50+ with 50+ To Lose Group

spoccer

My first post ... wooo hooo! I've been at it 2 wks now and am pleased with the progress. I could not have done it without MFP and my friends. I look forward to posting and reading every day. I've had a couple of challenging days over the weekend but got back on track (whew!). I have been so paranoid that this will be yet another short-lived attempt at losing weight but you guys help more than you know. I've never been one to exercise, except for weight lifting the remote! Seems that exercise is the key for me. It allows me to eat a little more or make up for a splurge and I feel 100% better.
I know this will seem trivial but just had to share two recent "ah-ha" moments I had. Last week I had to park way back in the lot at Sam's and the walk to the store was more refreshing than challenging. I had more pep in my step and was smiling all the way to the car! And ... I've noticed that I stop and pick up things off the floor that I would have left before. It was such a hassle (now that's really lazy!) and I would just leave the twig on the carpet or dust bunny on the floor for later. I found that now I stop to pick it up and my back doesn't hurt. I'm the "Stop and Stoop Queen"!

KeriA

Keri, over the last year I had a very stresrsful time (lack of weight loss only added to my stress).

I went for some blood tests and my doctor found some imbalances - probably developed through stress. I am getting these sorted now I have managed to lose some weight too.

I know about plateaus and originally thought it was that ... but after a time it was getting most frustrating.

I hope you don't mind me sharing - I just thought if I did you could decide if any of it was relevant to you.

Thanks Sallie, I am glad to hear you are getting it sorted out. I plan to make a Doctor's appointment soon.
I did lose another 0.6 pounds today. So that is adding up to 1.4 for the week. With my earlier 1.6 that adds up to 3 pounds for the month overall:happy: . I think one reason is that between the jobsearch and my cold :sick: I haven't been getting my normally over the top exercise in. Actually my exercise schedule is probably more like at the limit. Although to lose alot of weight I have heard of much more. But is that really sustainable? :noway: 1 hour a week for 6 days a week is but more not really for most people. Last year I often lost at the beginning of each quarter after a crazy exercise schedule during the break and then a bit of easing up as I got into the quarter and I would lose a few pounds. Then at the end of the quarter I would get so busy the weight loss would stall. That was last years cycle and I didn't want to repeat it this year. I just want to keep losing. Slowly but steadily.

KeriA

My first post ... wooo hooo! I've been at it 2 wks now and am pleased with the progress. I could not have done it without MFP and my friends. I look forward to posting and reading every day. I've had a couple of challenging days over the weekend but got back on track (whew!). I have been so paranoid that this will be yet another short-lived attempt at losing weight but you guys help more than you know. I've never been one to exercise, except for weight lifting the remote! Seems that exercise is the key for me. It allows me to eat a little more or make up for a splurge and I feel 100% better.
I know this will seem trivial but just had to share two recent "ah-ha" moments I had. Last week I had to park way back in the lot at Sam's and the walk to the store was more refreshing than challenging. I had more pep in my step and was smiling all the way to the car! And ... I've noticed that I stop and pick up things off the floor that I would have left before. It was such a hassle (now that's really lazy!) and I would just leave the twig on the carpet or dust bunny on the floor for later. I found that now I stop to pick it up and my back doesn't hurt. I'm the "Stop and Stoop Queen"!

Doesn't sound trivial to me. It sounds like a wonderful NSV (non scale victory). I love it. I remember how I hated to stand for long periods of time I would prefer to walk and of course sit and really don't love it that much but now it isn't as hard and I don't avoid it as much. My couch is old and gets lower and lower each year and I was having difficulties getting out of it. I wasn't the only one though. Now I can do it alot easier and in fact it is one of my exercises I do. I call them sit downs. Of course I get right back up again. I'll have to add you stop and stoop to my list. I also do push ups off a low wall we have.

_gwen

Hi just wanted to report I lost 0.8 pounds after 3 weeks but now I think I have a cold or something. Hope all of you stay healthy.
Keri

Congratulations on dropping some weight! The weather is changing fast! Maybe it's not a cold but an allergy?

KeriA

Well I continue to have a cold or as Gwen suggest an allergy and I continue to lose weight. Daily in fact a few tenths of a pound in each of the last 3 days. I lost faster last fall too but since I was in school it was dampened I feel. The only thing cutting this short this time would be a job. My rate of job interviews seems to be going up lately which is another good sign. If I get another cold I will think about wether I am eating enough calories to get good nutrition. Trying to keep the calories I do get relatively high quality though. With the cold I haven't felt up to exercise whereas allergies don't seem to affect me that way. So I am looking forward to getting more exercise as soon as this improves.

KeriA

How is everyone doing this weekend? I am still sick and hoping I am on the mend. I really miss my exercise. However I am losing weight. Lately I have had trouble drinking as much water since I went to the doctors and swallowing is a bit rough. I know some of you are making progress.

MCYoung

:flowerforyou: Congrats to all us "loosers" we will be winners in the long run.
Welcome to all the newbies :happy: ..... and for you sickies :sick: .... get better QUICK!!

I know it has been a while... but life has been a bit hectic for the last 3 weeks. I am hoping that it will get somewhat back on track sooner than later!!

I am pleased to report that I have been here on MFP for 90 days today.... and SOMEHOW managed to loose alomst 35#. I may not make my original goal of 44# by the end of Sept... but I am not giving up on myself ever again!
My victory this weekend was being able to get a new pair of jeans....2 sizes smaller than what I was wearing 90 days ago!! :noway:

I found out a couple weeks ago that my employer will pay up to $100.00 a year for us to join a gym or fittness center. Now I am trying to figure out what to look for and which would be better for me ~
There is a great Fittness Center that is maybe 10 min from my house. But if I join that one ~ it is the ONLY one I can go to. However... with my hubby's insurance I think he can go to that one for free...... I still need to check into that part!!
If I spend a little more $$ I can go with 24 Hour Fittness which is about 20 min from here, but I would be able to go to any of them in the country.... should I become financially stable enough to be able to travel. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!!

My goals for this month....
GET BACK ON TRACK!!!! :mad:
Drink more water ~ :drinker:
Take time to ride the bike EVERY NIGHT ~ No matter how tired I am!!! :yawn:
Other than that... I dont have much to say... .right now anyway
So you all have a great evening.... and a super week this week!!

KeriA

Congratulations Mary (McYoung) we have a few Marys, on your progress! Thanks for the update. If you don't make your goal you will get close. Nice NSV too. Getting into smaller sizes is so great! I give my old clothes a way. I have an LA Fitness near me and my son goes to 24 Hour Fitness since they had a Costco deal. Then they opened a new one and closed his so he gets it for the same deal for now. I want to visit it but it si farther from me. There is a variation in them as to what facilities they have. Hope you find just the right one.

Like your goals for the week.

KeriA

I am starting to feel better today. In the last 2 weeks I have lost 3 pounds which is great after my plateau. HOpe we all have a great week.

KeriA

Just so you know I check daily in case someone posts on here. I am feeling better each day and think that soon I will be able to get more exercise. I have been able to keep my calories down just under my goal despite little exercise and I am proud of that. Hope all of your weeks are going well.

YoungerNextYear59937

Am I eligible to join your group? I'll be 53 in less than 2 hours. I lost 50 pounds a couple of years ago and gained 30 of it back, so I still need to lose about 25 pounds. I live in the Pacific NW too, Vancouver, WA.

KeriA

Hi YoungerNextYear. You are definitely eligible. Everyone tells a bit about themselves and then states their health and fitness goals for the week or month. Expect to see a friend request from me too. Welcome.

KeriA

I am excited because tomorrow I plan to finally start to exercise again after being ill. I will go to my Aquafit class in the morning. Tonight after dinner we walked around a nice shopping district. It felt more like a summer night than an autumn night. It was a good way to get a bit of exercise without over doing it. It feels nice to feel like I am on the mend. Hope everyone has a great weekend.

YoungerNextYear59937

Hi Keri (and the rest of the members of the 50+ group)!

Thanks for adding me to the group. It took me awhile to find an over 50 group, and I was pleased to see you're from the PNW. My mom lived in Kirkland, so I'm really familiar with that area. It sounds like you're feeling better--that's great!

I'll shortly tell you about myself. I'm 53 (today)! I've gained and lost weight all my life. It seems easier for me to lose it than maintain it. I lost 50 pounds about 2 years ago and tried to maintain it. (After all I don't want to still be needing to lose major weight into my 60's and 70's; I'm no spring chicken anymore!). Anyway, my mom was diagnosed with lung cancer right before Christmas last year. She had smoked for 40 years (she started smoking after she had me to lose her baby weight). She had quit about 12 years before that. She was a stay at home wife who never exercised and had very little physical activity (she insisted vacuuming was a workout). She wasn't overweight, but had health problems because of her sedentary lifestyle. When she was diagnosed with lung cancer, she was so frail and out of shape from inactivity that her body couldn't withstand the chemotherapy. She died February 3rd, three days before her 74th birthday. She and I were very close and her death hit me hard. I stopped working out and started eating anything and everything. I quickly re-gained 30 of the 50 pounds I had lost.

I've lost 9-1/2 of those 30 pounds (7 before I found MFP which was suggested to me by a personal trainer). The gym I had been going to went out of business in August, but I have found another one. The one I'm going to now is a better fit for me and I'm getting stronger all the time, even doing things that I never imagined I would be able to do (spinning). I work full time, and usually work more than 40 hours a week, so I get up at 4:30 every day and hit the gym first thing. It centers me for the day and puts my focus on fitness and healthy eating.

My goal is to lose at least another 15 pounds and put the muscle I have lost back on, then I'll re-evaluate. I stumbled across your group and am happy and excited to be here! Thanks so much for having me!

KeriA

Welcome Younger Next Year,
Happy birthday a day late. Sorry to hear about the loss of your mother. I am glad you are back to taking care of yourself again. Thanks for sharing your goals with us. I am hoping that we all share how we have done with our goals this last month soon as we start into October.

I am going to take this opportunity to post the updated list of members:

dfeledichuk
_gwen
grannysquare1 (Nancy)
salliebeige
meabonl
jimswife1
GreenHydrangea
CRody (Chuck)
KeriA (Keri)
elfie9863
SeattleGrl (Hazel)
jhamby
swimmer54
momb4 (Lynne)
bisbeegal
McYoung (Mary)
creasonr (Ruth)
Serrtana
spoccer (Mary)
ndoyel (Nancy)
YoungerNextYear

There are 22 of us and I think there is someone else interested in joining as well.

KeriA

Just a small update for me. I mentioned I was excited to start back to exercise today after being sick the last few weeks. Well of course that means the pool had to be closed - right? At least it is a lovely weekend for a walk. I have a very small part-time temporary job starting next week. I think I am in the process of negotiating for another job on an on-call basis. The second is pretty much in my profession and will be paid well. The other is something I have done in the past and will probably be close to my minimum pay requirement. Still not enough secure employment so I will continue to look for work.

SallieBeige

Good luck with the job-securing Keri - its always a stressful time.

I found another job and am due to start in January only ... I particularly admire people who can keep their health priorities going when other pressures are growing as I am very much a comfort eater.
So far, though, I am holding on.

Here is hoping that we all have a successful week in whatever we are aspiring to!
:flowerforyou:

dfeledichuk

Just a small update for me. I mentioned I was excited to start back to exercise today after being sick the last few weeks. Well of course that means the pool had to be closed - right? At least it is a lovely weekend for a walk. I have a very small part-time temporary job starting next week. I think I am in the process of negotiating for another job on an on-call basis. The second is pretty much in my profession and will be paid well. The other is something I have done in the past and will probably be close to my minimum pay requirement. Still not enough secure employment so I will continue to look for work.

WOOHOO... at least this is positive step in the right direction however! Great for you.

KeriA

Good luck with the job-securing Keri - its always a stressful time.

I found another job and am due to start in January only ... I particularly admire people who can keep their health priorities going when other pressures are growing as I am very much a comfort eater.
So far, though, I am holding on.

Here is hoping that we all have a successful week in whatever we are aspiring to!
:flowerforyou:

Congrats on the new job Sallie. Yes it is hard to keep a good schedule when schedule changes and with change there is more stress. Let's do it right this time. :drinker:

KeriA

Just a small update for me. I mentioned I was excited to start back to exercise today after being sick the last few weeks. Well of course that means the pool had to be closed - right? At least it is a lovely weekend for a walk. I have a very small part-time temporary job starting next week. I think I am in the process of negotiating for another job on an on-call basis. The second is pretty much in my profession and will be paid well. The other is something I have done in the past and will probably be close to my minimum pay requirement. Still not enough secure employment so I will continue to look for work.

WOOHOO... at least this is positive step in the right direction however! Great for you.

Thanks, you have been in my thoughs alot. Take care during this busy and challenging time. :flowerforyou:

KeriA

October Goals ( maybe they are my 2nd blush attempt at Fall Goals)
1. drink between 10-14 glasses of water a day - except when my throat was too sore I was pretty good with this.
2. I am slowly getting back to exercising since being ill. I am going to make sure it includes weight training and running intervals (post C25K), Zumba and a rest day. I want to ease into it for once and when the pool is open I will add in Aquafit again.
3. I think I have my calories goals set right so just need to work at making them
5. Make healthy meals (being ill sort of messed that up a bit.

Hope all have a great autumn.

swimmer54

The last few months have been a struggle. I have gotten caught in the cycle of eating things which create cravings which results in eating things which create cravings. I've also done a lot of emotional eating in an effort to cope with my feelings. Most days I start out with at least some resolve. But every day ends in defeat. Anyway, just trying to get back in control of it..

October goals:

1. No binging on sweets
2. Limit swimming. No more than 1 long swim per week. Other 2 swims limited to 1 hour each.
3. Complete at home training on Tuesdays.
4. Log food, no matter how bad it is.
5. Become aware of water intake.

KeriA

Nice to see you on here Mary. Sorry you have had a hard time. Good job getting back to it. Like your Octobe goals. I am hoping to see some others too.

Keri

KeriA

Hi all,
I hope you have had a wonderful September. It is almost October! As you can see above some of us have reevaluated our goals for October. I was happy that I lost another pound plus this week. I have started weight training and back drinking water. I think these helped since I have continued to do well with keeping my calories down but not too much. There was a great post on the boards recently about Myths of Water Intake. I pretty much agreed with it but my personal experience has been that water helps me lose. :drinker: I also see some other health benefits.

I also wanted to quote myself when I started this group.

"Rules are very simple: Check in once a week at least but I will be checking daily so more is fine. You let us know your goals for the week, month, season or by any timeline you have determined for yourself. Report on how you are doing, what is challenging to you and what you have learned. I hope we get to know each other so if life is getting you down or up let us know. "

I think that the reason is that if most of us don't post weekly we don't really stay a group. I don't think that we all have to do this all the time and people who have been MIA or have personal reasons for taking a hiatus should feel free to start back up again at anytime. However I would like to see us give each other the support we need and since this is on the first page it may have escaped your notice or memory. This is a pretty flexible group but I think this rule should not be rigorously followed but seen as an important guide for the group process. :flowerforyou:

For new members the process is to introduce yourself by telling us a bit about yourself and to list you health and fitness goals or priorities.

I really think this is a great group of people.

Keri

SeattleGrl

My goals for October are a little unsure as I'm going to be on vacation in Italy & England for the first 2 weeks of the month. I do plan on walking a lot and being aware of what I'm eating BUT I'm going to enjoy every bite and not feel guilty for indulging in the local specialties, plus the wine in Italy is cheaper then water!
Upon my return my plan is to continue with my strength training and start the C25K program. I'm really excited and nervous about running as it's something I've never thought I could do but I've been running a little this past month and I can actually run, who knew?!?
Welcome to all the new members, this is a great supportive group!
Hazel

jimswife1

For the month of October:

1. Lose 10lbs
2. 8 glasses of water daily
3. continue at the gym 5 days weekly
4. use ab glider at least 3 days per week
5. start adding different classes at the gym
6. get an extra hour of sleep nightly

spoccer

My October goals ...
1. Lose at least 3 pounds a week.
2. Exercise at least one hour per day on treadmill.
3. Slowly start incorporating strength training.
4. Eat more flaxseed.
5. Make low cal smoothies.
6. Read more healthy eating articles.
7. Find and try more healthy eating recipes.
8. DROP another dress size!!

KeriA

Hello Hazel, Sounds like a gread vacation and I am glad you are planning to enjoy the food too. I do think the walking will do the trick and from what I have seen on here any vacations pounds come off fast and people are back on track soon. So Enjoy. That is exciting that you plan to do C25K when you come back. I loved it. I am trying to do my post C25K program to increase speed and distance a bit so I can actually do a 5k. I loved C25K and had a great support group on here.

Hi Jimswife, loved your October goals. I forgot to ask everyone how September went. From what it seems like from you status updates you have been doing well this month? Keep us updated each week on how your October is going.:happy:

Mary (@spoccer) Wow some pretty ambitious goals for you too. Thanks for mentioning the Flaxseed. I just got some BobMills Flax meal to add into things too but I need to remember to do it. One thing I found that helped me recently was to have a rest day from exercise. I don't want to do it but it actually helps. Many have before their weigh in day but I weigh in everyday. How was September? Let us know how it going through out October. :flowerforyou:

I love October. Let's do it!:drinker:

swimmer54

OK group....I'm planning a good food day.

I will report back, assuming the results aren't too embarrassing. If that's the case I'll have to run and hide. lol.

Here's the plan. Usual breakfast, Cheerios and fruit. Lunch, Turkey sandwich. After swim string cheese and orange. Dinner, Ham loaf and some kind of vegetables. I hope to get back on my 400 cal fix which is 4 meals x 400 calories. So there will be some 4th meal. (and maybe that's where I slip up...not PLANNING the 4th meal, which is at a time when I have a tendancy to overeat)

My concern is that it's a swimming day. If I swim a really long time that could throw a kink in the works. I'm going to try to keep it at an hour which won't affect my food plan.

KeriA

Sounds like a great plan Mary. You have been doing well lately. Hope you have a great day. i am off to the gym for some weight training and some cardio finally.