If you have been around for half a lifetime, chances are your middle portion is a bit larger and flabbier than you would like. You may even be counting your blessings that you are not considered one of the 60% of the population that is overweight. But that little bit of excess fat that is steadily increasing around your waist is a growing concern.



It's easy not to worry about it because the change is ever so gradual, no one else would really notice the increased girth. You can safely think "It's not too bad yet, there is plenty of time - I'll fix it later".

Often though, later never seems to come and if it does, you are confronted by a much bigger task - so big that you might even give up before you start. On top of that, while you are waiting for 'later' to come, every cell, tissue, system and process in your body is weakening, further adding to the difficulty of shaping up.

So, you really need to get your head around the fact that it is a far easier prospect to start now and do a little bit of maintenance each week on the old body to keep yourself in shape. An even more important reason to do something is to reduce your risk of chronic disease that could be sneaking up on you without you noticing. Because by the time you get symptoms of disease or illness it could well be too late.

Our modern lifestyle diseases especially the 'big three' heart disease, cancer and diabetes take years and even decades to get a foothold in your body. These preventable diseases cannot be cured by any doctor, drug or procedure and at best can only be managed leaving their victim with half a life. We need to stop being so doctor and drug dependant and find ways of keeping ourselves healthy instead of waiting for illness to strike.

Think about prevention so you are never need to be afraid of that dreadful diagnosis. It is better to start taking notice of the increasing waistline as a warning sign that the chemistry of the body is becoming unbalanced. It is not simply a question of eating too much food. It is more likely to be the decline in your fat burning ability which is controlled by your metabolism (your body's engine).

Without muscle building and toning exercise you will lose your precious muscle mass. Only by using your muscles regularly and vigorously could you ever hope to hold on to your strength. The human body is very efficient and anything not be used gets dumped. The old 'use it or lose it' scenario.

The increase in your waist line is only a tiny problem compared to what is happening deep down at a cellular level. See, without that vigorous activity that stimulates your body to release hormones (the chemical messengers) your body has no reason to renew, repair, rebuild or replace itself.

At any time you can either be getting stronger and holding off the aging process or getting weaker and older. Your body is never frozen in time waiting for you to do something; every day you do nothing is a step closer to degeneration and deterioration. You actually have considerable control over this process which can either make you old before your time or keep you strong, fit and youthful at any age.

It is hard to imagine why anyone would not want to stay as young as possible for as long as possible. All it takes is 2-3 sessions each week performing a proper exercise program that is mainly strength building exercise. If you decide that you are worth the time and effort required seek the help of a fitness professional to set up your program and teach you correct exercise technique.

Your health is something not to be taken for granted. Yet for many people it only becomes important when it is taken away. Don't wait for that to happen - get moving, get active, get strong, get fit and you will be well on your way to defeating not only that thickening waistline but the aging process as well.