Advances is medical science have a lot to do with that, but our own actions have a lot to do with how happy we are in these bonus years.

Let's face it - there's not much fun in being around in our 70s and 80s if we don't have a reasonable quality of life. That's where a lifestyle comes in.

If we make the choice to adopt a healthy lifestyle - even as late as in our 50s & 60s, we significantly improve our chances of being fitter and healthier in our 70s and 80s and that means a better quality of life.

It's not really that hard to do. We basically have to decide to exercise regularly, adopt a healthy diet and a positive, optimistic attitude.

Exercise When it comes to exercise, we need to do more than just walk.

Walking is great for us, but we also need to adopt an exercise program that covers - joint mobility, strength, balance, stretching and cardio vascular (raising your heart rate and breathing). Clearly you are going to need some professional help.

Now before you race out and buy a lycra gym outfit, it would be a good idea to do two things first -

If you haven't exercised for years, or have a medical condition that might be affected by exercise, it would be wise to see your doctor to check that starting a regular exercise program won't cause any damage.

Accept that you're no longer bullet proof and it's possible to injure yourself in a gym.

Talk to an exercise physiologist or a fitness instructor who is trained and experienced in dealing with older bodies and get an exercise program that's right for you.

And then turn up and DO it.

A Healthy Diet There are hundreds of articles and books about healthy eating, as well as dozens of television shows and web sites. All the information you will need is easily available.

A Positive Attitude Most articles about health focus on purely physical health with no mention of mental health.

The reality is that both physical and mental health are so entwined is misleading to treat them as two separate entities. The way we think effects the way we feel.

If we want to be happy and enjoy the extra years many over 70s now have, we need to adopt a positive mental attitude. That's what keeps us younger and happier.

Our book "How to stay Healthy, Active and Sharp in Retirement" tells you all you'll need to know about enjoying the years past 50. You can buy it on our web site - www.retirementbooks.com.au