Walking alone won’t save your Health - Tricks for Graceful Ageing

Most people assume walking is enough. That a daily 5K or 10K walk will keep you healthy for life.

It won’t. We Indians have become obsessed with cardio. Walk, walk, walk... as our disposable income rises, we're literally becoming a "nation of Johnny Walkers."

When you walk and come back to eat more carbs, more rotis, with barely any protein - you're actually burning through your precious muscle mass.

Your muscles are the largest consumers of sugar and fat in your body. They're your mobility engine. Without sufficient muscle, how will you move confidently as you age?

This is exactly what I see happening - older people start restricting their mobility, losing confidence and strength.

But it doesn't have to be this way. My parents, mid-70s, pack their bags every 2-3 weeks for international trips.

Two simple things they've done consistently for 25 years:

First - Gym training 2-3 days a week. Not casual walking. Real resistance training. Building and maintaining muscle mass when everyone around them was saying "you're too old for that."

Second - High protein intake (yes, even as vegetarians). While their friends were eating more rice and rotis with age, my parents did the opposite. Less food overall, but dramatically more protein per meal.

I've watched them eat less food overall but consume more and more protein over the years.

That's wisdom - muscle retention first, then building more.

I'm not saying stop walking. I'm saying stop ignoring your muscles.

Your 70-year-old self will thank you for the weights you lift today.

P.S. Are you building muscle or just burning calories?

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Courtesy: Dr. Malhar Ganla