We joke about doing unhealthy things, saying "yeah, this'll knock 5 years off my life expectancy" as we dig into the giant plate of fettucine Alfredo or 24-ounce steak or hot fudge sundae. What we tend to forget is that it's not a matter of reaching a certain age, and then *click!* your time's up and you go. Instead, it's often a matter of increasing levels of illness, pain, and dependency on others.

Don't eat a healthy diet or exercise because somebody else says you "should" -- do it because you want to have as many good years as possible while you're here.