Newsletter

Quote: “In order to be wealthy, you must be healthy”

This month's topic: I used to be a size 'x', why not anymore?

Age is a large contributing factor to an increase in stored body fat. Many people seem to be surprised that what they could do when they were 20/30 is not so easily achieved at 40, 50 or 60+. Physiological changes rapidly progress as we age such as an increase in body fat, lose of skin elasticity (tightness of skin) lose of muscle tissue (helps speed up metabolism) balance, coordination, speed, and cardiovascular endurance. This does not mean one cannot improve on any or all of these variables but not with the same ease one does at a younger age. For e.g. it is very common for a person in their younger years to achieve a certain body type with x amount of effort with diet and exercise and in rare cases little to no effort. Now that same person, as they age, will not have the same body from the same minimal input of effort it is just simple Mother Nature. That does not mean one cannot still achieve weight loss and a desirable physique, THEY MOST CERTAINLY CAN. But now the equation may change instead of 1 + 1 = 2 they may have to do twice if not 3-4x as better/much to achieve the same outcome, through proper eating and regular exercise. In layman's terms, as we get older if we want the same results we sometimes cannot be as lax as when we were younger. For a lot of us this reality is hard to grasp or accept.

Remember too; do not compare apples to oranges! For e.g. Genetics plays a factor in our body just as some people are 5 feet tall and some people are 6 feet tall. Genes is not an excuse for saying I can not lose weight but it is a valid and physiological justification for saying in order for me to achieve x results I have to do abc, where as John/Jane Doe is blessed with a different genetics and only has to do ab or a to achieve x. Gender is another comparison you want to be careful with. When comparing men and women, men have higher lean muscle tissue than women, which translates to less fat on average. Women of the age of 56 + should aim for a healthy body fat of 25-38%, below the age of 56 12-38%. Men 56+ 10-25% under 5-25% Nobody said the rules of weight lose would be fair. If you can accept how the variables of ABC work for you, you will get x for your results.  Stay positive, have fun, be consistent, workout regularly, eat properly and you will achieve life long fitness.

By: J. D. Reber M.S. & B.S. Exercise Science, CSCS &  NASM- CFT

Reference: American College of Sports Medicine 3rd Ed, 1998

Motivational support 

You can always make excuses to rationalize why you can't exercise but the truth is, you can't afford NOT to exercise. Set aside a specific time a few times a week if you are just starting and commit to that time like your life depends on it,because your life truly does depend on it!! You will enjoy a happier, richer, longer and improved quality of life because you eat healthy and exercise.

Remember, eat healthy and live wealthy!

Personal training in Lenox, MA