Hi Mr. Prokhorov,
I want to talk health and fitness now, because you said that exercise for you is some sort of a drug. Not necessarily good choice of words. "Drug" sounds harsh. It associates with addiction and no will power. When you say that, it opens up another question "what other addictions he might have?" On TV you could say "it's my biggest hobby, I love it, I'm hooked on it, can't do without it, seriously." It would be the same thing, only in much softer and friendlier way.
Rigorous exercise followed by endorphin release can leave you euphoric high. So some foods and some type of music. In case of agility and muscle building, it can help. That's good that your metabolism is good, so you're still slim and trim. You look good and you're very tall. Very tall looks dashing, but you have to pay attention to your heart. Why should I talk about this and what do I know? I have a Certificate called "Medical Nurse in Military Reserves" from former Soviet Union. Here, in NY, I've got 2 more technical ones. One of them is EKG. This was in early 90's. I was new, my English wasn't good enough for Journalism, I've got a job in medical office in dieting business. Americans are getting heavy and we have specialized places helping people to lose weight. There was a Medical Doctor, 2 medical assistants, trainer and the nutritionist. In the gym trainer would work with them specifically on their different body parts. It was small, as we call it "boutique" type, but busy with "high end" clients in most expensive area (UES) of Manhattan. To give an idea, the first visit was $400, stress test was $1400, every hour of exercise with the trainer was ... etc, etc. There also was a medication for some. I loved that job. Generally I'm very good with people, I'd listen to their stories and that's what they needed besides their diet instructions and exercise regiments. Most of overeating can start from psychological reasons before growing into physiological problems. First is the stress, constant pressure, worries, etc. I learned that men after 40's or 50's (depend on their type) recommended to take small dose of Aspirin daily for heart health. The Doctor I was working with also was taking just for prevention. At first I thought it was weird, because culture I came from didn't think about prevention. Men smoked, ate fatty foods, didn't exercise, dropped dead of heart attack in their 50's. No wonder average life expectancy still in Russia for men is 60, for women is 73. Women tend to be less reckless toward life and their bodies, I guess. So the recommended dose of Aspirin in USA is 325mg a day, in France (Europe recommends it too) it's 90mg.
Heart is a muscle and it has a heavy duty job of pumping blood. Lots of it. Without break. Poor thing never stops. For taller than average person it has more of a pressure, it works overtime. When I saw your picture it came to my mind right away. Doctor would check it out first too. So, you don't need to get sick to remember that everything we have has its limits and better safe than sorry, right? You need to take good care of it everyday to be able to achieve all those goals in sports in your 80's that you're planing. Here in America it wouldn't be surprising. First President Bush at his 80th birthday skydived. When came down he addressed people of his age on TV saying "get off your butts, do something!" Good for him! He was an overachiever all his life and he still keeps up with it.
Thank God I never had a weight problem, I used to be on a thinner side, now I'm perfectly normal for my normal height. My patients wanted to know my "personal secret." Many of them asked me out for a dinner just to get it out of me. I was telling them that I didn't have a secret. They always thought that I was being "too extreme" in my professionalism. When I felt that I learned enough and I left that job, I've got a "thank you" letter from the Doctor praising my work. I was pleasantly surprised of the kind words, such as "it was an honor to know you" and "you made the program a success." I didn't expect it, thought I was just doing my job. I called and asked what made him to do that. He said besides that he genuinely felt himself that way, all the patients were asking for me, some threatened that without me they wouldn't go there anymore. He had a hard time convincing them that it was my decision to leave.
I still have that letter. I threw away recommendation letters to Columbia University, but kept that one.
I don't exercise, though. Don't know why. Maybe because I don't need to? I don't like gyms. Don't enjoy having strangers sweating around me. I walk a lot. Prefer fresh air to air conditioned spaces. In Manhattan I can walk hours and not to be bored, especially when my favorite talk show hosts keep my brain stimulated with their fast thought processes.
Take care of yourself.
Best regards.
