WOMEN AGES 50 + FOR JANUARY 2019

SophieRosieMom

I just went back to January 1, 2018 and took a peek at my first post of last year and other's as well. Wildhorse Wendy posted a lot of info about Fasting Mimicking then - I think that's what planted the seed for me. She mentions Dr. Mercola and Valter Longo's research.

Beth and Rebecca and others, it's neat to go back and see my notes of what worked and what didn't and why. I have another app I've been using for years called Fitday - I have my weight and notes logged from 2006... sometimes I'd weigh each day, other times once a week or once a month. Fun to see my progress with WW back then and what I learned and what I tweaked to make it work better.

And I've done the spreadsheets and graphs too - I got a thrill out of attaining or bettering mini-goals.

Oh, and on today's post - I started watching Broken Brain in early 2018, not 2017. DUH, lol.

Old laptop's new battery swapout seems OK. The charge isn't lasting as long as I'd hoped, but if I can get 3 or 4 hours on this old thing, I'm happy. Tomorrow we tackle the newer laptop.

Chlorine from new pump replacement hit our water line yesterday morning. Smells like a swimming pool when we run the tap. That's OK, we'll have self-cleaning showers for a few days!

Lanette
SW WA State

cityjaneLondon

I'm with Okie - all you need is CICO.
Of course it helps if you eat lots of nice, brightly coloured and green things. Not too much refined sugar. And it helps enormously if you concentrate on the CO part. Exercise is a wonderful thing. It repairs the whole system.
I recommend YOUNGER NEXT YEAR FOR WOMEN and THINNER THIS YEAR FOR WOMEN.
Even more important, enjoy your food. Enjoy your meals. No "diet" or regime is going to work for you unless you can stick to it for life and enjoy it. As Barbie often says, the best diet is the one you can keep to. Easily. Not some thing where you feel deprived and miserable and break it by bingeing. The 'secret' is, there is no secret. It has to be a lifestyle you enjoy.
Around the world there are so many different food habits and styles. People eat at all times of the day and night. People eat all different kinds of foods. None of them are wrong, unless you eat too much and exercise too little.
It's simple. Follow CICO . EAT LESS, MOVE MORE. Love your food.

Love Heather UK xxxxxxx

cariwaldick

I'm so grateful this group renews every month. If I had to see hundreds of pages, and know I was behind, I'd probably just give up. Thanks for that, Barbie.

I've enjoyed seeing all the words for the year, and the reasons behind them. It almost makes me wish I had one of those cricut machines to make a collage of mine.

Yvonne--the 800-1000 calorie allowance hasn't been that hard for me--once I committed. I only eat two meals a day, and I'm doing a bit of fasting. I've been exceeding the 1000 calories lately with no gains. I think as I've lost the weight, I've gotten a bit more active as a result. I'm not as sedentary as I was in the beginning. I move and fidget more, stand more, sit up straighter, and get more done--all without doing any real exercise. As I add in deliberate exercise, I'll be able to increase the calories--and still lose. For me, I needed to see fast losses so I wouldn't give up. I also needed to take off some weight before I could exercise. I've only got mild arthritis, but the weight makes it more painful.

Kylia--Praying for Aubrey. My daughter was born with severe club foot--nowhere near as serious as Aubrey's condition. The fear and uncertainty are so hard when something like that happens. I'm praying for your whole family.

Tracey in E.--Way to go on the weight loss and all the miles walked!

Bonnie--The quiet of the house when the son leaves--know it well. My son decided to stay in NC when we moved to Texas three years ago. He came to visit at Christmas. He is a walking noise--always has been. I do like the peace and quiet, but I'd give it up if he could be closer.

Carol--Growing up in Ohio, our New Years tradition has always been saurkraut and pork (either roast or sausage,) with mashed potatoes. I added in black-eyed peas when we went to NC. I have yet to adopt any Texas traditions, but I'd love to try greens.

Cheri--60 isn't so bad. I used to walk with a few ladies in their 80's and they were fierce. I did dance aerobics with a woman in her 70's. I won't lie and say it's only a number, but it doesn't have to be a bad thing. I'm a few years behind you, but I intend to own it and be unstoppable.

Barbara--I hate cleaning--especially the floors. I was the oldest of five kids growing up, so I was in charge of a lot of those mom chores at an early age. I haven't grown any fonder of them over the years. But it's one of those necessities that needs to get done. The old me would put it all off as long as possible, until it took extra effort to do it. I'm going to try to get ahead of my chores, and make molehills out of mountains.

Margaret--Love those garden pictures, especially as cold and bleak as it looks this time of year.

Rebecca--That cat is indeed fierce. It's a good trick, getting that picture at just the right moment.

Gzteach--What kind of sewing do you do? I need to get back at it myself, now that I've uncovered my sewing table. I do some quilting, make grocery bags, and whatever else catches my interest.

Beth near Buffalo--I like goal 6 in your list--clean kitchen and sink. I'll add that to my anti-procrastination plan.

Well, here we are in a new year, and for me I just had one of the best Christmas holidays ever. I really feel like I've got a new life to lead; like I got a second chance. Since August I've lost 69 lbs through calorie deficit. I don't feel deprived or hungry, and I'm learning to love healthy food. I've stopped adding salt to my food, I've given up most soft drinks, (I'll have a cherry sprite zero at one restaurant,) I drink mostly water, and I've stopped drinking coffee, (for me, the java came with too much creamer and sweetener.) I confine most of my eating between 11 and 5.

I truly feel as if I headed off a heart attack or stroke. I've reversed my type 2 diabetes, lowered my cholesterol, and I'm treating my blood pressure again--which is likely genetic.

About me (my turn to bore people): I'm 53, married, and the mother of a son-26, and a daughter 22, who still lives with us as she goes to college. My in-laws also live with us as they plan where to live out their retirement. I always told my husband that if we split up, he can have the kids if I can have his parents. They're great people, and they can stay here as long as they like.

We've also got a black chow chow dog we rescued. Vader is the weirdest dog our vet has ever seen in his thirty years. He's afraid of anything unfamiliar, and his response is to freeze and sink to the floor. He also sees himself as a guard dog and my protector, which is in direct opposition to his fear. He growls at people he doesn't know, barks at people walking past the yard, but he's not aggressive at all. He refuses to walk on a leash, and freezes if we try. And he drools. I never wanted a dog that drools, but his face and beard are almost always wet and/or crusty. He hates baths too. I love this stupid animal enough to put up with all that--go figure.

We built a beautiful new home--which I love. After living for 23 years in a 1955 ranch house with no updates, it feels like I'm living in a luxurious show home. I took up limited gardening, taking advantage of all the sun. I'm growing roses, making compost, and growing plants on every windowsill. The plans I had to get a job are on hold, since I don't hear very well, and I can't stand for more than a few minutes before my body hurts. I would sweat profusely with any exertion. That's gotta change; it already has.

I don't know how heavy I was at the start of 2018, but I know I gained weight. Leaving NC was supposed to get me out of my rut and get me off my duff, but instead it took away my supports, and left me drifting. I ate--a lot. My gym was in NC. My motivation and connections were in NC. Here in Texas there was nothing but food. I gained a lot of weight, and was 264 right before I decided to change it.

In August I finally stopped denying I was on the road to an early death, and took charge. Calorie deficit is working a minor miracle in my life. I lost almost 75 lbs in my forties, but I worked out like a fiend, ate like a bird, and didn't feel good. Now I'm losing it faster, not working nearly as hard, and I feel fantastic. I'm down 69 lbs, and I feel as if I can do anything. If I keep this up, I'll reach my goal in August--a year after I started.

Other than the weight issues, I'm a crafter, a writer, and a decent, sometimes reluctant cook. My favorite color is red, and I'm a Scorpio!

Cari in cold N. Texas

bwcetc

Cari .. the clean kitchen/sink comes from several sources, but there is a correlation that facing a disastrous kitchen in the morning can derail the best eating plans. It makes sense to me.

Heather ... I've always agreed with CICO which is why I plan to continue with it even though I'm going to try fasting along with it. Beyond the physiology of fat burning, fasting has also been found to help with brain health. So it's a win whether it makes a difference in weight or not. I know that what I've been doing the past 2-3 years has not been working in the long run in regards to my weight, so I'm going to mix it up a little bit and see if I can't kickstart a healthier lifestyle.

Beth

pipcd34

stats for the day:

Rowing machine- 45min, 117ahr,148mhr, 58aw, 7438meters= 324c
arm ski machine- 30min, 112ahr, 139mhr, 39aw, 4364meters= 206c
new ski machine- 30min, 119ahr, 135mhr, 113aw, 89stpm, 12km= 230c
manual treadmill- 30min, 133ahr, 153mhr, 2.01mi= 293c

total cal 1053, starting off the new year right

drkatiebug

KJ, I’m going with focus as well - focus on the things that are important to me - family, health, spiritual life. I’m turning 65 in October - wouldn’t it be nice to be at my goal weight by then? My knees are really feeling the weight I’ve gained this year. It is time to focus on reversing that!

I cooked the southern traditional ham, collards, black eyed peas and cornbread and took it to my parents so they could have the tradition without the work, I am going to focus on giving them more deliberate attention this year. My dad is turning 90 on Feb 1. We are planning a big bash for that. My mother is still recuperating from her bout with a kidney infection. She’s having the stent removed on the 9th, and I’m planning to stay the night with her when I bring her home just in case, I’m also going to be more available to do her heavy house cleaning and grocery shopping. It is time.

I’m just really, really tired at the moment. Dave is, too. I think we both may have a touch of something - not enough to say we’re full blown sick but enough to not be well. The neighbor’s fireworks interfered with our sleep last night. Maybe we can get caught up tonight.

Happy New Year, friends.

BonnieHosk85

So nice reading everyone's updates. My word for 2019 is "Intentional". I live my life just doing so much by routine and not paying attention to the little things. My goals for 2019 are to be intentional about de-cluttering both my home and my body.

My January project is my kitchen and I've already cleaned one section of a counter off. Getting rid of things that I don't use or no longer bring me joy and giving to people and organizations who can use it. Hopefully, my husband will get on board with me and not sabotage my efforts.

My son David has gone back to SC so it's just the two of us now. All Christmas decorations are down and both of us are back to work tomorrow. I only work mornings now so will devote the first hour after lunch to working on the designated room in my home to declutter.

Here's a pic of my son right before he left. I have the ugly cry face going on. LOL! Not sure why my husband's phone is taking blurry photos now. It used to be so sharp and clear.

We had a great time together with family and friends over the holidays and now I'm ready to intentionally focus on my body and my home for 2019. Happy New Year, everyone!

Bonnie in Nashville TN

Machka9

grandmallie wrote: »

also going to scroll around the internet to see if I can find a managible way to lose weight , yes I know exercise is part of it, and at my age strength resistance and weights are key..and I have that at my disposal...well will check in later... Happy New Year dear friends and I truly hope is a fantastic one for all xoxoxo

Tips that have worked for me

Put your current numbers into MFP
Select sedentary as your activity level
Choose how much you'd like to lose (i.e. 1 lb/week)
MFP will give you the number of calories to eat
Eat those calories
... and weigh (with food scale) and log every bite.


A few extra things have helped me along the way:

1) Exploring my grocery stores and markets to find delicious, filling low calorie foods. It's amazing what's out there.

2) Exercising as much as possible. Exercise gives me extra calories to work with so that I can have things like pizza now and the ... but to keep my sanity and not wear myself out, my exercise quantity varies as does what I do for exercise.

3) Eating how I want to eat. This is where everyone is different ... some people prefer to employ fasting, others like high protein diets, some like vegetarian diets, some like to eat 2 or 3 meals a day, others like to graze. Go with what works for you.

Personally, if I had to define what I do, my diet is probably most similar to a Mediterranean diet with a vegetarian lean ... and I'm a grazer. I also have to adjust what I do depending on my cycling events ... they're tricky because I need the fuel without going overboard.


And stick to it for 5 weeks, then reassess how things are going.


M in Oz

Machka9

cityjaneLondon wrote: »

I am debating with myself whether I want a more public presence in the world. It's a quandary as part of me loves to hide, but then I get resentful and envious of others. For the moment I really need to concentrate on writing the second volume of my memoir, but part of me wants to spread my wings in other directions as well. And part of me doesn't. I love our quiet life. Until I don't.

Love Heather UK xxxxxxx

What kind of "public presence"?


Machka in Oz

klanders30

beth love your goals, for me journaling is a daily happy time, just for me, no judgments, I write about what I eat, feel, plan, dream, spend, it just makes me centered to write this stuff down. It has helped me stay on budget and is a great reminder of my purpose and goals.
You’ve got this!

Right now I’ve got the “oh no I’m going back to work scaries”. I’m going to just push through the day and the faculty meeting. It has been a joy to relax for the past 10 days, I’ve got nothing to whine about.

NYKAREN

pipcd34

...

kymarai

Quickly as out with a friend, but Aubrey made it through surgery! Doctors are pleased! She is in her room. Mom and dad are out to dinner with my brother. There is still a long way to go, but today is a great day! Thank you for your prayers!


Kylia

KetoneKaren

Kylia Hoping for an uneventful recovery for your granddaughter. It's amazing how resilient these little people are. Newborns are tougher than they seem. I am so happy for all of you that Aubrey has made it through the first 2 surgeries successfully.

Karen in Virginia

okiewoman510

Great news Kylia! Prayers continue.

Okie in the Texas Hill Country

Machka9

kymarai wrote: »

Quickly as out with a friend, but Aubrey made it through surgery! Doctors are pleased! She is in her room. Mom and dad are out to dinner with my brother. There is still a long way to go, but today is a great day! Thank you for your prayers!


Kylia

Glad to hear it and I hope there will be continued recovery.

Machka9

Revisiting 2018

In January of 2018, I set up quite a number of goals which were similar to 2017's goals. Because I was in pretty good shape going into 2018, I figured this list would be doable:

• Cycle more than 2017. 2017's total was 6365 km. I want to cycle as much or more than that in 2018.
  .
• Complete Petite Year Round Randonneur. This is a challenge where we have to do a 50 km ride each month for a total of 600 km. Yeah, they reduced it from last year, so we might do the reduced amount or aim for what we did last year. The challenge started in November (that's when the Audax/Randonneuring year starts), so we've done 2 already.
  .
• We've done several CAM challenges (Century A Month, where we ride a 100 mile ride each month of the year), and, since we did it last year, we would like to do that again. Go for 24 months in a row! We've created a Facebook Group for anyone else who might be interested: https://www.facebook.com/groups/Century.a.Month/
  .
• Complete Super Randonneur. A Super Randonneur is Audax/Randonneuring's standard series and the series which is required to qualify for longer rides in most cases. It consists of one ride each of 200 km, 300 km 400 km, and 600 km, each of which has to be completed within a certain time limit.
  .
• Complete a 1000 km randonnee. This might be a long-shot. However, if the 600 km event goes well, maybe …
  .
• One 1000 km month.
  .
• Cycle up Mt Wellington again.
  .
• Cycletouring.
  .
• Run a 10K event. If that goes well, maybe even try for a half marathon later in the year.
  .
• Walk a minimum of 1000 km, but hopefully beat last year's total of 1302.5 km.
  .
• Hike up a mountain or two.
  .
• Include some extra stuff like rowing, canoeing, weightlifting and maybe a bit of yoga. Improving my core strength and flexibility would probably be a good thing.
  .
• Complete at least 2 more courses at university.
  .
• Figure out what I want to do with my website ... and do it!
  .
• Travel ... of course. That's always on the list.

Well ... 2018 ended up being the most difficult year of my life. Goals just floated out the window.

Nevertheless, of that list, I did run a 10K event in January, a 5 km event in September, and another 10K event in November. I cycled a 200 km randonnee and a 300 km randonnee. I travelled a bit, and went on a cycling tour. I walked more than I did in 2017 ... I'll get the total for that in a moment. I did a hike, got some rowing in, climbed stairs, did some stretching and some weight lifting.

I also completed 4 university courses ... not sure how that happened, they're all a blur!

And I went into a zone that I've never been in before where almost my entire focus was on brain injury, learning about brain injury, talking to people about brain injury, and especially doing everything I possibly could to ensure the best outcome for my husband's brain injury.

2018 was a learning year.

Not only did I learn the subject matter of 4 Master's level university courses, I also learned a lot about brain injury and the medical system. I learned Australian nuances of systems surrounding workplace injuries, banking, and running a house. I learned more about communication. I learned more about standing up for myself and my husband and demanding to be heard and helped.

And while "sorry" has become a large part of my husband's vocabulary, I learned not to apologise. I will ask questions, I will demand answers, I will focus on us and what I feel will benefit us and is best for us, and I am not sorry for that ... even if it inconveniences others.

2018 has changed me. I came out of 2018 a different person than when I went into it, with a whole different perspective. I'm more assertive, I feel like I'm probably a bit more cynical and hard, and oddly both more and less patient depending on the circumstances.

But it comes down to this: I care more about the things that matter to me ... and less about the things that don't.


I'd like to make a list of goals for 2019, but I'm almost afraid to do that this year because now I know that life has a way of turning everything upside down. So ... I'm hesitating ...

Machka9

donnadeehurtcassidy

I’ll do it

csofled

PackerFanInGB

coastalgosgal wrote: »

Wait...you didn't tell me your blood type!! Heehee! You sound like you have been completing things in your own way, prioritising what is most important. As my Norwegian Momma used to say, "Good On Ya"! I have started a journal today, and at the top of the page its "1 of 365" . I will strive to be more proactive, and not reactionary. I need to pay attention to what works, and not focus on past failures. Your goals seem sound but I wouldn't be able to do those all at once with any success. I am going to write everything down for January. Then go from there.
Oh and you didn't bore me at all!💗
💗Rebecca
Whidbey island
Washington

HAHA! Only because I don't know it off-hand. Otherwise, I probably would have added it! And I'm glad I didn't bore you!