2023: Envision where you want to be: Focus on health, energy, vitality!
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morning my friends.. i don't know the how and why of it, but i'm completely onboard about the internal inflammation causing so many probs. And i'm with you on the stamina or lack thereof suzy.. i promised myself when the weather got so cold and bad i would at least use the treadmill in the gym downstairs.. but have i done that? no.... i have gone for a few walks but its pathetic really how quickly i get fatigued.
i absolutely know i have to try to start building some muscle but i also think you are absolutely right Vail.. at this stage it would really take some valiant effort and probably with a pro trainer to actually develop any..
I've been trying to keep a little busy but my eating habits have slipped a bit.. i was pretty much eating a ton of veggies every day and lately i've veered more into comfort carby ones.. im sure its to do with winter but i'm feeling a lot more sluggish. As well I'm eating more... i rarely feel hungry anymore.. i was quite content eating smaller meals (i.e., a mini tortilla wrapped around roasted peppers and onions with the black beans tossed in) then an apple or orange when i was next hungry... that sort of thing but now i find myself eating more .. my tummy had gotten used to smaller meals of course when i was recovering from that gut prob... cause if i ate a lot i would promptly throw it back (that's a pretty good way to restrict your food intake lol) but that's gone now and i find myself eating more but not because i'm hungry.. anyway im going to work on getting back to the majority of the meal being veg with just a bit of fish or chicken on the side again.. but for sure im finding i HAVE to have quick and easy foods or snacks ready and waiting in the fridge... its when i dont have anything there that i turn to the crap.. fortunately i dont have any in the house at the moment ha.
i've still been doing a few shifts a week with the Red Cross and its just been extended another 3 months.. i don't want to do it full time but if they want me to keep filling in 2-3 shifts a week that would be great.. i'm also starting to look at actually booking a vacation for myself... i've been putting it off in the hopes i could talk a friend into going, but most of them are married and/or have travel companions with family so the fact is.. if i want to do one while i'm still able to move and enjoy it i'm going to have to go on my own.. so for the first time i'm looking at tour groups as well as one of those Viking River Cruises.. they aren't the big cruise ships but much smaller ones that cruise up and down various rivers in Europe.. but i've just started researching them so don't know yet where or when ...
Vail were you able to get all your stuff back in the house and the doors done? Suzy how are your parents and grandchild.. when is the new baby due again?0 -
My brother in law loves the Road Scholar and OAT travel (overseas adventure travel). They’ve also done the Christmas market River tours in Europe and loved that. I definitely think you should go for it.
I’m finding that when volunteering that you have to set your own limits because there is so much to do out there and such a great need. I say that as I’m putting together a binder to organize all the different committees I’ve volunteered on. Lol.
I want to believe that I can still build muscle at my age. I just have to accept that it’s going to be an uphill battle and ask myself if I’m willing to put in the effort to do so. And then, the really hard part that I can’t seem to accomplish is the actual strength training to do so! Being lazy has gotten me to this sad state of physical health, so obviously I have to make big life changes and sooner rather than later.
My parents are hanging in there. Mom was having severe pain in her hips/legs and it’s because all she does is sit in her recliner. The doctor ordered twelve weeks of physical and occupational therapy three days a week. Dad has been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s. It’s just a sad situation.
My grandson is due mid May! I can’t wait to meet him!1 -
LOL Suzy at putting together your binder on volunteer committees ha! Thanks for the info on the travel im definitely starting to look - the hardest part is figuring out a destination(s)!
OMG on your mom... i swear to god that's me.. from exactly the same reason and i'm only 61! I find myself sitting ALL the time again almost like during the lockdowns; so yesterday i sucked up the courage and went down to the gym to use the treadmill. I HAVE to build up my legs and endurance not only in general but if i want to travel... and with winter here now there's no excuse for me NOT to use it as i dont even have to get bundled up or go out.. I won't embarrass myself by telling how long i lasted (or didnt) but I put it at "random" so it would do inclines and speed changes.. I also wanted to see how it would affect my leg/back issue because i think that's been part of the fear (on top of lazy). im stiff today but not too bad.. so I will def make sure i walk every day now.. I will say the benefit of the treadmill (altho i hate to admit i like anything about it) is that the speed is consistent.. on my own i tend to slow down here and there... now if they would just fix the TV in there (ya i know.. first world probs!)
I'm very sorry to hear about your dad's diagnosis.. its a terrible disease for the patient and families.. sending hugs..
Wow you must be so excited about the new arrival in May!!
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I'm sorry about your dad's diagnosis, Suzy. It's so awful. And about your mom's pain. I hope the therapy helps: hopefully if she is doing nothing at the moment it could be a big improvement? It's lovely that you have your new grandson to look forward to at the other end of the life course! So exciting, and I imagine you and your granddaughter bonding even more while other people are fussing over the new arrival!
Building muscle, I do think it's very, very difficult but a bit of a mixed bag. When I said I think it's impossible for us to build enough to make a difference, I meant to build enough to make a difference to our calorie burn: my feeling is that it would be negligible. I also think bulking would be very difficult without hormone supplements. How many elderly, healthy women do you see with bulky muscles? But we can still get stronger, and I think there's quite a bit of evidence for strength/resistance training being highly beneficial as we get older! It's just that we're fighting against age-related muscle wasting, so even just maintaining the muscle is good.
My experience, for instance with pushups was that I worked very hard to be able to do pushups years ago, and finally managed to do it at around age 50 and obese. Now, despite doing strength training at least twice a week and being much lighter, I can't do a single one. And my experience with overhead press, back when I did heavy lifting, was that I just could not increase it significantly, despite working it on regularly. This is not the same experience for all post-menopausal women, but I think as a group it's harder for us.
Having said all that, I don't think we need to be able to lift a huge amount or to be able to pressups or anything - just to be reasonably strong and maintain muscle. I honestly think any effort we put in to that goal is good. It doesn't have to be serious strength training. Just body weight exercises and stuff. Squats and lunges, wall squats, pressups, side planks, maybe some weights for rows, press, single leg deadlifts, etc. A few minutes, twice a week or so.
Oh yes, I have moved my furniture back and the doors are done, although they didn't hold up too well and are a bit damaged so doesn't look great and I don't think I can afford to replace them all unfortunately. But it's so good to have them done and be able to close doors!
Well done on the treadmill, Snoozie! Sounds like you did pretty well to be doing it for the first time in ages. Where I live is quite flat so anything involving an incline completely throws me, lol!
Vacation planning sounds exciting! I liked the idea of the river cruises and then thought that it might drive me nuts being stuck on a boat while going past everything and not being able to just wander out and explore! I would probably be more interested in a themed holiday: you know those ones where it's art, yoga, horse-riding, wildlife, etc. with a guide and tuition. Not necessarily those things!
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lol Vail at the vacation thing.. yes I'm just starting to explore the different options and i actually started a little notebook for exactly what you mentioned.. what KIND of holiday do i want.. right now i'm leaning towards a group tour; i don't want to spend the whole trip travelling from place to place but there are a few where you are in the same place for say 2 days and you can do various outings or take your own down time and explore as you want.. there is one where the max time you spend on a bus appears to be about 3 hrs which i could handle.. but its one of the more expensive ones but bonus everything is done for you.. airport transfers/visas/luggage/ etc.. its also about where.. i don't want to go anywhere i've already been altho i'd love to go back to italy most of the tours hit places i have been there rather than the ones i didn't get to see.. there are a few multi country ones too like italy/switzerland or portugal/spain .. but there's so many to choose from and never having done a vacay solo its a little daunting trying to decide what i want lol. I only know that after the gut thing and the back and leg thing, i want to do a trip while i am still able!
I totally agree with you on the importance of the strength training and tryin to keep whatever muscle we already havce and increase where we can.. i've been following a small video series called "we shape" which has little 1-2 min videos on little moves for strengthening.. like the wall pushups Vail and even things like getting up off the floor and squats (or just getting up from a seated position properly) One thing i learned in both physio and here is that i often put a lot of my weight on the balls of my feet rather than the heels (or even all the foot area) .. even when just walking.. so i find those little videos very helpful for just doing things around the house.. so that's something im paying attention too especially when going from seated to standing
sorry about your doors Vail but im sure you are happy you can close them at least lol!
I made a "bastardized" shepherds pie the other day.. i had a tiny bit of lean hamburger (mince) and a whole bunch of 1/2 used frozen veggie bags so I basically just tossed everything i had in.. i think i ended up with 9 veggies in it hahaha.. i didn't put the mashed potato on top but did have a side of pickled beets along with.. it was actually really good i had to stop myself from going back for seconds ha and was a great way to use up all the bits and pieces of veg.
i did the treadmill again yesterday but i'm feeling the sciatica act up a bit today.. sometimes it helps to keep moving other times it doesnt so will just play it by ear..
I've decided to continue with my current operation with the RC through february.. it looks like i can pick and choose my shifts for this one which would be perfect but i'll know more friday when i go in.. other than that not much else going on in my world.. we're getting our first big snowstorm today/tonite and frankly its gonna be weird seeing white instead of green .. i have been quite happy with this winter so far its been pretty mild and no snow but that appears to be ending now LOL.. still it's almost February so can't really complain .. but ya know... i will anyway!0 -
Oh, ignore me about the cruises, lol! It was just that when you said, I thought it sounded wonderful, but then imagined myself stuck on a boat going past interesting places, then stopping somewhere else! But it's no different to if it was a train, and I quite enjoy going past places on a train.
I am all for everything being done for you re transfers, luggage, etc. So much easier. And if it all goes wrong, it's somebody else's responsibility and it's easy to get insurance to cover it.
I just remembered that the last time I went abroad, many, many years ago, I was looking at a website called responsibletravel dot com. I can't vouch for the website, but it had some interesting ideas for holidays, and I did end up going with one of the companys that advertised on their website. They had information about sustainability, what they do to support the local community, etc. That was an all inclusive holiday with guides, etc. and it was amazing! I went with just my son as a single parent and it was nice and social being on the planned activities.
The doors are OK: they were very old and not very nice doors anyway, and I'm just glad to get them done! The guy sorted out another couple of things for me as well.
I have the same thing as you with the exercise: sometimes it's fine and sometimes it just makes things worse. Your shepherd's pie sounds lovely. I have some mince from the butcher's today, so might do something similar. The local butcher does really good bacon and sausages and I had a "fry-up" last night as a treat, with a little sausage, bacon, fried egg, hash brown, baked beans, mushroom, tomato and spinach, all cooked on the plate in my health grill. It was so good!
Good luck with the volunteering and stay safe in the snow!
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Today would have been my best friend of 32 years 64th birthday. I lost her seven years ago to breast cancer that had developed into brain cancer. Today I also found out that a friend of mine that I’ve known for 21 years now has Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma cancer. She says it’s totally survivable but she doesn’t know what stage it is yet. She starts chemo in one week and expects it to be six months of treatment and recovery. This all has me pretty down and thinking about my own mortality. I absolutely need to focus on my health. An entire month has gone by and I haven’t made any changes. This is a huge wake up call for me.
We just don’t know what tomorrow will bring. Each day is a new opportunity to do better.1 -
Oh, Suzy, what awful news! You are so right about not knowing what tomorrow will bring. And that every day is a new opportunity to do better, and also to live and enjoy. I'm so sorry about your friends. It's just so unfair. I lost a lovely friend last year to cancer too, and have lost others over the years. It really makes you re-evaluate things. Hoping for the best for your friend. I do have friends who have survived cancer too: it does seem to be more common now with more awareness and better treatments. I hope your friend's cancer has been caught early.
Good luck with the focus on your health. I know people say there's no luck involved and it's just down to us, which is true, but I think there's some luck in what comes up in your life and whether that makes it harder or easier so wishing you luck anyway!
I need to go back to avoiding snacking. I have been finding excuses, whether it's healthy snacks or low calorie snacks. I have to stop buying things that aren't good for me. I was so wanting to eat last night, not hungry, but just really craving something to chew, and in a moment of inspiration I told myself I could have as much celery as I wanted, so ended up eating my way through a whole head of celery. So I'm going to get more celery today and try that. I have to learn to treat wanting to chew differently to genuine hunger.1 -
Suz I too am very sorry about your friend.. and you're absolutely right it does give us pause to reflect and remember tomorrow is promised to no one. In truth one of the reasons i have decided to try and book a trip is because of the recent back/leg probs and the gut bug from last year - more so the back/leg as its not getting better and i think what am i waiting for.. who knows what is down the road for any of us so I want to go now while I'm still mobile and relatively healthy. i need to stop worrying about "what if" and just focus on what i can do right now and go with that.
I never knew how much work it is tho to research trips!! Not just the where but the how lol.. i've never done it for solo travel and holy cow so many things to consider from too long on a bus to packing and unpacking every other day blah blah blah. I can only look for so long til i get cross eyed!! and that's without any particular destination in mind even ha. Anyway i bought a steno pad and im using it to make all my notes and tips about websites from friends and things .. pros and cons etc. of course they all travel with hubbys or sisters or whatever so the solo aspect does impact my decisions, but its a big learning curve!
I was extended with the current red cross operation til the end of April, but i can schedule my own shifts for this one, so i'm sticking to 2 - 3 shifts a week. I think I told u guys i joined a retiree group on FB and somehow i kind of ended up the organizer for my region - even tho all i did was suggest a coffee meet and greet cause nobody else was doing anything lol. So it's turned into a weekly event with about 14 people as regulars .. sometimes we get a new face which is lovely but i had hoped it would be a starting point for more activities as i didn't sign up to sit around and drink coffee.. also most of them are at least 10-15 yrs older than me so just getting out and meeting up with other people is definitely a bonus for them. i have picked up some great travel tips and even got a handyman from one of the ladies so don't get me wrong, i enjoy going but i'd rather be "doing" something. Someone suggested bowling.. but nobody did anything so i called a local alley where they have the smaller 5 pin balls and set up a bowling thing for them for next week.. its pretty cheap actually and altho i havent bowled in about 40 years and probably wont toss more than a ball or two because of my back, i hope it will be fun for them.
We are in a cold snap here for a few days temps are around -30C but by tomorrow we should be back to normal around 0. We'vve had a pretty mild winter for us so far; i know its not over by a long shot but we really can't complain too much so far and our groundhog apparently predicted an early spring yesterday so i'm going with him rather than the weatherman ha..
My eating has been getting better.. back to more veg and less crap but i dont know if its the cold weather or what but i want to eat all the time.. and carby casseroly kinds of things not light meals.. i splurged ona big bag of oranges for evening snack but i discovered a bag of oreos at the back of the cupboard ackkkkkk. so i compromise lol...
well no doubt i've bored you both silly by now so i will take myself away for another coffee and should probably shower and dress even tho i'm gonna be hunkering down at home today. i got a great deal on some frozen veg so i stocked up on the broccoli and i may make a big batch of the skinnytaste broccoli cheddar soup to freeze as my soup/stew stock is geting low in the freezer. oh right.. i was leaving .. hahaha... here i go!1 -
Looks like you have "volunteered" yourself as group organiser! I hope the bowling is fun. Hopefully somebody will step as a kind of co-leader so you're not doing it all yourself. There are a couple of similar groups running here, and they have things like theatre and cinema, book groups, walks, etc. as well as the coffee meetings. I keep meaning to go to something but they things I want to go tend to have booked up by the time I notice them. Do watch your back with bowling. I ended up with sciatica after a bowling session!
Good luck with the trip planning. I travelled solo sometimes when I was younger and it was fun. Back then I was happy to take a guide book and book into youth hostels or similar. But I think I would want more planning now! One of my friends went on a solo singles holiday a couple of years ago that was a package holiday. She enjoyed it and it was quite social being with a group. Another friend has been on coach holidays, but she did tend to be the youngest person there. I don't think any of these are the sort of things you're looking for! Oh, I also have friends who have gone solo on retreat type holidays, for meditation, yoga, etc.
Good point about packing and unpacking and time on a bus. I suppose that's where a river cruise would be nice as at least you wouldn't have that to deal with!
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Yes Vail - as you said there are book clubs and cinema outings (no walks in this winter weather tho lol) starting to spring up... i think the coffee thing right now is the most popular due to the cold weather, but it can be frustrating to put something together people ask for and then don't have many sign up... or cancel but at least it will be something different... and as i'm already suffering from sciatica these past few months trust me.. i will prolly just be an observer lol
yes there is an awful lot to planning a solo trip at our age - it's a little different from 30 yrs ago when like you i was quite content with less.. now .. not so much! And now i'm thinking i would really like to do the snowbird thing.. get away from the cold for jan and feb every year... so now i have to decide if i wanna do a big trip somewhere for 10 days or save my $ and plan for next year to escape for a few months... i can't do both financially so that's something i'm going to think about for a few days as well..
it's -23C here and with the windchill closer to -30 LOL.. but its only been 2 days and i know the UK went thru a terrible deep freeze for a much longer period so i feel bad whining.. which is probably why i'm still here on the puter instead of getting ready to go into the site for my shift this morning ha.. have a good day ladies!0 -
Oh, that is so cold! Yes, we did have a cold snap here but I don't think it got that cold. It is now above freezing most days. I can see why it might be tempting to avoid these months altogether!0
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Any progress on the vacation planning? When are you thinking of going? There’s just so many options! It would be hard to choose. My husband and I are celebrating our 40th anniversary in April. We’re trying to decide what to do. Nothing is really leaping out at me yet.
It sounds like you’ve become an activities director for a seniors group, Snoozie. It reminds me of the group I met up with who wanted to start a Bunco group. They were all at least 15 years older than me. It wasn’t what I was looking for. I have met quite a few new women in the Woman’s Club and the Arts Center. It sure is keeping me busy.
We haven’t had as much cold weather as we’ve had wet weather. I’m so tired of rain and am looking forward to spring! I can’t imagine the cold that you have every winter. This southern girl’s blood is too thin for that! Brrr!
I fly to San Antonio (speaking of warmer weather!) on Friday for two weeks. I think I mentioned this before? My niece is having surgery and I’ll be taking care of her 2 1/2 year old and then helping while she recovers. I hope I’m up for this. Lol.
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Just thinking about what you are saying about seniors groups. I am happy to be friends with people of any age, but my father's experience has really made me think. He used to be very social, but one by one all his friends have died, so he is quite socially isolated now compared to a few years ago. Almost all my friends are older than me and while they may well outlive me, I have been thinking that there's a risk of a lonely old age. I have been feeling maybe it's wise to try to have some younger friends! But of course, I am not going to meet them when I mainly socialise with retired people. I hope you're getting to meet a nice range of people, Suzy. Although it often seems to be women our age who like to get involved in these things!
Hope you have a wonderful trip, Suzy! Sounds like it will be quite hard work! It's very good of you to do this for your niece. At least you are very experienced with toddlers!1 -
Hey Suzy.... no i haven't decided other than deciding to take a break LOL... omg its so much work and add the solo aspect and my tiny little brain gets overloaded with all the websites and travel companies etc. I'm also having second thoughts due to the $$.. if I book one it would be at least 10-14 days and several countries to make it worth my while so to speak... but i'm probably looking around 8K with the solo supplement.. and now I'm thinking for that same amount of $ i could become a "snowbird" and go to Florida for two months during our winters... so now i'm rethinking and trying to decide what i want. i usually dont mind winter all the much to be honest and this year we've had a pretty mild one .. the past two days its been sunny and around 8- 10C (maybe 45F) and altho i know it's just a "fake" spring and we'll go back to real winter in a few days.. it makes me wonder if i really need to get away LOL... so i'm pretty much back where i started!
I had no idea you were going to SA on friday... i honestly dont recall u mentioning it but i could be losing my mind as well.... wow that's really nice of you to go and be with her during her recovery, specially with a 2.5 yr old full time!!! I'm thinking both you and her mama might have to plan naps for yourselvces too whenever she does LOL..
and yes... its not at all what i was looking for but i can't figure out how to extricate myself.. they really enjoy the coffee meets and the bowling and part of me pictures them all alone at home.. even tho the majority of them are all travelling all over hell and creation themselves - FAR more than me LOL...
i'm still enjoying my current CRC assignment.. i only work 2-3 shifts a week and as its more the mode of helping them begin to establish their new life here rather than emergency support, its less stressful and I'm ok with that right now..
I'm still straying a lot from my goal of more veggies over meat and less crap.. i don't do too badly if it's not in the house, but i can't seem to ditch the "sweet" craving .. i dind't have it for the longest time but once i fed the dragon.. it won't leave me along now lol. Anyway my freezer is now stuffed with frozen veg and I am determined to buy one cookie at a donut shop if i get a craving, rather than keepin cookies in the house... i'll let you know if that works or not LOL0 -
Vail you;re right about it being mostly females... we have about 14 who regularly come to the coffee meet up every week and only 2 are men... and just a few days ago a MAN posted a question saying why is it all women where are all the guys?" it kind of annoyed me because HE hasn't come out to one event in the past 4 months.. not one... and yet he is questioning why it's mainly women.. i had to stop myself from posting back a snarky comment like well.... we haven't seen YOU at any of these so perhaps you can answer the question better as to why men don't come out yourself?? But as you said with your dad.. my heart feels for how many lonely seniors there are out there and i think that's why i am having a hard time pulling away from this group... many have lost spouses and comment how much they enjoy coming out and just having a coffee with others..
almost all my friends are 4-8 yrs older than me as well.. i have one my own age and one a few years younger but they are all married and do a lot of things as couples - there's no question its more difficult for singles as we age to stay social1 -
Hello from South Texas. It was almost 32c today here in San Antonio!!! I’m already so tired and I’m only halfway through my stay. My niece’s surgery went well. She comes home tomorrow.
My eating has been out of control. I’m craving vegetables so I may have to go to the store and get a nice assortment to roast.
You’re right, Vail. Most of the women I’ve been meeting are older than me. However there is one woman who is twenty years younger. We went to dinner with her and her husband and really hit it off. We’re going out again when I get back. So, where are all the people our age hanging out? Lol.0 -
I didn't even think of the heat as well as looking after a toddler! No wonder you are exhausted. Suzy!
I'm glad your work is going well, Snoozie. Two to three shifts sounds like plenty. I only work two or three days a week now usually, but it's a big difference to not working at all. I really notice it when I have time off and am less tired
I am tired at the moment for no good reason though. I think it's maybe just the winter. I normally use a light box and haven't done this year.
A lot of my friends are in couples too, though not all. It does make me question my life choices, lol! I also feel slight embarrassed about being single, although I know I shouldn't be (and obviously wouldn't think less of anyone else who is single!).
Funny about the age thing. I went on a night out with people from work recently (in their 30s and 40s) and I was kind of dreading it as there was going to be loud music, drinking, etc. I ended up having a really good time and it was like a breath of fresh air! I just didn't drink alcohol and went home early. But it was kind of refreshing to be around young people.
Not that I'm saying older people can't have a good time! I am probably one of the least adventurous of my friends with the least exciting life, so I'm not blaming that on them being older! But I'm also aware that some of the retired ones in particular are getting, I don't even know how to describe this, but kind of old people attitudes? I'm really noticing it in conversations these days, and wondering if it will happen to me next!
Vegetables, yes, I need to eat more too. I'm doing my usual thing of eating very well one day, then eating rubbish the next. I definitely have slightly disordered eating. For instance, I went shopping for something not food-related yesterday, couldn't find it in the store, so bought a load of sweets and crisps, and ate them in the car, for goodness sake. So frustrating because I don't remember being like this pre-dieting (if I can stretch my memory back that far!).
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Vail i had to laugh at your crisps in the car - i made a lovely dinner last night with broccoli carrots green beans and a tiny little boneless pork chop....a nice healthy dinner.. then proceeded to chow down on a bag of chips later when i wasnt even hungry! I know me enough to know i'm an emotional eater but i can't pinpoint anything thats on my mind that would trigger it (usually i know why i'm diving into crap lol)
Suzy it's -16C here today - wanna trade?? hahah i know .. the grass is always greener right? I actually don't like extreme heat anymore, but i'd certainly trade up a few degrees if you wanna trade down a few? i cannot even imagine looking after a toddler and a patient i'd be completely exhausted so kudos to you! too funny you're craving veggies!! and how lovely you met a nice couple you clicked with and have future plans!
Vail.. i COMPLETELY agree with you on the "old" mentality.. even with all my moaning about aches and pains and what not... i try to keep busy and a lot of the people at the RC are much younger than me and I agree.. its fun being around them... one of our bosses is around my age but otherwise all are much younger and sometimes we find ourselves talking about things from "the old days" just to tease the kids.. (as in back in MY day...) on the other side of the spectrum, as i said some of the folks older than me are doing so much more; not just the travelling but going to shows and events.. that said the majority of them are a couple and i still stand by the fact that socializing as a single person is much more difficult no matter what age you are.
That said... my sister is one of those who has the "old" mentality and i admit it drives me insane... i think i've mentioned it before that especially the daily "nap" thing makes me crazy... if she only slept a few hours a night like me, i might think ok but i swear to god she sleeps like 8-10 hrs a night.. and no there is nothing medically wrong with her but god forbid if she doesn't get her 2 hr nap in the afternoon...its just .... she has that old mentality.... Today is her birthday and yesterday we were chatting and i actually came out and said omg sister.. you're gonna be 64 not 84!! She lives in an area that is mainly single older women; i think she's probably the youngest around so I know that's difficult for her as well, but there are loads of cousins of every age within 5km and lots of things going on in the community.. and sometimes i just get so frustrated listening to her needing her naps and saying things like... that will have to wait til next week i'm exhausted" when she hasn't done anything other than a grocery run or something. I know i can't change it and its her life to live, but i hate hearing that "old" mentality and i swear she isn't even aware of it herself..
and I know even for myself when i sit around doing nothing, i'm MORE tired than when i am busy.. winter doesnt help and theirs is worse than mine with snow and ice, so i get that too.. its just frustrating for me sometimes.. til i remind myself its none of my business how she chooses to live her life lol.
I haven't made any progress in my trip planning as yet... im waffling so this week i will get back to figuring that out.. right now i need to get a few chores in that i avoided last night before i head in for my shift ha...
hang in there Suzy... Vail i'm so glad u ended up enjoying yourself so much on your night out!
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Snoozie, I just saw a group on Facebook called “Solo in style: women over 50 travelling solo & loving it” Maybe you could join that group and see their recommendations.
I’m still in San Antonio. I was supposed to fly home this Thursday but my niece is having some complications. Not gonna lie, I’m so ready to get back home but if she needs me to stay then I will. I just hope they don’t have to admit her to the hospital again.0 -
You are so kind to your niece, Suzy. I'm sorry about the complications. Wishing her a quick and easy recovery, for her sake and yours!
You'd mentioned your sister before, Snoozie. Yes, must be so frustrating! There are so many years at the end of life to spend being "old", you don't want to start in your '60s! Although, I have to admit I have in a way, with my early nights and so on. No naps yet! With my friends, they are actually mostly quite active, but it's that their attitude seems to be changing: they seem maybe less tolerant than they used to be, maybe. Who knows, perhaps it's happening to me too and I haven't noticed!
I think you'r right that doing nothing can make you more tired, funnily enough. Unless you're Suzy and then it sound like doing nothing for a while would be a much needed respite! Lol! But I think it's a good point and I'll bear it in mind. I have done less walking in the past few months because of my joint pain. I have still been exercising in the house, but maybe I need to do more outside. The pain is still there but not so disabling, so I need to take advantage of that. I've just been so worried about making it worse as everything seems to make it worse!
Eating wise, I have been hit and miss as usual. Having lots of cravings and continuing to find that if I buy any treats to have in the house, I will end up practically binge eating them. I never used to do this! But I'm working on it. I'm still hovering about the border between healthy and overweight (which is stil a success for me after being so far from a healthy BMI for so long!). I probably should make a concerted effort to get closer to the middle of healthy BMI. I keep thinking about the fat causing inflammation.
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Vail its so funny you mention about having any treats on hand and you find yourself "binge" eating.. i have NEVER been a binge eater.. i'm 100% emotional eater... but lately... SAME THING WITH THE BINGE.. omg... i bought a small bag of individually wrapped dairy milk bars.. they have like 4 tiny squares in each one... figuring that would be a nice little treat when i needed a fix.. do you really need me to say how long it took me to eat the entire bag??? i started with one.. then brot two to the couch... then went back.. omg.. yup the entire bag was gone in .. well i'm not putting THAT on the world wide web .. and the same some cookies i had... one..two... total binge!! like i was trying to get rid of them all in one shot maybe? i dunno but i have been noticing that trend lately and def have to put the brakes on it NOW. It appears i just can't keep it in the house period.....
That group of retirees i told u about.. we had a very nice brunch yesterday with about 20 people.. and i quite enjoyed meeting some new people who came out etc.. but holy cow they all seem to want food events.. lunches, brunches, dinners... its constant eating and as much as i tell myself i will NOT order something just have a coffee.. invariably i end up ordering a meal which either comes with fried foods (either fries or homefries) or whatever... I'm trying to arrange a few events where we actually MOVE a bit but in winter it is hard.. we are going bowling next week, and i tried to find some mini putt golf indoors but the only ones around here are glow in the dark courses.. umm no lol... I am actually looking at some escape rooms they have around here as well... but i want to go and check them out first.. I'll be glad when the nicer weather starts coming .. i know its still a few weeks away but in my head i can convince myself spring is only 20 days away and it will be 20C hahahhaha - let me have my dreams..
I finally got up the courage to go back to pickleball on Monday... i have been afraid to try it again after almost a year because i was so worried it would mess up my back again and i'd be right back in agony and lost my mobility again.. but i figured i had to know one way or the other so i geared up and went.. i only played 2 games to see how i would feel after.. i felt a few twinges at some moves and thot omg no... but i kept going and 2 days later i am still ok... i'm a bit sore but not horrible so i think i will try again once more before the community centre closes to us for march break for the kids... i was kind of surprised just how anxious i was about playing ... fear of the "what if" but i just decided to tell myself.. you can't worry about what ifs or let it affect what you do.. which also applies to the travel i want to do.. so thats a catch up on me!
Suzy - thanks for the tip on the group i actually belong to a couple of solo and/or women travel groups where i get a lot of good info about different tour companies and types of travel and tips .. a lot of them are people looking to share a room on a trip to avoid the horrific solo supplement costs.. but i have decided at this stage of the game i dont wanna share a room with a stranger lol. So I'm still stuck thinking do i do a big trip somewhere i'd like to see.. or save my $$ and try to spend a few weeks in Florida next Jan-March...
You must be totally exhausted Suzy.. and have no doubt you wanna be home asap! I'm so sorry to hear your neice is having complications i do hope she can get back on the road for a full recovery soon!0 -
I would not want to share a room either, Snoozie! I am so fussy about how I sleep, and I go to bed early and I get up several times in the night, and I think I snore sometimes too, so wouldn't be fair on the person I'm sharing with. Also it's a pain if you can't sleep and you're sharing a room and having to lie there in the dark counting sheep.
Well done on the pickleball! I'm so glad that it went well. I would have been nervous too if I was you, so good for you for going for it.
Escape rooms are fun! I know the ones here you need a commitment from people because the price is different depending on how many are going.
Isn't that strange about the binging? It just never used to be a thing for me. And I don't really seem to get full doing it which is odd. I had lunch with friends the other day and I'd brought some pastries to have after. Two friends had half of one, and the other couldn't manage to have one and kept for later. Meanwhile I happily ate a whole one and was really hoping the last person would offer me his instead of saving it as I could easily have eaten two! I'm trying not to have junk in the house, but then I feel on edge because I don't have it. But if I do, I'll be so careful and have, say, half an apple instead of a whole one to save calories, then a couple of hours later I've downed a family bag of crisps/chips and packet of jelly beans.0 -
do you have a camera in my place Vail?? because i swear.. this afternoon i had a nice crispy apple as a snack.. was still hungry so ate some leftover potatos, carrots and peas that were supposed to go with dinner... added coleslaw instead to the fish for dinner and prompty polished off a bag of little aero choc things!!! and of COURSE i have my apt with the diabetes/thryoid doc tomorrow morning.. at least the blood work was already done but still... its becoming a pattern for me as well and like you.. im hungry all the time lol0
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So, my niece is back in the hospital and I’ve extended my trip to Sunday. I’m really worried that they’ll have to do another surgery and I’ll end up staying for a week after that. She seriously has no one else that is willing to help though. Her dad says that they can help but they really can’t. Taking care of my sister in law is a full time job and he’s also working from home full time. Oh well, I’ll do what needs to be done. I can’t just leave.
I was reading what you’ve both said about aging and attitudes. I see people like Angela Lansbury who lived to be a very active and vital 96; then there’s Rita Moreno who is still acting and dancing at 91!!!! There are women in the club I joined who are in their late 70’s who are running circles around women my age and younger. I think something they all have in common is that they don’t stop moving and they have great attitudes about aging and how it doesn’t have to mean feeble. I need to be more purposefully active. It is hard to be outside walking and exercising in the winter but we’ve got to find a way to keep our bodies moving….and our brains!
My eating is out of control. I’ve always been a bit of a binger. I seriously can NOT have it in the house anymore. I was going to focus on eating better to bring down my cholesterol numbers and A1C….that hasn’t happened yet. I let my chaotic life control my diet instead of trying to exert some control over my eating. Something I need to work on for sure.
So much of socializing is centered around food. I wish I had some ideas for your senior group, Snoozie. That’s a tough one, especially in the cold weather. Good for you for going back to pickle ball! That’s outstanding!
Vail, I can’t even imagine a life where I’m anywhere near a healthy BMI. I think you’re doing a phenomenal job. Winter is difficult and challenging on our health goals. I know you’ll get back to where you want to be.0 -
Oh Suzy i'm so sorry to hear your niece is back in the hospital... and i really hope you don't have to extend your trip but I understand if you have to as she has no one.. being all alone with no support is tough enough when things are going well... i can't imagine having to go thru surgery or being sick and doing it so i'm very glad you have stepped up to help her and i know she is beyond words grateful ..
and yes i agree completely with you about the attitude and keeping busy... our mayor here in Mississauga just passed away at 102... she was beloved for years and was still ice skating up through her mid 90's! She retired maybe 6 years ago from being mayor and people were actually devastated because she was awesome and one very sharp cookie... and like your ladies on your committee, my seniors group and my pb group all have people up to 10-12 yrs older than me who are so busy and truthfully much more fit than i am...
i think joining the retirement group and trying to get back to pb and keeping on with the RC are all ways i am trying to keep myself busy... none of it is physically demanding but i swear otherwise i would be sitting in my pajamas all day ... i think in my head i'm gonna start chanting "65 is the new 45" over and over lol just to motivate me!
i also truly believe these winter months have a bit of a depressing factor thru them even if its subconscious.. the shorter, darker days and the cold.. unless your a rabid skier who loves it (NOT ME) .. it's not an excuse I know but i think it does factor in cause you can't just look out the window and decide to go for a lovely walk or hike.
I'm off to the endocrinologist today.. she may be breaking up with me LOL.. I THINK she told me last year if the A1C and thyroid maintained then she would ditch me as a specialist and just have my family doc monitor .. i'm not normally a fan of break ups but to be honest i wouldnt be sorry if she kicked me to the curb cause it would mean I'm doing ok lol..
and yes on the food and social.. we can't escape it.. it doesnt matter what the occasion is, wedding, funeral, old friends getting together, pub night blah blah it's ALL food centric... other addicts can avoid their drug of choice but it's not like we can avoid food!
This week though i am determined to break that binging cycle... i don't have anything junk wise in the house right now and I just have to resist having that "little something" around but like u vail.. i get a little stressed sometimes thinking hmm i don't have anything for a treat...
keep us updated Suzy please...0 -
My niece came home from the hospital yesterday and I’m flying back home tomorrow. She’s doing so much better but is still on clear liquids for awhile. I need to get back home though. I’m ready. Lol. I’m exhausted.
What great news about breaking up with your endocrinologist! Something good in that bye! You’re doing great!
I’ll have to go grocery shopping when I get home. Since I haven’t been there for over two weeks, we should be out of everything. I plan to get only healthy stuff. No chips, cookies, sweets! If it’s not in the house then I won’t eat it, just like y’all said. That’s my plan.
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That's a great idea, Suzy. A clean start. I need to follow your example. I think you are right that it's better not to have those foods in the house at all. Look after yourself when you get back and get some rest. You must be exhausted.
I hope the endocrinologist appointment went well, Snoozie. That does sound encouraging that she's thinking of breaking up, lol!
Yesterday was not a good eating day for me and I'm taking on board what both of you are saying about not having the stuff in the house. It's so obvious. I bought a new food to try, a fake pasta made out of palm hearts. It was quite acceptable and I made a nice, healthy meal with it. It's what I was eating outside of mealtimes that was the problem. I was out for lunch with friends the day before and it's almost like a meal out starts the cravings instead of satisfying them! I have been wanting to snack on junk ever since!0 -
I’m back home! Yay!!! It was so good to sleep in my own bed last night without a baby monitor next to my head. Lol. I was in my pajamas until 3:00 when I had to get dressed for my Woman’s Club meeting. I’m still so incredibly tired but at least I’m home now.
I’m making my menu for the next week and going grocery shopping tomorrow. I used my niece’s Ninja Foodi countertop cooker and I really liked it. I think I’m going to get one.
I’m hoping to get some energy back so that I can start walking every day. The weather here has been so pleasant.
That sounds like an interesting pasta, Vail. I can’t imagine how they do that. I’m not sure what brings on my cravings….maybe breathing? Lol. Snoozie, you say you’re an emotional eater. I feel like I just want to eat all the time. I don’t need an excuse or reason or trigger. I just have a very unhealthy relationship with food.0 -
You had a baby monitor next to your head! I don't know how you did that! I was thinking about how exhausting the days must have been, I didn't even think about getting up in the night! It's hard enough as a young parent, but definitely not good at our age. You really went above and beyond to help. Your niece must be so grateful. It must have been incredibly helpful for her to know her toddler was safe and being cared for in their own home.
Maybe you should take it easy over the next week after working so hard and allow your body a chance to recover. I'm glad you had a pyjama morning! Maybe just short walks to get back in the habit, and nourishing food?
The Ninja cookers are great, aren't they? Mine is a UK version of this one, I think. https://www.ninjakitchen.com/exclusive-offer/IG651WBKT/ninja-foodi-smart-al-pro-7-in-1-grill-griddle-combo-air-fryer-with-uilt-in-thermometer/ My only gripe about it is that they are sold as being super easy to clean. Well, that's not the case. Because mine has the grill base it's a pain cleaning all the grooves (might be easier if you have a dishwasher). And if you see in the photos the interior metal stuff is not removeable and is virtually impossible to clean fully. The other slight downside is that like the other health grills it's not very tall, so you couldn't fit something tall like a turkey in it without it being too close to the element. And not all cooking tins fit or are suitable. I haven't found this to be an issue for me so far (unlike the cleaning). Lots of upsides as you will have found out! I use it a LOT.
Laughing so much now about breathing bringing on your cravings! I think that might be me too! I went out for lunch with a friend yesterday and we were going to a cafe which does amazing brownies and I was so looking forward to having one with an "excuse" that I was eating out. I kept picturing them and imagining the taste and texture. Anyway, the cafe was full so we went on to another one where we had lunch and cake. And then we walked back past the original cafe and I popped in and bought two (2) brownies anyway to take home, because as far as I was concerned I was entitled to them as I'd thought I was going to have one and didn't. I have cut them up into small portions and put them in the freezer, where I will no doubt end up taking them out and eating them still partially frozen in the near future.
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