Would you be willing to give up 10 years off the end of your lifespan to look and feel as you do right now until the end?
Posted by PaddedValls@reddit | AskUK | View on Reddit | 91 comments
I'm 34, the fittest I've ever been. Haven't went grey yet etc.
Obviously no idea how long I'll last in this life, but I have no problem growing old with dignity.
Morganx27@reddit
Probably not, I'm fat and everything hurts. If you gave me a bit of time to lose some weight before I lock my appearance and health in forever, maybe.
baeworth@reddit
Dang I think I’m doing my 30s wrong
Illustrious-Air-7777@reddit
I’m 64. Moot point.
exhausted-pangolin@reddit
TBF at 64 your current age expectancy is another 18-21 years, unless you're already ill or particularly unhealthy.
The 18-21 is an average too so your chances are pretty good
Illustrious-Air-7777@reddit
Father dead at 40, mother dead at 70, I’m not fancying my chances!
paulmclaughlin@reddit
Agree you still needed and being fed?
Morazma@reddit
It can always get worse my friend
elvisonaZ1@reddit
Ha, 64 too, very much a moot point.
Cheeko-chi@reddit
Not a chance, dying at 75 sucks but dying at 65 is a tragedy.
MIKBOO5@reddit
I'd rather die at 65, than get dementia at 65 and live for another 20 years.
Instructions_unclea@reddit
You’re pretty unlikely to get dementia at 65. Less than 2% of people aged 65-70 have dementia.
If you look after yourself well, you have a good chance of being healthy and active throughout your 60s.
repair-it@reddit
Just you wait for the 70's, suddenly it gets painful.
Cheeko-chi@reddit
Plenty of people living perfectly healthy lives at 70s
repair-it@reddit
I was until last week - now I have sciatica - it's not nice.
disasterly213@reddit
You must live up to your username
exhausted-pangolin@reddit
I thought you were going to say "2% of people with dementia got it in their 60s"
But 1-2 of all people in their 60s get dementia?! That's crazy high
I thought it was much much rarer than that
MIKBOO5@reddit
Yep 2% would be 1 in 50 people. Terrifying!
--BooBoo--@reddit
But dying at 95 or 105 can be a blessed release - I've watched 3 grandparents get to their very late 90s and those last year's did not look fun at all. If I was going at that age I'd definitely take the deal.
ClarifyingMe@reddit
This is hilarious to me. If I die quicker in this defunct body, go on then!
SmugglersParadise@reddit
Seeing my 90 year grandfathers health deteriorate the last few years, yeah I'd probably take the deal.
For a lot of people, the last few years of life are not really living
If I could be a 30 year old fit and healthy 70 year old, that would be awesome
Brighton101@reddit
Don’t think so. My dad is active, bright and articulate, plays squash, travels, hangs out with friends, and he’s 74. Would be sad to lose 10 years of that or similar just to be a bit less wrinkled.
bars_and_plates@reddit
It depends.
If you told me I was going to live to be 95 I'd choose to die at 85 with my current health.
If you told me I was going to live to be 55 then I'd choose to die at 55 with the health of a 55 year old.
Louis_lousta@reddit
My mum just turned 80 and still does multi day hikes and dances.
PsychologicalDish430@reddit
No, sounds shallow, life is about experiences not looks.
bodhigoatgirl@reddit
At 41 with a bad back, yes. I like being older but I am not enjoying pain and tiredness.
27106_4life@reddit
Not a chance. I wanna see my kid as long as I can
Sparko_Marco@reddit
Nope, maybe 15 years ago me would but I've gone downhill since. I'm on a health kick at the moment though and feeling good but I think I'm still a year off where I want to be if I keep on track. Maybe next year I'll have a different opinion on this.
Avon_gent@reddit
the monkeys paw curls, you were destined to die at 44 after being hit by a car
highrouleur@reddit
Well I've already beaten destiny then. I'm basically immortal
skawarrior@reddit
I would say yes for sure however! I expect that would shorten my lifespan to somewhere in my fifties
newyearnewwig@reddit
Well I don’t look or feel good right now give or take I could be worse off
toady89@reddit
Can I have a couple of years to get myself into good shape first? I'd probably take it in that case because arthritis runs in our family and at least the last 10 years (maybe more) are very likely to be spent in pain.
Kamikaze-X@reddit
No, I look and feel terrible now 😂
DigitalStefan@reddit
No. Age gracefully.
DaveBeBad@reddit
I always hoped they would invent immortality while I was young enough to enjoy it fully. And now I’m at the age where I might not have another decade…
Chlorophilia@reddit
1000000% yes. Aging and degenerative diseases are my biggest fear, I'd give up more than 10 years to stay as I am now.
ChelseaMourning@reddit
It really depends. I’m 40 next month and in pretty good nick, but my mum died of cancer at 49. I have a slightly heightened risk of developing it due to breast cancer being on both sides of my family, so who knows if I even have 10 years left myself.
However, the thought of getting old terrifies me. I’m talking over 75. I just don’t want it. My neighbour is a very spritely 80 and seems to be living a very fulfilled live on her own, but I can’t guarantee that for myself.
--BooBoo--@reddit
Longevity runs in my family - 3 grandparents lived to nearnly 100, Great Aunt to 101, Uncle to 95, Dad is currently 91 and Mum is currently 85.
I have watched / am watching them all struggle a lot both physically and mentally in the later years so Id probably still take this, and would definitely take it if I could go back to how I felt 15 years ago.
My Grandad has all his marbles to the very end and for the last couple of years he used to say he was ready to go. He was in quite a bit of pain, just doing normal day to day stuff like getting dressed, going to the bathroom, getting meals etc got harder and harder, there was an increasing loss of dignity as he started needing carers, and things he could enjoy got less and less. I'm pretty much certain he and Nan both would have gladly taken that deal.
rezonansmagnetyczny@reddit
Nah.
I know you can go anytime, but I'd sooner know im on my way out when I'm old, rather than dropping dead in the middle of a festival at 76, looking like I'm 36, feeling like I'm 26, acting like I'm 16, with the mental age of about 6.
Tall_Stick5608@reddit
65 / 66 is fine with me. Average -5 years but not 10
squodgenoggler@reddit
No day is promised. Better to live your life to the full and age gracefully. For all you know you could wind up dead in an accident or unforeseen illness at the age of 30. Make that 20 but I look 26 still? No I’m good
OrangeBeast01@reddit
I've decided I'm going to live until 101. Just because why not? So if you said I'll live until 91 and I could look like I do now, which is late 30's but better than I've ever looked due to giving a shit from my mid 30's, I'd snap your hand off.
originallyale@reddit
Maybe? But can I choose the age in which I want my body to ‘feel’ because I have chronic illnesses that mean I feel pain all the time
NoobOfTheSquareTable@reddit
If I died of old age otherwise yes
If I died in an accident no
Mid 20s health until 80 would be pretty nice (my family has a habit of living past 90)
Monkeyboogaloo@reddit
At 57 no! My dad died a 71. Also I look a wreck at 57 and hope there will be a miracle which will turn back time.
Jip_Jaap_Stam@reddit
I'd be willing to give up 10 years off the end of my lifespan regardless
EasyCheesecake1@reddit
So.. for about six months? Hmmm, no.
Unique-observer@reddit
Most likely yes, the point of living is happy living. Being old with disabilities body pains etc is no fun, sometimes it can be hellish. Who wants to live like that. Do you want to live a hellish existence ? I don’t
ReddereDonum@reddit
It's not clear from the question whether you know when you'll die. Seems like a money paw situation where you could end being punished from taking the wish.
It's morbid to think about but cancer rates are rising fast for the under 50s.
Imagine taking this deal at 34 and you were going to get bowel cancer and die at 45. You'll have 1 year left to live...
Unique-observer@reddit
Ah that’s a good point, I didn’t think of that. I assumed you’d die at 70 instead of 80 type thing. If it’s what you’re describing then it depends, but still wouldn’t want to live too miserably I think
KingDebone@reddit
Like i need a poo? Doesn't seem like a good trade.
TieDyePandas@reddit
if I could have the health from 10 years ago then maybe, but my body is already failing me.
8Ace8Ace@reddit
I look like ten pounds of shit in an eight pound back. Lose a decade to prevent me from looking like eleven? No thanks
InkedDoll1@reddit
Nope. I'm 51 with a disability and dealing with rough menopause symptoms. If I could go back to my early 30s, sure.
Impetuous_doormouse@reddit
Right now? Yeah, I don't think I want to deteriorate. I think if I could choose, though, it'd be a few years back before I had some health issues, but by and large I'd happily trade staying like this instead of 10 years of the inevitable injury related pain I know is coming.
EvilTaffyapple@reddit
I wish you’d asked me this question 24 years ago
oh_f-f-s@reddit
No, I look like shit now
hunsnet457@reddit
No. I feel like becoming older but not physically aging would be so isolating, watching all my friends become old and withered whilst i’m frozen in time would make me go insane.
I also have pretty good genes so i’m okay with getting a little rusty.
Beartato4772@reddit
You're immediately making the assumption you're going to live another 10 years from now of course.
NuisancePenguin44@reddit
If I can stay at my current health for the rest of my life as well then yes I'd probably do it.
Junkoftheheartss@reddit
See I plan to outlive my entire family and be the longest living. Youngest was 41 and oldest is currently 73 so I can’t take any chances here x
TTNNBB2023@reddit
Maybe what I looked like at 34, not what i look like now.
winthewarpie@reddit
No . You think like that when you’re young because everyone over 40 seems like they’re on the scrap heap and later life seems a long way off. News flash…it isn’t and it goes quickly! I’m late 50s and have always been slim and physically fit. I look pretty much the same as I looked 30 years ago apart from a bit older. Same shape, same hairstyle. People from 25 years ago recognise me instantly
I’ve always cycled and am now hitting the gym which surprisingly I love. I’m happy the age I am because I don’t have to work. I choose to, so enjoy my career more nowadays. My kids are late teens so I have more freedom.
I’m fortunate that I’m healthy and as long as I can stay fit and independent in later life I’ll stick around at the expense of not going grey…and getting a few more wrinkles!
MisterD90x@reddit
Lol no, I'm a fat idiot with terrible self esteem.
DoubleXFemale@reddit
For this thought exercise, you have to assume you aren’t going to die young in the first place.
I got diagnosed with cancer at 32, did treatment for a year, and still have a fair chance of it coming back, and it could come back as Stage 4.
I’m happy with how I look and feel now, but knocking 10 years off my life could put me in the red, lol.
Gatecrasher1234@reddit
I've never been fully fit. I have a number of disabilities, although I don't consider myself to be disabled. I also have an autoimmune disease and haven't been pain free since my mid 20s.
If someone offered me perfect health, but I would shuffle off at 80, then I would take it in a heartbeat. Hell, maybe 75 even.
Most of my relatives lived to their mid 80s. I have some in their 90s and no way do I want to get that far.
T_raltixx@reddit
Absolutely not. I'm ugly, balding, unfit and have chronic fatigue and fibromyalgia. I look and feel like shit.
Upstairs-Manager-703@reddit
Honestly, I’d rather keep the extra 10 years and aging is part of the experience for me.
MindComfortable6216@reddit
If I was 34 like you then yes definitely. I’m turning 67 next month and never thought I would feel so tired mentally and physically. Saying that I know a few people older than me that don’t feel like me, so everyone is different and you don’t know how you will feel once older.
Positive-Mud-11@reddit
No, i’m mid thirties and the worst i’ve ever been with three chronic illnesses. I’d take 20 years off if it meant i’d be healthy though.
seshwan33@reddit
Absolutely not. I feel like shite
AnalysisGlobal5385@reddit
Not now but definitely would have taken the deal at your age 20 odd years ago. 34 I was the fittest I've ever been. Now I'm the fattest. I've probably given the 10 years away.
L-0-T-H-0-S@reddit
I come from a family which carries the milder variant of the COL2A1 STL1 variant, meaning I developed osteoarthritis prematurely - I had both my TKR'd while still in my 50's. I have arthritis everywhere., everyone in my family has it except my mother, it came down my dads side of the family. It started affecting me since my 30's.
Trust me when I tell you. The last thing I want is to feel exactly as I do now.
Jayatthemoment@reddit
It depends what else you are ‘fixing’. I would love my pretty hair back, but I was dumb as a bag of hammers at 34. Shiny hair or higher earning power and greater emotional and personal fulfilment?
Obviously some people manage smart under 40, but not me.
JohnCasey3306@reddit
If I've gotta look and feel like this until the end, I'll be grateful for the decade off
Front_Pepper_360@reddit
64 fittest I have ever been
DrH1983@reddit
If it meant things couldn't decline further, sure
Physical-Bear2156@reddit
No. I've got flu.
BreqsCousin@reddit
Do I get to know my expected lifespan before I make this deal?
It sounds like it could be maliciously fulfilled by me dying tomorrow.
Longjumping_Sea7214@reddit
sounds like a magic lamp in a movie😂
mdmnl@reddit
"Tales of the Unexpected" theme music starts playing...
clockwork_pianet@reddit
Depends on the lifespan? Living to 80 instead of 90 -> worth giving up 10 years. Living to 70 instead of 80 -> maybe not worth it
Hookton@reddit
God no, I'm a wreck.
KBVan21@reddit
Nope. Presently got food poisoning and shit myself on the sofa in front of my girlfriend of 17 years and my 1 year old son a few hours ago…...
I’ll keep the extra 10 years.
No-Temperature-7195@reddit
Yes for sure
hotchy1@reddit
Depends.. is my natural life 100 with my back end being wiped? Hell yes.
Or have I meant to peg it in 11 years time? In that case no thanks.
SpectreSingh89@reddit
The trick, on average, is to live a healthy and active lifestyle. Clean cut diet and an hour workout, not strenuous but something which will get u tired n sweating.
Lexcisia@reddit
Longevity runs in my family and I never want to be 90-something, or even 80-something.
I'm 39 and I'd be willing to give up 10 years off the end of my lifespan even if I aged normally from here on.
Longjumping_Sea7214@reddit
I’d probably wouldn’t if I lived to 100 that would be 10% of my life span and I assume I won’t live that long. I guess im biased being young so I’d like to see someone who’s olders view.
Feeling-Bluebird8413@reddit
I don’t really care about looking older as I get older, but I wouldn’t like to ever get to a point where I can’t live independently, go to the bathroom unaided etc.
But no, I wouldn’t give up 10 years to guarantee this.
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