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Our overall body strength plays an increasingly important role as we grow older. Because our muscular system functions as the engine or powerhouse of the body its health and condition contributes hugely to our ability to carry out our daily tasks and activities so we can remain more independent and self-sufficient as we grow older. The loss of muscle mass is without doubt the greatest threat to an aging human as it means loss of strength and loss of strength means loss of physical function which means premature disability and greater susceptibility to disease. Somehow we have come to acquire some very flawed beliefs and attitudes about physical activity as we get older. We think we can do without it, and that somehow our requirements for exercise become less as we get older. Nothing could be further from the truth. In fact our needs to keep our strength increase dramatically once we get past 30 years. From this point onwards we lose around one half pound of muscle tissue per year until age 50 then this rate doubles. Our muscle tissue is one of the most metabolically active tissues in the human body burning lots of fuel (calories) just to exist. As our muscular system makes up 50 percent of our body weight any loss slows our metabolism (our body's engine) and is the single most crucial reason for the gradual accumulation of excess body fat. A lower amount of muscle tissue also makes bones fragile and brittle. It is the pulling of the muscles that are attached to the bones that keep them healthy and strong. Because they are under more pressure the body will focus on rebuilding the ones that are constantly being used. The more toned muscle tissue you have the less fragile your bones will be. The perfect solution to the loss of both muscle and bone and the accumulation of extra fat is strength training exercise. First, it reduces the rate at which you lose muscle tissue. Not only can it reduce this loss it can rebuild years or even decades of lost muscle tissue that is a consequence of not doing enough muscle building and maintaining activity. Secondly strength training contributes to healthy aging by increasing bone density. Strong healthy muscles equal strong healthy bones. Thirdly strength training exercise has major cardiovascular (heart/lung) benefits. Avoiding heart disease is important as it is the leading cause of death in the developed world. Your proper exercise program will also help you lose weight or control it long term which is very important for healthy aging. It has a positive effect on your appearance and body composition (muscle/fat ratio) which can directly influence your level of self confidence and self-esteem. When your body looks and feels better, you feel better about yourself. So, as you can see strength training exercise offers a whole range of tangible benefits so you can remain active and energetic no matter your age.
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 ''I Have 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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