Muscle Loss and Age

[Jibralta]

I'm not sure what I'm looking for by posting here. Maybe commiseration.

I've lost some strength as I've gotten older. Time goes by faster now, and I don't properly sense how long my periods of inactivity are. Sometimes life gets very busy, and I have to sacrifice the gym routine to accommodate. Within a month of inactivity, I can feel my muscles disappear. Its so creepy.

I feel best when I am in a weight-lifting routine. But when I don't have time to plan, I just spend my time on the treadmill. That's when the muscle loss happens. Now that I am pushing 40, muscle loss actually changes the shape of my body. It's a little scary! It's only a little scary because I am still convinced that I will spring back into shape when I start lifting again next month. But what if that doesn't happen? I guess it will become full scary at that point.

It's been four months since I've lifted weights. It's been four years since I've ridden a horse. A lot of people I know don't consider horseback riding to be a strength-building activity, but it is! it's an awesome core workout, and it works wonder for the legs and butt. I hate to see all of that fading away.

I want my body back!!!!!!!!


Wahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh

[~Seraphim ~]

I didn't notice loss of strength at 40 but I sure am a few months before 50. I think a lot of it is due to my arthritis. I don't have enough strength in my hands to even open a can or bottle but I can still lift stuff like a moose . I think that is muscle left from my military days and the fact I lift toddlers and infants all day long.

[Jibralta]

I think that is muscle left from my military days and the fact I lift toddlers and infants all day long.

Yeah, I bet that helps.

When I do strength training exercises, it comes back pretty fast. But when I am not doing strength exercises (these last four months), it goes away. I don't remember that happening before.

I've always had good, solid muscle and I've always felt strong. Until lately. It happened so gradually that I didn't notice at first. I just feel a lot softer these days. It's kind of getting to me.

I guess a greater level of maintenance is in order for me.

[~Seraphim ~]

About 45 you will notice age starting to creep up. Both my brother and my husband who are religious gym and sports rats have noticed age starting on the body then. And me too.

[Jibralta]

Noooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo

[~Seraphim ~]

I noticed an energy shift after menopause started. But I started at 43 and now I am post menopausal almost 3 years.

[Jibralta]

I forgot all about menopause.

Now I'm laughing.

Sh t.

[~Seraphim ~]

I started early though. 43 is early. I have a whole 5 years in my journal where I sound psycho... Lol.

[cristal]

Muscle loss is pretty rapid after not working out for an even short period of time. I have not worked out for 2 weeks (gym was closed for annual cleaning) and I could feel my pants fitting a little loose in my thigh area. I do a lot of squats and other strength training exercise and I am now in pain this week, from not working out for the past two weeks. The pain is a result of me not using those muscles.

So yes, once those muscles are not in use they seem to shrink, and hence the muscle loss. The way to combat it is to get back in the gym, or get back on the horse...so to speak and continue to try to build up from where you left off, albeit slower. It takes sometime to work up to the level...or close to where you once was.

Determination and passion will get you there.

[thejigsup]

I just turned 60. The 50s look cute next to this. In my 20s, I was that chick who rocked the tiniest of bikini's at the beach. I was a gym rat with a body like a greyhound. Now I more closely resemble a basset hound. I love being older, though. All those worries and insecurities have vanished and I love myself and my life much more. It's a trade off.