when she was 60. She's 97 today and we don't know where the heck she is......true story!

 

[MossRoad]

^^^ I'm not so sure about this but it could be just my experience from managing Section 8 rentals... I know Grandmothers that are 31 years old and many under 40...

Seems these families all have many ailments... diabetes, high blood pressure, poor vision, etc... many of the kids are special needs... lots of problems.

On the other side... I work with Doctors and Nurses and many start having children in the 40's... they are active and the kids cherished.

I do realize both examples are at the opposite ends of the spectrum.

I don't think its age related. Its genes to some extent, blind luck for the most part, and socioeconomic status has a huge role in overall health. There's no right or wrong way when it comes to having kids at certain ages. Pros and cons to both sides. If you have them young, chances are you will do more physical activities with them, be more energetic around them, raise them up and they are gone and out of the house by the time you're 45. Then you have 20 years to kick around with your spouse, visit the kids, and maybe enjoy grandkids before you're using a mobility scooter! :laughing: You'll also be poor and qualify for government assistance when they go to college because you'll have no net worth.

On the other hand, if you have them later in life, you stand a good chance of having 15 years of fun with your spouse while you're young, building up a nice net worth, having a more stable relationship with your spouse, won't be so stressed out about money, be much more mature, probably be more of a parent than a friend to your kids, and maybe they'll be out of diapers before your herniated disk needs repair. You'll have to pay for everything full price because, stupidly, you actually planned and saved for their future before you decided to have them, and the government doesn't reward you for good planning! On the bright side, you'll be able to take your grandkids anytime because you'll be retired and they can help you with apps on your smart phone.

The best advice I could give anyone thinking about having kids is this:

Think about having kids before you try to have them. It works out a whole lot easier that way. :thumbsup:

 

[jerrybob]

The best advice I could give anyone thinking about having kids is this:

Think about having kids before you try to have them. It works out a whole lot easier that way. :thumbsup:

Good advice......I would add......Raising kids is hard work, time consuming and expensive but it's absolutely worth it if you are committed to being a good parent!

 

[IXLR8]

Coming up on 62, high BP and cholesterol run in the family. A few years ago my BP was high enough my doc wanted to put me on BP meds. Wife and I wanted to avoid meds so she changed our diet, low/no sodium, less red meat, more chicken and fish, cut out sweets, ice cream etc. BP is now in the middle of the 'normal' range, now to work on the cholesterol. For pain I take ibuprofen, if pain is really bad, I will take a low dose aspirin about 1/2 hour before taking the ibuprofen. I was told that the aspirin would help open the blood vessels so the IB would be able to get into joints/muscles better and be more effective.

 

[the old grind]

I just turned 66, have gained 10 lbs since HS and two inches of waist size (.. where it went) since HS.

Both knees are kinda shot, left shoulder and either hip may catch or seem to slip out of joint from just movement vs real work.

BP stays around 110-120 over 70-80. Cholesterol hasn't been below 210 in 45 yrs or so, but docs pooh-pooh that due to very low LDL/HDL ratio.
(don't eat much red meat ..)

They also say I'd likely see my 90s if I quit smoking, will likely go much sooner if I don't. (goes so good with a cup o' joe, so .. doubt it.

I take an Ibuprofen or Naproxen once or twice a day for the knees. Either has worked better for for me after recent double hernia surgery (2015) and two broken rib events. (#9R in '90, #s 7, 8, 9, 10, 11R in '11) than Vicodin or similar opiate types. (... and I can pass what I eat )

I kinda hope my last thought will be just that odd feeling .. as I drop dead ... while working.

btw, IMO sugar in too many thing we eat is America's second biggest non-'gene specific' health threat, next to over-consumption/obesity. We're told that HFCS is ~ 55/45% fructose/glucose vs cane or beet sugar's 50/50% fructose/glucose by comparison. ~180gm of sugar in a '52oz biggie soda, and we're worried about ~50gn in a cup of coffee? Once again we villify the wrong villain. (a product vs wise use.)

 

[reb]

Almost 75 here. Found out some time back what the "Old age isn't for sissies" bumper stickers were about. Guess I have been relatively lucky. Taking only 3 prescription medications, plus aspirin and occasional ibuprofen. Had a bout with prostate cancer a few years ago.

Someone wise than I said something about old age is one malady no one wants to cure.