On healthy aging

As I prepare to leave public service after 26 years, I keep hearing, "But you're too young to retire." 

True, in a respect.  I am 60 years young and have never been finicky about telling anyone my age. The way I look at it, I am alive and well -- with an emphasis on "well."  I have eaten a clean, plant-based and organic diet for almost 10 years. I take supplements like flax seed oil for heart health and Vitamin D. I practice yoga and Pilates, ride a bike, hike and do Zumba. As a result, I am rarely ill with even a common cold. 

Sadly, I lost both of my parents when they were in their 60s.  Heart disease and cancer are rampant on both sides of my family. In terms of genetics, I have an uphill climb if I want to live a long and healthy life.  So for decades, I have been vigilant and working at it every day to stay fit and healthy. Since I plan to work for another 10 years beyond my federal career, I need to stay healthy. 

There is an abundance of literature these days on healthy aging. I will share part of my own experience and what I believe are some common sense tips that will get you started on a path to healthy aging. 

• First, make a commitment to yourself. Do some soul searching and ask yourself how far you will go to maintain your health over the years. Don't allow this effort to be a phase. Make it your lifestyle.  Approach it as if your life depends on it.  
• Take stock of your current lifestyle and health. What is it that you need to change in order to get on a solid path to good health? Some of us work best with a written plan. After you have assessed your current physical and mental state, you might want to write out a plan and set realistic goals for yourself.   
• Read. There are so many good books to help you find what works best for you in terms of health maintenance. Consider what you are most concerned about. Choose books and articles and subscribe to online resources that will help you pursue your goals. 
• Once you have your own plan or goals in place, decide how you are going to reach those goals. Is it a matter of changing your eating habits?  Do you need to exercise regularly? Only you can determine what it will take to get you where you want to be health-wise.
• Find a form of exercise that you enjoy. Zumba has become wildly popular in recent years for the very simple reason that it's fun.  The motto is, "Ditch the workout and join the party." There is a lot of joy in dancing for an hour with a group of people and getting the cardio workout of your life. If you don't feel coordinated enough for Zumba or a dance class, there are many other forms of exercise to consider. Riding a bike is another form of exercise disguised as fun. You might want to visit a local gym and work with a personal trainer to find what works best for you.  
• Meditate. Give yourself time to chill out, sit back and think every day. Make sure you have some "me" time.  Keep a journal and stay in tune with yourself.  Mental health is very much a part of the overall spectrum of fitness and good health.  And by the way, exercise is another way to achieve mental clarity.  I have said for the past eight years that yoga is transformative and changed my life.  Within the first year of my yoga practice, I noticed a change in my outlook and in my ability to manage stress.    
• Always listen to your body. If something doesn't feel right and continues on this trajectory, go in to see your doctor. If you are participating in a form of exercise and something is uncomfortable, honor your body. For example, if you are practicing something like Pilates or yoga and you feel you need to protect your lower back, modify the exercise so that you feel comfortable.  There is no shame in backing off when something hurts.    

I hope these pointers are helpful.  I welcome comments from those who have pursued a path to good healthy before and after the age of 50. 
 
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