by Charlene Davis

Created on: September 20, 2008

You've undoubtedly heard the truisms about fifty being the new forty, or even the new thirty. And with the emergence of "unretiring," health-conscious baby boomers who have more disposable income on hand, the reality is - life after fifty rocks!

Just ask Lynda S. of Tucson, Arizona, who at the age of 53 decided to retire from her long-time, established career in human resources management and start her own business as a lifestyle retirement coach. "With more than 78 million baby boomers expected to retire over the next 10 years, this seemed like a unique opportunity to teach my fellow boomers how to plan and prepare for an exciting and vibrant life after retirement," she says.

Lynda has found most individuals approaching (or even thinking about) retirement, perceive it as a futuristic event that may take place in 10, 15, or 20 years. "When you mention the word retirement' to someone in their fifties today, they conjure up images of a doddering, old man watering his flower beds and taking long naps," she laughs. Instead, her clients want to prepare for their "unretirement" that may include plans for starting a new business, traveling to exotic places, or becoming a full-time volunteer.

Fifty-somethings are also refusing to look their "age." When insurance adjuster, Don F. of Orlando, Florida, turned 50, he treated himself to an eyelift procedure. "I wanted to look as good as I felt," says Don. "I was tired of looking tired, especially when I wasn't." And he's not alone. According to statistics, more than 40 percent of people who have eyelid surgery each year are over 50 years of age. And almost 60 percent of the facelifts performed annually are on adults between 51 and 64. Being middle-aged has never looked so good!

Of course, you don't need cosmetic surgery to look and feel great. What it really takes is a healthy lifestyle and positive outlook. In his book, "Redesigning 50: The No-Plastic Surgery Guide to 21st Century Age Defiance" (Collins, 2008), author Oz Garcia says that living a healthy lifestyle means eating well and not going on crazy diets. "As I've gotten older, I find it's all about a balance of eating properly and exercising every day and not being a fanatic about anything," he writes. Garcia also acknowledges that we are not aging the same way our parents did, who had difficult older years. "They didn't understand how detoxification could make a difference in health. They didn't know the importance of exercise and fitness. They certainly didn't have the scientific breakthroughs to which we are privy."

Today, people in their fifties look better, feel better, and know better. "We may be over the proverbial hill, but we're on top of the world," Lynda enthuses. Approaching mid-life is a pivotal time, but it's not anything like the crisis period people faced thirty or more years ago. Turning fifty is a milestone to be celebrated as new and exciting opportunities wait to be discovered.

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