Early-retirement wannabe

Marine_life

OldMusicGuy wrote: »

I tried very hard to build in more time for exercise in my routine while working but it was simply impossible

I don't agree with that.

I would not say it is easy but you need to make it a priority and think ahead.

For example - I always have gym kit with me whenever I travel. Its the first thing that goes in my case. Then I try to make sure I stay in a hotel with a gym and if all else fails then I will do an exercise routine in my hotel room (there are lots of examples on youtube).

You also need to think ahead - e.g. if you know you have a business dinner one evening then get up early. Its tough, if like me you are not an early exerciser but a workout at 6:00 am sets me up well for the day.

I would therefore exercise 5-6 days a week and NEVER have more than two consecutive "rest" days

Marine_life

OldMusicGuy wrote: »

I have so many hobbies and interests outside work that filling time was never going to be an issue. It hasn't been either, I simply don't have enough time.

I wish I did.

It's not that I don't like doing non-work things - I really do - but it's the sense of making a difference / having a meaning that is more important to me.

Lots of people have suggested volunteering - and I get that. I hate to sound mercenary but if I can get the same sense of meaning and get paid for it then.....:beer:?

mgdavid

Marine_life wrote: »

.......
I would therefore exercise 5-6 days a week and NEVER have more than two consecutive "rest" days

I never know with your posts whether to feel humbled, guilty or sorry for you! I think I last did formal exercise in the 5th year at Grammar school, so that would be 1965. I have no intention of wearing my body out prematurely.
I'm under 75kg, eat & drink what I like, worked until my 65th birthday and enjoy excellent health. I can still drive a two hour stint in a racing car although I do find I can't lug engines and gearboxes around quite like I used to...

bugslet

Marine_life wrote: »

I don't agree with that.

I would not say it is easy but you need to make it a priority and think ahead.


You also need to think ahead - e.g. if you know you have a business dinner one evening then get up early. Its tough, if like me you are not an early exerciser but a workout at 6:00 am sets me up well for the day.

I would therefore exercise 5-6 days a week and NEVER have more than two consecutive "rest" days

Either my office or the southern one, I'm out of the door early. 5.45 at home 06.15 down south. I refuse to get up earlier. Though at home I do get a 40 minute dog walk in before work.

Workwise, now that I can (I think), retire, I find I don't want to as much. I'm busy negotiating with my main customer for another three years, which will take me to 57. I fear I may be one of those tragic souls that wouldn't know what to do without work.

OldMusicGuy

Marine_life wrote: »

I don't agree with that.

I would not say it is easy but you need to make it a priority and think ahead.

Sadly it didn't work for me. My job was so high pressure that when I was travelling I had to get up at 6am to prep my presentations and work for the coming day. Evenings were usually client dinners or trying to get to bed early enough to cope with the early start and pressure of the coming day. There was no downtime during the day. I remember one trip where the local sales manager presented me with a banana between sales calls for my lunch........

I used to see our senior managers going out for runs or spending time in the gym. But there was no peace for the revenue generators...... Like I said, the older I got, the more stressful that workload got.

melanzana

Marine_life wrote: »

I wish I did.

It's not that I don't like doing non-work things - I really do - but it's the sense of making a difference / having a meaning that is more important to me.

Lots of people have suggested volunteering - and I get that. I hate to sound mercenary but if I can get the same sense of meaning and get paid for it then.....:beer:?

I don't think you are ready for retirement yet. But I wish you well.

You have dithered and dandered for a long while, but will not bite the bullet. But each to their own.

OldMusicGuy

Marine_life wrote: »

I wish I did.

It's not that I don't like doing non-work things - I really do - but it's the sense of making a difference / having a meaning that is more important to me.

Lots of people have suggested volunteering - and I get that. I hate to sound mercenary but if I can get the same sense of meaning and get paid for it then.....:beer:?

I can see we come from different ends of the spectrum. I'm proud of what I achieved at work but it was never the "meaning" in my life. It was a means to an end to support my family and provide for them. But I'd much prefer to read a book, write some music or spend time with my wife than have my head deep in corporate IT. And now I have left, as important as I thought I was, I can see that whole world is carrying on quite happily without me :rotfl: They've hardly noticed I have gone.....

gfplux

Now nearly 22 years ago I feel blessed that I was forced out of my job (paid to go away at 52 years of age)
That made me think about my life and I therefore retired.
Before this happened I thought work was important, that work made my life, fool that I was.
I am lucky I am not one of those people who HAVE to work (intellectually)

Thrugelmir

crv1963 wrote: »

I try to walk 12000 steps a day but some days that simply isn't possible partly due to daylight/ weather/ time

One finds time. Easy to find excuses. If you really want to do something you would. Walking is good for you in so many ways not just physical.

Marine_life

mgdavid wrote: »

I'm under 75kg, eat & drink what I like, worked until my 65th birthday and enjoy excellent health

Then you probably have either good genes or fundamentally a healthy lifestyle.

By contrast, I probably drink a little too much and have a penchant for a sausage roll. The exercise is the offset to that.