LISTEN LIVE: Dr. Radio Show

DATE: Wednesday, June 19

TIME: 8:00-9:00 am ET

LOCATION: Sirius XM Radio Channel.81

Call in with questions/comments: 877-NYU-DOCS

Fact! According to the National Osteoporosis Foundation most women over the age of 45 fail to recognize their personal risk for developing osteoporosis, the disease of "porous bones," even though the majority of women have at least two risk factors for the disease by this age.

Fact! Conflicting results of several major studies and recommendations by the US Preventive Services Task Force have put into question the benefits of supplements containing calcium to prevent bone loss.

Fact! What do experts draw from this controversy?

• First, that better studies are needed to clarify the possible risks and benefits of calcium supplements and to whom they may apply.
• Secondly, that the safest and most effective source of calcium is found in food choices, not supplements.
• And finally that exercise is key to bone health, specifically weight bearing and strength training exercises.

Join us live on Sirius XM's Dr. Radio Show this Wednesday, June 19 from 8-9 am. I'll share all the insider tips that I've learned over the past 25 years as a fitness professional and address questions such as:

• What are the major risk factors for osteoporosis?
• What is the difference between weight-bearing and weight-training exercise?
• How can you work these exercises into your lifestyle, no matter what your fitness level?
• What kind of exercise is safe if you've been diagnosed with osteoporosis?

Call in with your questions and comments to 877-NYU-DOCS

Vivacious host Dr. Marina Kurian sets a lively tone in her show and engages her audience with humor and personal insight. I'm always delighted to appear with her! Catch us live this week:

LISTEN LIVE: Dr. Radio Show

DATE: Wednesday, June 19

TIME: 8:00-9:00 am ET

LOCATION: Sirius XM Radio Channel.81

Call in with questions/comments: 877-NYU-DOCS

Do you regularly exercise your wrists? Do they serve you well? Are they healthy and strong, free from pain? Women are three times more likely to develop painful wrist conditions like carpal tunnel than men. Taking care of your wrists contributes to your quality of life in sports performance, everyday activities and business affairs.

Strong wrists improve athletic performance, especially in racquet sports and golf. Moreover it is important to maintain strength in your hands and wrists to perform your daily activities with ease, whether they include computer work, housework, or simple tasks such as being able to open a jar or lift a full tea kettle. In business a firm handshake is an important asset in making a first impression. Should you stumble, you will be able to break a fall with less risk of fracturing your wrist.

1. Strengthen your wrists with two simple exercises:

• Wrist curl, palm down Sit up tall on a firm chair with a cushion on your lap. Position one forearm with the palm down, fingers in a loose fist. Rest the wrist of the working hand on top, holding a light weight (1-5#) with the palm down. Keeping your wrists in contact, lift the back of the hand with the weight toward the ceiling. Pause, then return to the start position and, without resting, do 12-15 reps.
• Wrist curl, palm up Now turn the working arm over and hold the weight with the palm up. Resting the working arm on top of the support arm, curl the hand with the weight toward the ceiling and hold for a second. Return to start and repeat for all reps.

2. Stretch your wrists and forearms: Extend one arm in front of you with the palm up. With the other hand, pull back on the palm so your fingers point down. You'll feel a stretch all the way up the underside of your arm. Hold for 10-15 seconds. Now turn your arm over so the palm faces down. With your other hand, press on the back of your hand so your fingers point down. You'll feel the stretch on the topside of your forearm. Hold for 10-15 seconds.

3. Use proper alignment in exercise. Use good form in lifting weights and holding a tennis racquet or golf club. Your wrist should always be in line with your forearm when holding a dumb bell or stretch band, or using weight machines. Avoid bending your wrist in any direction and if you can't hold it straight, lighten up on the weight.

For other great tips on proper form and alignment, check out my book Strength Training for Women . Contact me here if you have questions about how to protect your wrists from everyday stresses and strain.

Calcium supplements are in the news because of conflicting results of several major studies and recommendations by the US Preventive Services Task Force. The varying conclusions of researchers showed inconsistent findings, putting into question the benefits of supplements containing calcium to prevent bone loss.

The studies' conclusions ranged widely, finding that calcium pills:

• Increase the risk of heart attack by as much as 30%
• Decrease the risk of hip fracture by 35% in post-menopausal women with no increase in heart attack
• Increase the risk of heart attack by 20% in men (who smoke), but not in women (in men and women aged 50-71).
• Do not prevent bone fractures and may increase the risk of kidney stones

What do experts draw from this controversy? First, that better studies are needed to clarify the possible risks and benefits and to whom they may apply. Secondly, that the safest and most effective source of calcium is found in food choices, not supplements. And finally that exercise is key to bone health, specifically weight bearing and strength training exercises.

Like muscles, your bones get stronger when you make them work, training them to handle more stress or resistance. Exercise should maximize the load to the bones with a progressive (i.e. gradual intensification) program of weight bearing aerobic exercise and weight lifting. Assuming your joints are healthy, you should aim for:

• High impact aerobic exercise: defined as activities in which both feet are off the ground at the same time, as in running, jumping rope, and high-impact aerobic dance; also sports like basketball, volleyball and gymnastics.
• High intensity weight lifting: using the heaviest weights you can lift in good form for 8-12 repetitions with the last few reps being challenging.
• Balance and stabilization exercises: using a stability ball, BOSU and foam rollers, which recruit the muscles of the core body as you master unstable surfaces. Improving your balance reduces your risk of falling.

Remember: To protect your joints from injury, use good judgment regarding high impact exercise and high intensity weight lifting. Be sure to increase the workload gradually.

If you've already been diagnosed with osteoporosis, downshift into low impact exercise to avoid jarring the spine and other vulnerable joints. The National Osteoporosis Foundation maintains that the benefits of calcium supplements are likely to outweigh any risks in women over 50 who have osteoporosis, broken bones or significant risk factors for fractures.

Of course, this information should not take the place of guidance from your own physician or other medical professional. Always consult with your doctor before beginning an exercise program or becoming much more physically active.

For Women's History Month, let's acknowledge the women who've made a difference in our lives!

I know a woman who never fails to inspire, and she happens to be my mother. Irene is the kind of woman that people gravitate to because she is always interested, kind, non-judgmental and grateful. She has a can-do spirit and yet is patient while awaiting results. "Something will happen," she said to me recently, "It always does."

Just shy of her 95th birthday now, I asked Irene what has allowed her to reach this advanced age. Off the top of her head, she gave me these principles to live by:

• Observing the rules of health, taking my medications
• Continuing my interests, like reading (she has a Kindle!)
• Moderation, especially in foods
• By all means, exercising

Mom and I are not sure if she inspired me to a career in fitness or if I inspired her to love exercise! Although she spends most of her time in a wheel chair, Irene continues to do strength training for her standing and walking ability. She works with a trainer in the fitness center twice a week, doing 15 minutes on the seated stepper with arms and the weight machines for upper and lower body strength.

Irene is living proof that there are no excuses! What woman has made a difference in your life?

Push-ups, sit-ups and squats - timeless bodyweight exercises - provide a mini full-body workout that you can do anywhere, anytime, with no equipment needed. But are you making common mistakes in form that can sabotage your efforts?

Join us live on Sirius XM's Dr. Radio Show this Wednesday, February 20 from 8-9 am. I'll share all the insider tips that I've learned over the past 25 years as a fitness professional and answer questions such as:

• What are the biggest mistakes that people make in performing each exercise?
• Why is spinal alignment the key to getting the most out of these moves?
• How can you work these exercises into your lifestyle, no matter what your fitness level?
• What is the difference between a sit-up and a crunch?

Call in with your questions and comments to 877-NYU-DOCS

Vivacious host Dr. Marina Kurian sets a lively tone in her show and engages her audience with humor and personal insight. I'm always delighted to appear with her! Catch us live this week:

LISTEN LIVE: Dr. Radio Show
DATE: Wednesday, February 20
TIME: 8:00-9:00 am ET
LOCATION: Sirius XM Radio Channel.81
Call in with questions/comments: 877-NYU-DOCS

Are you more afraid of getting cancer than heart disease? If so, you're not alone. According to the American Heart Association, while it’s true that heart disease is the No. 1 killer in women, only 1 in 5 American women believe that it is her greatest health threat. The best defense against heart disease is a hearty offense, and from the physical activity standpoint, that means cardio exercise and strength training.

Cardio (or Aerobic) Exercise: Regular cardio exercise can lower your blood pressure, improve your cholesterol levels, reduce body fat and enhance circulation. Cardiovascular stamina is associated with a stronger heart muscle, slower heart rate, decreased chance of heart attack, and a greater chance of surviving if you do suffer a heart attack.

Lifting Weights: The heart is a muscle that gets stronger and more efficient with training, pumping more blood with each beat. Strength training, like cardio exercise, can improve the function of the heart and lungs and provide additional benefits such as:

• Enhance glucose metabolism
• Reduce your risk for diabetes
• Aid in weight control
• Ease the demand on the heart in response to physical or emotional stress

Why would you want another medication when instead you can take this "magic pill" – truly magic because the only side effects are totally beneficial! Click here to see more about my easy-to-use books on strength training.