Exercise may well hold the key to the fountain of youth. Besides boosting longevity, getting fit is one of the most important steps older adults can take to maintain their mobility, independence and quality of life. Gone are the days when growing old gracefully meant slowing down and taking it easy. For the 77 million baby boomers born between 1946 and 1964 it means just the opposite. Inactivity, not aging is the culprit behind chronic conditions such as heart disease, obesity, and osteoporosis. The good news is, there is a lot you can do to delay or prevent them.

Nearly 80 years ago, a grade school teacher told her class: "Each of you has special potential and talents. One of your responsibilities is to find out what those are and to use them."

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