Keep Firm Muscle As You Age
Aging muscle needs to be kept in shape, because long periods of no use cause degeneration of cells and are more challenging to overcome. It may seem like common sense that if you don’t keep muscles toned , eventually they will get waste away. Younger muscle tissue has as much as four times more regenerative stem cells compared to old muscle.
If you at all able to move, you can do much to prevent muscle atrophy by incorporating some strength exercise into your healthy lifestyle routine. Start gently and work at a pace that is appropriate for your age and current level of fitness.
Also keep in mind that if you are older, and have been sedentary or immobile for some time, suddenly exercising vigorously can cause scarring and inflammation of your muscles, so start off slowly.
That said, I believe that it is never too late to start an exercise program.
Getting professional help from a properly educated personal trainer or physical therapist is probably the wisest and safest way to go if you are new to exercise, or it has been a period of time.
How Strength Training Benefits As You Age
Maintaining healthy muscle tone is not the only benefit from a regular exercise program. Preventing heart disease and osteoporosis are two other major benefits.
A key strategy to reduce your risk of heart disease and other chronic diseases is to keep your inflammation levels low, and visceral fat that shows up in your abdomen and surround your vital organs is another component for reducing risk.
How Does this Work?
The more muscle tone you have, the more calories you burn because they consume calories even when resting and sleeping. So, you gain more muscle and your body naturally increases the number of calories burned, which reduces fat stores.
Strength Training Can Reduce Osteoporosis
Your bones are actually very porous and soft, and as you get older, you bones can easily become less dense and more brittle. Especially if you are inactive.
Resistance training can combat this because as you put more tension on your muscles it puts more pressure on your bones, which then create new bone.
It is Never Too Late
Keep in mind that optimal health is dependent on an active lifestyle, eating fresh, whole foods, and avoiding as many processed foods as possible, and limiting or controlling the stress in your life.
So, start moving, and don’t stop no matter what your age!
And include strength training into your fitness. It is the number one way to remain strong, young and independent well into old age.
I am Shirley Noah, I teach the 9 pillars for health. A step-by-step approach to good health. Let’s connect to see how I may best serve you in the near future.
