Turning Back the Clock with Exercise

Turning Back the Clock with Exercise

It’s inevitable, whether we like it or not, every single one of us will age. Our bodies will wear out, our skin will sag and our minds will become less and less sharp over time.   However, have you ever noticed that some people age much better than others?  And although some of this has to do with our genes, much more of it can be attributed to lifestyle habits.  In general, most people notice an increase in the signs of aging around 30.  Increased fatigue, gradual loss of mental acuteness, increased stiffness in the joints, sagging skin, loss of bone density, loss of muscle mass and a slowed metabolism are just to name a few. 

However, again and again regular exercise has been proven to slow the aging process, and in many instances, actually reverses signs of aging, even after years of being sedentary. 

Here’s how just a few of the signs of aging are directly affected by exercise:

Increased fatigue  - Time and time again, research suggests that exercise, although it would seem counterintuitive, actually gives the body and brain more energy in the long run. Regular activity increases the level of endorphins that your body releases, and provides euphoric feelings that last long after the exercise is over. 

Loss of mental acuteness – Exercise improves circulation throughout the body. Recent research demonstrates that cognitive function is greatly improved after only 10 minutes of aerobic exercise. 

Increased stiffness in joints – Arthritis and Osteoarthritis are the most common reasons for joint pain and stiffness in middle-aged to elderly adults.  One of the best treatments in relieving the symptoms of these diseases is physical activity, as improving flexibility, joint strength and range of motion will help manage recurring pain and will promote mobility.

Sagging skin – Exercise increases blood circulation and invigorates the skin by supplying more oxygen to the skin cells, giving you a youthful glow.

Loss of bone density – At 35, boss mass density peaks.  Every year after that, our bones weaken and become less dense with age, and we become more and more susceptible osteoporosis.  Load-bearing exercises, such as weight lifting, help stimulate the cells to produce more bone, directly reversing the aging process of your skeletal structure.

Loss of muscle mass – After the age of 30, we lose nearly 1% of our muscle mass every year.  Without strength training, everyday activities such as climbing stairs, shovelling snow and even taking out the garbage would require assistance and could leave us dependant on others for help.  By adding resistance training to your weekly routine, you can easily increase your strength and improve your muscle mass, reversing the aging of your muscles.

Slowed metabolism – It’s a hard fact to swallow, but as we age, it becomes harder and harder to keep the weight off without a lot of extra effort.  However, by keeping variety in your workouts, confusing your muscles, and making resistance training a large part of your exercise routine, you can keep your metabolism revved and youthful.

We are all human, and whether we like it or not, every single one of us will age.  However, the rate at which we age can be greatly manipulated and controlled with exercise.  Do not go gentle into that goodnight! Fight the aging process with exercise.

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