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In previous generations the aging process was a cruel and predictable march towards weakness, frailty, sickness and loss of independence. Anyone fortunate enough to reach the age of 70 or older usually looked hunched, shriveled and old. Many people ended up being unable to care for themselves and that burden fell on family, friends and the community. We are more aware today though that many of the weaknesses and conditions that used to make old age so brutal and depressing are not necessarily inevitable. The first physical sign of aging that has the most impact on the functionality of a person is the loss of muscle tissue which starts the entire body off on a downward spiral of decline. This starts somewhere around the mid 20's and amounts to around one half pound per year. This loss continues unrelentingly throughout a persons life until they reach around age 50 then it accelerates to around one pound per year further accelerating the health decline. Most people would notice a drop in strength as tasks and activities that were once easy become more difficult. It is likely that as things become harder people tend to stop doing them further accelerating the muscle tissue loss as activity levels are further lowered. It is unlikely you will notice the muscle tissue loss as there is little change in body weight for the most part as more body fat accumulates in the space left and hides the muscle loss. This accumulation of excess body fat both on the inside of the body wrapped around organs in the abdominal area and on the outside of the body is the second important physical marker of the aging process. This change in the ratio of muscle/fat brings with it increased health risks and further slows activity levels. The next important physical marker of the aging process is bone loss which closely accompanies muscle tissue loss. Our muscles are attached to our bones and when a muscle is contracted against a resistance (strength training) it keeps our bones strong.
Without strengthening activity the bones become weaker and more brittle. These three conditions, muscle mass loss, bone loss and body fat increase all go together hand in hand and cause premature and preventable accelerated aging. This does not have to happen as we can take care of ourselves properly with a program of muscle building and maintaining exercise. Muscles do not have to shrink and strength does not have to evaporate. With proper exercise bones do not have to become brittle and limbs and joints do not have to become stiff, painful and inflexible. Metabolisms (the body's engine) do not have to slow to a crawl and excess body fat does not have to hang off our bodies and bulge from our clothes. Taking care of ourselves means strength training exercise done regularly and consistently through our adult years if we wish to avoid the fate of our parents and grandparents.
Thinking that it's too late to benefit from preventive health measures is incorrect no matter how old you are. It's never too late to improve your health and fitness. A program of regular strength training exercise will help you: • Feel better physically, mentally and emotionally.
• Retain your vitality, mobility, and independence
• Increase the positive feelings you have about yourself
• Expand your network of friends and acquaintances
• Appreciate your lot in life more. So get busy and tone up your muscle tissue and you will find you look good, feel good, keep your bones strong and hold off the body fat increase. Instead of becoming weaker with age you will become stronger. This improved strength will help you lead a physically active life with more energy and vitality. And you will feel strong and powerful and youthful no matter your age.
Do you want to discover the secret to rejuvenating your body and improving the quality of your life? Download my free ebook "Ive Found the Fountain of Youth- Let Me Show You Too!" here: Health Related Fitness For Free Fitness Report here Fitness Weight Loss Carolyn Hansen is a certified fitness expert and fitness center owner who coaches clients to look and feel younger.
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