One of the tell tale signs of age is the deterioration of both lean muscle tissue and bone mass. As we progress into our 40’s, 50’s, 60’s and beyond - our bodies naturally lose the ability to produce as much hormone that we did when we were younger. Consequently, there is a natural tendency for the body to lose the tight musculature and form that we took for granted when we were in our late teens and 20’s.
When my clients in their 40’s and older ask me how much they should ideally weigh, I respond by telling them that they should roughly weigh the same amount as they did when they were a senior in high school. They typically respond by saying that if they lost that much weight, they would “look sick and appear older!” And in most cases they would be right. Why? Because while gaining fat over the years, they were also losing muscle to a sedentary lifestyle as well as the ravages of age. Therefore, if we lose the fat - that was basically providing “structure” in place of the muscle we inperceptively lost over the years, then what will we have to provide structure when we lose the fat? Not much!!! At least not as much muscle nature naturally bestowed to us when were 20 years old. Which is why people who lose weight without looking to add lean muscle tissue in the process typically look drawn, tired, and older.
Losing fat is not hard, but gaining back the lean muscle tissue lost to age is difficult to regain and therefore requires resistance exercise to both regenerate and maintain it. Remember - Diet burns fat, but it is exercise which helps prevent the loss of lean muscle tissue and bone mass, elevate hormone levels naturally - all of which helps provide a functionally youthful-looking structure! Pictured here at the age of 45, I am often told that I look years younger than what I actually am. Like Dr. Judd who is 62 and in far better shape than I, I owe it to a committed “Lifesource” lifestyle of diet and consistent exercise. If you are interested in holding off ravages of age please feel free to contact me at coachcraig@lifesource.com . Also please be sure to catch the new book writen by me and Dr. Judd, “Fit at 40, 50 and 60″ which is due out soon.
Best in health,
Coach Craig
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