WOMEN AGES 50+ FOR APRIL 2023
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Well tonight wasn't so good for diet and exercise. I had received an edible arrangement of chocolate dipped fruit that was lovely, but it has derailed my diet routine, so out it goes. My belly is too full for exercise after eating the rest of the chocolate. It's just been a tough week for me; so glad it's almost Friday!
I had a vet appointment for Teddy tomorrow but they called and rescheduled for next Friday. Teddy has a lump. Probably the second of many
to come.
Hope you all have a marvelous evening!
Annie in Delaware7 -
Rosemary I learned to knit when I was a child. I have knitted most of my life and find it very satisfying. I hope you enjoy it.
It is still cold and drizzly here. Great for walking but not for yard work. Fortunately I have many satisfying indoor tasks.
Barbie in NW WA4 -
Carol- your right.. he does love them both... im going to get some shut eye now.. good night everyone xoxo4
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Stat for the day-
Walk w/family- 2hrs 14min 37sec, 86ahr, 112mhr, 217elev, 2.61ap, 6.10mi= 606c
Strava app= 747c3 -
❤️
Katla in Illinois0 -
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Good morning, everyone. Op was yesterday morning. Slept well minimal pain. Should be home tomorrow, all being well. 🥰
☘️ Terri12 -
Years ago I used to knit a lot. I mean 50/60 years ago. I remember making 'skinny-rib' sweaters. My mother was a great knitter. When I met my first husband, I made him a sweater and a rather nice zipped cardigan. Haven't knitted much since.
Recently I've been talking idly on and off about learning to crochet, inspired by one or two things I've seen on Instagram. I had a quick look on YouTube. My father used to crochet and even made me a dress. I'm more interested in cushion covers, or art hangings.
I was talking to Edie about us both learning together and getting a few supplies in, when DH said, "Oh, I wouldn't do that!" So, he has presumably bought me something for our anniversary on May 6th. (I didn't say I would much rather buy my own, as I know what I want. ) Whatever he's got me, it will be great for learning with Edie!
But what a sweet thought!
I am very difficult to buy for as I have very clear ideas about what I want. My ex BIL once called me an 'aesthetic tyrant'. He was right!
Painting this afternoon. My son said he really liked one of my abstracts, but I think it was too small for his deco. I sent him a photo, as i always do and he asked how big it was. I've had the probably crazy idea that he might like something for his new kitchen and I know the colours he has chosen for units etc. So I'm going to have a go at two larger abstracts, in the same styles, using masking tape, in his colours. If he likes them he can have them, but he probably has his own ideas. Luckily, I have some large sheets of paper that my ex left with me 30 years ago. They have been under the bed all these years, and are excellent quality. Nothing ventured .........
I won't be upset if I doesn't want it/them, as I know what a personal choice art is.
Although I love art, I don't have a great deal on my walls, as I prefer not too much visual distraction. My son has a lot of large abstracts etc around.
I woke up early this morning, but that's fine. It looks lovely out there, but I think it will rain later.
Annie - Well done for donating the saddle. It's a great relief to live in our present reality and enjoy where we are. 'Being where our feet are' or, in your case, 'Where your butt is'.
Debbie - I've got a couple of freezers to defrost. One I can't open the top drawer at all now! They aren't huge, thankfully, but still a tedious job. Thanks for the inspiration!
Love to all, Heather UK xxxxxxxx
Terri - Just seen your post above mine! Happy it's over! And I wish you a speedy recovery! XOXO3 -
Just a thought for today. Article in Psychology.
I think we've all done some of that in our lives. It used to be me. Not nearly so much nowadays.
Much love to all, Heather UK xxxxxx4 -
20. Focus on eating ‘a rainbow of multi-colored vegetables today. No new veggies or fruits today. Wow. I should’ve had a V-8!
21. Regularly pause to stretch and breathe during the day. And to breathe out for longer than breathing in ;}
Lisa yours to Kylia. Voice of experience.
Mary YUM!
Debbie thankful Nick’s been found. Glad his mother and sister are here to support him. Prayers continue for his recovery.
Terri thanks for the update, welcome good news!
Read every post but too miserable with bad belly to respond more. ((hugs)) to all.04/20: Move: 2 sets PT w/x&a, dogs to powerline, Jeopardy walking steps:8136
Fuel: plants running count for week so far: 10+9+4+1+0new almonds, artichoke, asparagus, avocado, beans-cannellini, beans-garbanzo, beets, caramel corn, cashews, cranberries, cucumber, ginger, olives-green, peanut brittle, peanut oil, pecans, pepperoncini, prunes, radish, romaine, rice-brown, snap peas, tangerines, tea, wheat-cookies/matzoh/sourdough CI =1394
Live: Joe, readings, BP, Wt: 04/19: Move: 2 sets PT w/D, line dance class, dogs to powerline, Jeopardy walking. steps: 8327
Fuel: plants running count for week so far: 10+9+4+1 almonds, artichoke, asparagus, avocado, beans-cannellini, beans-garbanzo, beets, caramel corn, cashews, cranberries, cucumber, ginger, olives-green, peanut brittle, peanut oil, pecans, pepperoncini, prunes, radish, romaine, rice-brown, snap peas, tangerines, tea, wheat-cookies/matzoh/sourdough CI =1447
Live: Joe, readings, BP, Wt:134.5
Lighter, lovelies!
Barbara, the Southern Oregon Coastie AHMOD
2023: Be of good cheer. April: Move more, fuel better, live NOW.
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I’m catching up, but have nothing new to add to the comments made by others. We are such a sage group of women.
Intentions for April:🔹Maintain weight < 140 (I have managed to stay at the lower end of the 140s)Intentions for today
🔹Continue with Solid Habit development
📍active rest day (I’m keeping my legs mobile in bed 😝)
📍hoping to get up later and move about
📍I am following the advice of my medical team.
Virtual (((hugs))) and 🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻 for all those those who need them.
🙋♀️ Miele failte to the newbies.
☘️ TerriI'm both a lion and a bear. I really work best doing what I've always thought of as farmers hours - up just before dawn to be out when the sun rises and morning is my get it done time, after 1 or 2 pm is all the routine tasks, and to bed earlyish... by 9 pm if I have my choice.
Debbie: Also delighted to hear about Nick. People need to know how their actions affect others.
Lisa: Hydrangeas in Ireland can also go completely dormant and look dead if we get too much cold. I cut mine back when they start to put out buds when the weather improves.8 -
Heather: I so agree. We are so busy trying to be ‘normal’ that we often submerge our authentic self.
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ACTIVE APRIL1. Commit to being more active this month starting today. Yes!
2. Spend as much time as possible outdoors today. Yes!
3. Listen to your body and be grateful for what it can do. Yes! I can garden, which requires all sorts of body motion, and cycle.
4. Eat healthy and natural food today and drinks lots of water. Yes! Ate my usual food and drank lots of water up till about 8 pm. We won't talk about what happened after that.
5. Turn a regular activity into a playful game today. Hmmm ... Walking around the shops? Climbing stairs?
6. Do a body-scan meditation and really notice how your body feels. Achy.
7. Get natural light early in the day. Dim the lights in the evening.
There isn't much light early in the day here. Plus I was sleeping then. Plus it was cloudy, drizzly and rainy all day.
But I do dim the lights in the evening. It's one of many steps I take to wind down in the evenings to prepare myself for the night.
8. give your body a boost by laughing or making someone laugh
I rarely laugh. Most things don't strike me funny.
Lots of things amuse me, but not enough for laughter.
9. Turn your housework or chores into a fun form of exercise
I often do, but as today's work involved sitting at 2 computers, I walked on the treadmill during a break instead.
10. Have a day with less screen time and more movement
Unfortunately, today was another day sitting at 2 computers.
But I did go downstairs to row and lift weights.
Hoping the rain will let up soon!!! It's been 4 days already!
11. Set yourself an exercise goal or sign up to an activity challenge
One of my more favourite areas!!
We aim to cycle at least one 50 km ride each month and have been doing that for a while. At our AGM at the end of March, we got a bag full of these each.
We will have to see when we can fit our April ride in ... the 5 days off over Easter would have been good but it rained and rained and was cold and windy. Snow at higher elevations.
Maybe next weekend ... we'll see.
AND ... one of the bigger running events moved their event to September which is fantastic for me. Originally, it was this month, but I was nowhere near ready to even sign up for the 5K. Now I've got the winter to get in shape.
Also, now that I'm working back in the same building I was in about 16 months ago, with many of the same people, we've started our stair climbing challenge again. We are easing into it this month because of Easter and ANZAC Day but we'll be ready to be much more consistent in May.
The stair climbing challenge is exciting because when I'm busy climbing 20+ flights of 20 stairs each day I am at work, I lose weight.
12. Move as much as possible, even if you’re stuck inside
Absolutely! I climbed stairs.
13. Make sleep a priority and go to bed in good time
I do when I have to work the next day ... make sure I get at least 7 hours of sleep.
But I am not keen on that. I'm a night owl and like to get things done late at night. Having to be in bed by 11:45 pm is a bit uncomfortably early.
14. Relax your body & mind with yoga, tai chi or meditation.
Gardening ... will gardening do?
15. Get active by singing today (even if you think you can’t sing)
I sing every day. My husband is very polite about it.
16. Go exploring around your local area and notice new things
I've spent 5 years on our island.
I've done a lot of local exploring!
I think exploring locally is a great idea and some people don't do enough of it. However, I'm getting more and more restless to go somewhere else as the weeks go by.
17. Be active outside. Dig up weeds or plant some seeds
I usually do this on the weekend when there's daylight.
However, I occasionally do some weeding in the pitch dark when I walk Rhody right after work.
18. Try a new online exercise, activity or dance class.
Hmmmmmmm ... not that keen on online exercise, aside from Zwift.
However, I have started a stair climbing challenge at work, and we keep track of it on an Excel spreadsheet.
19. Spend less time sitting today. Get up and move more often.
Walking in the morning and evening as part of my commute.
Walking at lunch.
Climbing stairs.
Walking back and forth to the kitchen and toilet.
Walking with Rhody after work.
20. Focus on eating ‘a rainbow of multi-colored vegetables today.
As always.
21. Regularly pause to stretch and breathe during the day.
Does huffing and puffing up and down 20 flights of stairs count?42. Enjoy moving to your favorite music. Really go for it.
43. Go out and do an errand for a loved one or neighbor.
44. Get active in nature. Feed the birds or go wild-life spotting.
45. Have a ‘no screens’ night and take time to recharge yourself.
46. Take an extra break in your day and walk outside for 15 minutes
47. Find a fun exercise to do while waiting for the kettle to boil (or pan of water.)
48. Meet a friend outside for a walk and a chat.
49. Become an activist for a cause you really believe in
50. Make time to run, swim, dance, cycle or stretch today
Machka in Oz
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cityjaneLondon wrote: »Just a thought for today. Article in Psychology.
I think we've all done some of that in our lives. It used to be me. Not nearly so much nowadays.
Much love to all, Heather UK xxxxxx
https://www.psychologytoday.com/au/blog/its-not-you-its-the-world/202304/smiling-to-death-the-hidden-dangers-of-being-nice
Personality Features of People With Chronic Illness
When Maté reviewed the research on the chronic illnesses he’d treated for more than 30 years, he discovered a pattern of personality features that most frequently present in people with chronic illness:
• Automatic and compulsive concern for the emotional needs of others, while ignoring one’s own needs; -- Nope! Have never cared how others are feeling. I could be on the autistic spectrum.
• Rigid identification with social role, duty, and responsibility; -- Nope! Have never felt a sense of social role, duty and responsibility.
• Overdriven, externally focused hyperresponsibility, based on the conviction that one must justify one’s existence by doing and giving; -- Absolutely not!! I struggle to be giving to my husband who I love and care for.
• Repression of healthy, self-protective anger; and -- Given that I do become angry and do express it ... loudly, I'd have to say "Nope!"
• Harbouring and compulsively acting out two beliefs: I am responsible for how other people feel, and I must never disappoint anyone. -- Nope! Have never cared how others are feeling. I could be on the autistic spectrum.
“Why these features and their striking prevalence in the personalities of chronically ill people are so often overlooked—or missed entirely,” is because they are among the “most normalized ways of being in this culture…largely by being regarded as admirable strengths rather than potential liabilities,” says Maté.
Nevertheless, I have been in a state of chronic stress for just over 5 years now ... nothing to do with trying to remain happy!
“We know that chronic stress, whatever its source, puts the nervous system on edge, distorts the hormonal apparatus, impairs immunity, promotes inflammation, and undermines physical and mental well-being,” says Maté. And numerous studies show that a body stuck in a chronic stress response stays in an inflamed state, Maté continues, the precursor of many chronic illnesses, such as heart disease, cancer, autoimmune diseases, Alzheimer’s, depression, and many others.
He talks a little about coping mechanisms, and that's one of the reasons I've been in a state of chronic stress for just over 5 years ... because I have very limited opportunity to use my favourite coping mechanism: alone time!
However, in relation to all of the above, I am trying to learn a bit of tact and to use tactful words sometimes. My inclination is to be very blunt.
Machka in Oz7 -
Barbara I hope your belly feels better!
Heather you are very fortunate to be able to do things with your grandchildren as often as you do.
💕Mary from Arizona/Minnesota4 -
The longest week! Not sure why this sometimes happens that the world seems to be rotating slowly even as I am busy.
After only getting a couple hours of sleep night before, I was asleep at 830 last night. "Slept" 8 hours, but was more awake than asleep for last hour. Still feeling better, in spite of anxiety. Storms moving in, I can feel them in my head and body. I will make it a good day.
Machka I agree with your statement of alone time. I have said for years that my dream is to go somewhere for a couple of weeks with no responsibilities but me. When my DH hunted out of state I had that time, now not so much. I am that people pleaser. I "feel" other's feelings.
Terry Thank you for checking in! Positive healing thoughts.
I appreciate all of the support, advice, caring, and sharing from all of you ❤️ 😊
Love from Ohio,
Kylia
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Long week!
It was my first 5-day work week since mid-January. By about 2:30 pm, my brain was done.
Now I've got a busy weekend ahead.
Fortunately, I only work 3 days next week.
Machka in Oz
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It's Friday!
Joy - have a great time on your trip! Please touch base with us if you can while on your journey. You know how we love pictures too.
Terri - good news that you are doing so well and can come home soon. Best wishes for a speedy recovery.
Lisa - thank you for asking about the chickies. They are getting BIG! Nearly all feathered out, but still huddle next to the brooder heater. Roger and I need to get going on their little coop and run by mid next week. Looks like a couple days here of non-rainy weather where we can do at least part of it. Hippy Dippy weatherman is saying we're going to see SPRING starting next Tuesday - sunny warmer afternoons. I can already hear the lawnmowers revving, lol.
Sleep style - I'm a Lion. Like Carol a farm kid who grew up with early chores and was pooped by the end of the day. Still getting up before the chickens.
Machka - I want to reach right through here and hug you. I know what you mean about alone time. I also missed that a lot as my DH grew older and became housebound. So glad you have your beautiful dry stream where you can retreat into your head and think about other things; accomplish something beautiful. Not have to talk to anyone about anything.
Maybe that's why I'm thriving in my alone time right now. Who knows, that might change one of these days.
I never really thought what my life would be like when my DH passed, I always figured he'd go before me because he was 7 years older and male longevity in his family rarely reached 80. So a new story is being written.
Kim - I'm thinking about your realization that your birth family isn't and never will be supportive for you. But you have so many caring friends and a great network who ARE there for you. Maybe they are the true family you were meant to have. And there's us!
Barbara - hope your tummy is doing better. I've been getting myself into trouble drinking too much coffee. You'd think I'd learn that anything over 2 cups in the morning is too much but no... I love it too much. And it's something to do since I can't be outside much quite yet.
Carla - have you watched any of Don Fiore's QiGong and Louhan Tapping videos? Something a little different. So glad you are enjoying his Tai Chi. Easy enough to follow along and I love that he takes the time to explain things.
Time to grab another coffee, splash a lot of milk in it and hope for the best!
Lanette
SW WA State
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Terri - So glad to see you pop in, hope your recovery is rapid and painfree...I'm a wolf!
I'm a lion - happily in bed by 9pm and naturally awake between 6 and 7am these days. Up at some point during the night, but I fall asleep in moments, almost never lie awake in bed for any time at all. That's been my pattern ever since I retired.Lisa - hydrangeas here go completely dormant and look dead if we get too much cold, but suddenly come late may or june (after the nights are above 50 or so) the darn things leaf out (and or send up shoots) and are back to being beautiful.
Kim
You are absolutely right, Kim (and Terri), thank you! I saw this from you and then took a good look at them yesterday afternoon. One has leaves peeping out around the old canes now, and looks like it will be able to come back completely. The other is still doing its "I'm a bunch of sticks" imitation, but I moved it last year to get it a little more sun. I'll give it a little more time to try and come back before I give up on it... the nights are still quite chilly, 42 degrees out this morning.
I'm so pleased, too, that my hostas made it through the winter: The one on the left, I planted the first spring after we got here, and the one on the right was a new addition last year. A few more of those survived as well, and I'm so pleased. I'm of the "if you can make it through the winter you get to stay" kind of benignly neglectful "gardeners," so I'm always pleased when they do. It's possible that there was a good reason I never actually had children of my own...
And here's a question for my gardeners - Below is a pic of a plant that right now is about six or eight inches tall. Google search says it's a sugar maple. A number of these popped up in my flowerbed about eight feet from the maple that fell on the house a while back. However... we also dug the muscadine vines out of that same flowerbed. I planted them there the first spring, and then moved them to the back yard to give them more room. So, which is it? Either way I have to evict them - a 40-foot tall sugar maple in a flowerbed is not something I want, and the muscadines just run riot... but I'd still like to know what I'm killing before I yank it out by the roots:
Later, y'all,
Love,
Lisa
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Machka - Your communication style here shows a lot of the constructions of someone on the spectrum, so I've always been pretty sure that you are neurodivergent (I love that word). I think it's a wonderful thing that you're aware of it. While it can come across as blunt to the neurotypical, it's always honest, and I appreciate that enormously. You are never wishy-washy, dear heart, and I'm glad you're here. I hope this group is of benefit to you.
And while Maté's got some interesting points, in all honesty, who's NOT under chronic stress any more? Stress is the human condition these days, and pointing out that it exacerbates inflammation is kind of belaboring the obvious. While you may not participate in the over-empathic, hyper-responsible, repressions of the neurotypical, it just means (to me) that you deal with the same stressors in different ways. You're as subject to the same stresses, but you add onto that a world not really constructed to deal with the way you communicate or operate. There is massive stress wrapped up in that--and while you may be able to express yourself in ways the emotionally repressed cannot, it doesn't make it go away.
Interesting.
Love,
Lisa7 -
Morning ladies
Here with Mr Miles who is napping
We have found that if he takes 1 morning nap and plays outside in the afternoon..he sleeps better at night..2 -
Lisa - that is a little maple. DH used to remove some from flower beds and pot them up to give away. And yes, many just got yanked and thrown over the fence!
Lanette2 -
Lanette and Lisa I have something like that that turns, purple and flowers. But the leaves are exactly the same. When I get back to Minnesota, I will take a picture. I’d be curious as to know what mine are.
Terri glad to hear you are doing well! Praying for a speedy recovery!!
💕 Mary from Arizona/Minnesota2 -
Allie —You are an excellent grandma & daycare provider. Mr. Miles is a very lucky little boy. ❤️
Katla0 -
Annie--Giving up a dream is hard, but glad you are able to ride when you can and enjoy it.
Rosemary--I learned to knit from a babysitter before I was 10. I have picked it up again that last several years and been making baby blankets for new family babies and church family. I mostly do it in the car when we are going anywhere. Helps pass the time and I am not watching the road.
Terri--Glad you are doing well. Do hope you get to go home soon.
Just remembered I have a 2-3 hour management meeting this afternoon. I just hope I can stay awake. I told DH that tomorrow no one better wake me up until I am ready. I say that and then is usually up around 7.
Blessings, Vicki GRAND ISLAND, NE5 -
LisaInArkansas wrote: »Machka - Your communication style here shows a lot of the constructions of someone on the spectrum, so I've always been pretty sure that you are neurodivergent (I love that word). I think it's a wonderful thing that you're aware of it. While it can come across as blunt to the neurotypical, it's always honest, and I appreciate that enormously. You are never wishy-washy, dear heart, and I'm glad you're here. I hope this group is of benefit to you.
And while Maté's got some interesting points, in all honesty, who's NOT under chronic stress any more? Stress is the human condition these days, and pointing out that it exacerbates inflammation is kind of belaboring the obvious. While you may not participate in the over-empathic, hyper-responsible, repressions of the neurotypical, it just means (to me) that you deal with the same stressors in different ways. You're as subject to the same stresses, but you add onto that a world not really constructed to deal with the way you communicate or operate. There is massive stress wrapped up in that--and while you may be able to express yourself in ways the emotionally repressed cannot, it doesn't make it go away.
Interesting.
Love,
Lisa
Thank you, Lisa.
And what you say is probably why I feel out of my comfort zone most of the time!
M in Oz1 -
2022020
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DH'S elder daughter us on the spectrum and was only diagnosed at over 50. Things like public transport, noisy offices, are very stressful to her. Now she lives in a village in the South of France and works on a London company's IT from home. She loves her life.
Well, my painting came out very differently to how I imagined it! Couldn't mix the right colours, and, because it was so large, didn't have enough white paint. So I just went with what I could find, some old acrylics that must be over 30 years old! I'm amazed they still had any paint inside!
I had a lot of fun though. Called it 'Yearning Yellow'.
Because it is so big, I also took a photo of the detail.
Going to have a quick relax before I ring my friend L at 5pm.
Love Heather UK xxxxxxxx
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cityjaneLondon wrote: »
Debbie - I've got a couple of freezers to defrost. One I can't open the top drawer at all now! They aren't huge, thankfully, but still a tedious job. Thanks for the inspiration!
Love to all, Heather UK xxxxxxxx
The freezer was so bad that I couldn't put anything in or open the door without a few things falling out. Had to pass up some great sales because there was no room.
Now I am motivated to do the freezer part of the garage fridge. The freezer part of the kitchen fridge has been done but I want to do it again and move most of it to the garage freezer to make it easier to find things we use often. Need them organized too.1
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