Trying Something New in Retirement: Zumba!

Move your body! 

As I navigate retirement, I try to find ways to maintain my health and find ways to keep my workout regiment interesting, worthwhile, and effective in keeping yourself in good health. 

This past Sunday, I signed up for an exercise class at the local 24 hour fitness gym. I signed up for Zumba. 24 Hour Fitness describes as 

"Zumba® fuses hypnotic Latin rhythms with easy-to-follow moves to create a dynamic fitness program. The goal is simple: to want to work out, to love working out and to get hooked. Zumba® fanatics achieve long-term benefits in one exhilarating hour of calorie-burning, body-energizing, awe-inspiring movements." 

Getting ready for class workout

I couldn't agree more. As a first timer, I was met with a warm welcome applause as the instructor asked if anyone's first time. It was early Sunday morning, I didn't realize quite of few attendees were up and enthusiastic at a 9:00 am start time. The attendees appear to be mostly women, older, and were clearly regulars. I counted maybe less than 5 men? It was a full class, close to 45 people. I love classes that helps me move my body and this class was well run, with easy moves, it took me awhile to get my "rhythm", but overall it was good. I'd like to try this on a regular basis. As we all age, it's important to keep moving. 

Health is wealth! 

After the class, I felt relieved, it was a good one hour session. A good sweat after this vigorous work out. It's good to know I can always try something new, this one seems to be a winner. The question is will I be able to keep up? Stay tuned!

Rainy Day Review to Retirement Next Year

I'm taking in the stormy weather we've been having in the Northern California area to stay in to do a little writing. It's been a few days after Christmas and I'm really feeling the sense that my desire to retire in 2025 is literally around the corner! 

As I select July 1st as my last day in the office, standard protocol in submitting a retirement/resignation to my employer is generally 3 months. This allows all the paperwork to be processed just in time before I walk out the door. So starting in April I'm letting my director know I'm leaving. 

Personally, I still feel the anxiety and wonder if it's the right time, will I make a mistake by retiring too early, all these crazy thoughts start to surface in my head and making me second guess my decision. 

But as there is constant rain pouring outside my window, I'm given some calmness that all my preparation has been more than enough. I've crossed all my T's and dotted my I's, and it's really going to be my best foot forward to make the move at this stage in my life. 

As for the following, I think I've covered them all, well the ones that I'm aware of. 

FINANCES, ✅

SOCIAL ATMOSPHERE, ✅

HEALTH & FITNESS, ✅

HOUSING, ✅ 

To be honest the only thing that might surprise me is the roller coaster of mentally being prepared. Cross fingers all the networking with previous retirees, watching retirement preparation videos on YouTube, and simply talking to family and friends, sort of "calms" me versus freaking out. 

One person told me that I can prepare as much as you want and also holding off one more year before retiring will never establish reassurance. But I know one thing is that I'm embracing the TIME I have for me to take on another chapter or take on something new. Sure, spending time with family and friends more is a given, and traveling will be top of my to do list, i.e. bucket list new destinations will be the fun part. But going it alone might be a tad stressor for me versus thinking independence. That's for another blog. So for now, enjoying the sound of rain outside my window gives me pause to really settle in and hope 2025 will be exciting, comforting, and new for me. I need to change it up ! 

Once in a Lifetime Covid-19 Pandemic Experience: 19 Months later

I clearly remembered the day my manager informed us that we needed to leave work that morning to get provisions and shelter in place for the next few days. A local and national announcement was made that everyone needed to head home as a rising case of the Covid-19 virus had begun to climb in numbers infecting people across the country and globally. 

Initial reports stated that the virus outbreak started in China in a wet market where several people were diagnosed with a flu-like symptom of Pneumonia. In the ensuing weeks, we were getting reports that the virus reached the United States. We were unable to contain the virus reaching our shores. It was a moment many of us had no idea what was really happening until, the death count began rising. Mask and social distancing became the new norm to avoid any infection and the further spread of the virus.

Fast forward to today, Wednesday, September 1st, and I'm reflecting on how far we've come in trying to be safe and contain this virus. Our lifestyle has changed and our interaction with each other further isolating normal human behavior to be close and social. But for the most part, we've slowly come out of it, a majority of U.S. citizens have complied with the necessary requirements masking and social distancing. Other steps that have taken has been with over 70%,  as of this writing citizens have been fully vaccinated. Most started getting their vaccinations last March. A much more promising step. 

I've taken time to reflect on what has happened in the last 19 months. Many had to work from home as for others who were essential workers had no choice but to "go in" the office. i.e. Nurses, EMTs, and delivery personnel just to name a few. 

Overall, I think this once in a lifetime experience has forever changed the way we live moving forward. It will take some time to go back to "normal". But many have had time to reflect on what is important in their lives. Some examples this past year of people making a change in their life included relocating or moving back to their home states, or choosing to retire earlier than expected. I personally think it changed the demographics of cities and states. I'm being optimistic these changes are made for good. 

We still have a long way to go but we are standing on third base and hopefully we can slide home safely to renew a new way of living and being more kind with each other as we should be. After all, we are in this together whether we like it or not. For now, we can celebrate outdoors without our masks, not for indoors,  it will take time until we feel much more safe health wise. 

Let's see how we finish 2021. So for now, masks off!