TAKING THE LIFE-EXPECTANCY TEST

Begin by finding your life expectancy from the actuarial table in Appendix C. Enter this figure on the score sheet on this page.

This figure is your average life expectancy and is based on your age, sex, and race. Now, by keeping a running score based on your personal attributes, you will end up with a personalized life expectancy. Add and subtract years according to how you answer the questions in the work sheet beginning on this page.

After you have filled in this work sheet, transfer your scores to the score sheet on this page and tally up your personal life expectancy.

How did you measure up? If you are like most Americans, the results probably are pretty depressing. Chances are that unless you change your way of living, you will not see eighty or ninety.

Fortunately, there is something you can do: swim. Whether you are twenty-five or sixty-five, male or female, ten pounds or one hundred pounds overweight, a former Olympic swimmer or a total non-swimmer, whether you are one of the millions who have tried jogging and found it just wasn’t for you or have never exercised before, this enjoyable, refreshing, ideal form of exercise can add years to your life—vigorous, productive, fulfilling years.