Notes from the Lake

A question from one of our blog readers…

Is “lifting weights” the same as “resistance-training” or “body sculpting”?

Yes, all of those terms are synonyms and the broad definition is any type of activity that puts more than normal amounts of stress or resistance on your muscles.  This type of training increases your lean muscle tissue, sculpts your body, and adds definition.  And, you do not have to necessarily “pump iron” to achieve results.  Using exercise bands,…

Recent research shows that a 20-minute daily walk boosts memory power, sharpens the mind and counters some of the cognitive decline normally associated with aging.

How can such a simple and brief activity yield such amazing benefits?  Walking increases blood flow throughout the body including the brain.  The additional blood flow in the brain brings nourishment to its vessels and tissues thereby stimulating the generation of new neurons and improving synaptic connections.  As a result…

Walking is sometimes considered the “Rodney Dangerfield” of exercise—it just doesn’t get the respect it deserves.  In reality, walking 30-minutes a day for 30 days can significantly improve your life in a variety of ways.

You’ll improve your overall fitness: aerobic capacity and physical function will increase making activity throughout your day seem easier.

You’ll lose weight and increase lean muscle tissue: walking burns calories, reduces fat storage and tones many…