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The Sequoia Advisor
IN THIS ISSUE August 1st 2012
- Your Osteoporosis Diagnosis, Now What?
- Fitness, Not Weight Most Important
- Beginner Posture Perfect!TM Slots Still Available
- How to Create Balance in Your Life
- Osteoporosis Support News
Feel Better... Live Better
Your Osteoporosis Diagnosis, Now What?
By Woody McMahon
Receiving Your Diagnosis
The diagnosis of osteopenia or osteoporosis is never welcome news.
But given what we know about bones and how they work in the body,
there are many natural ways to improve your bone health with simple
lifestyle changes. So receiving your osteoporosis diagnosis should be
taken as a strong wake-up call and a move to evaluating and sorting
out the various aspects of your lifestyle.
Moving Away from Fear
Unfortunately the most common reaction to a diagnosis of osteoporosis
or osteopenia is panic, fear and a rush to take a pill. This is partly due
to the strong insistence by most physicians who want their patients to
start medications "right away." This rush to medication is accompanied
by phrases such as "your spine is so bad it will break in half" or "you have
the bones of a 90 year old" which all make it difficult to say NO.
A Healthy Lifestyle is King
It is important to know that osteoporosis or osteopenia are heavily
influenced by your lifestyle habits. Your exercise program, the foods you
choose to eat, the supplements that you take and your stress levels all
impact the health of your bones. Instead of rushing to medication after
you have been diagnosed with osteoporosis or osteopenia, (you can take
medication any time along the way) I recommend considering three
important steps before doing anything else:
1. Start a Personal Health Journal
Documenting and organizing your current health and fitness habits is a
valuable tool not only for you but any other health or fitness
professional that reviews your case. It will first help you take stock of
your current lifestyle habits and then track various lifestyle changes
along the way. Journaling is an excellent way to begin stopping and
reversing your bone health problems. Your bones respond favorably to safe
and effective exercises, improved eating habits, better sleep patterns and
stress reduction activities. Osteoporosis medications (if you decide to
take them) work best with lifestyle changes so changing your lifestyle
first makes more sense.
2. Determine Your Risk for Fracture
After a diagnosis of osteoporosis or osteopenia, the most important fact
to know is what is my risk of sustaining a fracture. Reducing your risk of
fractures is going to be your sole mission and much more important than
increasing bone density. So one of the most important pieces of
information to focus on is not your bone density scores but your FRAX
percentages. The FRAX Index calculates your risk of hip fracture. Bone
density or BMD are the numbers your doctor gave you after your DEXA
scan. BMD is only ONE risk factor of 12 that are important in determining
your fracture risk. Go to http://www.shef.ac.uk/FRAX/ for more information.
3. Create a Professional Bone Health Improvement Plan
So many times the bone health programs I review consist of an odd
collection of what people have read on the web or seen on television.
These programs are usually missing key components and have not been
reviewed by a knowledgeable professional or customized to meet individual
needs. Having a good bone health program goes beyond just improving bone
density. Your bones respond to many different changes in your life. The
foods you eat, the amount of water you drink, your sleep patterns and
exercise activities can all benefit your bone health.
I hope these 3 steps will help take some of the mystery and fear out of your
osteoporosis or osteopenia diagnosis.
Would you like to reduce stress and improve your bone health but
don't know where to start? I provide an easy to follow program called
Be Bone Strong! that helps improve your bone health, posture, balance
and strength while reducing fracture risk. Contact me anytime for a
no cost consultation at 703-628-2880 or email to
woody@sequoiahealth.com.
Fitness, Not Weight Most Important
by Woody McMahon
Struggling With Your Weight
There is some good news if you are one of those people struggling with
your weight. The latest research on weight and health suggests that
excess weight may not affect your health as much as having a low level
of conditioning. Recent studies show that if you only have 15 to 25 pounds
to lose, reducing body weight may not be really that important for your
overall health. The research also found that weight loss by itself was
shown to be a poor motivator. The data showed that over 89% of the
people using weight loss as their primary goal stopped their fitness program
after 6 months.
How Much is Too Much
Unless you fall into one of the three weight loss categories below, you
probably won't see much of a health benefit from losing just a few
pounds. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) says this about weight
loss:
"Health experts agree that you may gain health benefits from even
a small weight loss if:
1. You are considered obese based on your body mass index (BMI)
(see BMI link below)
2. You are considered overweight based on your BMI and have
weight-related health problems or a family history of such problems
3. You have a waist that measures more than 40 inches if you are a man
or more than 35 inches if you are a woman"
To check your BMI go to
http://win.niddk.nih.gov/publications/for_life.htm
The three scenarios above are a good guideline for when excess weight
needs to taken as a concern. Notice that #1 says you need to have a BMI in
the OBESE range to be concerned about your weight unless as in #2 you have
additional medical complications or as in #3 your waist measures more
than 40 inches for men or 35 inches for women respectively.
Conditioning is King
Switching your focus and goals to improving your conditioning is
actually a much better strategy. Better conditioning opens doors to
improving your ability to participate in activities of daily living
called ADL's. The better your conditioning, the more fun you can have
with your friends while not feeling left out of an activity because you
are too tired. Any good conditioning program will be first and foremost
safe and effective while including the following four major components.
These are:
• Stamina: Lets you play and work more before getting tired
• Balance: Prevents falls and fractures
• Flexibility: Keeps joints and muscles safe
• Muscular Strength: Improves sports performance
At Home or At the Club
Whether you exercise at home or take regular trips to the health club,
improving your conditioning will provide a host of healthful benefits
even if you don't lose one single pound. Regular exercise reduces blood
pressure, heart disease, cholesterol, blood sugar and joint pain.
Exercise keeps your heart, blood vessels and brain in top condition.
Exercise allows you to live a richer and fuller life. All of this and not
one pound lost. Something to think about, isn't it?
Try these healthy lifestyle changes for 30 days. Feel what it is like to be
a part of the health solution rather than a health burden. If you need
additional suggestions and advice on living a healthier lifestyle, email or
call me for a no cost consultation, at 703-628-2880 or email to
woody@sequoiahealth.com.
Posture Perfect!TM Class August 1st
Spots Still Available
We still have room in our Posture Perfect!TM beginner class that started on
August 1st at 12:00 PM at 483A Carlisle Drive, Herndon, VA 20170.
This class is designed to strengthen your bones, improve your balance,
alleviate back aches and neck pains and teach you how to sit and stand-up
straighter.
We have several people in our current classes who are coming to strengthen
their bones and over half of the others are interested in exercises and posture
changes to help make their backs and necks feel better.
Please call Woody McMahon at 703-628-2880 or email to
woody@sequoiahealth.com for more information, class times and reservations.
Posture Perfect!TM Testimonials...
Posture Perfect's! momentum continues to grow. Here is a glowing testimonial
from one of our class members.
"Posture Perfect!TM class has not only met my expectations, but exceeded
them! There are several reasons I enjoy the class. The small class size
gives each of us extraordinary personalized training; your knowledge,
expertise, patience, and sense of humor makes me look forward to
coming to a class I thought would be only for 6 weeks; and I have
learned so much more that I expected."
"For example, I now think about my posture every time I sit, and just when
I thought I'd begin to have a hard time rising from sitting on the floor, you
taught me how to make it easier. I try to practice some of the balance
exercises a couple of times a week (I know, I should do it more often!).
I thank you for all I have learned from you so far, and hope to continue
this class for the foreseeable future!"
P.S.
You can read more about Posture Perfect!TM at:
http://sequoiahealth.com/posture_perfect__classes
People and Pets
How to Create Balance in Your Life
By Ingrid King
Happiness is not a matter of intensity but of balance, order, rhythm and
harmony. - Thomas Merton
Do you struggle to find balance in your life? Many of us lead lives that
are anything but balanced, in fact, at times, we often feel like Odin
trying to balance on the branch above, ready to tumble off at any moment.
Some of us will manage to right ourselves, others will try to balance by
flailing about, and the rest of us will fall off and try to get back on
again. But eventually, no matter how hard we try, we'll all fall off if
we don't create balance in our lives.
Balance is an essential ingredient for a happy life. When your life is
in balance, your body, mind and spirit are in harmony. Everything just
feels right. But how do you achieve that balance in these hectic times we
live in? The definition of balance will vary from person to person, but
the following tips can help create balance in anyone's life:
- Make time for yourself. You can't be there for everyone else unless
you take care of yourself.
- Exercise regularly and eat healthy. This goes right along with taking
care of yourself.
- Integrate your passion with your work. Most of us spend up to a third of
our lives at work. Doing work you're passionate about rather than work
that's "just a job" will go a long way toward creating balance in your
life. If you haven't found a way yet to combine the two, leave your work
at the office. Nobody ever looks back on their life and wishes they had
spent more time at the office!
- Spend time with family and friends.
- Live within your means. Stress over finances is one of the biggest
obstacles to creating balance in your life.
- Don't multi-task. You may think you're getting more done that way, but
you're really not. By putting your full focus and energy on one task at a
time, you will work more efficiently and you won't feel like you're just
spinning your wheels.
- Spend time with your cats! Spending time with pets is one of the best
ways I know to come back into balance instantly.
Creating balance can be challenging, but even just implementing one or
two of these suggestions will help you! What one thing will you do this week
to create more balance in your life?
(c) Ingrid King 2010- 2012
Ingrid King is a former veterinary hospital manager turned writer. She is
the author of Buckley's Story - Lessons from a Feline Master Teacher. Her
online magazine News for You and Your Pet goes out to subscribers around
the world. Her blog, The Conscious Cat, has been called "educational cat
nip for the cat lover" and is a comprehensive resource for conscious
living, health and happiness for pets and their people. For more
information about Ingrid, please visit http://www.ingridking.com
Osteoporosis Support News
2012 Osteoporosis Resource Center's (ORC) Classes
Current Class Schedule
Tai Chi for Osteoporosis
When: Mondays and Wednesdays 1:30-2:30 PM
Where: Qi Elements Center, 464 Herndon Parkway
Suite 215, Herndon, VA 20170
Tuition: $105 for one class a week, $190 for both classes
Email qielements@verizon.net or call Roger 703 435-4400 for more
information.
Yoga for Boomers & Beyond
When: Monday 6:45 to 8 PM
Where: Qi Elements Center, 464 Herndon Parkway
Suite 215, Herndon, VA 20170
Tuition: $154 for one class a week for 7 weeks
Email http://www.openingmovesyoga.com/join.php or call Bonnie at
703-407-2065 for more information.
Gentle Yoga for Seniors
When: Monday 11:45 to 12:30 PM or
Tuesday 11:45 to 12:30 PM
Where: Qi Elements Center, 464 Herndon Parkway
Suite 215, Herndon, VA 20170
Tuition: $48 for one class a week for 6 weeks
Email http://www.openingmovesyoga.com/join.php or call Bonnie at
703-407-2065 for more information.
Posture Perfect!TM Level 1 Beginner Class
When: Wednesday 12 PM to 1:00 PM
Where: Sequoia Health and Fitness, Inc.
483 Carlisle Drive, Herndon, VA 20170
Tuition: $160 for one class a week for 8 weeks
Email woody@sequoiahealth.com or call Woody at
703-628-2880 for more information.
What is the ORC?
The ORC is unique in the Northern Virginia area offering safe and effective
exercise classes including Personal Training, Yoga, Tai Chi and
Posture Perfect!TM We also offer classes and consultations for people with
osteoporosis, osteopenia, back, hip and neck pain as well as other
bone and joint health problems.
"What makes the ORC exceptional is that it offers safe and effective exercise
programs that can help improve posture, balance and strength for bone
and joint health problems" says Woody McMahon one of the center's
co-directors. "For the first time people that come to the center can feel
comfortable that the exercises they are performing will only do good and
not cause any harm. "
Who Benefits From Our Classes
Beginners: Our unique classes are great for someone who wants to begin
a safe and effective exercise program but does not know where to start.
Post Rehabilitation: Our classes offer a safe and effective transition from
physical therapy to more general exercise that help to safely strengthen
important stability muscles.
Advanced: The classes are perfect for tennis players, golfers or runners
who want to enhance their bodies to improve their sport and continue to
play safely and injury free.
Newsletter Sign-Up
Sign-up for our FREE newsletter The Sequoia Advisor to stay informed
about all of our future class offerings, workshops and seminars. It is
easy... just go to http://www.sequoiahealth.com/ORC and enter your
name and email address.
We look forward to seeing you soon at one of our classes.
Please call Woody McMahon at 703-628-2880 or email to
woody@sequoiahealth.com for more information.
Continued Good Health,
Woody
Woody McMahon
The Sequoia Advisor
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Sequoia Health and Fitness, Inc.
483A Carlisle Drive
Herndon, VA
20170
Required Disclaimer: The material provided herein should not be construed
as a health-care diagnosis, treatment regimen or any other prescribed
health-care advice or instruction. The material is provided with the
understanding that the publisher is not engaged in the practice of medicine
or any other health-care profession and does not enter into a health-care
practitioner/patient relationship with its readers. The publisher does not
advise or recommend to its readers treatment or action with regard to
matters relating to their health or well-being other than suggesting that
readers consult appropriate health-care professionals in such matters. No
action should be taken based solely on the content of this publication. The
material and opinions provided herein are believed to be accurate and sound
at the time of publication, based on the best judgment available to the
authors. However, readers who rely on material in this publication to
replace the advice of health-care professionals, or who fail to consult
with health-care professionals, assume all risks of such conduct. The
publisher is not responsible for errors or omissions.
Copyright (c) 2006-2012 by Sequoia Health and Fitness, Inc.
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