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johnlauramoore1

I am a retired law enforcement officer after 34 years of service. I was always active, but since retiring 2 years ago I have gained over 50 pounds and my health is starting to decline. I finally admitted I need help and encouragement to get this done.

springlering62

Welcome to MFP @johnlauramoore1

It’s wonderful you recognized the problem and decided to get a jump on it.

You’re used to being active, out in the community, and serving others.

When my shy and antisocial husband retired from his corporate job, I gave him six months to relax with the TV. On Day 1 of month seven, I turned off the TV, and told him to get off his *kitten* and find something to do. Anything to keep his butt crack from melding with the seat cushion.

Boy, was he not a happy camper.

He surprised me and responded by volunteering all over town- with a museum, historical reenactment groups, park preservation, joined a service organization. One of his chores is to put out and retrieve a hundred flagpoles around our city six times a year. He loves doing it, and I discovered yesterday he now packs a special toolkit in the car in case he passes a flag that needs repair. 😮

He serves on several boards and does social
media for a handful of groups.

He’s having the time of his life, has come out of his shell, and if I didn’t do aquafit with him, I’d only see him at dinner and evening.

Is there a hobby you’re be interested in? Do you have a dog? I bet he’d love some extra walks and quality time with you. Are there any community groups you feel are particularly worthy and could benefit from your experience?

I myself took up running and weight training at 57. I never thought I’d grow to enjoy both.

My husbands health - physical and mental- has improved drastically with engagement as well as working out and weight loss.

You alone have the power to decide to get off the sofa.

springlering62

Calling @JBanx256 and @quiksylver296 because they’re both LEOs I admire and may have some suggestions?

JBanx256

springlering62 wrote: »

Calling @JBanx256 and @quiksylver296 because they’re both LEOs I admire and may have some suggestions?

Hey @johnlauramoore1 congrats on your retirement! I've been LE for a little over 7 years, currently a CPL on patrol. Besides the obvious immediate job-stuff, how were you active prior to retirement? I mean what did you do to stay in shape, etc...? Did you just kinda flip the "relax" button when you retired and never flipped it back, or....?

quiksylver296

johnlauramoore1 wrote: »

I am a retired law enforcement officer after 34 years of service. I was always active, but since retiring 2 years ago I have gained over 50 pounds and my health is starting to decline. I finally admitted I need help and encouragement to get this done.

Hi, @johnlauramoore1! Congratulations on retiring from one of the hardest professions to go the distance in!!!

24 years of law enforcement here. I'm now working for a company that contracts with our local SO for public safety (GPS and alcohol monitoring). Being retired is hard. (I made it seven months LOL). You have GOT to create a daily schedule. Only eat during eating times, schedule in exercise (even if it's just a walk). I suspect it's the lack of structure that's getting you. At least that was my issue.

johnlauramoore1

Thanks for the comments and welcoming. Sorry for the late replies, I am new to MFP and just found this page. Where do I start? While I was working in LE, I was always active. I was a member of SWAT Team, Honor Guard, Motor Unit and an Instructor in multiple disciplines (including health/wellness/fitness....sad to say). Towards the end of my career, I was promoted to LT and transferred Departments (I worked in State LE.). The promotion made me the Academy Director of my agency's Training Academy. I loved it and then retirement hit...... I have no excuses, I simply got lazy and when retirement hit and I became a potato. When the structure and everyday activity in the career I had given my life too was done, it started what I can only describe as a depression spin cycle. I missed the job so much, nothing else mattered and all I did was sit around and think about what "was". I was prepared for retirement financially and age wise, but not psychologically. I was not ready mentally to let the job go. Since recognizing this, I am in a better place and now have decided to fight my way back into life.

quiksylver296

All my LE buddies who have retired have the same issue. It's tough being part of such a close knit job and then losing all that.