Who doesn’t want more strength and energy?
Abbott partnered with influencers such as me for its Ensure Program. As part of this Program, I received compensation for my time—but the thoughts and opinions are my own.
I’m a Mom! What’s your Superpower?
When Superpowers aren’t enough…
I turn 55 this year. Gulp! It’s an exciting time for me. My last two children just graduated, Walt is retiring, we have trips to NYC and Iceland planned! As I contemplate all these new milestones, I often feel tired along with the excitement.
While being a MOM is a superpower all in itself, I worry sometimes if I will have enough energy to get my luggage through the airport, to tackle the hiking planned for the Iceland trip, to keep up with Walt when he is home more. At moments, I don’t feel as strong or as energized as I did in the past. It’s scary to think I am aging…
Did you know that according to a new survey by Abbott/AARP, while 85% of Americans 50+ believe they are in good health, that one in two reported that they wished they had more strength and/or energy to participate in activities they enjoy?
Nutrition and exercise can give adults 50+ strength and energy
Aerial Yoga Studio, Om Factory, NYC
Recently, I attended an event in New York City hosted by Abbott/Ensure. We participated in a beginning Aerial Yoga class at Om Factory. What the heck is aerial yoga? Students learn how to balance using the fabric as support, flip in the air, and position the hammock in the right spot to not lose their lunch in down dog. This class also helps students gain body awareness and comfort in supported inversions. The point of the class in relation to the event was to illustrate muscle strengthening alternatives. What struck me was the role that the lack of the RIGHT kind of exercise can play in muscle loss.
Here’s a video of the aerial yoga portion of the event. You know…for educational purposes (and a few laughs).
While cardio is an important element of your exercise routine, so is muscle strengthening to maintain and prevent muscle loss. In the Abbot/AARP survey of Americans 50+,
57% said cardio was their preferred exercise, but exercises geared towards rebuilding muscles – weights (24 percent) and yoga or stretching (14 percent) – were not as common.
At the Abbott/Ensure event, I tried on weights which were a physical model of what it feels like to lose muscle mass.
What can I do about loss of muscle mass?
I can assure you that I haven’t been focusing on either (cardio or muscle rebuilding). This NYC Ensure event was a wake-up call as to why I am feeling like tasks are so much more of an effort. I was encouraged to learn that at the age of 54, I can still take charge of my muscle maintenance with exercise and nutrition, and not only maintain but also build muscle.
Steps to improve loss of muscle mass:
- Incorporate muscle rebuilding and stretching (like light weight lifting and yoga) into your exercise routine. Benefits? Simple tasks such as lugging in groceries, getting out of chairs will become easier. More strenuous tasks like hiking and climbing stairs will feel normal not arduous.
- Have regular muscle health and nutrition conversations with a doctor to create a plan that includes regular exercise and good nutrition to live a healthier life. Benefits? What you don’t understand can affect your health for years to come. Understanding the facts as they work for you or for a loved one, can help 50+ be the new strong.
- Get your protein! Benefits? 62% of adults believed they get enough protein and 70% have increased their intake of high-protein foods to minimize the risk of muscle loss. Yet, only 17% said they knew 53 grams of protein is the recommended daily amount they need.
Ensure Enlive addresses “What can I do about loss of Muscle Mass?”
During the NYC Abbott/Ensure event, I learned about Ensure Enlive (and tasted yummy smoothie recipes), a new nutrition drink that helps you get the key nutrients your body needs to help you live the healthiest life possible. Yes, we all know about protein drinks, so what makes Ensure Enlive different for the 50+ crowd? Well for one, Ensure is a daily health supplement and NOT a fitness supplement.
Double fisting Ensure Enlive Smoothies (Recipes in future articles!)
Ensure Enlive comes in three flavors: vanilla, chocolate and strawberry and has 20 grams of high-quality protein and HMB to help rebuild muscle! Also, you will be glad to know it contains plant-based Omega-3 ALA for heart health; three grams of prebiotic fiber to support the digestive tract; 120 percent of the daily value of Vitamin D and 50 percent of the daily value of calcium to support strong bones; and Antioxidants like vitamins C, E and selenium to support immune function.
An extra bonus? You can include Ensure Enlive in great smoothie, lunch, snack and dinner recipes to help fill nutrition gaps you may be missing.
At the Abbott/Ensure event we sampled various smoothies made with Ensure Enlive.
Check out all the Ensure Enlive recipes HERE!
Even better? Even when a health setback occurs, whether it’s a broken bone or a hospital stay, muscles (and protein packed foods and drinks like Ensure Enlive) can be your ally to help you recover and continue on with a healthy, active life.
While at the Abbott/Ensure Event I learned about muscle loss in adults over 50. The strongest lesson I took away from the event and the related study, was that I, and many women over 50, need to start on a journey. This path will involve increasing muscle mass through employing the RIGHT kind of exercise and the right kind of nutrition.
Need more information? Visit the Ensure Enlive Site.
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