Because many people 50 years or older have at least one chronic health condition that in many cases could be improved with physical activity. Left unchecked, an enevitable decline ensues where up to half of women aged 70-80 report having difficulty with walking, climbing stairs and performing general housework.

These are alarming stats to say the least but why does this have to happen?

Once adults pass their physical prime in their teens and 20’s, they lose an average of 10 ounces of lean body mass per year. This loss is mostly muscle tissue. What’s worse is that this loss of functional tissue is accompanied by an average gain in body fat of 1 pound and 10 ounces. This results in a 1 pound gain of body fat per year that starts in your 30’s and continues well into your 70’s.

Not a pretty picture is it?

This process is more insidious and crippling than  osteoporosis  yet few people notice it until the experience impairment in daily living and ultimately lose their independence  This gradual muscle loss is NOT an inevitable consequence of aging but an inevitable consequence of disuse.

And it actually get’s much worse

The price of inactivity goes well beyond muscle loss.  It sets the stage for in a downward spiral of function and an increased likelihood of experiencing: high blood pressure, heart disease, obesity, premature death,  diabetes,  depression,  stroke,  back pain,  mental illness, osteoporosis,  joint pain, fractures and falling. Falling is the sixth leading cause of death among those over 65.