To prevent osteoporosis, women need both diet and exercise

This is what I like about my job. It is low-paying, but it is very mentally-stimulating. The only regret I have is not having enough time to read on the subjects discussed.

Anyway, I had posted before in another of my blogs about the importance of exercise supplementing diet.

Recently, my SIL noticed I had an exercise ball (aside from my elliptical) and she said, I did not have to exercise as I was already thin (to her). I told her, those were not to make me lose weight, but to keep my muscle toned. You see, muscles not used waste away (atrophy of disuse). If I continue to just sit here all day (as what my work requires), I will, in time, lose my legs' shape (which many have found to be quite sexy). I actually have been feeling aches in my upper limbs as they are most of the time in a typing position, and not subject to exercise as much as I would like them to be. I have been meaning to add dumbbells or resistance bands to my exercise gadget. I want to keep my muscle mass.

Now what has muscle got to do with bones and osteoporosis? Well, every time we use our muscles, the bones to which they are attached are put under stress. LIke I previously mentioned in another blog, there is a reaction to every action. The bones react to the stress by building mass as well.

I just thought about posting this here because I was editing a transcript where the doctor said the following:

"it is imperative for her bone health that she maintain weightbearing exercise including weights, not just using the elliptical trainer. I also discussed the importance in terms of maintaining muscle mass after the age of 50 or menopause. Once a woman loose their muscle mass, it is almost impossible for them to regain it, and the muscle mass is not only important for the basal metabolic rate and weight maintenance or control, it is also important for osteoporosis prevention, bone protection should one slip for fall, and it is also makes women over the age of 50 less likely to fall because they have better muscle strength and a better righting reflex and greater stability on their feet."

A lot of women in their 60's wonder why they have severe osteoporosis. I can only say, while it is still early and while we still are mentruating (we have enough estrogen), we drink milk (with calcium), expose ourselves to the sun (vit D activates dietary calcium for utilization by the body), and of course, exercise (our body reacts to the physical stress by building mass). Because even with the raw materials for building muscles and bones, we will not build them unless our body sees the need to (to be able to react to physical stress).

I also saw once in Discovery Science channel about astronauts who spent more than a year in space (weightless), who experience atrophy of muscles and weakening of bones (because of osteoporosis) simply because the gravity force was no longer there to stimulate these bodily structures. They came home having the need to be supported by several colleagues once alighting their space shuttle, as they could barely support themselves.

Benefits of exercise? Weight loss/maintenance is just one of them...

Happy Valentine's Day Indeed!

I had been trying to make my hp photosmart 7760 work (ran out of ink; we refilled; could not work now), because I wanted to make a card for my hubby. That is usually how I remind him during this special day how much I love him. I do not want to spend money on holidays as much as possible. Call me kuripot, but these special days have been so commercialized.

I tried my old hp photosmart 7350 (I gave it to Patrick once I got hold of Gary's 7760 because he got himself a new Epson photo printer recently). Ink cartridges needed to be replaced as well. Aaaargh!

I gave up. I just thought I would make myself super bango and ganda for Gary's arrival from work. So I showered while baking chicken in mushroom soup/sour cream and cooking the Rice-A-Roni.

I was still in the bathroom brushing my teeth (in preparation for torrid kissing -- hehe), when he came. He handed me this beautifully wonderful flowers which he himself picked. I, of course, kissed him and thanked him.
Then I was waiting for the heart-shaped box of Stover Russell chocolates...nothing.

Then he led me out of the room...I was already anticipating he got me something else as a gift...I was ready to throw a fit! I wanted no luxurious spending!

Then he gave me a Valentine-decorated bag with a box that contained this:
Fujifil FinePix F10 6.3 Mega Pixels, 18.5 x total zoom, 2.5 inch LCD.

He forewarned me not to give a fit. I wanted to, but how could I? I was so pleased with this gadget (I would always prefer such things over a car, if I can help not having a car.)

Gary told me I was always able to come up with a very good picture using my obsolete digicam, so he got me a newer one of the same brand.

So this photo here is the last picture I took with my old Fujifilm FinePix 1.0 Mega Pixel digicam, which I have now handed to Patrick.

And that photo of flowers is the first I took with my brand-new digicam.

I was teasing him about drooling...his is a 4 MegaPixel Sony. While it took pictures, it was not quick enough to capture snapshots due to high-resolution.

Now, mine has better resolution, and is equipped with the technology to take snapshots without much delay despite the superior quality of photos.

I really love my husband...and my new digicam.