Hello, Jane!
I pulled up to her house in my lifted Jeep Wrangler. Jane, came out, we chatted about the potential dock location and she explained we need to drive down to the water. She asked if she could ride with me. I hesitated for a moment…See Jane looked to me as what one might call, “A little old lady”. Well into her retirement, she surprised the crap out of me when she opened the door, set her iPhone on the seat and hauled her ass right up into the Jeep (mind you I don’t even have running board steps!). I looked at her and said, “I am impressed! I can barely climb in here some days!” I knew we would be friends, because she was exactly what I want to be when I am her “age”. She defined, “Successful Aging”.
What IS Successful Aging?
"Successful aging" refers to the ability to maintain physical health, cognitive function, and emotional well-being as one grows older. It encompasses a range of factors, including good overall health, engagement in meaningful activities, maintenance of social connections, and a positive outlook on life. Successful aging emphasizes active participation in one's own well-being and the ability to adapt to and cope with the challenges that come with aging. It is not solely determined by chronological age but rather by the overall quality of life and functional abilities in later years.
So that’s a pretty formal definition …. What I like to think is that Successful Aging means being able to do all the crap you dreamed of doing as you were working your booty off and raising kids. You were broke and had no time to do the bad ass stuff you dreamed up in your 20s. Next thing you know, here comes retirement fast and hard….are you ready? Your retirement dollars are cashed in, you have planned all the trips and adventures to fill your spare time that careers once filled……BUT….is your BODY ready?
Train for Life!
Preparing the body for successful aging involves adopting a proactive approach to health and well-being. Even if you have treated your body like an amusement park for the past 30 years, it isn’t too late!
Here are some key considerations:
1. Regular physical activity:
Engage in a balanced exercise routine that includes aerobic activities, strength training, and flexibility exercises. Regular physical activity can help maintain strength, flexibility, cardiovascular health, and overall physical function. But seriously…just getting out and walking for 30 min a day will do WONDERS for your mind and body!
2. Healthy diet:
Consume a nutritious, well-balanced diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, and healthy fats. Adequate hydration is also essential. A healthy diet supports overall health, provides essential nutrients, and can help prevent chronic diseases. And just lay off the processed crap most of the time, it causes inflammation, an aging body’s worst enemy!
3. Maintain a healthy weight:
Strive to maintain a healthy body weight through a combination of regular physical activity and a balanced diet. Excess weight can increase the risk of various health conditions. We all know this gets harder as we age but it’s mostly because we tend to move less and eat more crap. So move more and eat less crap. It’s really that simple.
4. Sleep well:
Prioritize quality sleep. Aim for the recommended 7-9 hours of sleep per night. Good sleep promotes physical and cognitive health and helps in maintaining energy levels and overall well-being. If you are retired, stop binging Netflix and go to bed like you did when you had to get up and go to work…then relish in the joy of no alarm clock!
5. Manage stress:
Develop effective stress management techniques, such as mindfulness, relaxation exercises, hobbies, or engaging in activities that bring joy. Chronic stress can have negative effects on health and well-being. Don’t wait until retirement to discover these activities, practicing now will help incorporate them into your life as you head toward retirement.
These are all things we should be practicing BEFORE retirement. Establishing healthy habits now is like investing into your 401K…you want money for after you stop earning a paycheck right? Investing in your health now, ensures that your mind and body are ready for cross country road trips, wrangling grandchildren and climbing into a Jeep to head down to your lake front property’s new dock location!
Sara Lacharite is a certified personal trainer dedicated to empowering retired women and those nearing retirement. Her passion lies in educating and inspiring them to understand the significance of incorporating movement and weight training into their daily routines. By doing so, they can maintain the ability to enjoy all the activities they've always dreamed of once they have the time and resources. Make your dreams a reality and visit www.commit2rise.com to learn how to work with Sara to train for life! Or click here to subscribe to her monthly-ish newsletter!
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