At 30 days into the new year, it’s time to check the progress of our 2013 resolutions. If you’ve made it this far, you’re likely to adopt your resolution permanently. If you’ve strayed away from your goal, it’s never too late to turn things around.

When it comes to fitness goals, many of us become discouraged without immediate results. But instead of viewing fitness as a means for a smaller waist, why not consider fitness as an investment in your future? It’s not just about losing a few pounds. It’s about adding a year to your life.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention cites that those who are physically active about seven hours a week have a 40 percent lower risk of dying earlier than those who are active for less than 30 minutes a week. So getting in shape means more than looking good; it means traveling the world after retirement or meeting your future grandchildren.