50+ with 50+ To Lose Group

Bisbeegal

I've found the group very motivating. Since joining, it's reinvigorated me, the majority of my days have been under again, and the scale seems to be showing that. I'll feel like a real success when I can break the 5 pound yo yo I'm on and maintain my ticker low (I can't bear to reset it to a higher weight, but I do keep logging in, hoping that I can get myself remotivated and start losing again.) I was really slipping in terms of my daily calories, but not in terms of doing my daily logging. I kept that up because I know that's the backbone of MFP. If you don't log in, you'll start kidding yourself that you haven't eaten that much, and before you know it, you're back to your wicked ways. It's like an ex smoker taking one puff, before you know it you're up to a pack a day.

Some suggestions made here that I'm really going to take to heart are drinking more water because I've been drinking some iced tea and Diet Cokes since it got warmer, and I think I need even more water to overcome the diuretic qualities in those drinks. Another problem I seem to have is not pacing my food throughout the day. I'm eating lightly earlier and having a big dinner. I am terrible at getting regular exercise, but I have been doing all my own housework and gardening, so I'm burning as many calories as I can around the house. I also try to take as many steps during the day that I can.

I swore many years ago that I would never go on a diet again, and I don't consider MFP dieting. I have to have total freedom of choice, or I will not stay the course.Since I always eat "regular foods," I don't feel like I'm deprived or worry that I might "go off the wagon" because, theoretically, you can eat an entire piece of chocolate cake.....if you don't want to eat dinner; so, you do have to retrain yourself to enjoy a few bites instead. I've been on MFP since late January, and although MFP keeps resetting my days, I've never had a day that I haven't logged in. I may not have the dramatic weight loss that some programs have, or dropped tons of pounds on prepackaged foods, but instead I've gotten a much better understanding of how important food choices and portions are. So, I do think this "re-education" will give me a much better chance of keeping it off and not packing it back on. I remember the earliest days when I was logging, and how hungry I felt and how hard it was to choose foods, and now it's second nature. When I started, I was skeptical that I could ever lose weight again, and it soon proved me wrong. I am happy with my results, and I'm sure this plateau will fall soon enough, and I'm hoping to lose a minimum of ten more pounds this year. That would put me at thirty for the year, and I think that's a reasonable and healthy goal. Thanks everyone for your help and support.

_gwen

... I've been on MFP since late January, and although MFP keeps resetting my days, I've never had a day that I haven't logged in.

You can send a request to get your number reset::

http://www.myfitnesspal.com/account/login_counter_reset_request

I'm glad you found the group. The positiveness of MFP is fantastic..

KeriA

Sallie good luck with drinking more water. I will be right there with you on that! I am doing better but can't get to where I should be.

Bisbeegal there is so much I agree with you on what you wrote. Do you hit the Complete this Entry Button? I forgot one night to do that until way later than 12 midnight and I reset too. I am starting over because of camping but since it is near my 1 year anniversary it may be a good time for a new start. Thanks Gwen for the great link. Maybe I should add it to our Blog. I count one cup of Green Tea in my water count but the rest is water. I find that the act of logging is very powerful for me. It brings to the front of my mind issues to work on and sometime that is enough to make a correction. I don't have any off limit foods just those I don't think are worth it to eat. I do not look at this as a diet either. I am watching my calories and exercise. I think that is really what is behind this group. Improving our health that for many of us means losing some weight. I am glad the group is motivating to you. I know it is for me.

In fact today I plan to do something I have know n I need to do but haven't been able to do for a while. I am going to go to the gym and try out some strength training. I tried this routine once with mixed success. I know that some of the machines weren't at my club or I couldn't find them. Wish me luck. This is my optional rest day. So it is a good day to go easy on cardio since I do alot of that. I wish I could afford some help from the personal trainers but you have to purchase a whole series of sessions not just one or two as needed. I really don't know why the machines intimidate me now I have used them before but have forgotten.

Some personal news. My son proposed to his high school sweet heart and she said yes.She is in med school and he is in law school. They finish the same year. I helped him pick out the ring! She is so sweet, cute and smart and he knows it. It will be awhile before they get married since they are busy with school.

Hope you all are having a wonderful week and check out our blog if you haven't already.

http://www.myfitnesspal.com/blog/KeriA/view/50-with-50-to-lose-group-blog-137779

Keri

_gwen

Good morning 50's

I'm working from home today. Mostly as a break from dragging myself into the office. I got in a good workout this morning and I'm feeling good about that.

Water is still my weak spot. I drink lots of iced tea, but I only let myself count a maximum of 1 glass of iced green tea towards water. Black tea is definitely a diuretic and I imagine it's almost like negative water. It's got to be plain old water. Anything else is liquid calories. I have alot of rules, don't I?

KeriA

Good morning 50's

I'm working from home today. Mostly as a break from dragging myself into the office. I got in a good workout this morning and I'm feeling good about that.

Water is still my weak spot. I drink lots of iced tea, but I only let myself count a maximum of 1 glass of iced green tea towards water. Black tea is definitely a diuretic and I imagine it's almost like negative water. It's got to be plain old water. Anything else is liquid calories. I have alot of rules, don't I?

I have exactly the same rules. I count 1 glass of Green or White Tea in my water count only. Don't count any other liquid. I am doing well with water today though!

dfeledichuk

Working hard on water too.... seems I am having to force it in I can do about 6 glasses a day okay but more and it is work.. aiming for 10 a day this week!

SeattleGrl

Hi everyone, I hope you're having a great day! This might be a silly question but thought I'd ask... Do you count the water you drink during a workout/exercise? I've never counted it as I feel I'm replenishing what I'm sweating out. Your thoughts?

KeriA

I count it but you have point in that I have seen guidelines that increase the amount of water you "need" with exercise. I am over 10 glasses today. Yes 6 is my usual.

_gwen

Do you count the water you drink during a workout/exercise?

Yes, I do but I also try to drink more on work out days. I want to reliably get 8 glasses in a day before I stop counting water during exercise and set a higher goal.

SeattleGrl

Keri, great job on over 10 glasses!

Gwen, I agree...I do try and get more in on exercise days some days I feel like I'm going to float away from all the water!

SallieBeige

Keri, you said this in an earlier post:

I calculated due to my weight that I needed 14 cups

Is there a way to calculate what I should be drinking? If so, please where can it be found?
(Not that I would really manage but it would still be interesting)

_gwen

Larius sent me the link to the chicken divan recipe he noted in his food diary. He eats this quite a bit, so I'm guessing it's quick and easy.

http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/78596-low-calorie-chicken-divan-must-try

I'll try to make this over the weekend and post my notes.

Gwen

KeriA

To calculate the amount of water to drink daily take your weignt and divide in half for the ounces. Divide that by 8 for the cups. I am not sure how much to add for exercise. Does anyone else know that? Anyway I did drink 14 cups yesterday. The last time I did that I lost 4 pounds the next day. This morning I lost more than a pound. Not that I am claiming that kind of results all the time but now that I am out of my plateau I will be trying to keep my water up and doing everything I can to lose the next 25 or so.

I finally believe I have gotten out of this plateau. I guess I wasn't really sure even with the bits I lost and the pound on Monday. I have finally lost 30 pounds. I have been on here almost a year. It was also my school schedule last year that slowed things up. Now that I am no longer in school and in a plateau I can do what I planned to do this summer. Too bad summer is almost over. I am proud of myself for not giving up, maintaining and continuing to exercise and I definitely lost inches.

KeriA

Larius sent me the link to the chicken divan recipe he noted in his food diary. He eats this quite a bit, so I'm guessing it's quick and easy.

http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/78596-low-calorie-chicken-divan-must-try

I'll try to make this over the weekend and post my notes.

Gwen

Thanks for this link, Gwen. I am trying to make good food at home. Yesterday I made a curry chickpea stew with cauliflower and spinach. It even had peanut butter in it. It was delicious and my pescatarian son loved it. Tumerick which is in curry is really good for you. However I don't cook vegetarian exclusively. My son isn't home everynight anyway. So I love getting good suggestions.
Keri

MCYoung

Keri ...
I just scared myself !! :drinker:
By doing the math like you suggest for my daily water intake, I need to drink 13 cups!!! HOLY COW! I am totally going to be up all night now!! :ohwell:
My goals for August.... to loose another 5#, and exercise more!!! Right now during the week, I ride the stationary bike for 45 minuets a night, and weekends I add walking for at least 30 min around my neighborhood.

KeriA

Hi All
here is the list of those who have joined our group so far

dfeledichuk
_gwen
grannysquare1 (Nancy)
salliebeige
meabonl
jimswife1
GreenHydrangea
CRody (Chuck)
KeriA (Keri)
elfie9863
SeattleGrl (Hazel)
jhamby
swimmer54
momb4 (Lynne)
bisbeegal
McYoung (Mary)
I think this is a great start and more are welcome

I made some additions and corrections.

Here is the current list of members, let me know if I missed anyone.

added momb4 (Lynne and corrected SeattleGrl (Hazel)

Added Bisbeegal and McYoung (Mary) to the list. Welcome. Did I miss anyone?

grannysquare1

I'm finally back. I had myself a bit of a pity party for several days. Where did that get me? Nowhere of course. I still have my health problems, PLUS a few extra pounds. So now I'm giving myself a quick kick in the pants. Here are my goals.

Record every bite
Weigh and measure food
Drink my water
Still not allowed to exercise, so nothing here
Try a new healthy recipe twice a week
Restrict salt to 1500mg

SallieBeige

Welcome back Grannysquare ... mfp has been telling us how many days you have not logged on for!
Well done to you for bouncing back! You are an inspiration to keep going.
(At the moment I seem to have a few health issues too and simply cannot lose any weight) I know its really demotivating but I am hoping that better eating is at least keeping me at least a bit healthier ... maybe for you too?)

Maybe you could send someone your email address so we can prompt you when we see you have been missing for a few days? I am happy if you send it to me although I am not sure how reliable I will be either once the school term starts.

MCYoung

I just realized that I didn't introduce myself ~ how rude!!! LOL go figure ~ once you know me you will come to expect stuff from "left field"
Anyhow, my name is Mary and I joined MFP in June. I will be 58 next month and live in West Valley City (Salt Lake valley), UT. I have lived here with my hubby for 6 years in Oct. I have tried WW several times with limited success, seems the more times I restarted the less I would loose, and the longer it would take!! I have been on a fairly steady weight gain for probably 20 years. I confess I don't eat a lot of vegies, and yes I know I should.... but just don’t like the taste & texture of most of them. I also have never been big on exercise (I just hate to sweat... and I have been very lazy to this point).
With those confessions being out there now, I will say that I have had success with MFP and am thrilled with the results that I have had so far. I am so close to loosing 30# that I just ... want to go to bed right now and have it be tomorrow so I can see if I am there! :happy:
I started walking back in June for 30 min a day, after the first few days (when I thought I was going to die!!) I realized that I could do this! Now if I am too tired after work I will go ride the stationary bike for a while (30-50 min), on the weekends I walk usually in the early morning and ride the bike in the evenings.
I have a beautiful daughter that joined MFP last month and she has a beauty of her own now. I became a Grandmother for the first time 20 months ago. I love my girls with all my heart and am doing this not only for my husband, and myself but also for my girls.
My goals are.... 10% loss, which I did in my first 6 weeks :flowerforyou:
Next goal is another 10%, which will get me well into ONDERLAND by the end of Sept. That is 16 # more that need to GET LOST in 7 weeks time. I CAN DO THIS!!!! :blushing:
So that is me.... I don't think I left anything out ~

KeriA

Hi Mary aka McYoung and thanks for introducing yourself. It is inspiring to hear how you found a way to get the exercise. With my kids I snuck vegetables into other dishes they liked and soon enough they started to like them more. My son is a pescatarian who isn't big on fish and picky about his vegetables too. He loves my vegetarian chili. There are some fruits that are as good for you as vegetables such as strawberries and canteloupe. Sounds like you are doing great.

So good to hear from you Nancy aka Grannysquare. Sometimes when I get down it is just a day away from things turning around for me. I wish that for you. I was really down on Thursday. My unemployment was running out and I was applying for the State extension. I wasn't finding any jobs or getting interviews. I was losing so slowly despite working so hard and my whole family left for Europe for a trip to celebrate my nieces wedding and I couldn't go since I couldn't afford it. I didn't mind since I needed to take my daughter to a college trip but can't really afford that either and am worried it could hurt my application for state benefits too. The next day I lost another pound, got a job interview and today I got a determination that I may be getting a second round of Federal extended benefits since I worked last year at temporary jobs. I really don't want them I want a job. Still have some problems to solve but sometimes you work and work and don't see any progress and just want to give up. However the progress will tell sometime. However I kept trying to tell myself that I had alot to be thankful for too. Most have to do with my husband and kids and not really me. Sometimes we need some progress for ourselves. I want all of you to know this about me as a MFP friend. I do not delete friends when they are missing for awhile and I am going to be here for along time. Once I hit my goal weight I will be on here maintaining for at least 2 months. I will have at least 1 more plateau to get through before that if not two. So know that I will be here if you take a break and come back. We are all here for you Nancy. Thanks for coming back on MFP and especially glad to see you here, now. Frankly I would feel sorry for myself if I couldn't exercise too. Even when I wasn't losing pounds there was at least inches. However exercise is usually not the biggest proportion of weight loss but it does has its benefits. You are inspiring and have set some great new goals.

Hope others haven't lost this thread. I posted a blog as well.

_gwen

Whew...Well, I'm already at 12 glasses of water for today. I just spent three hours pressure washing the deck. Thirsty work, even with water flying everywhere.

I just reviewed my goals for the month I posted earlier on this thread. C25K is off to a rough start.

Walking 4+ times a week - great
Strength training 4 times a week - great
Water - this week, great, so-so before that
My weight loss goal for the month is ahead of plan
C25K - I've gotten through week 1, my knees are very unhappy with my attempts to run. I think I need to lose another 20 pounds before I attempt that again. I can do a sustainable walk at 3.2mph, I'm thinking about adding distance instead of speed.

creasonr

Hi, My name is Ruth and I am 51 (almost 52). I am from Bryan, Texas. My blood pressure is normal, my resting heart rate is 64, and my cholesterol is 130 (since I started taking Lipitor 2 months ago). I need to lose a lot of weight (80 pounds). I have been logging in to MFP for 16 days straight and have stayed under my calorie goal every day. I have also been increasing the exercise because I genuinely enjoy adding in the numbers. It feels like I have'nt finished unless I can log some exercise(LOL). The exercise that I seem to be drawn to is walking and horseback riding. I enjoy being outside soooo much. The heat is amazing here and exercise in 106 degree heat really adds a new dimension. I rode my horse yesterday for about an hour and I was exhausted because it is so hot. I rode after 5 pm and it was still 103 when I got back in my truck. It is so bizarre to do things that normally don't bring on much sweat and be soaked in this heat after just a few minutes. I was really impressed with your group and would like to join. Sometimes I have trouble with negative self talk and I hope that being in a group like this will help. Being in my fifties and not acting or looking like it is one of my goals. I am really looking forward to making new friends with similar goals. I am a member of Golds gym but I want to be outside as much as possible because it makes my spirit feel so much better.

dfeledichuk

Welcome to all the newcomers.

KeriA when is your interview???

MCYoung

Welcome Ruth :flowerforyou: I am a newbie too ~

KeriA

Hi Ruth glad to see you join our group. I have sent you a friend request. It really warms my heart when I see all of you friending and supporting each other. You have joined a great group, Ruth. I came on here a few times yesterday and really liked Gwen's revisit of her goals and thought I need to do that but first want to welcome Ruth. My interview is Wednesay late in the afternoon dfeledichuk, Thanks,
Keri.

KeriA

Here were my original goals:
1. 1 hour or more of exercise daily (but a day of rest now and then is probably good)
2. 8 glasses or more of water daily,
3. keeping under my calorie goals,
4. getting enough sleep,
5. making healthy meals at home,
I also want to spend some time with my new Zumba DVDs

My progress so far:
1. Yes I have been good about this except sometimes not so good with the day of rest. I started some weight training this last week. Finally.
2. I have been better recently with this.
3. I do this most of the time but definitely have days when I go over but generally I have a healthy weekly deficit.
4. I have been reading at night more again and sometimes push this. Right now I have the luxury of taking a nap if I am getting tired.
5. This has still been mixed first because I have been taken time to support my Mother who recently lost her husband (my step father). I was happy that I made a great curried chick pea/cauliflower/spinach stew that my whole family loved and took some to my mother (she isn't much of a cook and doesn't have her dining buddy anymore). My son is a pescatarian who doesn't like alot of fish so he is more vegetarian so I do alot of vegetarian cooking.
Haven't broken out that Zumba DVD but I have alot of exercise going for now.
I think I maybe doing the first day of Week 8 C25K today. Next week may not be the normal routine with this interview and another meeting this week. If I am smart I would see it as a challenge to keeping up with things when life gets busier. Let's see how I do. I really want to focus now that I am finally out of this plateau. That is really the main progress for me finally getting myself out of this.

Thanks Gwen for revisiting your goals. Chuck did this daily. I hope he is having a great vacation.

Keri

CRody44

Goals:
1. To walk 30 minutes, four times a week (Sun., Tue., Thu., Sat.), 500 minutes per month.
2. To workout with resistance bands for 30 minutes, three time a week (Mon., Wed., Fri.), 360 minutes per month.
3. To stay within my diet, 1800+- calories, < 2000mg sodium, < 60g fat, daily.
4. To get off my diabetes, blood pressure and cholesterol meds by August 15, 2012.

Monthly Progress:
1. 933 total min of 500 this week. Monthly goal met
2. Resistance Training: 71 minutes this month. I won’t meet this goal this month..
3. Starting fresh today
4. Working on this goal.

I’m back from our two week Alaska/Canada vacation. The good news is that we did a LOT of walking, but the bad news is that I gained 9 pounds, probably a lot of which is water retention (swollen ankles, not enough water available on excursions). I started off real good, fruit for breakfast and salads for lunch, but there were too many good food temptations, which I succumbed to. I ate a LOT of fresh fish, but also a lot of crab. The smoked salmon was one of my main weaknesses starting off with Smoked Salmon Benedict for breakfast, crab/artichoke dip for appetizers). I tried to make wise choices when I could, but I also wanted to enjoy the experience, which I guess I did. I started keeping a list of food so I could enter it when I got back (no or very expensive internet connection) but gave up on that. This was an experience of a lifetime. It could have been worse. Back too it this morning. I guess I have to readjust my settings as I turned 67 while away.

SeattleGrl

Welcome to the new comers and Happy Monday to all!

Great job Keri and Gwen on revisiting your goals, I'm sure that's fuel to keep going strong! I will do that as well this week to make sure I'm on track. I've been feeling a little defeated as I can't seem to get past this 5lb up and down I keep having but the one break through I feel I have is in the past I would've quit. I'm right at the -50 lb loss and have been for about 4 months and am finally seeing the scale start to move in the right dirrection. I've been working out like crazy but realize that's only a small part of the equasion, I've been tracking my food and that helps me see areas where I could use improvement. I've tried to cut out simple carbs (white flour, crackers, sugar) and notice when I go without these I don't have the cravings that I usually do. Also menopause and weight loss aren't friends, it's duable but at a much slower rate so I need to accept that and move on....which at times I have to keep reminding myself! This is possibly the first time that I've wrapped my head around "this isn't a diet, this is a way of life" and that gives me a stronger will or attitude towards this journey.

Keri, your curried stew sounds wonderful, is the recipe online? We've been trying to eat more vegetarian dishes as well as seafood and I'm getting tired of shrimp/fish tacos!
Have a great Monday everyone!
Hazel

_gwen

Welcome back from your trip Chuck. I've been meaning to take an Canada/Alaska cruise for ages. I hear it is beautiful coastline. I love seafood, but it does have quite a bit of natural sodium. With all the dining out, I would not be surprised if it was mostly water weight gain. It will be interesting to see what your weight is in a week.

I'm fasting tonight for my lipids bloodwork tomorrow morning, with a vitamin D test and the remainder of my Hep A and Hep B vaccinations thrown in for good measure. Seeing my current cholesterol levels is going to be the real test of my progress.

Keri, I'm interested in your curried stew recipe too.

Here's to another successful week!

KeriA

I tried to find the post on here for the recipe and I think it was a blog so here is the whole thing copied:
Curried Chickpea & Vegetable Stew
Posted on 04/19/2011 by muzio
This is a definite favorite! It seems like there are a lot of ingredients, but it's actually a very easy dish! Feel free to add more heat if you like things spicy, and add different veggies depending on what you've got in the fridge!

Ingredients:
1 Tbsp peanut (or vegetable) oil
1 onion, diced
3 carrots, chopped (more if they're really skinny)
3 celery ribs, chopped
1 tbsp minced garlic
1 tsp. minced ginger
1 tbsp curry powder
1 tbsp garam masala
2 tsp red chili flakes
2 cups cauliflower florets
1 can lite coconut milk
1 can diced tomatoes, drained
1 can fire-roasted tomatoes, drained
1 can chickpeas, drained and rinsed well
2 Tbsp peanut butter
a couple big handfuls baby spinach, coarsely chopped.
Directions:
1. Heat oil in a pot over medium heat, add onion and cook 5 min.
2. Add carrots, celery, garlic, and ginger, and cook together for 15 minutes or until the onions are nice and soft.
3. Add cauliflower, chickpeas, tomatoes, coconut milk, peanut butter, chili flakes, curry & garam masala.
4.Bring to a simmer and reduce the heat to medium-low. Simmer, covered, for about 30 minutes.
5. Stir in the baby spinach until it wilts.
6. Enjoy!
Serves 6 @ 251 Calories a serving. Goes really well with a bit of quinoa.

It would be nice if you could search bolgs.