Many near-retirees find that even with financial success they want to stay "in the game" and continue to build their businesses or start new ones.
CNN took a look at good cities where you can launch a new business, ranking factors like availability of skilled employees as well as lifestyle and business amenities. Surprisingly the winner was Bellevue Washington with a high standard of living, proximity to great scenic, cultural and leisure attractions and well educated workers.
Read more about America's best places to launch a business at CNN
Thursday, April 16, 2009
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
Add more "bling" to your walking program
As mentioned in a previous blog, using walking poles can increase the amount of calories burned by using the upper body. Another way to accomplish this is by carrying hand weights, or wearing cuff weights, and exaggerating your arm swing. While this does not give you the advantage of reducing force on your joints, it does work the triceps, biceps, and shoulder muscles. Stronger muscles use more calories, and this calorie-b. urning effect tends to last even while you’re at rest. As a Certified Senior Strength Trainer, I have reviewed a lot of literature that has made me a believer in strength training. What a great idea to add this component to a walking program!
Another way to maximize energy expended and therefore burn more calories while walking is to examine your gait pattern. Try to lengthen your stride, and reach out with your heel, so it is the first part of your foot to hit the ground. Then roll forward onto the front of your foot and concentrate on lifting off with your toes. Make sure you bend your knees, and strive for a fluid leg motion instead of short, choppy strides with straightened legs. We practice this very fluid, slow walking in Tai Chi for balance class as a warm-up exercise, concentrating on using every muscle in the foot.
To really monitor your activity level, you may want to get a heart rate monitor. This way you will not exceed the fat burning zone, and especially if you are just starting an exercise program, you will not be stressing out your heart too much. It will also ensure that you are walking fast enough to get some aerobic workout. A very simplified formula is to take 220 minus your age, and multiply that by .6. If you are reading this blog, I assume you are a retiree, and perhaps 60 years old. This would mean your target heart rate would be about 96 beats per minute. If you are 70 years old, .6 of 150 is a targer heart rate of around 90.
As always, it is important to consult your Primary Care Physician before beginning a walking program.
Another way to maximize energy expended and therefore burn more calories while walking is to examine your gait pattern. Try to lengthen your stride, and reach out with your heel, so it is the first part of your foot to hit the ground. Then roll forward onto the front of your foot and concentrate on lifting off with your toes. Make sure you bend your knees, and strive for a fluid leg motion instead of short, choppy strides with straightened legs. We practice this very fluid, slow walking in Tai Chi for balance class as a warm-up exercise, concentrating on using every muscle in the foot.
To really monitor your activity level, you may want to get a heart rate monitor. This way you will not exceed the fat burning zone, and especially if you are just starting an exercise program, you will not be stressing out your heart too much. It will also ensure that you are walking fast enough to get some aerobic workout. A very simplified formula is to take 220 minus your age, and multiply that by .6. If you are reading this blog, I assume you are a retiree, and perhaps 60 years old. This would mean your target heart rate would be about 96 beats per minute. If you are 70 years old, .6 of 150 is a targer heart rate of around 90.
As always, it is important to consult your Primary Care Physician before beginning a walking program.
Saturday, April 11, 2009
Slower is better
This is probably the best news you’ve ever heard: Walking slower is actually a better fat-burning technique than speed-walking or jogging! The research suggests that more vigorous bouts of exercise tend to stimulate the appetite and slow your metabolism. A moderate-paced walk reduces the production of certain appetite-stimulating hormones, and helps you avoid those post-workout binges. A slower pace also triggers your body to burn fat, where exercise with increased intensity burn sugar since it is a faster source of fuel. Even small amounts of exercise signal the body to burn fat from the abdominal region.
As a Baby Boomer who has worn out both knees from running and skiing, this is music to my ears! To think that there is a way to lose weight and belly fat by a moderate walking program is something I can really incorporate into my retirement exercise program.
Other benefits of a walking program include: Sounder sleep, more energy, less anxiety, better moods, improved confidence, increased libido, and sharper thinking. Do any of these conditions resonate with my fellow retirees? It seems aging can be a process that chips away at all the above quality of life issues, so why not fight back with a walking program?
Please consult your Primary Care Physician before embarking on a walking program to make sure it is appropriate for you.
As a Baby Boomer who has worn out both knees from running and skiing, this is music to my ears! To think that there is a way to lose weight and belly fat by a moderate walking program is something I can really incorporate into my retirement exercise program.
Other benefits of a walking program include: Sounder sleep, more energy, less anxiety, better moods, improved confidence, increased libido, and sharper thinking. Do any of these conditions resonate with my fellow retirees? It seems aging can be a process that chips away at all the above quality of life issues, so why not fight back with a walking program?
Please consult your Primary Care Physician before embarking on a walking program to make sure it is appropriate for you.
Wednesday, April 8, 2009
Walk away the pounds
Retirees face a never ending battle of the bulge as our metabolisms get more sluggish and our activity levels decrease. Retirement means more time to play tennis or ski or run marathons for some lucky folks who still have healthy joints. For others whose joints have been damaged over the years by overuse or arthritis, those vigorous activities are no longer tolerated. So we have to find other ways to exercise and maintain fitness in retirement.
In an earlier post, I mentioned how my sedentary husband Mark has started a walking program in a last ditch attempt to lose some weight. He proudly announced to me yesterday that he has lost 8 pounds in the past 7 weeks! And this with very little effort in terms of dieting. Basically the only thing that has changed about his daily routine is the inclusion of a moderately paced 30-minute walk.
There is research to back this up, but somehow anecdotal reports are even more convincing! Mark is certainly a believer now.
An interesting bit of research suggests that three 10-minute mini walks are even more effective than a 30-minute walk. This has something to do with waking up your metabolism and encouraging the body to burn fat more efficiently.
Sounds simple, and indeed it is! And here is a great idea: Use walking poles to help support your body weight, decrease the stress on your joints, and improve balance and stability on uneven surfaces. Using poles makes you feel more secure, and therefore makes walking feel easier.
But here’s a very exciting finding from some new research out of the Cooper Institute in Dallas: Using poles actually boosts the number of calories burned by 40%! Your body has to recruit muscles from your core, abdominal muscles, upper body, arms and back when you use the poles. This is such an easy and inexpensive way to add more oomph to your workout! You can just use a pair of old ski poles (there are usually some lurking somewhere in your garage or your neighbor’s), or make a modest investment in a pair of poles that are specific for hiking. These are adjustable in length, which is a useful feature for hiking up a long incline – you can shorten the poles for the ascent, and lengthen them for the descent. They can also be used as a weapon to fend off unfriendly dogs!
It is always important to consult your Primary Care Physician before beginning any new exercise program to make sure it is safe for you.
In an earlier post, I mentioned how my sedentary husband Mark has started a walking program in a last ditch attempt to lose some weight. He proudly announced to me yesterday that he has lost 8 pounds in the past 7 weeks! And this with very little effort in terms of dieting. Basically the only thing that has changed about his daily routine is the inclusion of a moderately paced 30-minute walk.
There is research to back this up, but somehow anecdotal reports are even more convincing! Mark is certainly a believer now.
An interesting bit of research suggests that three 10-minute mini walks are even more effective than a 30-minute walk. This has something to do with waking up your metabolism and encouraging the body to burn fat more efficiently.
Sounds simple, and indeed it is! And here is a great idea: Use walking poles to help support your body weight, decrease the stress on your joints, and improve balance and stability on uneven surfaces. Using poles makes you feel more secure, and therefore makes walking feel easier.
But here’s a very exciting finding from some new research out of the Cooper Institute in Dallas: Using poles actually boosts the number of calories burned by 40%! Your body has to recruit muscles from your core, abdominal muscles, upper body, arms and back when you use the poles. This is such an easy and inexpensive way to add more oomph to your workout! You can just use a pair of old ski poles (there are usually some lurking somewhere in your garage or your neighbor’s), or make a modest investment in a pair of poles that are specific for hiking. These are adjustable in length, which is a useful feature for hiking up a long incline – you can shorten the poles for the ascent, and lengthen them for the descent. They can also be used as a weapon to fend off unfriendly dogs!
It is always important to consult your Primary Care Physician before beginning any new exercise program to make sure it is safe for you.
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
Snowbirds
Even with the price of fuel, a very popular retirement option is to fly away south in the winter to escape the cold and gloom of northern climates. Many folks do this in their RV’s which allows them the freedom to sample different areas. It’s as simple as hooking up and heading on down the road when you feel you have explored a region to your heart’s content. In fact, for some, the call of the open road is irresistible, and they just can’t wait to see what’s around the next corner! Others like to return to the same RV park year after year, and look forward to joyous reunions with friends who come back each winter from all over the U.S.
So, what is an RV (recreational vehicle)? If you can answer this question, then you are already out there having fun in the sun! For those who are not familiar with the various options, I will give you a little background information.
RV’s come in all sizes and shapes! That is a gross understatement, but important to realize. Here are a few of the most popular types of RV’s.
A motor home is a self-contained unit, with the engine included. These can be huge “diesel pushers” which can cost hundreds of thousands of dollars. Rock stars travel in these things! They could have fireplaces, washers and dryers, and elegant furnishings. The really big ones are called “Class A” motor homes. Driving them is similar to a Greyhound bus. Smaller motor homes which sit on a regular pickup truck chassis are called “Class C”. They usually run on regular gas, and drive like an oversized pickup. Motor homes usually have generators, so you can “dry camp” (without having to hook up to electricity) for several days at a time, and have all the comforts of home (TV, hair dryer, microwave). The disadvantage is if you want to run down to the corner store for a quart of milk, you need another vehicle unless you want to drive your rig. So often you see these units towing another car.
Then there is a 5th Wheel. This is a unit that is towed by a pickup truck, with part of the RV extending over the bed of the truck. Many retirees like the way these units tow and find them easy to park and maneuver. The bedroom and bathroom are usually in the front of the rig in the part that extends over the back of the pickup, so you have to walk up a couple of steps to get there and sometimes “crawl to your bed” in the smaller units. Again, these can be large and magnificently appointed, or smaller and more affordable. You must have a pickup to tow them, but the advantage is that you can unhook the unit and now you have a regular vehicle to drive around.
Another more traditional type of RV is the travel trailer. Remember the Airstream? They still make them, and they are very luxurious! These can be towed with a regular full-sized SUV (with a large enough engine and towing package), or a pickup. These also come in all sizes, even tiny ones that can be towed with a regular car! The advantage of the trailer over the 5th Wheel (in my opinion) is that they are all on one level, and you don’t have to climb up steps to get to your bathroom and bedroom. They are also more aerodynamic than the big 5th Wheels which can loom over the top of your pickup and be rather scary to drive if there are severe crosswinds. As with a 5th Wheel, you have the advantage of being able to unhook and drive your car for shopping or exploring. Again, these come in all sizes and price ranges.
For camping (vs. actually living in your rig), there is the cab-over camper which sits in the bed of your pickup. These are not readily detached from the pickup, but they have the advantage of being compact and easy to drive. As with all RV’s, there are many price ranges and styles.
One feature of all the above RV’s that makes a huge difference in how you can enjoy your space is the slideout. Some of the big 5th Wheels and motor homes have up to three of these room extensions. But even small trailers and cab-over campers are now being made with at least one slideout. It’s really amazing how a little extra room can make such a difference.
There are many decisions to be made, but hopefully this gives you some vocabulary to begin your search. You can read many articles on-line about RV'ing in retirement, and I would encourage a lot of shopping and talking to RV owners, in addition to RV sales people, before you even consider buying one. As with any vehicle, there is a huge depreciation factor the moment you drive it off the lot if you buy a new RV and then decide to trade. Once you know what you want, you can buy used RV’s for significant savings, especially in this down economy.
Enjoy the freedom of the open road, and saying goodbye to winter!
So, what is an RV (recreational vehicle)? If you can answer this question, then you are already out there having fun in the sun! For those who are not familiar with the various options, I will give you a little background information.
RV’s come in all sizes and shapes! That is a gross understatement, but important to realize. Here are a few of the most popular types of RV’s.
A motor home is a self-contained unit, with the engine included. These can be huge “diesel pushers” which can cost hundreds of thousands of dollars. Rock stars travel in these things! They could have fireplaces, washers and dryers, and elegant furnishings. The really big ones are called “Class A” motor homes. Driving them is similar to a Greyhound bus. Smaller motor homes which sit on a regular pickup truck chassis are called “Class C”. They usually run on regular gas, and drive like an oversized pickup. Motor homes usually have generators, so you can “dry camp” (without having to hook up to electricity) for several days at a time, and have all the comforts of home (TV, hair dryer, microwave). The disadvantage is if you want to run down to the corner store for a quart of milk, you need another vehicle unless you want to drive your rig. So often you see these units towing another car.
Then there is a 5th Wheel. This is a unit that is towed by a pickup truck, with part of the RV extending over the bed of the truck. Many retirees like the way these units tow and find them easy to park and maneuver. The bedroom and bathroom are usually in the front of the rig in the part that extends over the back of the pickup, so you have to walk up a couple of steps to get there and sometimes “crawl to your bed” in the smaller units. Again, these can be large and magnificently appointed, or smaller and more affordable. You must have a pickup to tow them, but the advantage is that you can unhook the unit and now you have a regular vehicle to drive around.
Another more traditional type of RV is the travel trailer. Remember the Airstream? They still make them, and they are very luxurious! These can be towed with a regular full-sized SUV (with a large enough engine and towing package), or a pickup. These also come in all sizes, even tiny ones that can be towed with a regular car! The advantage of the trailer over the 5th Wheel (in my opinion) is that they are all on one level, and you don’t have to climb up steps to get to your bathroom and bedroom. They are also more aerodynamic than the big 5th Wheels which can loom over the top of your pickup and be rather scary to drive if there are severe crosswinds. As with a 5th Wheel, you have the advantage of being able to unhook and drive your car for shopping or exploring. Again, these come in all sizes and price ranges.
For camping (vs. actually living in your rig), there is the cab-over camper which sits in the bed of your pickup. These are not readily detached from the pickup, but they have the advantage of being compact and easy to drive. As with all RV’s, there are many price ranges and styles.
One feature of all the above RV’s that makes a huge difference in how you can enjoy your space is the slideout. Some of the big 5th Wheels and motor homes have up to three of these room extensions. But even small trailers and cab-over campers are now being made with at least one slideout. It’s really amazing how a little extra room can make such a difference.
There are many decisions to be made, but hopefully this gives you some vocabulary to begin your search. You can read many articles on-line about RV'ing in retirement, and I would encourage a lot of shopping and talking to RV owners, in addition to RV sales people, before you even consider buying one. As with any vehicle, there is a huge depreciation factor the moment you drive it off the lot if you buy a new RV and then decide to trade. Once you know what you want, you can buy used RV’s for significant savings, especially in this down economy.
Enjoy the freedom of the open road, and saying goodbye to winter!
Sunday, April 5, 2009
Continuing Care Retirement Communities
Like it or not, we’re all getting older. As a “young” Baby Boomer, I’m one of a number that is set to skyrocket. In 2006 there were an estimated 37 million people in the U.S. were were 65 years and older. That number is projected to become 71.5 million by the year 2030.
Finding residences that allow for independence but also provide needed care down the road will be a challenge for my age group. We need to realize that it’s not too soon to begin considering retirement options that allow for lifestyle changes as we age. One very interesting concept that promotes aging in place is the Continuing Care Retirement Community.
I recently read about a fabulous Continuing Care Retirement Community in Pennsylvania called Kendal at Longwood and Kendal at Crosslands. The many opportunities for growth and development in these Pennsylvania retirement communities are guided by Quaker values.
As a Physical Therapist, I can appreciate the 18,000-square-foot Health and Wellness Center which consists of an aquatic area, massage room, and fitness center. Attached to this is the rehabilitation department including an occupational therapy simulated living area as well as a physical therapy gym. The wellness and rehab staff use a team approach to make sure residents can remain within the community.
This Pennsylvania retirement community recognizes how important being active is in terms of stimulating the mind and body. Residents have access to a variety of activities within the community such as producing plays, assisting with the community’s local cable TV station, shelving books in the library, and repairing furniture in the woodshop. Active residents enjoy tennis courts, putting and chipping greens, and endless walking/cycling trails throughout the campuses. There are more than 85 activity groups that encompass everything from crafts studios complete with looms, kilns and easels, as well as classes in horticulture, photography, and interior decorating. There is a ballet bar, yoga room, and a “pets and plants” area. This allows residents to enjoy the social aspects of a community garden, as well as having access to birds, dogs, and cats without having to care for them 24 hours a day in their own cottage or apartment.
Finding residences that allow for independence but also provide needed care down the road will be a challenge for my age group. We need to realize that it’s not too soon to begin considering retirement options that allow for lifestyle changes as we age. One very interesting concept that promotes aging in place is the Continuing Care Retirement Community.
I recently read about a fabulous Continuing Care Retirement Community in Pennsylvania called Kendal at Longwood and Kendal at Crosslands. The many opportunities for growth and development in these Pennsylvania retirement communities are guided by Quaker values.
As a Physical Therapist, I can appreciate the 18,000-square-foot Health and Wellness Center which consists of an aquatic area, massage room, and fitness center. Attached to this is the rehabilitation department including an occupational therapy simulated living area as well as a physical therapy gym. The wellness and rehab staff use a team approach to make sure residents can remain within the community.
This Pennsylvania retirement community recognizes how important being active is in terms of stimulating the mind and body. Residents have access to a variety of activities within the community such as producing plays, assisting with the community’s local cable TV station, shelving books in the library, and repairing furniture in the woodshop. Active residents enjoy tennis courts, putting and chipping greens, and endless walking/cycling trails throughout the campuses. There are more than 85 activity groups that encompass everything from crafts studios complete with looms, kilns and easels, as well as classes in horticulture, photography, and interior decorating. There is a ballet bar, yoga room, and a “pets and plants” area. This allows residents to enjoy the social aspects of a community garden, as well as having access to birds, dogs, and cats without having to care for them 24 hours a day in their own cottage or apartment.
Sunday, March 29, 2009
Mental Exercise
Who says retirement has to be boring? Just because you no longer “work” for a living, there are so many exciting things to do now that you have extra time. Actually, some people feel busier in retirement than they were when they worked!
We all understand how important physical exercise is, but not to be overlooked is the importance of mental exercise. One very interesting program that we are fortunate to have in
Osher Lifelong Learning Institute. Here’s a quote from their web site:
“Eager to continue learning? Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at Southern Oregon University offers intellectually stimulating classes and social functions for adults who want to know more about the world and the people who inhabit it. Volunteer instructors, most often OLLI members, share their expertise and passions in areas such as literature, art, history, science, natural history, politics, games, health, music, writing, film, theatre, dance, technology and travel. All this at a very modest cost of only $100 per academic year to members. Classes are noncredit - that means no tests and no grades!”
There are also OLLI’s at the following colleges and universities, so I hope you’re lucky enough to live near one:
Aquinas College
Auburn University
American University (D.C.)*
Arizona State University*
Berkshire Community College (MA)
Boise State University (ID)
Bradley University
Brandeis University (MA)*
Cal Poly - San Luis Obispo (CA)*
Carnegie Mellon (PA)*
Casper College (WY)
Clemson University (SC)*
Coastal Carolina University
Colorado State University
CSU Bakersfield
CSU Channel Islands*
CSU Chico*
CSU Dominguez Hills
CSU East Bay*
CSU Fresno
CSU Fullerton*
CSU Long Beach*
CSU Los Angeles
CSU Monterey Bay
CSU San Bernardino*
CSU San Marcos*
Dominican University (CA)*
Duke University (NC) *
Eckerd College (FL)*
Emory University (GA)*
Florida International University
Florida State University
Furman University*
George Mason University (VA)*
Granite State College (NH)*
Hampton University (VA)
Humboldt State University
Indiana State University
Iowa State University
Johns Hopkins University
Kennesaw State University (GA)*
Louisiana State University
New York University
Northwestern University (IL)*
Oklahoma State University
Pennsylvania State University
Rochester Institute of Technology (NY)*
Rutgers University (NJ)*
Saginaw Valley State University (MI)*
San Francisco State University (CA)*
San Diego State University (CA)
San Jose State University (CA)
Santa Clara University (CA)*
Sierra College (CA)*
Sonoma State University (CA)*
Southern Oregon University*
Stony Brook State Univ. of New York
Temple University
Texas Tech University*
Towson University (MD)
Tufts University (MA)*
UC Berkeley
UC Davis*
UC Irvine*
UC Los Angeles*
UC Riverside*
UC San Diego*
UC Santa Barbara
UC Santa Cruz
University of Alabama in Huntsville*
University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa
University of Alaska at Fairbanks*
University of Arizona
University of Arkansas
University of Cincinnati
University of Connecticut
University of Dayton (OH)*
University of Denver (CO)*
University of Georgia
University of Hawaii at Hilo
University of Hawaii at Manoa*
University of Illinois
University of Iowa
University of Kansas*
University of Kentucky*
University of Maryland
University of Massachusetts – Boston*
University of Miami
University of Michigan*
University of Minnesota*
University of Missouri – Columbia*
University of Montana
University of Nebraska*
University of Nevada, Las Vegas
University of Nevada, Reno
University of New Mexico
University of North Carolina Wilmington*
University of North Dakota
University of North Florida
University of Oklahoma
University of Oregon*
University of Pittsburgh (PA)*
University of Rhode Island
University of Richmond (VA)*
University of South Carolina Beaufort*
University of South Dakota
University of South Florida*
University of Southern Maine*
University of Southern Mississippi*
University of Texas at Austin*
University of Texas at El Paso
University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston
University of the Pacific (CA)
University of Utah*
University of Vermont*
University of Virginia*
University of Washington
University of Wisconsin, Madison
University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee
Vanderbilt University (TN)
West Virginia University
Widener University (PA)
Yavapai College (AZ)
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
Walk On!
Retirement hard on your waist line? Spending a little too much time at your computer or in front of the TV? Walk away those retirement blues! And enjoy the benefits of a regular exercise program that is easy and inexpensive, and can be performed in almost any kind of weather.
Your first and only serious investment is a good pair of walking shoes. Here in Ashland, Oregon, we are fortunate to have a great shoe store called Rogue Valley Runners. http://www.roguevalleyrunners.com Despite the name, they also are a great resource for walkers. Here’s a quote from their web site:
“Here at Rogue Valley Runners, we are committed to properly fitting each foot that walks or runs through our doors. Every employee is trained to talk with you about your specific needs, concerns, or goals ensuring you that the shoe that you are fitted for is the right shoe for your foot. We also offer a free video camera/stride analysis service at the store to help with your footwear selection.”
Don’t be afraid to spend around $100 for a good pair of shoes. They will last you at least 6 months to a year. You can also add orthotics, either the over-the-counter kind, or custom ones that a physical therapist can fabricate for you.
Your second investment might be an inexpensive pedometer. I got one for my couch potato husband a few months ago, and he loves the challenge of trying to meet or exceed his goal each week by counting those steps. If that’s the kind of motivation that gets you out there walking every day, then you can buy a pedometer at any department or discount store that has athletic equipment. I bought one at BiMart http://www.bimart.com/ for under $4.00.
Of course it’s a good idea to consult your physician or physical therapist before initiating any kind of exercise program to make sure you don’t have any medical condition or disorder of your joints or muscles that would make walking contraindicated.
One way to insure your continued participation in a walking program is to enlist a fellow walking buddy, or join a group of walkers. The Rogue Valley Mall http://www.roguevalleymall.com has a dedicated group of walkers that stride out in all kinds of weather (it’s nice to have air conditioning in the hot Medford summers as well as shelter from winter rain and snow), and enjoy a cup of coffee together afterward. It’s a great way to meet new friends, and stay in touch with old ones.
So far Mark has lost 6 pounds of holiday flab, doing very little else in terms of changing his eating and drinking habits, just by walking every day. He figures he burns approx. 100 calories in a 30-minute walk, so with everything else being equal, that would amount to almost one pound a month, or 12 pounds in a year. And Mikey the Border Collie is ecstatic to have regular walks to look forward to!
Your first and only serious investment is a good pair of walking shoes. Here in Ashland, Oregon, we are fortunate to have a great shoe store called Rogue Valley Runners. http://www.roguevalleyrunners.com Despite the name, they also are a great resource for walkers. Here’s a quote from their web site:
“Here at Rogue Valley Runners, we are committed to properly fitting each foot that walks or runs through our doors. Every employee is trained to talk with you about your specific needs, concerns, or goals ensuring you that the shoe that you are fitted for is the right shoe for your foot. We also offer a free video camera/stride analysis service at the store to help with your footwear selection.”
Don’t be afraid to spend around $100 for a good pair of shoes. They will last you at least 6 months to a year. You can also add orthotics, either the over-the-counter kind, or custom ones that a physical therapist can fabricate for you.
Your second investment might be an inexpensive pedometer. I got one for my couch potato husband a few months ago, and he loves the challenge of trying to meet or exceed his goal each week by counting those steps. If that’s the kind of motivation that gets you out there walking every day, then you can buy a pedometer at any department or discount store that has athletic equipment. I bought one at BiMart http://www.bimart.com/ for under $4.00.
Of course it’s a good idea to consult your physician or physical therapist before initiating any kind of exercise program to make sure you don’t have any medical condition or disorder of your joints or muscles that would make walking contraindicated.
One way to insure your continued participation in a walking program is to enlist a fellow walking buddy, or join a group of walkers. The Rogue Valley Mall http://www.roguevalleymall.com has a dedicated group of walkers that stride out in all kinds of weather (it’s nice to have air conditioning in the hot Medford summers as well as shelter from winter rain and snow), and enjoy a cup of coffee together afterward. It’s a great way to meet new friends, and stay in touch with old ones.
So far Mark has lost 6 pounds of holiday flab, doing very little else in terms of changing his eating and drinking habits, just by walking every day. He figures he burns approx. 100 calories in a 30-minute walk, so with everything else being equal, that would amount to almost one pound a month, or 12 pounds in a year. And Mikey the Border Collie is ecstatic to have regular walks to look forward to!
Sunday, March 22, 2009
Be fit in retirement
One benefit of escaping the 40-hour-per-week grind is having more time to attend to physical fitness. Haven't you often looked at those trim, sprightly people streaming in and out of the gym and wistfully said to yourself, "If only I had more time to work out..." Well, now that you're enjoying retirement, you do have the time!
That's the good news. The bad news is, you're feeling guilty that you are wasting these "golden years" of retirement. Those lengthy aerobic workouts and the washboard abs are not spontaneously just happening.
How do you develop a fitness program that becomes part of your daily routine, like brushing your teeth? For most folks, it means joining some kind of health club or spa, like Gold's Gym (www.GoldsGym.com), 24-Hour Fitness (www.24hourfitness.com), or Curves (www.curves.com).
Two very popular clubs who specialize in programs for Ashland, Oregon retirees are Baxter's and the YMCA. Of course, before embarking upon a new exercise program, you should probably check with your physician or physical therapist to screen for any medical conditions that would make an exercise program contraindicated. You might also want to hire a personal trainer to help you set up your program and give your workout a structure.
One advantage of "The Y" is the great variety of programs and classes that cater to seniors. To To name a few: Best-Bones (to help guard against osteoporosis), water exercise, Tai Chi for Better Balance, and Senior Circuit as well as Low Impact Aerobics, spinning (and I don't mean something you do with wool!), and Yoga which can be wonderful for older adults.
In addition to the many benefits a regular exercise program bestows upon our physical bodies, it can also be a social outlet, and a fertile source of new friends. Retirement can mean a new type of social isolation when we no longer have our daily work contacts, so joining an exercise class can meet that need as well. Plus, it's just a lot more fun to work out with other people.
In short, find something that you can do every day, and above all - Have Fun!
Let me know your favorite technique for keeping your exercise routine fresh and fun.
That's the good news. The bad news is, you're feeling guilty that you are wasting these "golden years" of retirement. Those lengthy aerobic workouts and the washboard abs are not spontaneously just happening.
How do you develop a fitness program that becomes part of your daily routine, like brushing your teeth? For most folks, it means joining some kind of health club or spa, like Gold's Gym (www.GoldsGym.com), 24-Hour Fitness (www.24hourfitness.com), or Curves (www.curves.com).
Two very popular clubs who specialize in programs for Ashland, Oregon retirees are Baxter's and the YMCA. Of course, before embarking upon a new exercise program, you should probably check with your physician or physical therapist to screen for any medical conditions that would make an exercise program contraindicated. You might also want to hire a personal trainer to help you set up your program and give your workout a structure.
One advantage of "The Y" is the great variety of programs and classes that cater to seniors. To To name a few: Best-Bones (to help guard against osteoporosis), water exercise, Tai Chi for Better Balance, and Senior Circuit as well as Low Impact Aerobics, spinning (and I don't mean something you do with wool!), and Yoga which can be wonderful for older adults.
In addition to the many benefits a regular exercise program bestows upon our physical bodies, it can also be a social outlet, and a fertile source of new friends. Retirement can mean a new type of social isolation when we no longer have our daily work contacts, so joining an exercise class can meet that need as well. Plus, it's just a lot more fun to work out with other people.
In short, find something that you can do every day, and above all - Have Fun!
Let me know your favorite technique for keeping your exercise routine fresh and fun.
Reverse Mortgages
Such challenging times for those of us who thought we were retired, or about ready to retire, and then discovered our stock portfolios decimated. So now we find ourselves scrounging for other ways to raise passive income. Starting a new career or returning to a previous one is not an option for many of us.
One promising area for homeowners is the Reverse Mortgage. This is a product that allows you to access the equity in your home without taking on a new payment like a Home Equity Line of Credit, or Second Mortgage. Basically you take out a new mortgage, and the interest accrues as with a regular mortgage, but you don't have to pay this interest until you sell the home. That's a very simple description of a complicated instrument, but if you intend to remain in your current home for at least 5-10 years, and you have a big chunk of equity in it, you might want to consider this idea. The ceiling on the amount you can borrow has recently been raised, which opens this type of mortage up to many people.
Of course the first place to start is by talking to a Reverse Mortgage specialist in your area. I found Tricia Smith of http://golfsavingsbank.com/loanofficers/triciasmith.htm
to be extremely helpful. She has offices in Medford and Ashland, Oregon.
The second step is to arrange for a session with a HUD-approved agency that offers counseling. This is required in order for you to take out one of these loans, and is very helpful in helping you understand all the fine print. And since these 3rd party agencies do not make any money from the loan, they have no vested interest in talking you into anything. Reverse Mortgages are not for everyone, and you need to clearly understand if it meets the needs of your individual circumstances or not.
The fees are hefty, especially the insurance policy you pay to FHA, but this is a way to make sure that you or your heirs never end up "upside down" when it comes time to sell your house. FHA insures that the amount you owe will never exceed its fair market value. So while you may not have a lot of equity left when you sell your house, at least noone will owe money as is the case with some mortgages where the property has declined in value. But be prepared to pay for this peace of mind!
The following are nation wide agencies that can profide face-to-face OR phone counseling:
1) AARP - http://www.aarp.org 1-800-209-8085
2) National Foundation for Credit Counseling - http://www.nfcc.org/ 1-866-698-6322
3) Money Management International - http://www.moneymanagement.org/ 1-877-908-2227
One promising area for homeowners is the Reverse Mortgage. This is a product that allows you to access the equity in your home without taking on a new payment like a Home Equity Line of Credit, or Second Mortgage. Basically you take out a new mortgage, and the interest accrues as with a regular mortgage, but you don't have to pay this interest until you sell the home. That's a very simple description of a complicated instrument, but if you intend to remain in your current home for at least 5-10 years, and you have a big chunk of equity in it, you might want to consider this idea. The ceiling on the amount you can borrow has recently been raised, which opens this type of mortage up to many people.
Of course the first place to start is by talking to a Reverse Mortgage specialist in your area. I found Tricia Smith of http://golfsavingsbank.com/loanofficers/triciasmith.htm
to be extremely helpful. She has offices in Medford and Ashland, Oregon.
The second step is to arrange for a session with a HUD-approved agency that offers counseling. This is required in order for you to take out one of these loans, and is very helpful in helping you understand all the fine print. And since these 3rd party agencies do not make any money from the loan, they have no vested interest in talking you into anything. Reverse Mortgages are not for everyone, and you need to clearly understand if it meets the needs of your individual circumstances or not.
The fees are hefty, especially the insurance policy you pay to FHA, but this is a way to make sure that you or your heirs never end up "upside down" when it comes time to sell your house. FHA insures that the amount you owe will never exceed its fair market value. So while you may not have a lot of equity left when you sell your house, at least noone will owe money as is the case with some mortgages where the property has declined in value. But be prepared to pay for this peace of mind!
The following are nation wide agencies that can profide face-to-face OR phone counseling:
1) AARP - http://www.aarp.org 1-800-209-8085
2) National Foundation for Credit Counseling - http://www.nfcc.org/ 1-866-698-6322
3) Money Management International - http://www.moneymanagement.org/ 1-877-908-2227
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