Its tough getting older, along with wrinkles, graying hair, loss of eyesight, teeth and mental sharpness we also lose strength, flexibility and cardiovascular fitness. Bone density decreases, as does balance, coordination, stamina and endurance. Conditions such as high blood pressure, heart disease, diabetes, arthritis and obesity significantly increase as we get older.

Several factors determine the rate at which each of us age, some of these are within our control while others cannot be influenced. Two important factors that greatly influence how well you age are proper exercise and nutrition and are totally in your control.

Because signs of the aging process creep up on us slowly we often take our health for granted. We pay little attention to the consequences of negative lifestyle habits until we can no longer ignore them and the signs of disease start to show themselves. Old fashioned beliefs that our health is just a matter of good luck are no longer valid.

We each need to accept the fact that good health does not just happen; it is something that must be maintained on a daily basis. This requires a commitment to physical fitness, healthy eating and other health-promoting behaviors. Unfortunately, statistics show that the older we get, the less we think we need to exercise.

Study after study shows that you can begin reversing the aging process with proper exercise no matter how old you are, or how inactive you may have been. Exercise bestows numerous health benefits. For example, exercise has been shown to lower cholesterol levels and blood pressure, making it an effective tool in the war against the number one killer is our world - heart disease.

For the diabetic something as simple as 2-3 exercise sessions each week has been shown to significantly lower blood sugar levels. Strength training exercise is also a potent stimulator of bone growth, which helps lower the risk of osteoporosis and studies show that regular physical activity holds promise in reducing the risk of chronic diseases like cancer as well.

If your goal is to lose excess body fat, it is very, very difficult to do this by modifying your diet alone. A strength training program will greatly increase the speed of your weight loss by more than doubling the effectiveness of any weight loss program you are on.

If gaining strength like a 21 year old isn't enough motivation, here is a short list of just some of the additional benefits. Strength training has been shown to boost energy, reduce stress, enhances sleep and boosts self esteem, self worth, and confidence. It has been proven to help older adults remain independent and self- sufficient longer than they ever could with a no exercise lifestyle.

After about age 30, we generally lose about half a pound of muscle each year. You notice that you are getting soft, flabby fat where firm toned muscle used to be. This is what will happen if you don't do any proper physical exercise. Like many of the physical aspects of aging, the decline in muscle mass can be slowed down or even reversed with regular strength training.

To get started on this youth keeping activity seek the help of a fitness professional to help you set up your program and teach you how to do the exercises properly. In just a few short weeks you will notice how much stronger and better you look and feel.

A recent study of individuals, who had reached the age of 100 with no significant health problems, showed that nearly every one of them reported engaging in regular physical activity. Even if you have never exercised before, it is not too late to begin reaping the benefits that an active lifestyle has to offer. It could be the most important thing you can do for yourself to ensure your good health and youthfulness for many years to come