What do you picture when you imagine someone in their prime? A healthy, well shaped body? Energy to spare? A quick step, good posture and a bearing that suggests confidence and enthusiasm?

And how do you attain that youthful appearance and energetic condition? Modern research tells us that the real Fountain of Youth is regular physical activity.

Physical fitness helps you look young and be healthy. It keeps your body in top shape and provides you with the energy and stamina you need to pursue all your interests. It can prolong life, and perhaps most importantly, can improve the quality of that life.

Reduce the Risk of Disease
Regular physical activity fortifies your immune system and helps you to avoid or recover more quickly from colds and other minor maladies. It can also help to prevent and in some cases reverse many chronic conditions we associate with aging: coronary artery disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, some cancers, arthritis, osteoporosis, and depression.

If you are inactive, you lose muscle tone and strength. Your bones lose density making them fragile and prone to the debilitating fractures of osteoporosis. You might also be overweight, adding stress to both your heart and your skeletal support structure while increasing your risk for coronary heart disease, high blood pressure, and diabetes.

Regular exercise helps to burn fat, build muscle and restore bone strength. As muscle and bone take up their support positions, the strain on your cardiovascular, respiratory and skeletal systems is decreased. The efficiency of your heart and lungs increases and the energy formerly used to simply maintain your body is now available to use in daily activities.

Add flexibility exercises to your routine and you can regain some of youth's elasticity by increasing your joint mobility and range of motion while relieving back and joint pain.

Build Energy
When we restore muscle tone and strength, fatigue melts away as our energy level increases. Regular aerobic exercise improves the health of your heart, lungs and circulatory system. Strength training increases your metabolism and builds lean muscle mass. The net result is increased stamina and endurance that allows you to play longer and harder while comfortably enjoying your daily activities without stress and strain.

Stay Fit and Trim
You can control your weight and preserve a youthful shape with regular physical exercise. You'll burn more fat and, over time, bring your body fat percentage into a healthy range. You'll also increase your muscle mass. With more muscle mass your body burns more calories both while you are exercising and while you are at rest. With a little research you can learn which exercises will best help you to firm and shape specific areas of your body. Remember to maintain a balanced routine so as not to overwork or risk injury to a specific muscle group.

As you shape and strengthen your muscles they are better able to help support your spine, a key factor in good posture. By stretching you can improve your flexibility and contribute to the smooth functioning of your joints. Together, healthy bones and muscles help you to keep your balance, move with agility and grace, and maintain a healthy and youthful appearance.

Feel Better about Yourself
People who exercise regularly say they do it because it makes me feel good. Research has proven that exercise improves your sense of well being. Attending to your health and appearance gives you a sense of control and just getting started on a fitness program will make you feel better about yourself. The energy you gain as you increase your strength and flexibility will spill over into other areas of your life, allowing you to enthusiastically pursue your favorite activities. As you work toward your goals you'll find your self-esteem and confidence growing. You'll manage your stress better and develop an increasingly positive outlook on life.

Dip into the Fountain of Youth
Our bodies were designed to respond to physically demanding situations. When you add physical activity back into your life you are dipping into the Fountain of Youth. You can become trim and fit, reduce the risk of chronic disease, relieve fatigue and anxiety, minimize pain, and regain the youthful enthusiasm and energy you need to live your life to the fullest. And as the Fountain of Youth promised, you will not only feel younger. You will also look younger.