It is really no secret that everyone gets old, if they are lucky, but it doesn’t have to be some kind of dark axe hanging over your head or an overbearing jacket that slides over you and diminishes all sense of independence. You can still be active and maintain some of your independence even in old age and, believe it or not, it starts in your early years and has everything to do with the kinds of healthy decisions you make.

Exercise is key to this and while you don’t necessarily need to be some kind of maniac muscle man to ensure your independence down the road, working out a little each day can help. Some people, when they reach their senior years, are so physically and mentally tired – world weary – that they are ready to let age and retirement slide over them and that’s fine too. I’m just saying you can keep your independence and still live on your own without being a danger to yourself and others and all it takes is some consistent running, maybe a little fitness training and a healthy diet. Turn on the ADT home security and get out of the house for half an hour, or hit the gym. If you take care of your body early on, you won’t have to suffer the consequences when you reach your senior years.