<p>While going to the dentist isn’t my favorite activity, I have managed to land at “the dentist to the stars” here in Music City. (It was sort of an accident- my Dallas dentist went to dental school with this guy and referred me.) The main guy (I see the more “normal” dentist) does all the cosmetic work for the country music stars, the governor etc. It’s pretty fun because I see someone famous almost every time I go. He is close friends with Dolly Parton. Also- the place is like going to a spa. They do a paraffin wax treatment on your hands, have wonderful overhead TVs with country music videos (or whatever you want) and plenty of nitrous. Could be worse!</p>
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<p>Nothing like an elbow in the psoas! NOT!</p>
<p>That’s a sucker that can hurt when tender.</p>
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<p>Elbow to the piriformis…</p>
<p>ooo…my dentist did one of those paraffin treatments on my hands and I really didn’t like it. Gooey hot stuff - and when it dried I felt like a mummy. It’s funny how we all have different things we like and dislike. The folks at my dental office think it’s great and I didn’t have the heart to tell them I hated it. But I’ll pass next time!</p>
<p>My dentist does the paraffin bath too. D1 loves it but it reminds her of her treatment for her JRA. I love deep tissue massage…the harder the better! The most relaxing thing for me is scalp massage and having my hair brushed. Too bad H won’t do that for me! 
Wedding anniversary today…31 years! Will celebrate this weekend. ( But I am having wine now!)</p>
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<p>Oh no. That is pure torture for me. The entire time I’m leaning back into the sink (a truly uncomfortable position), all I’m thinking is “please, let this be over soon.” I hate the head message with the long fingernails, followed by kneading my head like its play-doh. This invariably ends with water being hosed into my ears. </p>
<p>I don’t like pedicures;massages; or any kind of physical examination, especially dentists. I sit there with my jaw and fists clenched and occasionally make small, nonsensical talk. </p>
<p>I swear I’m not some sort of weird, antisocial recluse. I really do like people, but I’m not crazy about strangers with their hands all over me.</p>
<p>Sigh. Speaking of massages and physical therapy, I’ve lost track of this thread, and my exercise routine in general, because of a rotator cuff injury. This is what my MD told me, my PT thinks it’s more tendonitis or bursitis in the front of my shoulder. Has anyone had experience with this? I’ve been dealing with this for over 5 months now and I’m getting demoralized. No more weights, no more yoga until this is healed. I haven’t been inspired to do any aerobic stuff either. Yesterday, I was in a dressing room and was aghast at how flabby I’d gotten! (Isn’t it strange how your mirror at home is so much more tactful about these things?) I’ve managed to not put on much weight so I’d delude myself that I was doing OK, but I have lost a lot of muscle tone and everything is really jiggly now. </p>
<p>Sorry for the whining but I’m feeling sorry for myself. Any words of wisdom about how to heal from a shoulder/bicep injury?</p>
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<p>What kind of stuff do they have you do at physical therapy?</p>
<p>I think I would get another MD opinion. I have several friends who got a different diagnosis on shoulder stuff from every doctor they saw. Most finally got to the right doc and the right PT and avoided surgery. Sorry you are going through this. Can you do elliptical or other leg driven exercises to get back in shape?</p>
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<p>Well, I could, if I hadn’t been wearing my favorite Dansko clogs and twisted my ankle the other day! This is the THIRD time I’ve done this in those shoes, and much as it breaks my heart, I think I’ll call it quits with clogs. </p>
<p>There seems to be a lot of disagreement about shoulder injuries among the health professionals. I’m not sure why. My injury isn’t so bad, but I keep aggravating it. My PT has me do various small repetitive movements with a band to strengthen the muscles around the shoulder cuff. Apparently, this is a very common problem for women of a certain age (you guessed it – 50 and above), so be careful if you ever feel a twinge there. Don’t ignore it like I did!</p>
<p>I’ve never been on this thread before so I just did a thread search for the diet I am on – Medifast. I cannot believe that it did not come up – meaning that no one on here is on this diet! About half of the people in my town are on it. They’re losing weight and keeping it off. My sister had to literally twist my arm to do it. She lost 18 lbs and has never been successful at a diet in her life. I have other friends who’ve lost from 30-60 and more. I’ve only been on a month and I’ve lost 10. Google it if you want to learn more.</p>
<p>I could never do that diet, but I’m glad it’s workin’ for you!</p>
<p>I’m on a good diet this week. No appetite. Chicken soup for lunch. A little salad and thin crust pizza for dinner. No snacks.</p>
<p>Three days without exercise is no good, though.</p>
<p>Medifast hasn’t come up because it is bogus, just like all the other “diet plans”. The weight won’t stay off most of these people. We are focusing on health and lifestyle changes in this thread- not gimics.</p>
<p>A year ago I had a shoulder issue – Doc said it wasn’t quite a “frozen shoulder.” Couldn’t lift my left arm up overhead, could just barely fasten my bra, couldn’t sleep on that side. Didn’t hurt all the time, just when I tried to raise my arm, etc. Tried a cortisone shot, which did absolutely nothing. (Doc was a little surprised.) Then I went to PT – 2X/week for about 6 weeks, I think. There was some progress, and she gave me exercises to do at home. What helped the most, though, was using the “Lat Pulldown” machine at the gym, which I started doing after we moved back home from our beach house. It really helped stretch out the muscles affecting that shoulder. My shoulder is now pain-free and back to normal.</p>
<p>cbug…congratulations on finding something that works for you. I hope your success continues. </p>
<p>Personally, I don’t think there should be any rules for who posts on this thread. Diets do help some folks. Charlie Manuel (mgr of my beloved Phillies) has been on Nutrisystem for quite some time…and may stay on it for life from what I hear. He has lost SO much weight and looks terrific…I’m sure his health has improved dramatically. I think that’s terrific. He’ll never run a marathon…but you have to admire what he’s done and root for him to keep the weight off. </p>
<p>In my case, I have moved to “clean diet” over the past year and I’m quite happy with it. 10lbs came off and then the weight loss stopped. I wrote everything I ate down for my Personal Trainer and she blessed it as a terrific diet…couldn’t find where to cut…and said “you’ll need to exercise more.” This has been tough with a cranky back, knee and elbow. SOOOO… .I’m trying a well researched kick start diet. And it’s working to adjust my habits even more long term. The weight is coming off. My back and knee are already feeling better. I’m quite active but I’ll be kicking it up a notch. So it’s working for me. </p>
<p>I think we all need to find what works for us. If we need a fad or diet to get started, that’s fine in my book. Some will fail, but some will go on to find a new way of eating. In any case, we ALL need encouragement, and there’s usually lots to go around on this thread!</p>
<p>I simply don’t believe that the diets that provide you the food are successful in KEEPING weight off. The statistics don’t bear it out. If someone wants to get started that way, fine, but those programs are not realistic for “real life” and the failure rate is huge. Of course there are people who are successful at any of the diet “plans”, but I believe only programs that incorporate real life like Weight Watchers will lead to long term success.</p>
<p>re: Medifast. Ugh pre-packaged food! Not for me.</p>
<p>I’m with Michael Pollan: “Eat food, not too much, mostly plants.”</p>
<p>Just read this today
[Study suggests short people face higher heart risks](<a href=“http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/health/2012064575_apeumedshortpeopleheartproblems.html”>http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/health/2012064575_apeumedshortpeopleheartproblems.html</a>)</p>
<p>Why is it that I hear Randy Newman?</p>
<p>( before I had osteoporosis I was just under 5’3")</p>
<p>mathmom…I LOVE Micheal Pollan…even follow his tweets! Reading his books last year actually encouraged me to move to a clean diet. And the kickstart I’m on right now focuses on real foods too…just more fiber and water and less sugar. </p>
<p>But I think there are lots of folks who don’t have the time or energy to plan what they eat. And finding time to cook is a challenge. So if the choice is pre-packaged foods or staying fat…I say go with the pre-packaged if you can afford it. That’s what Charlie did and that’s cool in my book. </p>
<p>I am SOOO picky about food…reading labels…avoiding processed stuff like the plague. But I know that’s not for everyone. I’m just glad to see that some folks are trying. Once they lose weight, they actually might be able to move and drop even more weight. God knows, we are gaining a reputation as “fatties” here in the US…and for good reason!</p>
<p>CBBBlinker, your description of your shoulder injury fits mine to a T. It only hurts during specific movements, like crossing my arms in front to take off my shirt. But then, it really hurts! How long did it take for you to get back to normal?</p>