As for the previous post — it’s not just about the numbers

Hey, everyone!  Sorry! I didn’t mean to throw a monkey wrench into the machinery with my earlier post. I just found it a fascinating statement, and I’m looking forward to hearing the statistics about what types of the population don’t improve. Like is it people with x-kind of metabolism, or x-related childhood illnesses, or x-age range or whatever.

Do not take the earlier entry as a gloom and doom prediction that you might be in the group that doesn’t improve. But even if you are —  it doesn’t matter!  Why not?  Let me say this loud and clear: as far as exercise and osteoporosis goes, it is not just about the DEXA numbers. We fall into the trap of making it about the numbers because our doctors make it about the numbers. (Boy, do they make it about the numbers! And scare the mess out of us while doing it.)

But DEXA numbers do not adequately reflect one’s likelihood of fracture. People with greater BMD often fracture. People with even lower BMD than mine frequently remain fracture free the duration of their lives. Because quantity does not reflect quality.

What I failed to mention in the earlier post was Dr. Fishman’s comment to Betsy (or whomever ask the question in the thread about what level of yoga pose they should be doing)– Dr. Fishman said there is as of yet no good way to measure bone quality (a much more important measure in terms of predicting fracture risk). He said he believes we’re getting closer to having such a test (Hallelujah). (To put it in context, he said this to encourage people to err on the side of caution when choosing which level of pose use, particularly when forward spinal flexion was involved.)

As you move forward with your exercise programs, the thing all of you should hold in your hearts is the Sinaki study. If you’ll remember, the participants’ bone density did not significantly improve in any way, but their fracture rate was reduced by 300%. And that is what it is all about. Remaining fracture free. Our “skinny” bones in and of themselves aren’t the problem. It’s the fracture that can come with the “skinny” bones — causing nerve entrapment, compression of visceral organs, or reduction in mobility and/or quality of life — that is the problem.

If exercise reduces fracture risk (by improving coordination and balance and yes — I’ll say it — improving bone quality), that is the golden ring.

So do not get disheartened. And do not fall into the trap of measuring the efficacy of your exercise program by whether or not your DEXA scores improve by “x” amount. They may not. Granted, if your scores decline significantly (-3% or more), then maybe it’s time to move to plan B. But if your scores remain the same and you remain fracture free — that is a win. Let yourself have that.

Do you guys watch Friday Night Lights? I. Love. That. Show.The coach has this saying, and I think it’s appropriate here: Clear eyes, full hearts, can’t lose. Let’s keep our eyes clear and on the prize (a happy, healthy life); let’s keep our hearts full (of faith and hope that we can have such a life); and let’s move forward with the certainty that if we remain true to our path, we can’t lose.

Next week, I’ll be in the country (where there is more floor space and fewer dust bunnies) and I’ll try to post more videos. Until then, keep doing your yoga (or weight lifting or tai chi or swing dancing.) I’m four for five this week — and that’s with traveling to Boston (again) and NH.

Did my yoga tonight in the hotel room, where there was a full-length mirror. Somewhat distracting (when did that bit of cellulite get there?) (who is that lady?) (I have GOT to get a hair cut.)(Ugh, I look like my mother!), but in the end, I found it extremely helpful for self-correcting my form. I forgot to pack all my props (the yoga brick/block and strap and mat), and the carpet was a bit slippery, so I ended up using the wall a lot (to anchor my feet) and doing the twisting seated poses in a chair.

Really terrific yoga session. One of those that starts out as drudgery and ends up in semi-elation. Not having the props made me realize just how much stronger (and more limber) I am. You guys? I think my left hip is finally waking up! I was quite proud of myself

Not everyone improves with yoga

As I’ve said seventy-gajillion times, I’m a member of the second go-round of the yoga vs. osteoporosis study. As such, from time to time I get these email updates from Dr. Fishman in answer to other people’s questions about the study. Dr. Fishman recently made the off-handed observation that not everyone improves with yoga. Because I can be a shy goose, I left it at that and didn’t delve any further. But our ever excellent Betsy fired back a why-is-that? And Dr. Fishman said to let him gather some information and he’d try to answer  that intelligently. So… I’ll let you know what we hear.  I’ll be very interested. Because I did notice in the results from the previous go-round that one person had scores that did not improve at all. And I was terrified I would be that person this time around. I’m waiting with baited breath.

I feel like a girl waiting for a second date

I’m waiting to get notes on my super secret project and haven’t heard anything yet. But I can’t stand the way I feel right now. It’s like when you have a date with some hot guy, and you’re really hoping he’ll call you again, but you get the sense that he thinks he’s way out of your league. And at the same time, you realize you were not yourself at all on the date. You’re normally funnier and more effervescent and smarter. But you came off as dull (’cause you were trying to play it safe or something). So you’re pretty sure you’re never going to hear from the guy again. You don’t know with whom to be more upset: the guy for not seeing the fantabulousness of you; or yourself for blowing it.

I haven’t felt this self-consciously awful since I quit acting. (sigh) And I probably won’t hear anything until middle of next week. But from the phone conversation I had with one of the people today (telling me I wasn’t going to hear anything until next week), I just get the feeling they are not impressed. Gah! I can do this!! It was my freaking idea in the first place, people!

I think I’m going to be dumped on the side of the road. Hate it!  Hate it!

And note to anyone working with me at some future point in time: if you want to get the best work out of me, do not threaten to fire me. That kind of reverse psychology does not work with me. It makes me shut down completely and give up and crawl under the porch of the house and wait to die like a poisoned dog. If you want me to stun you with my brilliance, tell me how brilliant you think I am. I will live up to and surpass all your expectations (even if you were just faking.)

Speaking of eggs

Photo credit: Andrew Scrivani for The New York Times

… a tomato marjoram thyme frittata. Yum! Just make sure the eggs aren’t from Iowa. They think that’s where the salmonella eggs originated.

The U.S. rejected a vaccine for hens that would prevent salmonella

Why? Seriously. Why? Ten years ago, Great Britain faced a very dangerous salmonella outbreak in which many people were sickened by infected eggs. They began vaccinating hens against the salmonella bacteria and have virtually wiped out the disease in that country. We had the opportunity years ago to begin using that same vaccine. Only we didn’t. And now look where we are. And in case you’re wondering whether the rules about whether or not to vaccinate were created years and years ago, they weren’t. Try last month. That’s when the decision was made. And I know. We’re in an economic crisis. Maybe those vaccinations were going to cost those poor farmers and arm and a leg. That must be it. Try one penny per dozen eggs. Really! There’s no excuse on this one. They think that maybe this outbreak will tip the scales in favor of using the vaccine. Ya’ think?

You can read the rest of it here.

Can you imagine having to give a hip back?

With this recall of a hip implant made by Johnson & Johnson, is that what people have to do? Yikes! The company had received several complaints that the hip failed prematurely, necessitating a second surgery to have the implant removed and a new one put in place. And according to this article, it sounds like it’s been a bad year for Johnson & Johnson. A recall of Children’s Liquid Tylenol, this hip implant business, and an illegally marketed knee device. But back to my original question: say you’ve got the implant in already, and it hasn’t failed yet, do they make you take it out? Or do you get a voucher for a “freebie” when it finally bites the dust? Sounds like the latter. (Although with the wording of it, it also sounds like Johnson & Johnson is trying to skirt having to pay the full fees involved. Typical corporation for you.)

Some very basic exercises

… that would be safe for just about anyone can be found here.  If the link doesn’t take you directly to the list of exercises, simply click on the text that says “See specific exercises.” If you are someone who is already working out at a gym or engaged in a yoga program, these might be too basic for you. But then again, sometimes you may not feel in the mood for a heavy-duty workout, and having something a little simpler might be just what you need to get you motivated to move. For those of you recently diagnosed with absolutely no clue about what kind of exercise to do, this link is definitely a terrific starting point.

If I can, I will try to do little videos of these moves so you can see what they look like. Would people find that helpful? Or is this all too basic for you guys?

I don’t quite know what to do with myself

Our show in Spain is wrapping up. The director is on a two week holiday, so we’re kind of spinning our wheels while we wait for the last four episodes. Quarterly taxes are due on September 15th, but we can’t bill for the remainder of our fees for Spain until after we’ve written the last four episodes. Which means there’s a good chance we won’t get paid before the tax man wants his due. It’s going to be a very tight few weeks/months.

And don’t you hate this?  I’d gotten this surprise check in the mail (very welcome!), and I was thinking about all the little odd jobs around the house it would cover, and the next day I got a bill for some work we had done on our septic system over two years ago (why in heaven’s name did they wait so long?!!) and CHOMP, there went all that money. Buh-bye.

We’re meeting with the producer of our other show early next week, but that’s going to be a very small order. Maybe ten episodes if we’re lucky. (I say “if we’re lucky” because until they give the order, it’s not certain there will be any shows at all. I think they’re meeting with funders today.) If there’s a definite pick up, the show should carry us through December. I’ll probably only get to write two of them as Hubby will have to “share the wealth” with other writers.

Hubby says with my super secret project, even if it goes, it will be at least a year before it starts scripting. Which leaves us hanging from December until fall of next year. Yikes!

Dear God, please let this other show go forward because if it doesn’t, I don’t know what we’re going to do.

Luckily the house is renting. And as long as it keeps renting, we shouldn’t (in theory) face foreclosure. Hubby always says if worse came to worst, we’d dip into the retirement money. Sometimes when I think how much we paid for that dang house and how expensive our mortgage is versus what we’d get for the house if we sold it, I wonder if it wouldn’t be better (financially) to pay the mortgage off (out of our retirement) and then keep renting it. I know some financial advisors would say to just “walk away.” But my dad was the president of a credit union. Failing to pay off my debts in a responsible and timely fashion goes against my genetic code.

Anyway, it has been years — years since I have had this much free time. I don’t think I like it. Somehow I get even less done. It’s one thing if you have free time and a ton of money to spend. But free time on an anemic budget is no fun at all.

This is the life of someone in the arts. Always wondering where your next meal is going to come from. Hubby does not stress this stuff at all. He just keeps plugging away at his computer. Seeing him be calm helps me be calm. And as discussed the other day, worrying does not do a thing to change a situation, so might as well relax and enjoy the ride.

Yoga again.

Just letting you know I’m being true to my goal. Yoga again today. Yesterday was a grueling session, setting the timer at 1.15 per pose (allowing 5-10 seconds for transitions pose to pose, aiming to hold the poses for one minute.) Today the timer was set at 45 seconds per pose (given the same transition time, 30 seconds per pose.) Am feeling back in the pink. I’m posting because I know some of you have said your dedication is flagging. Perhaps we can all challenge each other to do better. Einstein says the definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results. If we live our lives as we lived before, we cannot expect to see changes in our bones.

Let’s shake it up.

Do dark colored cats cause more allergies?

That’s the subject in today’s Really column in The New York Times. Well. They don’t know for sure. It appears if your cat is dark colored, you’re two to four times more likely to suffer an allergic reaction. But another researcher says those results are far from conclusive. He’s running another study now. They do say that male cats cause more problems than females.