WOMEN AGES 50+ FOR DECEMBER 2016

Annr

Thanks ladies for all your input on my neighbor's situation. I think I shall call the DMV tomorrow and hopefully they can get her in for the fact that she doesn't have Oregon plates, and test her then. There has been already one almost fatality. Last summer, when she was driving, having her little cute dog Annabelle looking out the window, she fell out of the car. It was thank goodness, on a country road, but she turned around and got Annabelle back into the car, poor thing.

Yesterday I had helped her with putting the attachment BACK onto the vacuum, for shampooing her rug. The sad thing is it's an old vacuum, with the metal parts, and for me to hook it back on I had to use every ounce of strength I had, because I had to turn this dial which turned the hook on the inside, which grabbed onto the rubber band sort of thing. If I had to grunt and groan, I know she had to have been struggling for quite some time. The next project was connecting her "wireless headphones" to the TV so she can have it up loud but not disturb the neighbors. Her TV is Gynormious!!! So turning that around to look at plugs was a feat. Then I couldn't understand all the stuff she has plugged in, so I went and got the teenager. They are born knowing that sh^t... He did it, and now she has headphones. Her family is all in either California, or Bend. She never had children, just having a career being an Architect. I suppose that is why she is so fiercely independent. Funny, as we were organizing the TV, she was swearing like a sailor, then apologizing.... We were laughing, saying, we have heard it all before, no worries. She thanked me with a half of an apple pie and hugs....

Today was a long day, getting up at 6am to ride to Longview for sons DEP meeting. It was only 32' out, and fog was everywhere, so we took our time. We arrived there really early, so we checked out a GAMESTOP store. It has tee-shirts of computer games, games you can buy, plus the units to run them. Out of all the items my son lit up the most when he saw a Pokemon' puzzle that both him and his middle brother will put together. It was only $9 so not too bad. After they put it together, we will put glue on the back, mount it, and it will be his first picture that he can hang at a place besides his home. Step one of mentally leaving your home.... awww...

Came home, then did laundry..... I am beat. On the good side, I put little pigtails on each side, holding my hair that is getting so long. I dry it under, and when I lean over to brush my teeth, I can't see my toothbrush!

Heather~ I AM PROUD girl!!! You sing like there is nothing stopping ya! I sing opera in the car all the time.... What is funny is that people can see that I am singing, so I break into like I am talking on a wireless phone, putting my finger to my ear....

Becca
Oregon

IremiaRe

Hello Super Sisters!

Under the heading of "Better late than never" the scale showed me that magical 220 this morning... if it sticks, tomorrow, I will change my ticker and claim victory on my goal to be 220 by Christmas! Not in time for the Challenge, mind you, but hey - its still making the weight by Christmas. I will be taking part in the next 24 week challenge, too - since - for whatever reason - being in the challenge makes me more dedicated to getting it right.

I think my current issue with snacking is due to Christmas depression... I am the definition of "Working Poor." If you look it up in the encyclopedia, you will see my picture and description. I have a full time job with an excellent wage - however - between doctor's bills, a new car loan, a new HVAC system and a general increase in the cost of living, I have NO spare dollars at the end of each month. I used to put something like $300 per month in savings - but, with the recent changes in my finances, not only has the amount in savings account gone WAY down, the amount being contributed has dwindled and has now pretty much disappeared... and I still have a fence to build, along with a bunch of other "not optional" projects for my albatross of a house.

Most of the time, I just get on with it - but at Christmas, it's pretty depressing. I am trying to focus on Becca's list - and that is helping.

But, I am allowing myself chocolate, as needed - so long as I log it. And I am not going to stress if I eat into my exercise calories - or even if I go over. I am just going to keep on chugging away on the elliptical to mitigate any potential damages and try to keep it together until the new year.

There is hope on the horizon - it's just a ways off, yet. DH turns 62 in May... so, he can begin collecting his Social Security. If I can keep from losing my mind, (or my house!) until then, I should be able to start putting some money into savings again, as well as being able to afford Taco Fridays that I don't have to cook, myself. So... only five or six more months of mind-numbing poverty to deal with... and then I can start chipping away at the visa bills and such. Getting rid of those would seriously help.

There are a myriad of reasons why we will start collecting his Social Security at the earliest opportunity... not the least of which is, we really need the money. But, there is also the fact that DH's family has longevity issues... the men in his family have none. ALL of his male relatives have died before they turned 65 - and his only goal has been to live longer than his Dad. He considers anything beyond 62 as "Bonus Years." Thankfully, he is taking better care of himself, exercising with me, daily, and trying to lose some weight - all of which will contribute to his Bonus Year bank.

I have another ten years before Social Security even begins to be a thought to concern myself with... and that is IF they haven't changed the rules and IF there is still Social Security to be had. So, yep.. we are in the "get it while you can" mindset on the Social Security.

Well, enough whining... I have a few more things to get done, here, before I can leave. On the bright side, I have taken a few moments to walk around the office for the last few days and, while I am not getting in my 8,000 steps every day, I will certainly increase my average from last week. I know that every step helps with losing weight.

If I can just hold my weight steady until the first of the year, I will be happy as a pig in mud. Anything I lose between now and then is just "Bonus." Heck, it might be the only one I get, this year... lol.

Re in "Can I Eat Chocolate for the Next Five Months?" TX

Charleen2

Janetr - Being a newbie myself, your earlier posting of before and after pics were new news to me. Yes!! You look like a million dollars today! The pictures are inspiring. I've a way to go yet, but darn if I can look that good at the end of my journey the sacrifice will be well worth it. Thank You!!

I'd like to toss out a tip of how I keep the bread and other munchies at bay this time of year. I try to pre-log what I think I will be eating for the day so I can see where I need to cut back or downsize in a meal. This keeps me aware of the calories before I eat them. So I make trade offs or change my planned meal menu once I see the bottom calorie count. It's much easier to do this before I eat it.



The other thing I have been doing is putting an allocated portion of something on my plate in the kitchen and not bringing the whole bag, box or dish to the table. This seems to lessen my temptation to over eat my portion of something that is particularly tasty as the rest of it is still sitting in the kitchen and not inches away from my plate.

So far I have been treading water and haven't gained. I did lose a bit of the small weight gain I had while unable to exercise for the past 6 weeks. If I can come out of the holidays no worse than I am now I will consider it a great victory to will power.

Charleen in Colordao (We will make it!)

LeanneCutrara

Hi everyone, my name is Leanne from Ontario Canada.

As soon as the Christmas holiday is done my focus is going to be write everything I bite and hit 10,000 steps 5 times a week.

Need to get back on track and lose the 20 pounds I have gained this year.

pipcd34

stats for the day:
ride hm 2 gym- 12.07min, 14.5amph, 152mhr, 2.9mi= 142c
fitbit- 146mhr, 101c
SPIN- 41MIN, 76ar, 100aw, 120ahr, 152mhr 11-15g, 15.4mi = 372c
fitbit- 151mhr, 281c
ride gym 2 dome- 7.56min, 10.9amph, 147mhr, 1.4mi = 95c
fitbit- 142mhr, 75c
walk station 2 wk- 12.03min, 106mhr, 3.2amph, .6mi = 58c
fitbit- 141mhr, 91c
walk wk 2 sta- 8.32min, 3.4ap, 109mhr, .4mi = 51c
fitbit- 141mhr, 91c
ride dome 2 hm up Mst- 18.11min, 8amph, q149mhr, 2.4mi = 184c
fitbit- 151mhr, 144c
total cal 902

janetr7476

Charleen wrote
"Janetr - Being a newbie myself, your earlier posting of before and after pics were new news to me. Yes!! You look like a million dollars today! The pictures are inspiring. I've a way to go yet, but darn if I can look that good at the end of my journey the sacrifice will be well worth it. Thank You!!"

Thank you so much for your encouraging words. I may print that out and hang above my desk so when I want to start snacking at night, I can read it and remind myself that this is a life journey not a destination. Made me teary, I needed this tonight.

Janetr okc

tngram2seven

Such a busy season. I'm proud of myself for keeping up on your posts. Not able to comment much.
Sherry - others have given some good advice. You're in my prayers.

Welcome new folks. This is a sweet place to be.

Love seeing pictures and hearing about y'all.

Toni in TN

barbiecat

Stats for today:
13,000 steps
135 minutes of dog walking
40 minutes riding the exercise bike
30 minutes doing physical therapy exercises (16 exercises---20 reps of each)
line dance class


Lunch with the line dance class at our favorite Chinese restaurant....the waitress knows what most of us will order and who uses chopsticks...I brought home half of my broccoli with garlic sauce and brown rice and had it for dinner....I brought the soup home for Jake.

Barbie from NW Washington

sherryminch

This will be my last post to this thread and to MFP entirely....Pride???....I have no pride!!!!....to imply that I have not asked for help is an insult....let me set something straight....I currently live on long term disability insurance I PAID FOR OUT OF MY OWN POCKET, not SSD....I have applied for and receive both food stamps and medicaid....I have been on both since I became disabled and unable to work....I go to food banks regularly, at least I did in Portland, I haven't been able to find one in the area here yet but I am still trying to locate one....I am on the federal Lifeline Assistance program that helps pay for my cell phone....I do not qualify for Medicare yet as I DO NOT receive SSD yet....I even did my research and found a pro-bono lawyer out of Washington, DC to help me with my SSD case to make sure I apply for and get everything from the government that I am entitled to....I applied for and received assistance through various utility assistance programs for both natural gas bills and electric bills at the old house....I applied for and received rental assistance programs....I am on the waiting list that is 2 years long for Section 8 housing assistance....I currently see both a counselor and a psychiatrist at a good mental health clinic....I moved into this motor home not because I was abused but because my disability insurance is not enough to pay the rent on anything other than this because rent has gotten so unbelievably high in Oregon....and THAT is why I gave up all the stuff I loved, because I just don't have room in here for it....I don't just feel beat down, I HAVE BEEN BEAT DOWN, all of my life....both physically and mentally....I ran away from an abusive alcoholic drug addicted mother at the age of 13 and put myself into the foster care system and somehow got lucky and found a family that was willing to take me in and the woman who raised me the 5 years I was there was my only source of "maternal" love besides my grandmother and I no longer have either one in my life as they are both dead now....

To tell me to get up and go ask for help is unbelievable to me....I have always worked very hard for what I have and have always reached out for help....sometimes I get help, other times I don't.....if I have any emotion in my life it is shame and despair.....not pride!!

Allie and Joyce - I've taken my walk, I've taken my deep breaths, thought long and hard today about the decisions I need to make and have come up with a plan.....I am going to post my email address at the end of this post once I have read over what I have typed and signed off at the end....I really hope the two of you will copy it down and keep in touch....if not, that is OK, I understand....

The others who are on my friends list I hope you will copy it down as well and stay in touch....if not, I understand....

I am going to maintain my diet goals and continue my walks and keep losing weight....I owe it to myself to keep fighting to get to my goal, for my health and hopefully the reduction of pain in my back....if for nothing else...so I will still be posting my food and exercises, just not on MFP's website or app....everything is going to fitbit now....I will not be joining any forum there so unless you can find a way to search for me there and send me a private message I will not be available on it....I will only be reachable by email....or for those that have my actual P.O. Box address here I will be reachable that way as well.....

I have thrown away my Christmas tree and will never be doing the holidays again....it's just too much pain and stress on me....many of you just may not understand this but that is OK....I don't expect you to....all I can possibly say is try walking a mile in my shoes.....

For those of you who are saying prayers for me....just keep saying them....maybe God will answer you....I appreciate it very much....I need as much help as anyone is able to offer me...

I just want to say one last thing before I go....I have severe social anxiety problems and very severe trust issues, in fact I trust NO ONE....honestly it took a lot of personal work on myself to even start posting on this thread but I did so looking for help, once again, with motivation and support.....I've stepped out of my own personal bubble to try and make friends, to try and share my sense of humor, to share what knowledge I do have and to share with someone my thoughts and feelings....I chose this forum because I thought it would be easier for me here not being face to face where I am more nervous and anxious for several reasons....mainly because I tend to communicate better in written word.....and also because of my speech problem which tends to become a very emotional thing as I am ashamed of it....it took a lot for me to reach out and say hello....I'm not saying this because I want anybody to feel bad....I am telling you this because I really want you all to understand why I was even here....I have always been up front and honest with you all....

I appreciate all of you who have offered me love and support...you are very wonderful people....don't ever change.....and I hate to be this way, and I'm sure there are some of you who think I am overreacting....but when you have had the life I've had you developed a third instinctual response in addition to the typical flight or fight response....it's called self preservation response....it becomes instinctual and automatic....and that is where I am now....I think this is really what's best for me right now....it is a response that has served me well and helped me survive unspeakable things during the 50 years of my life....now I feel that I must rely on it again....so for now and the near future my personal life is now shut down to all but a few who are willing to stick with me and see this through....if you just can't bring yourself to do it, don't worry about it, I understand....now is not the time of year to do something like that....

Now I'm done....I've tried to say what I want to say the best way I know how....that's all I can do at this point....I have had to start over with nothing but the clothes on my back several times, I'm just a little glad that I have a little more than that this time....if that is pride, then so be it....I don't see it that way, I see it as a lot of luck and a little careful planning....but whatever....I hope you all have a wonderful holiday and get to spend the time you want in a way you want with your families and friends....

Sherry Minch, Dufur Oregon

sherryminch@gmail.com

Katla49

Heather: Thanks for your good wishes for DH. The appointment with the eye doctor went well, and he's headed for surgery, but we don't know when it will be. :noway: The person who schedules surgeries will call us at some unspecified time and day to make the actual surgical appointment. Not thrilled with that part of the picture. The surgery itself is likely to be in January. Maybe. :grumble:

Sherry in Dufur: (((HUGS)))

This was the shortest day of the year. Tomorrow will be longer and there will be more light in it. YAY!!!!!!!!!!!

Katla in Beautiful NW Oregon

"Normally I'm quite normal . . ." The Gods Must be Crazy

GloworminWA

Feeling sad after Sherry's post. Really tired and going tuu bed

ljdw99

spikeyhair

Kate UK

lhannon062709

Morning, all,

Here it is 4 a.m., and I'm in writing mode, which makes me happy, so I'll go see what I can get done. Wonder if I could convince myself that I can only eat as many calories as the number of words I write... Would be motivation to write, for sure!

Love y'all,
Thinking about those who ache, and inspired by those who triumph.
Lisa in West Texas

klanders30

Planning for a productive day and doing some research on weight bearing exercises. bone density test results were less than optimal, I've got some serious restructuring to do at the gym, I will take it one step at a time, and ask for help.

Have a calm and joyful day!

And walk away from the cookies. NYKAREN

KetoneKaren

Janetr (((Hugs))) Hoping you are ok (???)

Lisa LOL! eating as many calories as you write would definitely be motivation!

NYKAREN Was just talking with a friend 2 days ago about how exercise using body weight is all the rage right now. Was thinking how that sort of exercise is probably really good for bone density because of good old gravity. Hope your research is productive!

My plan for the Holiday Season is to:
1) Have all goodies packaged up for giving away rather than just out & about.
2) Take a page from Penny's book and eat a pound of raw vegetables a day.
3) Since we are having Chinese take-out at our family gathering Christmas Eve, I plan to drink a protein shake before we gather and then use a small plate & no second helpings. If I want dessert, I will have a Lindt truffle and a cup of coffee or tea.
4) I will make sure the leftovers don't come to my house.
5) Concentrate on the grandchildren. They eat a few bites and then go to play. I shall emulate them.

Karen in Virginia dealing with plumbers today - ugh

cityjaneLondon

I have had two alcohol free days and will have a third one tonight.
I have written some of my memoir each day for three days. Nearly at 30,000 words now.

I am still not losing weight despite doing everything right. I must be doing something wrong.

Love Heather UK xxxxxxx

CookieRogers64

Hi I have put on almost 2 stone and need to lose at least a stone.

pipcd34

:0(

Peach1948

KJLaMore

Peach1948

Because of the cost of living increase, I got .3 per cent raise. Guess what, that was not even a dollar more.

kevrit

Just saying hi!

barbiecat

Sherry, sending hugs to you.

Katla, like you, I am looking forward to the days getting longer

Heather, I feel like you do, that I'm doing everything right and my weight is about two pounds over my goal....I can blame yesterday's Chinese food for some of it, but that's not the whole story.

NYKaren, I have had less than great bone density results and right now because of my back surgery, I can't do any of the usual weight bearing exercise except walking and dancing

The sky is clear, temps are just above freezing, Sasha is cuddled in bed with Jake, and it's time to go for a walk---will Sasha want to leave her warm bed to go for a walk?

Barbie from NW Washington

MrsGLT

Good morning. Just a quick hello. It's been a busy week of trying to finish my shopping, taking care of grandkids and getting ready for the Christmas celebration this weekend. Now, I've come down sick with what I think is a sinus infection. Feel horrible

Peach1948

Rita Why the scary pictures?

csofled

Sherry please stick around.

Sometimes we say (in this case type) things as part of our thought process in helping each other and it is perceived the wrong way because we don't have the whole story. You have come so far in your life and please continue in that direction. You are a strong women. Live in that truth!

Cheri

margaretturk

Sending a prayer for Sherry.

A fellow teacher has this in her class room. "Taste your words before you say them" . Another favorite "You cannot control the audience only yourself". One I have often said here "Just because you see the hook does not mean you have to bite"

I love the support I have gotten here over the years. All here have good intentions. I wish sometimes we could be in person so we could better hear the warmth and love in our comments. This has happened before here when a word is inflammatory for an individual. One observation is we are a group of woman who try very hard not to offend each other unlike some of the other forums.

I will say I do not want us to become so afraid of saying our truth because we fear we will offend someone. If someone does take offence I have seen us try to keep the lines of communication open the best we can.

For myself we I once commented that I was uncomfortable about a post I got mixed feedback. Some were also uncomfortable and some got defensive. For me I was just glad I could speak my truth how others received it was their right to their own reaction.

Sherry is entitled to her reaction. We are here for her if she does decide to come back. From what I have read her life is very difficult right now. (((Sherry)))

Margaret

Lagopus

Quick hello from me, too. I've arrived safely in Hanover, NH. I've got a couple stories to tell, but no time to tell them just now.

Katla and Barbie, even though I totally get it about looking forward to longer days, I was bowled over by yesterday's total daylight, which for me lasted about 15 hours, all the way from Oslo to Boston! Of course it helps to be flying west...

This morning I went out at 6 am for a 4-mile jog. That's the upside of jet lag: it's easy get up early.

/Penny, not at the North Pole this week

janetr7476

Carol lol. Don't spend it all in one place

Janetr okc