Are you standing tall, dressed for success and looking your best from head to toe? But wait, look again, one last check before you are ready to go. This time take a really good look in the mirror – do you like what you see?

Give yourself the test. Stretch out your arms horizontally, shoulder height and shake them. Do you have muscles that wave or sag? Those muscles are your triceps. Now using your thumb and index fingers pinch that muscle, does it feel loose? How about your waist, can you grab and fold it; Next take a good look at your buttock, is there some sagging going on with it too. 

Perhaps you are a victim of sarcopenia. This is a term used to describe the natural loss of muscle mass and strength that happens with getting older. Sarcopenia is one of the major reasons older people have problems achieving the same physical tasks as they did when they were younger.  

Starting around age 25 physically inactive people lose about a half pound of lean muscle mass every year. Lean muscle mass continues to decline approaching age 60. Typically after 60 the loss doubles, and doubles again every 10 years.  

Ring, ring, ring – this is a wake up call, if you are over 25, then it is time to lift, nip and tuck.

Unless you want to look like a portrait painted by Salvador Dali, then you should begin with exercises that work toward reversing some of the muscle mass loss caused by aging.  

If you haven’t exercised for a while start with walking until you can do some weight lifting and then add some kind of activity, as recommended by doctors Oz and Roizen (The Owner’s Manual).  

Living Healthy Tips 1. Exercise – again start slow if necessary a. it improves balance, coordination and circulation b. stretching before exercise prepares the joints for motion, it helps avoid injury c. stretching after exercise reduces soreness, it helps prevent muscle cramping d. do not bounce 2. Perform strength training exercises 2-3 times a week for 20 minutes a. maintenance of muscle tone helps with weight control b. increases muscle strength to perform daily task with less effort and longer endurance 3. Proper nutritional supplementation including protein a. calcium b. vitamin D and Magnesium c. omega - 3 fatty acids d. vitamin C 4. Stand up straight and suck in your gut a. practice good posture