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We seem to be so accepting of the fact that our technology driven lifestyles have shunted vigorous physical activity out of our lives and our bodies now do not have any way of keeping themselves healthy. We can get through the day without having to 'move a muscle'. Most of our day is spent sitting, in our houses, at our job, in our cars and back home on the couch in front of television. Without the physical movement we have been designed for there is not the stimulation and release of 'growth and repair' hormones that renew, replace, repair and rebuild cells and tissues as they become old and worn out. Without the replacement of these tired old cells with stronger, younger and healthier ones we age at an accelerated rate and get sick. Hardly anyone is talking about this and it is no surprise that almost 50 percent of the population in the developed world has a chronic 'lifestyle' disease and many have multiple conditions. Many more are tired, unmotivated, in pain, overweight, unwell and not enjoying life very much. Although they are not truly sick.....yet.....they are a million miles from a high quality of life. This decline in health and the higher incidence of sickness along with having a hard time recovering from illness or injury is because a great deal of muscle mass has been lost from the body over a period of time from not using it. The old 'use it or lose it' scenario. This slow stealth-like muscle meltdown largely goes unnoticed but around one half pound is lost each year starting in our mid 20's. This rate accelerates after age 50 and doubles. The reason this situation largely goes unnoticed over the years is that body fat is accumulated and settles into the spaces left by the lost muscle padding the area. So, body weight on the bathroom scales may not change much if at all. But underneath the damage is being done and continues to gather speed dragging down health and physical function so slowly that you hardly notice it.....but you will. Climbing stairs, running, jumping, dancing and similar normal human activities become impossible and eventually you will have difficulty getting even out of a chair. The end result is the inability to perform the basic daily necessities of life. This means someone else must take care of it which is a burden to family, friends and the community. They should not have to do this. It is each of our most basic responsibility to take care of our own health and well-being. If we lose our physical functionality it is our own fault not anyone else's. You would have to be living under a rock to not know the importance of keeping your strength both while at a young age and especially and even more importantly as you get older. But it does not happen on its own. Only 8 out of 10 adults do enough muscle building and maintaining activity. Why? Because they don't have time, they are too lazy, it is too hard, or they can't be bothered.
Do not be one of these people as you will be the loser and so will the other people that have to pick up the slack when you cannot even feed and dress yourself because your strength has been siphoned away - not because of age but disuse. Get yourself started on a proper strength training exercise program at your local gym or fitness center. Just 2-3 short sessions each week done with the right amount of intensity (degree of effort) is enough to recover 10, 20 or more years of lost muscle tissue and strength. Put aside the idea that our muscles are just for those that want a firm, shapely body to show off, they are essential for protection from disease and could well save your life. If you look after them and keep them strong you will be rewarded with a vibrant health span to match your long life spa. It does not get any better than that.
Do you want to discover the secret to rejuvenating your body, regaining lost vitality and improving the quality of your life? Download my free ebook "Ive Found the Fountain of Youth - Let Me Show You Too!" http://www.over50looking30.com
Carolyn Hansen is a certified fitness expert and fitness center owner who in her nearly 30 years of fitness and bodybuilding competition experience she has helped thousands of people start their journey towards losing weight, becoming strong, fit and youthful at any age.
Sign up for her free newsletter on Weight Loss Tips http://FitnessWeightloss.com and get her free report "Discover ‘Secrets That Most People Will Never Know About To Really Lose Weight".
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