The purpose of this study is to provide information regarding potential factors underlying metabolic dysfunction, insulin resistance, and loss of muscle mass in aging muscle.

Study Objectives:

1. To determine the effects of diet-induced weight loss with and without the addition of exercise on mitochondrial biogenesis and energetic capacity, cellular redox state and insulin resistance.
2. To determine the effects of diet-induced weight loss with and without the addition of exercise on intramyocellular lipid profiles.
3. To determine the effects of diet-induced weight loss with and without exercise on skeletal muscle proteins mediating a program of autophagy and either loss or maintenance of muscle mass.

Inclusion Criteria:

• 65-80 years of age
• Stable weight (No Gain/Loss of >10 lbs in 6 months)
• Sedentary (≤ 1 continuous exercise/week)
• Non-smoker
• BMI ≥ 30 kg/m2
• Resting Blood Pressure ≤ 150 millimeters of mercury systolic and ≤ 95 millimeters of mercury diastolic
• Note from Primary care physician/Cardiologist for exercise clearance if positive stress test symptoms were observed from exercise test
• Must be willing to washout for 14 days from all diabetes medication and independent in self blood glucose monitoring during the washout periods (those with diabetes only)

Exclusion Criteria:

• Clinically significant cardiovascular disease including history of myocardial infarction, within the past year
• Peripheral Vascular Disease
• Hepatic, renal, muscular/neuromuscular, or active hematologic/oncologic disease
• Clinically diminished pulse
• Presence of bruits in lower extremities
• Previous history of pulmonary emboli
• Peripheral Neuropathy