The Graying
Population

I was not surprised to learn the you and I (seniors) are part of a huge, fast growing market.

And to sell us goods and services, advertising people must know our needs and concerns, the needs and concerns of a graying population. They know, for example, that two of our major concerns are: 1) Will I have enough money for a comfortable retirement? And 2) will I stay healthy enough to enjoy it?

Regarding the first concern (money), I am not a personal finance expert. I have no axes to grind. I don’t sell insurance, stocks, bonds or mutual funds.

I'm a fitness advocate.

So on to the second senior topic, staying healthy . . .

Advertising that addresses senior health and fitness is often about long-term health care insurance or vitamin supplements. But who says very much about what happens to us if we lose muscle mass? Not many, though it is a very serious matter.

Sarcopenia is that strange looking Greek word meaning “poverty of flesh.” It is what we see in the elderly who are bent over and tottering from a combination of osteoporosis and the wasting away of muscle tissue (sarcopenia).

In our youth, most of us couldn’t imagine ever being old. That won't happen to me, you may think to yourself when you are young. In the words of a Travis Tritt country song, "I’m ten feet tall and bulletproof.”

Really? The fact is, aging starts earlier than most of us think.

Inactive men and women over age 30 slowly lose muscle tissue every year. At about age 50 the loss starts happening faster. After age 65, it accelerates even more. Visit a nursing home and witness its ultimate toll. Loss of muscle mass is often an underlying reason many end up there and remain dependent on others.

We are going to age, all of us. We are going to get old. Yet with regular activity — particularly resistance exercise — we really can apply the brakes. To a large extent, we can keep sarcopenia at bay. With good nutrition and resistance training, there is a good chance of retaining an essential degree of strength and fitness right up to the end of life.

On the other hand, poor eating habits and a do nothing lifestyle will greatly accelerate our decline. The choice is ours. It’s a great life. Make a great choice. Get a barbell, dumbbells, a kettlebell, or resistance bands. Give sarcopenia a good, swift kick. It’s one of the best gifts you can give to yourself and your family.

Stay healthy. Stay fit.

Logan

Senior Exercise Central

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Sincerely,

Logan Franklin
The Gray Iron Fitness Newsletter
www.senior-exercise-central.com