Bones

And springtime in the garden

The consensus from everywhere is that lifting weights is the only way to improve bone density numbers and I am eager to do that even though I have had a dose of Prolia and plan to continue. In the past I’ve tried weight machines at gyms, but the atmosphere hasn’t been inspiring. Lots of super-muscled people, mostly men sweating and huffing, loud pop music I try to avoid in the rest of my life, also rows upon rows of screens beaming Fox News that stresses me out, and an ever-present feeling that I have no idea what I’m doing and that I’m going to hurt myself instead of help myself.

As I began pondering my best next move, I decided to seek out a female trainer about my age who would honor my limitations and push me towards improvement without risking injury. Fifteen years ago, I suffered through frozen shoulder in my right arm. I learned more about this disease than I wanted to and have posted about it on this Substack. In brief, the official name for the disease is Adhesive Capsulitis, a spontaneous inflammation of the soft tissue that surrounds the shoulder joints. The most common patients are women in menopause, people with thyroid conditions, diabetics. If this disease affected men in the same numbers as it does women, I know we’d have a cure, but for now, too many women in the prime of life suffer excruciating pain, sometimes for years. There are treatments, detailed in my post below:

Why Frozen Shoulder is a Feminist Issue

I recovered about 80% of my original range of motion and can perform Pilates exercises with gusto, but when I tried to lift weights at home, I’ve had painful episodes of sharp shooting nerve pain in my shoulder and down my arm, something like sticking your finger in an electrical socket. I assume this is some residual nerve damage or scar tissue, a souvenir of one of the most physically painful experiences I’ve endure…and I’ve experienced childbirth so that’s setting the bar high.

I also wanted to learn how to jump rope again. Amazing that a pastime that occupied many happy hours during my childhood was lost. When I tried to pick it up again on my own, my rhythm was all off. I watched some videos, tried again, but no.

I have found a trainer in my town, a woman who seems to be my age—more or less. I got through the assessment hour, had fun! and left with a feeling of optimism that is rare enough in these times. She tells me she can get me back to jump roping. Today I feel sore in a good way and I’m excited to see where this challenge will take me and my bones. I thrive on the dream that I will be walking upright into old age.

Meanwhile, my garden is thrilled with our slow spring and for readers in Hudson, I am now in gifting mode, so feel free to reach out for donations.

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You can find out more about my memoirs Perfection and Eva and Eve here and purchase here.

I work privately with memoir writers. You can reach out via my website: juliemetz.com.