Aches and Pains

Dear Friends and Fans,

So how many of you are also feeling aches and pains as the weather moves through? You know... I'm not getting any younger either...lol. As I gain experience and experiences, I do my best to help my patients through the aging process. What do I know, right... seeing that I'm just beginning the process myself. So what I've come to realize is that no matter which age category your in, it's all about working within your limitations, but view these limitations as stepping stones to your longevity. If you don't, then you biomechanically start to mess things up which will cause an increase in pain and decrease in range of motion, and psychologically ,you depress yourself by reflecting on what you USED to do. We are organic compounds and are degrading daily NO MATTER WHAT. The only way to slow the process down is to decrease the stresses on the body.. these stresses are mechanical, psychological, chemical( nutrition), and environmental( air, rays etc..). Don't cry about what you used to be able to do; focus on what you can do to limit these stressors.

So, I'm in the 4th week of not being able to really train chest or shoulders. I strained my shoulder , doing one arm push ups. It's everytime I try to show off that I get some stupid little injury. Well I've just accepted what I can do, and work around it until it is better. How long....? As long as it takes. You see when i deliver a chiropractic adjustment I use a whole body force to move a segment. It sounds real barbaric,but it's not. The force is just the coming together of energy resulting in a thrust... and I'll leave it at that..lol I can see I may be opening up a can of worms here. Anyway, long story short.. everytime I deliver a thrust about 1/4 of that thrust comes back at me, kinda like a wave bouncing off the seawall, so all day long I get a little strain in my shoulder from adjustments, and if for some reason ( the patient not relaxed, joint not to tension, more speed or line of drive needed) then it's like hitting a bat against the wall, and yes I get a couple of those a day. All of this makes it even harder on the healing process then add some arm and back work outs, and who is calling the kettle black??? lol. I'm telling you this because this goes for the mommy sitting on the floor for hours playing with baby, the business person moving through the airport with their briefcase or roller bag in one had and phone in the other, the computer person moving the intricate muscles of the hand and forearm, carpenters swinging a hammer. Associate a lot of your aches and pains with the repetitive uses you have. Realize them, accept them, and then do what you can to decrease the stressors. Drink proper amounts of water, sit in the tub or jacuzzi ( I hate the sauna dry heat), get enough rest, massage and stretch the areas around your ouchies. Get your spine adjusted... make sure the door is hanging in the frame correctly...if not it will work, but could work better!

I'm continuing to do what I can in the gym.. mainly legs and abs. I'm still working on my Absolute Abs. I changed the name to avoid copyright stuff later. It's going to be lots of fun. I never told you guys what happened with Maryjane's leg. The Dr. says her symptoms presents a possible partial tear of the ACL. I figure if it goes we'll go have it fixed then. He said when it happens they won't even stand on it. We have started 3 cardio walks a week, and she seems fine. You see.. realize and accept your limitations.. I even have to do it with my dog if not I will lose my friend early.

Business stuff is coming around. I feel a bit flat lined, I'd love to go sit on a mountain somewhere and stare down at all the colorful trees. I bet it's nice flying into St. Louis right now. My friend Becky is having an event this weekend.. Dancing with the St. Louis Stars... she is performing and we have a dinner and stuff. Should be fun. I'm planning on wear a black foil gown with plunge neck. There is a pix of me in it on the site. I hope you all are enjoying the site. I have new stuff planned in late November.... and of course my sexy santa shoot. I'm still putting my ideas together for that. Have a wonderful week. Thank you for all your support.

Your Pro,

Dr. Dena

The Leaves Are Turning

Dear Friends and Fans,

What a good title for what I 've been experiencing the past 2 weeks. I'm sorry to be gone so long. I needed time to figure out what direction I need to take. It's easier said than done to just forget the 26 weeks of training I dedicated my whole self to. It's like walking away from a relationship your heart wants to be in, but your senses know better. Gym is always there for me. He's my special friend with benefits...lol. After talking to my life coach, and a couple other pro bodybuilders, I've come to terms with the fact I can't be a bodybuilder 52 weeks. I've been guilt ridden not having this extreme focus I had on bodybuilding just a couple weeks ago. I strained my shoulder earlier in the week, so I took the week off for my upper body to heal. I plan to be back in the gym next week and not push it real hard for the moment, but get the HUNGER back.

My focus at this time needs to be on some ideas that need to be implemented into my practice. Since I've been back from the Olympia my practice has been off the hook which is great, but it makes triple work for me on the paperwork side. I start feeling overwhelmed. I can't wait for the day I can be just the doctor. I will be in a Chiropractic seminar all weekend. I'm looking forward to turning over my leaf and motivate and be motivated by my colleagues and mentors.

I'll be working on my Hip Hop Abs class the rest of October. I plan to start it at the gym in November. I will record it and have it on the site shortly. November 2nd is the set date for me to get the gym equipment in my basement. My good friends and sponsors Frank and Liz Aten are downsizing and have lots of stuff for my gym. I'm looking forward to being able to train at my leisure at home. I have a Smith Machine coming... that's an important piece. I hope to start training my friend Patty in the basement. I need to find joy in it again. I've never felt this way... so I'm having to just ride the wave. ALL is great though... my life still is the best it's ever been. I'm just the type of person who is always striving for more. It's hard especially if you don't take the time to sit back and think about what you have already accomplished. No matter what... I've worked very hard to be where I am....

Your Pro,

Dr. Dena

Back from the Olympia

Dear Friends and Fans,

I'm on the plane from Arizona to St. Louis. I always love to fly home and let my thoughts go. WOW! 6 days in Vegas is a long time. Of course, as usual, I had a loneliness for my dog. It really messed with me for a couple of nights. I don't realize how much time we spend together until we are apart.

This trip, for some reason, was different from all the others. There was just a different feeling all together, but I learned some valuable things about myself and how I plan to pull all my life experiences together to one day be a very satisfied, complete person. One of my biggest life fears was to wake up @ 45 years old and wonder who I was and what have I done with my life. Now, although I gingerly step outside the box, I have learned that if you don't step out and experience life and its obstacles, them you can't make observations about yourself and gain wisdom from it and, in the long run, make it part of your completeness. Much of this is getting to know myself and accepting it. People " think" they know who they are, but they really don't. I don't know myself totally yet, but I'm striving to know me better, and feel a large weight has been lifted away when I discover something new.

I had a great time at the MHP booth with my fans. Really that is the only reason I was there. To tell you the truth I didn't see the pre judging or any shows. Thursday night, I stood at the entrance of Meet the Olympians to wish my favorites, Dayana, Lisa, Valentina and Tazzie, good luck. I was happy with the great response from the women. Ultimately, I want to inspire them to be strong in mind, body and soul. Don't get me wrong guy's..lol.. I love how you encourage me to be strong. See the difference??

Well I arrived @ 160 and got home @152. I've been so far off schedule and am looking forward to getting my life back. No gym, little sleep and food is a quick way for me to drop weight.

I went out Saturday night. I started at Pure and ended up at Empire. My posse was a bit small. My other usual peeps were who knows where, but I had my ole faithful Nida and her roommate Becca, and of course (bodyguard) Joel.. lol. I stayed at the Orleans and moved to the Mirage on Sunday. Boy what a difference between those 2. Mirage..better clientele, cleaner, better restaurants and shops and on the strip. Strange... this strip is nothing like the strip in NY or Venice Beach. In my opinion, the Vegas strip really lacks the energy I need. It seems like it is filled with people who have forgotten how to walk. It seems like people are stumbling over each other with no direction. My mom would say in this situation " shit or get off the pot!"... leaders don't follow people with no direction!!! I guess that's why I felt so frustrated.

I felt really good this morning. Had a great brunch w/ manager Joel and we discussed my monthly and up coming goals goals business wise.. oh! and what are those?? We have set a patient average and per person average for me to start hitting in the office. he is helping me determine my insurance reimbursement which is a very time consuming job I have no time for. Thank you Joel for all your help. the insurance situation really sucks for all health care providers, so please don't be upset with your doctor if he stops taking your insurance soon.. After successfully maintaining my averages for several months, I can start focusing on preparing my weekend seminar for Chiropractors, physical Therapist, and qualified Personal Trainers. I hope to have this course finished and ready to go by January 2010.

I could lie and tell you how motivated the Olympia made me this year, but I won't. Usually, I get this amazing high from the shows, but this time I got self recognition... and that was worth it. I plan to start hitting it hard in the gym and my business. I'm considering not going to the Arnold. I need some time to just rest from the scene. I plan to bring up my weaknesses and hit the 2008 Europa. My goals from bodybuilding will be to get an Arnold invite in 2009

Thank you to all my fans, supporters, members, friends, and family that stand behind me and help me be strong. I need you all!!

Your Pro,

Dr. Dena