COMMUNITY BLOG

Weight watchers? Nutri-system? Church-based weight loss groups? Doc or Dietician?  What have you tried and what worked for you? Share with our community?

 I’ll start: I’ve tried weight watchers– I learned helpful stuff but I found that many people were most motivated by the weigh in– they didn’t want to be embarresse by the scale in front of peers. I found that didn’t phase me. I wasn’t embarressed by my weight, I just wanted to change it. Ultimately, WW was just a stepping stone for me.

 I’ve lost weight through serious exercise and diet, but found that it was something I could ot sustain. (By the way, I was  skinny until perimenopause/menopause took its toll.) Middle aged weight gain can be tough to beat and requires effort and disclipline. But what I always tell people is, healthy eating and exercise are good for you even if you don’t lose weight the way and the degree that you may want to. So focus on them as pleasureable activities that pack a health benefit punch. And don’t be so focused on the scale that you give up good things when you don’t get the results you expect.

 Maggie SPilner, SAN staff writer

I love cherries, so I’m glad they’re so good for me. My favorite trail mix is dried tart cherries, dark chocolate chips, and walnut pieces.  It goes nicely with a bottle of water.  Anyone have a cherries recipe or suggestion to share?

Posted by Gale Maleskey, MS, RD

SAN Writer

After writing about osteoporosis this week, I decided to get serious about my calcium intake. I’m probably lucky to get 300–400 mg of calcium a day through foods, so I usually take about 500 mg a day of supplemental calcium. I also take 1,000 IU of vitamin D. I’m totally convinced that vitamin D is just as important as calcium for preventing osteoporosis, and that the multi- provides trace minerals that are important for strong bones.  Anyone else care to comment on what they do to prevent or treat osteoporosis?

Submitted by SAN Writer Gale Maleskey, MS, RD

 Have you tried spaghetti Squash?  Like it? How did you use it? One thing I found out this week — you can’t leave them sitting on the countertop when the weather warms up– mine went completely soft/rotten in less than a week. Keep in the fridge or cold cellar.

Maggie Spilner — SAN writer

This week, Maggie wrote about how exercise can extend lifespan by affecting the basic biology of cells. I remember, once, talking with an exercise expert who told me that for every hour you exercise, you add on about one hour of life.  I started to think of exercise as “free time” and that helped me to overcome the “don’t have time” excuse! Exercise makes its own time.  Of course, it helps that I like to exercise. What do you do to help you exercise regularly? What physical limitations have you overcome? Do you have a buddy who helps get you out, or a class you just can’t miss? 

Posted by Gale Maleskey, MS, RD

SAN Writer 

This week, I wrote about some things I do to try to keep my geriatric kitty cat healthy. I’d love for other pet owners to share their collective experience with keeping their pets healthy. What kinds of food do you use, what books do you recommend, how do you find a good vet, etc? Have you ever taken your pet to be blessed, or to a healing circle?This is information we all can use to keep our beloved creatures with us a long time.

SAN Writer Gale Maleskey, MS RD 

Tai Chi is being studied at the National Institutes of Health for various health conditions. Traditionally, in CHina anyway, it’s done as a community activity, in a public space.  I’m wondering how many of our readers have done Tai Chi and how they’ve done it- -in a class? With a private instructor? WIth a video?  And have you stuck with it? Tell us about your experience and what YOU got out of it.

 Staff Writer, Maggie Spilner

Have you had an interesting experience with alternative medicine (positive or negative) that you’d be willing to share?  WHether acupuncture, chirpractic care,  nutrition related, energy medicine - you name it, I’m sure others would like to hear about it.

S.A.N. Writer, Maggie Spilner

I’ve been very surprised, given the research available, that so few doctors or nurses that I know, know anything about the value (And necessity) of taking co enzyme Q10, which statin drugs deplete. Are you on a statin drug? And did your doctor know about c0-Q10?

Staff Writer, Maggie Spilner

Maggie’s recent experiences with traditional vs. complementary health care providers  (Avoiding Prescription Pills) reminds me of my own experiences. My ”regular” doctor is a good diagnostician. He seems to listen and make decisions in an orderly fashion, and seems to order tests in a reasonable way.  As for treatment, I may take or leave what he recommends, but if I find something that works without drugs or surgery, I let him know about it. His answer is usually just “hmmmmm”  but I hope it does get him thinking. What kinds of experiences have you had trying to combine different medical approaches?  

SAN Writer Gale Maleskey, MS, RD

 For instance, I was referred to a hand surgeon for pain from what appeared to be “trigger” finger. By luck, my chiropractor was able to completely stop the pain by fixing what was probably a dislocated joint in my finger. I’ve also had back problems that cause pain in one of my legs, and as long as I do certain yoga poses regularly, I can pretty much stop this pain.