Muscles are the powerhouse of movement.
They are also central to maintaining your metabolism, your mood, your bone health, your brain health, and your overall quality of life! Science tells us that understanding the benefits of what you do yields greater results. This is the intersection of psychology and physiology, which is a personal passion. Read on to better understand the benefits of maintaining your muscles, and why it is the most important thing to do as you age.
Aside from stability and general mobility, muscles have some lesser-known benefits. Skeletal muscles are highly metabolically active tissues that require extra energy even at rest. As a result, having a higher proportion of lean muscle mass can increase resting metabolic rate, and the number of calories burned at rest. This means that more muscle mass creates a higher metabolic rate, making it easier to maintain healthy body weight or achieve weight loss goals.
Regulating your metabolism has so many side benefits! Feeling better is just one of them. Strong muscles play a critical role in maintaining healthy bones. Through the mechanical stress placed on bones during muscle contractions, muscles help stimulate bone remodeling and encourage the deposition of new bone tissue. No one wants to be frail, and focusing on strength training is a path away from frailty.
Not only are they more metabolically active, but muscles are also important regulators of blood glucose levels. This means they help to regulate your blood sugar, something that matters for longterm health. During exercise, muscle contractions stimulate glucose uptake from the bloodstream, reducing blood sugar levels. Regular exercise can improve insulin sensitivity, which is crucial for preventing or managing conditions such as type 2 diabetes.
One of my favorite effects of muscle building is the impact on emotions. Contracting your muscles can improve your mood in part because they are an endocrine organ. This means that muscles release hormones (chemical messengers) that affect your brain in positive ways when exercising! Physical activity stimulates the release of endorphins, often referred to as "feel-good" hormones, which can reduce feelings of stress, anxiety, and depression. There is a particular hormone, Irisin, that has been dubbed "the molecule of hope" that is released during exercise, directly from the working muscles to the brain! * Additionally, maintaining an active lifestyle and strong muscles can enhance self-esteem, body image, and overall confidence, leading to a more positive outlook on life.
Muscles are more than just bulging biceps or chiseled abs. Strong muscles also contribute to healthy aging by improving cardiovascular health, enhancing respiratory function, and supporting overall vitality. They are integral to our health and well-being. From providing strength and moblity to improving metabolic health, bone density, and mental well-being, muscles offer a wide range of benefits. No matter what your past relationship to strength training, it deserves a primary focus in your life. Regular exercise, including resistance training is the path to optimizing muscle health and reaping the rewards of a stronger, healthier body that supports a fulfilling and active life. So let's flex our muscles, not just for the mirror, but for the incredible health benefits they bring.
If you would like to join me at Marcy Luna Fitness, in one of my many fitness programs, you get the added benefits of a professionally designed program and instruction. We are better together!
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