Tai chi & Arthritis & Wellness

Every once and awhile I have to express how wonderful practicing tai chi has been to my body, my spirit and my mind. I cannot believe how it relieves my total body pain, just by breathing deeply and the slow rhythmic movements. I'm teaching two tai chi sessions ( one regular and one for arthritis), in addition to about 2-3 hours of practice/training time and reaping what you sow is so true here. I am hardly taking any pain medication and my balance is better than ever. I can't believe how freely I move about my day and how sure-footed I step. My balance stabilizers kick-in yesterday when I tripped over the curb and I did not fall! And the deep abdominal continuous breathing really clears my head, relaxes my mind and nourished my body! Oxygen really fuels everything--muscles, bones, joints & head. My lung capacity has really expanded--too bad I can't sing because I can really hold a note! This is excellant is combating the normal age-related changes of decreased lung capacity, loss of muscle mass and decreased balance. I feel so good after class/practice --chi is flowing all over my body and brain. I would recommend this to anyone at any fitness level. Its so easy, slow and wonderful!!!

My New Hip is 2 - Happy Birthday!

Big day--2nd anniversay of my left total hip replacement! Hard to believe 2 years has gone by since my surgery. Hard to believe I have a replaced hip because I forget it's there. I 'm only reminded when the weather is real cold, or when I've overdone it....like on too much exercise or long work days. But I'm learning what's best not to trigger any discomfort. I think about all the people I come in contact with on a daily basis in my travels who are so trepid about getting joint replacement surgery, yet live with lots of compromise & pain...giving up the things they love like, travel, golf, gardening etc. Defaulting to becoming deconditioned and rapidly aging because its hurts too much to do anything but sit in a chair. But sitting in a chair is very, very bad for your health! I wish I could get through to those folks and let them know that life can be active and fun again! Yes--its major surgery but very successful surgery, esp done at Good Sam.
Anyway, I'll keep trying and in the meantime I'll enjoy this day that two years ago really changed my life!

Success in India--Hip, hip, Horray!

I've been back from India for over a week now and am beginning to feel myself again. Meaning not so sleeping as I was. That 10.5 hrs. time difference really gets you. What a great trip--did 58 joint replacement on 47 patients--many were young, in early 40's or late 30's mostly due to their hard life. Such a different life and environment in India---unimagineable living conditions, dirt, poverty all juxtaposed among palaces, colleges and universitites...Oh and the sacred cows! I know its hackneyed to say but I am so very blessed to live in America! The Indian food however, was delicious, lots of vegetables, sauces, curry, tumeric, etc.---hot, hot, hot!
I'm quite proud of my endurance during the trip. I napped alot less on the bus trips (endless, bus trips) than other missionaries half my age. Also endured the long work days with just one flare up with my hip, mostly from walking on the hard marble floors. A little ice and rest was all I needed. One evening the host physicians held a reception/dinner in Punjabi tradition for all of us and my hip did just find dancing to both Punjabi and American music. It was great fun and it felt wonderful getting some exercise (not much time for the gym on these missions). Since my return I'm back to my daily workouts. You know my mantra--if you want your body to be good to you...you must be good to your body!
Gearing up for a busy spring, health fairs, book club, VintAGE and my usual community outreach stops. Looking forward to networking with my alumnae from Mercy High School at Jerry D's this wednesday evening--can't wait to tell them about Good Sam @ Work and hope to get some leads.

Hello to my Biggest Adventure- India, Jan 2011!

Its been a month since my last post. Getting busy preparing for my 3rd medical mission with Operation Walk Maryland- this time to Ludhiana, India from 1/26-2/6. Past 2 years we visited Lima, Peru (2009), and Quito, Ecuador (2010). These trips are exhausting, so I've been doing regular workouts, added pushups and weight training to build my endurance and strength...and that's just for the trip out there...4 hour bus ride to JFK, 18-hr,. direct flight to Delhi, then hop on a bus for 8 more hrs. to the remote Ludhiana (heard its very, very bumpy w/crappy buses, too.). My dear friend Mary, nor colleague Margaret are making this trip, but Theresa, PT will again ,as will for the first time, my sister-in-law, Marla. This year we are chronicling our journey on Facebook and Twitter! Just go to Operation Walk Maryland on Facebook to keep in touch! Anyone out there been to Ludhiana, India?
My replaced hip is doing great with no recent episodes of the bursitis flaring up---mixing up my workouts is key--making sure I don't do repetitive movement for more than 6-8 minutes works great. My tibial stress fx. is completely healed as well. Working hard to lose those 5 lbs. from Christmas--you know the ones I blogged about and was determined not to gain!
Its getting hard to stay in shape during the cold winter months--totally relying on DVD's. Really am starting to miss the outdoors and swinging a golf club. I'm grateful that I have so many DVD's to choose from. And am really looking forward to shooting my own workout video this year as well.
Workwise, I'm getting things in order and am really excited about the BookClub, Good Sam @ Work, Vintage,Arthritis-on-the-Go and new Tai Chi sessions! Check our pub- Good Health for information on these programs.
Signing off now--can't wait to tell you all about India...Namaste!

Year End Inventory time! Be mindful in 2011.

Out with 2010 and in with 2011--another year gone and man did it fly! Someone said that time passes much quicker when your older because your life is so routine. How depressing. I always try to do new things, and travel to new places but it still flies by. And when you've got big things to look forward to, time flies until the big event, so you plan and wait for the next date/event that you have to look forward to. Maybe I should slow down and enjoy a little more of my everydays and not just my big events. Be more mindful of the present---instead of moving quickly through my days and evenings, and even conversations with people. I'm learning this mindfulness is very healthy. Regular practice of "mindful meditation" claims to makes a more balanced life, less stress, a more restorative brain, better pain tolerance and better awareness of the world around you. Tai chi, I know is wonderful as a moving meditation and really makes me feel better simply through the soft, yet strong movements, regular deep breathing and beautiful shifting of the weight and balance. I don't like resolutions per se...and that certainly is the expectation at year's end, but I am going to at least begin to be more mindful in my life, and in my work by simply asking these two questions: 1- Am I present right now?, and 2- am I giving this person/task my full attention? This is a good start and them I may progress to sitting quietyly for 10 or so minutes each day I can, just breathing and being present. Good thoughts!

Avoid Holiday Heftiness--But Enjoy! Need LF Turkey Gravy Recipe!

Lots to look forward to...Thanksgiving--my favorite holiday, even though I still have to cook. My stress fracture is healing very nicely and I'm slowly returning to my normal workouts. Boy did I get out of shape from 6-weeks of doing hardly nothing. Today I actually did 23 minutes of a bootcamp workout, and will be swimming tonight and of course will do 30 minutes of something tomorrow morning to offset my caloric intake...WHICH brings me to the best advice I read for this season. Be a Gourmand, not a Glutton! The article from November, 2010 issue of Comsumer Health Reports written by a cardiologist discussed the potential harm to your heart and body from eating a 2k-4k calorie Thanksgiving Meal. His featured patient consumed over 4,000 that day and sustained a heart attack. Its amazing what all those carbs, fats and alcohol do to your heart, brain, pancreas, kidneys, liver and digestive tract! Here are some great tips to avoid holiday weight gain: workout that morning; drinks lots of water all day; have water in between just a couple cocktails, and/or have wine spritzers instead of a whole glass of wine; don't go to the party hungry or skip meals, have a healthy snack or a protein before you get there; use a small plate and only choose what you really want to eat; keep it to one serving; choose small tastes of the desserts you like and enjoy them slowly; but stop there; try to socialize while eating so your mouth is busy talking, instead of gulping food down; eat slowly, and put your fork down several times; be mindful of what you are eating, of the occasion and of the people you are sharing the meal/holiday with; be mindful when you are satisfied, not stuffed to the point of misery or to a heart attack!
p.s. Anybody out there have a good tasting lowfat turkey gravy recipe?

When God speaks, I listen.

I can't believe I have a stress fracture in my right tibia (not the side of my wonderful hip replacement, the other one). This is my very busy time at work, and in the beginning of October I was running around like crazy preparing for 3 major events, along with all my normal seminars/classes, personal workouts, swim class, etc; and it overstressed my tibia, so it decided to crack. The pain in my right shin soon became unbearable and after a weekend of swelling and constant pain , I saw Dr. Steven Kulik here at GSH first thing next morning. After my diagnosis, he stressed--No exercise, no swim clases, no tai chi, no driving and light duty work for at least a month, but maybe 6 weeks. And if I did not let this heal this would haunt me the rest of my life! So is this God's way of telling me to slow down or what? That's my take-so I've re-assess alot of things. One of which is the fact that in spite of all my denial, I truly am 56 and my body is not 25 anymore. I'm not ready, AT ALL, for the rocking chair but will pace myself a little differently, work more efficiently, ask for help more often, and take more time to relax a little more. I'm just finishing my second week with this ball-n-chain boot cast, having my husband "drive Ms. Daisy" around everywhere, bumming rides like a hitch-hiker, getting to work with the crowing roosters, and missing exercise like crazy. I feel aerobically dead and my joints are desperately desiring some warm water workouts. I get up to the Good Health Center and spin the windjammer around for 10-12 minutes to work the heart and lungs at bit; lift weights for the upper body every couple days; and do some seated tai chi breathing and yoga as much as possible. I'm sleeping in during my usual workout time each morning and look forward I to my am workout routine once free and clear to exercise again. In the meantime, I'm catching up on alot of my "office work", planning, reading, resting, eating and watching the dust balls grow in my house. This weekend after working the health fair, I'm looking forward to eating crabs with friends, and a long ride out in the country seeking apples and enjoying the beautiful autumnal array of colors. Have I slowed down or what????? Happy Halloween to ALL!