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When a person turns 65 years they can expect to live another 10-20 or more years. Just how enjoyable and vigorous those years can be depends largely on how well we take care of ourselves in the years and decades before we reach this age. It is strange that we invest time and expense to take care of our teeth, our hair and our clothes along with other things to make our outward appearance better. It seems logical we should dedicate the same attention to the proper care and health of our bodies. The very most important thing we can do to protect our health is with proper muscle building and maintaining exercise. Without it we lose around one half pound of muscle tissue each year after the mid 20's. Although much of this loss is unseen it sets us off in a downward spiral of declining health that can last decades and can end up in much suffering and disability.
Whether we like it or not or accept it or not, our bodies function better and last longer when they get the stimulus of exercise that works our muscles yet only 15% of adults actually do enough proper exercise. Some of the symptoms of disuse include becoming overweight, weak muscles, joint and bone aches and pains, lack of breathing capacity, little physical endurance, poor circulation, depression, high blood pressure, high blood fat levels, low tolerance to stress and increased risk of at least 50 diseases and illness. With the stakes so high, every adult needs to understand how important a regular program of mostly strength training exercise contributes to and protects health. The very first and most important obstacle to overcome if you are to get into better physical shape and stay that way is the thought that exercise is 'optional' or something you do if you 'have time'. Devoting a small portion of time 2-3 times per week for your exercise program is an absolute must, not a luxury. Exercise and vigorous movement tells the body to grow and repair cells and tissues. Sitting around and being inactive tells the body to decay and deteriorate. Research shows that much of the so-called "aging process" has more to do with our lifestyle and activity levels and is determined by capacity for physical function and not simply by counting years. An older adult, who remains active, through a regular exercise program, has approximately the same functional strength as a sedentary individual much, much younger. This functional strength means we can enjoy so much more in our life. Our everyday activities are so much easier to perform and we have so much more energy to do some 'fun' things. Our wellness level is so much more than simply 'not being sick'. The biggest benefit of all is the fact that taking responsibility for our own health by maintaining our strength means we will remain independent and capable of looking after ourselves for much longer. This also means the burden of our care does not have to fall upon our family or the community. It goes without saying that none of us would want to find ourselves in a situation where our health has deteriorated to the point we prematurely lose our capability for independent living. A sedentary lifestyle without proper exercise will have undesirable consequences so take action now and get started on your exercise program to make sure you never have to experience this.
Do you want to discover the secret to rejuvenating your body and improving the quality of your life? Download my free ebook "I've 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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