Life at 50 Plus How Young Do You Feel

Life at 50 Plus How Young Do You Feel

Life at 50-Plus - How Young Do You Feel Brain Health & Wellness

How Young Do You Feel

Life at 50-plus is better than expected

Pittsburgh resident Chris Schach, 50, has been a Miami Dolphins fan since he was 9 years old — long before , a fellow Steel City native, began his 17-year stint as quarterback (1983 to 1999). In August of 1991, Schach bought a poster of the Pro Football Hall of Famer that he hung on to for years, hoping to get it signed. It never happened. Courtesy Nancy Perry Graham AARP The Magazine editor-in-chief Nancy Graham with AARP ambassador Dan Marino. That is until July — two weeks after Schach turned 50 — when he showed up in Pittsburgh at the start of AARP The Magazine's summer road trip, sponsored by Jitterbug by GreatCall and Safe Step Walk-in Tub Co. Marino, now an analyst for CBS's NFL Today and AARP's Men's Life ambassador, joined me for two days on the banks of the Allegheny River. We asked attendees of the annual Three Rivers Regatta a question: Is life after 50 what you expected? Both days, Marino autographed photos and footballs for the first 100 folks who got wristbands — which is how Schach finally got his poster signed.

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— Receive access to exclusive information, benefits and discounts. It was a bittersweet birthday present, following soon after the death of Schach's mother. To his mind, the good luck was no coincidence. "This is Mom's doing," said Schach, who with wife, Michele, 47, has faced "rough times" caring for two sets of parents. "I got a parking space, got in line and got a wristband. Only she could have made it this easy." The other happy news from our heartland summer road trip — which included stops in Aspen, Des Moines and Minneapolis — is that for most men and women we met, life at 50-plus is better than expected. A remarkably high percentage reported looking good, feeling youthful, working hard, having great sex, traveling, playing with grandkids, volunteering and generally enjoying life in their 50s, 60s, 70s and beyond. There was a sense of optimism: Life is good. But the best sentiment came from Schach's daughter, Michelina, 9, who said, "When I am 50, I hope to keep up on what I do now, such as reptile/animal loving, amazing art, singing and a lot more — being me." Well, Michelina, from the feedback of folks who are already there, it's a good bet that when you turn 50 you can keep on being you. And totally loving it.

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We asked What did you experience at 50-plus

"Happiness is everything. Your age means nothing. Act how you want and feel: 30 and proud of it!" — T. J. Erny Jr. "I'm 52 years old and expecting my eighth grandchild. This is just the beginning. Enjoy." — Debi Stevens "Fifty-three and 10 months right now! Life is good! No health issues. Still doing triathlons to keep my heart young and healthy." — Jim Wereszczynski "I don't feel 69. I expected to feel really old. I keep very active, and I am still working." — Barbra Branson "It's not about retiring, it's about refining! As they say, a body in motion stays in motion." — Basil Falcone, 70-plus Cancel You are leaving AARP.org and going to the website of our trusted provider. The provider’s terms, conditions and policies apply. Please return to AARP.org to learn more about other benefits. Your email address is now confirmed. You'll start receiving the latest news, benefits, events, and programs related to AARP's mission to empower people to choose how they live as they age. You can also by updating your account at anytime. You will be asked to register or log in. Cancel Offer Details Disclosures

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