How to Avoid Muscle Atrophy

Step 1

The main....pretty much the only way to avoid muscular atrophy is to use the muscles...all of them. Remember that old saying, "Use it or lose it"? Well it is absolutely true.

Step 2

What most people don't realize is that your body will actually begin to break down un-used muscle tissue 2-3 days after inactivity (on a cellular level). I'm certainly not saying you should be in the gym everyday pounding every single muscle group, for as important as it is to stay active, it is equally important to have a period where your body can rest, recharge and recuperate. Do not worry about those days, for those are the days that your muscles are primed and ready for any and all nutrients, hence the soreness.

Step 3

The inactivity I speak of is the kind where you simply do nothing for a period of time longer than 2 days that is not included in scheduled or needed rest periods. Now personally I know how busy life can get, hell with two jobs and going to school full time sometimes going to the gym is the last thing I want to do. For those of you like this, preforming simple calisthenics or isometric exercises at home can help you on these days. Not to mention it keeps your muscles stretched so you can avoid injury on the days you can work out.

Step 4

Purchasing resistance bands (now sold just about everywhere), can also be used to avoid atrophy. Atrophy can only be avoided by using your muscles.

Step 5

Of note, those of you that smoke, or use other nicotine products are more susceptible to atrophy, or that cachcetic look (emaciated). Though smoking especially, for it decreases the blood flow to muscles and peripheral cells preventing all the nutrients to reach the muscles. Quitting smoking, aside from the other known health problems associated with it, will greatly decrease your muscular atrophy.