Is it true:
1) That low reps and high weights with weight lifting gives you bigger muscles but not necessarily stronger ones?

2) That 10% weight loss adds years to your life and decreases your chance of diabetes, heart attacks, and strokes?

3) That the BMI chart works for most body types?

4) That muscles will actually get 'muscle memory' if you do the same weight lifting all the time?

5) That you can do cardio everyday, but you have to skip a day in between weights because your muscles need time to heal?

6) That once plaque is built up in your vessels, you can't get rid of it?

These are fantastic questions, frozenmisipi. I just may have to get some experts to weigh in on them for our next print issue.

In the meantime, I look forward to seeing what other forum members have to say.

Leigh Ann Hubbard
managing editor
James Hubbard's My Family Doctor

Frozenmisipi:

I am no expert on these but I will tell you what I can from experience and readings. I hope others can give you more insight.

1. False. Generally you should use the weights that you can lift 6-15 reps and repeat 1-3 sets 3 times a week. Most people are not going to bulk up considerably unless they are completely gung-ho and lift a lot more often combined with a lot of increased calories.

2. True. As a general rule, if you are overweight, then losing 10 percent will contribute considerably to your overall health.

3. True. The BMI gives most people a good idea of a healthy weight including those described as "big-boned". If you have a question then have someone do a body fat analysis with pinch calipers. Any health club would have these.

4. Mostly true. It helps to rotate exercises every few months. The average person does not have much problem with muscle memory.

5. True. You need to skip a day for weight lifting using the same muscles. For instance, don't do bench presses every day. You can, however, do legs one day and upper body the next.

6. Questionable. Some studies have shown a possible small decrease in evidence of atherosclerosis with strict diet and/or cholesterol lowering medications.

James Hubbard, M.D., M.P.H.
Publisher, James Hubbard's My Family Doctor

Hi, frozenmisipi. Since you're a subscriber, hopefully you saw the answer to your BMI question (does it work for all body types?) in our July/August print issue. It's now online, FYI. (We post some, not all, articles online after they appear in print.)

Internist and editorial-board member Kevin Hwang, M.D., also answered questions 1, 4 and 5 in the current print issue (September/October). For nonsubscribers, you can get immediate access to a PDF of that issue by subscribing now.

Thank you for the great questions!

Best Wishes for Good Health,

Leigh Ann Hubbard
Managing Editor
James Hubbard's My Family Doctor