Yikes!  I just read a statistic that 28% of adults age 50 and older are ‘physically inactive.’ Hmmm… let’s just call that ‘do not exercise.’ 
 
One of the most important ‘musts’ for people–retired or not–is exercise. That is, of course, assuming you want better heart health, mental sharpness and reduced risk for chronic diseases. 

If you think you should get a pass because of various excuses, forget it.  I know them all, including:

"I'm too busy/tired." We all know you can find time if something is a priority. So think of it this way - call it 'doing something for my heart' or 'for my mental sharpness'. I assume those are priorities. And by the way, remember that exercise gives you more energy and gets you ready to meet busy schedules.

"I hate to exercise." There are lots of things that come under the heading of exercise. Dancing?Gardening? Hide and go seek with your grandkids? Believe it or not, even walking with purpose around the park or the mall will give you credit-if done on a regular basis.  Convinced yet?

"I'm too old." My aerobics instructor just told the class that one of her students in another class will be 90 next week!  There is not an age restriction on exercising. Obviously, you can choose what kind of exercise works for you. Just choose one. But forget the 'too old' whine. The only person you are fooling is yourself. 

For those who have never really had an exercise routine – other than saying, “I’m going to start exercising, next week”-here are 3 simple hints to move you forward:

1–Ask yourself WHY you never seem to get to ‘next week.’ Try to be honest about what is stopping you from starting. Write it down.
 

2–Make an exercise plan keeping in mind your answers from #1. 
​Include your WHERE:

• At a gym close by? (Ask about a free membership called ‘Silver Sneakers.’)
• In your neighborhood with a partner to motivate? (No membership needed.)

​       and WHEN:  

• Two days? three days? a week 
• Morning? Afternoon? (When can you really follow through?)

3–On your Mark...,Get Set...,GO! Buy some shoes (not like Barbie's!) and a comfortable outfit. Don't talk about your size, shape or weight. Those things don't matter. Repeat after me: “Heart health, mental sharpness, reduced risk for chronic diseases.

As I write this blog, I am sitting in a hotel in Charlotte, North Carolina.  Charlotte was not my destination; it was a connecting city for my trip overseas.  So, why am I here?

Because:  I left home and everything was go.  The airport was not very crowded, security did not flag me for an extra look, and the flight out was on time.  There were storms in the area but they did not seem to be too threatening.

Then: Twenty minutes out of Charlotte, the pilot announced that there was a ‘popup’ storm that included lightening, and the tower asked us to circle for a bit.  The storm intensified, and soon our fuel was running low.  We had to be diverted to a nearby airport to wait out the storm.

At first, we all thought it was a quick mover.  You know summer storms, they come and they go.  However, it was more than three hours later that we were finally able to make the 20 minute flight to Charlotte.

Upon arrival we were greeted with the chaos of missed and cancelled flights, and certainly the maybe of “Oh, if I run to the gate, I still may be able to get on and get out.”  Long story short, the doors to my flight were closed, and along with several other people I was turned away and told to make other plan.

That is why I am sitting in a hotel in Charlotte, North Carolina.  My message?  Travel is fun; travel is interesting; travel is educational, and travel can be hard.

• Be resilient. Accept that your plans will change, and often you may have to compromise to find a solution. If something goes smoothly, consider yourself lucky.
• Try to be in good physical condition. Your gate is not always close by, especially if you are transferring..
• Have a positive outlook. It helps no one if you complain over and over.  People will be quicker to help you if you give them a smile and a thank you.
• Be patient.  The lines can be long, the security may choose you at random, and looking annoyed will only make it take longer.

Those are just a few hints.  That said, even with my delays and rescheduling, here is why I am grateful. 
​

1. I was able to get a hotel room (Many people had to sleep in the airport – on a chair!)
2. There was a seat on the same flight on the next day (and the weather is supposed to be better).
3. I was told my luggage would be rerouted so it will travel with me - and I think it is.

So, as summer and retirement and vacation time comes your way, you'll have smoother sailing when you come mentally and physically prepared to go with the flow and be a travel champion. 
 
Bon voyage!
Loretta