After age 40, we lose on average 8 percent of our muscle mass every decade, and this phenomenon continues to accelerate at an even faster rate after age 60. Studies show that this loss of muscle hastens the onset of diseases, limits mobility, and is linked to premature death.
One of the worst parts about losing muscle as we age is that we also get fatter. The average person gains about a pound of fat a year in middle age. That means that our bodies undergo a striking change in composition, with muscle melting away and fat creeping in to take its place
This reshaping of the body reduces our metabolic rate because muscle is more metabolically active than fat – causing things to get worse and worse.We already have plenty of evidence that weight training can help us to age well. Start resistance training.
