We used to think our fate as we got older was in the cards - or in the stars. Now, thanks to research unlocking the secrets to staying youthful no matter your age we now know different. It turns out that 70% of the factors influencing our health and life expectancy are due to good lifestyle choices in the years and decades before we get 'old' - not good genes

As birthday after birthday passes by it becomes increasingly important than ever to lead an active lifestyle. You may think because you are not 'sick' you are well and healthy and that is enough to expect from life.

But there is a whole lot more that you could easily have that could make your life more enjoyable. Things like more energy, more vitality, more vigor and more strength so you can do more each day along with greater protection from disease.

If you are not physically active now, a proper exercise program that includes strength training exercise will help you build the essential strength that makes all movement in our life easier and more enjoyable.

This type of exercise is anti-aging magic; the "Fountain of Youth" really is within us. Our bodies have amazing regenerative powers which can be tapped into through proper exercise.

The old "use it or lose it" saying really applies, especially as we accumulate birthdays when the domino effects of muscle loss and body fat increase and become more powerful as the years go by.

For instance, the average 25 year old woman has 25 per cent body fat, and the average 65 year old woman has 43 per cent body fat. You may be thinking, how does this happen? As we age (and yes, this includes men too) we become less active, we lose muscle tissue, and we gain fat weight.

With age, body fat tends to increase in the abdominal areas where it can contribute to metabolic disorders and heart disease. Your proper exercise program can reduce body fat and lower the risk of chronic lifestyle diseases.

You may be aware that your body becomes more susceptible to disease and loses its self-repairing abilities but physical activity can delay the process and increase longevity. According to a recent article in the American Journal of Sports Medicine, "the greatest threat to health is not the aging process itself, but rather inactivity."

By adding a proper exercise program into your life we take a major step against the aging process and the battle of the bulge as well. In many ways, an active lifestyle is like money in the bank since it reduces medical costs, minimizes the need for long-term care and eliminates future burdens on family, friends and society.

The greatest return is better that interest on a financial investment; it is having the vigor, energy and independence to pursue every moment to the fullest.

Until recently it was believed that there was little that could be done to prevent the ravages of aging. Today we know better as research has confirmed the downward spiral is not inevitable, so you can do a whole lot more than hope for a strong, fit healthy body as you age.

If there is a magic pill for anti-aging, there is no doubt among leading researchers that strength building exercise is it. Nothing comes closer to achieving anti-aging effects in our body than will this special type of exercise. Research repeatedly has shown that those who exercise consistently live longer, happier, and get sick less often.

We humans were not designed for a sedentary lifestyle ? get active and you can look forward to a long and healthy life.