Wellness into Retirement: Avoiding Discipline Can Cost You

When I was in the Air Force in the late 90s and early 2000s, not only were there were an abundance of fitness options available to me, but fitness was an ingrained part of the culture I was surrounded by. All of our meals were provided to us, so nutrition was a no-brainer. Aside from that, there was always a fitness activity that we could participate in, and there was little else to distract us. Plus we were required to maintain a certain level of athleticism. The fitness selection included everything from mindfulness activities like stretching and meditation to more physically intense options
like spinning, team sports and weight training. In addition, we were always encouraged to walk or run in the mornings. We could even try our hand at something different, like Pilates or yoga. However, since retiring from the military in 2012, I had become complacent in my fitness goals. I was no longer immersed in the fitness-minded culture and there were plenty of other responsibilities to fill my time. In the military, you’re just doing what’s expected when you focus on fitness, but afterwards, my health was not on my list of priorities. I wanted to remain physically fit, but after a lifetime of having fitness be a regimented part of my life, it was difficult to find the willpower to self-motivate.