This study elucidated the experiences of 15 women 65 and older who have been physically active for the majority of their lives. The goal of the research was to have women who have been successful at longevity of experience inform us about how to create and maintain a physically active lifestyle for a lifetime in a culture where social expectations often interfere with the ability to make such a commitment. The phenomenological tradition was advantageous for this pursuit as it provided an effective structure for the analysis of the essence of a physically active lifestyle. Semi-structured interviews were conducted to get at the meaning and structure of each woman’s experiences with physical activity. Data analysis followed Moustakas’ (1994) description of analysis specific to phenomenological research. This process included ‘transcendental-phenomenological reduction’ which transforms individual experiences into essential insights. Findings suggest that women 65 and over who have been physically active for the majority of their lives share a lifestyle schema that has been influenced by similar external conditions and internal mechanisms. A physically active lifestyle for girls and women is influenced by social expectations that confer variability of environment, roles, and activities. Internal continuity however, the persistence over time of psychological patterns like optimism and determination, furnished the hardiness necessary for these women to overcome complex challenges to staying committed to a physically active lifestyle. Medical professionals, physical educators, recreation leaders, health and fitness professionals and women who are interested in achieving a physically active lifestyle for a lifetime need to be aware of the influence of gender socialization. Practitioners need to prepare girls and women for challenges to their interest in physical activity and for a lifetime of change. The infusion of mental and emotional skills training into physical training will help girls and women learn to set goals and negotiate internally and/or externally imposed resistance to their goals. The significance of the role of planning that emanates from the data makes a unique contribution to understanding girl’s and women’s potential to have a physically active lifestyle throughout the life course. How to plan for change and be creative about remaining physically active when there is little external reinforcement and when time and energy resources are constrained are important strategies for girls and women to learn.