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At fifty, many of us take stock of our lives.

We can look back on careers, friends, and family that we are proud of, but what do we want to do with our middle years?

How can we make the most of our lives?

Perhaps the most overlooked aspect of our later years, as well as the one that may have the greatest impact on our overall well-being, is our health and fitness.

How, then, can we best ensure our health and fitness into our mid and later years?

Exercise can help slow down the onset of the symptoms of aging.

The health benefits of a good exercise program are numerous.

Exercise helps maintain muscle strength and joint flexibility.

In addition, the stress put on our bones through exercise help maintain their strength and integrity.

Even our mood can be improved by staying healthy---researchers have discovered a link between exercise and a decrease in depression and anxiety.

This may be due to the increase in energy and the improved sleeping patterns among fit fifty year olds.

Of course, nothing beats exercise for battling weight gain and getting our body into the kind of shape that can still turn heads as we walk down the street.

Besides that, our blood pressure tends to drop, lowering the chance of heart disease.

Even our immune system gets a boost from regular exercise.

Believe it or not, physical activity has even been linked to improved mental function!

Think of the advantages of living a longer and a more active life.

>From walking, running or cycling, to push-ups and sit-ups to actual weight lifting, at home or at the gym, each form of exercise has its own benefits to keeping you fit and strong.

This will reduce the discomfort to the joints and muscles after the exercises are done.

Similarly, after a workout, make sure and take the time to stretch and cool down.

How you decide to stay fit and healthy is up to you.

If the thought of bouncing around a gym or workout center in spandex makes you cringe, take heart.

Chair aerobics are designed to give those with mobility problems a good cardio workout without putting strain on the joints and bones.

A chair aerobics session may include kicks, punches and stretches, and often includes the use of workout bands and weights to increase strength and resistance training as the workouts get more intense.

Better heart function, lower blood pressure, increased circulation and heightened alertness, say the experts.

It's the perfect solution if you can't leave your desk or if you work at home and can't get to the gym.

It's also an excellent solution for older Americans who may not be as mobile as they once were, but who can benefit from regular exercise.

According to many recent studies, engaging in moderate exercise three to five times a week can help reduce the risk of heart disease, hypertension, stroke, diabetes and arthritis.

Among the exercise that the American Physical Therapy Association recommends for seniors are golf, gardening, walking, swimming and jogging.

Water fitness classes are among the best aerobics exercises you can do, especially if you suffer from joint stiffness or arthritic pain.

Because you're in the water, there's no impact shock, making water exercises the ideal form of low-impact aerobic exercise.