The aging process involves many changes to your body and mind that you want to try to avoid if you can. Maintaining your fitness level into old age is one powerful way to put off these changes for years. Consider the advice below to see how you can stay healthy and independent as you age.

As you age, your body naturally tends to lose muscle and gain fat as your metabolism begins to slow down. When you exercise, you give a boost to your metabolism that can help reverse or prevent this process. It helps your body to function the way it is supposed to by increasing circulation, maintaining flexibility and increasing endurance.

Exercise also controls your moods. When you exercise, natural chemicals are released into the body that can help fight depression, stress and anxiety. You will also feel good about yourself because you will know that you are taking positive steps to reduce the effects of aging on your body.

Make sure your fitness routine includes strength training that targets building muscles. Using small dumbbells can add a youthful tone to your body as well as increasing your muscle strength.

Staying active with a physical fitness plan can also benefit your mind. It can keep your mentally sharper by providing the oxygen that your brain needs to stay healthy and alert. It is good for your memory and helps avoid those so called senior moments.

Regular exercise can also be the way to avoid many of the diseases that are associated with aging. It helps maintain a normal body weight to reduce the risk of diabetes, hypertension and a host of cardiovascular disease. Exercise strengthens bones to make broken bones less likely and helps breaks heal more rapidly.

When you exercise, your body naturally lubricates your joints. This is the natural way to slow down the deterioration of joints that is part of the aging process.

If you are not physically active now, start slowly. Walking and jogging are simple ways to get yourself going. Find a friend to work out with and help keep your motivation high.

Of course, eating a healthy diet of fresh fruits and vegetables will make your fitness plan even more effective in fighting the signs of aging.

There are many advantages to maintaining a strong fitness plan into old age. You can add years to your life, look better, feel better and maintain your independence longer.

The information above will help you understand how exercise and fitness are an important part of healthy, natural aging.

Author's Bio: 

Marc Ouellette is a certified personal trainer that has helped many people get into fantastic shape with strength training, cardiovascular exercise and nutritional guidance - grab my free report giving you the blueprint on this! Go now to http://www.personaltrainingalliance.com
and learn how to get results fast!