You may have heard that retirement has three stages:

1) Go Go stage

2) Slow Go stage and

3)No Go stage

In your Go Go stage, you are “on the go”. That might mean traveling, seeing as
many sights as possible and doing things that you may have put off while still working. Hiking,
skiing, biking, snorkeling and other high energy, adventurous activities are part of the Go Go
stage.

People in the Slow Go stage may still travel and choose activities that are a little less
physically demanding. Activities that require a little less energy and physical stamina such as
museum tours, bus tours, and cooking classes and while at home, they opt for playing cards,
board games or reading.

The No Go stage is when you say no to travel and other activities and
choose to stay close to home, family, doctors and if we are being real, a bathroom!

Most people want to have the longest and most fulfilling life they can. In addition, they want to
have the longest possible Go Go stage. Followed by the longest as possible Slow Go phase.
There are two main strategies to achieve these goals:

Maintain the strength and stamina that you developed in your 30s, 40s and 50s.

And continue the healthy habits you developed in in your 30s, 40s, and 50s. Healthy habits include not smoking, eating a balanced diet, limiting alcohol, maintaining a healthy weight, and taking supplements.

Don’t worry if you are in your 50s … it is never too late to start!

So, if you are wondering why you are putting in the time and effort now, your future self will thank you!

While recently hiking in the Alps, I thanked my younger self for setting me up to have a long
and healthy Go Go stage! The view in this picture is taken by the Eiger, hiking on one of the
ridges looking across a valley to a village perched on top of a cliff.