Get walking for a happy retirement

Gyms and community centers are brimming with baby boomers trying to get (or stay) in shape for their golden years. (Although, attendance numbers seem to be down considerably since those 2017 New Year’s resolutions were young.)

Good health and nutrition are essential for a happy retirement for a number of reasons:

1. Keeping health care costs down
2. Enabling you to go and see the places you’ve always wanted to go and see
3. Freedom from aches and pains
4. Fewer medicines to remember taking (and the costs associated with those meds)
5. A better mental state
6. Longer-lasting mobility
7. Less burden on loved ones and caregivers
8. Cheaper (!) insurance rate

…. and countless more benefits.

 Proper nutrition is an important factor in overall wellness and guidance is available all over the Internet. Here are a few reliable resources to get you started:

Nutrition.gov
National Institutes of Health
US News

As for exercise, the other biggie where health is concerned, options abound – gyms, personal trainers, Zumba classes, yoga, running, biking, etc. – but the easiest and, arguably, most effective form of exercise is walking. That’s right. Putting one foot in front of the other and repeating for as long as you like.

Our new friend and blogger, Jacky Miller, recently listed 50 excellent reasons to start walking. You can read them here, but our favorites are:

• #36 Improves sleep. (Yes, please!)
• #42 Increases energy.  (No more afternoon cup of joe.)
• #46 Helps reduce acid reflux. (Because, sometimes, the diet isn’t what it’s supposed to be.)
• #10 Reduce the size of your buttocks. (Hey. We all have our priorities.)

How confident are you that your health is “retirement-ready?”  (Be honest. Have you even seen a doctor in the last 12 months?) To find out, take the Fit-To-Retire readiness assessment today and learn how prepared and enthusiastic you are in the five key areas of retirement success:  Self Identity, Personal Relationships, Social, Financial and Heath & Nutrition.

Then, go out and enjoy a nice, long walk.