DEAR GETTING OLDER: Sorry, but age is not an excuse for your problems. Contrary to what many people believe, poor health is not an inevitable consequence of aging, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). If you have not lead a healthy lifestyle over the years, you may be paying aprice now in terms of chronic disease, disability, diminished qulaity of life, and increased health care costs. However, the choice as to whether to do something about it has always been yours -- and you still have the same choice today.

You may not be able to reverse certain damage that has already been done, but you can definitely reverse the downward trend and start living more vibrantly again rather than feeling sorry for yourself. The CDC states that "much of the illness, disability, and death associated with chronic disease is avoidable through known prevention measures" including regular physical activity, healthy eating, the avoidance of tobacco, and early detection practices such as screening for breast, cervical, and colorectal cancers, diabetes and its complications, and depression.

To begin with, start increasing your level of physical activity today. Not tomorrow -- today! It doesn't have to be a "formal" exercise program, but at least start walking 20 to 30 minutes a day. If it's too cold or too hot, too icy or too humid, too snowy or too rainy, or too anything that makes it difficult or uncomfortable to walk outdoors, just walk in place in front of your TV. How hard is that?!!

Start watching your diet more carefully, too. If you still insist on enjoying your favorite snacks, try drinking a full 8-ounce glass of water before you take that first bite. This should automatically reduce your ability to consume as many calories and will help you to keep your weight under control.

If you smoke, quit! If you aren't already suffering from some form of respiratory problem or lung cancer -- and even if you are -- quitting smoking will improve your quality of life. Most people have the greatest success by just quitting "cold turkey" and never looking back. If you need help, there are plenty of excellent smoking cessation programs and products on the market.

And, lastly, get regular checkups and screenings to stay ahead of the game. Don't wait until you have a serious problem before you take action and then have to hope for a miracle of modern science to save your bacon. Doctors have the ability to detect many potential problems before thay become troublesome, so schedule regular appointments with your physician at least once or twice a year.