Are You in Your "Marginal Decade" of Life?

As senior men, here's something to think about. Do you have ten years -- more or less -- before you expire? 

And what will those ten years look like?

Dr. Peter Attia has introduced the concept of the "Marginal Decade". 

It's the final 10 years of life, which is characterized by significant physical and cognitive decline, leading to a loss of freedom and joy.

Attia emphasizes that while genetics play a role, lifestyle choices in previous decades are more significant in determining the quality of the marginal decade.

The core concept is to "reverse-engineer" your future decade by defining desired activities and abilities and then systematically building the physical and cognitive health required for them starting now, such as through concepts like his Centenarian Decathlon.

What Is the "Marginal Decade"?

• The Last 10 Years: It's the final decade of your life. 
• A Period of Decline: For most people, it is a time of significant loss of physical strength, cognitive function, and overall independence. 
• Diminishment of Joy: This decline often prevents individuals from participating in activities they once loved, such as gardening, playing with grandchildren, or traveling, leading to a reduced quality of life. 

So What?

Well, wouldn't you agree that living longer is meaningless if you aren't healthy enough to enjoy those extra years?

While you can't fully control genetics or the timing of your death, you have substantial influence over the health and function of your marginal decade. 

How to Prepare for Your Marginal Decade

• Backcasting: You begin by envisioning how you want to live in your 80s and 90s. 
• The Centenarian Decathlon: This is a tactical approach to identify specific physical tasks you want to perform in your final decade and then designing a training plan to achieve them. 
• Build a "Health Bank Account": This involves making consistent investments in your health and vitality to draw upon when your body's biology becomes less favorable. 

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