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Comment by msoad | Hacker News Reader

Very sad news. RIP.

He died at 57. My retirement plan starts at 65 and and I'm in the same physical shape he was. Why should I continue putting money in my 401k if chances are I'll never use it?

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You can continue to put money there and try to change something about the physical shape? I think accent should be not on "oh crap I won't even use that money" but rather "hey, I WILL use that money". Fitbit and walking is a good start. I am a fat ass too.

This is wishful thinking. You could also get hit by a truck (or a scooter), live in the present. My wife recently got cancer she's in great physical condition. And you'll say "on average" blah blah blah and I'll say only the present is guaranteed.

Not rue, homelessness and welfare is also garunteed should you not save. There are many things which can kill you in this world every day. There is many more which can simply maim your ability to work and provide for your family.

Sure, I had to sacrifice some of that "in the moment" happiness while getting myself to a manageable state, but I don't regret a single moment of it.

It's such a cop out to say that you're living in the moment. Few people, I'd even venture to say that no one looks back on self improvement with regret. Discipline contributes to happiness. Don't try to demotivate people to justify your own unwillingness to improve yourself.

It is better for your happiness to have hope about the future than to just give up. Unless you've been diagnosed with a terminal illness, you should prepare (plan and help enable) for a long life, because the alternative is just too depressing.

The present may be the only time that exists, but what matters most is the quality of life in it.

One contends even in such an unfortunate event as your wife is experiencing, her fitness and otherwise excellent health means through treatment she'll enjoy a higher quality of life than someone out of shape with a body not ready for the battle.

Well, you have the option to get in better shape, for one thing. And for another, even for big guys like Jim, 57 is a pretty early age to go.

So that your passing isn't a financial burden on your family. Also, he doesn't look like he was in any worse shape than Winston Churchill. And, Jim Fix was in _much_ better shape. Life is uncertain.

Jim Fixx (two Xs) had a family history of heart disease. He lived 9 years past his father's age -- James died at 52, his father had a fatal heart attack at 43.

A long history of smoking likely didn't help much either.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jim_Fixx#Death

You can't really extrapolate from one event to "chances are...". Your chances of living past 65 are likely better than not, and do you really want to outlive your savings?

Agreed. Use that money for a good diet and exercise. Take an extended vacay if you have to. It could be life changing. It's worth missing work to get that part of life on track.

I don't mean to push a diet on you, but I've had success eating raw vegan & drinking vegetable juices. I also like yoga. It helps to live in a city that supports such a lifestyle choice. I live in LA.

Its never to late to save and start living healthy.

This pairs very well with the cheap IKEA standing desks.

http://www.amazon.com/LifeSpan-Fitness-TR1200-DT-TR1200-DT5-...

Sitting while coding is very bad.

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