The idea of your body weight being your metric for health is an obsolete one. Your focus at any and all ages must be composition. This basically means you want as much lean muscle mass as you can possibly attain, as little visceral fat as you can healthily maintain and an average body water mass of between 55-65%.
Lean muscle mass plays a crucial role in overall health and well-being, extending far beyond just physical appearance. Understanding its significance can inspire individuals to prioritise strength training and a balanced lifestyle.
What is Lean Muscle Mass?
Lean muscle mass refers to the weight of your muscles minus the fat. It includes skeletal muscle, which is crucial for movement, and is vital for maintaining metabolic health.
Benefits of Lean Muscle Mass
Improved Metabolism: Muscle tissue burns more calories at rest compared to fat tissue. This means that individuals with higher lean muscle mass can maintain a healthier weight more easily, as their bodies naturally burn more calories throughout the day.
Enhanced Strength and Mobility: Increased muscle mass leads to improved strength, which facilitates daily activities and enhances athletic performance. This is especially important as we age, as muscle loss can lead to decreased mobility and independence.
Bone Health: Resistance training, which helps build lean muscle, also strengthens bones. This reduces the risk of osteoporosis and fractures, promoting better overall skeletal health.
Insulin Sensitivity: One of the most critical benefits of lean muscle mass is its positive impact on insulin sensitivity. Higher muscle mass improves the body's ability to utilise insulin effectively, which helps regulate blood sugar levels. This can lower the risk of developing type 2 diabetes and other metabolic disorders ie disease.
Hormonal Balance: Muscle mass influences the production of various hormones, including those related to stress, growth, and metabolism. Maintaining lean muscle can support a balanced hormonal environment, contributing to better mood and energy levels.
Improved Body Composition: Increasing lean muscle mass while reducing body fat leads to a healthier body composition. This not only enhances physical appearance but also contributes to better health markers like blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood sugar levels.
Enhanced Recovery and Resilience: More muscle mass can lead to faster recovery from injuries and surgeries, as well as increased resilience against illness.
Prioritising the development and maintenance of lean muscle mass is essential for anyone looking to improve their overall health. Incorporating strength training into your fitness routine, along with a balanced diet rich in protein, can provide numerous benefits. Not only does it enhance physical appearance, but it also fosters better metabolic health, including improved insulin sensitivity, which is vital in today's health landscape. Embracing a lifestyle and culture across both male and female populations that values muscle mass and strength is a step towards a healthier, more active life.
We at Mahi aim to destroy the misguided idea that women will get “bulky” if they lift.
It is a myth and if there is a subtle change in females when starting out on a strength program it is only because of either two reasons. You have a temporary hormonal response to the stimulus (a good thing) which will eventually regulate and result in all around better composition so keep going your just not giving the process enough time or your calorie intake went up as a result of the increased metabolism and you didn’t maintain a healthy calorie deficit so you put on weight. It is irrefutable, women must adopt a strength routine of some kind to supplement healthy aging. Composition over total body weight every time.
Ask at reception about our body composition analysis here at Mahi.
As a mahi member you get a complimentary body composition scan as you join so be sure to enquire if you haven’t had one yet. Platinum members get a complimentary scan every quarter to keep you informed of your progress.
It is important to remember that there are several factors that affect the readings of these devices so they are merely a rough guide to your current composition don’t get fixated on the numbers. With this said it would be beneficial to recreate the same conditions each and every time you scan. Scan fasted at the same time preferably in the morning (or at least the same time of day) in similar clothing etc to get the most accurate comparison.
To take composition to the next level join our body composition coach Flicks body transformation program. Let Flick guide you through the whole process of creating the healthy body composition you need to give life lasting vitality using balanced nutrition and strength coaching techniques that have seen hundreds of her clients change their lives forever.
Knowledge is power tribe and I endeavour to keep all of you informed on current and relevant health topics, what lays ahead for our tribe and all of the unique offerings at Mahi that you may not be aware of as often as I can.
Have a wonderful week and I look forward to seeing you in the club.
Much Love
The Chief

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