Fountain of Youth?

by Heather Long | More from this Blogger

03 May 2008 02:38 PM

Wanna stay younger longer? Keep up your aerobic exercise or so the British Journal of Sports Medicine advises. When you engage in aerobic exercises (walking, running, jogging, cycling, and dancing) you are improving your body's ability to consume oxygen as well as boosting your metabolism (your body's way of generating personal energy).

Sometime around middle age (40s), your base metabolism begins to drop off and will continue to decline, but if you maintain your aerobic exercise, you may actually slow the decline in your metabolism and even reverse it all together. Regular exercise is a source of energy and can provide energy throughout the days of life.

Know that senior up the road with her spectacular garden, immaculate lawn and always seems to be on the go? Chances are she's got a regular exercise program that keeps her fit and energized and less likely to be fatigued early.

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The study, published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine, further suggests that regular aerobic exercise can boost their maximum aerobic power by 25%, essentially adding 10 to 12 biological to your life. You will have more energy and personal strength as well as maintaining personal independence and self-reliance. My husband's grandfather will be 98 years old this year and it's the first year he didn't drive his own car, instead relying on his daughter and grandchildren because after years of fitness, age finally caught up to him. Despite slowing down, he's certainly still exhibiting signs of great health having good balance and coordination which he attributes to his daily walks -- one in the morning and one at night, every day for the last forty years.

Course, he likes to joke that it's time to take advantage of his lifelong investments in life -- that's what he calls his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Learn more about Heather Long

Heather Long is 35 years old and currently lives in Wylie, Texas. She has been a freelance writer for six years. Her husband and she met while working together at America Online over ten years ago.

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