Religion What would you do for 8 years more life?

[Scouse]

OK @MYstIC G you old bastard. A thread of it's own

@Tom's gonna outlive us all apparently. Well not me, but most of the rest of you.

What amazes me is the number of octogenarians you find at the top of arduous mountain climbs - and I'm glad I've taken the plunge into long-term self-torture and would never turn back. But it seems that when the obvious carrot is dangled a shitload of people simply don't want to push themselves physically.

Socrates is alledged to have said:

No citizen has a right to be an amateur in the matter of physical training…what a disgrace it is for a man to grow old without ever seeing the beauty and strength of which his body is capable.

But the wize old greek does seem to come second to cadbury's and TV.

Personally, I blame capitalism as the primary base-level contributory factor. As usual. But I'll keep the argument to myself.


These are the NHS minimum recommended activity guidelines - which involve 2.5 hours of moderate aerobic activity every week and 2 hours of weight training (which I currently don't do myself, though I intend to change that very soon). And they're the minimum we should be doing - and most of us don't do that.


So, the question is, for eight years* of additional life a lifelong commitment to hard exercise (not fucking golf) seems to be key. And we're talking quality life, of course, because you're fit and healthy, not weak-muscled and out of breath for it: What could you realistically commit to? Or are the benefits just not worth it to you?


I know @Bodhi and @Raven wouldn't do anything btw, otherwise they wouldn't be giving Tom such a hard time for being a cycling evangelist, which ultimately is a good thing, when they're just lardy motoring 'tards






*yeah yeah, eight years, even if it's an extra 8 days then how about lifelong fitness and ability to walk properly when you're old?...

 

[Raven]

I only gave Tom a hard time because he is wrong and gets quite shouty when you point it out. Its just plain fun to poke mongs.

With regards to cycling. Meh.

My great granddad lived to 98 and he smoked and drank until his last day. He didn't own a bike.

 

[Scouse]

My great granddad was a spawny bar steward and statistical out-lier

'cause a high percentage of people like that die in pain and early...


But anyway. Would you do owt about your physical inactivity for more life/physical benefits? Have you considered it and not bothered? Why?

The thread isn't a pop at you and bodhi - it's an exploration of why people don't seem to be bothered. Lets face it - I wasn't bothered myself from the end of my teens until my mid-30's. And now I've rediscovered what it's like to be reasonably fit (and how much enjoyment I get out of the process of becoming fit) I'll never turn back.

It seems a shame that a lot of people simply choose to miss out on something so genuinely amazing. And yep, amazing is the correct word...

 

[Raven]

nope.

 

[DaGaffer]

Meh, the extra eight years are all at the end. Give me an extra eight years as a twenty year old and we'll talk.

 

[Scouse]

Meh, the extra eight years are all at the end. Give me an extra eight years as a twenty year old and we'll talk.

Made that point already. It's an extra eight of much better physical condition. Actually, a lifetime of much better physical condition - which makes it worth it for me even if I die early.

Put it this way. At 40 I'm in better nick than I was through my 20's. Probably much of my teens as well because white water kayaking my thing and I'd never been able to do much in the way of long-distance enduro.

I previously had a lot of aches and pains. Now I have a lot less of them, everything's easier, gawd I'm even better in bed too. It's win-win-win-win at levels even Charlie Sheen could only dream of...

 

[DaGaffer]

Made that point already. It's an extra eight of much better physical condition. Actually, a lifetime of much better physical condition - which makes it worth it for me even if I die early...

No it isn't. Its eight years in relatively better condition than some old crumbly in a retirement home, its still not better condition than a 20 year old who lives off beer and sex. You can exercise all you want and the march of time will still mean you'll get up to pee three times in the night and go deaf.

 

[Raven]

I'm jumping off a church roof at 65 anyway.

Unless I can download myself into a phone or something.

 

[Raven]

Anyway, Tom will die from vaginal rupture long before he lives an extra 8 years from being a cyclist.

 

[Scouse]

No it isn't. Its eight years in relatively better condition than some old crumbly in a retirement home, its still not better condition than a 20 year old who lives off beer and sex. You can exercise all you want and the march of time will still mean you'll get up to pee three times in the night and go deaf.

I think it could well be your 80's in relatively better condition than many in their 40's. My 40's are going to be in relatively better condition than most people in their 20's - and I live off beer and sex too, along with whole weekends away with the lads mountain biking.

Increased physical activity has increased my ability to chow down shit food without a care in the world...

 

[Tom]

A lot of people take their body and health for granted. It isn't until something serious happens, like a small heart attack, that they begin to ponder their mortality.

In my early 20's I was as fit as a fiddle but as my career progressed and I bought a car, I let it slide until I was several stone overweight. I still cycled throughout, maintaining some fitness, but not enough. Lately I've been burning that fat and as Scouse has said, it's astonishing how good it feels to be really fit again - I'd forgotten. I'm 4,500 miles into a 10,000 mile target this year, my target next year is triathlon. Fuck it, why not?

Each to their own, but I intend to be living and cycling for as long as I'm able. Those who think it's cool to drink and smoke without doing any exercise, you'll never have the pleasure of knowing what your body is capable of. And those who say "bah who wants to be old and crusty for 8 more years" - you've completely missed the point, which is that you won't be crusty.

 

[soze]

I have always been bugged by what being "fit" is as I have been classed as over weight my whole life. But then I am a rugby player build not a runner build. But I could still run up and down a rugby field for 80 minutes without hanging out of my arse. But even then I was 2st over my BMI which I think is bullshit when a skinny little streak of piss was considered fit but I am a foot wider than him and have muscles so I am over weight.

All of these things mean I will never be a long distance runner and so I suppose the only way I can live the extra 8 years would be a body transplant. With my foot now any running is out of the question but I am riding my exercise bike more and more and I do hope to go to France next summer with the boys. But I will not be ready this year.

 

[Bodhi]

Hmm. I'm fairly sure my point against cycling was nothing to do with the health benefits whatsoever, more that I disliked cyclists as they tend to be the preachy, holier than thou consescnding type. And, what do you know, a cyclist has started a thread about how awesome he is for cycling and how much longer he'll live becuase he does it. Good way to prove my point.

I get plenty of exercise anyway thanks. I'll probably go the gym once a week with the missus, then play golf 3-4 times a week and play the odd game of squash (normally manage about 35-40 minutes before needing a break). You may mock the health benefits of golf, however last time I checked, walking a good 4-5 miles up and down some interesting terrain, whilst carrying 20kg on your back was a fairly decent way to stay in shape. You can even find studies to back this up - http://golf.about.com/od/fitnesshealth/a/golfphysical.htm , for instance - add in the benefits for flexibility and co-ordination, not to mention the mental workout a game of golf will give you. It's what's kept me gran going to 92 despite years of drinking and smoking, and you can find plenty of octagenarians down most Golf Clubs, who have only ever played golf for exercise, and are still going strong.

I'm sure I could trade in all that time playing a sport I have loved since I was three, and some of brief remaining time I have to see the other half (being a golf widow fits in well with her Netflix binges) and just cycle everywhere for the same effect, but I'd rather trim my pubes on my car's timing chain. Cycling, for me, is an utterly useless way of getting around. Either cold and wet or hot and sweaty, arse-chafing, utterly utterly tedious, woefully impractical (Don't fancy riding a bike with me golf sticks on the back) and takes far too long to get anywhere (work is 25 miles away, golf is 7 miles away). Why the preachy lot fail to comprehend that it doesn't work for everyone is beyond me.

 

[Gwadien]

Your Mum.

 

[old.Tohtori]

Let's say i do 2.5h cardio + 2h weights. / week.
Let's say i did it since i was 15.
Let's say i should die at 75(without any effort).
That's 60 years of exersizzle.

That's 14040 hours of work.

Since we waste 8h/day on sleeping, let's divide that with 16h and see how many days of our free time is used on it;

877.5 days of pure exersizzle. For a possible gain in extra years. I prefer to use those over two years of free time in my prime years

EDIT: Not to mention i'd rather use those 877 days to train my mind. Rather be in a wheelchair with my wits, then a fit loonie.

 

[soze]

Add to that while riding away being super fit you could get hit by a lorry, your morally superiority at being super fit does not protect you from a lorry.

Or you could get Alzheimer's and live your last 8 years as a drone. Live your life how it makes you happy.

 

[Mabs]

EDIT: Not to mention i'd rather use those 877 days to train my mind. Rather be in a wheelchair with my wits, then a fit loonie.

this 1000%

missus' grandad is over 90, fit as anything, and got alzheimers, so yea, couldnt agree more :/

 

[Scouse]

I prefer to use those over two years of free time in my prime years

EDIT: Not to mention i'd rather use those 877 days to train my mind. Rather be in a wheelchair with my wits, then a fit loonie.

My "prime years" are now massively extended (in fact they've returned), the "free time" is spent having a laugh with my mates on weekends away (not all cycling, but surfing, climbing mountains etc, and of course all the drinking and eating and generally socialising in pubs that goes with it...

There's a well-documented link between physical fitness and mental faculties - so my wits will hopefully not degrade at the same sort of speed as when I was of a more slovenly nature. Also, mental wellbeing increases - exercise is as good an antidepressant as antidepressants...

Add to that the intangibles that make life much happier - such as girls being much more interested in me than when I was a porker - and all the compliments that now come my way.

So, for me, win.

I was 2st over my BMI which I think is bullshit

BMI works for the vast majority of people unless they're particularly well built (lots of muscle). So you're either built like a brick shithouse (in case, congrats), or you're in denial about your weight.

I know I was...

alzheimers

Research is suggesting that physical activity, along with the other mental benefits, could be protective against all sorts of neurogenerative diseases, including alzheimers.

Like everything, "my gran" arguments aren't persuasive - because it's a percentage chance thang, not a set in stone relationship.

I've missed the point of the whole thread...

Quite...

 

[Lamp]

I'm out of breath just reading this thread
*grabs another cupcake from his bellybutton*

 

[Bodhi]

Apologies if I missed the point of the thread, it was well hidden in a tide of overbearing smugness.

 

[Moriath]

Your life is yours to lead and the things you occupy your time with those you can enjoy. If you love havin a beer and a burger and die at sixty. You have had a personally fulfilling life. Just cause some one loves to cycle and has good genes and may live to 100 doesn't mean his enjoyment was any more or less than yours.

Do what you want. Take responsibility for your choices and enjoy it.

If someone hated sitting at a pc gaming all day they wouldn't do it. A fitness freak hating the gym don't happen.

As long as you are happy in what you are doing scouse and tom and everyone else can butt out and do what they want rather than trying to make others do what they hate just to live to 100

 

[old.Tohtori]

So, for me, win.

Yeah, point there, well put.

Exersice ggives me nothing, while not wasting time on it does.

As long as you are happy in what you are doing scouse and tom and everyone else can butt out and do what they want rather than trying to make others do what they hate just to live to 100

It's a good point, except the problem being Tom and Scouse being the preachy ones

 

[Scouse]

A fitness freak hating the gym don't happen.

I hate the gym. Despise it. With a passion.

Used to absolutely detest physical exercise too. Hate it. But after an op where I had my ankles rebuilt I needed to build up the strength to walk properly again, so had to go through that unavoidable horrid period at the beginning of physical exercise where you're ridiculously unfit and everything is simply not enjoyable at all.

My motivation was to walk properly again - however the physical fitness I picked up doing that got me over that hump and I found that post-hump it became an enjoyable and rewarding experience.

As long as you are happy in what you are doing scouse and tom and everyone else can butt out and do what they want rather than trying to make others do what they hate just to live to 100

You lot are reading this thread wrong. This thread is an attempt to stimulate debate whilst saying: "hey, this thing is fucking amazing. I think you're missing out big time. In fact, I know it. But yeah - I understand that despite being told this most people (previously me included) simply do nothing about it. Can you tell me why? I'm interested in your personal reasons for the lack of action to something that other humans tell you can be life-transformative."


Accusations of some of us being "smug" I put down to one thing - and remember I spent 20 years in the same place as you all - guilt and maybe a little jealousy, so you strike out at the messenger. But it's a message that says - "this is great. You're missing out. Yeah, at first you hate it, but soon you feel the exact opposite way. Come try it."


Nobody forces anyone to do anything on the internet, remember. This is an attempt at genuine conversation on a very touchy-subject, not a preachy brow-beating by smug arseholes.

 

[soze]

You lot are reading this thread wrong. This thread is an attempt to stimulate debate whilst saying: "hey, this thing is fucking amazing. I think you're missing out big time. In fact, I know it. But yeah - I understand that despite being told this most people (previously me included) simply do nothing about it. Can you tell me why? I'm interested in your personal reasons for the lack of action to something that other humans tell you can be life-transformative."


Accusations of some of us being "smug" I put down to one thing - and remember I spent 20 years in the same place as you all - guilt and maybe a little jealousy, so you strike out at the messenger. But it's a message that says - "this is great. You're missing out. Yeah, at first you hate it, but soon you feel the exact opposite way. Come try it."

People have answered. You are saying getting out there and doing 10? hours a week of exercise while horrible for a while eventually feels great and you could extend you life by 8 years.

The answer is simply I could be dead tomorrow after being hit by a car, I could die in 18 months because I have Cancer. I could get a brain degenerating illness and live the last 8 years as someone that is not me. So in my current situation (single no real responsibilities or debt) I would rather spend the 10 hours a week doing something I actually enjoy and continue to just go to the gym for the month before I go away to lose the love handles.

However when I have a wife a kids things will change as I then have a responsibility to look after myself for more them.

 

[Scouse]

You are saying getting out there and doing 10? hours a week of exercise while horrible for a while eventually feels great and you could extend you life by 8 years.

Nope. Nothing so woefully limited in scope - because if that was the case I wouldn't be saying it or doing it...

 

[old.Tohtori]

"I think you're missing out big time. In fact, I know it."

guilt and maybe a little jealousy

not a preachy brow-beating by smug arseholes.

Yeah, i think we're reading it right.

But since you clearly stated the question why and above didn't answer it;

I don't like it. I don't gain anything from it without a -major- investment(i'm not a slobby fatty, or otherwise -need- need it). I prefer to spend that time with something i enjoy. Those things include more then just drinks and cigarettes(as suggested previously).

 

[Scouse]

Yeah, i think we're reading it right.

Taken out of context, yep. It shows what words you're focussing on. But immediately preceeding "guilt and a little jealousy" are the words:

and remember I spent 20 years in the same place as you all

...so perhaps I understand the feelings a little better than you give me credit for.

It's obviously too touchy a subject for you to believe my earnest pleading for honest discussion about it...

 

[old.Tohtori]

...so perhaps I understand the feelings a little better than you give me credit for.

But you see that's the same preachy "i know better then you" statement.

Not to mention you did it again at the end, suggesting that the subject is somehow touchy. It's not, it's clear as day for me.

I don't doubt at all it's good for you, or that it improved your life, or that you think it's amazingballs. I'm saying, that's -you-.

 

[Scouse]

But you see that's the same preachy "i know better then you" statement.

It's not a "I know better than you" - it's an "I've been in the same place as you" statement.

I'm saying, that's -you-.

I'm saying, it could be you, but you don't want it. Why?

 

[caLLous]

I don't want to be "that guy" (trust me, in a "debate" between Scouse and Toht, I never thought someone else would be the one to bring up religion) but you're coming across as some sort of religious nut who can't accept that atheists don't want to believe in his god...