In 2005, I had a bone density test. and learned that I was bordering on osteoporosis. I had another one last year; it was worse; I now had osteoporosis. Very frustrating. I’m way too young for this!

So, I made a concerted effort to do what I could to keep my bones from getting any more porous than they already were.

A couple of weeks ago, I had another bone density test. This week, the doctor’s office called and left a message for me to call back. I knew what that meant. I’d get to go in to see the doctor and he’d tell me the results were a bit worse. And then I’d have to make the decision about taking one of the new medicines that apparently can help with bone growth.

So yesterday I called back. But I didn’t hear what I expected. Instead, the receptionist read me a note from the doctor saying that my results were better than they had been in 2005 and to keep on doing whatever I was doing.

Yahoo!!!!!!!!

So, in case you might be concerned about your own bones, I thought I’d share what I’ve been doing.

Four things:

1. Eating healthy stuff, including lots of fruit and vegetables, two to three servings of milk, cheese, etc. per day, no candy or soft drinks of any kind (i. e. any drinks with sugar except for the occasional orange or grape juice – note: juice, not fruit drink), and a decent amount of good protein and grains. (Note: my cholesterol didn’t require a call-back either!)

2. Eating the number of calories I need rather than eating when I want something to eat. Not starving myself, and not counting calories at the moment, but being intelligent about whether I “need” it or not. Probably around 1800 calories. (A bit lower than necessary, but I still have 15 pounds I’d like to lose.)

3. Taking two Mega Cal Swiss Milk Chocolate Soft Chews each day (chocolate variety with 650 mg calcium and 200 IU Vitamin D in each) plus a one-a-day vitamin every other day.

4. Swimming one day a week (1 hour = 1.25 k); walking on my treadmill for 30 minutes at a mixture of mixed fast/slower pace 4 to 5 days a week; doing simple weights 2-3 times a week; and doing a few stretching and back exercises.

Nothing fancy or terribly difficult, but apparently it’s working! And I’m feeling great today.

bone density · calcium · getting fit · osteoporosis

I’m about to go to a cottage for a week just to write. It’s what my journalist, Kyle, in Glitter of Diamonds dreams of doing. It’s what most writers dream of doing. “If I could only get away for a while and concentrate on writing, I’d be able to accomplish so much!”

Well, a few months ago, I decided to put my money where my mouth is. I sent a cheque for a week’s stay at a friend’s cottage. And now I’m stuck. Paid too much to let it go. So I’m gathering up my bedding and clothes, buying essentials such as Deep Woods mosquito repellent and enough groceries to last, digging out my old running shoes in case it rains all week (as it’s supposed to), and reading the bits about how not to attract raccoons and bears. Bears???????? Maybe the cottage in the woods bit isn’t quite as romantic as I thought it was. Maybe next time, I’ll just rent a nice room at a hotel where they have room service.

Anyway, I’m off to write. Not sure which of the four books and six columns on my to-do list I’ll do first, though. I guess whichever seems most appropriate when I get there. All I know is, considering what i paid for the cottage, I’d better get a lot of writing done!

Glitter of Diamonds · writing dream

Just a few days ago, I was listening to J.P. Ricciardi being interviewed on the FAN 590, and thinking to myself, "If you wanted to try to save this season, you’d be bringing in Cito Gaston to take over the club." And today, that’s exactly what has happened. What made me think that? Well, first because I have been totally frustrated over the past 11 years by the fact that Cito was pretty well ignored by the baseball community. Why on earth would someone with back-to-back world Series rings not be offered a chance to manage again? The other factor was that I have been listening to the interviews on Flash-back Fridays when the Jays have brought in former players who were on Cito’s teams, and they all seem to credit Cito with helping them become the players they were. Players like Roberto Alamar. I don’t think Cito was ever given the credit he deserved. It was always, "Anyone could have won with that team." I completely disagree. True, it’s very hard to win unless you have good players; but it’s not a given that if you have good players, the manager’s role is meaningless. No, I’ve never managed a baseball team. But I have worked with a lot of people over the years. I remember when I was teaching high school and coaching the school’s quiz team.  We were in the finals, on TV.  We arrived first and were sitting in the green room laughing and talking when the other team came in. My team was having fun and joking, and happily greeted the other team. Led by their teacher/coach, they just stared at us. They were focused, tight as a drum, and dead serious. They sat down and got into a tight group to talk. Every once in a while they’d look over at us as if evaluated our chances against them. We continued joking around and doing a lot of laughing. When we were called into the studio, my team walked nonchalantly, arms swinging, and joked with the quiz master and the camera people. The other team came in a tight group, looking around as if worried they were going to be tricked. Finally, the questions began. My happy group – which by the way came from a high school much smaller than that of the other group, and therefore was the underdog -  continued to smile as they responded to the questions with ease. The other team was visibly tense and made mistakes they obviously found frustrating. I’m sure the other team was every bit as capable as mine – possibly more capable. But they were uptight and worried. From the comments they made, it was clear they felt a lot of pressure to win. I had worked hard in the car and at the studio to keep my team loose. We had practiced; we were ready; if we lost it wasn’t going to be the end of the world. If they won, great, but all I cared about was their doing their best and enjoying the experience. Yes, my team won handily. And celebrated afterwards at the Dairy Queen (Chuck Swirsky’s favorite place) with banana splits, on me. Managers do make a differnce – subtle, maybe, but real. I’ve been sensing a lot of frustration on the Jays this season. Maybe Cito can turn it around. I sure hope so. Go, Cito! Go, Jays!

Blue Jays · Chuck Swirsky · Cito Gaston · Dairy Queen · new manager · role of the manager