Measure Your Health Assets

In recent years I have published two books, and have been busy with public speaking and training workshops. Now with a new book in 2011, Sitting Kills, Moving Heals, my publisher advised me to increase my 'web presence'. So, here I am.  My mission is to help you age well by sharing with you readily available solutions, knowledge and experience from a research career with NASA.

As a result I got better organized and more productive. However, I fell into the trap of sitting in front of a computer for hours on end. I have always been active, with short daily routines at home, as well as swimming in the summer, tennis and yoga classes year-round and more. When my yoga teacher moved out of the area six months ago an unfriendly stiffness crept into my life. One small change in my daily routine and my energy took a nosedive while the mirror showed flab around the waist and  arms.

Had aging caught up with me? Not a bit of it! It was time to practice what I preach.
We have a wonderful new Wellness Center at the end of the road so I had no excuses for not taking charge of my condition. I joined and am slowly getting back to my old routine. It is, as you may have heard me say, mostly a question of  making time for oneself.

In my journey of web-literacy I found lots of helpful advice in how to use understandable language on Pat Flynn's Smart Passive Income blog. If you blog or have thought about starting, check it out. Though geared for young entrepreneurs and therefore often over my head, I find his advice candid and forthright. The excerpt below was in one of his earlier posts with a touch of the kind of philosophy that I subscribe to.

The Main Point

Step back from where you are and what you’re doing – and look at yourself. Are you doing what you want to do? Are you living how you want to live? Do you have the ability to do the things you want to do, and if so, why aren’t you doing those things? If you don’t have the ability to do the things you want, are you doing the things now to eventually get to that point?

I know that’s a lot to figure out, and you may not have an answer for yourself just yet. I’ll leave you with a quote, from me:

“You can do whatever it is you want to do. You just have to first, know what you want, and secondly, know how to get it. If you don’t know how to get it, find out how by doing research, reading, asking questions, taking initiative, asking more questions, and learning as much as you can.”

On your journey toward your desired lifestyle, many things will try and hold you back. Don’t let yourself be one of them."

I could not have said it better myself. So I thought if this advice is good enough for the financial side of your house it applies just as well for your health assets. After all it does no good to be financially independent in your old age if you are not physically and mentally independent enough to enjoy it.

Whatever your age, here's how I suggest you take charge of building your health assets:

• Step 1: Get Started. Whatever your age, get started today by completing our free Health Assets self-assessment. You can get it by signing up for our Newsletter. When you have completed it, go back and re-read the questionnaire as well as your answers. 
• Step 2: Assess. Where are your strengths and what needs work?
• Step 3: Set a Goal. Focus your attention on one item and work on it for one month
• Step 4:Check your progress by completing the self-assessment questionnaire again.

How do you see yourself in 20 years? Follow these blogposts for more information on developing your personal Third Age Health Investment Plan.

Leave your comments, enter the conversation.We are all in this together.

Here's to your successful Third Age! And as always thank you for your support.