Lube Your Joints

Human joints are similar to metal joints in that they require lubrication. The body produces natural oil called hyaluronan. Increasing the natural oil decreases wear and tear from impact, running injuries, and arthritis. Lube Your Joints With:

• Glucosamine: Glucosamine stimulates the production of hyaluronan, and it also increases the natural building blocks of the joint cartilage called glycosaminoglycans. These natural sugars absorb water and cushion the joint from impact.
• Hyaluronan Injections: Called viscosupplementation, these injections of hyaluronan stimulate the joint lining to produce more lubricant. A series of five weekly injections seems to produce protection for six months to a year in many patients.
• Optimizing Your Weight: You take 2-3 million steps per year at up to five times your body weight, depending on the height of the step. Losing ten pounds decreases the force on the joint up to 50 lbs. 2-3 times per year. See our e-newsletter, "Water, Water Everywhere But Not Enough Drunk" to get specific recommendations.
• Drinking More Water: Most people are naturally dehydrated during the day and sleeping all night leads to water loss. Exercising while dehydrated leads to joint stiffness and further injury. Hydrate with water (not soft drinks or coffee) frequently.
• Cross Training: Mix up your workouts and mix in bicycling and water workouts. The lowered impact of cycling and water running permits recovery from weight lifting and road running. The cross training uses multiple joints and muscles in varied ways.
• People who follow The Stone Clinic's CrossFit-based training program return fitter, faster, and stronger than they were before they got injured. See www.stoneclinic.com/athlete.
  Future directions include progenitor stem cells designed to produce natural joint lubricant for arthritic knees.

Kevin R. Stone, M.D. and the Team at The Stone Clinic

The Stone Clinic 3727 Buchanan StreetSan Francisco, California 94123 - 415-563-3110

A Success!

Congratulations to Greg for losing 14lbs in one month! Yay! I asked him what he's been doing and you'll never believe what he said. "I've been exercising, watching not only my portions but also what kind of food I eat, and I get a vitamin B shot each month." Imagine that! It's magic...not!

Keep up the good work Greg and I'm planning to share in your feelings of success very soon!

I'm Out Of My Closet

Literally! I tried on everything in my closet and now I know how bad this really is...and isn't. Some of my clothes don't fit me now, and might possibly never fit me. Those are going to the consignment shop. My really nice suits "fit" me, but not.

I have been on a mental mission to lose 40 lbs. Instead, I'm changing my plan to lose 10 lbs so my nice clothes fit me. When I reach that goal, I will evaluate what worked and if I want to keep going. Smaller bites in my goal, and smaller bites in my mouth!

The upside, my closet looks really nice now!

Back On Track...Again!

I got home Sunday feeling inspired to get the diet back on track (I know! I say this every week.), when I walked into the kitchen to see a still warm pizza on the counter, three boxes of Girl Scout cookies, and cherry-limeade flavored drinks! Sheesh, leave the boys to their own devices for 24-hours and any idea that we eat nutritious food goes right out the window! Needless to say, I ate some pizza, had a single serving of GS cookies (there is only two servings per box, right?), made a drink, and went outside to see Mason ride his new bike. Maybe I should have dragged my bike out, dusted it off, put air in the tires and ridden with Mason! What a novel idea! Laughing!

I'm back on track. What about you?

I Love Yoga!

Do you do yoga? If you don't, find a class and give it a try. You'll be surprised how much you tune into your body, how strong you really are, and how far you still have to go! After injuring my shoulder and then being thrown from the horse, I need yoga now more than ever. I went last night and it was really good. I'm able to get in a mental space that puts me in line to take care of me. It makes me a better wife and mom, more patient, more loving. I like that!

I'm Like Oprah

Okay, I'm a little like Oprah, I have to make myself exercise and right now, I'm not liking like I want to. Some days it feels good to go, to get on the treadmill, and head to the weight room. Other days, it feels like I have a ball and chain around my ankle and getting to the gym is a feat in itself. I'm not quitting, but I'm not seeing success like I want to either.

Oh Shit!

Though I've been going to the gym, I blew my diet to hell yesterday (actually today, Sunday). Shit! They say it's not about willpower, but who the heck are "they?" I get into these modes where I feel completely out of control of what I put in my mouth. It was these moments that made me bulimic back in my twenties. I don't feel like I'm on that edge again, it just makes me so mad that I can't stay in control of what I put in my mouth. I do care! I do! Okay, I'm going to the gym this morning and getting back on track.