Worth the Gamble?

I cannot promise that training for a marathon and improving your conditioning as you train will automatically get you into your 80s.  But just as you are quietly celebrating the fact that you don't have to jog or do cardio, there is a flip side to that concept.

If you smoke, consume more than your share of alcohol, eat too much junk food, or live a sedentary lifestyle, I cannot tell you that you are only going to make it to 50.  But research does tell us that every unhealthy choice does complicate end of life health and increase the "risk" of disease.

The tricky part could be that you don't feel any effects of the choice, but that in small ways your health is changing.  It may be just at the cellular level, but change is indeed happening.  With most health challenges, a otherwise healthly lifestyle and strong immune system can benefit us.

Just ask yourself is the habit of __________ (fill in the blank) worth it?  If the habit isn't worth it,  then why do it at all.  Is early death or lower quality of life in your 50s, 60s and 70s worth it to play in your 20s and 30s.  Is it worth the gamble?

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