17 Comments
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Al Cheech's avatar

For me "First wealth ... is health" I was blessed with good genes. But at times I have let myself go. I used to have anxiety and its only good side effect was it kept me thin. My ideal weight is around 200 lbs being 6' 2" tall. I'm currently around 220 where I was close to 250 a few years back. Being that heavy for me was an energy kill as well as motivation kill.

I barely workout with weights (maybe an hour a week tops), but I stretch, walk, paddleboard not for vanity, but for fitness. I have almost no aches and pains, I take no meds and feel good. But I must admit, I do have a little vanity with my working out. I used to hunch a lot, and I do exercises that makes me stand taller. But that is because I see my father hunch over (he is 88) and I want to avoid having that same physiology.

I hear people that don't exercise that you miss the last 7 years of life when you're unhealthy and sick... My rebuttal is, it just makes you unhealthy and sick 7 years sooner! I hope to be healthy for many more years, but part of that is in God's hands, but I can help by doing little things like walking, exercising, eating OK, and not drinking too much... and feel comfortable taking my shirt off at our pool where there are usually 100 people laying out... but I do admit to sucking in my gut a little and sticking out my chest (so there still is a bit of vanity).

Al Cheech - LadiesOnFilm

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PWM's avatar

I’m at a point in my life where I need to occasionally laugh out loud and you never disappoint! Thanks Jared.

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Spencer Hoffman's avatar

Waiting patiently for your piece on Attia now that you've opened that can of worms. Come on Jared , let's hear it.

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Dave Beitz's avatar

Great piece. You have nothing to worry about JD.

On the flip side have you listened to a financial advisor that was overly attractive and found it distracting? I like my financial content to come from people who could not have a side job in modeling.

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Adrian Brown's avatar

Wow, great wisdom , thank you.

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Gordon's avatar

I try to stay in shape, but at 71 years old, it is not to impress others with my bod. Rather, I have the genetic potential to live well into my 90s and I want whatever years I may have left to be healthy ones, to the extent possible.

As I read your essay, I was thinking that I don't care about my appearance, but then I realized that in one respect I do: When people see me I want them to wonder, "Why is HE so happy?" I am happy, and I like to share that with others, but worrying about ones appearance, or even being proud of ones appearance, does little or nothing to add to ones happiness.

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Dan Allen's avatar

JD:

To your point about being comfortable in one's own skin--a story.

I once asked a question of a young lady to whom I have since referred as "Smokin' Hot Martha [her actual first name]".

Me: "Martha, what do women think about men who are losing their hair?"

Martha: "I'm going to tell you this once DA, so don't forget. We care as much as you care."

Well said. And I have not forgotten.

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Liz's avatar

This misses the point, being fit makes us smarter and getting ripped is unnecessary. I am not thin and I am very strong. My husband is no longer ripped and is also extremely fit. He still does pull-ups from a dead hang at 61. I sometimes wear things, like today, that make me look very fat and I don't care. Fitness is about optimal function, not looks. I did a test years ago comparing my Duplicate Bridge scores after a weight workout versus no workout and every time I worked out I scored higher. Your brother looks amazing, but looking that good is more work than I am willing to put in, instead, I optimize for my lifestyle. I can do everything I enjoy like hiking, dancing, and having full mobility.

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Thomas Wolf's avatar

As you age you should care more about your appearance not less. At 51 you haven’t REALLY hit that “I’m old” yet. There will come a day when, boom, that becomes psychologically real real. It becomes a battle to not become invisible. Part of that battle is to stay visible to yourself first, meaning to try and be ok with that image in the mirror, literally. It’s not about not giving a fuck. It’s about not giving UP. 71 soon 72. Intertwined.

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Lago Brian's avatar

Well you gotta workout anyway JD, coz we need you here for a long long time.

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Norman Cerk's avatar

Forgot JeffBezos on the billionaire jacked list but pretty sure that’s the HGH.

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Dave El's avatar

Ha ha. The healthier you are the less toxins running around you body so the clearer your mind. Fasting ... I know a Billionaire who is totally built. There's one.

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DK's avatar

I read you because I find your topics interesting, challenging and stimulating. Sometimes, but not always. Thank you.

Anyways, sometimes I fail to understand the point you are trying to make, if any. "Inside/Outside" is an example.

Not sure if you want to engage, though.

Thank you.

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Brad Woolard's avatar

I'm 59 years old, and it took me between 45-50 years to figure this out, but it was a load off when I finally had this epiphany. I weigh 155 pounds, but I'm not taking my shirt off at the pool or anywhere else in public. Those days are LONG behind me.

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D Stone's avatar

Bezos: Lex Luthor's ripped (and somewhat less likeable) twin brother.

Suggested DJ name: Aging Elvis

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Tom's avatar

Manson's not giving a fuck sold 12 million copies

Beyond impressive

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