How to Stay Fit as You Age

When is your age considered "old"? What three health-promoting characteristics make up the foundation of healthy old age? What is your "locus of control" - and why is it so important to have one? These and other questions are answered in this first step on a journey that can change your life.

Dr. Bonura discusses the secrets of motivation and illustrates the six stages of behavioral change - precontemplation, contemplation, preparation, action, maintenance, and termination. She also offers tips on conquering several common barriers to change, including procrastination, preconditioned beliefs, and a fear of discomfort.

Explore the fundamentals of self-care, which involves choosing behaviors that help balance the stress of modern life. As you look at sleep, nutrition, mental exercise, and stress management, you'll learn ways to promote self-care in your life through incorporating pre-sleep rituals, strengthening your long-term memory with puzzles, and more.

How can you use physical activity to take better care of yourself? Find out with this look at the components of physical fitness, including three that specifically support healthy aging. Then, learn the basics behind any successful fitness plan - and how to develop one that works for you.

You don't need the gym to build movement into your daily life. Here, discover how to stay active throughout your day. By making small, simple choices - such as walking with a colleague instead of e-mailing, taking a dance class, or cultivating better posture - you'll move better. And feel better, too.

Mindful fitness is an important part of aging healthfully and involves exercises that cultivate unity between your mind and your body. Among the many exercises you learn about here are basic yoga, tai chi, martial arts, and meditation - all of which combine physical exercise with deliberate breathing and mental training.