Are older men taking control of their health? It certainly seems so. And older men aren't letting anything hold them back. I'll be honest, even I was really impressed. It seems like over the years older men have been investing in their health increasingly more. And with the rise of social media, you can clearly see it. And these men aren't afraid to flaunt just how good they look.
I remember scrolling through the pages of social media a few short years back and looking just being amazed at how men seemed to be taking care of themselves. Not just in their diets but really hitting the gym. They weren't your typical 20- or 30-year-olds either. It seems more and more men over 40 are putting younger men to shame and they're looking good doing it.
All I could say is my mind was just blown. Even I was saying to myself that I need to start going to the gym. I've got a lot of catching up to do. I decided though to do a little investigating and find out what was going on. I was curious as to why men were becoming more aware of their bodies and their health.
I'm scanning through the pages of social media and the web, to try and figure out what's going on and why so many older men are getting themselves in shape. Any more men are become more conscious of their overall health and want to start taking better care of their bodies. Looking through the pages of social media, it seems to be never ending. Men are hitting the gyms like never before it seems. And they are putting social media on notice. And they've got the pictures to prove it.
But on my search to find out why men over a certain age; 40 mainly; are looking so fit I came across a YouTube video by Sandra Okeke. She was talking about how women view men over 45 who work out differently than men over 45 who don't work out. There does seem to be a difference. There's 45 and old, and there's 45 and looking fit. And those men who work out and take care of themselves are looking pretty good.
Sandra goes on to say, and I agree with her, that it's not just the look, it's also on psychological level as well. And I completely agree. Seeing these men, it's not just that they look great, but it's the way that they seem to carry themselves, the confidence that comes through is incredible. And more people especially women are taking notice.
In this media crazy world, men over 40 who are taking fitness and health more serious, are standing out from the crowd. They just naturally look better and that's a plus. As you get old appearances change. And when a person isn't taking care of themselves you can tell, they look worn down as they get older, but men who are in shape seem to have new life shooting through their veins, people take notice.
And an interesting fact here, men that do continue to work out and take care of themselves can maintain testosterone and muscle mass longer. But as men age it is natural to lose testosterone and muscle mass. As we age we do tend to lose 3% to 5% muscle mass. But with good nutrition and exercise this can lessen the loss.
But can men still build muscle especially as they are getting older? Yes, they can. In fact, there are many studies out there that do show men can still preserve muscle mass and even build it through strength training and resistance exercises. Strength training can be very beneficial as we get older.
Looking through the pages of social media it's great to see men embracing their bodies and taking care of themselves. One man who I ran into greatly impressed me. His name is Marcelo Bonelli – Personal Trainer, specializing in men over 50. You can check him out on Instagram at @marcelo.bonelli. He is one of the many men out there that I'm just blown away by. At 61 years old himself, he is enjoying life and looking fantastic. Nothing is slowing him down.
But I do have to wonder, is there some secret? I don't believe so. I believe it comes from taking care of yourself and staying fit. Everyone can definitely learn a few things from this older generation. And it's not just social media that's taking notice. Men's Health, HHS, the Guardian, and others are talking about men's health and how they can stay fit.