There are often medical reasons why one cannot continue on in pursuit of outdoor activities as when younger. But, I see so many men that retire and waste away. They become couch potatoes, eat their way into obesity, and before you know it they're walking with a cane, or worse a walker, then their obituary is published. This cannot always be forestalled, but I believe continuing to push yourself to stay active outside, even work, prolongs useful life.
My local "hero" is a fellow deacon's father. He farmed most of his adult life, and turned the logistics of the farming operation over to his two sons when he was in his 70s. Now, at 92 yrs. of age, he gets up before day every morning, this time of year, and goes to the cotton field where he cleans the heads on the 6 row roller/cotton picker his son drives all day. His son told me last Sunday that one day the previous week his father had to wait at the picker for it to get light enough to work. Cleaning the heads is a menial, but important task that requires manual dexterity and toughness, and includes inspecting the heads for missing or broken spindles, pads, doffers, etc. each day. When it's below freezing the moistener pads have wet, frozen lint on them that must be pulled off, and it's a cold, tough job on your hands. Yet, Mr. Ray forges ahead at 92. After that job is completed he takes lunch orders from all the farm hands and family, then goes to town and picks up everyone's take-out plates and drinks, and delivers them. To be honest, he has no hobbies and his work is one of his biggest pleasures in life.
My son and I were with our accountant recently doing some end of the year tax planning. She asked me if I had any plans on retiring from farming soon. My son just rolled his eyes and laughed. I simply said "No". I could shoot doves way more, travel to hunt ducks way more, and hunt quail here and and in the Southwest more if I quit work. But, how long would I be able to do that if I quit pushing myself to work? I dunno.
