Top 3 Myths About Aging

There are a lot of myths about aging out there. Here are three of the most common ones:

1. Disease is inevitable as you get older.

While it's true that older people have a higher risk of developing certain diseases, such as cardiovascular disease, high blood pressure, high cholesterol and type 2 diabetes, than younger people, it's not true that the primary cause of these diseases is age. For many older people, the primary cause of disease is an unhealthy diet and a lack of exercise.

It's been proven over and over again by multiple studies that healthy eating and regular exercise help prevent many of the common diseases that plague so many older people. And even if someone already suffers from one of these diseases, healthy eating and regular exercise can help alleviate the disease.

2. Muscle loss and weakness are inevitable as you get older.

Muscle loss and loss of strength are not the normal result of aging, they're primarily the result of a sedentary lifestyle. You have to use your muscles or they will waste away. Once the average sedentary person reaches age 65, they will have lost up to 40% of their muscle mass compared to when they were young adults.

Multiple studies have shown that older people respond very well to strength training and are able to increase lean muscle mass and strength very effectively. Even older people in nursing homes have been able to increase lean muscle mass and strength when put on an appropriate strength training program.

Strength training also helps keep bones strong, and it can sometimes even reverse bone loss. Weight bearing exercises like walking and running also help keep bones strong.

3. Increased body fat is inevitable as you get older.

Just like with muscle loss and loss of strength, increased body fat is not the normal result of getting older, it's primarily the result of a sedentary lifestyle, as well as unhealthy eating.

Many people are able to eat an unhealthy diet when they're younger and not get fat because of how active they are when they're younger. But once they get older and start leading a sedentary lifestyle, the pounds and the body fat start piling on. Regular exercise and healthy eating will keep body fat off at any age, but especially once someone gets older.

In conclusion, don't buy in to these three common myths about aging like so many people mistakenly do. You can be fit and healthy and look and feel good at any age!

Today is the day!  Make a decision to change your life and your future.  As I always say...

Live Fit Live Strong!