Now days it is common knowledge that your metabolism starts to slow down as you approach middle age, yet there is also something else that contributes to approximately a pound of weight gain per year after 40, says recent research studies at the Boston University School of Medicine. According to research, people start to lose muscle mass in middle age. This will reduce the number of calories burned during resting and active heart rates. These studies point out a common affliction in middle age, which is referred to as “sarcopenic obesity.” Sarcopenic obesity is the condition of being overweight or even obese with progressive loss of muscle mass. Many people in middle age who don’t prioritize physical fitness suffer from sarcopenic obesity. A study released by Harvard scientists this past year demonstrated that women in middle age gain an average of 20 pounds over a period of 16 years.
Of course, all of this information leads to a simple solution: the only way to preserve or even build back that muscle mass is to exercise regularly (“Use it or lose it”). In young age, we have the pleasure of taking our active metabolisms for granted. We don’t have to be as conscious about physical fitness. But over time our bodies change and require more intentional maintenance. For many, it boils down to what we place priority on. Work, time with loved ones, eating, entertainment, and all of the incidentals that life throws our way.
Bottom line, the only way to beat the middle age spread is to prioritize physical activity. For many, approaching middle age involves sensible life planning strategies. Financial security, future life goals, family, retirement and vacations are all considered on the drawing board of future planning. Physical activity often just gets squeezed in during the more immediate times, rather than viewed as a progressive and crucial element of life planning over the years.
If you want to maintain optimum health, agility, and fitting into your favorite clothes, then preventing loss of muscle mass should be a priority to consider and plan for in middle age. This involves a conscious approach:
· Preserve space in your weekly, monthly and even annual calendars for your fitness routine.
· Consider building in physical activity with other life plans (i.e. holidays or even family events that involve outdoor recreation or sports).
· Look upon exercise as an element of security as crucial as financial planning.
· Although it may have been easy to do in your youth, do not push off exercise as an afterthought that can be squeezed in here and there if there’s time, it should be one of the pillars that your optimum daily life rests upon.
Finally, if you’re approaching middle age and you neglect budgeting time to maintain your muscle mass, you may as well start budgeting money for a new, bigger wardrobe!
To prevent your middle age weight gain or develop a program to undo the middle age weight gain already taking place, contact Fitness Mastermind now. It’s never too late to make the right choice.
“Those who think they have not time for bodily exercise will sooner or later have to find time for illness.” -Edward Stanley
Keep it fit,
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