What's on the surface doesn't always reflect what is under the skin.
Danae asked that I keep this short and science based, primarily as support for others that anything can be done within reason over time, with vision and discipline. In other words, if this turns into the classic Facebook BS, "Oh Danae, I'm sooooo sorry you have to deal with this, blah, blah, blah......", I’ll delete the comments. Questions you may ask, offering sympathy you may not.
Danae has been working with MM Team Fitness for many years. About a year ago aside from the regular BS in her life that we all deal with on one level or another, the physical and psychological implications of her worsening scoliosis were becoming evident. In short, her medical specialist told her to lose weight and take up non-weight bearing water aerobics. Lose weight OK, take up water aerobics? Not a chance, maybe for some cardio, as a substitute for high intensity power training, no.
Danae was devastated with the recommendation. Certainly others welcome a reason to do something less physically demanding. For Danae, who spent time at the Olympic Training Center early in life, is wired for physical challenges and competition, and has no interest in being in a scooter by age 55, there had to be another way. She thought I would drop her as a client, or wouldn’t be able to hang with her hard core team, or be able to temper her competitive expectations without injury, oh the drama!
After the initial emotional thunderstorm passed and with further discussion with her docs, Danae decided to continue on with high intensity power training, with modifications (exclude or modify certain movements) and weigh restrictions (axial loading).
A year later, pushing 45 yrs of age, she’s down almost 30 lbs, performance is exceptional, carries about 100 lbs of lean mass on her 64 inch frame and most importantly, her overall bone density is one SD above the mean for both young and age-matched as measured by the iDXA at OSU. You get out of it what you put into it.
I attached a non-diagnostic image from the iDXA, it gives a pretty clear picture of Danae’s spine, you get the idea. Looking at her, you’d never know what’s going on under the surface.
Key take away here, as Louie Simmons would say, there are no quick fixes. Danae thanks me for working with her and I thank her for sticking with it.
Like so many of my other long-term clients, sticking with it is what makes the difference. Sometimes it takes years to finally build a base of strength and skill to turn the corner and step into the world of excellence. Quit before you get there, and you never will.
Danae can comment on any other specifics or questions.