"Active Aging" is Weak. Age Aggressively.

When my parents were alive they lived in Ocala, FL, in a gated, 55+ community, of which there were many to choose from in the area. On the way down FL 200 toward their neighborhood there were many billboards in soft focus with older people in bad workout gear with towels around their necks.  Some were holding the pastel colored-dumbbells from the discount rack at Dick's, some were on bicycles, and some were just walking.  Other billboards had photos of seniors playing golf and tennis with pristine outfits and perfect smiles. The message of these billboards is pretty straightforward: come to our community and you'll get fit by simply being more active. This is complete bullshit.  If you show up over 55 and unfit, you will never get fit simply by engaging in those activities.  Staying fit as you age means aggressive action, not activity. If you want to play golf and tennis, that's fine, but be a beast on the court and the course, not just a participant who can't wait to get to the 19th puka and knock back some cold ones.

Here are the facts. A man will lose one-third of his skeletal muscle mass between ages 50 and 80 unless he takes action to prevent it.  Let me translate: you need to lift some damn weights or you will eventually look like a pear. Why? Because you don't lose one-third of your body weight during that time, you simply lose the muscle. You gain adipose fat in it's place, which is often referred to as the "middle aged spread' or the "Dad bod".  Some people think that's funny or cute, which is why there are so many fat-assed men on TV and in commercials. But I think it's ridiculous to simply accept something happen "actively" when you can prevent it "aggressively".

Resistance training will help you retain more of your lean muscle. This will allow you to store more energy in skeletal muscle and less as adipose fat. It will also increase your metabolism.  Just as important as the physiological impacts are the psychological impacts.  You're self-confidence will soar and you will have a better overall level of vitality.

Get aggressive in your training as you age and don't accept the "reality" of a body and mind that will regress. Age like a badass, not a wimp.