Cardio-vascular Fitness

These two illustrations show that at the same age people who have been able to maintain their physical capability, experience lives that hugely different, with much more enjoyment and the confidence to make the best of your life.

You need to make the effort to get into the above average group at least. How do you do that? First be interested in your health, you can make it better. Second begin to write down (We suggest you keep a journal.) some notes about your medical records (Do you know your numbers?) what exercise you have done and what you are eating. Become informed about how you are, and what roadblocks are holding you back.

George Vaillant, writing about the Grant Study Men, explains that a few people get seriously unwell before they turn 55. None of those people live until their 80th birthday. A much small number die before the age of 55, almost always by accident or misadventure that they had no control over.

The big danger in your life is between 55 and 80, because that’s when cardio-vascular diseases, lung diseases, cancer and type II diabetes begin to rob people of their healthy years. YOU can take steps to ensure that, as best you can, you get to 80 years of age in good shape. If you can do that, that’s added about 10, and maybe 15 years of good health to your life. But you have to use your own autonomy to put your own life in order, that’s your challenge.