I'm about a month into my "semi-retirement" and doing some thinking about my life and purpose. I'm setting some goals for myself for the next two months:
- Gaining strength. Strength is necessary for longevity. Between aerobic exercise and lifting, I'm spending time every day. After just a few weeks I can feel the difference. I want to be able to meet the recommended fitness levels - like dead hang for two minutes.
- VO2 Max - My Apple health app estimates it at 40.7. I'm reading that the Apple app frequently overstates, so maybe it's 35 or 36. Not a bad baseline. Again, this is a significant predictor of longevity. I'm riding my spin bike, and running up to nearly 5k. I'll get better. Can I make it to stage 5 of a stress test?
- Some kind of job. Could be an interim assignment, or freelancing. Freelancing is better as I could do it for longer. I need to have something to do. These kinds of jobs are short-term and low stress. I won't have to work until midnight or have 12+ hour days. The extra money is nice. It might allow me to go to NYC and not care about spending $400 a night on a hotel, or upgrade my seat to Asia.
- Plan a trip for first quarter 2026. I have a few ideas in mind -- Spain, Portugal, Morocco? Uruguay and Argentina?
As an additional note, cultivating friendships. Always a challenge for me. I'm thankful for my bf. However, I'd like to cultivate some other friendships. Good conversation and dinner. Maybe share an activity. I've been playing pickleball, This would be nice to have. My bf is very introverted like me. However he has one very extroverted friend who has connected him with a large group, and my bf has actually become friends with some of these guys. There are a few bloggers I've met who I could re-connect with.
I really enjoyed the NYC trip I just had. I need to do more of these +/- five day trips. I could do NYC over and over again. But Mexico City is another option I like. Of course I like Toronto as well. Then there is the possible China trip.
It is great to know that you are actively moving yourself to be more functional in daily life. Exercise is so important. Setting a goal is important too - it is giving you something to look forward for.
ReplyDeleteMy goal of this year is to enter my first Physique Bodybuilding Show, I am half way reaching my small goals to the main goal, but due to my family affairs happening now, I may have to forgo it and focus what matters.