Retire Happy

Like most Americans, you probably believe that exercise is a good thing for other people. But then, after months of sloth, you look in the mirror, get re-motivated, and reach for your jogging shoes, swimsuit, or the dusty barbells in the corner of the garage. Then, after a few days or weeks of furious activity, you again subside back on the couch.

The majority of America's health care dollars are spent on people over 50 -- and most of the medical conditions that suck it up are avoidable. For example, the majority of diabetes cases, 100% of osteoporosis, much of heart disease, stroke, lung cancer, colon cancer, alcohol-related illnesses, and depression miseries, are preventable. And, of course, this is only the top of a very long list of expensive diseases that older Americans inflict on themselves. Or put even more bluntly, the fundamental reason health care costs are over the moon is that as a nation we actively conspire to make ourselves sick and then do little about it except bitch about the huge costs we incur to keep our self-damaged little selves alive.

For years I've been making the point that a strong friendship network is key to leading a successful life after retirement. After years of having this subject largely ignored as a huge element of successful aging, it was great to read the New York Times' recent article, "What Are Friends For? A Longer Life".

Anyone who claims to have more money than they did eighteen months ago is either impossibly brilliant, outrageously lucky, or a big fat liar.

Okay, well, maybe not forever, since like all the rest of us, you'll die eventually. But for most people, there's no reason not to be in excellent physical condition until -- or almost until -- you part with your body.

1. Aerobics. Run, fast walk, bike, or use a machine -- such as a cross-trainer or rower -- for 30 minutes every day. Whatever you choose, you need to work up a light sweat, which means that moderate walking or slowly turning the pedals of an exercise bike won't do it.
2. Strength training. Lift light weights, use weight training machines, or do push-ups and chin-ups. But whatever you do, make sure you do it vigorously and regularly.
3. Stretching. Keeping joints, muscles, and tendons loose and supple prevents -- or at least helps cope with -- all sorts of nasty body problems. An hour of yoga, pilates, stretching, or some type of martial arts classes three times a week is just the ticket.

Okay, so let's assume for a moment that I'm right when I say that lots of retirees have trouble filling up their days with fulfilling activities. But how come? If you have never had trouble finding interesting things to do earlier in life, why should it be different after you retire?

• A lack of practical knowledge about how to get involved in new activities.
• Shyness -- often the result of a dip in self-esteem that can accompany no longer having a job. Shy people often become isolated people
• Increasing insecurity about your self-worth as you age ("Who would want me?").
• Declining physical ability. People who have relied on their participation in sports both to feel good about themselves and as a way to make friends are particularly vulnerable to becoming depressed and isolated should physical limitations mean they can no longer play.
• The inability to find a job that really makes use of their skills -- most retired engineers don't want to take tickets at the local amusement park.
• Unexpected boredom with planned activities. Many people report that by the time they finish their third cruise, they never want to see another margarita again.
  
• The (sometimes unwelcome) childcare expectations of your children. If you must care for your grandchildren many hours a day, you won't have much time to do anything else. This can be great if caring for kids is what you love to do, but tough to cope with if it isn't.

We all know people in their seventies and older who are in excellent physical condition. Many still jog, swim, ski, dance, hike, or golf with much the same verve and stamina they displayed twenty years ago. We know other retired people -- unfortunately, far too many -- who are so sedentary they become tired going to the grocery store. We find it odd that although most people currently in midlife say that after retirement they hope to count themselves among the active, energized group, a great many follow a lifestyle that almost guarantees they will be in such poor physical condition they will spend most of their retirement on a couch. Even odder is the fact that may sedentary middle-aged people whose health and stamina are already in obvious decline nevertheless quickly and cheerfully agree that staying physically active is a key factor to enjoying retirement.