This post comes from our guest blogger, Janet from New Jersey. We'd like to thank Janet for taking the time to share her story and encourage you to share inspirational stories of your own.
 
I was 53 years old when I received results from a bone density test:  six areas within my spine were near the fracture point; chronologically, my spine was more like that of an 80 year old woman.  I had severe osteoporosis.  It hurt to stand for long periods of time; it really hurt to sit a computer all day.  The bones in my back were weak; my muscles tried to compensate for the loss and keep me up straight…but they would spasm and ache constantly.  I popped Advil or Aleve all day long. 

Osteoporosis is common among older people, especially women.  We lose bone mass as we grow older.  In my case, I lost estrogen for many years when I was in my mid-twenties due to a pituitary tumor.  The tumor was removed during neurosurgery but, unknown to me, the loss of estrogen had taken its toll. Although this wasn’t exactly a life-threatening problem, I knew I had to make some changes if I expected to life an active, healthy life.

My doctor started me on Fosamax and calcium supplements; he believed that the Fosamax would keep the osteoporosis from getting worse but probably would not reverse the problem.  I knew I had to really work on muscle tone, flexibility and strength.  I wasn’t exactly a couch potato, but my exercise habits definitely needed improvement.  I had to begin gently, because those vertebrae might fracture.  So I started practicing yoga.  The first downward facing dogs were hard for me; the back-arching cobra was nearly impossible…but what was most distressing was the stretching at the end of the yoga DVD.  I could not lie on the floor and stretch my arms over my head. 

But I persisted.  I practiced yoga at least five times a week; I also walked for thirty minutes almost every day.  The yoga made me stronger and I was able to add some light weights to my regimen.   One year after that first bone-density test, I had another.  This one showed that only three vertebrae were near the fracture point!  A big improvement! 

Now (four years later) I work out to The Firm DVDs.  They combine weight training and aerobics and stretching.  This summer I was even able to jog for one mile!!!  Never having been a runner (and I’m still not!), that’s a hugh accomplishment for me.  But the best news is my most recent bone-density test:  no vertebrae are in danger of fracturing at this time; in many parts of my body, the osteoporosis is now osteopenia.  The Fosamax and my exercise regimen have partially reversed this affliction.  That was not supposed to happen…but it did!