Letting Yourself Go Later In Life - Ramifications?

[NW-Bound]

No you can't. If you tried to eat 15 pounds of vegetables a day, you would be in the bathroom so much, there wouldn't be time to chew and swallow them all. Think about a horse you've watched, grazing a field. It's also fertilizing the field all day long!

Even with grass, eat enough and you can still be a hippo.

 

[Nick12]

Even with grass, eat enough and you can still be a hippo.

Knew some swimmers that burned so many calories spending hours in the pool, they ate several times a day and still were losing weight.

 

[NW-Bound]

When I quit smoking in my 20's, I told myself I'm permitted to take it up again at 80.
DH wouldn't like that, so only if I outlive him. Even then, nasty habit I know. still...

I started smoking when I was 15, and quit at 47.

I have to be really depressed to pick up the habit again.

By the way, just yesterday walking by the glass cabinets at the front of a grocery store, I saw that a pack was $9.97. Holly molly! Talk about blowing dough (literally).

 

[jim584672]

For me exercise has never worked to lose weight. Calorie counting is the only thing that works. I count every calorie and it is the only thing that keeps me in check.

 

[Dtail]

I started smoking when I was 15, and quit at 47.

I have to be really depressed to pick up the habit again.

By the way, just yesterday walking by the glass cabinets at the front of a grocery store, I saw that a pack was $9.97. Holly molly! Talk about blowing dough (literally).

Started smoking at 13 and quit at 15, as it affected by stamina as captain of the basketball team.

 

[Chuckanut]

Even with grass, eat enough and you can still be a hippo.

Yes, but it is very difficult to eat enough grass and veggies to be a hippo.

As far as eating more plants and less meat..... Well, I can buy a dozen doughnuts at the store that are 100% plant based. Is that really better than a quarter pound of grass feed beef with a slice of cheese on top?

I once looked at the label on a package of factory made vegan cheese. It's a true Frankenfood. IMHO, Big Food is doing to the vegan diet what they did to low-fat diets. And what they are now doing to low-carb diets. Hijacking them and turning them into another over factoried food fiasco. In the end, it ain't going to be pretty.

I've eaten enough tasty vegan meals made with real food to know that there is no reason to consume fake meats and cheeses that are made in a factory.

 

[chassis]

Who is suggesting vegan?

Who is suggesting eating donuts as “more plant material”?

It’s clear from posts like these that there is conscious denial and intellectual dishonesty about what to eat, how to eat and who is responsible for one’s own nutritional condition.

 

[harllee]

DH and I are both tall and fairly skinny. We exercise and eat right but some of it is genetics, everyone in our families are tall and skinny. But 3 years ago we both had a bad case of influenza and we were too sick to eat for a month or so. We lost too much weight, we looked like walking death and it took along time to put our weight back on and get our strength back. I think we would have done better if we had a few extra pounds. Now at age 70 we eat more and eat some desserts so we are not so skinny but definitely not overweight. We want to have a few extra pounds in case we get a virus again and lose too much weight.

 

[unclemick]

That's exactly my point. In my 70's (hopefully) my body goes away but I continue to eat what I like (no salads for me every lunch and dinner!). What are the ramifications if I pack on 10-30 pounds in my 70s?

Pills! Bp and cholesterol. Age 78. ER'd since age 50.

Slacked off on exercise. My sin is New Orleans and KC BBQ more often than I should. After Katrina peaked at 400 choleserol and 20 lbs overweight my target. Exercise, pills and diet did me ok.

Pick your range and go in cycles. Sin and repent - er back to exercise and some diet/intermittent fasting.

Heh heh heh - Cleaned up my Red beans and rice leftovers and fried cabbage and need some Burnt ends for the 4th. Then get a grip -or not.

 

[braumeister]

I think we would have done better if we had a few extra pounds.

I would agree. Can't speak specifically to your flu issue, but there is some good research (for example, the "90+ Study", ongoing since 2003) that points to being slightly overweight after age 65-70 being strongly associated with greater longevity. For the study, "slightly overweight" means a BMI between 25 and 30.

Of course, BMI is an imperfect tool, since it doesn't account for where your extra weight is (belly fat is not where you want it). Still, the indication is that a few extra pounds may provide some energy reserves that can help you get through things.

 

[audreyh1]

I would agree. Can't speak specifically to your flu issue, but there is some good research (for example, the "90+ Study", ongoing since 2003) that points to being slightly overweight after age 65-70 being strongly associated with greater longevity. For the study, "slightly overweight" means a BMI between 25 and 30.

Of course, BMI is an imperfect tool, since it doesn't account for where your extra weight is (belly fat is not where you want it). Still, the indication is that a few extra pounds may provide some energy reserves that can help you get through things.

That concurs with what I have read over the years. Personally I really don’t want to go much below 25. I focus on getting gradually stronger as I can to preserve bone health, and maintaining strength. Fragility in the elderly is common.

 

[1242Vintage]

You lost 50lbs after you retired - that is great. Were you cycling/trail running before retirement, or did you start after retirement? I've never been a runner, but thought I might try one of those C25K type things (couch to 5k)

Thank you.

I’ve always been a cyclist, and trail run a day or two a week for variety. Running is tough for me, but getting a little easier as the excess weight comes off.

 

[ivinsfan]

Who is suggesting vegan?

Who is suggesting eating donuts as “more plant material”?

It’s clear from posts like these that there is conscious denial and intellectual dishonesty about what to eat, how to eat and who is responsible for one’s own nutritional condition.

What's clear is some people have reading comprehension issues or perhaps the nose is so high in the air they can't actually read what people are typing.

 

[Scuba]

I just did one of those life expectancy calculators at my pre-retirement weight (250 lbs … ugh) and current weight (204 lbs … yea). Being lighter only added two years. I was expecting a bigger difference.

My plan is to keep hitting the gym, cycling up the steep hills here in Northern California and trail running as long as I can. I’m encouraged by a guy who I race against who is in his 70s and very fit and fast. He regularly posts lap times faster than most of us 50-something guys. My goal is to be that guy a decade and a half from now.

A wise friend of mine once suggested that it’s not just about the years we live, but the quality of those years. People who maintain a healthy weight and reasonable level of fitness will likely retain mobility and better health much longer than someone who eats and drinks whatever they want. After working in the senior living industry and observing the differences first hand, I’m a believer. As much as I love good food and wine, I value my mobility and health more so I manage my intake better than I used to. I’m still a bit overweight, but am very active and my blood work looks good, and I’m doing my best to stay in reasonable shape as long as I can.

 

[Nick12]

I envy the people of Okinawa and their longevity into their 90s and 100s. Small eating portions, active lifestyle, little to no red meat, no processed foods, are just some of the ways of them to help them live a long life.

 

[Teacher Terry]

5 years ago I was 50lbs overweight. I lost 17 lbs and stayed there. Last august I saw that fat people were dying with Covid more than regular size people. Over 4 months I lost another 33lbs. I am a 5’7” woman and eat 1600 calories a day and walk 2 miles. Now my BMI is 25. I got off one of my 2 HBP medications and feel better.

 

[Scuba]

Weight watchers is good for people who like to eat (like me) because their "point" system allows you to eat anything but the points (daily) have to be counted. You also get a weekly allowance of "splurge" points for even more fun.

I can vouch too as I lost 30 pounds in about 6 months. And still eating steak & lobster, pasta and nuts -

I agree, WW is a good balanced way to lose weight. It’s really about common sense and moderation. I do wish the WW app would also track calories and macros. When my weight starts creeping up, it’s usually because my calories, carbs and/or sugar have crept up.

 

[Nick12]

5 years ago I was 50lbs overweight. I lost 17 lbs and stayed there. Last august I saw that fat people were dying with Covid more than regular size people. Over 4 months I lost another 33lbs. I am a 5’7” woman and eat 1600 calories a day and walk 2 miles. Now my BMI is 25. I got off one of my 2 HBP medications and feel better.

Great job! , and yes overweight people were hit harder with Covid.

 

[Chuckanut]

I envy the people of Okinawa and their longevity into their 90s and 100s. Small eating portions, active lifestyle, little to no red meat, no processed foods, are just some of the ways of them to help them live a long life.

Then there is Acciaroli, Italy that is stuffed to the gills with people in their 90's and even over 100. One report says that 10% of the population is over 100. I need to see that facts behind that claim.

There is no doubting the natural beauty of Acciaroli on Italy’s southern coast, but this place is raising a number of questions: Why are the people here living well above Italy’s national average? And why does it have one of the world’s highest concentrations of centenarians, people over 100 years old?

Possible causes:

1. A Mediterranean diet of fish, veggies and fruit in season.
2. Most food is grown locally often in one's own garden or orchard.
3. They use a lot of rosemary to season many of their home cooked foods.
4. A laid back joy-of-life lifestyle.
5. And this : “sexual activity among the elderly appears to be rampant. Maybe living long has something to do with that,” the American cardiologist said.

 

[harllee]

I would agree. Can't speak specifically to your flu issue, but there is some good research (for example, the "90+ Study", ongoing since 2003) that points to being slightly overweight after age 65-70 being strongly associated with greater longevity. For the study, "slightly overweight" means a BMI between 25 and 30.

Of course, BMI is an imperfect tool, since it doesn't account for where your extra weight is (belly fat is not where you want it). Still, the indication is that a few extra pounds may provide some energy reserves that can help you get through things.

I agree. I think for me at age 70 BMI around 27-28 suits me best, that is when I feel best. After the flu 3 years a go I am sure my BMI was under 25 and I felt awful and it took along time to recover.

 

[RetiredHappy]

I had always been at BMI 18 to 19 up to around 30 years old. After that, I have let myself go up 10 to 20 lbs and yo yo diet to get it back down through the years. Now in my late 50s, my BMI was up to 23 and it is not a good weight for me.

I have hip and knee problems, not from weight but a result from other causes, and I am back to dieting to try to lose 15 lbs to help get some weight off my joints. I have lost 4 lbs since 3 weeks ago with another 11 lbs to go. The goal is to get back to BMI of 20. I am very active and I golf 4 to 5 days a week. I have to be vigilant and won't let myself "go" as my quality of life will go down.

 

[daylatedollarshort]

Then there is Acciaroli, Italy that is stuffed to the gills with people in their 90's and even over 100. One report says that 10% of the population is over 100. I need to see that facts behind that claim.

I don't know about Acciaroli, but areas with extreme longevity, like Okinawa used to have, have been studied extensively by many researchers for decades and the results are written up in books like The Blue Zones and The Longevity Diet. In Italy, the Blue Zone area mentioned in the books is Sardinia. There is also a book from two doctors in the Blue Zone of Loma Linda called The Alzheimer's Solution Diet, based on the seniors in there having very low rates of Alzheimer's, compared to surrounding communities.

There is a summary of The Longevity Diet on the author's website - https://www.valterlongo.com/daily-longevity-diet-for-adults/

If you want to see studies you can search Pubmed for the term Blue Zones.

 

[audreyh1]

5 years ago I was 50lbs overweight. I lost 17 lbs and stayed there. Last august I saw that fat people were dying with Covid more than regular size people. Over 4 months I lost another 33lbs. I am a 5’7” woman and eat 1600 calories a day and walk 2 miles. Now my BMI is 25. I got off one of my 2 HBP medications and feel better.

Congrats!

 

[Amethyst]

All I see are the usual wry comments whenever food and dieting are mentioned on the forum (which is often). I'm just glad it hasn't degenerated (yet) into a religious food fight!

Who is suggesting vegan?

Who is suggesting eating donuts as “more plant material”?

It’s clear from posts like these that there is conscious denial and intellectual dishonesty about what to eat, how to eat and who is responsible for one’s own nutritional condition.

 

[ivinsfan]

All I see are the usual wry comments whenever food and dieting are mentioned on the forum (which is often). I'm just glad it hasn't degenerated (yet) into a religious food fight!

Wait, are you sure you don't mean political, religious, covid food fight..