When I was asked to be a contributing editor to this site, I was delighted for several reasons.

First, I like the whole idea of a site to celebrate those of us in our second life. At the age of 45 we are only halfway through our years here on earth, and if you are at all like I am, this second life is even more interesting, more exciting, more fun, more rewarding, and more invigorating than the first.

Secondly, I am a strong proponent of physical fitness. Some might even say I am a bit "obsessive." I started attending aerobics classes and working out on machines in 1983. I was one of those who would come to the club daily and usually stay for two classes.

In 1991, one of my fitness instructors asked me if I would be interested in taking training to become a backup instructor for her classes. Would I? I jumped at the chance.

Today, I teach between seven and ten exercise classes a week with my focus on step aerobics, stretching and toning, sculpting, and stability ball training.

Thirdly, because I feel that being fit has given me such a wonderful and energetic life, I want to share the joys and how-tos with as many people as possible. I have experienced the excitement of students of all ages working out with vigor and reaching fitness goals with abandon. You are never too old or too young to get started or keep on exercising. The good news is that muscle knows no age!

In this column I will be sharing tips, ideas, and ways to get and keep fit. I have been a Certified Fitness Instructor with the American Council on Exercise (A.C.E.) since 1995 and before that was certified with ExerSafety.

I urge you to e-mail me questions and ideas for my column - which I plan to update weekly. I will address the issues with which I am familiar and make every attempt to find answers to the questions that I need to research.

Together, we can make this column and our fitness lively and fun.