Don't Lose Your Good Health

By Stan Hinden | November 2008

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Stan Hinden

People who are preparing for retirement are frequently warned: "Don't Let Yourself Run Out of Money." That, of course, is good advice. But there's an equally-important warning that also should be given to future retirees: "Don't Lose Your Good Health."

The simple truth is that while money is important if you want to have a comfortable retirement, you may have a difficult time enjoying retirement unless you maintain your good health.

This is a fact that does not dawn on many folks until it is too late. If people are fortunate enough to glide through their middle years in relatively good health, they may forget that although the body is a highly-efficient machine, it requires the right fuel, regular inspections and careful maintenance.

Moreover, we are all aware that in time the body can wear out. Throughout our lives, we see the effects of aging on our parents, relatives and friends. So there's no secret about what is likely to happen to us as we grow older. The message is clear. If we want to keep our good health, we have to work at it.

There is, of course, no shortage of advice and information about how to begin a good diet and start regular exercise. Ideally, young adults should adopt a life style that gives a long-term priority to maintaining their physical well-being.

This is not to say that people who do everything right will be able to avoid cancer, heart disease or other serious medical conditions. These diseases will continue to occur until medical science can find the appropriate cures.

I often think about the health challenges that retirees face when I visit the exercise room in my retirement community. It's a popular place and even though it's been expanded three times, there is often a wait for an open treadmill, bike or rowing machine.

A varied group of people-aged 55 to 95--show up each day in the exercise room-displaying a wide variety of physical abilities and frailties. Each person has a life story full of triumphs and tribulations. Yet, in their waning years, they display a fierce determination to keep moving so they can keep living.

As I walk the treadmill, I like to watch my friend Bill, who is in his late seventies. He has an amazingly rapid and powerful treadmill stride, even after raising the incline on his machine to Level 15 — as high as it will go.

Another favorite sight is a small woman of uncertain age who walks on the treadmill for long periods of time, all the while exercising her arms in a non-stop swimming motion.

I get tired just watching them work out.

Women tend to outnumber men in the exercise room — possibly because there are more women than men living in the community. Many of the women are widows. But there are also a fair number of men who were obviously athletes in their youth and who work diligently to keep their bodies trim and their muscles toned.

Some people in the room are obviously on weight loss regimes, others are trying to overcome years of physical inactivity. Still others are trying to battle the effects of aging and arthritis with regular stretching exercises.

Ask these folks why they come to the exercise room and they will tell you, "I just feel better when I exercise. If I miss a day, I can feel the difference."

There are also many examples of courage on display. People come to the room to recover from hip and knee surgeries and, especially from strokes. I remember Sam, a stroke victim, who initially needed help to even get on the bicycle. Exercise was difficult, but he kept at it for months — refusing to give up until he conquered his disability. In time, the exercise helped to restore Sam's walking ability and his balance.

The nice thing about exercise, I discovered some years ago, is that it can become habit forming. When you exercise, your body releases endorphins, a natural chemical that can make you feel good and even can produce a feeling of euphoria — sometimes called a "runner's high."

Thus, the good feeling you get from exercise can work in your favor by increasing your desire to exercise regularly.

Despite our best intentions, it is not always easy to find time to properly care for our bodies. The demands of the day can keep you away from the treadmills and bikes. Any number of events can cause you to lose the sleep your body needs so badly. Maintaining your physical well-being on a long-range basis requires a very strong commitment.

But that commitment is vital because retirement comes at you in two phases: First, there is the active phase from ages 65 to 75. These are the years when most retirees are well enough and strong enough to travel and take part in varied activities. The second phase covers the years from 75 to 85. This is what I call the "danger zone", a time of life when retirees are subject to illness and infirmities, which can limit their mobility.

Thus, the goal for future retirees is to achieve good health early in life and carry it with them into retirement — giving them the best possible chance of getting through the "danger zone."

The basic rule here is: If you lead a healthy life, you will have a good chance to have a healthy old age. For people who are already retired, it is never too late to start to exercise.

Finally, remember the two major challenges of retirement: "Don't Run Out of Money" and "Don't Lose Your Good Health."

The author was compensated for writing this article by AARP Financial.

While AARP endorses the services provided by AARP Financial Inc., AARP does not offer financial products or services itself and cannot recommend that you or any specific individual should purchase any particular product or service. AARP Financial Inc. is an investment adviser and a subsidiary of AARP.