THERESA: Sad news on the fitness front: Brian Maxwell, founder of the multimillion-dollar PowerBar empire and a former world-class marathon runner, has died of a heart attack at his home in Marin County, Calif., at the age of 51.

Initial reports don't provide details about Maxwell's personal health history or whether there was any family history of heart disease. But already at least one opportunistic dieting marketer has weighed in in particularly ghoulish fashion, as if PowerBars are what killed the guy. I'm sure other people are shaking their heads, wondering if there's any point exercising if this can happen to someone so athletic.

The fact is, eating PowerBars didn't kill Brian Maxwell. He developed PowerBars after he was forced to drop out of a marathon at mile 21 because his body didn't have the fuel it needed to finish. He was an athlete, married to a nutritionist, and beyond that, I'll wait to hear more details.

It does prompt me to consider how vicious the diet wars are getting these days. Look how some people reveled in Dr. Atkin's accidental death, as if low-carb dieting were the cause. Thoughts on this, Girlfriends?

WENDY: You know, we have a sick fascination with this question. It seems like a way to justify not being healthy -- saying, "look at him, he did all that and he died at 51!" That's so lame. You can't predict when your time will come, but you can maximize your chances -- and look and feel better in the process.

The one that always got me was the macrobiotic guy from Japan who died of stomach cancer...

JENICE: This may sound wacky but I'm a firm believer that you can OVERDO a good thing.... Moderation is key. But, hey, I'm no doctor.

ELLEN: I am the last one to question the cosmic curveballs that come our way. It is true however, young girlfriends, that when you reach 50, you start hoping that the good choices you’ve made in your life will make a difference in your longevity. You tend to make healthier choices all of the time instead of once in a while. For example, I’m counting on the fact that I never smoked even one cigarette to give me at least another 10 years. This may be folly. Taking care of oneself is simply a necessary but not sufficient practice to keep us living as long as possible. The great thing about having a fitness routine is that combined with a "gratitude attitude" it makes life more fun. So if I get hit by a pie truck tonight, at least I’ll go out knowing that I had a great time. I’m hope Brian Maxwell felt that way when his time came.

LAURIE: I agree, Ellen! You just have to hope for the best, but do the stuff that makes you feel your best. Who can predict? My stepfather wasn't a real healthy eater, but he got Parkinson's disease, which as far as I know has zilch to do with diet. I say this only to illustrate that everything isn't food-related (is it?). At the same time, eating right and exercising makes me lookand feel better and feel more in control of my destiny, even though I know I'm not.

THERESA: One bio reported that Maxwell enjoyed trail runs, mountain biking and various sports with his wife Jennifer and five children. And he was a popular track and field coach at UCal-Berkeley. Sounds like a life well lived...