Muscle is the Longevity Organ: Why Women Need to Build and Keep Muscle.

When you hear the word "longevity," what comes to mind? Living a long, fulfilling life? Enjoying health and vitality well into your later years? What if I told you the key to that kind of life isn't just about eating right and staying active- it's about building and maintaining skeletal muscle.

Yes, muscle is the true longevity organ. And it's time we normalize having muscle, especially for women.

Why? Because muscle means more than looking toned. It means thriving. It means moving freely.

The Evidence is Clear: Muscle Saves Lives

Studies consistently show that women with healthy muscle mass live healthier, more resilient lives. It's not just about strength. it's about metabolic health, mobility, independence, and resistance to disease. And most importantly, it's about locomotion- our bodies ability to move and function well.

The Science Backs it up:

1. Reduced All-Cause Mortality

• A groundbreaking study published in The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism revealed that higher muscle mass was linked to significantly lower mortality rates. Muscle isn't just for aesthetics- it's for life itself.

2. Improved Metabolic Health

• Muscle is a powerhouse for regulating blood sugar and improving insulin sensitivity. Since muscle tissue consumes glucose, it protects against conditions like Type 2 Diabetes.

• Increased muscle mass is also associated with better cholesterol profiles and reduced cardiovascular risk.

3. Enhanced Mobility, Function, and Locomotion

• Muscle supports joints, strengthens bones, and improves balance, drastically reducing the risk of falls and fractures as we age.

• Maintaining muscle is critical for locomotion- the ability to walk, climb stairs, stand up from a chair, or bend down to pick something up.

• According to the Age and Ageing Journal, muscle mass naturally decreases by about 3-8% per decade after 30. Resistance training is the only proven method to slow or reverse this decline.

4. Age- Related Muscle Loss (Sarcopenia)

• If unaddressed, muscle loss can contribute to weakness, frailty, reduced locomotion, and loss of independence. Age is not a limitation; muscle can be rebuilt at any age.

But this isn't just about studies. It's about real women changing their lives by embracing strength training- building muscle and confidence simultaneously.

The Spiritual Aspect: Stewardship and Strength

As a Christian woman, I see building muscle as part of my calling to steward my body well. The Bible says:

1 Corinthians 6:19-20 (NIV)

"Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own, you were bought at a price. Therefore, honor God with your bodies."

Building muscle isn't vanity. It's honoring God by taking care of the vessel He gave me. It's preparing myself to serve others and to live a life of physical, mental, and spiritual resilience. God designed our bodies with the capacity for strength and locomotion. He made us capable of building resilience.

So, why are so many women avoiding muscle building? I think, it's because it hasn't been normalized and there is a lack of female role models. It's time to change that.

Let's redefine what it means to be strong.

• Muscle is strength, but also freedom.

• Muscle is health, but also capability.

• Muscle is power, but also resilience.

Muscle is movement, and movement is medicine. Having muscle should be celebrated, not shamed. Having muscle should be encouraged, not hidden. When we build muscle, we build capacity. And when we build capacity, we can carry the loads of life more effectively- without pain, without breaking down. And most importantly, with better movement and freedom.

You don't need to be an athlete to begin, and you don't need to lose weight before you begin. You don't need a new pair of shoes or new outfit to start. You won't look like a bodybuilder (I promise) You just have to be willing to build. Because muscle is the longevity organ, and your journey toward a Spectacular Life starts with strength and movement.

Ladies let's redefine what it means to age gracefully. Let's honor God by building strong, healthy bodies that can carry the loads of life with joy and purpose. And let's never forget that strength isn't just about lifting weights- it's about moving through life freely, powerfully and with Purpose.

If you want to start, but are unsure how, book a call with me. I'd love to chat with you.

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