“It's common sense to look after your health as the years go by in order for you to enjoy your retirement... good health goes a long way to enabling us to make the most of our lives, especially with the continuing increase in longevity predicted for our generation. Fitness is all about being able to do the things you want to do when you want to do them! Your individual level of fitness will depend on your personal lifestyle, interests, and on the commitment you have to looking after your health. One easy way to help yourself is by simply being more active. Inactivity is a major health risk, so take, and make the opportunity to be active anytime, anywhere and in any place. Consider the medical and physical benefits you can hope to experience if you are fit.

• Improved circulation and digestion
• Stronger heart
• Increased flexibility
• Stronger bones
• Improved relaxation
• Improved shape
• Stronger muscles
• Improved coordination
• Controlled weight
• Sense of wellbeing
• Increased confidence

Inevitably with an increase in years, there will be some bodily changes, including to your skeleton, with a natural thinning of bones, in both men and women. However, it’s proven that exercise can help prevent the bone disease called osteoporosis. Changes also occur in the joints, with arthritis, rheumatism and backache being painful reminders of the passing years for too many people. With age, muscles can become weaker and less able to support – particularly true if you don’t keep active.

When muscles begin to atrophy, posture and self-esteem can be adversely affected. Poor muscle tone can cause a lack of balance which all too easily results in falls and painful fractures. So when we retire, being fit is a necessity, not just an option. Try to take more regular moderate exercise, and persuade your friends or family to join you. Start with simple things. Walk more, climb stairs, cycle, dance, swim or get busy in the garden.

Here are my three recommendations.

1) Choose an activity you enjoy.
The trick is to do an activity that gives you pleasure. You will then discover that being active actually boosts your energy levels. When we exercise, the body releases chemicals called endorphins which give us a “feel good” factor. Our circulation gets going, improving our heart and lung efficiency. Exercise and being active makes our complexion glow, our minds more alert and helps us stand tall! When you are fit you can look forward to enjoying many more years of active life.

2) Get active and get your circulation going, stimulating your body and mind.
The popular saying, “use it, don’t lose it” applies to both body and mind. I’m a firm believer in exercising the mind as well as the body in order to function efficiently. Playing games like Bridge, Backgammon and Poker can stimulate our brains. Keeping up with the news and interacting with younger people can keep us older folk from becoming bigoted.

3) Eat well
Finally, remember that to enjoy your retirement it’s important that you eat a sensible well-balanced diet to keep you healthy and in good shape!”