WOMEN AGES 50+ FOR MARCH 2018

kevrit

Woke up to birds singing in the rain! Doesn’t rain much in the desert. I’ve only seen it twice since December, so was nice to see ale up to birds singing and the raindrops on the RV roof,

I admit to being a sugar addict as well. If I don’t have anything sweet, like candy, cookies, cakes...what I call junk food, I do well with fruit and yogurt instead.

We are both sick with a cold we figure contracted when DH had surgery. Not good but no fevers so roughing it out.

RV Rita in Columbus New Mexico

Katla49

Machka: Happy Birthday In two hemispheres!!!! "I also love DST and wish it would stay year round. I think that would encourage more people to get out and exercise after work. Take the kids to the park. Go for bicycle rides. Head down to the beach etc. When it is dark right after work no one wants to go anywhere."
I agree. If I don't exercise in the morning, it doesn't get done. I usually don't do anything but sit on my backside and watch TV in the evening. :embarassed: At our athletic club the mornings are filled with folks who are 50+ with a few young moms added to the mix. The younger working crowd comes in after 5 pm.

Heather: I just changed my watch, but we couldn't change the time on DH's watch. He's going to have to take it to the jeweler. Grumble. :ohwell:

Barbie: We have two families of snowbirds in our townhouse community. One couple goes to Yuma for the winters & the other to the Palm Desert area of California. The rest of us are year around residents, and I'm guessing that we're all within about 10 years of the same age. We moved here in 2007. I'm glad for the stairs in our townhouse. I think they force DH to move more and put a little effort into it. The exercise doesn't hurt me any, either. :devil:


I got on my scales this morning. :embarassed: I need to get back to basics. I'm up farther than I want to be. Riding lesson today. That will burn plenty of calories but my underlying problem is that I've been eating too much. Portion control, portion control, portion control. :embarassed:


Katla in beautiful NW Oregon

"You can't go back and change the beginning, but you can start where you are and change the ending." CS Lewis

cityjaneLondon

Hi all! I beat my time - ran 5k in 50 mins 30 secs. Please before you all snort remember I only started this in January and I am 68. :laugh: I am delighted.
But what even delights me more is that I got my Tomtom watch working. The great accomplishment of the day was to face the fear of my new laptop that has been languishing in the cupboard for 18 months, because I chickened out and lost my temper during the original set up. I dragged it out and began the ÷×+= process of getting it going , registering my security, etc etc etc, which all nearly caused me to despair, but I managed. Then I registered my watch and after many, many false starts I managed to set it up and sinc it. Took it out on my run and it works!
DH had to make lunch because I was struggling with the ÷×+==%÷ laptop.
Pleased with myself. New technology is a big fear of mine.

When I staggered back from the run there was a van outside my house. My younger son had previously rung me to tell me that the flowers he ordered for Saturday had been delayed and they were sending some today and some tomorrow as recompense. I entered our drive and the man at my door said "Have you got a son called J....?" I said yes. He said he had made 5 phone calls to find me because the address on the flower box was just MUM, and our road name. No house name. Well, I'm glad he found me!!!

Love to all, Heather UK xxxxxxx

Peach1948

Machka ~ Happy Birthday

Janet ~ Love the pics of Mia

Kylia ~ When I saw the pic of you and your family, I was very surprised that they were your grands and not yours. You and your husband look so young.

Barbie ~ There was a 96yr old guest on the Rachel Ray show one day last week. She was some well-known fashion/jewelry designer. She had all her mental faculties and moved with ease. She and her late husband had been married for over 60 yrs.

Karen ~ Love the idea of your potty mouth!

Heather ~ Glad you got your flowers. What a thoughtful son. No address? LOL

Alison ~ So sorry you are having such a difficult time dealing with the after death expenses for your Father. We were lucky when our parents passed as they had everything in order.

DJ ~ We all miss you

We paid a lot of money yesterday to have our back yard disaster cleaned up and pine straw put down. DH was really put out about the cost, but, I didn’t care as I hated the way it looked. This was after the fence was torn down by the County work crews and two large pines had been removed by the electric company. We had to have the tree remains hauled away and those people tore up 2/3 of the back yard. It looks a lot better, but, we are going to have to get more pine straw and then hire someone to replace the fence. Owning a house seems great, but, it sure can get expensive. Just glad we are able to do it. There was a time when we could not have been able to do anything and I feel so blessed.

Welcome to all the new chatters.

Good wishes for everyone going through difficult times.

Carol in GA

pipcd34

When we left her, we were at 15.3mi and we did 12.5amph. She fell twice and couldn’t get up a hill twice. Knowing how and when to shift is the key, just takes practice. She got too much bike for what she will b using it for. I suggested she return it and get a cheaper one, hers cost $1500

ryenday

Fitness and losing weight While mostly it was a journey to abate aches and pains, I admit a small amount of vanity and how I would look was motivation.

Last year at this time I hurt. I hurt when I stood up if I sat longer than 5 minutes. I hurt standing longer than a couple of minutes. I routinely awoke in the middle of the night not only from hot flashes, but because I was in pain. Holding a book longer than five minutes hurt. Acid indigestion and reflux were pretty much constants. I hobbled around like a cartoon 90 year old lady - because my feet and legs were screaming in pain.

Given that I was just about to turn only 52 and I couldn’t take any over the counter meds (except Tylenol- which didn’t help one whit) I just turned a switch. Not mini actions, complete revolutionary change.

I started with a very restrictive one month elimination diet: no sugar, no gluten, no legumes, no dairy, no trans fats, no refined foods if possible. I started with 30 minutes exercise a day (generally walking, dancing in the garage, or exercycling). I read everything free I could get my hands on about health fitness and aging.

I came out of the elimination diet determined to keep all the eliminated foods to a minimum, especially gluten and added sugar. I picked up MFP and severely restricted my caloric intake. I found a swimming pool and we scraped up the money for me to join the fitness center by getting rid our our cable tv. Started swimming and going to aqua exercise classes.

Two months or so in (June) I had lost only 10 pounds or so, was exercising about 20+ hours a week and eating 1200 calories of mostly whole foods. I was hungry and felt like crap - but I could now walk to the store or gym without being winded. My acid reflux and indegestion was gone. I hobbled and hurt a little less than before.

I kept going. I found this group and the Strong Women book recommendation and added strength training to the mix. I experienced some awful hangries. And some spectacular fitness related failures. (Anybody in my neck of the woods need a bicycle I couldn’t afford and I can’t safely ride?).

Days where I didn’t think about pain started to become more frequent. My confidence grew and I remembered how much I love swimming in hot weather. I started taking photographs again. I heard about a job and had the audacity to put my name into the ring.

Fall came but I think someone forgot to tell my part of Texas - it was still summer stifling. I didn’t let it keep me from walking tho, averaging 15000 steps a day in October. I participated in a fund raising swim, was crushed and humiliated by my treatment at it - but was back swimming laps in my safe local pool the following Monday. The possible job lead became a job application with several almost dead ends. And by Mid October (about 6 months) my total weight loss for all this change was only around 20 pounds and down only one pants size.

But I kept at it. Learned about 5:2 fasting and started doing that. Got that job - and since I started, I have not sat at the desk at work for more than 1/2 hour total on any shift. I lift that moveable desk to it’s highest, and stand while I work. Sometimes I stand on one leg to work on my balance. I go to work early so I can stop at the swim pool beforehand and do some laps. I realized I’m sore a whole lot now, but don’t think about pain anymore. I sleep between hot flashes, no longer toss and shift in pain.

By the end of the year I was 40 pounds lighter. And my whole life was different.

This day it is closer to 50 pounds down. My 53rd birthday is not far off. But I could not even have imagined myself this way last year. And I’ll keep doing whatever I can to keep that former constant pain away. Last weekend I took some of that money I earn at my job and worked with a trainer to fine tune my weight lifting routine - giving me a much better but still safe and simple way forward.

Oh, yeah. When I started, I never let my eyes look at myself in a reflection. And if I could, I didn’t allow any pictures. I don’t do that anymore, and sometimes smile at what I see in photos or reflection. I even smile at the cellulite thunder thighs - I’m just not sure I’d recognize myself without them.

Just a story of a 360 degree revolution in weight and fitness. I’ve always been a jump off the high diving board type of person, tho. I wish micro-actions worked for me, it would certainly be less wear and tear on my loved ones nerves if nothing else. But I find it so easy to dismiss the micro action- deny it because it didn’t take a lot of effort. I find I personally stay in track better when I don’t want to waste great effort that has proceeded. Maybe (and maybe not) this personal experience can help someone.

Rye (who needs to get off her backside and do today’s hula hooping)

janetr7476

Heather in UK - wrote "Hi all! I beat my time - ran 5k in 50 mins 30 secs. Please before you all snort remember I only started this in January and I am 68. I am delighted."

No snorting here, Heather. I am in complete awe, I'm the same age as you and there is NO WAY I'd even attempt running. You rock, girl!!!

Janetr OKC

pipcd34

stats for the day:

outside riding, hm 2 fed way 2 Starbucks- 1hr 32min 50sec- 11.6amph, 161mhr, 17.9mi= 1074c
Apple Watch- 841c
outside riding- Starbucks 2 hm- 4.53min, 10.4amph, 137mhr, .8mi= 54c
Apple Watch- 37c

total cal 1128

pipcd34

janetr7476 wrote: »

Heather in UK - wrote "Hi all! I beat my time - ran 5k in 50 mins 30 secs. Please before you all snort remember I only started this in January and I am 68. I am delighted."

No snorting here, Heather. I am in complete awe, I'm the same age as you and there is NO WAY I'd even attempt running. You rock, girl!!!

I don't care if it took you 2 hours, the fact that you did it is AWESOME!!!! U GO GURL!!!

Janetr OKC

janetr7476

I just told my husband that I believe my stomach and midriff are the flattest they have been in my adult life, most certainly since the birth of my first daughter over 42 years ago. I credit every bit of it to the kettle bell work that I have done faithfully since the 2nd day of January this year and OF COURSE the inspiration of Mary in AZ whose body looks like that of a 20 year old

Rye I tend to be like you, I call it my "whole hog or nothing" attitude Finally learning I can go easier and more gently and achieve great longer lasting results.

Janetr OKC

coastalgosgal

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barbiecat

Heather, I am in awe of your running. I don't run at all. I admire your decision to start and your daily decision to keep on running. You have transformed your life and the running is just one of many of the examples.

In the book Heather recommended "Running Like a Girl" by Alexandra Heminsley, the author says about her running, "Whenever anyone asked me how I'd done it, the answer was simple: I decided to do it."

Rye, that quote (above) sounds like you. Thank you for sharing your story. It is inspirational. You didn't let any roadblock get in your way. You made a decision and made it your number one priority and now you are living the great results.

Barbie

wildhorsewendy

Rye, awesome success story. You rock!

Heather, I don't even worry about the distance, I count the time. 50 minutes running, that's fantabulous!

Kylia, love those wheels! And your Furr babies.

Wendy, whose calves are still a bit sore today.

cityjaneLondon

Rye - You are fabulous! :flowerforyou: Living almost pain free is something I never expected, but it is an amazing thing! It used to really hurt turning over in BED and I had to hold onto the door handle to get to the bathroom in the night. I was breathless walking 200 yards on the flat. Exercise truly is a magic pill.
Well done for sticking with it and finding out what really works for you.

Janetr - Hooray for that flat stomach! :drinker: (AF)

Love Heather UK xxxxxxx

ladylaura777

Hi ladies
I have been so sick that I am not eating. Just a cold that has gone to my chest, with infected sinuses and sores in my throat and mouth. The scale has dipped over 5 pounds in 2 days! I tried a smoothie for the first time in Calgary a few days ago. Now thank goodness for them! Im adding protein powder to fruit and ice + water. Sipping on them through the day now. And yes I had a flu shot in November.
But just because I am miserable, does not mean I'm not enjoying all the banter here. Love the pictures too!
We've never had to change our clocks. I think it might be confusing ...
~Laura~

pipcd34

Pppppp

coastalgosgal

Booohooo! So I finally decided to call my Navy Nuke son, that I haven't talked to in about 3 weeks. He is studying, passing tests, treading water. His new laptop killed itself, so he is in the process of dealing with the company to get that resolved. He got the box we sent. But he was rushing out to a study group (mandatory), so we said our goodbyes. I told him, he has to listen to messages I leave on his phone. Told him about his father's upcoming surgery, and that I was leaving a message on his phone how that went. I told him that I loved him and missed him, and he said love ya too. My son has an adult brain, no time for his momma, and doesn't need me. I am mourning my little Owain....he's gone, and in it's place is this responsible adult..... My sense of pride should trump this feeling of neediness!! I should feel happy, he's adjusting, and isn't a nervous wreck. Empty nest syndrome sucks! Its a pit in my stomach today. I shall call my eldest son, and he'll yack at me until I have cauliflower ear!
Took my little rose plant, the one I got from Prudence, and repotted it. I snipped off the two little buds that were rock hard dead, so now its making leaves! I am not sure how I will keep it watered. Maybe put it in the sink with an inch of water.
Becca
Oregon

suebdew

Been out on son’s ranch for a week with very limited internet. Only 500+ posts behind. Think I will take a nap and think about how to cope with that.
Suebdew in TX

SophieRosieMom

Good Sunday Afternoon!!!

Barbara – I did some preliminary flooring shopping yesterday – spent an hour at Home Depot and the nice young clerk worked up a bunch of quotes. Seems that the cost of installing the resilient vinyl over the existing particle board hiding under our wall to wall carpet will be close to, and perhaps more than, Pergo laminate since they’ll have to nail down cement board to get the glue to stick anyhow. Hmm.

He also did a quote on “engineered hardwood” – which is a bit more and might be out of our price range. DH lifted the vent covers and did some snooping – our current hardwood in the dining room is “engineered” – a layer, probably 1/3 inch, of actual hardwood laminated to something and it can be sanded and refinished a time or two. The engineered at H Depot is maybe 1/8 of an inch and cannot be refinished.

Will hit a few more flooring places in the coming week. What we will have to deal with is the increased noise – tho we do have huge area rugs – and the fact that our doggies like to chase each other around and slippery floors can give them joint problems, and my sore feet that love to walk carpeting and hate wearing slippers all the time. Maybe more area rugs will help everything.

Rye, Heather, Mary, Janetr, Barbie AND so many others of you have such wonderful, inspirational stories. Every time you tell them in this group, I wish I could select inspiring, insightful, hugs and WOO HOO all at once! New gals – keep your eyes peeled for these stories. Health and energy are the best reasons to get started down this path.

Kylia – what a nice photo of you and your DH and the grands. Are you sure those aren’t really your kids? Love the wheels!! That Cha Cha poster is just great.

Becca – I actually have internet friends from the early 90’s! We were all insomniacs and early fans of Art Bell when he was on the radio and talked about flying saucers, sasquatch, weird stuff. When the internet got going a fan group formed and we found each other there. We got tired of the trolls so formed our own little chat group - nothing to do with Art Bell anymore. I even got to meet one of them before she moved from Seattle to the west coast-she taught me pressure canning beans over the internet! The group is comprised of 3 gals, 2 guys, all of us older. Nothing romantic at all, we are more like siblings with what we share. Our little group isn’t as active as this one, but we’ve been through a lot over the past 20+ years. Surgeries, family members passing away, retirement.

Sorry Owain isn't chatty today - glad older son will get you give you a good conversation fix, lol.

OK ladies, I’ve been working on this post ever since I got up 6 hours ago so better wrap it up. There are many more of you I want to comment on but running out of time!

Nice sunny day and I’ve gotten a lot done already and need to get back at it, despite the wonder pollen floating around. DH is out mowing and I’m getting my seed starting heat mats ready, cleaning off shelves in the garage, etc. – might not stick anything in dirt for a couple days but at least I’m taking steps.

Hugs all around!

Lanette
Sunny SW WA State

pipcd34