Are You Healthy Enough For Retirement?

(MoneyWatch)  While you need money to retire, you also need good health to enjoy your retirement. A boatload of cash in the bank won't do you much good if you can't get out there and play golf, ski or ride your Harley.

Michael Roizen, co-author of You: Staying Young: The Owner's Manual for Extending Your Warranty , argues that the long term effects of frailty (or disability) will probably have the largest negative impact on your quality of life as you age. The more frail you are, the less you can do.

Roizen, however, believes that people can combat the effects of aging if they are willing to change their lifestyles. While aging is inevitable, Roizen claims that 70 percent of aging is affected by simple things you do or don't do.

Roizen has developed a list of 14 Major Agers, which are biological processes that contribute to your rate of aging. By working on these 14 Major Agers, Roizen claims you can in a sense reverse some of the effects of aging and live a younger life. For instance, one of his Major Agers is Disuse Atrophy, which basically means that your bones and muscles atrophy rapidly as you age if you don't use them. The more you use them, the slower the atrophy and the heathier you will be. You can visit his website www.realage.com to get more information.
While there is no time like the present, the earlier you start to improve your health the easier it will be. Healthy habits need to be integrated into your daily life, just like you must integrate saving and budgeting to build your financial security.
As Americans, we get caught up in a hectic lifestyle that often doesn't leave room for daily exercise. But this is too important to neglect. You should insist on prioritizing your health, and plan on at least 3 to 4 days a week of aerobic exercise and some weight training. The return on your investment will be significant as you age.
My dad is a retired physician and spends about an hour a day working out. He doesn't know if it will help him live longer, but it is sure helping him live healthier and happier.
Retirement runner image by terriseesthings, CC 2.0