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Gyms and running tracks are filled with folks who are not planning on a sedentary retirement! Many health clubs and community centers now offer classes and sports for their older members. Just because you never played a sport in your youth is no reason not to start now!

Which sports are appropriate for those over 55? The possibilities are endless. An active retirement can mean anything from walking with your friends several times a week to completing triathlons! Like anyone, you should consult your doctor before embarking a new exercise regime. Let's look at some of the more popular sports for seniors.

If you'd like to stay fit, but you're not quite ready to hit the soccer field, you may want to try golf, hiking or cycling. These are all low-impact exercise, and all are popular with retirees and those getting ready for retirement. They're good for your heart and build up muscle. Best of all, they're social sports, and can be done with friends. Combining exercise with socializing is a great way to make sure you get out there and get yourself moving!

If you live in a temperate climate, sports like golfing and hiking are easy to do year-round. But if it's snowy or cold, you'll need to find something you can do indoors. Most gyms and health clubs offer classes for every fitness level. Many have classes designed especially for Over-55s, which concentrate on issues like balance and flexibility, which tend to decrease with age. Walking on a treadmill or riding a stationary bike are both great workouts. Sign up for an aerobics class with a friend! Or go to one offered to people in your age group, and make some new friends.

If you were an athlete in your youth, there's no need to stop now just because you've gotten older! One of the benefits of retirement is that there is time to pursue new interests. If you're getting tired of the gym and looking for a new challenge, how about taking up tennis? Or joining a softball team? There are lots of sports out there that can both contribute to your health and provide you with hours of camaraderie and fun.

Although no one wants to get older, this is a great time to be in an aging population. The health benefits of exercise are outweighed only by the fun you'll have doing, alone or with your friends!

Kerry Anne Finch is an accomplished marketer, with proven successes in corporate and NFP PR, event management and hugely successful product launch programs.

Kerry has founded a new website Over55s specifically for the Baby Boomer/55+ age group, with features that include Travel, Hobbies, Health and Sport (http://www.over55s.com). Contributions from members are not only welcome, but are encouraged.

Currently Kerry divides her time between launching and managing her new website, her internet writing business, and gathering material through her role as an international tour director.

AP - Republican presidential candidate John McCain's signal that he may be open to a higher payroll tax for Social Security, despite previous vows not to raise taxes of any kind, is drawing sharp rebukes from conservatives.

Retirement is a positive time, providing a person with the time and opportunity to do many things that simply were not previously possible because of the constraints of work. However, while some people really look forward to their retirement with enthusiasm, many others find themselves concerned, for while they may be ready for retirement - they are not actually ready to give up work just yet.

This is just one of the reasons that the internet is seeing an increasing number of retired persons making money online.

Retired people are being attracted by the potential for making additional income through starting an automated, online business of their own, and many retired persons are making considerable money online.

Finally freed from the constraints of work and responsibility, a retired person has the potential to devote more time to their hobbies and other pursuits - and what better pursuit than starting your own online home business?

Other reasons retired people have started to make money online include for financial reason to supplement their pension. Also while the early weeks and months of retirement can feel like an extended vacation, the novelty of this can soon wear off, so for many retired people it can be good to resume a working routine which is something similar to what they had before. Others simply enjoy the challenge and a chance to learn a new skill.

Aside from the advantage of time to devote to their online business which retired persons have, it is often the case that they can bring a wealth of experience by using the skills they employed at work - either by setting up an informative website, offering a consultancy service or writing a 'how to' e-books documenting their knowledge and experience. There really are many reasons and opportunities for retired persons making money online.

Finally, retirement really is a time for us all to look forward to. A time to relax and enjoy our lives. Why not use this chance to start your own online business, which brings with it a sense of pride, satisfaction and considerable financial reward. Not to mention fun!

Chris Holden

This article was written by Christopher Holden who is a Business Consultant and the author Entrepreneur Essential.com an online home based business guide specialising in helping individuals succeed online.

Entrepreneur Essential.com http://www.entrepreneuressential.com

Online home business guide, website building, software advice and online business resources.

AP - Community leaders on Monday called on students from poorer parts of Chicago to protest inequalities in school funding by skipping the first day of classes.