Many people think that retirement means they don’t have to work any more; like it says on that coffee cup. Let me warn you about that. In the last 10 years of writing this blog on good health, I think the most dangerous idea to adopt is that in retirement you can now live a sedentary lifestyle. That’s a dangerous assumption for any age, but for seniors it’s an absolute killer. I suggest you search “sedentary lifestyle” in the S E A R C H box on the right to read further on it. Also, check my Page – The dangers of too much sitting.
One of the reasons I am able to enjoy my life at 80 is that I exercise every day. I love to ride my bike and before the pandemic I was averaging around 100 miles a week year ’round here in Chicago. Since the pandemic, my average is up to around 150 miles with my curtailed social activity. Although I love riding, I don’t always feel like doing it. But, I do it anyway. I think of it as my new job. Only instead of a paycheck, I am getting to stay healthy and mobile in my old age.
I also do yoga, walk a lot and climb stairs when the weather makes biking impossible.
The U.S. Dept of Health and Human Services recommends around 2.5 hours a week of exercise. I consider that a minimum and shoot for at least an hour a day – all seven days a week. Unlike when you are working, your body doesn’t take time off from deteriorating. So, I try not to take time off from my exercise routine. As a senior citizen, I realize that the best I can do is to slow the deterioration. It’s a one day at a time deal.
Try not to fall into the retirement trap of ‘taking it too easy.’ Your body is an organic machine and it needs to be worked.
I hope you have as much good luck as I have had in my retirement. I think right now, I am as healthy as I was back 20 years ago when I was working.
It’s two decades but it goes by one day at a time.
Tony
Wellness Secrets of a SuperAger 
GOOD FOR YOU!! 👏🏻 Now that it is cooling off here, I started walking 1.5 miles around my neighborhood before I sit down to work from home (about the time it took me to drive to work). And after work another 2-4 miles (which will be harder as it gets darker). My goal is to hit 10K steps each day. Did not make it this past week, but did at least 3 days. Let’s see if I can do it every day this week 😊 I agree with you 100%!
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Thanks for your kind words, Lisa. And congrats on getting yourself walking. I think walking is the Cinderella of the exercise world – totally unappreciated.Keep up the good work!
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