Did you know that you can reverse and control aging with intense weight workouts? Ok, maybe we can’t get rid of grey hair or crow’s feet around our eyes. But we can have a strong and vigorous body, even better than we had in our 30s.
They say that getting and staying in shape after 40 is the new midlife crisis. I don’t know about you, but I say, it’s a good thing. Working out and especially, lifting weights, is not just an investment in how your body looks but also how you feel.
Women often overlook weight training for the fear of “bulking up”, but gaining muscle is not an easy feat. You will never accidentally get too muscular. That’s like saying if you drive your car, you may accidentally become a race car driver.
Instead, weightlifting will help you lose belly fat, improve bone density, and increase energy, all while also making you look and feel younger. And, for those who are aging—and, let’s be honest, who isn’t? —regular strength training can help prevent sarcopenia, the gradual and natural loss of lean muscle mass.
Researchers who study DNA found that those who exercise regularly have telomeres that look at least 10 years younger than those who don’t exercise. And on the outside, those who work out and lift weights, look better:
Leaner, Fitter Appearance – weight lifting gives our muscles shape and changes the way our bodies look, making them look toned and younger.
Stronger Muscles — stronger muscles have an important effect on increasing health span which can have an important effect on increasing life span. For example, if we can remain strong in the years going forward, then our risk of disability is greatly reduced. Also improved muscularity is associated with improved biomarkers including insulin sensitivity.
Improved Skin Tone – more muscle and less fat means tight and elastic skin and post-workout glow.
More Energy – weight training affects your brain and gives you more energy.
Gene Expression – intense resistance training has been shown to return gene expression to youthful levels by reversing oxidative stress.
Better Posture – youth is associated with a strong spine; strengthening our upper back muscles improves posture giving us a youthful appearance.
A Mayo Clinic study author concluded after conducting a study on muscle cell adaptations of younger and older individuals as a relation to different types of exercise: “Based on everything we know, there’s no substitute for these exercise programs when it comes to delaying the aging process. These things we are seeing cannot be done by any medicine. Exercise is critically important to prevent or delay aging.”
So what are you waiting for?
![Lean athletic woman using a kettlebell to exercise](https://debmcknight.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/ReverseAging.png)