Preparing for the most challenging decade of your life!

During the first Fall Prevention 101 workshop of the year at Lutheran Good Shepherd Church in Sacramento, I was explaining the phenomena known as 'sarcopenia'; the natural loss of muscle mass exasperated with inactivity and age.  That "Sarcopenia" starts when we are in our thirties, increases significantly during our sixties and by the time we reach the eighties, we can lose as much as fifty percent of muscle mass in the ten years ahead.

As I explained, one gentleman at the front table corrected me when I said, "...by the time we reach the eighth decade of life, referring to the eighties (80-89),   a person can lose as much as 50% muscle mass just living life.  He pointed out that the eighties are the ninth decade of life and not the eighth!!!  We all laughed as I continued.  I truly appreciated this correction and have made a mental note to myself which I will never forget.

I want you to never forget the term, "USE IT OR LOSE IT".  According to the law of evolution, we naturally lose muscle mass as part of the aging process.  Choosing to live a sedentary lifestyle (aka, not building strength with regular resistance training) quickens muscle loss.   Think about it for a second; a two-week hospital stay when you're in your thirties isn't going to cause nearly as much weakness and muscle loss as when you're in your eighties, or as I now know, the ninth decade of life!!!!

The eighties or ninth decade of life is the most critical for building strength and being proactive about your health and wellness.  The reason?  I believe this is true due to the long-term consequences of years and years of unhealthy lifestyle choices.  The cumulation of choices (i.e., not being active, eating junk food, and sitting on the couch) take a tremendous toll on the body and physcial impact is evident in poor movement patterns.  The result; imbalance, weakness, stiffness and increased risk of falls.

Can sarcopenia be reversed?  Can it be delayed?  There are studies that show that yes, sarcopenia can be slowed down by engaging in a consistent exercise routine and nutritional support designed to increase strength, improve flexibility, challenge balance and exercise postural muscles.  The human body was made to be in motion; movement is life.

Let's keep it moving~

The Fall Prevention Lady
"Movement Re-Educator
www.thefallpreventionlady.com