You are likely to be busy. You have a life anchored in your family, your career, your home. You have routines, obligations and you have the energy to perform. This all keeps you reasonably fit and burning calories.
But molecular things are happening and it is now that you should be laying the foundation for good ageing later in life while you do have this natural energy.
First up you have been losing muscle since age 30 at about 1% a year, but it accelerates from age 50. (Roubenoff, 2003).
This is called sarcopenia (or muscle atrophy) which is the progressive and age-related loss of skeletal muscle mass and strength, caused by the reduction in the size and number of muscle fibers.
Your body also becomes less efficient in producing the protein you need to grow and repair muscle. Changing female and male hormones will also be impacting muscles.
This decline in your muscle strength impacts your balance and coordination subtly. Because of this, as you advance towards 60 and without realising, you will be moving less, and you will be less physically confident.
Your skin is the most obvious area of ageing. It is becoming less elastic; wrinkles, sagging and dryness start being more noticeable.
Collagen and elastin, the proteins that provide your skin structure and elasticity, decrease, leading to a loss of skin volume, particularly around your cheeks, jawline, and temples.
Your skin also produces less oil, resulting in dryness, a duller appearance, and increased sensitivity.
Your rate of skin cell production slows down, causing your skin to appear thinner and more fragile. Menopause can also deplete estrogen, which impacts collagen, elastin, and hyaluronic acid levels.
Your smaller blood vessels can also break more easily, causing visible redness and bruising.
But healthy eating, with good fats, antioxidants and adequate hydration (drinking more water) can support your skin health from the inside.
In summary, between the ages of 50 and 60, the very best thing you can do is to invest in exercise to hold back the loss of muscle across your whole body. Also make a big effort to maintain your flexibility, which will support your confidence, balance and coordination.
This activity doesn’t need to be intensive weights floor programs at the gym. In fact this can be dangerous unless you ease into high intensity very slowly. Walking, gardening, jogging, floor programs and some weights can achieve a lot, along with a busy life. And a good diet.
And drink water.
