One of the things that I'm looking forward to as I get older is having more time to do the things that I enjoy.  And to ensure that I will be able to do the things I want, I have made some changes in my life.  First of all, I made a conscious effort to drink more water.  Drinking 8 glasses of water a day will:

• Aid in digestion
• Improve your energy levels
• Keep your skin healthy
• Help you lose weight
• Improve your physical and mental performance

In examining my eating habits, I discovered that I was not getting enough fruits and vegetables in my diet.  To combat that I shop every couple of days rather than once a week so that I can always have fresh fruits and vegetables on hand.  I find that I am more likely to include them in my diet when they are super fresh.  A website that I like for finding great healthy recipes is www.foodnetwork.com. Look for Ellie's Eat-Well Plan.

Another area that I took a close look at was the amount of exercise I got each week.  I knew I needed to step it up if I was going to be able to continue to kayak, hike, garden, and travel long into retirement.  I know it can seem overwhelming to start an exercise routine at this point in life.  But you'll be amazed at the benefits of incorporating exercise into your daily routine.  I walk 4-6 miles several times a week with a friend.  This has turned out to be a great way to get in shape while enjoying some social time as well.  I have also enlisted the help of my partner in a nighttime routine where we both do some crunches, leg lifts, and other strengthening exercises before going to bed.  We keep each other accountable and it's much more fun to do it with a partner.  The benefits of exercising include:

• Improved mood
• Reduced risk of chronic diseases
• Weight management
• Strengthened heart and lungs
• Better sleep
• Improved sex life (better circulation, more energy)

We haven't worked this hard to retire and not be able to do the things we've been looking forward to because we didn't take care of our health along the way.  There's no time like the present to take charge of your health.  If you can't see yourself enjoying your later years, take an inventory of the areas you need to improve upon and start today.

"Good health and good sense are two of life's greatest blessings." ~Publilious Syrus (Roman author)