Bold leap into retirement

Sarahspangles

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81912701#Comment_81912701

What’s making me rethink holidays is that when I was working I would pick the most stress-relieving option - half board somewhere quiet, with the option of a swim or a stroll around a museum or gallery. In fact, I was having holidays that would probably appeal to an older pensioner! I’m now ready for something more active again.

Sarahspangles

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81912782#Comment_81912782

I was cycling once a week with my other half until to the wet weather started. He then switched to road cycling but I really don’t feel safe on the roads, so I added a different cardio class instead. Next winter maybe I’ll try the Ramblers while he’s cycling. Once we eventually move, garden-making will tempt me out more.

When I started increasing the amount of exercise I was doing, I was focussed on cardio. It finally clicked that I needed to do some strength training too. The circuits class I do is for all ages and every few weeks the trainer includes ‘sit to stand’ from a chair as one of the circuits, to encourage people to rise without using their hands. It’s surprising how many relatively young people can’t do this at first. The Pilates I go to is led by a physio, and she includes exercises to help with things like getting up from the floor without holding on to something. At first, I couldn’t do that.

MayDogsandCoffee

Liking the bit about holidays, I used to have a long weekend every 6 weeks and full weeks during annual leave time. I lived in Europe and had cheap as chips budget hotels up to 5* spa breaks. I don't feel the need to travel overseas anymore (hate the heat anyway) but what really bugs me is the terrible standard of UK hotels, the prices are crazy and half the staff don't care less, that goes for both budget and boutique, I have only found a couple that I would ever return to as I don't like paying for poor customer service or over the odds for a shabby room with basics. I would rather camp in a tent or just have a decent day out with good lunch instead.

MetaPhysical

I have made huge progress with my weight training and cycling in the past three months since i retired at 58 last December I've lost two stone and I can almost see my abs again and I've got my bench press up to 100kg+bar which is the best since I was in my early 20's. My goal is to do unassisted chin-ups with a set of ten, unassisted, by the end of the year. Only one person per thousand in the general population can do that.

I do about 100 miles of bike rides per week now the perma-rain has at last stopped a bit. There is a one mile steep hill near where I live (Harby Hill in Leicestershire if anyone knows the area) that I have set a target of doing in 8.30 minutes by September 1st this year. The best I have ever done it is 9.20 and that was 30 years ago. Let's see.

Sitting in front of a computer all day long at work was doing me no favours at all now I'm getting older. I'm now much more active and out and about.

MallyGirl

My health goal for this year is to be able to do 1 full, proper form, push up. Just one - without the fear that I am going to break my nose by crashing down onto the floor 😆

MarzipanCrumble

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81912701#Comment_81912701

I followed my husband both for his job and with travel. Went to USA because he liked the sport. Not unhappy about that, but never really enjoyed travel, and now on own, don't want to. Yes, tremendous pressure, esp if social media inclined, to travel.

Me, happy at home - rather go monthly to a michelin starred restaurant, or a local in the Good Food Guide.

katejo

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81915621#Comment_81915621

I am already trying to increase activity. On the 3 non working days last week, I did over 10000 steps each day. I definitely want to reduce time sat at a desk!

Smudgeismydog

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81915621#Comment_81915621

That’s pretty impressive, are you feeling better for it?

katejo

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81913090#Comment_81913090

Ah ok I see what you mean now. I still want active holidays but, when choosing walking tours I tend to be a little cautious and go for easier grades than I do at home just in case something happens and I am not as fit as I hoped on the day! I hate the idea of other group members thinking that I am not up to it! 😂

pterri

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81915621#Comment_81915621

well done, I’m about a year in. I was putting weight on before I retired and I love cooking so actually piled on the pounds since! I went to Vietnam in January, ate healthily and have kept that up since I got back. I’ve lost about 7-8kg and hope to get down to 70kg, which is a healthy weight for a 5’5” lad apparently. Not sure if I’ll get there, I’ve not weighed that for 10yrs! Still cycling though, actually more than ever but reducing bad calories in is always better than trying to excercise it off. Hope to be down to 70kg before my trip to Girona in September so I can slog up a few hills, the ‘O’ level physics makes more sense when you experience trying to drag an extra 7kg up a few meters! Not missed work stuff in any way shape or form