"Why I urge all my friends to take the Bone Health Test"

A woman in her 30’s is busier than she ever was. At least this is what I felt. Everything seemed more hectic than earlier. Was it because there was really more work? Or was it my body that started showing signs of fatigue due to ageing? For me, the red flag was a constant back ache and I had been scouting for reasons and solutions, but all in vain!

Honestly, I ignore the ads which come on my timeline, but this particular video somehow caught my attention… It drew a parallel between “chalk” (as in the chalk used on school boards) and “bones”. As the lady in the video reminisces and draws pictures of her favourite life memories on the board, the chalk keep's chipping off – and when she comes to her 35th year, she has no chalk left to write with. The message was crystal clear: To keep enjoying life to the hilt and making new memories, a woman needs strong and healthy bones (chalk symbolises the bones). The lady, the chalk and board enlightened me on something that I had been missing all along – bone health! At the end, there was a link to an online Bone Health Test – I immediately logged on and took the test; all I had to do was answer 5 simple questions relating to everyday life – it took less than a minute and it gave me information that was to help me in a long run! This online Bone Health Test indicated that I was at a risk of low bone mineral density.

So was this the reason for my nagging back ache? Was I not taking care of my bones? And the big question, now: “How do I take care of my bones?” I tell you, from the day I did the online Bone Health Test, my life has taken quite a turn – for the better. And today I would like to share with you something that every woman must know: Our bones lose strength as we cross into the 30s; it is a natural process that all women go through. To maintain good bone health, it is necessary to give “additional nutrition” to our bones, over and above our daily diet.

Most women I know over 30, in my friends and family circle, are so engrossed in taking care of their family and children that they have little time left for themselves and they tend to forget to take care of their bones. Engrossed in my routine that very often, after finishing the daily chores and cooking a healthy meal for my family, I used to be too tired to eat and would make do with a glass of juice, and then when hunger did strike, I would reach out for some unhealthy snacks. So the thought of “additional nutrition” had been simply out of question – till now!

But the video and the test have been the eye-openers. I just have no choice anymore – if I want the most out of life, I better take care of my bones; the message was clear: “Run out of bone health and you miss out on enjoying life’s moments” – and hey, my life has just started and keep up I must! 

"I read up on medical resources online and found out that nutrients such as Calcium, Vitamin D and more, aid bone health. My focus turned to investing in foods that contain these nutrients. And once again, providence came into play and I found just the right thing – a health food supplement that meets all the nutrition needs for healthy bones – Women’s Horlicks. This nutrient formula binds the calcium to the bones and makes them stronger. It is now a permanent fixture on my breakfast table. Not a morning goes by without pouring out a tall glass of milk for myself, putting a scoopful of Women Horlicks in it – and relishing every bit, to the last drop. I’ve also swapped all the unhealthy evening snacks with a warm cuppa of Women Horlicks.

And I’ve made sure that my loved ones get the benefits too, for instance, on my mother’s 57th birthday, last month, I got her a carton full of Women Horlicks jars and a healthy stack of veggies and dairy products, all rich in good-for-bones nutrients! Last time I visited her, I was delighted to see her relishing a cup of Women Horlicks. As for me, not only am I rid of my back ache, but am also enjoying twice weekly sessions of yoga and my new-found love – Zumba! 

What a good turn life has taken! And so I urge all my friends and family to take the Bone Health Test – so they too can make a positive difference in their lives. It’s time to find out if you are doing enough for your bones. Trust me, you will thank me for it, in months or years to come!

***

Shikha learnt a lesson in bone health, the hard way. She had to go through a painful time to realise how important it is to take care of her bones. What about you? Will you pick from her example or are you already doing the right things to keep your bones healthy and strong? Do write in (comments section below) and inspire other women to be #strongtothebone…

***

Disclaimer: The #Strongtothebone campaign has been brought to you by Women Horlicks to create awareness around women's bone health.