Does anyone actually know of anyone who had an unhealthy lifestyle but lived to a ripe old age?

Yes, my granddad, he smoked a pipe and cigarettes (untipped) ate cream, butter, homemade cakes and pastries. He was a gunner in WW1 He loved his food, ate three good meals a day. Fried breakfast, cornflakes and toast with jam for breakfast. Cooked meal at lunch time and a sandwich, cake etc at tea-time. They always had cream crackers and cheese before bed. He was 96 when he died. Pneumonia got him in the end.

My Dad lived to 97 and ate few vegetables or fruit but a lot of sugar. He had all his teeth and only ever had a couple of fillings. I once asked him about how the troops cleaned their teeth during WWII when they were in combat etc and he said he never cleaned his teeth at all when in the army - in other words for 6 years! He did garden and do DIY until his 80’s but never walked at all and had a sedentary job.

We just lost my grandfather-in-law at the age of 105. He didn't smoke or drink and led an active life into his 80's but his diet was anything but good. He ate what he wanted when he wanted and was known to eat a full 6 pack of crisps in one day alongside his regular meals, cream cakes, biscuits chocolates and sweets! His doctor advised not to restrict his diet in the later years as the stress would cause more harm than the fat, salt and sugar. In the end he had a fall and had to move into a nursing home where he decided he was not hungry and refused to eat anything. He knew it would end his life but he made his decision and stuck to it.

Not that I know him personally, of course 😆

GGF was 95 when he died, I have a photo of him aged 87 wearing a leather coat and helmet and sat on a motorbike. Was that living dangerously? I wish I had known him.

I refuse to eat an all-natural diet because the majority of people die of natural causes

janeainsworth

Not that I know him personally, of course 😆

He looks older than 80!
Must be the life he's led.

Keith Richards dead man walking. I read his autobiography. How he is still here is beyond me.

im convinced your health is a lottery, my father smoked all his life, never very active, loved his tv ,and lived to 95. I had a friend who never drank, or smoked , was a vegeterian, went to the gym every day and died at 50! I had a well person check last week at the surgery and was told by someone half my age im 67 that my BMI was 1 point over 25 which apparently is the normal limit, i walk my dog for an hour every day, dont drink or smoke i like my cake and fish and chips ,she suggested i take up swimming and i said no thanks i think my walking is enough !!

Kate1949

Keith Richards dead man walking. I read his autobiography. How he is still here is beyond me.

Although I have never met him, I am rather fond of Keith Richards. His interview on Desert Island Discs is a joy.

Kate1949

Keith Richards dead man walking. I read his autobiography. How he is still here is beyond me.

He's not aged well but he's still here!

Although I have never met him, I am rather fond of Keith Richards. His interview on Desert Island Discs is a joy.
I agree Houseplantqueen. Loved his choice of music 🖤

I must try to find that 🙂

Yes, my MIL, she smoked, and drank like a fish all her adult life, together with being one of the most unpleasant woman I've ever met, she lived to the ripe old age of 94 dying in her bed during an afternoon nap!

I have found this to be such an uplifting post.

MissAdventure

It's one of my pet hates, the "positive thinking" idea.

Obviously it's better for general wellbeing, and better to live that way, but I don't suppose any of the long lived people gave it much thought.

They just lived how they wanted.

This positive thinking cult can be very hurtful and damaging. My friend was diagnosed with a terminal cancer (delay due to an ignorant GP) and found the “stay positive and you’ll be cured” very hard to deal with

There are always going to be exceptions,my own mum for one who smoked all her life and died age 92, but generally speaking giving up smoking is the best thing anyone can do for their health. Experts are also saying that any alcohol at all is bad for people. I think a little bit of what you fancy does you good, but would never smoke and that moderation is the key here (with the exception of smoking).