For trying to live as long as possible?

[ToastMarmalade]

I’m not one of those Silicon Valley millionaires, but I have a kid with special needs and I’m thinking, I want to live as long as possible to be around for them.

I wasn’t that healthy in life, I’ve smoked a bit, drink sometimes, now going through the menopause and put on a bit of weight. I have high cholesterol but managed to bring it down with a better diet.

I’ve watched the programmes on the Blue Zones with interest (places with people over 100) and newer information like being able to stop diabetes before it starts through diet, makes me think, it’s not too late to really slow down ageing? YANBU

Or am I being daft (YABU) and I’ve done the damage already?

I hope that if I do:

• weights 15 mins x3 a week
• walk 15 mins every day at a fast pace
• dance class 2x a week
• eat less processed foods, more vegetables, porridge, legumes, less meat, Mediterranean diet
• drink mostly water and only 1 or 2 cups of tea of coffee
• volunteer more around my community
• lose some weight to be more in the middle of a healthy BMI
• sleep better

That I might add 5 - 10 years of my life!

you might, you might not. A lot is down to genetics. If you don't try though, you may wish you had!

I honestly dont think we have any control over how long we live.

You can be as healthy/unhealthy as you like, when your time is up, it's up.

You have no control over illness, accidents and other people's actions.

I have a son with special needs and have the same concerns . I want to live as long as I can and keep my weight down and exercise regularly . I also don't drink , eat meat / dairy or smoke so I know I'm giving myself the best chance . To say it's only down to genetics is naive . You can look after yourself and prevent a lot of illness !

Well done for recognising what you can do. As others say take it in small steps and set realistic targets that you write down somewhere permanent like a diary. Then after 6 months you can see how far you have progressed.
I hope it goes well.

The other thing that comes out of the blue zones research (and other research) is the importance of social connectedness. I would prioritise strengthening family ties and engaging with your local community, even if eg it means you get less exercise done or you can't have such a laser focus on diet. I know this can be hard for parents of children with additional needs though

I don't think it's too late. According to studies, the genetic component only contributes 20/25% of how long you live. Lifestyle has a lot to say for itself.

I started this back in June, before I had watched the documentary but I've found it quite inspiring too. I've been making very small changes slowly. Since June I'm down 10 lbs, which is fine. Slowly and surely. My average steps were 3,000 a day. I started by upping them to 5000, did that for around 5 weeks, then 6000. I now average 6-8,000 a day 4 months later. I have salad with every lunch, veg with every dinner. Again this was done separately and slowly. I've swapped milk chocolate for dark chocolate...that was difficult and it's only really the last two weeks I've managed that. I only ever drank water and coffee anyway.

I follow Dan Buettner on Instagram, he has lots of advice.

I'd really just advise starting with maybe 2 things on your list, go slow. Then incorporate more. It's going to be forever so it has to be sustainable. I'm 34, been overweight since I was a child and now have 2 children who I want to be alive for. I want to do everything in my power to stay here (if anything else happens along the way then so be it, but I'm determined to do this for myself and my kids).

Up to you, it's your life. You could do all those things and be hit by a car tomorrow though. My grandfather is a lifelong smoker and still going strong at 81. Luck of the draw sometimes.

I have a friend who is 80 plus obese. Incredible really.

We have lots of control over whether or not we develop certain illnesses.

OP, your list sounds good to me. You should also aim to prioritise high quality sleep, which has massive protective benefits. As do laughter and friendship!

Anecdotal but, I have known 10+ obese people who have lost weight as they reach their older years and develop ailments/habits that trigger weightloss.

I have known only 1 who passed away young.

Being obese of course is a huge health concern and can absolutely result in early death but just wanted to point out that there are other reasons beyond death as to why elderly people are seemingly less likely to be obese.

Not true. What we eat & how active we are have a huge impact on our health. As a PP said, you won’t see many obese 80+ year olds for a reason.

Of course you could be hit by a car tomorrow. But I'm 48 in a week, and I generally eat well, and I'm fit and strong, exercising every day, and I really enjoy my life now. I always exercise, but when I don't eat well for a while, I really feel it - body and mental health. So YADNBU in my opinion - and while maybe we don't have control over the big stuff, by being generally healthier, chances are we will enjoy our lives more as we get older, and likely live longer as well.

If it'll make you feel better, do it. It might work, it might not. You might get run over by a bus or you might not. Make the most of what you have now. Now is the only guarantee. Tomorrow is not a given. Plan ahead but live for now.

Read Peter Attia's book Outlive - it's on exactly this. Not just maximising life span but also heath span.

He's got a podcast too and goes deeply into what and why, and how his ideas have changed in light of new evidence.

I bought a copy of the book for my mum. Highly recommended

Surely you understand that how we live and what we eat have a direct impact on a wide range of disease. Heart disease, strokes, and diabetes to name the obvious.

My grandfather is 81 and overweight if not obese. Smokes and puts salt on everything as 65 years of smoking has killed his taste buds. Incredibly he is still perfectly mobile, lives independently with no need for carers, can drive, do his own garden, plays bowls. He gets chest infections quite frequently now though.

It’s sensible to do the things that are demonstrated on average to cut the risk of dementia, stroke etc. It’s not enough to be alive, you need to be in good health too.

Thanks!

im going to do it. I feel inspired but hope I keep it up. I’ll keep a diary and do it in small steps as you lovely people have suggested. Ordered the Peter attia book and folllowing others!

Even if I could add 5 more good years it could make all the difference. Will get my bloods done now at GP and then compare.

Good for you OP. I watched that documentary too - it was fascinating. I find some of the comments are here really weird - so because we might be hit by a car should we not bother planning for the future at all?

Of course you should. I'm trying to make sure I can be healthy and work for as long as possible so I can look after my DD who has MH issues.

Of course all of that will help, statistically. But there’s a lot we have no control over. I’d still be making plans to ensure DD is looked after when you are gone, whatever that entails. And don’t make your life miserable by trying to live longer; it’s not worth it