Sunita Williams, an Indian-origin astronaut aboard the International Space Station (ISS), has put health concerns and reports that she had lost quite some weight in the course of being under microgravity for close to several months.
She says that she actually weighs the same as when she first arrived at the ISS back in June, despite the fact that recent images do project her to appear a bit skinnier. She says the apparent difference is solely an effect of fluid distribution in microgravity, which makes faces puffy and makes lower bodies appear leaner. She stated that, “I think my body has changed a little bit, but I weigh the same. There are rumors that I’m losing weight, but I’m at the same weight as when I arrived here.”
To offset the effects of microgravity, Williams maintains a regime of exercise including cycling, treadmill running and weightlifting-a relatively new practice for her. Weightlifting helps preserve bone strength in the hips and feet.
Williams noted that her body had changed with bigger thighs and that her body felt different. She emphasized that daily resistance training needs to be performed to maintain bone density, especially through squats.
“My thighs are a little bigger, my body feels a bit different. We do a lot of squats to maintain bone density, especially in the hips and feet,” Williams said.
However, bone loss is still not fully prevented by it, and this leaves a reason for further research and more long-term solutions. Helping drive the groundbreaking scientific research of NASA’s Artemis program, Williams is opening up pathways for human exploration on both the Moon and Mars.
Her experience and health updates are a bonus for any future space mission showing hardiness and resilience in a space environment. Time in space at the ISS inspires confidence in the journey of human life beyond Earth.
