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Baby Boomers Can Live to Be 100 Years Old

You might be surprised to learn that statistics show we are living longer than ever before. In fact, 50% of all baby boomers could live to see their 100th birthday, and their children could possibly live to 120 or 150. But, does anyone want to be that old unless they're healthy enough to enjoy it? Ask any senior and they'll say they don't want to live to be 100 if they are a burden to their children or live in a nursing home. It becomes a question of living a quality life or depending on others for your existence.

Thankfully, we boomers do have ways to maintain our health and energy so we can enjoy an active life as we near the golden years. We've known all along what researchers say are the keys to longevity and maintaining a healthy body: proper nutrition, exercise and getting rid of nasty habits (smoking, drinking, and all the other things that are bad for us). What many boomers might not know is research by the National Institute on Aging has found that disability levels for the over-65 age group have been falling since 1982, and by the year 2030, seniors over 65 will double, and by 2050, seniors over 85 will increase four times over.

It's not too late to start. In fact, this is probably the best time to start getting healthy. Our children are grown and in college or married, so we can start making healthier meals. Get rid of the junk food that you bought for your kids and start planning more nutritious meals.

If you're over 50 right now, chances are your muscles have almost atrophied from lack of exercise. Running errands, general housework or taking your kids to soccer practice doesn't count as exercise - stress maybe, but not exercise. You have the time now to do something for yourself.

Start right now by taking a five-minute walk. If that's too painful, try water aerobics or swimming. Once you're done, do some stretching exercise to increase your flexibility. As you get used to the walks, try a stationary bike or some other type of senior exercise equipment. There are also numerous videos designed for baby boomers. Just remember to stretch after doing any exercise. Research has shown that if we exercise for 30 minutes a day, three days a week, we could reduce our risk of dying by 40% over eight years. We could also improve our brain function, decrease depression and cut our risk of getting Alzheimer's disease by up to 60%.

Many adults worry about pain, but in a recent article in AARP, a 56-year old marathon runner

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