The Top Ten Health Concerns of Baby Boomers

Scripps.org has published the top ten health concerns of baby boomers; concerns that will come as no surprise to anyone.

https://www.scripps.org/news_items/4623-top-10-health-concerns-of-baby-boomers

1[ Type 2 diabetes

2] Cardiovascular disease

3] Cancer

4] Depression

5] Eye problems

6] Alzheimer’s disease

7] Arthritis and Joint replacement

8] Osteoporosis

9] Flu/pneumonia

10] “Sandwich generation” stress

~~~

Okay, so now that we know what we already knew, let’s take a closer look at each of these with a more critical eye [eye problems, notwithstanding]:

1] Type 2 diabetes

From Mayo Clinic:

Researchers don’t fully understand why some people develop type 2 diabetes and others don’t. It’s clear, however, that certain factors increase the risk, including:

a] Weight. Being overweight is a primary risk factor for type 2 diabetes. The more fatty tissue you have, the more resistant your cells become to insulin. However, you don’t have to be overweight to develop type 2 diabetes.

b] Fat distribution. If your body stores fat primarily in your abdomen, your risk of type 2 diabetes is greater than if your body stores fat elsewhere, such as your hips and thighs.

c] Inactivity. The less active you are, the greater your risk of type 2 diabetes. Physical activity helps you control your weight, uses up glucose as energy and makes your cells more sensitive to insulin.

d] Family history. The risk of type 2 diabetes increases if your parent or sibling has type 2 diabetes.

e] Race. Although it’s unclear why, people of certain races — including blacks, Hispanics, American Indians and Asian-Americans — are more likely to develop type 2 diabetes than whites are.

f] Age. The risk of type 2 diabetes increases as you get older, especially after age 45. That’s probably because people tend to exercise less, lose muscle mass and gain weight as they age. But type 2 diabetes is also increasing dramatically among children, adolescents and younger adults.

g] Prediabetes. Prediabetes is a condition in which your blood sugar level is higher than normal, but not high enough to be classified as diabetes. Left untreated, pre-diabetes can progress to type 2 diabetes.

h] Gestational diabetes. If you developed gestational diabetes when you were pregnant, your risk of developing type 2 diabetes increases. If you gave birth to a baby weighing more than 9 pounds (4 kilograms), you’re also at risk of type 2 diabetes.

i] Polycystic ovary syndrome. For women, having polycystic ovary syndrome — a common condition characterized by irregular menstrual periods, excess hair growth and obesity — increases the risk of diabetes.

SUMMARY

What you need to take away from all of this is that while genetics play a major role in your destiny, lifestyle changes are just as important.

So basically, eat right and stay in shape. The rest is up to mother nature.

2] Cardiovascular disease

It may surprise you to know that depression plays a major role in cardiovascular disease.

The twist here is that exercise tends to mitigate the effects of depression, so you might want to consider getting off your butts and into the gym for reasons you didn’t consider but better learn before there’s nothing left to learn.

http://www.news-medical.net/news/20150731/IUPUI-researchers-receive-NIH-grant-to-study-effect-of-depression-treatment-on-cardiovascular-disease.aspx

SUMMARY

“In previous studies, we have found intriguing positive evidence that managing depression lowers risk of future heart attacks and strokes,” said Stewart, associate professor of psychology and an affiliated scientist of the IU Center for Aging Research. “With this new NIH-funded clinical trial, we hope to confirm that treatment of depression is cardio-protective, lowering the risk of developing cardiovascular disease.”

3] Cancer

Genetics are again the major factor in determining the likelihood of contracting cancer.

And again, the environmental culprits line up like dominoes – all the usual suspects we need to memorize.

a] Tobacco is attributed to 1/3rd of all cancer deaths in the United States each year. Keith Richards, however, is apparently immune to everything that kills other human beings so do not use him as an enabler.

b] Sunburns are something all of us have experienced at one point or another in our lives. The blisters, the burns, the endless tubes of Aloe Vera gel. It’s over. Those days are gone. there’s nothing you can do about something that’s already been done. Move on. This time with sunscreen.

c] Eat right. It’s funny how the same themes keep resurfacing. No matter what the illness, or prevention of said illness, eating right keeps popping up. So eat right for God’s sake.

d] Keep your weight down. Obesity is not okay no matter how you spin the narrative. The whole “curvy women” or “dad bod” craze is a lame attempt to justify unhealthy lifestyle habits.

e] Stay active. See #3 and #4 and get your butt to the gym.

f] No more than two drinks a day. Most people can pull this off without much difficulty. But this doesn’t mean that not having a drink all week and then binging on the weekends is okay. It’s not. Find the nearest AA meeting and say your prayers. You’ll need them.

g] Work in environmentally safe conditions. In other words, don’t work in a coal mine. For those of you who do, I might suggest a lobotomy.

SUMMARY

Adhere to all the lifestyle habits and throw the dice. Personally, iIm not a fan of getting blood work every 5 minutes because if the numbers aren’t perfect I begin to obsess about it, which makes me more likely to experience stress, and this in turn causes cancer. So no.

4] Depression.

I pulled the following article from Psychocentral.com, which offers a good overview of this topic.

http://psychcentral.com/lib/depression-and-baby-boomers-how-having-it-all-may-be-too-much/

On a personal note, it has been my experience that exercise is the best medication for anxiety and depression.

The problem is that the effects don’t last as long as psycho-pharmaceuticals, so you may want to do both in equal measure.

SUMMARY

Healthy lifestyle habits may include Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors along with your daily multi-vitamin.

5] Eye problems

After a certain point, we all have eye problems.

Hell, even kids who spend too much time on computers have eye problems.

Big deal. Get reading glasses or have your vision corrected, surgically.

SUMMARY

If your eyes are bothering you like the3y do me, go to an eye doctors to determine whether or not you have macular degeneration or cataracts or whatever and go from there.

You know damn well you’re not going to stay off the computer.

6] Alzheimer’s disease

This year, the first baby boomers turn 65. While Alzheimer’s is not normal aging, age is the greatest risk factor for the disease.

So basically, the older you get the greater your risk of death and dying in general.

How does one help prevent your forgetting the names and faces of your children and spouses?

1] Keep your mind active.

2] Eat and drink raw fruits and vegetables.

3] Add vitamin K to your supplements.

4] Reduce stress.

5] Commit to regular exercise.

6] Laugh more.

7] Run 15 miles per week [or the equivalent]

8] Consume more whole fruit.

9] Meditate [i.e., get your shit together and relax]

10] Consume more fish.

11] Quit smoking nicotine.

12] Adopt a Mediterranean diet.

13] Learn early Alzheimer’s symptoms, but don’t obsess about it until you start leaving your car keys in the freezer.

14] Sleep well no matter what it takes to get there.

15] Limit sugar intake.

http://www.alzheimers.net/1-1-15-resolutions-reduce-dementia-2015

7] Arthritis and Joint replacement

“Simply put, regular activity provides lifeblood to the cartilage that cushions joints. Unlike most tissues in the body, cartilage doesn’t receive nutrients from the bloodstream. Instead, it gets nourishment from fluid (called synovial fluid) in the joints. When a joint moves, the fluid sloshes around, giving the cartilage a healthy dose of oxygen and other vital substances. As an added bonus, regular exercise encourages the body to make more synovial fluid.”

I’ll leave it at that.

SUMMARY

If you don’t exercise, you can kiss you ass goodbye years before you technically die.

8] Osteoporosis

Adults who had spine curvature as children can develop severe arthritis in the spine next to their old curves. In other cases, osteoporosis, or weakening of the bones, can develop as a complication of menopause or medications as people age, even causing fractures. Forms of arthritis in which joints in the back wear out can also let the spine sag into a bad position.” Dr. Huddleston, mayo Clinic

No surprises here. Try strength training.

SUMMARY

Absent childhood trauma or a genetic predisposition to spinal curvature, the best thing anyone can do to prevent osteoporosis is strength train.

Most older men with that geriatric stoop are usually found wandering around the indoor track on their cell phones.

9] Flu/Pnemonia

Everyone has gotten the flu, and many, pneumonia. They both suck in equal measure.

The best you can do is wash your hands, keep your hands away from your face, get a fly shot, and then say your prayers if you know any. If not, make some up.

If you’re in good shape, your immune system should be strong enough to withstand a bout of either one, though it won’t feel that way.

SUMMARY

We all get sick from time to time.

But when you have less time, you tend to take it more seriously.

It’s not like you get to stay home from school and be served for a week.

This time around you have to cancel your trip to St. John and still have to deal with the office.

10] “Sandwich generation” stress.

There isn’t a damn thing you can do about this one.

In my case, I don’t have kids to worry about – and my mom lives near my brothers. of course, she’s only 83 and still running circles around them at 83.

When she does get old, however, we may be too old to care for her.

SUMMARY

There is no solution to this problem other than exercise and sedatives.

Good luck. You’ll need a lot of that, too.

More Bad News on [Unnecessary] Testosterone Supplementation in Older Men

From UCSand Diego health comes more bad news on “Tes.”

http://health.ucsd.edu/news/features/Pages/2015-01-09-mens-sexual-health-facts.aspx

~~~

I know it sucks, but aging happens.

The best we can do is [as we all know, but fail to do anyway is…]:

1] Eat healthy, balanced meals.

a] I eat 5/day.

2] Exercise regularly [particularly strength training for maximum lean mass].

a] I do 3 days of strength training and 3 days of crossfit style cardio.

3] Get plenty of rest [and recovery time between strenuous workouts]

a] I cycle my workouts to help recovery and avoid over-training.

4] Hydrate [because as we age our bodies aren’t as reliable when it comes to reminding us]

a] I have remind myself all the time to drink water! My body doesn’t tell me until it’s too late.

5] Avoid tobacco, excessive alcohol consumption and drugs – over the counter and otherwise.

a] A cigar once in a while, or wine in moderation is fine. 16 Vicodin over vodka tonics is not.

6] Avoid stress of the toxic kind. There’s a difference between good and bad stress.

a] Bad stress is something like divorce, terminal diagnosis, or a stock market crash. Good stress is everything else.

7] Have as much sex as you’re comfortable having without stroking out, which won’t be a problem if you’re following the aforementioned guidelines.

a] I’m a huge proponent of keeping an active sex life. The endorphins alone are worth the experience, and they’re organic.

8] Stay relevant. Technology rules the earth. The very least you can learn to do is turn on a computer.

a] I’ve noticed that older men who are clueless about technology are the most dependent people I know.

9] Read, study, learn. The mind is a terrible thing to waste, but even tougher to retrain once it’s been sitting around doing nothing for long enough.

10] Maintain friendships. Women are great at this, men not so much – which is probably why we die prematurely.

~~~

Middle-Aged Married Men and the “Other” Women in Their Lives […and vice-versa]

Houston, we have a problem.

Infidelity is an enormously complicated issue – or an enormously simple one, depending on how you look at it.

Nonetheless, the “faithful” continue to surge.

“…there are almost definitely at least 187,000 faithful spouses who would still vehemently argue that Houston has about 187,000 too many adulterers.”

http://www.houstonpress.com/news/should-the-ashley-madison-hack-have-houstonians-worried-7608927

Want the actual membership numbers across the fruited plain?

Check them out here:

http://247wallst.com/special-report/2015/07/02/10-cities-with-the-most-adultery/2/

If you’re interested in knowing where The Impact Team plans to dump the exposed member names, IP addresses, home addresses, and sexual predilections, check here:

http://pastebin.com/Kty5xBiv

~~~

So why did all this happen in the first place?

There’s always been infidelity. It’s not like it suddenly surfaced in the 21st century.

But why has it reached such epidemic proportions?

1] Is marriage, as an institution, dying?

2] Is feminism to blame?

3] Has sexual morality finally reached a point where its considered relative?

4] Have couples who married in their 20’s finally outgrown one another?

5] Has the Internet contributed to cultural addiction to higher highs?

In my view, it’s all of the above.

~~~

If you ask older men why they stray, their responses are usually the same: “I’m no longer attracted to my aging and obese spouse [in so many words].”

If men are programmed to perpetuate and spread their genes, then the go-to female is going to be young, and probably, beautiful.

It kinda sells itself.

But this is also the most infuriating to women as both genders grow old at the same rates, yet women still prefer men within 5 years of their age.

Needless to say, this places them at a distinct disadvantage, as they often find it almost impossible to find suitable mates.

They either choose much younger partners [who usually play the role of gold-digger], or spend the rest of their lives in the company of female friends, traveling the world and finding new avenues of interest.

There are exceptions, but once women pass a certain chronological point, it’s over.

So how exactly do couples prevent this from happening?

They have to keep pace with one another.

When middle-aged men become bored with their middle-aged wives, it’s most often because they have fallen out of shape, and with it, the youthful vitality that attracted the men to them in the first place.

Most men understand – and accept the fact – that both genders age, but in cases I’m most familiar with, the man cannot accept the fact that while he is in the gym every day, she’s on the couch.

The once collegiate volleyball player is now a frumpy matron, which breeds resentment.

“I’ve accomplished so many things in my life and this is what I’m left with???”

He wants the woman he married, albeit a more mature version, while she just wants a place to rest her head.

Clearly, one of them has given up.

Even in cases where neither party was particularly athletic, but one decides at middle age to get in the best shape of his or her life, the expectation is that the other will do the same, rather than wallow in self-pity and divorce papers.

In the end, couples have to grow together…and in the same general direction.

They owe it to one another if the perpetuity of their marriages means anything to them.

But people do change, and sometimes, you just have to accept the fact that the woman you married back at Georgetown is not the same woman today.

This is where couples either sit down and renegotiate the terms of their marriage, or move on.

The rest split apart while staying married for the sake of children, finances, and the passive love one acquires after so many years with the same person.

Marriage, like aging, is not for the faint of heart.

It’s a battle to the finish line both literally and figuratively.

The question you have to ask yourself is…Is it one worth fighting?

Note: “Fighting” does not denote misery.

We do battle every day of our lives, and the suicide rate is still lower than than the murder rate by a wide margin.

~~~

Top Ways Parents Embarrass Their Kids [and everyone else for that matter]

At some point, we have to get a grip.

I’m not a parent to human beings, so I freely admit to ignorance on this subject.

However, I do spend a lot of time around people who do have kids, many of whom struggle with the dichotomy of social relevance as it relates to adulthood.

In general, the objective is to be yourself without coming off as someone in denial, which requires a high degree of self-actualization.

This is a big problem for divorced, middle-aged men and women back on the dating scene who hit on people half their age.

I said “men and women” lest you think older men are the default scapegoats for all things juvenile.

Note: I said “hitting on,” not being “hit on.” There’s a difference.

Digression aside, many older women compete with their daughters on every level, including wardrobe, where they conduct raids on their closets on the weekends.

The following article sites several examples of this phenomena:

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-3170885/The-ways-parents-embarrass-children-revealed-celebrities-guilty-it.html

~~~

As an older man, I pretty much do the same things I did as a young man.

I go to the gym, listen to loud music, wear the same clothes I did back in the 70’s [except these have different labels and are ten times the price], and generally speaking, and generally speaking, live my life the way I always have: my way.

Having said this, I also pay my own bills and have a clean record with law enforcement, so kiss off.

That last flippant comment is something that would have passed my lips back in high school, by the way.

I suppose i should have substituted “kiss off” with “I’m not concerned what others think of my behavior or lifestyle.”

But like I said, my way.

In the end, you have to know the difference between who you are and how you’re perceived.

If self-actualization isn’t one of your strong suits [I’m calling out you narcissists], you’ll end up a sad stereotype in the eyes of youth in general.

~~~

HOW TO PULL OFF YOUTHFULNESS WITHOUT LOOKING LIKE AN IDIOT

Lesson #1: Don’t dress [or act like] Madonna

Lesson #2: Understand that you and your kids are two different ages. In other words, you’re a lot older than your kids. Some of you may have to start with more basic exercises to get the hang of this.

Lesson #3: Kissing your kids in front of his friends is about as embarrassing as things get in the mind of an adolescent, so don’t do it.

Lesson #4: “Youth speak” is ONLY done if you can pull it off without sounding like you’re trying to fit in. If you don’t know the difference, stick to the Queen’s English.

Lesson #5: Kids don’t like stories unless they are infants. Older kids don’t have your attention span as evidenced by the soaring Adderall sales.

Lesson #6: Teach your kids to clean up after themselves. Picking up their crap every 5 minutes looks like you work for them. Think of it this way: Would their friends pick up after their friends?

Lesson #7: Under no circumstances should you try and connect with them on social media. Let them come to you. If they don’t, blow it off.

Lesson #8: Know technology. I can’t emphasize this enough. This generation’s genesis is in technology. If you don’t know it, it’s kind of like not knowing about food.

Lesson #9: No matter what people tell you to the contrary, kids already know more about sex than before their 14th birthday. So don’t bother.

Lesson #10: Getting wasted in front of younger people including one’s kids – is about the most demeaning thing an adult can do, unless you’re Keith Richards, in which case it’s cool because he’s kind of immortal in that way.

Latest Research Lists Top Age-Erasing Super Foods for Older Men [and everyone else for that matter]

Got your attention, huh?

Focus already. Freaks.

For quick reference, I have compiled the list of the 40 top anti-aging super foods as chronicled by the Editors of Men’s Health.

They are as follows:

1] Almonds [Cholesterol, blood sugar]

2] Flaxseeds [Omega-3 fatty acids]

3] Tomatoes [Lycopene]

4] Sweet Potatoes [Glutathione]

5] Spinach [Potassium, magnesium and Lutein]

6] Rosemary [Carnosic Acid]

7] Wild Salmon [docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA)]

8] Blueberries [Antioxidants]

9] Green Tea [Releases catechin]

10] Dark Chocolate [Flavonoids]

11] Tuna [Selenium]

12] Carrots [Vitamin A]

13] Dried Plums [Copper and Boron]

14] Whole Grains [Calms inflamed tissues while keeping the heart strong, the colon healthy, and the brain fueled]

15] Red Wine [Resveratrol]

16] Yogurt [Beneficial bacteria/Live and active cultures]

17] Avocado [Monounsaturated fat]

18] Walnuts [Omega-3s and anti-inflammatory Polyphenols]

19] Tumeric [Curcumin]

20] Black Beans [Anthocyanins]

21] Apples [Quercetin]

22] Alaskan King Crab [Zinc]

23] Pomegranates [Ellagitannins]

24] Bok Choy [Calcium, as well as vitamins A and C, folic acid, iron, beta-carotene, and potassium]

25] Oysters [Zinc, calcium, copper, iodine, iron, potassium, and selenium]

26] Broccoli [Calcium, as well as manganese, potassium, phosphorus, magnesium, and iron]

27] Kiwis [Potassium]

28] Olive Oil [Monounsaturated fats]

29] Leeks [Thiamine, riboflavin, calcium, and potassium, and folic acid]

30] Artichokes [Magnesium and potassium]

31] Chilli Peppers [Beta-carotene, which turns into vitamin A in the blood and fights infections, capsaicin, which inhibits neuropeptides (chemicals that cause inflammation)]

32] Ginger [Gingerol]

33] Cinnamon [Antioxidants]

34] Eggs [Protein, minerals and nutrients]

35] Figs [Potassium, manganese, and antioxidants]

36] Grass-Fed Beef [Omega-6 to omega-3 fatty acids]

37] Mushrooms [Ergothioneine]

38] Pineapples [Mix of vitamins, antioxidants, and enzymes—in particular, bromelain]

39] Fruit or Vegetable Juice [Polyphenols]

40] Bing Cherries [Antioxidants]

For a more comprehensive breakdown of each, please read the following article:

http://www.menshealth.com/mhlists/age-erasing-superfoods/printer.php

SUMMARY

Most of you will notice that that you already consume a majority of the aforementioned food items, but it’s always a good idea to keep them handy.

Remember, your genes are only part of the picture where your health is concerned.

The study of Epigenetics has determined that we have a lot more control over our health than most of us thought.

Age-related diseases like high blood pressure, heart disease, arthritis, diabetes, stroke and cancer were thought to be the inevitable consequences of aging, and that our genes were the main determinant.

But as the article below points out, your health is determined by “how you care for your genes with environmental, dietary and lifestyle choices that can influence how your genes behave.”

“Stress, diet, behavior, toxins and other factors may activate chemical switches that turn genes on and off and regulate gene expression. Several studies have shown that changes in lifestyle cause changes in gene expression.”

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/dr-frank-lipman/epigenetics-research_b_862022.html

Ashley Madison Website Goes “Public”

A group calling itself, The Impact Team, has purportedly hacked into the infamous cheating site, Ashleymadison.com, stealing millions of private emails and used Id’s they intend to make public unless the site shuts down immediately.

www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-3170243/Families-shattered-dating-website-adulterers.html?ito=social-facebook

Of course, infidelity isn’t the site’s fault.

It simply exists to serve a demand.

Nonetheless, the reason I’m covering this on Urban Dystrophy is because guys my age – particularly the ones who can afford it – often cheat without empathy or remorse, like sociopaths, if you need a quick Law and Order type reference.

Just a quickie here, an anonymous encounter there, and it’s back to the Disney Channel with the wife and kids.

No harm, no foul.

Except that that’s not the way it works.

For everything we do we get something back.

…like blackmail threats, phone calls in the middle of the night, or unintended – and highly embarrassing – public encounters you have to explain away before you’re nailed.

WIFE:

“Honey, have we met her before? How does she know your nickname?”

HUSBAND:

“…Um, she may be a Facebook friend or something. Weird, huh?”

Then there are the ubiquitous STD’s, some of which are capable of killing off an entire family faster than Chernobyl.

But hey, like I said, it’s just a fling.

~~~

So why do so many older men I know, and/or am acquainted with, cheat?

Because they are bored and feel entitled to more.

Like I say in my new book of the same name, #urbandystrophy, they’re driven and ambitious men who’ve been financially successful, and thus, feel deserving of whatever life has to offer, which includes everything.

~~~

Most men I know say that their sex lives are in the toilet.

“Started our great, died. She’s no longer interested.”

The irony is that from her perspective, you’d hear the same damn thing.

COUNTER ARGUMENT

Some claim that affairs are actually good for their marriages, that they help keep them together.

But “marriage” is relative in this context, as it’s already dead.

Thus, Ashleigh Madison’s tag line should change from “life’s too short, why not have an Affair?” to “After a long afternoon in a roadside motel, it’s still nice having someone at home you can lay my head on…”

Soon Everyone Will Have Steroids with Their Morning Coffee

#Dailymail ran an article a couple of years ago that stated “up to 20% of Hollywood’s leading men use PED’s [performance enhancing drugs].

Check it out for yourself:

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2400714/How-Hollywood-stars-rely-steroids-buff-bodies-Up-20-percent-leading-men-using-PEDs-claims-new-report.html

But as everyone who works out regularly knows, the number is more like 90%, with the remaining 10% losing out to actors with “better hairlines,” which would be irrelevant had they taken the damn drugs.

Articles and website abound touting the merits of “hard work and diet” in achieving a preternatural physique.

“Yes, even you Mr. 60-year-old can look better than you did back in college with the right lifestyle choices!”

Total bullshit.

I guess no one bothered to mention the fact that eternal and youth aren’t synonymous under any circumstances.

However, if a man wants to look like the two guys in the above photograph who are well over 60 [source: Facebook’s “fitmenover50” page], steroids are the only way to achieve it.

I know you don’t want to hear this.

I also know you resent having to use facial fillers, take 300 vitamins every morning to supplement whatever time is stealing in your sleep, and avoiding anything that tastes good.

This is life in the absence of steroids.

You want a perfect physique?

You want to have a slice of pizza from time to time?

You want to train at half the intensity, half the time?

You have to take the drugs!

If not, join the mortal brigade and feel good about the fact that it’s all you.

But you won’t find yourself landing on these pages…

https://www.facebook.com/fitguysover50

See, in order to get press, you have to be extraordinary.

But in the the context of fitness, extraordinary isn’t enough unless you look extraordinary, which no one who undergoes regular drug tests can achieve.

Am I getting through here?

All these self-righteous pricks who tell you they have all the dense muscle and low bodyfat by the grace of god are completely full of shit – or steroids, as the case may be.

Thick, sculpted muscle fiber combined with extremely low bodyfat on a “fit over 50” man is the very definition of S T E R O I D S.

Hell, it’s tough for a 25-year-old guy to build that kind of physique.

The reason for that is that IT’S NOT HUMANLY POSSIBLE WITHOUT DRUGS!

EVERY SINGLE SOLITARY BODYBUILDER I HAVE EVER KNOWN AND/OR PHOTOGRAPHED WAS A STEROID JUNKIE, MOST OF THEM IN DENIAL.

Puhleeze!

Like we’re idiots?

Since when did mankind evolve into super beings that don’t even remotely resemble anatomy charts?

The only “human anatomies” people reference these days can be found in department stores that sell Under Armour apparel, which uses flawlessly sculpted “giants” to sell their products.

But they are M A N N E Q U I N S!

And while some elite, and ridiculously genetically blessed, professional athletes look a lot like this, it doesn’t last long.

In the context of things human, it’s a way to sell clothing, websites…press, in general.

As we’ve all come to learn, reality is a buzzkill.

So we’ve replaced it with something more interesting – no matter what the side-effects, both physically and psychologically.

But hey, ya’ only live once, so why not?

Better to burn out than fade away.

Note: Lest you think that men are the sole users of steroids, check this out:

http://www.oddee.com/item_99125.aspx

For those of you who are interested, the following article highlights the most popular steroids among older men:

http://www.mensfitness.co.uk/nutrition/supplements/1106/steroids-sale

On a final note, there’s the Anderson Cooper story, which has caught fire like everything else that involves cheating fate:

http://ac360.blogs.cnn.com/2013/02/07/74-year-old-defies-time-with-hormones/

But as one commenter stated: “At 65+ you’re looking at balancing the improved quality of life with HGH vs a longer life with less quality.”

This is becoming a mantra that pretty much says it all.

Throw the bones.

Longer Life Vs. Quality of Life

http://www.theguardian.com/society/2010/feb/14/elderly-overweight-lower-mortality-risk

“…being overweight was a major risk factor for many health problems, including Type 2 diabetes, hypertension, stroke, coronary disease, cancer and loss of physical function. “These are strong enough reasons to strive for a healthy weight and avoidance of obesity. Moreover, given all the adverse effects of obesity on health, it isn’t biologically plausible that being overweight would lower mortality risks.”

In recent years there has been quite a bit of “noise” about older adults [65+] experiencing longer lives when their BMI [body mass index] is slightly above federal standards.

The rationale is that, perhaps, in cases when people are undergoing surgery or experience illness, they have physical “reserves” to draw from that keep them alive longer.

But at what cost?

If I had the choice to be 70 years old, but in poor health, or in great health up to the moment I died at, say, 70, I’d pick the later.

This real issue here is quality of life, not survival.

If all we managed to do was survive, why bother?

This is why this “living longer with extra fat” narrative is absurd as a practical matter.

Nonetheless, it bears noting that every study indicates that sedentary lifestyles, in general, are the leading cause of illness and premature death among older adults.

Just ask the guys in the above photograph.

Media Stereotypes of Older Men vs. Reality

This old fella here is probably in his mid-70’s, yet he’s cast as a man of 58.

Honestly, I’d consider addressing him as “sir,” with old man sunglasses, old man arms, and that swing thing so common among men who were either stroke victims, or in rehab for shoulder surgery.

This notwithstanding, if he were 80, I’d say he was in great shape no matter what the tangential health issues.

Of course, I could be wrong.

He may, in fact, be 58.

If this is the case, God help him.

~~~

Here’s a recent article that appeared in Livestrong.com.

The photo caption above is the one taken from the article:

http://www.livestrong.com/article/437206-common-exercises-for-58-year-old-men/

In my world, guys in th 58-62 range look more like this:

Gord Mackinnon, crossfit athlete.

According to the article, men in the 58-62-year-old range are in transition between what’s considered middle age and senior citizen, the later of which falls on top of the 65-year-old.

Hell, you just as soon shoot yourself by these standards.

So how does a “geriatric” of 58 stay in shape?

According to the article, here are the obligatory exercises:

1] Swimming

“An enjoyable exercise that aging men who suffer from sore, achy and stiff joints [as well as muscles] commonly engage in.”

COMMENTS

This is fine for the average man who wants to claim to be athletic, but isn’t.

Nobody I know paddles around for 30 minutes and feels any sense of accomplishment.

You have to push yourself to experience gains.

If you do 30 minutes of swimming 3x/wk, make it 30 minutes of intervals, each heat hitting hitting your 85% max heart rate.

2] Walking

“Walking is an easy exercise habit for older men to stick with…”

COMMENTS

Am I really reading this?

Next thing you know they’ll be referring to getting out of bed.

If you’re going to do a walking routine, make sure it’s it’s intense enough to achieve your training heart rate.

A leisurely walk is something you do in a museum, not on a track or gym.

Yesterday, my workout concluded with a 5 minute-walking sprint on a treadmill.

It was set at manual, so I had to push the rubberized track.

It wasn’t going to move by itself.

I managed to hit 146 BPM, which is close to 87% of max.

By the time it was over i could have squeezed a full glass of sweat from my t-shirt.

That’s training.

3] Bike riding

“Bike riding is a no-impact exercise that is gentler on knee joints than pavement-pounding exercises…”

COMMENTS

Oh my God, shut the hell up already!

Are you kidding me?

Try a spin class before you get your old ass on a bike.

It will get you in shape so you don’t fall down and not be able to get back up.

4] Weight training

“Hit the weights two to three times per week with two exercises each for the chest, back, arms, shoulders, legs and core.”

COMMENTS

Yes folks, this stuff is actually published.

Weight training for a 58-year-old is exactly the same as it is for a 38-year-old, except that the older guy needs more recovery time. Period.

I weight train 3x/wk and pack on as much muscle as I did 20 years ago.

The reason for this is rest and recovery.

I can no longer weight train 5 days a week without chronic inflammation and/or injury.

But when I do train, I can humble men half my age.

I’m not going to sit here and tell you that I am capable of doing all the things I did at 20, nor am I going to tell you that age categories in fitness competitions are irrelevant.

What I am telling you is that your training is just as tough as it always was, rest and recovery considered.

5] Flexibility and balance

“Older men commonly experience a decrease in flexibility and joint mobility as they age.”

COMMENTS

All men of all ages experience decreases in flexibility when they are inactive.

That’s why seasoned athletes spend an inordinate amount of time on flexibility and mobility exercises.

The human body is meant to move.

SUMMARY

Whether it’s swimming, walking, cycling, weight training or flexibility work, if you want gains, you have to push your boundaries to get the results you have in your head.

As I’ve said a hundred times before, it’s not a cakewalk, not for the faint of heart, not for the easily defeated.

A fitness lifestyle is a different way of looking at life.

It’s all-encompassing. Not something you dabble in.

Dabble in business and see what happens to your business.

The mindset has to rise above the mean in order to get to where you want to be in whatever your endeavor, and fitness is no different.

Stop reading feel-good articles, and start reading ones that challenge you.

Stop accepting stereotypes.

The more you accept, the more the tired dogma burrows into your life and weakens your resolve.

Don’t be a statistic.

Get to the gym and out into life like a man who has decades ahead of him to make a stand.

Raise the bar and the world will rise with you.

As for these people who keep pandering to the averages, tell ’em to kiss your ass.

13 Reasons Why Older Men Should “Lift Heavy.”

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/01/12/benefits-of-lifting-weights_n_6432632.html

As we get older, the more muscle mass we have, the less likely we are to die prematurely…or suffer clinical depression, which is worse.

The article offers the following bullet points, which I will elaborate on here:

1] You’ll live longer.

According to 2014 research from UCLA, “the greater your muscle mass, the lower your risk of death.”

Unfortunately, most physicians tell their older patients to moderate their activities to avoid injury rather than challenge themselves.

This is ass backwards.

If you DON”T lift heavy, you are guaranteed to injure yourself just getting out of bed.

2] You’ll sleep better.

When your body is tired it needs rest. The more physically exhausted, the more rest.

It’s a simple equation.

People who don’t exercise tend to wake up all hours of the night wondering what happened to their lives.

3] You feel better about your life.

When you accomplish something you never thought possible, you get a corresponding shot of self-esteem.

If you keep believing you can’t this or that simply because you’re older, injury will find you.

Take what your body will give you.

You’ll soon learn it has a lot more to give than you thought.

4] Protect the bones.

The heavier you lift, the more bone density you create.

Stop lifting and you’re just a blood sac waiting to explode.

5] Maintain balance [literally].

If you want to prevent falls resulting in things like broken hips – the death knell of the aging – combine strength training, flexibility and balancing exercises.

Among older men I know, the only way to stay in the game of life is to stay in the gym.

6] Reduce anxiety and depression.

Strength training stimulates hormones, increases brain function, and relieves anxiety and depression.

If you don’t believe me, drag your ass to a gym for an intense one-hour workout and I will show you a different person.

7] Look better in clothes.

If you want to look good in clothes, you have to be able to fill them out.

Nobody likes stooped shoulders and an old man ass.

8] Burn more calories.

The more lean body mass you build, the more calories you burn just watching television.

Lifting heavy guarantees more lean mass.

9] It’s not as time-consuming as you think.

Runners do the least amount of strength training, which is why I don’t recommend endurance running to anyone.

You end up looking like crap and you’re as weak as matchstick.

Having said this, strength training an hour a day, 3 days a week is what I would consider more than adequate for most Boomers.

10] It doesn’t matter where you lift, or what you lift, as long as you lift.

Body weight exercises are fine. You can do them anywhere.

But to get the benefits I’m talking about here, you have to invest in weights that challenge you beyond the push up.

11] You are more athletic.

Strength training enables the body to perform better, faster, stronger.

If you don’t believe me, take a look at all the older men who don’t train at all and get back to me.

12] You heart will thank you.

Cardio isn’t the only form of exercise that benefits the heart.

In some cases, strength training has been shown to to be as effective as statin drugs.

13] Reject aging.

When people say age is a state of mind, they’re referring to healthy adults.

If you let yourself fall apart, you will argue the previous point.

SUMMARY

Strength training is the primary weapon against aging.

If you commit yourself to a fitness lifestyle that includes heavy resistance training, you can avoid many of the pitfalls of aging that all sedentary people experience prematurely.

From the muscle-fat connection [higher metabolic rate], to osteoporosis prevention, to a decrease in arthritic pain, to glucose metabolism improvement, to better mental health – heavy weight training is as close as human beings come to a fountain of youth.

Of course, you also have to eat right, get enough rest, drink in moderation, and do all the other things necessary to keep the ball rolling without killing yourself in the process.

No wonder so many people are obese.

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