Don’t make these mistakes
I have moved to Sun City twice. Here are some of the mistakes, either I made or, I am afraid, others have made.
-Postponing your transformation. Sun City is an Active Adult Community. Don’t wait until you move to start your healthy living. Trying to start a physical body change while you are going through the stress of a major move and setting up a household is a recipe for failure. If you start eating healthy and moving your body a month before your move, you will already have the resources and mindset you need to keep going through the move. The second time I moved, I started ahead of time so I already felt like my stomach had shrunk and I wasn’t able to eat as much without feeling full. This helped enormously.
-Turning a blind eye. Sun City does have crime. Don’t be lulled into a sense of security by the beauty, serenity, and friendliness that surrounds you. You still need to keep your bikes inside, your garage door shut and your doors locked.
-Forgetting to drink water. Sun City, despite all it’s lush golf courses, pretty scenery, and sparkling lakes, is in the desert. Your body is going to crave water so have a water bottle handy at all times, even if you’re just going to the shops. If you are going hiking, take twice as much water as you think you will need. Hiking in Wisconsin, I never took water with me unless it was going to be more than a two hour hike (unless it was particularly hot out). The first time I did a longer hike in the Phoenix area, (five miles), I took one regular sized bottle of water. I had to start rationing halfway through the hike and was pretty miserable by the time I made it back to my car and it wasn’t a hot day out.
-Staying in the Air Conditioning. Your body will acclimate to the hot weather much more than you ever thought possible, but it won’t if you don’t spend some time outdoors. After living in Sun City for two years, I was spending the afternoon at a friend’s pool and got chilly, so I went inside to change out of my swimsuit. It was 92 degrees!
-Not using the Recreation Centers. They are amazing! Even if you are not an active or social person, there is something for you. I love the walking paths around the lagoons and waterfalls on the “island” at Lakeview Rec Center. The Walking Pool, (like a lazy river with no current), at Bell Rec Center is the most relaxing way to get exercise I’ve ever experienced, and the backdrop to the Lap Pool is a hillside with rocks, sculptures, a waterfall, and an occasional bunny.
I hope that sharing these mistakes will make the beginning of your life in Sun City a little smoother.
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