Originally Posted by PeteHski

Just have to be careful not to fall into the trap of the previous generation, who tended to take it easy and wind down their physical activity (especially higher intensity) in middle age. Science is now showing that this strategy accelerates physical decline and age related diseases. I saw this effect first hand with my father, who was an elite athlete in his prime. Unfortunately he basically stopped exercising in his late 30s and started down the path of slow cardiovascular disease and weight gain. I was less athletic than my father in my own prime, but aged 55 I'm vastly fitter than he was at 55. Night and day difference simply because I still keep pushing myself.