Friday, May 12, 2023
OSTEOPOROSIS CARE
I went to the endocrinologist on Tuesday for my annual osteoporosis checkup.
I will be getting my Reclast infusion scheduled and in November I will have a new DEXA scan done to see if the Reclast is helping.
The goal is hopefully to see that the osteoporosis hasn't progressed or is possibly a little better.
My Vitamins
Between the pandemic and Katy's illness, I have really slacked off on my part of my osteoporosis care.
I was honest with him about it and we talked about what I need to do going forward.
My vitamin D levels have been low in the past and so along with my regular calcium with Vitamin D (which I have also been a slacker on)
Exercise, Exercise, Exercise
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Tuesday, May 9, 2023
IT'S A DOCTOR KIND OF DAY
I didn't exactly get my normal blog post written for today.
While looking back at my calendar from last year I realized that I had my first Reclast infusion for osteoporosis last May.
I called to see about getting it scheduled for this month and was told I needed to see my endocrinologist first and he only had appointments open in September.
Ummm!! Why didn't they tell me last year that I needed to do this and made a yearly appointment for me or told me I needed to schedule months in advance.
My Reclast infusions are supposed to be given twelve months apart.
Where are the grownups in the building?
Fortunately, someone canceled for this morning.
So I am off to the doctor. It is seven miles north of me and it isn't my favorite area to drive to, but I will be glad to get it over with.
The next obstacle is going to Emory Hospital for the infusion. It is the hospital where Katy passed away and I haven't even been able to drive past there.
One thing at a time.
Currently, screening for osteoporosis is recommended for women who are 65 years old or older and for women who are 50 to 64 and have certain risk factors, which include having a parent who has broken a hip.
Katy had severe osteoporosis and her spine and rib fractures contributed to her death. She was 41.
I hope that if you fall into a group that should be screened that you will do so.
Friday, April 21, 2023
MEDITATION FOR WORRY
We all worry from time to time, and although not all worry is 100% bad if it leads us to figure out a solution, but it can become a real problem when we let it take over our lives.
One of the things in my worry toolbox is meditation.
Many people have the misconception that meditation is shutting down the mind. Meditation is a calming of the mind while remaining alert, and it is through this calming that we find peace of mind.
Meditation works very well for worry because it allows you to focus on the present moment rather than dwelling on the past or worrying about the future.
There are different techniques for meditating, and I think finding the one that works best for you is what is most important.
Sometimes I find that I like guided meditation, while other times I just like to sit quietly with nothing to distract me.
I use certain mantras when I meditate. The basic Om mantra is an easy and effective mantra. I used it a lot when I first began to meditate because to be honest I would forget a more complicated mantra and then I would worry that I wasn't doing it right. See how easy it is to worry.
The point is, is meditation is supposed to take the worry away. So in my opinion, if it is calming you, then how can you be doing it wrong.
If you have never tried meditation there are plenty of ways to get started. YouTube has plenty of guided meditations and music for meditation. There are also some great books on meditation.
Do you meditate? I would love to hear about your meditation practice.
Friday, August 12, 2022
WEIGHT: HARD TO LOSE BUT EASY TO GAIN
Simple Pleasures #51
Is it a riddle or a fact of life?
What is hard to lose, but easy to gain?
Well, for me it is definitely weight.
When I researched this topic there was a lot of information, but what it basically boiled down to was metabolism.
I found this information from Everyday Health and it seems to correlate with what my doctor told me.
As women age, we tend to gain 1 to 2 pounds a year and there are reasons for that.
1) Age-Related Muscle Loss - Muscles burn more calories than fat and after age 30 we lose 3 to 8 percent of our lean muscle. As we age, we also tend to become less active, and if we don't cut down on the number of calories we consume we will gain weight.
2) Normal Hormonal Changes - Menopause causes a significant drop in estrogen, which means more belly fat that makes weight gain more noticeable.
3) Slow Down In Metabolism - When our muscle mass decreases, so does our metabolism and this means we are burning fewer calories.
My doctor told me that at my age I need to eat 1200 calories a day to lose weight.
If I eat less my body goes into starvation mode and slows my metabolism down.
If I eat more...well we all know what happens then.
I am trying to watch what I eat and I walk. So far those stubborn pounds are clinging to me as if their lives depend on it.
My life depends on them going away.
I am fortunate that I do not have diabetes or high blood pressure, but being overweight contributes to those and other health problems as we age and so I will continue to work on it.
In the meantime, I am embracing the body that I have.
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Tuesday, August 2, 2022
FALL ASLEEP QUICKLY
I don't know about you, but if I don't get a good night's sleep I am cranky as an old bear the next day.
Your mama may have told you that being tired from lack of sleep is just a normal part of aging, but although sleep patterns may change as we grow older, being tired from disturbed sleep is not normal.
Sleeping well is a very important part of our physical and emotional well being.
Sleep helps to repair cell damage and aids in our memory function.
In other words we just feel and function better when we get a good night's sleep.
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If insomnia is a chronic problem or lasts for more than a few days it is important to talk to your doctor about it.
However, I have found something that not only works for my occasional insomnia, but is natural as well.
A doctor told me to drink 4 ounces of tart cherry juice an hour before going to bed.
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Wednesday, July 21, 2021
REDUCE STRESS WITH MEDITATION
My stress level is really high, and I know that it is affecting my health and well-being.
As a former mental health counselor, I also know that it is time for me to jump back on the meditation train. Somehow, I let life get in the way of my meditation practice, so I am going to stop each day, or multiple times a day and meditate.
Stress is the body's reaction to either real or perceived harmful situations. When we feel threatened we go into what is known as "fight or flight" mode.
Some Physical symptoms of stress:
- headaches
- upset stomach
- aches and pains
- rapid heartbeat
- inability to sleep
- frequent infections
- nervousness
Some emotional symptoms of stress:
- anxiety
- moodiness
- feeling overwhelmed
- loneliness
- isolation
Meditation
There are many things you can do to relieve stress, but as a former counselor I found that meditation is one of the best ways. Meditation is simple, can be practiced wherever you are, and is inexpensive. I practice meditation while in the waiting room at the doctor or dentist.
Meditation helps to focus your mind and organize your jumbled thoughts. It can produce feelings of tranquility and peacefulness, which can last throughout your day.
Meditation benefits you both physically and emotionally.
Some Possible Physical Benefits of Meditation:
Some research has suggested that meditation complements traditional medicine in the reduction of symptoms in some illnesses.
- anxiety
- asthma
- cancer
- chronic pain
- depression
- heart disease
- high blood pressure
- irritable bowel diease
- sleep problems
- tension headaches
- building skills to manage your stress
- increasing self awareness
- focusing on the present
- reducing negative emotions
- increasing patience and tolerance
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There are no hard and fast rules to meditating. You can choose the type of meditation practice that works best for you.
I like to set a time of about ten to twenty minute first thing in the morning to start my day. Then throughout the day if I am feeling stressed I will sit quietly and practice deep breathing.
Some people prefer guided meditations. I like to turn on soft meditation music.
A comfortable position, a quiet setting, relaxed breathing, and focused attention are all important. Yes, intrusive thoughts will enter your mind. Acknowledge them and then brush them away.
Meditation takes practice. Don't judge yourself, because that defeats the purpose. Relax and enjoy your quiet time.
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Wednesday, July 14, 2021
BENEFITS OF DRINKING TEA
Are you a tea drinker, a coffee drinker, or both? I like both, as long as they are caffeine-free, but I definitely drink more tea than coffee.
In the morning I love choosing which tea I am going to drink, on cold afternoons I love snuggling up with a warm cup of tea, and at night I drink a sleepy time tea to help with sleeping.
If I had the room I would have a tea bar where I could display pretty teacups, have an electric kettle, and display different teas in glass jars.
I guess my English heritage is showing.
Loving tea is great, but I often wonder what the benefits are.
Most people know that drinking tea is good for you and in many Asian countries tea is even considered a cure-all.
Drinking tea can help heart health, brain health, and may even prevent some types of cancer.
Lets Look at some of the types of teas and their benefits.
Green Tea
Green tea originates in China and Japan.
Green tea is high in flavanoids and contributes to heart health by lowering bad cholesterol and reducing blood clots.
Researchers have studied green tea and found that it can help lower total cholesterol, blood pressure, and triglycerides.
Black Tea
While both black tea and green tea originate from the same leaves, black tea leaves have been dried and fermented, which gives it its richer flavor and darker color.
Black tea is caffeinated, so if you are like me and can't tolerate caffeine, you may want to steer clear of drinking this tea. I have however, recently found some decaf Earl Grey tea and it is one of my favorites.
However, cooled black tea bags are great for relieving pain and inflammation. When I had a tooth pulled I pressed it on my gums and it worked great.
Herbal Tea
Herbal teas are a favorite of mine because they don't contain caffeine. In addition to tea leaves they may contain a blend of herbs, fruits, spices, and other plants, and are known for their calming effects. A word of warning though, if you have lots of allergies like me, please read the labels before consuming.
Here are some of the most popular herbal teas and their benefits.
Chamomile Tea is known for its calming effect, but it may also treat stomach pain, aid sleep, and promote muscle relaxation.
Ginger Tea is great for helping nausea and upset stomach, but also has anti cancer properties, and helps protect the heart and brain, while lowering blood sugar.
Rooibos Tea originates in South Africa and has potent antioxidants. It also has the potential of reducing high blood pressure, reducing cholesterol, and increasing airflow to the lungs.
Rosehip Tea is a powerful antioxidant and a great source of vitamin C. It may also help with weight loss and protect the skin and brain from aging.
You can find much more about healing with herbal teas in the Healing Herbal Teas book.
Are you a tea drinker? If so what are your favorite teas?
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Saturday, August 22, 2020
FINDING TRANQUILITY AMID COVID
When I was working as a counselor I worked with many people who were living with chaos in their own lives. I also knew that there was chaos out in the world that affected people, but I really never imagined a time like we are living through today.
Finding tranquility while being surrounded by chaos and uncertainty can make it difficult to find, but we can find peace and tranquility within ourselves.
Feeling Stressed
Last week I found out there was a case of Covid in my apartment building. There was also a visitor, who had just been in someone's apartment, who got on the elevator with me while not wearing a mask.
Needless to say, I immediately felt stress from both things. I reported the person who was not wearing the mask along with a resident, who was in the community computer room and was not wearing a mask when I went in to use the computer.
It is now considered a breach of the rental agreement to not have on a mask, and visitors will be made to leave if they have removed their mask.
Take Back Your Power
So how do we find tranquility when we are bombarded with these things?
First of all, I am a big believer in taking back your power. I did that when I reported what was going on. Yes, I was possibly exposed, and no I am now staying away from my family temporarily, but I will be much less likely to be exposed, in the future, where I live.
For me, that helped to alleviate the stress I was feeling.
How To Find Tranquility
Each of us finds tranquility in ways that work best for us, but I know there are ways that we can each try.
Peaceful surroundings certainly help. I love being by the water, but living in the middle of a large city makes that somewhat difficult. The garden center is somewhere I like to wander, enjoying the plants, and focusing on nature. I did that this week.
Meditation is a known stress reliever. There are many resources to help you with meditation. Google has resources and YouTube has many guided meditations for the beginner and the more experienced meditator.
Healthy eating is important. I know that I have not been eating healthy these last few months and frankly I don't feel as well. That stresses me out and I am going to work on doing better.
Walking is a great stress reliever and is also a good way to get out and enjoy nature. All forms of exercise are good, but as I am not someone who finds tranquility in sweating I will probably stick to walking, especially as the mornings here in Georgia are now cooler.
It seems hard to find tranquility when there are so many things that we can't control, so focus on the things you can control.
Ask For Help
Don't be afraid to ask for help if you are feeling overwhelmed. Talk to someone, a family member, your doctor, a clergy person, or a trained professional. We are living through very difficult times right now and we are all feeling the strain.
It is important to know you are not alone and breathe, just breathe.
The National Alliance On Mental Health has more information on finding a mental health provider if you need professional assistance.
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Thursday, June 20, 2019
CONGRATULATIONS IT'S A CUCMBER
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Thursday, June 13, 2019
WALKING FOR EXERCISE
I have been looking for places near me that have hiking trails, and it is amazing how many there are in Atlanta.
The problem is the distance of the hiking trails themselves and just how hilly they are.
I've been riding the exercise bike and doing water aerobics, but I haven't done a lot of walking lately. Also, hills are hard on my knees.
I found a place just down the road from me that said it is easy on knees, not too long, and the path is wide and graveled over. Sounded perfect.
I pass by the Marcus Autism Center regularly, but I had no idea that there was a hiking trail there. The entrance to the path is hidden at the back of the center, although there is access from a side street as well. It's a good place for people in that neighborhood to walk their dogs.
I was really impressed with how well maintained it was, and although it isn't a long trail there are some side trails that were a bit too muddy for me to try today, I didn't want to risk sliding down a hill on my rear end.
I actually parked on the wrong side of the center so that gave me an extra walk. It was a bit hilly, but just enough to give me more of a workout without bothering my knees.
It was great to get outdoors for awhile. I really like the area I live in. Although it is in Atlanta and has all of the amenities of the city, it doesn't feel like city.
This morning is water aerobics and then this afternoon I am going to take my oldest and youngest grandchildren to the bookstore. It is one of their favorite places.
It's good to be busy.
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