A happy life doesn’t always mean a short one; George Burns lived to be 100 while smoking cigars and drinking martinis. Rat may actually be on to something.
Know what shortens life? It’s the healthy living zealots who go around shaming us for enjoying ourselves. That causes stress and as everyone knows, stress is bad for you! ;/
Everyone has to find their own path. However, there is something to the exercise routine. In general, people who exercise feel better mentally (less depressed, clearer thinking) and physically (fewer aches and pains, less likely to end up in a nursing home as they age). There will always be exceptions, but if you go with stats, exercise has its merits. If you want to go another route, nothing wrong with that.
Not so different than my vegetarian brother & sister-in-law. They may or may not live longer, but it will certainly seem like it. Not only that, but considering how much time they spend “playing” with their food, it’s a dead loss. Or maybe it’s a hobby…
From Wikipedia (yes, I know it’s not reliable – but I remember this):
“James Fuller Fixx (April 23, 1932 – July 20, 1984), known as “Jim Fixx,” was an American who wrote the 1977 best-selling book The Complete Book of Running. He is credited with helping start America’s fitness revolution by popularizing the sport of running and demonstrating the health benefits of regular jogging. He died of a heart attack while jogging at 52 years of age…"
Please compare his lifestyle & longevity with those of Willie Nelson & Keith Richards…………………..
Hurt yourself enough and the body starts making its own pain relievers.
en·dor·phin /ˌenˈdôrfēn/
any of a group of hormones secreted within the brain and nervous system and having a number of physiological functions. They are peptides which activate the body’s opiate receptors, causing an analgesic effect.
Exercise like biking produces happiness endorphins. I go the gym and make a sad attempt at strength training on the Nautilus machines, but I feel good while doing it and better about myself afterwards. Plus, it keeps me moving with my bad back and other ailments.
My sister’s husband was exactly like the bike guy in this comic; in fact “the bike guy” was how he was known in the neighborhood. He constantly nagged me about how my diet was going to kill me. They both are long gone, him to a heart attack and her to cancer. I’m still here and very healthy.
My bro had a buddy die on him years ago. The guy worked out all the time, and had only 8% body fat. He died at only 50 years old. You cannot exercise your way out of a congenital bad heart.
My mother was born in 1896 and she died at 102 years of age. She ate lard and ate food that 99% of people would have thrown out. She liked to drink whiskey and water, went up on the roof to repair it in her late 80s, had not seen a doctor for at least 30 years, took no medications other than asprin and lived by herself for quite a while until at age 94 she moved into a home. Makes you wonder.
67 yo cyclist here. I ride with folks mostly in their 60s and 70s and we have a lot of fun and are in great shape for any age. There is some of Joe the Cyclist in us, but cycling makes us feel free and strong.
BE THIS GUY almost 5 years ago
I’m not sure Jeff’s life expectancy is that long if you take into consideration how many bicyclists are killed by cars.
B UTTONS almost 5 years ago
Rat’s life expectancy matches his stature – short.
Jeff’s life expectancy matches his common sense – zero.
Sherlock Watson almost 5 years ago
A happy life doesn’t always mean a short one; George Burns lived to be 100 while smoking cigars and drinking martinis. Rat may actually be on to something.
Wilde Bill almost 5 years ago
As a former bicycle nut, I agree with Rat.
kaffekup almost 5 years ago
When I used to go to the gym, my wife said, “Don’t you feel better afterwards?”
“No, I don’t feel at all different either way.”
if(comicStrip == "funny") {return "laughter";} almost 5 years ago
I think people are missing the main point in this strip… their feeling of superiority to others!
Orcatime almost 5 years ago
Philosophy in art.
Baarorso almost 5 years ago
Know what shortens life? It’s the healthy living zealots who go around shaming us for enjoying ourselves. That causes stress and as everyone knows, stress is bad for you! ;/
blunebottle almost 5 years ago
Score 50 points for Rat.
Concretionist almost 5 years ago
I’m told that if you stop eating bacon you will lengthen your life by about 4 years. Four awful, baconless years!
GROG Premium Member almost 5 years ago
That fried chicken and six pack sound a lot better than veggie burgers nutri-grain bars. I’ll take the shorter life and love it
cdward almost 5 years ago
Everyone has to find their own path. However, there is something to the exercise routine. In general, people who exercise feel better mentally (less depressed, clearer thinking) and physically (fewer aches and pains, less likely to end up in a nursing home as they age). There will always be exceptions, but if you go with stats, exercise has its merits. If you want to go another route, nothing wrong with that.
Kind&Kinder almost 5 years ago
You’d think a kind Universe would tell us how long our performance must last—like any good theater manager.
Ksandler4570 almost 5 years ago
Jef is right. Exercise helps us feel better every day
Troglodyte almost 5 years ago
“Enjoy your long, sucky one” sounds dirty, Rat.
Say What Now‽ Premium Member almost 5 years ago
I ride my bike so I can enjoy fried chicken and beer.
Alexander the Good Enough almost 5 years ago
Not so different than my vegetarian brother & sister-in-law. They may or may not live longer, but it will certainly seem like it. Not only that, but considering how much time they spend “playing” with their food, it’s a dead loss. Or maybe it’s a hobby…
hariseldon59 almost 5 years ago
It’s a trade-off. I love fried chicken, but not at every meal.
Andrew Sleeth almost 5 years ago
“I feel better when I eat a bucket of fried chicken washed down by a six-pack.”
I’m surprised Jef didn’t hurl the instant he heard that.
Breadboard almost 5 years ago
With Rat on this one ! … Croc Power !
Cozmik Cowboy almost 5 years ago
From Wikipedia (yes, I know it’s not reliable – but I remember this):
“James Fuller Fixx (April 23, 1932 – July 20, 1984), known as “Jim Fixx,” was an American who wrote the 1977 best-selling book The Complete Book of Running. He is credited with helping start America’s fitness revolution by popularizing the sport of running and demonstrating the health benefits of regular jogging. He died of a heart attack while jogging at 52 years of age…"
Please compare his lifestyle & longevity with those of Willie Nelson & Keith Richards…………………..
YippiKiAyMofo almost 5 years ago
Man: Doctor, will I live to be 100 years old?
Doctor: Do you drink?
Man: No.
Doctor: Do you smoke?
Man: No.
Doctor: Do you go to parties and stay out all night?
Man: No.
Doctor: Are you sexually active?
Man: No.
Doctor: The hell do you wanna live to be 100 for?
aerotica69 almost 5 years ago
Thank you, Rat.
Dave M almost 5 years ago
To quote Rat from another day’s strip (Oct 21, 2018): Life is an amusement park. And while you’ll stay there longer, all the rides will be closed.
redback almost 5 years ago
let’s play a round of ‘whose template is it’:
life is hard, things happen, what is the point of even trying
the boss is a moron and the rest of us are so witty
cats are mean no matter what, dogs are cute no matter what as long as they can do puppy eyes
Masterskrain almost 5 years ago
Eat well, stay fit….die anyway.
William Robbins Premium Member almost 5 years ago
Feels pretty good to be in good shape…
Blot almost 5 years ago
WHERE ARE THE CROCS? BET THEY AGREE W/ RAT!
Ukko wilko almost 5 years ago
Grilled salmon and Scotch.
Linguist almost 5 years ago
I’ve known more old drunks than old doctors!
Radish... almost 5 years ago
Hurt yourself enough and the body starts making its own pain relievers.
en·dor·phin /ˌenˈdôrfēn/
any of a group of hormones secreted within the brain and nervous system and having a number of physiological functions. They are peptides which activate the body’s opiate receptors, causing an analgesic effect.
Getting high the hard way.
Aladar30 Premium Member almost 5 years ago
Jeff is my heroe!
WCraft Premium Member almost 5 years ago
I don’t usually side with rats but I’m going to have to on this one.
marilynnbyerly almost 5 years ago
Exercise like biking produces happiness endorphins. I go the gym and make a sad attempt at strength training on the Nautilus machines, but I feel good while doing it and better about myself afterwards. Plus, it keeps me moving with my bad back and other ailments.
JLChi almost 5 years ago
My sister’s husband was exactly like the bike guy in this comic; in fact “the bike guy” was how he was known in the neighborhood. He constantly nagged me about how my diet was going to kill me. They both are long gone, him to a heart attack and her to cancer. I’m still here and very healthy.
zeexenon almost 5 years ago
Well, I’ve learned recently the runner’s high of decades past beats ED.
David Rickard Premium Member almost 5 years ago
As Buddy Hackett said: the health fanatics are going to be so confused/disappointed years from now when they’re in the hospital dying of nothing.
Rick Smith Premium Member almost 5 years ago
Why can’t you do both?
Thehag almost 5 years ago
Whatever keeps you happy. I’ve known all types and seen some thrive and some die and many struggle. Just die happy when it’s time.
sperry532 almost 5 years ago
I’m kinda with Rat on this one.
gbars70 almost 5 years ago
For some time now, Pastis seems to be in a philosophical funk; mostly co-starring Pig and Rat; no Crocs, no Guard Duck etc…
Ellis97 almost 5 years ago
He’s a rat, so he’s probably got four or five years anyways.
jonnytest almost 5 years ago
My bro had a buddy die on him years ago. The guy worked out all the time, and had only 8% body fat. He died at only 50 years old. You cannot exercise your way out of a congenital bad heart.
ike38 almost 5 years ago
My mother was born in 1896 and she died at 102 years of age. She ate lard and ate food that 99% of people would have thrown out. She liked to drink whiskey and water, went up on the roof to repair it in her late 80s, had not seen a doctor for at least 30 years, took no medications other than asprin and lived by herself for quite a while until at age 94 she moved into a home. Makes you wonder.
bob.gaston45 almost 5 years ago
Sign at a Neighborhood restaurant: “Wine, because great stories never start with a salad”. Words to live by.
Sisyphos almost 5 years ago
Jef the Biker lives an up-tight life, tight as the spandex he flaunts. Rat is right; fried chicken and beer is better than Jef’s smugness….
cdgar almost 5 years ago
Sorry to see that Jef hasn’t been ran over by a Mack truck yet.
FireAnt_Hater almost 5 years ago
And Rat is an idiot :^)…
Richard Irell Premium Member almost 5 years ago
67 yo cyclist here. I ride with folks mostly in their 60s and 70s and we have a lot of fun and are in great shape for any age. There is some of Joe the Cyclist in us, but cycling makes us feel free and strong.