When we enter our twenties, we begin to hear frightening anecdotes of how bodies begin to slow down, weight adds on and before you know it you are an overweight forty- year old with a moderate to heavy dose of anxiety pills.

The days of youth fade fast, but that doesn’t mean that you have to give in and allow your body to grow useless. There are simple ways to start, as early as your twenties, to keep your body healthy, and active well into your golden years.

Here are easy ways to stay healthy and vibrant your entire life:

The first thing to keep in mind is that trends come and go, especially diet fads. Do not fall for whatever two-week, ten pound weight loss solution that you see on the cover of a tabloid while standing in the grocery line. Results from fad may produce quick results, but they never last. The best way to keep healthy and lose weight is to find a diet that works for your personality and your body type. Remember that it is mind over matter, and once you can find a way of eating that keeps your mind happy, your body will benefit from it.

If you are taking baby steps to a healthy lifestyle, keeping it simple is the first part to getting fit. Start by avoiding the pop and candy machines at work, or wherever you frequent. Keep a few apples, carrots or other fruits and vegetables in your bag to work, or in the refrigerator. Fresh produce contains no preservatives, artificial flavors and are not high in sugars and fats that vendor machine foods contain.

Creating a list of alternative, healthy foods before you go grocery shopping can help as well. Buy yogurt not ice cream, wheat not white bread, and bottled water instead of soda. These simple alternatives taste just as fine as their bad counterpart, and will do more good for your waistline.

Most people are usually drained after work. It can be hard to motivate yourself to workout after a stressful day; you probably just want to sit on your couch and channel surf, or maybe sleep. A good way to motivate you to move your body is to create a to-do list for after work activities. Mowing your lawn, weeding, or just walking to the store instead of driving can help keep your body in motion, burning calories and keeping your metabolism fast.

As well as incorporating simple calorie burning techniques into your life, starting a regular exercise program can work as well. For those of you that do not want to spend the time or money joining a gym, try having equipment in your home. That way, it won’t discourage you from exercising, will be more accessible, and you can have the privacy of being in your own home.

As well as having home equipment, walking or jogging around your neighborhood for at least fifteen to twenty minutes can definitely help keep your energy up and provides convenience for you and your lifestyle.

In the end, integrating these simple steps into your lifestyle result in both short and long term affects. In the short term, you will have more energy, lose weight and just feel better in your skin. The long term effects include reduced risk of heart disease, diabetes, and obesity, along with a leaner, healthier and happier body and mind. While growing old is inevitable, growing bigger and unhealthy does not have to happen. Adding simple, healthy routines into your life will result in a fountain of youth that will last your entire life.