Sarcopenia is a condition that happens as we age. Its a muscle loss which starts slowly, beyond the age of 40. But it of increases in rate and severity if we do not take action. Its is particularly important for women post-menopause. Sarcopenia can result in weakness, lack of energy, reduced self confidence, osteoporosis and frailty. All of these conditions are undesirable. Some are actually dangerous for our health and wellbeing.
You and I are on this earth for, lets say, 85 years. That’s around 32,000 days. If you spend most of those days sitting down, then the muscles that you use to stand and move will become less strong and flexible.
These aren’t small muscles These are absolute POWERHOUSES, the largest and strongest muscles of your body. The muscles around the legs, hips, back and shoulders are hugely important to both your posture and our metabolic rate.
So when they are weak .. or getting weaker … you will be deeply affected. You can get back and muscle pain, suffer frequent falls, feel low in energy, and rather flabby too (even if you’re not overweight). You can even gain weight, even though you’re eating the same.
But here’s the thing. That process of weakening gets FASTER as you AGE.
“Sarcopenia has been defined as an age related, involuntary loss of skeletal muscle mass and strength. Beginning as early as the 4th decade of life, evidence suggests that skeletal muscle mass and skeletal muscle strength decline in a linear fashion, with up to 50% of mass being lost by the 8th decade of life.”
This, in conjunction with menopause and its subsequent hormonal changes, has extremely important consequences for the health of older women.
If you do not exercise, you will become weaker more quickly, after menopause.
That is fact. Any doctor will tell you this.
But … here’s the good news … you can take action NOW and the fast muscle losses are not inevitable.
How to age well is an important skill to take with you into your 50’s. 60’s and beyond. It will enable you to become confident during and after menopause.
Your body will have changed, that’s for sure. I am 61 years old now and am living proof of this!
But taking the right action now will enable you to have energy and confidence to celebrate your age with vibrancy and vigour … and help you to start doing all those things that you meant to do when you were younger and never got around to!
Here’s how to AGE WELL.
One word.
EXERCISE!!
It doesn’t have to be the Gym.
It doesn’t have to be difficult
It doesn’t have to be time consuming.
It doesn’t have to be a diet.
Ageing well is about getting on your feet and continually challenging both your body and your brain. An allowing yourself good healthy nutritious food, and having some fun in your life.
This week in On Demand Workouts with Noelle we did a 30min FITNESS YOGA session for Butts and Obliques. Wow the ladies loved it.
“These Fitness Yoga workouts always make me feel amazing” (Lisa)
If you feel that you are becoming weaker, more lethargic, or less confident in your body, it might be time to take action. I am here for you. I can help.