StrongWomen Newsletter

Issue 106, July 2007

I hope you find this newsletter helpful, and that you share it with your friends. Feel free to forward, post or reprint it – but please credit strongwomen.com for the information and don’t change the content.

By Miriam E. Nelson, PhD
Author of
Strong Women Stay Young
Strong Women Stay Slim
Strong Women, Strong Bones
Strong Women Eat Well
Strong Women and Men Beat Arthritis
The Strong Women’s Journal
Strong Women, Strong Hearts
Strong Women, Strong Backs
Founder of www.StrongWomen.com

IN THIS MONTH'S ISSUE 

• Anxiety, Depression, and Cognitive Impairment
• Upcoming StrongWomen Workshops
• Reader Questions and Answers
• Where can I find ankle weights?
• Is there an alternative for the toe stand?
• Success Stories
• Recipe – Skewed Teriyaki-Pineapple Chicken

ANXIETY AND COGNITIVE IMPAIRMENT

Think feeling anxious is a harmless part of everyday life? Think again. A recent study published in Neurology suggests that years of anxiety may lead to more serious health problems in the future.

A team of researchers looked at the relationship between chronic psychological distress (depression and anxiety) and mild cognitive impairment (MCI). They analyzed a group of 1,256 participants who were already enrolled in one of two separate studies looking at the relationship between aging and Alzheimer's disease. None of the participants had a diagnosis of cognitive impairment at the beginning of the study.

The participants were followed for 12 years. Each year they filled out a six-item questionnaire, which assessed their tendency to experience psychological distress. An assessment of their cognitive function was also completed annually.

During the 12-year follow-up period, 38% of the group developed MCI. Those participants who reported the highest level of psychological distress throughout the study were 40% more likely to develop MCI than those who reported the lowest level.

While more research has to be done to understand this relationship, this study suggests that learning to manage feelings of depression and anxiety now may help to protect you from more serious health problems in the future. So next time you are feeling anxious, don't brush it off - go for a walk instead. It may be more beneficial than you think.

Lifting women to better health,
Miriam E. Nelson, PhD

(Reference: RS Wilson and colleagues. Chronic distress and incidence of mild cognitive impairment. Neurology. 2007;68:2085-2092.)

UPCOMING STRONGWOMEN WORKSHOPS

Several upcoming StrongWomen Program workshops are scheduled for the next few months. In order to be eligible for StrongWomen training, you must be actively strength training right now, and you must have a firm commitment to starting a program in your community. This training is to teach you how to “lead” a StrongWomen Program, and should not be attended simply for informational/personal purposes.

Date: Thursday, July 19, 2007
Location: Colorado Springs, CO
Contact person: Sheila Barry or Debbie Rivera
Phone: (719) 636-8920
Email: sheilabarry@elpasoco.com or debbierivera@elpasoco.com

Date: August 8, 2007
Location: Dushore, PA
Contact person: Nancy Wiker
Phone: (717) 304-6851
Email: nwiker@psu.edu

Date: Wednesday, September 5, 2007
Location: Casper, WY
Contact person: Christine Pasley
Phone: (307) 322-3667
Email: chrisp@uwyo.edu or call (307) 322-3667

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

Q: I am looking for the ankle cuffs that you recommend in Strong Women Stay Young. I am having trouble finding them - it seems the company no longer has them available. Does anyone else make them? Can you recommend another source?

A: There are several companies that make the ankle weights. AllPro (http://www.allproweights.com) is probably the best company. You can also check out your local sporting goods store; many of them carry the brand. If you cannot find the 20-pound weights, you can buy ten pound adjustable weights instead. They will work just fine.

Q: I'm wondering if you could please suggest an alternative to the toe stand. I have a neuroma in my right foot, and raising my entire weight to stand on that foot alone is agonizing.

A: Seated heel stands are a good alternative. They will allow you to work the correct muscle group without putting too much stress on your foot. To do these, sit in a chair with your feet flat on the floor and bend your ankles to lift your toes as far off the floor as possible.

FROM THE MAILBOX: SUCCESS STORIES FROM INSPIRING WOMEN

I have been a fan of yours for several years and have used many of your exercises in an exercise class that I have taught at the local senior center. I have purchased many of your books (especially Strong Women, Strong Bones) for myself, family, and members of my class.

― Gary

RECIPE OF THE MONTH

Check Out LLuminari's Dream Team

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