Poll: Life strategy for those in their 60s

[The Tradition]

So, I'm a healthy man in my 60s. I am not on any prescription drugs. I don't have any disabilities.

But my doctor tells me I have to stop smoking and stop drinking because I am "likely" to develop a disease because of my lifestyle. Never mind that that I don't have any of these diseases currently, and I'm already headed toward the winter of my life.

All my relatives smoked and drank, and NONE of them had any smoking-related or alcohol-related illnesses.

No cancer. No tuberculosis. No liver failure. Nada.

The only one with a "smoking-related" illness was my paternal grandmother who had heart disease, and she was the only one in my family tree who was fat.

For me, I'm going to continue to enjoy my life on my own terms until my health forces me to make some changes. Based on my family history, that day will never actually come.

And even if that day comes, what am I gonna miss? The nursing home years? Hard pass on that.

My take on life is live like today is the last day you're going to have on this earth. If you gamble on living for longevity and sacrifice the life you really want to live, you very well may be pushing all your chips in only to regret that decision when you die young anyway.

Maybe I'm unusually lucky, but I'll take it. Who's with me? Party on.

 

[jasonrann]

I turn 55 next weekend and have made some pretty big changes, doesn't mean I like it though. Not sure I have a choice if I want to be around for my young children. Daughter just turned nine and the son will be four in July.

 

[goldmom]

So, I'm a healthy man in my 60s. I am not on any prescription drugs. I don't have any disabilities.

But my doctor tells me I have to stop smoking and stop drinking because I am "likely" to develop a disease because of my lifestyle. Never mind that that I don't have any of these diseases currently, and I'm already headed toward the winter of my life.

All my relatives smoked and drank, and NONE of them had any smoking-related or alcohol-related illnesses.

No cancer. No tuberculosis. No liver failure. Nada.

The only one with a "smoking-related" illness was my paternal grandmother who had heart disease, and she was the only one in my family tree who was fat.

For me, I'm going to continue to enjoy my life on my own terms until my health forces me to make some changes. Based on my family history, that day will never actually come.

And even if that day comes, what am I gonna miss? The nursing home years? Hard pass on that.

My take on life is live like today is the last day you're going to have on this earth. If you gamble on living for longevity and sacrifice the life you really want to live, you very well may be pushing all your chips in only to regret that decision when you die young anyway.

Maybe I'm unusually lucky, but I'll take it. Who's with me? Party on.

Do what you want. You’re seeking justification in this thread which is obvious by your statements about family being smokers.
It’s your body and your roll of the dice.

 

[The Tradition]

I turn 55 next weekend and have made some pretty big changes, doesn't mean I like it though. Not sure I have a choice if I want to be around for my young children. Daughter just turned nine and the son will be four in July.

You're 55 and you have young children?

Bless you.

 

[The Tradition]

Do what you want. You’re seeking justification in this thread which is obvious by your statements about family being smokers.
It’s your body and your roll of the dice.

Can I hook you up to speak with Mrs. Tradition and my doctor?

TIA.

 

[goldmom]

I’m in my 70’s and I try hard to be healthy and make good choices. So far I’m ok. I had two pre-cancerous spots frozen off my nose at the dermatologist this morning.
No alcohol, don’t smoke, limit red meat, exercise. Hope I don’t outlive my savings and try to enjoy life. Other than that it’s the luck of the draw, right?

 

[The Tradition]

I’m in my 70’s and I try hard to be healthy and make good choices. So far I’m ok. I had two pre-cancerous spots frozen off my nose at the dermatologist this morning.
No alcohol, don’t smoke, limit red meat, exercise. Hope I don’t outlive my savings and try to enjoy life. Other than that it’s the luck of the draw, right?

Yeah.

George Burns famously said that the secret to his longevity was smoking, drinking and chasing women.

And he played GOD in a movie.

 

[Moral]

Now that I'm 60 for the purposes of this thread, I would say I cut back from 6 Monsters a day to just 2. I also buy single Slim Jim's a couple times a day now instead of the case from Sam's Club. You only live once so live like you are snapping into your last Slim Jim.

 

[BrianNole777]

@The Tradition male smokers live an average 11 years shorter life span than non-smokers.

The average life expectancy of a man in America is 78, I think, so you probably won't live past 70.

Since you work for retirement communities, see how many 80+ year olds are smokers. I bet nearly 0.

That choice is up to you. Make sure you have a living will ready for if/when you get emphysema or lung cancer.

 

[Formerly Rockymtnole]

You have good genes. I’ve had a grandfather and two uncles die from smoking-related cancer. And many alcoholics in the family tree.

I guess if smoking and drinking to the very end is your goal in life, you have that covered.

 

[jasonrann]

You're 55 and you have young children?

Bless you.

Yessir. No pic wife is ten years younger than me. I got a very late start.

 

[JMNSHO]

I have spent many hours of my life with 70-80 year olds at my side, trying to do 60-90 second sets on a recumbent stepper with their supplemental O2 turned down and instructing them on Pursed Lip Breathing during the recovery periods. They really wanted their lungs to work better, I could tell.

 

[jasonrann]

Now that I'm 60 for the purposes of this thread, I would say I cut back from 6 Monsters a day to just 2. I also buy single Slim Jim's a couple times a day now instead of the case from Sam's Club. You only live once so live like you are snapping into your last Slim Jim.

 

[The Tradition]

@The Tradition male smokers live an average 11 years shorter life span than non-smokers.

The average life expectancy of a man in America is 78, I think, so you probably won't live past 70.

Since you work for retirement communities, see how many 80+ year olds are smokers. I bet nearly 0.

That choice is up to you. Make sure you have a living will ready for if/when you get emphysema or lung cancer.

It is nowhere near "zero"...

In fact, we have ridiculous "caregivers" who want to refuse to care for the octogenarian smokers when they're allowed to go outside for their smoking times because these "caregivers" don't want to be exposed to the second-hand smoke because it's a danger to their health.

You're OUTSIDE! You can stand 20 feet away if you want! There is no "second-hand" smoke! Holy smokes!

 

[3boysmom]

In my family the smokers and drinkers were lucky to live past 65. The non smokers and non alcoholics live well into their 80s and 90s. I think all of the alcoholics were also smokers. So I don't smoke, drink on rare occasions, and assume I will live a fairly long life.

 

[BrianNole777]

It is nowhere near "zero"...

In fact, we have ridiculous "caregivers" who want to refuse to care for the octogenarian smokers when they're allowed to go outside for their smoking times because these "caregivers" don't want to be exposed to the second-hand smoke because it's a danger to their health.

You're OUTSIDE! You can stand 20 feet away if you want! There is no "second-hand" smoke! Holy smokes!

I bet less than 1% of 80+ year olds currently smoke cigarettes...most smokers die before 80.

 

[goldmom]

Can I hook you up to speak with Mrs. Tradition and my doctor?

TIA.

I’d certainly agree with them but you have decided you’re gonna go up in a cloud of smoke. I wonder if you’re doing it to be defiant? Afraid you can’t stop? Mrs. Trad quit - is this a thing where you’re afraid you’ll fail where she succeeded?
I don’t know ANYONE who’s still smoking. But then again I only know people who went to college and if they DID smoke they quit long ago. Stats say the higher the level of education the less likely you are to be using tobacco.
Do you want to be confused with a ditch digger or some lower level blue collar guy who absolutely reeks? Paying what - $8-9 a pack?

 

[Formerly Rockymtnole]

I’d certainly agree with them but you have decided you’re gonna go up in a cloud of smoke. I wonder if you’re doing it to be defiant? Afraid you can’t stop? Mrs. Trad quit - is this a thing where you’re afraid you’ll fail where she succeeded?
I don’t know ANYONE who’s still smoking. But then again I only know people who went to college and if they DID smoke they quit long ago. Stats say the higher the level of education the less likely you are to be using tobacco.
Do you want to be confused with a ditch digger or some lower level blue collar guy who absolutely reeks? Paying what - $8-9 a pack?

Boom

 

[millah_22]

Now that I'm 60 for the purposes of this thread, I would say I cut back from 6 Monsters a day to just 2. I also buy single Slim Jim's a couple times a day now instead of the case from Sam's Club. You only live once so live like you are snapping into your last Slim Jim.

Does your tummy (yeah I said it) not hurt?

 

[Moral]

Does your tummy (yeah I said it) not hurt?

I alternate Monsters and Pepto to stay hydrated.

 

[millah_22]

I alternate Monsters and Pepto to stay hydrated.

 

[jasonrann]

In my family the smokers and drinkers were lucky to live past 65. The non smokers and non alcoholics live well into their 80s and 90s. I think all of the alcoholics were also smokers. So I don't smoke, drink on rare occasions, and assume I will live a fairly long life.

Grandpa on my dad's side died at 64 of a heart attack. He started drinking the second he woke up in the morning, brandy and whiskey. My dad died at 71, smoked from the time he was 14. Never drank anything besides beer, but he had his share. Everyone has high blood pressure and a couple of us have A-Fib and drinking really aggravates it. I quit over two years ago and only partake now on very rare occasions. It isn't much fun anymore.

 

[Moral]

I don't actually do the caffeine.

 

[millah_22]

I don't actually do the caffeine.

 

[BrianNole777]

Yeah.

George Burns famously said that the secret to his longevity was smoking, drinking and chasing women.

And he played GOD in a movie.

Check out the calcium test. It is a super fast, easy and cheap scan of the heart that can show if you have plaque buildup.

I did one last year.

 

[The Tradition]

I’d certainly agree with them but you have decided you’re gonna go up in a cloud of smoke. I wonder if you’re doing it to be defiant? Afraid you can’t stop? Mrs. Trad quit - is this a thing where you’re afraid you’ll fail where she succeeded?
I don’t know ANYONE who’s still smoking. But then again I only know people who went to college and if they DID smoke they quit long ago. Stats say the higher the level of education the less likely you are to be using tobacco.
Do you want to be confused with a ditch digger or some lower level blue collar guy who absolutely reeks? Paying what - $8-9 a pack?

She didn't "quit"... she wears a nicotine patch and still has a couple of lung darts every day.

And I get my all-natural, Native American-produced, "Skydancer" cigs for ~$40 a carton.

God bless the Seneca-Cayuga Tribe...

 

[BrianNole777]

She didn't "quit"... she wears a nicotine patch and still has a couple of lung darts every day.

And I get my all-natural, Native American-produced, "Skydancer" cigs for ~$40 a carton.

God bless the Seneca-Cayuga Tribe...

Do you ever think about the life AFTER death?

This life is alot closer to 1 second than the time after death.

 

[SoProudNole]

She didn't "quit"... she wears a nicotine patch and still has a couple of lung darts every day.

And I get my all-natural, Native American-produced, "Skydancer" cigs for ~$40 a carton.

God bless the Seneca-Cayuga Tribe...

That all sounds gross.

 

[goldmom]

She didn't "quit"... she wears a nicotine patch and still has a couple of lung darts every day.

And I get my all-natural, Native American-produced, "Skydancer" cigs for ~$40 a carton.

God bless the Seneca-Cayuga Tribe...

Bet if you quit she’d quit too.

All natural? So you can only get all natural lung cancer? Or an organic heart attack?

 

[goldmom]

That all sounds gross.

And SMELLY

 

[The Tradition]

That all sounds gross.

Supporting historically-oppressed minorities is "gross"?

 

[jasonrann]

I’d certainly agree with them but you have decided you’re gonna go up in a cloud of smoke. I wonder if you’re doing it to be defiant? Afraid you can’t stop? Mrs. Trad quit - is this a thing where you’re afraid you’ll fail where she succeeded?
I don’t know ANYONE who’s still smoking. But then again I only know people who went to college and if they DID smoke they quit long ago. Stats say the higher the level of education the less likely you are to be using tobacco.
Do you want to be confused with a ditch digger or some lower level blue collar guy who absolutely reeks? Paying what - $8-9 a pack?

 

[The Tradition]

Bet if you quit she’d quit too.

All natural? So you can only get all natural lung cancer? Or an organic heart attack?

Humans have been smoking various things since shortly after humans learned how to control fire.

I would wager that the "cancer risk" has nothing to do with the tobacco itself, but instead it's the additives, pesticides, herbicides, etc. introduced by modern producers.

But not the Seneca-Cayuga Tribe!

 

[goldmom]

Humans have been smoking various things since shortly after humans learned how to control fire.

I would wager that the "cancer risk" has nothing to do with the tobacco itself, but instead it's the additives, pesticides, herbicides, etc. introduced by modern producers.

But not the Seneca-Cayuga Tribe!

Well then puff away.

 

[NI hawk]

I turn 55 next weekend and have made some pretty big changes, doesn't mean I like it though. Not sure I have a choice if I want to be around for my young children. Daughter just turned nine and the son will be four in July.

I have grandkids older than your kids. Empty nester at 42.
I turn 64 this month. No prescription or non-prescription drugs. Never smoked. Drink some beer.
Parents both alive and living on farm.
Keeping weight off has been biggest problem. Gained 20 plus in last 3-4 years.

 

[IIowaFarmBoy]

So, I'm a healthy man in my 60s. I am not on any prescription drugs. I don't have any disabilities.

But my doctor tells me I have to stop smoking and stop drinking because I am "likely" to develop a disease because of my lifestyle. Never mind that that I don't have any of these diseases currently, and I'm already headed toward the winter of my life.

All my relatives smoked and drank, and NONE of them had any smoking-related or alcohol-related illnesses.

No cancer. No tuberculosis. No liver failure. Nada.

The only one with a "smoking-related" illness was my paternal grandmother who had heart disease, and she was the only one in my family tree who was fat.

For me, I'm going to continue to enjoy my life on my own terms until my health forces me to make some changes. Based on my family history, that day will never actually come.

And even if that day comes, what am I gonna miss? The nursing home years? Hard pass on that.

My take on life is live like today is the last day you're going to have on this earth. If you gamble on living for longevity and sacrifice the life you really want to live, you very well may be pushing all your chips in only to regret that decision when you die young anyway.

Maybe I'm unusually lucky, but I'll take it. Who's with me? Party on.

I think you are likely leaving out part of the drinking story.

 

[10kHawk]

At 60 I’ve learned I know my body better than anyone else and of course I know what makes me happy and fulfilled. That said my lifestyle hasn’t really changed, can’t run a 10k a day like when I opened this account but still lace them up and hit the streets often. I eat well enough but drink not a lot but often. You do you but smoking, ick.

 

[hawkeyetraveler]

OP it’s an interesting strategy you have. I hope it works out for you. If everyone had that strategy their selfishness would bankrupt Medicare. Unhealthy elderly people are one of the huge issues with our system of insurance.

I’m in my early 50’s and while I enjoy a small nightcap from time to time it is no longer a daily event. I went from 2+ drinks daily down to maybe 1-2 a week max (edibles for the win). Now I do it because I enjoy the taste of a good bourbon or glass of wine. I don’t do it to get buzzed. I never smoked and do not understand why that would be a priority for you - other than withdrawal probably sucks.

I used to lift a bunch and after repetitive injuries to my shoulder gave that up in favor of bodyweight exercise, cardio and lots of hiking. I see incredibly active 80 year olds on the trail enjoying nature, getting out there, etc, I want to be able to maximize that opportunity. I want to see my future grand kids grow up.

My one downfall, I love fatty food and it is damn hard to burn off a thousand calorie cheeseburger. So I do intermittent fasting and force mysef to eat more salads than I care to so I can indulge.

 

[artradley]

Do you ever think about the life AFTER death?

This life is alot closer to 1 second than the time after death.

Which would make the difference between living to 70 versus 90 completely irrelevant. Even more reason to ignore the doctor and do whatever feels good.

 

[Sharky1203]

Let me quote Mr. Gustafson

Grandpa: Well let me tell you something now, Johnny. Last Thursday, I turned 95 years old. And I never exercised a day in my life. Every morning, I wake up, and I smoke a cigarette. And then I eat five strips of bacon. And for lunch, I eat a bacon sandwich. And for a midday snack?
John: Bacon.
Grandpa: Bacon! A whole damn plate! And I usually drink my dinner. Now according to all of them flat-belly experts, I should've took a dirt nap like thirty years ago. But each year comes and goes, and I'm still here. Ha! And they keep dyin'. You know? Sometimes I wonder if God forgot about me. Just goes to show you, huh?