Restarting Exercise

[diemde]

I am restarting my exercise. I put it off as long as I dared... I don't want to lose any more muscle mass and I also need to get stronger and denser bones.

On my physical a couple of weeks ago, I had a bone density test. It came in a bit low, which indicates osteopenia. They scanned my lumbar spine and my left hip. The left hip was 0.8, which is in the normal range, but the lumbar spine was -1.2. Above -1 is considered normal, so it's not extremely low, but low enough to be concerned. It puts me at risk for deveoping osteoporosis. Below -2.5 is when you have osteoporosis.

In any case, I'm trying 2 things to help. Taking a good vitamin for bone health and also doing strength training. When I did the strength training in 2005, I loved it and ended up being pretty darn strong. I know I've lost strength since then, though. In any case, I'll be posting once again in my gym log. For now, I'm not going to jump into any challenges on the forum, but I wanted to share my plans with you all here in the TDC.

The bone density scan result was a wake up call. You only develop bones up until age 30. After that it's downhill. I'm 51, so I figure I better do this now!

[katwoman]

Dianne,

My mother has osteoporosis--but through medication AND exercise has improved her bone density. Her doctor is convinced the exercise has actually done more for her than the meds. She walks 2 miles a day--and does a 5K walk once a week or so.

So glad you got the wake-up call while you still have time to correct things. I've never done any real weight training, but have gotten addicted to exercise in recent months--which is VERY different even from the first time I "did Atkins".

[ValerieL]

I seem to remembr you loved your exercise, Dianne. I hope you enjoy getting back into it again.

[CaseyZee]

Hi Dianne.

I'm sorry to hear about your scan. Good for you on getting back to the exercise. Will you re-do your scan after you've been at it for a while?

[Charran]

Good plan Dianne! WTG on re-committing!

[diemde]

Thanks everyone.
Will you re-do your scan after you've been at it for a while?
My medical insurance will only pay for it once per year. I don't really know how long it takes to change the levels, but I'm assuming it will take awhile. So I'll wait until next year to scan again. That schedule will also force me to keep at it for at least a year. :lol:

[katwoman]

That schedule will also force me to keep at it for at least a year. :lol:

Always a silver lining!

[LacyOkey]

Good luck and enjoy yourself.i love excersise.Ok I love weights but dont care for cardio ;).I actively compete in strongwoman and am taking an interest in rollerderby.I havent tried out for the rollerderby yet but I am going to start skating to get in practice for it.I am hoping to chalk that up as my cardio :).

Find something you love to do thats active and you'll have a hard time giving it up.

[Scented1]

hi Dianne!

how goes the exercise?

Rach

[diemde]

Hi Rach! It goes. :lol:

I've done 3 workouts do far, just finished one a few minutes ago. I'm still lifting a bit lighter than I could be, but increasing as I go. I'm posting details in my gym log.

I just told my daughter how much I really enjoy lifting. I had forgotten how good it feels when I am done. There is something about lifting weights that just makes you feel like you have actually accomplished something. Especially when you track how much you lift and can see the increases over time. I'm sure runners must feel this same sort of thing when they increase distance or speed. I got a taste of it in the past on the treadmill, but just never really got into cardio long enough to feel it. Maybe someday down the road when I'm lighter I'll feel like I can try running.

Does anyone else feel that sense of euphoria?

Thanks for asking Rach!

[Kandra]

Hi Dianne,
I just wanted to congratulate you on restarting your exercise program again. That's so great! I'm just restarting mine, too. Although I'm just walking for now and not doing anything as intense as your doing. WTG Dianne! It'll really pay off and I bet your next scan will show how much it's helping you in a tangible way.