February is National Cancer Prevention Month, and World Cancer Day is February 4. It’s a good time to talk about something that doesn’t get nearly enough attention: muscle loss during cancer treatment. For many people with cancer, losing muscle affects treatment, quality of life, and outcomes. Severe muscle and weight loss, known as cancer cachexia, contributes to nearly
“Stand up straight!” “Stop slouching!” We all used to hear that as children, right? It’s even more important now, later in life. Parents might tell their kids to correct their posture more to instill pride and project confidence. But good posture is about a lot more at this stage of life. As we age, our
Your body is remarkably adaptable based on what you ask it to do. And to keep getting stronger, it needs the right kind of challenge over time. That’s the idea behind progressive overload, a principle behind strength training programs that often means increasing the amount of weight you lift, the reps, or the intensity. Exercise scientists
November is Diabetes Awareness Month, so let’s take a close look at how strength training is one of our best tools for keeping blood sugar steady and for preventing or managing Type 2 diabetes. As the American Diabetes Association (ADA) puts it, regular physical activity “makes your cells more sensitive to insulin so it works
Did you see the recent article in Time magazine headlined, Why Strength Training Is the Best Anti-Ager? It starts, “If you want to age well, you probably already know the basics: eat a balanced diet, go for walks, stay socially engaged. But there’s one habit that experts say matters just as much — and in
When it comes to resistance training, you don’t always need tons of equipment. Some powerful tools are small, simple, and inexpensive. Fitness bands have been common in physical therapy offices, gyms and fitness studios for a long time. They gained popularity in homes during the pandemic. They’re still a low-cost, lightweight option for resistance training,
Phil Shipp isn’t your typical 90-year-old. Earlier this summer, he won six gold medals at a Masters track and field competition. Even more remarkable, he added muscle mass during his training, proof that it’s never too late to get stronger. Phil had been competing for years, but in the weeks leading up to nationals, he
Does the idea of “getting in shape” sound overwhelming, like just too many things to take on all at once? Lots of folks picture hours at the gym, pumping heavy iron, never eating yummy food, and basically giving up everything that makes life worth living. Who wants that? But it doesn’t take a huge leap.
It’s a question people have debated for years. If your goal is to lose fat, should you spend more time doing cardio or lifting weights? The truth is, both are important — and they work best together. Cardio burns calories while you’re moving. Walking, cycling, or swimming all torch energy in the moment and improve heart and
Here are some of the questions we’re most frequently asked about exercise and fitness after 50. Q: Do non-athlete adults over 50 really need to lift weights? It seems kind of ridiculous. A: Yes, you do – and no, it’s not ridiculous! Muscle loss begins in our 30s and speeds up with age. Without resistance