Staying HEALTHY in retirement, with enjoying retirement activities

“Travel when you are younger” - Yes, I think that’s a wise mantra, one we often talk about at home and with friends. It gets frustrating knowing that Covid has delayed some of our travel dreams (but yay, we are glad we got through it so far safely).

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At some point other further travel for me, when my kids/grandkids are more settled (DD/Gkids are moving sometime in next year probably due to SIL’s new Army career); DD2 will help with her home ownership (a good friend just moved back to Orlando area - and she has been a very active realtor for 11 years in 3 states - so she will help as soon as DD saves enough and with right timing…). DH doesn’t want to have further travel any more (he has traveled very extensively internationally for work, and has already had a 3 week vacation trip mainly to Switzerland with me even though it was 36 years ago…). My 5th and most recent trip to Switzerland summer 2016 (my sister went with me for 2 weeks, and I stayed for almost 1 month – planned with the rail pass length). I am dual citizen with Schweitzer Deutsch my first language (although it comes back not quite like a flipped switch thinking and speaking as it did in past visits, due to long absence from immersion and chemo brain/had lots of chemo). My brother is currently living in Switzerland. Lots of relative/friends.

One never knows when one’s health goes south. A gal I knew in early 50’s, a marathon runner, had a lung cancer that quickly went to her brain. They were able to radiate and rid the cancer in her brain. She did really well with the new immuno-therapies and chemo drugs, etc. - then all of a sudden the immuno-therapy abruptly stopped working and she was dead within weeks. Very shocking. I was in three different cancer support groups (two were Christian), and still need to see oncologist yearly.

DH is maintaining an active life style, as am I. We are both 66. Longevity numbers are with his genealogy but I ‘plan’ (tongue in cheek) on outliving him.

We have travel in Oct, in Nov, and loosely planned Dec. All road trips. While at home, the exercise routine.

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We’ve never regretted traveling since we’ve been engaged, with no plans to change in the future. Whether we go far or near depends upon the world and our time/finances, but there’s still a ton we want to see.

FIL loved his train trip at age 94, so there’s still something for everyone out there. Just modify to fit needs (at any age).

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People are back to traveling. Today I was at a bar for food, the place was super crowded, not the same as when I was here in 2019. Apparently they came from a cruise ship with about 2200 people docked in Portland.

When we drive around locally, essentially all the restaurants are packed. I’m not even talking about toward the tourist area of Gettysburg. This is almost all local dining.

If there’s a recession around me and people are pulling back their spending, it’s not obvious.

We still get plenty complaining about price increases though. Perhaps they’re helping keep their grocery budget in line by eating out?

When there was a recession back in 2008 or so, one could easily tell by looking at restaurant parking lots.

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I always enjoy traveling, but with Covid and me being single I haven’t done as much traveling. Recently my friends and family have asked me to go to to Lisbon, Sicily, Loire Valley, Greece for wine tasting and cooking tours. I was reluctant to go on so many trips in a year because of work and other perceived obligations, but then I figured if I didn’t do it now when would I. I plan to retire in few years, so it’s not my main focus any more.
I leave in few days for Barcelona. :slight_smile:

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That’s great! We stayed in Barcelona in 2012 a night before a cruise and a night after. We loved it so much that we returned with two other couples in 2018 for 4 night stay. We walked a lot! (Like many big cities, lots of pickpockets - we kept our valuables secured under clothing in passport pouches.)

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Anyone that is in Sam’s, I picked up “Denise Austin’s Fit Over 50” Fall 2022 for $9. It has a broad assortment of useful information. Magazine Style.

Now it is starting to implement some of the information.

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Pet your dog more often. :grin:

https://www.cnn.com/2022/10/06/health/petting-dogs-brain-study-wellness-scn/index.html

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Well, as someone recovering from a fractured metacarpal and who has recovered from a fractured fibula, I’d say having healthy bones is very important. Do weight-bearing exercise and be sure your diet has enough calcium in it. All my pre-menopausal life, I’ve been fracture free. Since menopause, these 2 fractures. At the dentist’s office today, encountered 2 other post menopausal Asian women who have also had fractures in their hand as well. :frowning:

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The DXA scan is considered the “gold standard” for measuring one’s bone density. I think I paid about $50 and the entire process takes about 15-20 minutes, including the person running the machine informing you of the results.

ETA: I used https://www.bodyspec.com/scan-me

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Yes, I’m looking into getting my dexascan and trying to find the best place to have the scan. Only 1 of the places on our island that perform dexascans and do all the different scores on the quality of the bones—trabecular bone score, vertebral fracture assessment, lateral fracture assessment. Sadly the major medical centers DON’T do these scores but the stand alone imaging clinic that is statewide does them all.

I’m opting to get my imaging at the place that will give me all the data and scores.

I have had multiple dexascans, most recently 4 years ago.

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Some vegetables will interfere with the absorption of calcium, one reason I stay away from raw spinach.

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Any retiree taking advantage of Silver Sneaker (or similar) exercise classes via the supplemental insurance plan? Some of my older friends do, and it seems like a nice benefit.

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We have free Silver Sneakers with our supplement. We use it where I go to swim. DH went swimming a bit but likes outdoor stuff, although he may use the gym there at some future point when the weather is bad. I use the gym if the pool is closed, but have been walking/jogging lately and doing well with that regular activity. When one is able to ‘achieve’ a bit more, it is a boost to continue on the path (been able to jog longer - not getting winded or too fatigued). Always a challenge to alter dietary/cutting back. Slowly taking weight off; slowly.

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Back from my vacation, I gained 8 pounds, but the good news is my face looks wonderful. It’s either your face or your butt as they say. I’m enjoying my face for a change, but I will work the weight off eventually. No gym membership here, I let mine lapsed. But gardening will be my main exercise, plus swimming, and playing pickle ball. The weather is getting cooler, perfect time for pickle ball.

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Today I went swimming for 30 minutes, my back hurt, that’s usually is a good sign. When I pulled myself out of the swimming, I was in pain, not agile like I was before my vacation.

But my natural Botox has gone down from 8lbs to 7lbs, this after working my compost bin yesterday. So glad I’m back to do floor exercise, I need to firm up the core muscle.

Along with “I’m no longer trying to avoid the heart attack,” I’ve also not heard someone’s back hurting being a good sign. :smile: (I’m sure there’s some nuance there that I’m not aware of)

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No, it means there’s circulation there. I don’t get pain when I swim frequently, but after a month of no kicking and swimming, it happens. Not something to worry about, this happened before.

I’ve thought about swimming in retirement. But I’m really not good enough to be a lane swimmer, and the rec center is not convenient to my corner of town. I do applaud those who do it because it seems a good, low impact exercise.

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