This week, we had the pleasure of introducing local physicians from the Franciscan Skemp Clinic, now Mayo Clinic, to the science behind properly working out.  It was eye opening to many of the physicians, many of whom were first introduced to this science behind how to properly work out.

Let's review what we've been taught to stay in shape.

• We've been taught that one needs to walk and do aerobic exercise every day for heart health.  We've been taught to walk 10000 steps a day. 
• We've been confused by the stereotype that weight lifting is only for movie stars, or that we will become big and bulky.
• We've accepted that having aches and pains, joint replacements, and diabetes is a fact of life.  

Is what we've been taught working?  Let's review our nation's health.   Obesity rates are the leading cause of preventable death in the US.  Joint replacement is going to triple by 2030, and repeat joint replacements is going to double by 2030.  ...

Arthritis in the hands, elbows, shoulders, hips, and knees can be debilitating.   It affects our ability to exercise, and ultimately our well-being.  As the effects of arthritis take hold, it can greatly affect us physically, emotionally, and psychologically.

We often accept the fact that the arthritis is only cured through medicine, surgery, or injections.  However, that doesn't have to be the case.

Athritis is often due to painful swelling and irritation.  When a joint doesn't move as it should, it can cause irregular sliding and wear that causes inflammation in the joint.

As we age, our joints and muscles become weaker, the bones start to get out of alignment.   When we walk or do cardio, this can often cause more swelling when the joints aren't moving as they should.  It can set us back even further, as we need to rest the joints to heal.  And the cycle continues through continuously weaker joints.

Is there a solution?

The first step...

Breathing can do a lot more than help us not pass out during a workout. It can affect the overall quality of our workouts and our energy levels. So it's important to understand how your body uses that oxygen.

Your body processes the oxygen you breath to be able to pass into your blood stream to feed the muscles of your body.  The stronger muscle you have, the more oxygen your body processes. 

As you age, we don’t process oxygen very well.  That’s why you get winded going up stairs.  Your body neither demands more oxygen nor uses it. During a resistnace training workout, your muscles require oxygen much greater than when doing walking or running.  

After the proper stimulus is applied, your body uses more oxygen to help with the muscle rebuilding process, called the EPOC Effect.  Your body calls for more oxygen that helps muscle rebuilding over days.  When you walk, however, the EPOC effect is very small and does not extend past the...