55-65 year old women's success?

sodakat

I'm going to pass on joining a group also. I do like groups for weight-loss challenges, as long as they are tied to a spreadsheet, but I don't get excited about other peoples' challenges and have found that I rarely participate. There is a link in earlier pages in this thread to a group btw.

grandmothercharlie

@trina1049 I don't disagree with you. I want to get in the normal range, too, but both my family doctor and my cardiologist (the two were advocating weight loss for me) feel that a little extra weight is beneficial even with my heart issues.

115 will be middle "healthy" for me. 130 will be "upper" healthy for me. (My boundary is 132.8 between healthy and overweight). As I said, my drs. recommended 135-140 not too far into overweight.

But, like you, I've worked so hard, I think I would like to at least see a size 6. But I do see their point as they aren't talking obesity, just a few pounds above healthy limit. I think it needs to be decided by each person. They also kept asking "how do you feel?" I think if you can be a healthy BMI (and I'm not there yet) and feel strong and healthy then it doesn't matter so much.

In my case, as I have lost weight there are two medications I have had to cut because they have made me too tired. If I would get to a point though where the effectiveness of the meds were impaired because my weight couldn't tolerate the dosage needed, I might reconsider going to 115. Only time will tell as let's face it, those last 30 pounds will be gradual and take a while.

trina1049

grandmothercharlie wrote: »

@trina1049 I don't disagree with you. I want to get in the normal range, too, but both my family doctor and my cardiologist (the two were advocating weight loss for me) feel that a little extra weight is beneficial even with my heart issues.

115 will be middle "healthy" for me. 130 will be "upper" healthy for me. (My boundary is 132.8 between healthy and overweight). As I said, my drs. recommended 135-140 not too far into overweight.

But, like you, I've worked so hard, I think I would like to at least see a size 6. But I do see their point as they aren't talking obesity, just a few pounds above healthy limit. I think it needs to be decided by each person. They also kept asking "how do you feel?" I think if you can be a healthy BMI (and I'm not there yet) and feel strong and healthy then it doesn't matter so much.

In my case, as I have lost weight there are two medications I have had to cut because they have made me too tired. If I would get to a point though where the effectiveness of the meds were impaired because my weight couldn't tolerate the dosage needed, I might reconsider going to 115. Only time will tell as let's face it, those last 30 pounds will be gradual and take a while.

Of course you should follow your doctors' recommendations, they know you and your health issues. And you're right about each person deciding for themselves what is right for them. You have to be careful with meds, I know. Thank goodness as I've lost weight I've been able to decrease dosages of my meds and hope to eliminate some or all, if I'm lucky.

All those indicators, BMI, TDEE, etc. are ranges for a reason. What's right for one person isn't right for another. I'm hoping to be able to maintain in the middle range of my BMI to keep healthy -- we all have to decide what's right and good for each one of us.

Keep us posted on how you're doing and what weight is working for you; I'm trying for around 128ish - 130ish for maintenance. I'm at 136 right now so just a few more pounds to go! Woo-hoo!

Edited to add: You've done a super spectacular job to get where you are today -- it's awesome! I really admire what you've done.

Best regards,

Trina

candicer

Is anybody else having a hard time staying away from "comfort foods" with the cold weather we all seem to be having? Somehow salads and fresh fruits and veggies just aren't doing it lately. I find myself craving grilled cheese sandwiches and thick rich soups. I am wondering if anyone has any good 'light' comfort food recipes?

trina1049

candicer wrote: »

Is anybody else having a hard time staying away from "comfort foods" with the cold weather we all seem to be having? Somehow salads and fresh fruits and veggies just aren't doing it lately. I find myself craving grilled cheese sandwiches and thick rich soups. I am wondering if anyone has any good 'light' comfort food recipes?

How about a nice thick, rich chilli; use low fat ground turkey or beef; lots of veggies and pinto beans, low fat and lots of fiber? Mushroom barley soup, light but comforting?

Snooozie

I can totally relate; record breaking freezing temps here yesterday; ended up roasting a bunch of veggies for dinner last night because as you said Candice, salads and fruit just don't cut it! As Trina said too, using lots of soups and stews chock full of veg to warm me up as well; Skinnytaste has an excellent low cal, high fiber broccoli cheese soup that also freezes well.

I'm also experimenting with making my favourite "comfort food" recipes healthier; I love shepherds pie and made a few changes to my mom's version: now i top it with mashed sweet potato instead and add extra veggies in

Haven't figured out a way to make mac n cheese any healthier yet tho

cathy120861

Have to confess that i am not much of a cook. these guys make a very good chicken chili that has 230 calories and 7 net carbs. very hearty and tasty.
http://homestylesimple.com/

Notreadytoquit

BABY IT'S COLD OUTSIDE!



My real life exercise ... snowshoeing. Mega burns for trailblazing dog / chickens paths. My butt really hurts today but very fun, versatile sport. It's hard to fall down and you sweat like crazy after 15 minutes.

bonniepwest

Not only are fresh veggies not making it as comfort food, they're hard to keep stocked if you can't get to the grocery store. Wonder how fresh groundhog would taste? I'm ready to go hunt me some. I've kept it down to a dull roar, but I keep prowling through the kitchen trying to find something that's OK to eat. Need to find something to do, and I don't have snowshoes!

sodakat

I made home made hummus for the first time today. Friday when I was in Fargo I finally remembered to buy Tahini and last night I put the dried chickpeas in water to soak overnight. I cooked them for almost 2 hours to make sure they were really tender.

Boy did it turn out great! I used Alton's recipe from Food Network, except used just 1/4 cup tahini and only 1 tablespoon olive oil, plus way more water to get it to the smooth texture I wanted -- and it is just right! 200+ calories for 1/4 cup but I don't need that much when I just want to dip carrots.

@candicer I had crab bisque on Friday which was really comforting! I think it could be made fairly low cal and its super filling.

Another thing I do that is easy and comforting that you may already do also, is crumble some aluminum foil into balls and place them in the bottom of an empty crock pot. Then set an entire raw chicken on top, season (or dry rub first) and cook on high for about 5 hours. It turns out just like the rotisserie chickens in the store. You may have to adjust the time, depending your crockpot.

I also have a really easy and wonderful Hot 'n Sour soup recipe if you want it.

--Kathy

Snooozie

hmmm ... sautéed groundhog?? roast groundhawg? yep... I'm up for for it for dinner too, Bonnie!
[img][/img]

trina1049

sodakat wrote: »

I made home made hummus for the first time today. Friday when I was in Fargo I finally remembered to buy Tahini and last night I put the dried chickpeas in water to soak overnight. I cooked them for almost 2 hours to make sure they were really tender.

Boy did it turn out great! I used Alton's recipe from Food Network, except used just 1/4 cup tahini and only 1 tablespoon olive oil, plus way more water to get it to the smooth texture I wanted -- and it is just right! 200+ calories for 1/4 cup but I don't need that much when I just want to dip carrots.

@candicer I had crab bisque on Friday which was really comforting! I think it could be made fairly low cal and its super filling.

Another thing I do that is easy and comforting that you may already do also, is crumble some aluminum foil into balls and place them in the bottom of an empty crock pot. Then set an entire raw chicken on top, season (or dry rub first) and cook on high for about 5 hours. It turns out just like the rotisserie chickens in the store. You may have to adjust the time, depending your crockpot.

I also have a really easy and wonderful Hot 'n Sour soup recipe if you want it.

--Kathy

I love the foil balls and chicken crock pot thing! Great idea. Thanks!

candicer

Great ideas for all! Seems like we have been living on venison chili all winter, so I'm kind of over that. But crab bisque sound fantastic ! Tonight it's freezing rain here in ATL so I am having spinach salad and roasted onion soup. Maybe a glass of Chardonnay to warm me up later!

snowflake930

sodakat wrote: »

I made home made hummus for the first time today. Friday when I was in Fargo I finally remembered to buy Tahini and last night I put the dried chickpeas in water to soak overnight. I cooked them for almost 2 hours to make sure they were really tender.

Boy did it turn out great! I used Alton's recipe from Food Network, except used just 1/4 cup tahini and only 1 tablespoon olive oil, plus way more water to get it to the smooth texture I wanted -- and it is just right! 200+ calories for 1/4 cup but I don't need that much when I just want to dip carrots.

@candicer I had crab bisque on Friday which was really comforting! I think it could be made fairly low cal and its super filling.

Another thing I do that is easy and comforting that you may already do also, is crumble some aluminum foil into balls and place them in the bottom of an empty crock pot. Then set an entire raw chicken on top, season (or dry rub first) and cook on high for about 5 hours. It turns out just like the rotisserie chickens in the store. You may have to adjust the time, depending your crockpot.

I also have a really easy and wonderful Hot 'n Sour soup recipe if you want it.

--Kathy

I love hot and sour soup. I would be interested in the recipe.

sodakat

Here's the recipe. I often double this.

Hot and Sour Soup

Two 13-3/4 ounce cans low salt chicken broth (I use the 32 oz carton from Kitchen Basics)

Three thin slices fresh ginger root

2 T dark soy sauce

1/4 cup rice wine vinegar

1/2 tsp hot chili oil

1/2 tsp dark sesame oil

1/2 tsp sugar

1/2 tsp white pepper

1/2 cup julienned bamboo shoots

1/2 cup firm tofu cubed

one egg lightly beaten

I also like canned mushrooms, the straw mushrooms or the kind with wavy edges) Add them with bamboo shoots. This will increase the calories slightly.

Instructions

1. Bring chicken stock and fresh ginger root to a slow boil for 2 or 3 minutes

2. Remove ginger slices and discard. Turn the heat down slightly

3. Add rest of liquid ingredients, the sugar and the white pepper. Stir gently

4. Add bamboo shoots and tofu. Stir gently

5. Bring soup to a slow boil again and quickly add in the lightly beaten egg while stirring. Remove the pot from the heat immediately and continue to stir to break up the egg pieces (important)

6. Place soup in bowls in garnish with scallions and cilantro if desired

I put the ingredient list in the recipe builder on MyFitnessPal and if you consider this 4 servings, each serving is 200 calories. 8 servings is probably what it makes at 100 cals each but I like a big bowl of soup!

newnyc

Hi Everyone,
I am just starting on MFP, and I'm 55 years old. I would like to lose 40 lbs. and thought I'd say hi and join the conversation. Really looking to stay motivated and happy to try and help motivate others. I've lost weight just before I turned 50 and I have to say it was a lot easier. I have a couple of orthopedic issues (shoulder and hip injuries), that I need to work through, so exercise will be slow going for awhile. I do walk a fair amount though. Anyway, my goal is to track daily and stay in touch.
Wishing everyone continued success!

trina1049

Hi, Newnyc -- welcome to the thread. You can friend me if you like.

helma62

this post is fantastic. I'm 52 post menopausal. Plus a thyroid issue for over 15 years. I gained 25lb the last 3 years. I have been working out including weights and cardio 5-6 days a week. Nothing is coming off. My biggest problem is consistency. I need to see some results fast. I have been back and forth between ww and mfp. I eat 80-90 % healthy. I don't really know how much calories I should be around. I can burn between 300 -500 calories a workout, eating 1200-1300 cal. Now I hear about marco's. Any advise is welcome. I need to read this post everyday. It is giving me the strength to not give up. I know I am not alone.

kjurassic

Kathy, do u need to add any liquid to the crock pot when u cook the chicken on top of the aluminum balls? Also, do you think a wire rack would work in lieu of the aluminum balls?

jules92761

candicer wrote: »

jules92761 wrote: »

Canndicer I am also on 50,000 iu prescription vitamin d. My endocrinologist said I'd probably be on it forever.

Oh my goodness! Forever!? Any explanation as to why your body needs it so much more than usual?

Sorry for the late reply, Canndicer, I just saw this. I am hypothyroid and I think that contributes to low vitamin D. Living in Michigan's climate doesn't help either. LOL My parathyroid was enlarged because it was compensating for the low vitamin D and went back to normal after going on the prescription level - so he doesn't see me coming off of it. I am lucky to have found a great and very thorough endocrinologist. I was having terrible joint pain, migraines, all sorts of problems and he got me straighted out quickly. But I had spent nearly a year before that with various doctors being checked for every ailment under the sun. The rhumatologist finally is the one that referred me to the endo.

jules92761

@helma62 I sent a friend request - you and I are in the same boat! Everyone on here is so inspiring! Feel free to friend me if anyone's interested.

jules92761

homesweeths wrote: »

Inspiring thread. Got a question for those of you who have battled arthritis... How did you get started exercising again? I have my joint pain mostly under control through diet (mostly by eliminating nightshades -- my body reacts severely to them -- and keeping my carbs low because I've found carbs inflammatory) and supplements (glucosamine, vitamin C, magnesium citrate, and collagen). My joints are still somewhat stiff, and my ability to catch my balance when pulled off balance is not where I'd like it to be. I can walk up to two miles in an hour without pain.

Anyhow, how does someone with stiff knees start exercising and regaining flexibility? Is it even possible?

I struggle with arthritis too - mostly in my spine and hips. For me yoga has been a tremendous help. If you can, what worked well for me was a private one-on-one session with a yoga instructor (from a yoga studio, not a fitness center) who can customize a program for you based on your needs. I also found the elliptical is good for me because there is no impact.

cathy120861

Helma -- welcome aboard. I could so relate to doing what seems like the right things, but still not losing.

I lost a lot of weight last summer, then almost nothing from September till the end of the year, even though i was still doing all of the same things.

this year i have been switching things up with great success. I am doing a greater variety of exercise, with much more emphasis on cardio. I have also been cutting way down on carbs. I have lost 12 pounds so far this year, which is pretty fast for me.

NEWNYC -- i just wanted to encourage you not to belittle your walking as a form of exercise. There was just another article in the NYTimes this week about how great walking is for your health (let me know if anyone wants to see it and i will find the link).

I am not feeling so great today -- this cold just kills my lungs. Oh well -- i only have to hold on until next friday when i fly back down to Texas to see my kids and new grandson.

sodakat

kjurassic wrote: »

Kathy, do u need to add any liquid to the crock pot when u cook the chicken on top of the aluminum balls? Also, do you think a wire rack would work in lieu of the aluminum balls?

No liquid. It you have rack that fits your crock pot of course it will work. That's the idea of the aluminum foil balls, lol. Mine didn't come with a rack. You just want the fat to drip off while the bird cooks.

Jewels211

I've realized there is one benefit to this stupid brain fog--Menopausal Brain Fog Exercise. I bet I log at least an extra half mile a day walking back and forth to rooms, trying to remember why I went there in the first place, so I got back to where I was, remember, go back; repeat. And then misplacing my cell phone and reading glasses multiple times a day, doing quick laps through my house looking on every surface, until about the 3rd pass through, I find 'em!

bonniepwest

Ha ha! You are so right, Jewels!

Snooozie

lmao Jewels... absolutely!! I also think its only fair we get to claim a few cals burned for every hot flash LOL!!

SbetaK

If anyone looks at MFP's blog, here is a link I have found really useful- MFP's round-up of the 10 best free workout videos on Youtube. I work out at home quite a bit as I live 15 miles from town. I'm going through them all.

http://blog.myfitnesspal.com/the-best-free-workout-videos-on-youtube/

bonniepwest

Snooozie wrote: »

lmao Jewels... absolutely!! I also think its only fair we get to claim a few cals burned for every hot flash LOL!!

Snooozie, if that were true, I wouldn't be the size I am!

Snooozie

LOL BONNIE.. i'd be a twig!