It doesn't make sense that we work hard for decades and save our money then have our health deteriorate and not be able to enjoy it at the end of the day. If over the course of our working life we put other priorities like family commitments or career first and neglect our health only to have it slip away when we need it most, what is the point of it all?

With all of the information available no one can say that they are not aware of the importance of keeping strength and fitness right throughout life. A century ago life was very different in that most people had to be physically active just to meet the daily demands of life.

Now we hardly move each day sleeping, sitting, standing for a bit, more sitting then lying down to sleep again. Our bodies are not programmed for this lack of movement. Our cells release chemicals when we are inactive that signal that we no longer need to stay strong and fit, in other words by not using it you will most definitely lose it.

When strength and fitness are lost, declining health soon follows and the risk of being struck with some life threatening disease becomes more likely. How much aggravation and sheer inconvenience would we then experience? How much time, energy and money will be needed then with doctors visits, hospitals, specialists, treatments etc. What about the emotional stress, the worry, fear and anxiety that will come with some dreadful diagnosis that could cut your life short.

It sure makes sense to invest a little time each week, maybe 2-3 hours in a proper exercise program that could pay huge dividends later in life. To ensure you are strong and healthy enough to enjoy this time of your life you need to be preparing now. Ask yourself "what am I doing today the will ensure functional future for myself?"

Yes, partaking in an exercise program does take time but on balance, it may actually save you time. Regular exercisers swear by this seeming contradiction, explaining that because exercise gives them more energy, stamina and endurance this helps them focus, puts things in perspective and they are more efficient and productive.

When we look at physical activity from the standpoint of what we can or can't do, or what we will or won't be able to do in the future, the cost of being physically active seems far lower than the cost of functional incapacity and illness.

By simply starting to exercise and sticking with it, you have the opportunity to reduce diseases like heart disease, cancer, stroke, and diabetes. You also create a better way of life for yourself by helping to maintain your weight, bone structure, and muscle mass. Additionally, exercise helps contribute to healthy mental states, keeping us smarter, saner and happier.

If you are thinking about putting off exercise for another day, think again about what you could be paying in health returns in the long-run. If you start treating your health as an investment though, you could find that physical strength and fitness is a fantastic retirement strategy worth its weight in gold. In fact it can be an investment opportunity that pays you a far greater dividend than any financial investment you could ever make.