Positive attitude fitness guru, dead at 76.
Sex positive feminist icon, dead at 96.
Draw your own conclusions about what the best cardio exercise is.
My dad was a fitness enthusiast. He exercised daily, ate what he was supposed to eat, didn’t drink or smoke, no drugs, and he died at 68. My mother, whom doesn’t exercise, smokes, eats whatever she wants (usually junk food and highly processed foods), is still alive and kicking and is now 77.
I lost faith in the whole “exercise for a healthier/longer life” mentality 9 years ago. Live your life, be happy, do things in moderation, and make sure you do what you love with the people you love. If that includes exercise, good for you.
I’m no fan of exercise. But as I imminently approach 40, I’m feeling and seeing its value more and more. The purpose of fitness is not longevity - it is independence and quality of life. Just assume you’re going to live to age 90 either way. Look around at some 80 year olds. Breathing machines, walkers, bed ridden… how do you want to spend your years? Years! Your body will become a torture prison unless you tend to it. Dying is the least of my concerns.
That’s the funny thing about looking at individual cases, we can’t say what their lifespan would have been like if their behavior was different.
But we can look at large groups of people and say that yes, in general, being fit and healthy tends to result in a longer lifespan.
correlation =/= causation. Its a major problem in dietary science. It could simply be healthier gut bacteria or it could be stress.
IIRC, my grandfather who didn’t exercise, smoked his entire adult life, drank, and ate whatever his southern wife fried up for him, lived longer 🤣. Not by much, but still longer.
I live in the comfort that the men in my family don’t live super long. I’m okay with that.
There’s more to life than living long. I would rather be healthy and energetic than lethargic and tired all the time. Even if genetics play a large role in longevity, my own choices decide how I feel, and I feel way better if I exercise. Healthspan is more important than lifespan.
Mic Jagger is 81 is still performing and did drugs through his years.
I think I drew my conclusion. Give me all the drugs like Jagger. Thank you.