Why Have We Let Ourselves Become So Unhealthy?

As we get older our body composition (ratio of muscle to fat) changes unless we work at keeping our strength. The word "work" is what our ancestors did on a daily basis to survive. Our modern lifestyles don't have much work in them anymore. Technology takes care of the physical tasks with such things as washing machines, vacuum cleaners, electric stoves, cars etc.

It doesn't make sense that we have created these labor saving devices but have neglected to consider that our bodies need this "work" or "manual labor" to stay healthy. Our bodies are created with a huge capacity for vigorous physical activity. When this is removed and not replaced with intentional physical exercise we begin a downward spiral of muscle and bone loss in the mid 30's.

Without the physical "work" to maintain strength, between 300-500 grams of muscle tissue is lost per year. This change in body composition not only siphons away our strength, but lowers our metabolism, drains our energy levels and weakens our immune system exposing us to disease and illness.

The loss of muscle tissue is usually accompanied by an increase in body fat putting extra strain on the heart, changes the balance of fats in the blood leading to heart attack and stroke and alters sugar metabolism increasing the risk of obesity and diabetes. If this situation is not stopped and muscle tissue restored, the rate of loss accelerates and strength decreases rapidly after age 60 leaving in its wake weakness, loss of mobility, and disability.

This situation is approaching a world wide epidemic with tens of millions of baby boomers approaching the age of 60 years. Most of them are not even aware that this sneaky villain is robbing them of their precious muscle tissue and are therefore not aware of the consequences this will have on the last 10 - 20 years of their lives.

Despite what you have been told over the years about how it is natural to experience declines in strength and appearance as you age, you do not automatically enter into this downward spiral of degeneration because of the number of candles on your birthday cake. This downward spiral is an inevitable part of the sedentary lifestyles that we have become accustomed too and is not an inevitable part of the aging process.

The fact is most of us are aging at an accelerated rate and the worst part is we don't even know it. Therefore most of us are doing nothing for ourselves to stop it. Losing the will and energy to stay active is part of this downward spiral along with despair and no energy and little will to want to change things.

You absolutely have a choice about how you wish to grow older. You can surrender to the downward spiral and continue down the path of degeneration leading to frailty and loss of independence. Or you can take control, get active, start strength training and exercising vigorously and grow strong, energetic and youthful.

The solution is simple, get started at your local gym and get stuck in to a proper exercise program that incorporates at least 60 % strength training exercise. Get the help of a Fitness Professional to teach you the basic strength training exercises and proper technique so you can get maximum results in the shortest possible time. After all there is no time to waste here, the sooner you get started the sooner you can restore and maintain your strength and vitality for your entire life.

01 Dec 2008 13:39:33

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