Fifty Plus (50+) - Question, Is it better to sit safely on your ass and clog your arteries or be active?

and risk getting injured?

What do you think?

Safest is to sit on the trainer watching TV.

Safest is to sit on the trainer watching TV.

But boring (the TV, that is).

I don't think you have to make any tradeoffs at all.

You could set up a trainer in a doughnut shop, and accomplish everything at the same time:

- clog your arteries
- be active
- not get hit by a car.

You addressed physiological health, and I would add psychological health as well. Both of my avocational endeavors, cycling and shooting, involve some element of risk (of injury). Cycling helps physiological and psychological health, and shooting helps primarily psychological health. I suspect some would be surprised at how a day at the range among fire, smoke, noise, and flying projectiles can be relaxing, but it is. Both cycling and shooting are challenging in that I strive to be a little better at both than I was during the last outing. This doesn't always happen, but I keep trying. I'll take the risks.

I don't think you have to make any tradeoffs at all.

You could set up a trainer in a doughnut shop, and accomplish everything at the same time:

- clog your arteries
- be active
- not get hit by a car.

And probably get hit by a bus walking to the doughnut shop!:roflmao2::roflmao2:

But seriously, you'll die quicker doing nothing and feel better being active. I'll take my chances being active.

Is it April Fools Day?

Sitting on your ass isn't even LIVING, that's just EXISTING.

I'm a man of faith (not dogma, so don't flame me about 'dirty words'...you filthy schmuck, lol), and to waste what you have been given by squandering your talents is an abomination.

On a more earthly level, you wind up in the ICU by 44 because you rode that couch since you were 13, I'll pull the plug myself. Then I'll ride past yor funeral procession, and skid over your grave.

and risk getting injured?

What do you think?

Ride up and down Texas Street a few times.

I think this is a question you need to be asking your mother.

and risk getting injured?

What do you think?

Find a happy medium. Learn how to ride in traffic such that you don't get your @ss smacked around by traffic. Learn how to herd the cars. Since you're in SD, let these people (http://www.sdbikecommuter.com/forums/index.php) help.

Sixty percent of U.S. citizens are officially overweight. There's a reason:

I believe that the fast-food franchises are all secretly owned by evil extra-terrestrials who want to fatten us up so they can harvest us for food. Just look at the plastic-faced Burger King and ball-headed Jack - do they look human to you? Cycling makes us too skinny and able to resist them, so they've launched a massive PR campaign to portray cycling as "too dangerous". Recently, they've even begun installing microscopic subliminal message thought transmitters in cycling helmets to get us to quit riding and eat lots of fast-food.

Fight back . . . before its too late!

You can look at this from either the quality of life or quantity of life perspective. I come up with the same answer either way. Get off the couch and live life.

Sixty percent of U.S. citizens are officially overweight. There's a reason:

I believe that the fast-food franchises are all secretly owned by evil extra-terrestrials who want to fatten us up so they can harvest us for food. Just look at the plastic-faced Burger King and ball-headed Jack - do they look human to you? Cycling makes us too skinny and able to resist them, so they've launched a massive PR campaign to portray cycling as "too dangerous". Recently, they've even begun installing microscopic subliminal message thought transmitters in cycling helmets to get us to quit riding and eat lots of fast-food.

Fight back . . . before its too late!

The grain of truth in your post is that there is a suggestive correlation between obesity and ADM's loading of Americans with corn syrup. Combine sugary soft drinks, which give few satiety cues, with lack of exercise, and the outcome should be unremarkable.

http://www.photo-fix.com/troll.jpg

Have pedaled over 300,000 mile so far . . . at age 78 am gonna wait 'til I get older to vegetate!
At 135 lbs, am not really overweight.
Get injured? Survived WWII in Europe as a kid and the 'police action' in Korea as a young adult.
Yes, have had a couple crashes/falls on the bike . . . beats starvation and bombs in WWII and bullets and shrapnel anytime!
As you tell your dog: "Get off the couch!"

I'm 55 and I just started cycling in April. I've had a heart attack and had 3 stints put in 4 years ago. A year and a half ago I was diagnosed with Lupus. Cycling is the only exercise I've found I can do without causing my hands and feet to swell because of the Lupus. I've ridden over 1500 miles now since April. Last month my doctor did the usual 6 month bloodwork. My doctor was so excited about the results of my bloodwork she called me herself instead of the usual call from her nurse. She wanted to know what I was doing different and if I had went on a diet. My bloodwork test were perfect. I told her no diet change, the only thing I'm doing different is the bicycle. She then replied whatever I do dont stop pedaling. Cycling makes me feel a lot better which also helps some with the Lupus. I ride almost every day and I look forward to it. Most Lupus patients suffer from depression and riding helps with that also I've lost 15 lbs which helps. Health wise my bicycles are the best thing that has happened to me in the last 5 years.

Ships are safest in harbour, but that's not what ships are for.
I'll add my own comment to this old saying. A ship may be safe from storms in harbour, but it will rust.

When its time to ride, i ride, when its time to Carbo load, i carbo load. Sitting on the couch helps with the carbo loading.

and risk getting injured?

What do you think?

Doc told me that they can clog regardless of the amount of exercise you do. I guess he was right 'cause I was active my whole life but just got four brand new stents several months ago. I am thankful for the advances in cardiac technology. As far as the other part of the question, use a mirror, LOL. Seriously though, you can't stop living and being active (if physically possible of course), because at that point you would have already cashed in the major portion of your chips.

Ever heard of

Safeass Disease?

It's a real killer!!

Doc told me that they can clog regardless of the amount of exercise you do. I guess he was right 'cause I was active my whole life but just got four brand new stents several months ago. I am thankful for the advances in cardiac technology.

My dad had a triple by-pass in his 80s - he's 94 now and still kicking. When it comes to heart disease, genetics + diet are important factors.

I'm a man of faith (not dogma, so don't flame me about 'dirty words'...you filthy schmuck).

Dang, I almost spilled beer all over myself with that one.

Assuming that the OP isn't just tossing peanuts into the monkey cage to see what the reaction will be, I think it's an interesting question.

This forum has chronicled enough bad things to make you ponder the wisdom of hopping on the bike sometimes.

You can improve your odds by being vigilant and creative (ie., thinking about how many different ways they can kill you).

Riding down some roads is just asking for problems, no matter how legal it might be to ride a bike on them.

Still, if some kid has you on their speed-dial, you might just be dead to rights.

That's a reason I'm trying to buff up my karma. Usually I radiate goodness and purity, but the karma has not been positive lately.

If anyone out there is selling karma credits, I might be interested in purchasing some.

I have a stent in my chest. I had that because (I suppose) I went to California to manage a large marina there - and I had left my mountain bike back in Denver in storage. I have my magnificent Lady Xizang with me now, and intend to keep her with me through the bitter end. No way do I ever want to be without my bike again!

I also learned that nothing creates energy better than using energy. I go out for a decent bike ride and come back - I may be tired, but I'm wired and often do my laundry, dishes and other chores, before finally laying down to take a nap. And as long as I can ride, I don't get depressed. Great physical and mental therapy, that GT Xizang.

I'm 55 and I just started cycling in April. I've had a heart attack and had 3 stints put in 4 years ago. A year and a half ago I was diagnosed with Lupus. Cycling is the only exercise I've found I can do without causing my hands and feet to swell because of the Lupus. I've ridden over 1500 miles now since April. Last month my doctor did the usual 6 month bloodwork. My doctor was so excited about the results of my bloodwork she called me herself instead of the usual call from her nurse. She wanted to know what I was doing different and if I had went on a diet. My bloodwork test were perfect. I told her no diet change, the only thing I'm doing different is the bicycle. She then replied whatever I do dont stop pedaling. Cycling makes me feel a lot better which also helps some with the Lupus. I ride almost every day and I look forward to it. Most Lupus patients suffer from depression and riding helps with that also I've lost 15 lbs which helps. Health wise my bicycles are the best thing that has happened to me in the last 5 years.

WOW!!

What a strong testimony.

Congratulations, pleased you are here on this forum.

Is it April Fools Day?

Somewhere in a parallel universe.

I'm 55 and I just started cycling in April. I've had a heart attack and had 3 stints put in 4 years ago. A year and a half ago I was diagnosed with Lupus. Cycling is the only exercise I've found I can do without causing my hands and feet to swell because of the Lupus. I've ridden over 1500 miles now since April. Last month my doctor did the usual 6 month bloodwork. My doctor was so excited about the results of my bloodwork she called me herself instead of the usual call from her nurse. She wanted to know what I was doing different and if I had went on a diet. My bloodwork test were perfect. I told her no diet change, the only thing I'm doing different is the bicycle. She then replied whatever I do dont stop pedaling. Cycling makes me feel a lot better which also helps some with the Lupus. I ride almost every day and I look forward to it. Most Lupus patients suffer from depression and riding helps with that also I've lost 15 lbs which helps. Health wise my bicycles are the best thing that has happened to me in the last 5 years.

Great job, M.

Having been faced with a similar situation (stage 4 colon cancer), I have decided that I prefer dying on the grill of a pickup truck over dying curled up in bed. On the other hand, I hope to die at age 80 being shot for good cause by a jealous husband. Best choice of all, don't you think?

Great job, M.

Having been faced with a similar situation (stage 4 colon cancer), I have decided that I prefer dying on the grill of a pickup truck over dying curled up in bed. On the other hand, I hope to die at age 80 being shot for good cause by a jealous husband. Best choice of all, don't you think?

Intellectually I know that I'll never leave this party alive.

Making a dramatic exit?

I haven't quite figured this one out. I sure would like to go out like old Nelson Rockefeller...

That's a reason I'm trying to buff up my karma. Usually I radiate goodness and purity, but the karma has not been positive lately.

If anyone out there is selling karma credits, I might be interested in purchasing some.

Maybe this will help...

168586

Sitting on your ass isn't even LIVING, that's just EXISTING...
On a more earthly level, you wind up in the ICU by 44 because you rode that couch since you were 13, I'll pull the plug myself. Then I'll ride past yor funeral procession, and skid over your grave.

Pretty vengeful and self-righteous for a man of faith. And interesting that you felt the need to proclaim your faith before leaping away from tolerance and understanding.
I don't necessarily disagree, but it's just a weird combination of statements.

I'm just coming off nearly a year of forced inactivity, the result of a combination of medical issues. Before that I was a 100-200mi/wk cyclist, also mixing in some resistance training and lots of "unofficial" exercise (heavy gardening, wood splitting etc). I'm back up to maybe 50 percent of what I was last October, and I can't begin to tell you how good it feels just to get OUT and move around. If the chances of getting hit by a bus were double what they are (slight, IMO, for a careful cyclist), I'd look forward to every ride. If they were four times as great, I'd still go. Maybe you have to sit on the couch for a year to appreciate this, but there's no doubt in my mind. Watching TV, or even running on a treadmill in a nice, safe gym, isn't living.

Which brings you more joy?

Sixty percent of U.S. citizens are officially overweight. There's a reason:

I believe that the fast-food franchises are all secretly owned by evil extra-terrestrials who want to fatten us up so they can harvest us for food. Just look at the plastic-faced Burger King and ball-headed Jack - do they look human to you? Cycling makes us too skinny and able to resist them, so they've launched a massive PR campaign to portray cycling as "too dangerous". Recently, they've even begun installing microscopic subliminal message thought transmitters in cycling helmets to get us to quit riding and eat lots of fast-food.

Fight back . . . before its too late!

Read the cook book To Serve Man. That will tell you.

One line I've heard, "Life is dangerous."

Pretty vengeful and self-righteous for a man of faith. And interesting that you felt the need to proclaim your faith before leaping away from tolerance and understanding.
I don't necessarily disagree, but it's just a weird combination of statements.

Having faith doesn't necessarily mean you have tolerance and understanding! Depending on the moment I find myself often short of both. Judgement - now that I seem to always find plenty of when I don't need it.

On the original topic: I feel fantastic when I get out of the house and away from the idiot box. Friends and co-workers comment often on how much energy I have and how they don't understand how I am going all the time. I don't understand how they can sit in front of the TV six+ hours a night, so I guess we're even.
I heard someone comment on a TV talk show one time that they noticed all the people on TV were actually out doing different things, not sitting still in front of a box.

Sitting on your ass isn't even LIVING, that's just EXISTING.

I'm a man of faith (not dogma, so don't flame me about 'dirty words'...you filthy schmuck, lol), and to waste what you have been given by squandering your talents is an abomination.

On a more earthly level, you wind up in the ICU by 44 because you rode that couch since you were 13, I'll pull the plug myself. Then I'll ride past yor funeral procession, and skid over your grave.

Good friend has Parkinson's and is failing, it would be a travesty not to use my old but in tack body........active baby.

As I mentioned in another thread some time ago, I'm dealing with an elderly parent. My maternal unit is 81, and very "de-conditioned". (The therapists at the rehab place where she spent last April and May used that word) A good part of the reason she is in the condition she is in now is due to her lifetime dislike of physical activity of any kind. Lots of other factors too, but this is primary.

Find something you like to do. Be active. Stay active.

Question, Is it better to sit safely on your ass and clog your arteries or be active?

Have a nephew and had an older brother who both took the first option. Both had really bad eating habits and derided physical activity.

Brother died at 49 from a heart attack, nephew had a golf ball sized tumor removed from his colon at age 25. The cancer is fortunately in full remission, but the risk will remain for rest of his life. He's still overweight, but we're working with him to get him to eat healthier and exercise more.

No thanks, I'll keep active. It's the only lifestyle I know, and it works for me.

Maybe this will help...

168586

Exactly. Exactly.



Exactly.

and risk getting injured?

What do you think?

Life is a TERMINAL disease!

Maybe this will help...

168586

ToothPaste For Dinner! My favorite online comic!:thumb:

We are all in the 50+ forum discussing our adventures and how far we have ridden. I told the doctor after my last crash that I only wanted to see him when I was coming out of the ambulance and bleeding profusely. It took two weeks to get all the parts and rebuild the bike, the head took 3 years to clear. I have dived all over the Carribean, jumped out of a perfectly good airplane, play racquetball and ride my bike. As I write this I am sitting on the couch with a glass of wine and my dogs, I choose life. Tomorrow we will hit it again, either on the bike, in the pool, or in the racquetball court.

Great post, no tough decisions here.........................................

Read the cook book To Serve Man. That will tell you.

I seem to recall a classic Twilight Zone episode with that very same title. TZ, Alfred Hitchcock and the original Outer Limits usually frightened me so bad that I'd hide under the covers at night even in pre-air-conditioned August heat. Yet I always came back for more!

I sure would like to go out like old Nelson Rockefeller...

http://i290.photobucket.com/albums/ll262/kurterle/images.jpg

My favorite political photo.

http://i290.photobucket.com/albums/ll262/kurterle/images.jpg

My favorite political photo.

:roflmao:

Is it really safer to ride an Ass than a bike? Aren't you way up off the ground when riding an Ass? Why does riding an Ass clog one's arteries?

Oh, I have so much to learn in the few years I have left...:(

and risk getting injured?

What do you think?

Why would anyone ask that question on a bike forum other than to see what kind of vitriol you can get back?

Sometimes throwing a little chum in the water can be very interesting.

Last week I had a little crash, broke my collarbone. I was astonished by how many of my stagnate friends said I should give up that dangerous bicycle riding. Hence the question.

I have no intention of stopping.

It has been written of in this very forum that it is not even safe to ride a trainer in your garage, especially while dressed in a nightie...

Safest is to sit on the trainer watching TV.


But boring (the trainer, that is).

I fixed it for you.