Check in--cheerleaders wanted

Posted by janism @janism, 6 days ago

I am trying to force myself to exercise because I need it for my osteoporosis and I am finding myself getting perceptibly weaker as I age. I'm not at all sedentary; I probably walk 2-3 miles per day just getting around and do lots of household stuff as guardian of a 6 year old and 16 year old, and I'm an elementary school teacher during the year on my feet all day. While that was fine when I was younger, my body is telling me that I need to be more systematic now. I want to keep being able to do the things I love, and exercise is clearly one of the ways to do that, but I hate it.

I want to start this thread as a place to check in with the things we find hard--exercise, nutrition, human relations, whatever--and a place to cheer each other on.

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Osteoporosis & Bone Health Support Group.

Profile picture for mammalucht @mammalucht

@jk60 did you enroll in Kevin Ellis's The Bone Coach program? What do you think of it? Is it worth the money? I have been on the fence since my social media feed is inundated with his products. So obviously they put a lot of money into their marketing, which makes me hesitant.

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@mammalucht no I did not enroll in that program . I was able to get the Bone-IQ app free as part of the initial pilot program- so I don’t know the cost.

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Count me in! After 17 months on Arimidex (IDC breast cancer), I've developed osteopenia. Had osteoarthritis long before cancer, knee replacement, spinal spondylitis and lots of pain after exercise. Just stopped the Arimidex. I'll take my chances with cancer rather than live in pain. I'm now using resistance bands and have a sit down peddler /elliptical. Following an app mostly to stretch and help balance. I'm 77, but very active. Let's keep it going!

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As a runner and as someone who has gone to the gym for years, and as someone who has has physical therapy at times for various injuries, I'd like to suggest something. The lower body muscles can easily get weaker as you age. Plain old walking isn't enough.

Some ideas for easy exercises you can do at home with no equipment needed:

1. Balance on one foot. Stand next to a table or something in case you need to steady yourself. Balancing helps strengthen all those little muscles in your foot and ankle. It also helps... well, your sense of balance! I try to hold it for 60 seconds, each foot. I do it a couple of times a week.

2. Squats. I don't mean the exercise in the gym where you have a barbell on your shoulders. All you need to do is stand with your back on the wall, and slide down just a bit until you feel it in your thigh muscles. You can even use one of those inflatable exercise balls and put that between your back and the wall. The muscles right above your knee are not easy to target unless you either do this exercise or you walk up hills.

3. Walking up hills, besides the thighs, also strengthens your glutes and hips. A park with a trail that isn't completely level is great. Or, if there's a street near you that is a hill, walk up and down it a few times.

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Profile picture for daylemaples @daylemaples

One thing we KNOW from the science is that calorie restriction and trying to “be small” is terrible for our bones and leads to sarcopenia. As you increase your resistance training, getting your ( quality) protein up to 1gm per lb ideal body weight can reverse the years of loss. You WILL see and feel yourself getting stronger. This creates the desire to do more. LIFT ! EAT (clean high quality protein)!
Consider a personal trainer to help motivate! You can do this😉

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@daylemaples eat more? I do live to eat! 🤣🤣

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Checking in with you. How are you doing on your exercises??

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I love exercise but HATE doing the weights for osteoporosis...but I make myself do it because I want to stay active. Think of it like brushing your teeth, it's something you have to do to have a better quality of life. Read the book by Mark Hyman, Young Forever. WE have the power to keep aging at bay...but it takes hard work. If you aren't self motivated, find a partner who you can work out with.

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Profile picture for njx58 @njx58

As a runner and as someone who has gone to the gym for years, and as someone who has has physical therapy at times for various injuries, I'd like to suggest something. The lower body muscles can easily get weaker as you age. Plain old walking isn't enough.

Some ideas for easy exercises you can do at home with no equipment needed:

1. Balance on one foot. Stand next to a table or something in case you need to steady yourself. Balancing helps strengthen all those little muscles in your foot and ankle. It also helps... well, your sense of balance! I try to hold it for 60 seconds, each foot. I do it a couple of times a week.

2. Squats. I don't mean the exercise in the gym where you have a barbell on your shoulders. All you need to do is stand with your back on the wall, and slide down just a bit until you feel it in your thigh muscles. You can even use one of those inflatable exercise balls and put that between your back and the wall. The muscles right above your knee are not easy to target unless you either do this exercise or you walk up hills.

3. Walking up hills, besides the thighs, also strengthens your glutes and hips. A park with a trail that isn't completely level is great. Or, if there's a street near you that is a hill, walk up and down it a few times.

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@njx58
These are all good exercises for increasing bone density.

My go-to physio is on UTube and he also recommends these in addition to a few others. He is a Brit specializing in the over-50 crowd with a no-nonsense approach for many issues including this one for increasing bone density. https://youtu.be/e_Tr8AeULzI

He has also helped me with relieving knee and hip pain. Very pleased and surprised with those results. He explains things really well and charmingly convinces you that something is better than nothing. He does not overdo it so you always feel capable of trying---both physically and time-wise and often suggests what he calls 'exercise snacks,' quick repetitions throughout the day especially while you are doing something else.

After years of producing free videos, he has recently started promoting his book....not pushy and I just skip over any promotions, although I intend to purchase his book with my next Amazon order.

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Profile picture for gravity3 @gravity3

Checking in with you. How are you doing on your exercises??

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@gravity3
I just drank my morning coffee and am about to start my exercises. I've kept going now for maybe 6 days? Feeling proud of myself in a silly sort of way, especially since I don't ache all over after exercising any more. Thanks for asking--this is the only online group in which I participate, and it is a great community.

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