The real fountain of youth

Photo: Contributed

One of the beliefs I have regarding retirement is that it’s about more than money. That isn’t to ignore the benefits a well-funded retirement will deliver, it’s just acknowledging that a successful third stage of life is made up of other factors as well.

Personal health and fitness will get you millions of hits on a Google search. It seems that at all ages we are a society obsessed with exercise, diet and personal care. Depending on one’s age, the driving force behind the obsession ranges from esthetics, to competition to mobility. As we get older though, the motivation becomes more about longevity and mobility and less about how we will look at the beach.

Imagine being vibrant, healthy and active into your eighties. For some, that is already a reality, for many of us though, the inevitable challenges that the years present us with remain a mystery and we too often feel we have no control over our physical state. A book written in 2007 by Chris Crowley, a man then in his seventies, and his doctor, Henry S. Lodge called Younger Next Year, dives into the benefits of a cardiovascular and strength exercise program and a moderately healthy diet.

It’s their belief that our bodies are always either in a state of repair or decay and depending upon the signals that we send, it will respond accordingly. As we age, the signals we send our body go a long way in determining the health we experience. They also suggest that many of the physical challenges we experience as we age may be avoided with a proper regime. That isn’t to say we won’t be victims of different physical challenges, diseases or ailments along the way. It says that all things being equal, we have the ability to lead active and healthy lives if we commit ourselves to taking responsibility for our own health. After all, we either wear out or we rust out.

Another important subject the book discusses is the value of connection: community, friends and family, and interests, and their contribution to the well-being and quality of life we experience after the age of fifty. While Chris Crowley delivers the patient’s perspective, Dr. Lodge delves into the science. From tales of double black diamond skiing in Colorado powder to rowing or daily walking habits, there’s an approach for people at any level of fitness.

Their points are honest, well researched and simple in execution. It was an excellent read and I would recommend anyone past fifty to at least have a glance through it and decide if there’s something there for them. You can also check out their website at http://youngernextyear.com/.

This is for information purposes only. It is recommended that individuals consult with their financial advisor before acting on any information contained in this article. The opinions stated are those of the author and not necessarily those of Scotia Capital Inc. or The Bank of Nova Scotia. ScotiaMcLeod is a division of Scotia Capital Inc., Member CIPF.

This article is written by or on behalf of an outsourced columnist and does not necessarily reflect the views of Castanet.