What does making muscle after 50 mean to you?

When we were kids, muscle likely meant superheroes like Captain Marvel, or Guardians of the Galaxies, or even Wonder Woman.

In our 20s, muscle likely meant lots of weightlifting in the gym and young men with bulging physiques.

Making muscle after 50 means more than a super hero cape, or big, bulging biceps.

We Need Muscle

We need muscle to perform all kinds of tasks – even standing up from the couch requires muscle. Muscle is a basic need to our everyday lives and function.

Muscle means life. Especially muscle after 50! We need muscle to live ordinary, simple daily life. Strong life. Independent life.

We start losing muscle in our 30s, which can lead to all kinds of trouble if we don’t do something about it, and especially after 50! We’ve got to learn how to tackle sarcopenia, but first let’s learn about what sarcopenia even means.

Sarcopenia

Sarcopenia is the medical term for losing muscle mass, it’s also known as muscle wasting. Sarcopenia is commonly associated with aging and lack of movement. 

Muscle wasting is not inevitable. You can prevent it and even reverse it just by moving!  How easy is that?  

You know the stereotypes about being old and frail… we don’t want that for you!  And, we know you have the power to overcome anything you set your mind to do!

Muscle Wasting is Common and Preventable

Trust us, muscle wasting is common and preventable and treatable with regular resistance exercise and proper nutrition.

“Sarcopenia can be considered for muscle what osteoporosis is to bone,” said Dr. John E. Morley, St. Louis University School of Medicine, in the journal Family Practice. 

Dr. Jeremy Walston said in the National Institutes of Health, “Sarcopenia is one of the most important causes of functional decline and loss of independence in older adults.”

Being inactive contributes to sarcopenia – which then contributes to inactivity.  It can be a vicious cycle.

If you’re entering midlife or if you’re already more advanced, talk to your healthcare provider about sarcopenia. He or she will likely recommend resistance training to prevent issues linked to sarcopenia including weakness, increased risk of falling, increased likelihood of fractures, insulin resistance and obesity. 

Your healthcare provider will likely recommend you work with a professional to help you learn proper form and technique, so you move safely and effectively.

Use It or Lose It

We’ve heard the adage, “use it or lose it,” right? It’s true, especially when it comes to muscle and aging bodies. If you don’t use your muscles, you will lose them.

If you use your muscles, you’ll keep them, and maintain functional ability, bone support and strength for the rest of your life.

Healthcare providers have known for decades that exercise can combat the muscle loss of sarcopenia. Yet, it hasn’t filtered down into general awareness, where “muscle” still means Arnold Schwarzenegger.

We must admit, Arnold Schwarzenegger is a prime example of actively aging with balance, check out a photo from his youth compared to him recently!

He is still strong, functional and independent because of his commitment to moving, proper nourishment and an active lifestyle.

By using body weight, resistance bands, hand weights and other movement training tools, we will help you increase and maintain your muscle strength, size, endurance and independence.

Will you look like Arnold? Not likely. But you will feel stronger, more active and more confident!

Move Better, Feel Better

That means you move better, feel better, look better, and sleep better. For starters.

It doesn’t mean you will get huge. Period. Full stop. Believe us, you won’t end up looking like the Incredible Hulk- no matter how hard you try! But you will feel stronger, steadier, and more stable, have more stamina and improve your balance. And maybe even look better in your jeans.  

Contact us today so we can talk about strength and muscle, answer your questions, and get you going with a safe, fun, and effective program.

It doesn’t take much to start feeling and seeing important results.

I partner with you, the Active Aging Adult, to restore and maintain balance, purpose & confidence in your life. For decades I cared for the sickest people in the ICU & saw a disconnect between healthcare & healing.

Instead of waiting for you to get sick, I now meet you where you live, work & play to help you explore your health and wellbeing.

At Blue Monarch Health, PLLC, I combine 20+ years of nursing experience with 30+ years of fitness + health coaching to uncover your most authentic expression of wellbeing.

Nicole