| Once we get past 30 years we get to see signs of | | | | And it doesn't end there. The metabolism drops (the |
| aging. Fine lines appear on our face, we notice a few | | | | body's engine), energy is siphoned away and the |
| grey hairs and we don't have as much energy as we | | | | body starts to hurt from lack of strong muscles |
| once did. But these signs are visible and easy to spot. | | | | supporting and protecting the spine, bones and joints. |
| But not so visible and much harder to spot are the | | | | The immune system also weakens exposing one to a |
| signs of aging that are happening to our body | | | | greater risk of a life threatening disease. |
| underneath our skin. | | | | But it does not have to be this way. A proper |
| The biggest physical sign of aging is the loss of | | | | strength training exercise program will stop almost all |
| muscle tissue. Starting in the mid 20's this loss | | | | of this decay happening. Muscle tissue and strength |
| amount to around one half pound per year. It | | | | do not have to shrink, bones do not have to weaken |
| continues unrelentingly throughout life accelerating | | | | and become brittle and backs and joints do not have |
| after age 50. Most people will notice a drop in | | | | to ache. |
| strength and fitness as tasks and activities that were | | | | If you take care of yourself properly your |
| once easy start to become more difficult and we | | | | metabolism does not have to slow to a crawl and |
| look for ways to avoid them. | | | | body fat does not have to accumulate and set us up |
| Our body weight may not change much but our | | | | for heart disease or diabetes. |
| body composition (muscle/fat ratio) has changed and | | | | Taking care of ourselves becomes more important |
| body fat accumulates hiding the muscle tissue loss | | | | every single year and means taking the time for |
| both in our body size and on the bathroom scales. | | | | proper strength training exercise to protect these |
| This increase in body fat is the second physical | | | | three main markers of disuse. Muscle loss, bone loss |
| marker of aging and the third is bone loss. Just like | | | | and body fat increase. The good news is no matter |
| muscle tissue if not challenged bone strength is lost | | | | what your age it is never too late to stop and even |
| through inactivity. Weakened muscles no longer place | | | | reverse these negative processes. |
| enough stress on the bones they are attached too | | | | Seek the help of a fitness professional to set up |
| so they lose their strength as well and become lighter | | | | your program so it is safe and effective. Your |
| and more brittle and the risk of fracture increases. | | | | program will need to be monitored and changed |
| It was once believed that these three conditions, | | | | regularly. When you put some effort into proper |
| muscle tissue loss, bone loss and body fat increase | | | | exercise, you can maintain your strength and vitality |
| were just a normal part of the aging process. But we | | | | throughout your entire life. Just 2- 3 sessions done |
| now know they are caused by disuse not by how | | | | properly each week can transform your body from |
| many candles are on your birthday cake. Not enough | | | | the inside out, restoring muscle and bone strength, |
| muscle building and maintaining activity is responsible | | | | decreasing body fat, improving physical function and |
| for this deterioration. | | | | health and preventing disease. |