[koboll]

I think people sometimes shy away from this because it's seen as a young, vain person's pursuit; something you do primarily to look good.

But past middle age, it becomes critically important. Once your muscles, joints, and bones begin to weaken, keeping muscle mass can mean the difference between maintaining balance or not, breaking bones in a fall or not, and retaining motor function or not. It has all kinds of second order effects on general health and longevity.