We often refer to the time after formal employment when we think of retirement. However, retirement has taken on a less rigid definition in recent decades.
Retirement is now defined as the time in life when one’s work stops being their primary focus.
Retirement is viewed as an experience where you can have more opportunities for leisure activities, but it is also about staying fit and active and gaining independence from work.
It is not just about leaving work behind but also about taking on new challenges that will affect your wellbeing in the long term.
Retirement Fear
Retirement is not always what people think it will be.
The type of leisure activities you do in retirement varies based on the person. You enjoy your leisure time before you retire, and often your leisure lifestyle will change completely once you retire.
The retirement years are not to be feared, and you can enjoy these years by staying active and engaged. Many retirees feel robbed of their identity once they leave the workforce, so being fit and active can help you maintain your identity or develop a better, more refined you.
However, it is essential always to stay active and engaged in all the years of your life, leading to a longer life expectancy, deeper meaning in life, and joy.
Many take their time to evaluate what they want to do in retirement and how they want to spend their free time.
There are various ways to spend leisure time, from volunteering and partaking in social activities with the community to traveling the world and pursuing hobbies.
Viewing retirement as a new phase of life where one can decide what they would like their life to be will help the transition.
Have A Plan
People are living longer, healthier lives. With this in mind, it is essential to have a plan for retirement fitness goals.
There are many great reasons why staying fit is essential when retired. It can lower the risk of heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes, and Alzheimer’s.
To start with your retirement fitness goals, consider your needs now that you are no longer working full-time or commuting to work every day. Your daily routine may need to be adjusted, but there are still plenty of ways for you to stay active.
You can do many different activities without jeopardizing your health. There are many low cost or no cost leisure activites you can try.
The key is to choose the appropriate activity for your fitness goals and abilities. Maintaining an active lifestyle after retirement is crucial to remain healthy and feel better about yourself.
Tips For Retirement Fitness Goals
Below are some ways to stay healthy and active in retirement but ensure you can participate.
1. See your doctor before engaging in any physical activity to see if there is anything you need to avoid or watch.
2. Create a plan for your weekdays and weekends. Each can be unique and varied.
3. Go to bed and wake up at the same time each day and make sure you get enough sleep so you’re well-rested the next day.
4. Go outside, take a walk around the block or take an hour-long stroll for exercise.
5. Find a workout buddy. Exercising with another person is more fun and helps you stay motivated because you have someone to be accountable to.
6. Join a club or a virtual group and do stretching exercises like yoga to keep your muscles loose and limber.
7. Join a gym or start weightlifting at home to stay in shape while you age.
8. Keep your brain sharp by continuing to learn new things and trying new things.
9. Eat healthy foods and drink lots of water.
Research has shown that exercise improves your life for 60 minutes a day, three days a week. For example, retirees who exercise have better mental health and physical health.
In addition, those who participate in weight-bearing exercises have better bone density than those who do not participate in such activities.
Exercise is such a crucial aspect of living a healthy and happy life. It doesn’t just help you lose weight, sleep better, improve cardiovascular health, but it also has many other benefits.
For example, exercise helps mood swings and boosts mood-boosting hormones like serotonin, dopamine, or endorphins. Then there are the social connections made.
You meet new people and connect with like-minded people to build new relationships and share your life experiences. Lastly, but not least important, is the sense of pride and accomplishment in your achievements.
Final Thoughts
Retirement is a time when many people start to feel like they’re slowing down and not doing as much. So, the question on every retired person’s mind is how to maintain fitness goals in retirement?
Tips for maintaining fitness goals in retirement:
- Stay mindful of your physical, mental, and social needs
- Keep your goals realistic
- Stay motivated by setting small, tangible goals
- Find a workout routine that suits your interests and abilities
