As we age, we naturally lose muscle mass throughout our body. This process leads us to feel run down and achy as we struggle to keep up with our busy pace of life. We also experience pain and injury from everyday activities that “never bothered me before” because our increasing weakness leaves us more injury prone by the day. Sore feet, an achy back, neck pain that keeps you awake at night, even trips and slips now bring the threat of significant injury and they are all red flags for future problems to come.
How do you roll back the clock?
Exercise, and more specifically resistance training, has the power to wind back your physiological clock. When used consistently and in the right dosages, it can bring energy, movement and relief from nagging aches and pains. When was the last time you can remember moving without fear of injury; being able to reach and jump when you want to?
What can we do to harness that power and regain our youth?
The best natural remedy for muscle loss is building new muscle. If you have not already done so, now is the time to start some form of resistance training and work to be consistent. This could be in the form of going to a gym and lifting weights but it does not have to be that structured. Something as simple as dragging around or flipping over an old tire, picking up and throwing various sized rocks and wrestling around with a sand bag all make great alternative resistance based exercises. Finding a form of resisted exercise that you enjoy is the primary focus.
Your goal should be training regularly for the rest of your life. The longer you can stay training and enjoy it the longer the effects will last. Start small, lift lighter weights or tote around that big rock in the yard one to two days a week for 20-30 minutes. Over time and as your strength builds so too should the challenge.
Just keep pushing forward.
If you are at all nervous about getting started, reach out and find a local certified coach. Tell them your goal is to be strong and healthy for the rest of your life. They can teach you what you will need to know and save you the headache of trying to figure it out yourself. Most importantly get started and never stop as you get stronger life gets easier.