There are a lot of new hobbies to consider after making the decision to retire early. Bowling is an excellent choice that can potentially turn into a second-life sport. During retirement is the perfect time. After all, bowling with retirement bucks is the best kind of bowling. If you have never bowled, ask a friend who is willing to try new things to go bowling with you the first time. You will quickly realize once you arrive at the bowling lanes how popular the sport actually is. Should you decide this is the game for you, it is time to personalize the game by personalizing your bowling equipment.

Believe it or not, some people have never bowled. First time bowlers will want to ensure all of the necessary equipment needed is at hand. Bowling does not really require a lot of equipment. In fact, the basics are comfortable clothes, a pair of well-fitting, personal bowling shoes (pass up the rent-a-fungus and buy your own shoes), the perfect bowling ball at the proper weight and a bowling bag. The shoes are by far the most important piece of equipment due to the stance and movement required in the game of bowling.

There are a couple of excellent brands of bowling shoes from which to select. Bowling shoes start at about $50 and up, depending on the quality. A basic Brunswick Bowling Shoe (Avada), with cushioned support and EVA midsole with a rubber heel, generally retails for approximately $50. On the other hand, Brunswick also makes The Brunswick Bowling Classic Left Hand Bowling Shoe for left-handed bowlers that retails for approximately $190. This is why it is so important to own a pair of personal bowling shoes. Your shoes are specific to your form and may affect your game.

Bowling with retirement bucks quickly makes you realize that after retirement there is a new life at hand. With that new life, there is also a new game in deciding to take up bowling during the retirement years.

Remember when you were younger? As a kid, your feelings were pretty much bared for the world to see. When you were mad, you screamed. When you were upset, you cried. And if someone in front of you was walking too slowly, you just pushed them out of the way! As you got older and reached adolescence, you had to learn to bottle up many of those feelings to conform to society's expectations. For many teens, a journal becomes their best friend. They pour their hopes, fears and feelings into the empty pages of a journal. At some point, we decide we're too old for that sort of thing, and we set out to deal with all of those bottled thoughts and emotions with little or no outlet. It's no wonder we as a generation are so stressed out!

Guess what? Journaling isn't just for kids anymore. Whether you choose to vent your feelings on a computer or in a journal, it can help you to reduce your stress and improve your emotional health. Some stores even carry journals specifically designed for adults, without pictures of puppies, kittens or fairy princesses on the cover. (Unless you want one like that!) When journaling, you can write whatever you feel as you're feeling it - emptying the bottled-up emotions, so to say. Later, you can go back and read what you've wrote. Doing so can tell you a lot about where you're at emotionally, if you're on the right track, and what you might be able to do to help yourself. Sometimes, we even hide our true feelings from ourselves, such as the need to change careers or get out of a bad relationship. These issues often come out when journaling and are harder to ignore when you see them on paper.

If your day-to-day life makes you want to scream, cry or knock someone out, try hashing your feelings out with a journal. It's inexpensive, easy and can change your life.

How much fruit are you eating each day? Are you eating the recommended servings required for your body size? Unfortunately, many people aren't. This really isn't a surprise, especially when you consider the cost of fresh fruit. Still, you know how important it is to add fruit to your diet. In this week's blog, we'll discuss fruit and some of the challenges that come with this healthy lifestyle change.

One of the biggest challenges I've faced with adding more fruit to my diet is the cost. With the rising cost of fuel, the cost of fresh produce has also increased. It is now much more expensive to transfer fruit across the country. How can you overcome these high costs? First of all, buy seasonal fruits. If the fruit is in season, grocers don't have to get the fruit from other areas. Second, buy locally. Instead of turning to the grocery store, go to the farmer's market. Third, look for sales. Buying what's on sale each week offers variety. It also encourages you to try new things. Last, but not least, try growing your own fruit. You can grow fruit in pots and even hanging baskets. Best of all, you'll have excess fruit that can be frozen or canned for later use.

The second challenge I faced was boredom. Fruit can get boring after a while. Depending on the number of servings you're supposed to eat each day, you may find it hard to keep those servings interesting. One of the easiest ways to add fruit to your diet is smoothies and 100-percent fruit juices. Both of these options can be changed to create new flavors. Another option is to add something healthy to your fruit. For example, coat apple slices in peanut butter and sprinkle on healthy granola. Last, but not least, get creative. Add fruit to your main course. For example, add a fruit salsa to the top of your grilled chicken.

Adding fruit to your diet doesn't have to be difficult. Get started tomorrow by adding fresh fruit to your lunch bag.

Many baby boomers are becoming quite active in meaningful causes such as saving the environment by being selective about consumer choices. One way to have impact on the environment as a consumer is by purchasing earth-friendly shoes. What are earth-friendly shoes? Basically, earth-friendly shoes are non-leather products made from alternative sources, which are designed to minimize the impact on the environment.

Simple, everyday alternative choices such as purchasing earth-friendly shoes reduce one's carbon footprint on the earth and influence family members to consider alternative consumer choices that support the environment. There are a wide variety of brands that make earth-friendly shoes including Keep, Vasque, Simple, Aquarius Vegan and Dune.

There are several brands of earth-friendly shoes that are attractive, trendy, quite popular and specifically designed to support the environment. Keep is one brand of earth-friendly shoes available for men and women. They are also quite comfortable. Made from rubber, canvas and textiles, the Keep brand of shoes is committed to sustainable living. Several of the very popular brands of Keep Shoes for women and men include styles such as Keep Ramos. This unique and trendy looking flat is brown with brown and purple argyle shirt accents made of cotton. The retail price for the Keep Ramos is $80.

Vasque Brand is another excellent brand of shoe committed to supporting the environment with earth-friendly shoes. Baby boomers are taking on new hobbies such as hiking, running and other outdoor activities. Vasque is known for making one of the most precision outdoor shoes, in addition to being environmentally conscious. A great example of one of the high-performance shoes from Vasque is their Aether Tech SS. Designed for running, the Vasque Aether Tech SS is made with 30 percent recycled content in addition to offering key features that provide motion control, stability and extra cushioning. The retail price of the Vasque Aether Tech SS is $124. Deciding to purchase earth-friendly shoes is just one way to support the environment.

Stress is, well, stressful. The human body has several involuntary reactions to stress, which you may or may not notice when you're experiencing them. Your body releases adrenaline, which increases your heart rate, your muscles tighten, and your breath becomes shallower. If you regain control of your body's reaction to stress, you'll feel better and be better equipped to make good decisions. You can't instantly slow down your heart rate, or instantly relax all of your muscles, so where do you start? Taking control of the simplest aspect - your breathing - can make a big difference and bring the rest of your body's reactions into line.

Right now, practice taking a breath as you normally would. If you're like most people, the breath isn't very deep. Now, practice taking a deep breath. Blow a breath out completely, then breathe in slowly and deeply with the goal of expanding your upper stomach as you breathe. Then blow this breath out completely. This type of breath uses more of your lung capacity; normal, shallower breathing only uses a smaller portion of your lungs. During the rest of the day and beyond, practice being mindful of your breathing. When individuals practice yoga or meditation, "being mindful" means that you pay close attention to your breathing and body, and adjust your breath as needed to make it deeper and more relaxing. A deeper and more controlled breath will help to lower your heart rate and reduce muscle tension.

Watching your breath is the easiest thing you can do to reduce your stress and improve your health. If your breathing is shallow, your body thinks something is wrong, and your breathing can become shallow because you're stressed out. It's a vicious cycle that you can break by being mindful of your breath, and taking deeper, more efficient breaths when you notice your breathing becoming shallow. After a while, you'll breathe better without even trying. And when you're stressed out, a quick reminder to breathe more deeply will suffice. So if you're feeling stressed out, breathe more deeply and reap the benefits.

It's the season for charity walks, marathons and outdoor competitions that help raise funds for your favorite causes, but preparing for the big race demands a little more than your usual 20-minute walking routine. Exercising for good health is one thing, but getting buff for a competition is a completely different fitness scenario; you need the gear, you need time to train, and you need a crew to cheer you on as you race to the finish line.

Get things started with a pair of quality running shoes. You'll need a sturdy and reliable pair to help you run your route with success, so pick up a pair of super-cushioned soles to prevent major injuries. A soft and flexible sole made with breathable mesh and supportive cushions gives you that extra edge for race day. For comfort's sake, be sure to break them in with a trial run or two before the big day.

Next, you'll need some versatile and comfortable clothing. If you're training outdoors on those brisk fall or winter mornings, layer things up with a stylish half-zip that will keep moisture at bay. You can sweat yourself into oblivion without feeling a thing in one of these comfy tops; just pull it on over a tank or tee for some extra protection on those chilly days outdoors. If you're tackling an indoor track session, get moving in some Dri-FIT shorts that give you plenty of breathing space with extra ventilation; the polyester/spandex combo also keeps your skin dry during any intensive workout.

When it's time to keep time and beat the clock for your best performance, pick up an Ironman timex that will track your steps on any course. It's the easiest way to monitor each workout and make sure you get through the big event in record time.

And as you count down the days to race day, round up your cheering crew with a quick e-mail or phone call proclaiming your race for your chosen cause. You'll need a supportive troop to keep you in the race when the going gets tough.

A few tweaks to your weekly schedule and the right gear are all it takes to rev up that training routine and get yourself to the finish line like a pro!

Baby boomers who have worn improperly fit shoes or who have had careers for the past twenty years standing on their feet for hours may have arthritic feet. Baby boomers can take steps to ease the pain associated with arthritic feet by wearing the proper shoes.

What exactly should one look for when purchasing the proper shoes for arthritic feet? Shoes should have a wide-toe box and a comfortable heel. It is also important to replace shoes on a regular basis so that they serve the wearer well. Main considerations when purchasing proper shoes for arthritic feet include finding comfortable shoes that fit properly and do not cause swelling or inflammation. That being said, fit, quality and comfort are paramount.

There are a number of brands of proper shoes for arthritic feet designed for men and women that are attractive, comfortable and affordable including brands such as; Mephisto, Drew, Brooks and P.W. Minor.

With a reputation for making the perfect shoe, Mephisto is one of the top brands that offer proper shoes for arthritic feet. Some of the styles that are ideal for arthritic feet include the Mephisto Leda for Ladies, which is a lightweight sport shoe with a leather upper and durable outsole, which provides lightweight support. One of the top features of the Mephisto Leda is an anatomically designed, removable air-jet footbed created to absorb shock and promote air circulation. The retail price for the Mephisto Leda is $309.

An excellent choice for a proper shoe for arthritic feet is from Drew, one of the leaders in therapeutic comfort footwear. A great style for men is the Drew Albany Clog in Brown Leather. Recommended as a great, all day walking shoe and designed for comfort and flexibility. Its top features include round toes, full leather upper and linings, two removable insoles for a customized fit, a firm heel counter and padded collar to reduce foot slipping. Priced at $110, this is a great shoe for a life of comfort.

Sources:
www.medicinenet.com

It's a fact. When people live hectic, stressful lives they tend to take better care of inanimate objects than they do themselves! Take cars, for example. Everyone knows that basic routine maintenance can keep things running smoothly and prevent major breakdowns later on. We get oil changes and tune-ups for our cars. The same basic principles apply to your body, the most important asset you have! Without a healthy body, you can't do the things you need to do, and you're certainly not prepared to handle stressful situations. Taking care of yourself with some routine "basic maintenance" can keep your body running smoothly and give you a solid foundation for dealing with stress.

Body Basic Maintenance #1: Get Enough Sleep
This one is important. Even if you can't get a full eight hours, make a commitment to yourself to get as much as you can. If you have trouble sleeping, try relaxing with a relaxing bath or good book.

Body Basic Maintenance #2: Eat (And Eat Reasonably)
Sometimes, it's not a matter of eating well - it's a matter of remembering to eat at all! Grabbing breakfast in the morning can help energize you all day. And when you do eat, make sure that what you're putting into your body will help it run smoothly.

Body Basic Maintenance #3: Get Moving
If a car is left in the garage for several years, it may or may not run when someone tries to start it up. The same is true for exercising your body. Try to get a little bit of exercise every day, even if it's only walking the dog. It will help you feel better both physically and emotionally.

Body Basic Maintenance #4: Take A Daily Vitamin
If you ate a perfectly balanced diet every day, then you probably wouldn't need a daily vitamin supplement. A daily vitamin supplement can help strengthen all of your defenses, particularly your immune system, and make up for the nutrients your day-to-day diet lacks.

Body Basic Maintenance #5: Stay Hydrated
Many people don't drink enough liquids. Adequate hydration can help all of your body's systems run more smoothly. Think of it like an oil change for your body. Find a healthy drink you like, such as tea or ice water, and keep it on hand at all times for maximum hydration.

In this week's blog we're going to further discuss exercise. A few weeks ago, we discussed getting started and how exercise could be broken down into smaller workouts. Now that the exercise time doesn't seem as scary, let's talk about types of exercise. This week we'll discuss the different types and how it doesn't have to seem like exercise.

We all know that blood pumping workouts are great for the heart. This doesn't mean you have to run or do jumping jacks. You could play basketball or even dance. What's important is increasing your heart rate. If you have kids, just getting out in the yard and playing can be considered a cardio workout. Fun cardio workouts have always been easier for me to tackle. I'm the type of person that gets bored doing jumping jacks.

Not everyone can handle extreme cardio workouts. As I've gotten older, and the arthritis in my back has gotten worse, low-impact exercises have become my exercise of choice. Low-impact exercises can be something as simple as working out on an elliptical machine, which I enjoy. I also love to go hiking. You could even go shopping.

What I'm trying to help you understand this week is that exercise doesn't have to be boring. High and low-impact exercises can actually be fun. Whether you go shopping at the mall or play football with a few friends, you're going to get great workout. Best of all, it's the perfect excuse to buy more at the mall or hang out longer with your friends.

Stop killing yourself with exercise and turn this healthy lifestyle challenge into a form of entertainment. Before you know it, you'll actually look forward to slipping into your sweatshirt and burning a few calories. And if this still isn't enough to get you going, keep an eye out for future blogs that discuss exercise even further.

After putting in a boat load of time in the corporate world, now is the time to take on the great outdoors after retirement and go camping. If by chance camping has never been a part of the agenda in terms of extracurricular activities, this makes it even more exciting. One need only do the research, get organized and make strategic plans for camping.

Part of making the decision to take on the great outdoors after retirement and go camping involves selecting a camp site that feels comfortable and safe, particularly for the novice camper. Campgrounds will either be private or public. There are KOA Campgrounds, National Parks and National Forests that are ideal for camping. If in doubt about where to camp, check with the state parks and recreation department. Also consider what part of the world you would enjoy seeing when determining a campground.

The next step is to obtain the necessary gear to go camping. The basics include shelter such as a tent or recreational vehicle, a bed or sleeping bag and food. Also pack the necessary items to store and prepare food. Having a good pair of all terrain shoes is necessary, as is camping clothing that is comfortable and provides protection from the elements.

Shopping puts one in the groove to take on the great outdoors after retirement by going camping. Buying the gear is fun; however, knowing how to set up camp and break camp is equally important. When setting up camp, consider the location. Is it on high ground and near a water source? Another thing to consider is shade trees particularly during summer months. If using a tent, be sure you set it up prior to leaving home, as a test run. When you break camp be sure you take everything with you and leave a clean campsite.

Most importantly, do the research prior to arrival so that all expectations are realistic. If in doubt about taking on the great outdoors after retirement or you feel clueless, not to worry, take experienced campers with you.

When it comes to dealing with stress, there's a direct link between how well you take care of yourself and how well you handle tension. A big part of this is diet, but it's hard to watch what you eat. When you stop to think about it, how do you know when you're feeling stressed out? Your muscles tense, your heart rate increases, and you might even get a headache. Many of the signs of stress are physical. By taking small steps to improve what you eat, you can better prepare your body for handling stress later on. Even the busiest people can do three easy things to make their diets just a little bit healthier.

Stay Hydrated
This is probably the most important. I've noticed a big difference in how I feel when I'm not staying hydrated, and how I feel when I do. The best way to handle this is to keep a bottle of water (or tea, etc.) with you at all times. If it's there, you're more likely to drink it, and less likely to run for the soda machine down the hall.

Avoid Temptation Altogether
I find this really hard to do, but it works! The idea is simple enough: if you want to improve your health and resistance to stress, don't buy junk food. If it's not in the house, you can't sit around eating it in the evenings. I'm usually pretty mad when I want a big bowl of ice cream after dinner, but am I mad enough to make a special trip to the store? No.

Make It Easy
During your busy day and when you get home from work, you're probably not likely to whip up a nutritious meal. If you plan ahead in the mornings and after dinner, you're more likely to eat well. Pack your lunch in advance, with healthy things you like to eat. For an easy evening meal, throw lean meats and fresh vegetables into slow cookers in the morning for a hot meal when you get home. A little advanced planning makes it easy to stay hydrated, healthy and ready to face the world.

It's that time of the week again, and this week we're going to tackle sodium. There are many misconceptions and challenges to face when it comes to this week's topic. But, with a little bit of work and further knowledge on the topic, you'll be ready to lower your sodium intake and start living healthier.

I'll admit that I've never been one to add salt to my food. The elementary school I attended never placed salt shakers on the table. Eating unsalted foods day after day trained my taste buds to do without. I thought my sodium intake had to be well-below average. Unfortunately, I've always been a fan of processed foods. A quick look at the nutrition label of many processed foods will show you that sometimes they contain your daily allowance of sodium in one serving. This leads me to another misconception many people believe about sodium. Many companies have now released products that contain lower amounts of sodium. That's great, right? Wrong. A close inspection of the nutrition label will show you that the products still contain too much sodium. For example, products that used to have over 1,200 mg may now contain 800 mg, which is still too much.

One of the biggest challenges I faced was giving up processed foods. To this day, I still purchase some processed foods. After all, who can resist the convenience of many of these products? If you also live a fast-paced lifestyle, you may have processed foods in your kitchen too. What can you do to give up these foods and reduce your sodium intake? First of all, look for fresh or frozen products that are easy to prepare. A great example is frozen vegetables. If you want quick meals, look no farther than your slow cooker. Last, but not least, stay away from condiments! Remember that the average person should eat between 1,500 to 2,400 mg of sodium per day. Also don't forget that some sodium is essential for healthy living.

What are you waiting for? Grab your shopping tote and restock your pantry with low-sodium foods.

You've been working hard to keep up with your gym routine all year long, but the holiday season can put even the most disciplined fitness guru to the test. The holidays call for round the clock errands, juggling a never-ending shopping schedule and organizing a grand family meal. The hustle and bustle of the season can leave you spent and less likely to stick with that early a.m. treadmill circuit. Still, there are a few ways to keep up with your healthy intentions. Here are some tips to stay motivated and get buff through this high-stress season:

1. Get serious about yoga. Yoga is a great workout no matter what your fitness level is, and yoga has the added benefit of relieving stress. Inhale and exhale your way to peace and tranquility in a comfy pair of yoga pants, which will keep you cool and calm when anxiety levels run high. Schedule yourself at least 1-2 sessions per week and greet the sunrise whenever possible.

2. Hit the slopes! If you're blessed with piles of snow over the holiday season, get out and have some fun in the great outdoors with some skiing or snowboarding. You'll be working that upper and lower body to the max as you take in that crisp winter air. No snow to be found? Make your way to the nearest indoor ski center for a pseudo-ski that will burn off plenty of calories.

3. Adopt a walking mantra. Walking at a moderate pace can increase your heart rate and give you a brief mini-workout without the fuss. You just need to sustain a moderate speed for 15-20 minutes to make the most of this fitness routine. Squeeze in a walking session between errands or make a point of walking more often than driving as you go about your busy day. Just strap on those walking shoes and hit the road!

Whether you decide to burn off mega-calories on the ski slopes or stretch away stress and tension with yoga, keep up with your fitness resolutions this season and ward off those pesky holiday pounds. Your fitness routine might also allow for a second helping of pumpkin pie without the guilt!

Sports after 50 can be an invigorating and healthy way of rejuvenating oneself after years of a sedentary corporate life. A large percentage of baby boomers are living life to the maximum and engaging in physical activities but there are a few who are not. Sports after 50 can, in fact, be a life line for some individuals. There are a few things to consider before getting too enthusiastic and taking on new life sports after 50.

First and foremost consider what your lifestyle has been in the past. If you have never been the type of person that carried his or her running shoes to the office and hit the track right after work, don't jump into a running program immediately. There are a number of excellent sports after 50 that won't stress the joints and bones. If you have lived a sedentary lifestyle and have not even so much as put on a pair of walking shoes, first get clearance from your physician for any walking program.

Secondly consider your health and go and take a stress test. Once you have done that, and your doctor clears you to begin a sport, be realistic as to which of the life sports after 50 best suits your lifestyle and personality. Then decide which sports you are more likely to continue to participate in the rest of your life. Most individuals choose a sport early in life. If this is something that just did not make it into the agenda due to life, it's not too late to begin.

There are sports one can participate in without the individual necessarily having to stress him or herself out, while still providing a form of exercise in the long run. Golfing is an ideal example, because it is relaxing yet challenging and involves being engaged mentally and physically. Invest in a good pair of golf shoes and a good driver and head to the driving range before spending megabucks on a set of Graphite Clubs. One final word - fore!

In today's busy world, we often find ourselves running around like crazy. We are so loaded down with things we have to do, need to do and should do that we're sometimes not sure what to do! And the most frustrating part? Sometimes, at the end of the day, we feel that we've barely accomplished anything or discover the most important task for that day remains undone. And feeling inefficient and out of control will make you even more stressed out.

There's a really easy way to avoid this problem and have more control over your busy life: make a list. At first glance, this may sound like a ridiculous solution for an overbooked schedule, something that might be appropriate for people with too much time on their hands. But, in fact, it's just the opposite. Keeping a list of what you've done and what you need to do is like having a road map of your day. Even if you make stops along the way (like last-minute tasks that pop up), you know where you've been, and you know where you need to go.

I began using lists seriously while working as a paralegal. Often, at the end of the day, I had barely scratched the surface of my to-do list. Frustrated, I started keeping a list not only of what I needed to do, but what I had actually done. It helped to look back at my list and see that my to-do list wasn't finished because I had done twenty other last-minute tasks. Any unfinished tasks were put on the next day's list and underlined if they were really important. While keeping these lists, I would scribble down things I needed at the store as I thought of them. This reduced my number of shopping trips, too.

Whether you keep your list in a notebook tucked in your purse or in a special organizer, having one and keeping it up to date will help you feel more on top of your busy life. Getting things done and feeling more in control will reduce your stress more than the best aromatherapy around.