Age and Metabolism

I haven't written about fitness for a while, so here goes. Below is an excerpt from the website of Clarence Bass. Mr Bass (pictured here at age 69) is agruably the world's best example of keeping an outstanding physique in the later years of life.

Below is an article which deals with a common myth--the belief that metabolism slows down because of age. According to his research, it is only a myth!

The article randomly quotes age 35 (others complain of metabolism problems at age 25 or 30). Sadly, I see many people in terrible shape by their early 20's. I understand that genetics, medical conditions, and many other uncontrollable factors can influence the shape we are in. The truth, however, is that many people people experience physical decline simply due to physical inactivity.

Bass' article was written for a Western audience, but I think Filipinos and others would benefit from reading it--especially those of us who live in urban environments where we don't get enough exercise:

You've heard people say it, maybe you've even said it yourself: "At about 35 my metabolism slowed down, and the fat started to accumulate." The clear inference is that a slowing of metabolism is inevitable, like night follows day. That's simply not true. Men and women, on average, do suffer from creeping obesity; in the Western world, the average 35-year-old male gains about a pound of fat each year until the sixth decade of life. Women often gain proportionately more. The reason, however, is not an aging metabolism. . . .

Read the whole article HERE.