Surviving retirement

I finally figured out why people retire.

Once you reach a certain age, just maintaining the status quo takes a lot more time than it once did.

The urge to veg out in front of the computer, or television, is pretty great. After all, it is a comfy warm place in the winter and comfy cool one in the summer, so the idea that I should get up and brave the elements isn't always all that alluring.

Food is the same sort of situation. Now I can afford the food I love and I have the time to prepare and eat it, I discover most of it isn't all that good for me. I can still eat, but I need to moderate the types and amount of food if I want to die with all my toes intact. (And not do it in the too near future.)

My schedule now includes all sorts of tactics for getting me out and moving and not eating when most of my life the plan was to be efficient and satisfied.

The truth is, there are other satisfactions, but changing the rewards is almost as hard as changing the habits. Now I go to book club not just because I love to read, but it gets me up and out on a day when nothing else is scheduled. Same goes for coffees and concerts, movies and games. Being social is not just fun, it is obligatory if I want to survive retirement as gracefully as possible. (Although, does anyone survive retirement?)