Hacker News Board Hacker News, browsed like a classic message board
Live data from Hacker News

Preventing Muscle Loss as We Age

nytimes.com

Post reply on HN
Print view View original

201–210 of 334 posts

Re: Preventing Muscle Loss as We Age

#201

Post by dahart »

lifting_throw wrote: post #150
matwood wrote: post #33

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Most people have no idea I'm 41, and instead think I'm in my 30s. Balding and grey hair show I'm not in my 20s ;) My 'secret' is I workout every single day . I might do heavy weight training, sled pushing, surfing, or a spin class. It doesn't matter as long as I do something physically challenging. I also follow an 80/20 rule on eating paleo-ish. Mainly I try to avoid processed foods, but I'll still eat a pizza or go…

Some folks are able to lift heavy weights frequently, and that's awesome. I'm jealous. But here's a comment directed at people who've tried that and hurt themselves. For years I tried to lift heavy. Big compound barbell lifts. In my early 20s it was OK, but by 30 I started hurting myself. I always warmed up fully, but kept tearing things. I tried eating more, eating better, more recovery, everything I could think of.…

I've had to start doing the same after turning 40, more 20-30 rep sets, no more 5 reps. I just ended up injuring myself too many times by pushing my max too much.

The other thing that seems to help is warming up - working up instead of down. I start with lower weight and work up to my max over several sets, rather than what I used to do, start at my max and only drop when I couldn't lift it anymore.

Re: Preventing Muscle Loss as We Age

#202

Post by close04 »

LinXitoW wrote: post #145
close04 wrote: post #135

Earlier quoted context omitted.

That's not how things work. A study can only prove something was not carcinogenic during the study. It cannot prove it's not carcinogenic [period]. The other way around works: if a study shows something was carcinogenic during the study, it proved it's carcinogenic [period]. All of this assumes properly conducted studies. On the other hand studies proved UV rays are carcinogenic [0]. Assuming knowing meat is carcinog…

That's quite the comparison, considering one of those is practically impossible to do and would have a lot of negative consequences in other areas. Whereas the other is doable (as evidenced by the existence of vegans) AND has a lot of other positive consequences (environmental, moral). Most definitions of veganism include something like "reduce suffering as far as possible and practicable". It's not absolute. Of cour…

I replied to a comment asking to "prove a negative". Either due to poor understanding of how it works or to skew the answer in their favor.

But to the point, you could wear sunscreen. But you consider that to be too much of a hassle even when risking cancer.

And no, that's not what my comparison was suggesting. What I tried to say clearly (not just suggest) is that if you live and die by studies than don't cherry pick. Don't ask for studies only when it suits you and it supports your point of view.

In the end it's mostly personal preference. No study said "moderate meat consumption will cause cancer" yet people are willing to skew the conclusions to better justify a personal choice. Just give up meat if you feel like it and use the study as additional justification if needed. Don't go waving studies to justify your choice but put them aside when they don't.

Re: Preventing Muscle Loss as We Age

#203

Post by strls »

SketchySeaBeast wrote: post #122
andy_ppp wrote: post #48

I can't recommend StrongLifts enough. https://stronglifts.com I'm up to squatting 130kg now and feeling great!

Starting Strength is another excellent program to follow and if you pick up the book it features an exhaustive description of the bio-mechanics involved in each lift (which you can skip if you just want the charts).

I didn't like SS when I tried it. It users the rep range 3-5 for the working sets as far as I remember. This makes sense as the book is strength-focused. However this is just too heavy for a casual lifter. Lifting 5RM, the form and concentration has to be very tight not to screw up. I've gotten small injuries from lifting much lighter than that. Nowadays I wouldn't even consider lifting 3RM for reps without backup - I know that will not end well.

Re: Preventing Muscle Loss as We Age

#205

Post by stochastic_monk »

rubicon33 wrote: post #119
Kirth wrote: post #85

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Did you find it hard to increase your calorie intake? This is something I've been struggling with for a while. Especially since I don't deal well with lactose getting in enough calories and protein can be a bit daunting. What are your "trick foods" that contain a good amount of calories but are good to eat?

You should know that exercising a bunch and jamming more food into your system IS NOT the "healthiest" option, if life span is your goal. Calorie restriction IS perhaps the healthiest route, if you are mainly interested in living longer. Feeling better is harder to quantify. The "TLDR" is: Exercise moderately, and find the minimal amount of calories you can consume without feeling like shit. That's the optimal balanc…

You make an interesting point. I glanced over the article and I’m curious: is weight a sufficient proxy for activity/lean body mass? The anecdata I have of athletes generally supports longevity and health, whether training strength or long distance exercise.

Re: Preventing Muscle Loss as We Age

#206

Post by randcraw »

madeuptempacct wrote: post #3

More interested in preventing this: http://social-quotient.info/sq.4mg.com/brainpower.gif Much less clear on how accomplish that. Edit: To elaborate, I know exactly what I need to do to stay physically fit into old age and how to monitor my physical fitness - I know immediately when I get winded more from my regular run, my lift numbers drop, or I can't reach my toes. The scary part is if I stop working out for more…

AFAIK nobody has a clear idea of which cognitive abilities degenerate due to normal ageing AND respond to exercise (other than N-Back helping short term memory, perhaps).

I'd start by looking at the standard components of cognition. Start with the sub-metrics in the Wechsler IQ test. See what specific mental skills you might want to maintain or improve.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wechsler_Adult_Intelligence_Sc...

Then design your own tests to assess each skill and your own mental exercises to see if you can strengthen your mental muscles. Positive feedback is your best guide, IMHO.

Re: Preventing Muscle Loss as We Age

#207

Post by jgrahamc »

caust1c wrote: post #172
jgrahamc wrote: post #102

Strength training has worked well for me. I was diagnosed with osteopenia aged 40 and was told the solution was either weird osteoporosis drugs usually given to women or strength training. I restored my bone density to well above average for my age with the three big lifts. Didn't do it to get big or shredded, but it worked.

I think you should still aim to get shredded. I can already see your new book title: "Use Make, Get Shredded!" The new security lead can help you out when you visit HQ.

Sounds good to me. I'm happy to be stronger.

Re: Preventing Muscle Loss as We Age

#208

Post by clamprecht »

zaroth wrote: post #8

Ctrl-F Testosterone - was disappoint. For approximately half of the population, supplementing testosterone into old age is a great way to maintain (and build) SMM along with that physical activity which TFA admonishes the lack of.

What are the downsides, aside from cost?

Re: Preventing Muscle Loss as We Age

#209

Post by transpy »

lysp wrote: post #14

I always like to show this picture as an example. https://i.imgur.com/ZcDedfo.jpg I don't have an original source but it shows a MRI leg scan comparison between a 40yo triathlete, a sedentary 70yo and a 70yo triathlete. The picture tells the story...

This picture made me jump out of my chair and start doing squats.

Re: Preventing Muscle Loss as We Age

#210

Post by emersonrsantos »

For me it’s bodyweight fitness (which is olympic gymnastics for newbies), following the recommended routine from the reddit /r/bodyweightfitness community, plus exercise bike every day.

Used to do weight training, the chance of injury becomes higher as you age. Also, as you add muscle mass and more training, you will need much more time to recover. Also always watch for overtraining symptoms.

Our body is the most precious thing we will ever encounter, or possess in life.

Post reply on HN