WOMEN AGES 50+ FOR MARCH 2018

Machka9

Today I asked myself what I wanted to do at lunch. I had one small errand to run, but otherwise my lunch break was all mine.

And I decided to walk to the Botanical Gardens.

I was walking there once or twice a week for a while, but haven't done that in several weeks. In fact, if Strava is anything to go by, I haven't been there since before Christmas!! Soon after Christmas, I attended a 2-week course at the university (too far away from the Botanical Gardens), then I was busy with my homework project and studying for the exam, so I wasn't walking far at lunch. Then I headed off to the mainland for 9 days. Since then, I've been spending my lunches trying to run errands, catch up on things, etc. And just like that ... it's well into March!!

I must start walking to the Botanical Gardens more regularly again -- maybe back to once a week. It's beautiful and peaceful in there. They've got the larger main paths, but they've also got a bunch of "secret" paths (real paths made of stone, but small and often with stairs) tucked in among the plants and trees.

And they change the plantings in some areas as the seasons progress. Earlier, they had a good collection of red tulips ... now that area is all snapdragons. Now that we're into autumn, some of the trees will start changing colour which will be beautiful. I'm thinking the Japanese garden section will be particularly stunning.

Of course ... that will make me want to go back to Japan. Someone on another forum I frequent was asking about travelling to Japan yesterday, and so I read through the story I wrote about our travels there today. We only spent 10 days on Hokkaido, but would really like to spend 3 weeks or a month there ... and circumnavigate Hokkaido by bicycle.

It's on the list. It won't happen for the next 2 years because our holiday plans are well pencilled in for the next 2 years. But maybe the year after ... ???


Anyway, meanwhile, I very much enjoy the Botanical Gardens here ... they remind me of places I've been ...


Machka in Oz

wildhorsewendy

kymarai wrote: »

Hi ladies,
Was feeling overwhelmed yesterday and exhausted. Work is exhausting. Family tiring. Just done. After eating, cleaning up kitchen and fscing a bunch of work paperwork, I just wanted to go to bed.....I didn't though. I took a break and got my steps in. My DH decided I needed a challenge so he put obstacles in my way they I had to step over. It made me concentrate and actually got my heart rate up. When I hit 10,000, I picked up my obstacles and started work. Now I am the rupee of person that has a hard time stopping if not done, but at 930, I shut it down! I was proud of myself. Finished it up before work this morning.
Had my Heart racing again this morning when I was hearing about fatal crashes on the news. We got snow last night that melted and refroze. Bad black ice apparently. I was saying a prayer for those folks and their families, while being thankful that none of mine were out. Then it hit me that my daughter goes to work at that time on those roads! I love new technology! I texted her and she quickly responded that she was safely at work. She did skip on the ice but controlled well. So sad for those not as lucky.
I did finally get to grocery tonight. No milk, no bread, no potatoes, no fruits, no veggies. Guess it was time to go! Done for the time being.
Heading to bed. Going to try to catch up, but y'all are fatter than me!
Sweet dreams!

Kylia in thankful Ohio

Kylia, is this a Freudian slip? Whatever, it made me giggle so thanks.

Joyce, you actually cheered me up. I thought my man was the worst communicator possible but I think the short straw goes to you. Sorry about the problems you are having and hope things improve quickly.

Machka, your style of communication sounds rather perfect to me. Lucky you. I don't actually need deep conversation, just regular daily chat about what we're doing and also just spending a little time together. I managed to get my hubby to go out to lunch with me today so that was like scoring a Touchdown! I can count on one hand how many times we go out to eat IN A YEAR.

I want to share this picture with you all. It is of my daughter in the dress we bought for her yesterday. It was an epic shopping trip in the pouring rain, couldn't find the ball dress shop, turned out it was closed down but the lady had a few dresses left that she showed to people at her home by appointment. We managed to get in and try three dresses on and this is the one she bought.



She is going to a black tie Awards Event and is hoping to scoop an engagement with the handsome young man she has met... Wendy

drkatiebug

Stitches out yesterday so back to the gym today:

3 sets of 15

Rope pull down, 40 lbs
Rope overhead tricep, 30 lbs
Tricep kickback, 10 lb each hand
One arm row, 15 lb
21s, 35 lb bar
Inclined chest press, 15 lb each hand
Skull crusher, 10 lb
Flies, 8 lbs each hand
Snow angels, 5 lbs each hand
Dips

5 minutes of cardio between each set

Then ab ripper 200.

Yay! It feels good to be back at it.

cityjaneLondon

Drkatie - That sounds like a great session.

Whenever I'm doing a great session of something I think of it as fighting off aging and feeling really happy inside my own body. I love the way fit feels. I know it sounds silly, but I really had no idea! I thought people who exercised for any reason other than looking nice were crazy. Machka's better immune system, improved bone strength, balance, not getting out of breath, fewer aches and pains, sleeping better and just feeling great and alive! When I'm running I sometimes sob with joy. That this old body could be supporting me in doing THIS!
I have never been sporty, but I did enjoy a bit of dancing and swimming, when I could find a pool. Then I got breast cancer and had chemo. My weight, which had always fluctuated, hit an all time high. My wonderful DH encouraged me to start a bit of gentle exercise as he was worried that I was getting increasingly immobile. My joints were seizing up and my breathing was terrible. I started to count calories and joined MFP. Then I found this group. Gradually, oh so gradually, I upped my calorie burn. I stuck rigidly to the MFP plan of eating back my exercise calories. This was great as I love my (healthy) food. I reached maintenance after 18 months and continued to up my exercise rate. I actually began to enjoy it.
Last autumn I put on about 6 lbs and my alcohol consumption had started to increase a bit. I started to monitor my alcohol on a chart and on January the 1st I started "bonus exercise" after lunch that I wasn't counting. That's when I started the c25k app . The running has been AMAZING for my self esteem. I have cut back to almost no alcohol (by talking with my son) and have joined an online "Mindful Drinking Club". I am loving my nearly AF life too. I have lost 4 of those pesky pounds. My memoir is nearly finished as my habit strategies have improved.
In all this I have been helped by my terrific husband and many, many good books, mainly by women, who have walked the same journey. This thread, enabled by our wonderful Barbie, has sustained me throughout. You have been there for me.
It's really difficult now to remember what life used to be like, but it was certainly painful, slow, uncomfortable, depressing and, at times, self loathing. No life is perfect and I have my off days and life's normal frustrations, but it's now bouncy, happy, largely pain free, self assertive, disciplined, self loving and productive. Is exercise responsible for that? Yes, I think it is.
I started so slowly, but I started. That's the secret - start where you are and do what you can. Do as much as you can, it's more than you think.

Much love to you all, Heather UK xxxxxxx

exermom

Wendy - your daughter looks fantastic!

Katie - bet it feels great to have those stitches out

Heather - love your posts, so very insightful.

Michele in NC

cityjaneLondon

Thank you Michele. I hope it may be of some help to those just starting out and feeling that it's impossible. I certainly would never have dreamed it.

I looked at the weather forecast this morning and saw it was going to rain this afternoon. I decided to change my schedule and run after breakfast. My first measured 5k as per Google. (Not accurate, I'm sure) The first long bit is an uphill climb, so I was pretty slow, but picked up on the way down again. Then I had to run just past the pub and uphill back to make up the distance. Did it! I was wearing my new leggings and top. I was very, very slow. But I did it! I need to shave 8 minutes off to get a Good For Age time. But I only started on Jan 1st, having never run in my life before! Might be better on the flat.
Anyway, I am delighted and will make up the calories to 600 after lunch on the rowing machine. (600 is my base line)

Going to print out another 30 odd pages for DH to read and edit the ones he's looked at.

After the rowing I'm going to make a Triple Chocolate Cheesecake in the IP to freeze for my stepdaughter and boyfriend when they come to Sunday lunch, end of March. I will eat a couple of spoonfuls and urge them to take it away with them, unless DH loves it.

We've been discussing how to get rid of things we don't need to a good home. High chair, travel cot, sofa bed, coffee table. We don't want money, but they are too good to dump. I'm going to ring the Salvation Army. Strange to think our baby days are over!


Love Heather UK xxxxxxx

LisaInAR

Morning, afternoon and evening, all...

Joyce, my dear, you have to have someplace to vent about your husband--and communication issues with men are nothing new to most of us. We won't tell him, I promise! All I can give you is what has helped me get through similar issues. What's hurting you is your expectations of Charlie. You're expecting him to treat you with the same respect he gives the grandkids. The only thing you can change in that situation is your expectations. Only Charlie can change himself. Note - I'm not saying it's easy for you to change, either. But when you expect him to be a cussing machine in the car, and those expectations are met, it hurts you less than when you expect him to behave better. Hope that makes sense.

Heather, you have my utmost respect, both for the running and your never-ceasing expectations of yourself--and your joy in meeting your own goals is a pleasure to see every time. Very inspirational.

Dana, five more weeks and I'll be in Arkansas. More on that below.

Machka, Katie, Pip, Rye, Heather, Wendy, all of you who put your fitness first, you all have my great admiration.

The rental house owners pulled the rug out from under us on the Mulberry house, so that one's off the table and we're back on the hunt. It was a gem in terms of placement, rent amount, and land that came with it, so it was a hard one to lose. The property management company really doesn't want to lose our business, so they're bending over backwards to find us another place, but it may be more of a compromise. I have a doctor's appointment this morning, so Corey will be calling them to check on another place on their rent rolls. Unfortunately, it's a higher price, and it's in town (Fort Smith). But mainly, it was so nice to have one thing settled about all this, and it's hard to go back to being chaotic again. And while there may be many other country places to rent, they're not online, where we can see them.

Our son is settled into his new accommodations in Fayetteville, AR, with a roommate, and already had to ask for money--not unexpected. We knew he was headed there with $50 in his pocket after he paid his first month's rent, and fully expected him to ask. He couldn't budget his way out of a paper bag. There is optimism in his communication for the first time in a long time, and his first impressions of the new town he lives in were good. When he secures a job, I will breathe easier.

Tomorrow we take the grands to see their mom out in the field--which is just a few miles down the road - they're basically practicing for deployment next year, and working all the bugs out, but they're doing it a couple miles from town. The little 'uns are excited. Their granddad and I are excited because she'll be back home on the 15th, and we can take a break the following weekend! After that, spring will really gear up. This weekend, I'll be cleaning and pre-packing what I can for the move, as well as pre-packing for my week-long business trip. Busy-busy.

Love y'all!
Lisa in NC for 35 more days

Edit: Just found out that my 90-year-old father-in-law, in Alaska, was released from the hospital yesterday, cardiac event and subsequent pneumonia. He's a tough man, and may yet pull through with flying colors--but when we saw him last summer, he was much diminished. I think he's ready. He walked me down the aisle at my wedding to Corey nine years ago in June, and is probably half of his body weight from that time, and frail. I genuinely hope we're not going to a funeral soon, but hope they allow him to die at home and in peace, when it's time. I think they will--Corey's family are good folks, and have a tremendous amount of respect for Harold.

kymarai

OOPS! My APOLOGIES! should have been faster! Not fatter! I am embarrassed now. I was so tired I didn't proof read. Again, I REALLY MEANT FASTER.
Kylia embarrassed in Ohio

KJLaMore

Good morning all! Happy Friday! (Finally) I have been on here, reading every day; not much to add to the convo, so I have just been quiet. Also fighting a minor case of the blues. Feeling emotional, and tired. I have noticed that when I feel tired, I feel older than my age. Anyway, just gotta keep going and "nose to the grindstone" kind of talk and move my self to action. DH is greeting me every morning with a litany of his woes. I can't kill him; so I just nod and say "uh-huh" a lot. On the upside: Not sure how many of you are aware, but in the U.S. kids are starting school at a younger, and younger age. Now, many kids begin preschool at age three. Even though evidence shows that kids this young need more play time and shouldn't be in classroom settings; parents are sending them. Parents who should know better (educators). I have shared articles and studies with friends and clients in regards to the stats on how a classroom setting for most kids at this age is more damaging because they are missing out on learning important basic life/social skills. Boys, especially, are not ready for that classroom setting and end up getting into trouble in school for not being able to control themselves. Those little "black marks" on their record follow them into elementary school and they become known as a "troubled or unmanageable" child. lol I said there was an upside. lol Next fall, I was set to lose four of my kids to preschool; but this week two of those families decided to keep their kids in my care for another year! Yea! I feel like I am constantly pointing out to parents that the schools that are doing education best (many of them in the nordic countries), start their kids in classroom settings at age 6. Anyway, this makes me very happy. Years ago, kids were with me from infancy through age 5 1/2 or 6 (when they started kindergarten). It has felt like a never ending revolving door of infants and toddlers, lately, as I lose the kids at an earlier and earlier age.
Dana-Happy Birthday! That coral color is lovely against your skin!
Lisa- So sorry to hear about the Mulberry house! But, I guess, better now, than later when you are closer to being there?! Good luck with the doc this morning!
Joyce- Ditto what Lisa told you! I often look at my DH, shake my head in amazement at how I could have married a man! I often tell him that he wasn't spanked enough as a child. He doesn't even know how lucky he is that I haven't put a pillow over his head as he sleeps!
Heather- Yess! You always share the right bits of info, just when I need them. I was speaking of my "feeling my age". Some days it literally makes me want to cry when I am dealing with aching joints and a wonky knee/ankles. You inspire me. thank you, friend
Wendy- Your daughter is stunning! She looks like a greek goddess!
Lanette- My DH's doc wants him to try Cymbalta for pain, along with his Plaquenil. Wondering what your DH is using and how it is working. The side effects of most of these drugs are insane. Makes me very nervous to have him try this.

Well, I have a little one arriving early; so I better sign off. ttfn xoxoxo KJ (Kelly)

KetoneKaren

okiewoman510

Good morning ladies -

Well, most of the two pounds was back this morning . It will be gone again soon. I looked back over this journey and I have spent 3-4 weeks two different times exchanging the same 2-3 pounds up and down from one weigh in to the next. When it finally goes, it usually takes an extra pound or two with it. That will happen again if I stay on track, which I am. I'm a little amazed that I am more amused than frustrated at this point. I am so close to hitting the last decade where I want to land but I just can't get there....it will come.

Becca and Barbie - prayers said for your husbands surgeries that are both this coming Wednesday if I remember correctly (I didn't take notes). Becca you sound like you have a plan and will get your shopping done so I'm sure you will get through your hospital time just fine. I found when I spent a week in the hospital with my Dad that the cafeteria oatmeal was a Godsend in the mornings. I could put just a touch of brown sugar in it and it kept me going until lupper (sometime between lunch and supper time) when I could get something else. Unfortunately, I wasn't able to shop beforehand so I was at the mercy of the snack machines a lot. They had some fairly good options that I took advantage of.

Lisa - Sorry to hear the house fell through and even sorrier to hear about your father in law. I will add him to my prayers.

Hugs to those that need them, congrats to those with victories.

Kylia - I loved the fatter comment, I knew it was a typo, but it made me laugh!

Okie in the TX Hill Country

spikeyhair

Morning folks sun shining here. Done my KB workout and took some measurements Lost nearly an inch on waist and belly Yay

HEATHER when I want to get rid of stuff too good to throw away I use FREECYCLE it is nationwide and there are local forums, recently gave away a vacuum cleaner you can specify that the person collects.

Kate UK

klanders30

Morning, I’m reading and feeling inspired by all of your strength and positive energy-so off I go to exercise, thank you ladies!!!

NYKAREN

barbiecat

I saved a cartoon for years that was two women talking and the punch line was "Companionship--that's the daftest reason I ever heard for getting married." A friend told me that she'd learned that looking to her husband to be a sounding board for her problems was as crazy as "going to the hardware store shopping for underwear."

Heather, thank you for sharing your story again. I've heard it but hearing it again is inspirational to me.

Lisa, sorry about the rental house deal falling through. Maybe there's a better one out there.

Kelly, when I started teaching in public school we were able to do a kindergarten readiness test and suggest to parents that they should keep their children at home or in preschool for another year to let them get more ready. By the time I retired, it was no longer possible to do that and so many children came to school needing more playtime and instead had to sit and listen and do things that were too challenging and ended up getting in trouble for their behaviour or at least feeling "less than" in a room full of children who were more ready.

I made my packing list for the hospital and will wait until the last minute to put stuff in the suitcase. I will pack some foods and make use of the cafeteria that has nutrition and calories counts for everything they sell. The car will be in the garage attached to the hotel so I can keep a lot of "stuff" (water, a change of clothes, an extra pillow, my knitting, etc.) there in case I need it. We're staying in a hotel the night before the surgery so we'll need some things for that stay that we won't need in the hospital room. I have audio books and podcasts loaded onto my phone and headphones so if I can't fall asleep in the chair they supply for me in the hospital room, I can entertain myself. I can get some exercise walking between the hospital room and the car in the garage. We borrowed a walker from the local service club that has a "medical loan closet" and will take it with us in case Jake gets discharged from the hospital too late in the day for us to drive home and we have to stay in a hotel for a night. We've arranged for a friend to bring in the garbage can and the mail while we're gone. On Saturday I'll shop for things we'll need when we get home so Jake will have his treats and foods that he wants. Now we wait. Thank you for all you good wishes.

I'm enjoying the last few days of morning daylight before Daylight Savings Time steals the light and requires me to use a flashlight again for another month. It's dark when I walk at 4:30 AM but it has been light for the after breakfast walk and I've been enjoying that.

Barbie

elainehazel10

Hello my name is Elaine and I have been reading all the comments. This seems to be a wonderful group of people. My story is in 2016 I was diagnosed with breast cancer. Stage 3 Invasive lobular carcinoma. 12 months of chemo and 33 rounds of radiation, full mastectomy, full hysterectomy and now I am in 100 percent remission no signs of cancer. That being said due to steroids and depression I just ate a lot when I was able to eat and all the wrong things so needless to say the weight piled on and I am now in the process of trying to get rid of it. Walking 2 miles a day, Livestrong program twice a week(weight training) eating healthy. Since January I've lost 9lbs so even though I wish it were more slow and steady is good for me and I just want to concentrate on getting healthy.

spikeyhair

Welcome ELAINE congrats on weight loss, eating healthy and exercising. You have been through a lot, I don't think I could be so strong, you are an inspiration and we love those on this thread. Keep coming back. As you know there are lots of inspirational women on here.

Kate UK

SophieRosieMom

Kelly - your post really touched me this morning.

My DH is on 7 mg of prednisone per day. Has been on that for the anti-inflammatory benefits for a couple decades. He's been able to be active for many years, but prednisone does have bad side effects like bone thinning, thinning skin (he can tear a chunk of skin just swishing his hand along the doorframe), stomach problems.

He is also taking Celebrex (generic), Gabapentin, Prilosec, and Soma to help him sleep.

His first year, he started right out on Methotrexate and maybe Plaquenil? I can't remember.

My DH pretty much "suffers in silence" and but has underlying anger. He used to go for days not talking to me because he was dwelling on this or that and I was never sure if he was ticked at me or what. Getting the silent treatment like that - it's not fair. We finally worked that out but it took a LOT of effort, and ultimatums on my part.

So my heart goes out to you. I sincerely hope your DH's rheumatologist can find the right drugs to keep his pain in check and improve his outlook.

By the way, my DH does a lot better in the summer - I think the sun brightens his disposition and helps his joints feel better.

And, glad to hear you'll be keeping some of the little guys. That is crazy sending them to school so early! I pity the teachers and the older kids in the class!

((((HUGS)))))

Lanette
SW WA State where I'm getting ready to take the dog to the groomers.

langman22

ryenday

Lanette I did not know Celebrex had a generic! Important news for me because I can not take any over the counter anti-inflammatories (allergic or severe stomach problems) and for years I had a yearly Celebrex prescription (30 pills each year) for emergency use. When my Dr gave me the prescription a few years ago, insurance coverage changes had it at over $300 for a 30 pill supply. We could not afford it so now I just do without - (use Tylenol and cry a lot since Tylenol is barely better than a placebo and has no anti-inflammatory properties ).

I’ll have to check with my new dr and see if I can get a generic Celebrex prescription that is affordable.

Thanks!

Rye (who did her Hula Hoop early this morning because errands) in TX

SophieRosieMom

Rye - check out Celecoxib - that's the generic. GoodRX shows 30 of the 200 mg pills for around $22! That's without insurance even, all you need is the GoodRX coupon (it's free on the GoodRX website). My DH gets them for a bit less than that.

Good luck!

Lanette