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In this interview, Dr Gordon from the Baycrest Hospital in Toronto delightfully illustrates how volunteering fills many gaps for retirees.
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Scientists studying him found he was able to significantly add to his aerobic fitness late in life. He only began exercising after his retirement. Not only did he get in good shape by cycling most days of the week at a relatively leisurely pace, but at 103, by following a program devised by exercise specialists, which involved riding at high intensity for 20% of the time, he was able to improve his aerobic capacity to the level of a 50-year-old, and improve his pedaling power by 40%.
An inspiring example of how it is never too late to get serious about exercise!
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Finishing the last km’s
At the beginning of this week I signed up for the Jack Frost Challenge, accepting the goal of travelling 140 km under my own power in seven days. A great idea.
The winter weather makes it hard to get outside regularly for exercise. This week, the pressure to do 20 km a day, or fall behind on the challenge, got me out for a good skate, ski, or bike ride every day, taking extra detours to maximize the distance covered.
It was great motivation; maybe we need a Jack Frost Challenge more often in winter!
Lots of people on the skating trail
Jean Altemeyer describes how Grands ‘n’ More in Winnipeg helps grandmothers in Africa to cope with the impact of AIDS on their families and communities.
More information; grandmotherscampaign.org
]]>Lloyd Axworthy, recently appointed Chairman of CUSO International, outlines plans to develop projects with aboriginal organizations in Canada, and to involve aboriginal people as volunteers.
Link: CUSO International
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More: Winnipeg men’s shed
]]>Debra Wutke, Program Manager for Business Management in the Continuing Education division of Red River College describes the paid and volunteer opportunities for retired people in her college:
Many retirees get satisfaction mentoring young people in their field; an ideal place to pass on your experience is at colleges and universities that hire skilled people on short-term contracts to teach continuing education students, and in some cases, full-time students as well. Alternatively, colleges often invite experienced people to volunteer as guest lecturers once in a term.
]]>When Lyndsay Greene, author of You Could Live a Long Time, found that many experienced retirees had “worked” well past the end of their traditional careers. They said work — not necessarily paid work — provides purpose and social networks in retirement.
They emphasized that, in the post-career phase of work, you shouldn’t expect the same level of responsibility and authority as in your career.
]]>They advised Lyndsay that, with limited time left, understand what you enjoy doing, and change course when you find yourself doing something you don`t enjoy.
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