Remain Youthful with Strength Training

By [http://EzineArticles.com/expert/Carolyn_Hansen/194809]Carolyn Hansen

It is possible to spend thousands of dollars to have the signs of time erased from our bodies. A surgery to lift that, tuck this, a cream to do this, a pill to do that - our modern society is obsessed with youth. People still search for a magic youth potion and they will pay almost anything for a product that promises to turn back the clock.

The real Fountain of Youth is not found in facelifts, facial creams, botox or liposuction. Although these may create a temporary visual illusion of youth, underneath it is still the same old body.

However, the real fountain of youth may be closer and cost a lot less than you think.  There is something that we can all do that really does make us more "youthful." It's called vigorous exercise. It won't hold off aging forever; nothing does that, but it sure can improve the life of all those who include it in their lives.

Our bodies are made up of two basic components - lean body mass (LBM) which encompasses muscle tissue, bones, skin, heart and other organs and is the part of you that is most alive. The other component making up our body is fat.

How your body functions is to a great extent determined by its ratio of lean body mass to fat which is a very important factor in your general health and wellbeing. When for any reason, such as being inactive or sedentary, you shed lean muscle tissue your energy, your ability to fight disease, your personal appearance and the way your body performs is undermined.

This muscle tissue loss can be such a slow decrease over many years (or decades) that you may not even notice it. You awaken in midlife to find your body has lost a great deal of its tone and is flabby, and that you suffer from chronic fatigue. Unless you take an active role and do something about it the problem will only get worse.

Muscle is the key to changing your body. While fat gives your body shape, muscle is what gives you the shape you actually WANT! Strength training exercise not only tones your muscles, tightens up loose skin and boosts your endurance, but can help you lose weight and get in shape faster than any other form of exercise. It's hard to look young without good muscle tone. The shapely, well-defined bodies we covet and desire simply aren't attainable without it.

Men and women of all ages and walks of life are beginning to catch on to the enormous health benefits of having more lean body mass, including lower blood pressure and greater bone density. More lean body mass also increases the metabolism allowing your body to burn more calories and fat on a daily basis. In a nut shell, muscle is youth!

We are all looking to turn back, or at least slow down, the clock, to feel young and function youthfully regardless of our actual age. Building and maintaining strong muscles is one of the most effective ways to do so. And the formula for strong muscles couldn't be simpler: a strength training program will allow you to dip into the Fountain of Youth.

You can become trim and fit, reduce the risk of chronic disease, relieve fatigue and anxiety and regain the youthful enthusiasm and energy you need to live your life to the fullest every single day. And as the Fountain of Youth promised, you will not only feel younger you will also look younger.

Carolyn Hansen has worked in the Fitness Industry for over 30 years. Currently the co-owner of 2 Fitness Centres in Northland New Zealand. A National Champion Bodybuilder with over 25 years competition experience. Enjoys writing health and fitness articles for local newspapers and magazines. If you want a second chance to right the wrongs you have committed against your body, you can be rejuvenated. You can regain vitality, muscular strength, endurance and a higher quality of life. Go to http://www.over50looking30.com for a FREE Report "I've Found the Fountain of Youth"- Let Me Show You Too!

Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Remain-Youthful-with-Strength-Training&id=1345345] Remain Youthful with Strength Training