Another year older today, I want to share with you what I find to be one of the most important things to start doing as we age: strength training.
As we age, we slowly lose muscle mass and as a result, our metabolisms slow down.
Growing up, I used to always want to be skinny. I would work out, but would mostly incorporate running or cardiovascular activity in my routine. Don’t get me wrong, it is still great to get your cardio on, but strength training is as equally, if not more, important as we age.
Being skinny doesn’t necessary mean healthy. Studies show that people who are overweight and “fit” are less likely to develop cardiovascular disease than people who are skinny and “unfit”.
Being skinny doesn’t necessary mean healthy. Studies show that people who are overweight and “fit” are less likely to develop cardiovascular disease than people who are skinny and “unfit”.
Since our bodies lose muscle mass and our metabolisms slow down as we age, we are also at higher risk of developing cardiovascular disease and diabetes. Starting a workout routine now can really help rev up your metabolism so that you aren’t noticing the effects that age has on our bodies as we get older.
Strength training is so important simply because it builds muscles. The more muscle we have on our bodies, the more calories we burn at rest. Now I am not saying you should lift heavy weights and become a body builder, you should do what is right for you and start incorporating light weights into your routine if you are a beginner.
I tend to use 8-10 pound weights with dynamic moves such as squat presses and when I am just isolating my muscles such as doing bicep curls, I tend to use 12-15 pounds. With adding this weight, I haven’t “bulked up”, I have just seen more definition in my arms and legs from using heavier weights.
So instead of worrying about bulking up or being skinny, you should focus on strength training more and feeling strong so that you can still perform all the activities you enjoy as you get older.
