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…

As 2013 begins, many view the New Year as an ideal opportunity to make a resolution—so we resolve to lose weight, stop eating junk food, or quit smoking.  Unfortunately, despite the best of intentions, most resolutions are abandoned and forgotten within a few weeks. 

When explaining their failure, some blamed outside forces, “There were tasty temptations all around me;” others cited a lack of knowledge, “I couldn’t figure out the nutritional information on the packages;” and…