Retirement Calories

It sure seems simple.  Consume fewer calories than you burn.  This is the secret to losing unwanted pounds.

Then why is it so hard?  It seems easier to follow the law of the calorie when you have no especially fun plans.  When I was working, most weeknights fell into this category, a night with no especially fun plans.

But now, almost every night is filled with especially fun plans.  Last night we had friends over for homemade pizza under the stars.  We enjoyed the unseasonably hot weather, the homegrown lettuce, and would have enjoyed the homegrown strawberries if the birds didn't get to them first!  I, of course, overindulged in food and wine--consuming way more calories than I burned.

The night before we went to dinner with some friends at a brewpub to hear some live music.  I volunteered for designated driver status, so I didn't drink, but I still managed to consume way more calories than I burned.

And the night before that we went out for dinner and a movie.  That's the problem with retirement; too many fun nights, too many calories.

Comments

[jennifer youngblood]

Hi Syd! I just started reading your blog a couple days ago. I made it through the archives and I really enjoy your writing style and sense of humor. I've looked through a few early retirement blogs and they can be pretty pretentious, just plain dull, or implement such insanely strict budgets in order to retire early it would drive me to despair! (I'm pretty frugal as a general rule, but there is just no way I'm going to spend only $100 on groceries per month in order to retire early! There is another way!) On that note, I was going to wait to comment, but when I saw that delicious pizza picture I just had to go ahead and do it. I'm a 24-yr old PhD student in the math/sciences at UC Berkeley planning on retiring early. Is it bad that I'm already planning this when I don't even have a real job yet?! Wait a minute, don't answer that! Of course, at this point, I don't know what "early" will mean since I don't know exactly what my yearly salary/benefits will be when I do get a job. Anyway, just wanted to say I enjoy your blog. :)

[Retired Syd]

Welcome Jennifer! (Note to all future commenters on my blog--please be just like Jennifer and say you like my sense of humor). You made my day (or night, or whatever.)

A woman after my own heart, no it is NEVER too early to start thinking about retiring. You just know what you want, so go get it. (I mean after you get a job, then go get it.)

Thanks for leaping forward and sharing your comments!

[Betty]

Happy day! I just found your blog. It never occurred to me that there were retirement blogs out there. My sister and I are both retired teachers and have a blast getting into trouble and watching our grandsons. I know what you mean about good food and calories. Ouch! They add up fast.

[Retired Syd]

Betty:

Welcome, glad you found my blog. There are a TON of blogs about retirement, but most have to do with the saving of enough money part, not the actually living it part.

I hope you will share your stories whenever you feel the spirit move you!

Retired Syd

[dlm]

It's not Calories in = Calories out = weight. See Gary Taubes Good Calories,Bad Calories to see how we've been mislead. And Dr Michael Eades blog Health and Nutrition.

[Angela from Abilene, TX]

Hi Syd! I am so happy to find your blog! I am 43 and just retired on January 1st. It is amazing to me how many people give me crapola for being retired so young. But I've been planning my retirement since I started working at the age of 25. I've always lived below my means, kept my cars way longer than anyone else (and caught crap for that, too), and saved like there's no tomorrow. It is so nice to find someone whom I can relate to! One difference between us... I am single (widowed) . But fortunately, I have tons of friends and lots to keep me busy. Thank you for helping me to not feel alone with my lifestyle choice as a young retiree! You are a gem!