" When's The Last Time "

When's the last time you went to the doctor and left with a book list instead of a prescription for medicine? For me it was last Wednesday. No, it wasn't for this book on how to talk to him either.
My Orthopedic Surgeon Dr. C and I got acquainted when I fell and broke my left hip in December of 2005. He still claims I am the most amazing hip recovery patient he has ever seen. I never took a full prescription of pain pills after it and was totally released at 9 weeks. I have no limp or problems, yet I have 3 six inch screws in it.




As you know I'm having serious back problems and I'm terrified of having back surgery. After my car accident in 2001 I was told by the Neurosurgeon that I needed surgery for three herniated disc. He also told me that I had the beginnings of degenerative disc disease and that it would continue to get worse. his exact words were: "it's all down hill from here". He dropped me as a patient when I refused to let him operate on my back.

On Wednesday, Dr. C told me the only way to determine exactly what was causing the nerve irritation in my back is to do a myelogram but suggested that I read these two books before we go any further. I got the books and have read both. The one on the left is written by Dr. Mark D. Brown Md, PhD, who is a professor and the director of Orthopedics at Miami University. To read more about him, go here . I understand now why Dr. C wanted me to read this book. Dr. Brown does NOT recommend that anyone with degenerative disc disease undergo surgery. He recommends a change of diet, weight loss and walking to eliminate the problem. This book is truly amazing!

The second book is written by Ester Gokhale, L.Ac. who operates a Wellness Center in Palo Alto, California. She proclaims that most all back problems stem from poor posture, over weight and lack of proper exercise. She says that poor posture developed in the USA around the 1920s.

She has visited and photographed people from all over the world and shows how America is not only the country with the worst posture but the most back problems. She teaches you in photos how to sit, walk and stand to correct life long bad posture. If you want to know more go here .

I decided to google for pictures of pre 1920 people and was surprised how right she was....

Even these women on bikes have their backs straight and their chins tilted just like she described in the book.....

Even children practiced great posture as this child typing is doing....

This is Jodi Davis, who lives in Michigan and inspired many women to get out and walk to lose weight and feel better. Look how straight her back is with her shoulders tucked back! Looking good Jodi! If you'd like to know more about Jodi and her blog, go here.

I've known for awhile that I NEED to be out walking for weight loss. I've gained about 35 pounds in the last year. I am 5'6 and have always weighed around 140-145. Throughout my adult years I have always wore a size 10 or 12. When Eric and I married 2 years ago, I weighed 135 and wore a size 8. I now weight 180 and wear a snug 14.

I bought these Skechers Shape Up shoes about three weeks ago after reading about how they help strengthen muscles as you walk. I'm about to find out if they work!! So Dr. C and I decided yesterday that I will for the next 6 weeks follow the plans in these two books and see what the outcome is. If I still have the severe pain, we will do the myelogram and go from there. I am REALLY impressed by my doctor! Wish me luck!

Have A Great Weekend Everyone!!!!