It's been almost five months since Indian-origin astronaut Sunita Williams and her colleague Butch Wilmore arrived at the International Space Station as part of Boeing's Starliner Crew Flight Test (CFT). Though it was supposed to be a 10-day mission initially, their stay was extended for months after detecting a malfunction in the spaceship. The capsule was sent back to Earth in September, but the crew had to remain at ISS. Meanwhile, there was a considerable change in the appearance of 59-year-old Sunita Williams, who seemingly lost considerable weight, worrying many. There were even speculations that her health was deteriorating.
However, in a recent interview with the New England Sports Network from the ISS, Sunita said she hasn't lost any weight. "A lot of change goes on up here, but it's funny. I guess there are rumours around me losing weight. But, I'm right at the same amount," she said in the interview. She even said she is healthier than ever and attributed the weight loss to her 'rigorous space exercise regimen' and 'fluid shift.'
Biking, treadmill running, weightlifting...
One would wonder why an astronaut undergoes rigorous workouts while on ISS. However, Sunita Williams explains that it's important to combat microgravity's effects on bone density and muscle. Her workouts in space include riding a stationary exercise bike, training on resistance machines, weightlifting, and running on a treadmill.
She also says that her face looks slimmer due to the phenomenon of common fluid upward shifts in the body due to microgravity. "It can create a gaunt look, especially on the face," said the astronaut. Williams, who has run the Boston Marathon from space, also ran the Medford Celebrity Mile race from space a month ago. Meanwhile, NASA has also been saying that it ensures that astronauts undergo regular health checks.