Donnie Moreland
Staff Writer
Aging is inevitable. No one truly wants to accept their own mortality or the loss of their vigor and vitality. Our skin begins to lull, our hair grey's, our motor skills begin to dissipate and the battle to maintain our hormone levels becomes ever so frustrating. For men, the fact that we both, lose sexual vigor and muscle mass, almost simultaneously can be quite depressing. And while the discussion about sexuality is important, let's talk about maintaining that physique that will keep our significant others and peers impressed even when nature begins to take its toll.
Power of Protein
First rule of thumb, the key to physical maintenance doesn't begin in the weight room, it begins in the kitchen. We all can agree that protein deficiency is the number one killer of significant muscle gains, but as we age our bodies may respond differently to that nightly protein shake. The body will require more natural means of muscle retention, so instead of sipping on processed protein concentrates, your body will require some grilled tilapia, broiled chicken breast, unsalted nut, fat-free milk and eggs. In that the male body loses 1 to 2 percent of muscle per year, after the age of 50, the body may require a more substantial intake of proteins simply to retain muscle mass. So be sure to include 90-100 grams of protein daily in your dietary intake.
Stretching
The body will inevitably need more exercise if it is to function optimally as we age. Subsequently, more explosive exercises and heavier weights are needed if we want to maintain our physiques past the age of 50. However, what many will fail to realize is the importance of stretching. Intense stretching sessions of 5 to 10 minutes, before and after a workout will help what is called the fascia, or in layman's terms, the tissue holding muscles in place. By allowing these connected tissues to open, we are exploiting muscle growth by allowing the muscles to expand. While, growth of the muscle may be stagnated by testosterone depletion in later years, the function of the muscles can be protected and improved by simply stretching on consistent bases.
The body is a powerful machine. But, like any powerful contraption, constant care is required to protect it from the greatest enemy it recognizes: Time. Of course, there are more ways to maintain your physique, than those listed here, but the most relevant response is to experiment with ideas. Because experimentation is what built those muscles when we were 17 and experimentation is what will maintain them when we are 71.
