A long-term study done in Taiwan and recently reported in Time magazine found that when compared to an inactive control group, people who did moderate exercise for 15 minutes per day had a three-year longer life expectancy, and reduced their mortality risk by 14%. In other words, 90 minutes of brisk walking each week did wonders for their longevity. With stats like these, it's easy to see why life insurance companies reward those who stay fit.

Experts say that the best way to prove to your life insurer that you are serious about staying healthy is to join a gym and sign up with a personal trainer who can monitor and verify your progress, not to mention provide ongoing support and encouragement. If working one-on-one on equipment seems boring to you, then you can sign up for classes, where it is easy to keep track of your attendance and record the strides you are making towards goals like losing weight and stress reduction.

To make sure you stick with it, make exercise a part of your daily routine by going to the gym at the same time every day. Set small goals that are not unreasonable to reach and find ways to reward yourself (in healthy ways!) for your achievements. If you can do what it takes to exercise, when it comes time to get a quote for life insurance, you can take your medical exam with confidence, knowing that you will receive one of the best rewards —a lower premium.