The Problem

The problem isn't that people don't understand the odds, the reports or the statistics. It is that they aren't willing to change.

For example, take Cache Valley, Utah. This portion of the country has some of the oldest people of any County in the USA. This county also has one of the lowest nursing home bed census in the USA. Why is that? No one knows for sure, but there are some educated guesses:

1. This population gets more physical exercise. This is agricultural country - farmers. These people were raised on the farm - working hard from dawn to dusk. The majority of people don't do this today. Work is at a desk, not in the field. Farmers "exercised" by simply working. Cubicle workers don't exercise at work - and rarely at home.
2. This population lives healthier. The Mormon religion, or Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, is the predominant religion in the area. One of their core beliefs is the Word of Wisdom. Church members abstain from alcohol, tobacco, coffee & tea. They are also encouraged to eat good foods.
3. When you exercise and eat healthy you won't be caught dead in a nursing home. This population is a great example of staying healthy.
   

This example is of a group that is healthy due to necessity and religious belief - two areas that are more influential than simple being health for health sake. The point is to find your motivation and go for it.