WOMEN AGES 50+ FOR SEPTEMBER

barbiecat

This is a thread for women who are looking to change their lives through weight loss and new habits and attitudes. The title says “Women Ages 50+” but all women are welcome.

:bigsmile: After a lifetime of first being a student and then being a public school teacher, I see September as a time of new beginnings

---

a clean slate, a chance to make new goals and try new things.

:bigsmile: We have started a new thread on the first of the month every month since I started here in February 2009 and each month we have reflected on our goals from last month and set new goals for the new month. Some of us set weight loss goals and others set goals for new behaviors and attitudes.

:bigsmile: How did you do with your goals for August? What goals have you set for September?

:bigsmile: It’s a new page on the calendar and a new opportunity to change your life………let’s go.

[img][/img]

chicletgirl21

Hello everyone!

Well for the past 2 months I have maintained. I guess I should be happy about that, with all that I have been eating. Candy bars and the other day the whole lemon cheesecake!:noway: I think with the extra stress my mom has been putting me through the last couple of months I have been taking it out on my comfort foods. I hate myself for doing this, but dammit if it doesn't soothe me!!!!!:explode:

At any rate, I took my mom to the doctor yesterday and the doctor asked her if she was feeling better with the new anti-depressant. My mom said "Yes" and the doctor wanted to know if she should increase the dose if she was still having problems. My mom said "No it wasn't necessary." and I piped in "Yes it is!" I explained what she had been doing so the doctor upped the dose. Crossing my fingers that we see an improvement. The doctor then asked my mom if she was ready to try in-home therapy again? You see, she wants us to change our insurance to help us out better financially. This would happen at the end of the year. The new insurance will not cover in-home therapy, only outpatient therapy and only will continue it if they see regular improvement. So the doctor looked her straight in the eyes and asked her if she would give it her all? Mom said "yes" but then proceeded to tell her that it is my fault she can't walk. The doctor got on her about that and said it was not my responsiblity to make her walk that it was hers and her attitude needed to change. If this does not work this time, then she will be going into a home afterwards. Mom started crying, but I think she understands (finally) the seriousness of the matter.

Sissy, I wanted to thank you for sharing your story about your mom. When I read it, I saw so much of my mom in your words descirbing your mother. Only difference is my mom is not suffering from Alzheimers disease, she's just mean period. I'm glad it all turned out for the better in the end. I think they fight so much when losing their independence and expect the worse from it, but when they finally do it, it turns out its not so bad after all. I think it would be much easier for my mom if she were in a home because they have more staff available for her needs vs, just me. Well this is mom's last chance at walking so we will see what happens.

Went swimming yesterday and increase laps and reps in the pool and my knee ended up swelling up. So today I couldn't even walk! I just stayed in and watched movies today. I missed not being able to swim today.

Keep cool everyone! This weekend is supposed to be a scorcher! Happy Labor Day.

Chiclet:flowerforyou:

wizzywig

September already! The days are just flying by.

:frown: Sorry I've not logged in to check with you all for the last few days - is it almost a week ?:embarassed: I'm so fed up with myself, I can't seem to shift this extra weight I've put on over my holiday. Almost a year and half to lose weight and 5 days to put it all back on!!!! :explode:

:flowerforyou: I need to check back to last month to catch up with your news, but wanted to say thanks Barbie for starting the new thread, I always look forward to your first post of the month, it motivates me - now I've got it right in my head, I now need to put it into practice (and not in my mouth :bigsmile: :bigsmile: )

I hope you are all doing well - if you are like me and going through a "phase" keep on keeping on.

Chat again soon.

Viv xx

tiarapants

X marks my spot x

tiarapants

Good morning ladies - Happy September!

I'm trying to get back into the swing of things from today. It is almost six months since I had my heart surgery and now is definitely the time to up my exercise. As of next week I will be looking after my gorgeous grandtwins on Monday, Tuesday and Thursdays as my DD goes back to work part-time. The babies are nine and a half months now, maybe that's where I'm going to get my extra exercise!

When I had my bloods taken last month, they found that I'm deficient in B12 and vit D. I had injections for the vit D and I'm taking extra B12. I've upped my protein intake too. I have heard about B12 patches that you can wear, has anyone tried them?

Time to move my body - catch up with you all later.

Love
Amanda x

Swissmiss

:flowerforyou: Barbie, thank you for starting the new thread. Looks like some people are up in the middle of the night. Or, they are just in a different time zone to where they are already into the next day. Confusing.right?

:flowerforyou: Amanda, be sure to get your doctor's Ok before adding more exercises. I am sure that you are helping your heart by being active. Good for you !!:flowerforyou:

:flowerforyou: wizzywig, stay with us. You can do it. Just have to change your mind set. Yes, it has been a while since you put on the pounds but now is the time to get rid of them.


:flowerforyou: chiclet, it is a good thing that you are there to be an avocate for you mother. Wow, this has be thinking of what my own children will be doing for me in later years.

tobybear

Well lost 11 pounds since July 25, hope I can keep going. College football starts tonight and I am so excited. I won't be going but will be watching my Wisconsin Badgers on TV. The temperature right now is 62 and at 5:00 it will be 92. The game time temp is going to be in the 80s at 7:00 p.m. Can't wait. I will have to DVR it because I might fall asleep. Anyway..... ON WISCONSIN and JUMP AROUND tonight. The GB Packers play too, it is their final preseason game. G-FORCE RULES. GO PACK GO.

Hope everyone has a great day. Enjoy.

Patchworkperson

Thank you for the new thread Barbie. Just marking my spot.

rjadams

Bumpity bump bump. Still lurking :laugh:

BirdieM

Thanks Barbie for starting the thread this month!

pmjsmom

:flowerforyou:

grabbit97

Things are going good with my knee... I have PT again today, 3x a week, they pull, stretch, turn, maneuver the leg, to get that range of motion back... I come home and ICE the knee for quite awhile... I am hoping to drive again starting Sept. 12, so i don't have to rely on people .. namely hubby to take me everywhere.

I got on the scale this morning, recorded a new weight loss, it's slowly coming off, very slowly, but I am sticking with watching my carbs, and will continue until I lose about another 10 pounds.

Have a good day..

Natalie

msh0530

Just throwing my hat in the ring to see if you all have given up on me. My life has been insane for the last two months, and it has been all that I could do to try to log my food regularly. The good news is that I have not gained during this time! I am hoping that things return to a semblance of normalcy (albeit a new normal) next week and I can jump back in with you. I know that I have missed a lot of news, and I apologize, but hope to return to you soon. Here's to smart choices!

jam0525

Well lost 11 pounds since July 25, hope I can keep going.
Hope everyone has a great day. Enjoy.

Congratulations! That is an awesome loss.

Jeannie

jam0525

Barbie,

Thanks for the link to the new thread and for starting it.

I am busy updating my goals, weight and measurements for my new start to the finish. Putting pounds back was depressing, but when I think of where I was when I joined MFP, I become energized because I know I can do this.

Jeannie

mimi7grands

My apologies for being MIA. I've been trying (again) to do it on my own. :noway:

Rather than say something "new" I'll copy what just posted on my Home page:

My obnoxious daughter hounded me into coming here and posting. : ) I've been on the slippery slope and it's not okay. I've gained 10 pounds and it's real weight. As Karin reminded me, if I did this 6 more times I'd be back where I started. Horrible to even think about.

I've been resisting the idea that I will have to always weigh and log everything I eat. Couldn't I just be normal and keep it under control on my own??? So far, apparently not. I'm not willing yet to give up on the idea that I could deviate from my routine and not eat unhealthily. However, I am going to go back to weighing and measuring and logging for now.

Karin says, get a little notebook for when you're out and estimate the amounts. Okay. I can do that. If that's not enough, I'll get one of those micro-scales that fit into your purse and take it with me when I eat out. (These days, eating out is usually not at a restaurant, just at someone else's house.)

I've slacked off on exercise too, blaming the hot weather. I don't like cold weather either so the weather is not a good excuse. I read a quote recently that said, "There is no such thing as bad weather, just soft people." Hmm. Back on the straight and narrow for me.

Thank you for all your support. And, thanks, Karin, for hounding me.

I'm sorry for disappointing you. I've disappointed myself. I'm not beating myself up about it - just giving myself a little push to move on and get back to what REALLY feels good. And it's not sweets or rich foods!

mtnmaw

I am well enough, after my dog bite incident, to head back to the pool! I am going to continue this as long as I can into the cooler months when the pool is closed. If they stop the water aerobics classes, then I will go and swim until the weather prevnets it. That is my September goal. I start in about an hour!

AliceLMS

Big BUMP! Need to get on this Asap.
Saw the Dr. yesterday. Poopy old Lymes! Body aches continue but should have no real effect so I am back at it.

What a great month September is!

BirdieM

After all the work, painting, cleaning decluttering etc. to move to a smaller and less expensive house…..we decided, at this time anyway, we are going to stay in the house we have and try to pay off our mortgage:ohwell: . Because we were going to take some of our savings and put it towards a new house, we realized (after looking at all the scenarios and the $$$$$.....bottom lines) that the wisest thing to do would be to take that money and put it towards our own house, savings tons of money in interest, and work on paying off the rest in the next few years…..THEN see about selling the house!:bigsmile: The market for buying houses is so bad, that after crunching the numbers, we discovered it would cost us MORE to move than to stay!! :noway: ! What the realtor could get for our house is an insult and, for some mysterious reason….our taxes went down almost a thousand dollars!!!:happy: Must be that after assessing everyone’s house to be over 50,000 less than they were in March….had a positive effect on the taxes. All the work we have done….we can now enjoy…at least for a few years hopefully. We are going to continue fixing the house, as it is really looking good! :bigsmile: And, honestly not having to deal with the sentiment involved in making such a huge change….is a weight off my back:bigsmile: . So I hope to be popping in more to post.
Hurricane (Tropical Storm Irene) raised havoc on folks around here but we are fine. Lots of trees, wires and branches went down and we were out of power for 2 days.(Some people are STILL without power) It wasn’t bad, for us though, as I had hot water (gas heater), a gas grill and we have sewers, so we could flush our toilets. Having 2 days alone with my hubby by the candlelight was in some ways quite nice.:blushing:

I have continued to track my food and exercise.... and suspect I always will, because knowing what you’re eating is the half the battle, even in maintaining. My weight has remained within a pound, up or down, so for all the drama going on, I’m pleased and grateful for this website.

Haven’t read the posts for a while ......browsed a little.......so I hope everyone is well. Seems like a lot of people MIA are popping in besides me…..been a crazy 2 months….hasn’t it?!! Hang in there all and stick with MFP (My Favorite Program!!!!)

BirdieM :drinker:

BirdieM

I've been resisting the idea that I will have to always weigh and log everything I eat. Couldn't I just be normal and keep it under control on my own???

I'm sorry for disappointing you.

Mimi, welcome back!!! I too have been MIA for the last few months! Please know that the only thing that would disappoint us....is if you DIDN'T come back!!!! You are an inspiration and continue to be by your steadfast determination to turn things around even when you've slippped!

As far as weighing and tracking................to me it has become more normal to weigh and track things then to NOT do it!!!
Last weekend I went to Montreal for a couple of days and thought I was way over my calories, but when I came home and tracked what I had eating (of course.....guesstimating)....I was not half as bad as I thought I was! So I find security in KNOWING what I'm eating.......even when it's WAY OVER what I should have....because knowing why the scale went up is better than fretting about...what if.....the scale went up ....and then nervously eating my way back up to where I started. It actually gives me more peace knowing....than NOT knowing.

You know you can doit!!!! :flowerforyou:

BirdiM:drinker: :drinker:

Welcome back

mimi7grands

Birdie, Yahoo on keeping the house. I know it means a lot to you. I think you're making a wise move (or anti-move as the case may be!)

Thanks for the advice about logging. I know you're right. I got that same advice on my Home page and am taking it to heart. I do hate showing it when I blow it but being honest with myself - and getting back on track - is the most important thing.

kackie

Happy September Dear Ladies!

Cannot believe that it is here, but I do love Fall...so we are headed into that season!

Mary, so glad to hear from you;-) You were missed!

I had to fly back to SC to check on things, then head to MN for a wedding this weekend, then back to MT for the rest of the month. I have NOT been a good girl with my tracking, logging etc. I understand the struggle some of us have doing this consistently. I wish I were more "focused" routinely to keep up this very helpful process. I just have to keep trying! I KNOW that it works and that I need the accountability. I creep back into a little too much of this or that far too easily;-(

Take care, ALL and I will be back more often this month! Kackie

exermom

Gonna post this asap so that I can mark my place. Did an hour of a Jari Love DVD (weights). Tomorrow there's been a change in plans, they're playing mahjongg at 10, so I'm thinking that I'll just change things around and go. I haven't been on a Friday in a long time. So I'll probably do some incline intervals at the Y near me, then go play mahjongg. Maybe I can piggyback that with some other errand.

Had our monthly luncheon with the Newcomers. This place is really nice. The food is very good. I'm just concerned that it's a bit out of the way so people might not go there. The prices were reasonable, too. Had a nice lunch, had the spinach salad again. Boy, do you get a lot of salad! Spinach, hard boiled eggs, grilled shrimp, cukes, peppers, carrots. It was interesting how they had the carrots. It was in a long strand but curly-cued. The only thing I can think of is that they cut the carrots, then wound it around something like a pencil and put that in cold water until it curled. Looked really nice. Wish Vince would go to places like this.

mimi - I read on my homepage about your feelings. I know how you feel. When I had this medical scare I turned to carbs, baked like no tomorrow, now I'm wanting to get things out of my freezer so that I'm not tempted. Actually, I'm trying to think of people who I can give things away to. I don't think I've really gained weight but what I have gained is a low feeling. What I really mean is that when I'm eating veges, I feel so much better. So why don't I have them all the time and just forget this carb stuff? You know, I have to at least measure things out. If I go for a while not measuring, I know that eventually I won't be able to tell what's a cup or whatever. I hate to show it, too, when I blow it. Yesterday before I could get back on the computer I blew it, but I'm going to really try hard to get back on track.

Gotta go make my salad and get dinner ready. Be back soon

Mary - hope you come back real soon. Glad you haven't gained.

Birdie - so glad you weren't badly affected by Irene! You're right, a few days of candlelight and having to go to bed early and having to find something to do is such a big shame, huh? <snicker> So glad you are able to keep the house!

This morning just before I went on the Wii for the body test, I went to the bathroom and the water was pink-ish. I vaguely recalled Dr. Oz saying something about if your pee is pink, then he worries about lukemia and something else. Well, that about freaked me out. Remember, I was half asleep at the time! Then I remembered that I'd had beets the night before and I seemed to remember that the red in the beets will turn your urine pink. Has this happened to anyone? How long was it before the pink went away?

Have a good evening everyone

Michele

kel7298

Bump

melyhegedu

Hi, is there room for one more 50+ retired school teacher here? I want to be accountable and motivated by joining a group. Hope to meet everyone soon! My screen name, Melyhegedu, is Hungarian for viola, the instrument I play. I taught public school for years, now teaching at a private music school. I want to get back into exercise and planning meals in advance. All support, welcome and encouraged!

anotheryearolder

Marking my spot. I haven't been logging my food or exercising for a week.

I have a screaming sinus problem. No energy, can't sleep and I am cold an achy all over. :sick: Doing the Nasonex, Benedril, Tylenol, warm moist compresses, nasal lavage and the sinus massage thing but am having a real problem getting rid of this. Perhaps some dynamite would open things up...

All I want to eat is grilled cheese, soup and crackers. This can't turn out well but it is what it is. I just can't look a vegetable in the face this week and I normally love them.

In the great scope of things this is nothing but I do so wish it would go away. One good thing is I get to watch my grandpuppy this weekend while our son and grandson go play with their dirt bikes. I can complain to his sweet face and he won't care a bit and he gives great sympathy kisses. DH is off to Indianapolis this week so I have not had to cook - another bonus. Sooooo, it's not all bad this week. :laugh:


Hope you all have a great weekend.

PS

Michele - I just saw your comment about the beets. Yes, beets will turn most everything that goes in the toilet pink/red. From my experience it should be gone in 24 hours but I have a quick system. I wouldn't be worried if it lasted two days.

Wish I could comment more but I just do not have the energy.

Faye

barbiecat

:bigsmile: :bigsmile: It's great to see all the posting to start the month.:bigsmile:

:flowerforyou: Mimi, I'm glad to see you back with us........my new watchword is "do not be discouraged":bigsmile: Just pick yourself up and be grateful that you didn't do irreparable damage to your body and get back on track and move on

---

I saw on someone's signature "don't look back, it's not where you're going"

:flowerforyou: Chiclet, how wonderful that the doctor reinforced all the things you've been trying to get across to your mother :bigsmile: the same message to you "Do not be discouraged"

:bigsmile: Amanda, those babies will keep you moving :bigsmile:

:flowerforyou: Becky, I think the times on MFP are Pacific Time so the people in the UK seem like they're up in the middle of the night

:laugh: Natalie, when my husband went to physical therapy for a calf injury he would come home and tell me that the physical therapist should be arrested for inflicting so much pain on him, but the final result was that his calf healed and he was able to walk and play golf again.

:bigsmile: Jeannie, I've watched how far you've come since you joined MFP and I know you'll make it to the finish line :bigsmile:

:flowerforyou: Birdie, what great news that you don't have to move after all :bigsmile: and that we'll be hearing from you more often.

:laugh: Michelle, my husband used to consume a lot of red colored juice bars and he had some scares with red stuff coming out of him until he realized that it was juice bar residue not blood :laugh: :laugh: :laugh:

:bigsmile: melyhegedu , I am a retired public school teacher also----welcome to the greatest support group you'll ever find. It helped me to log food and exercise every day and to read the posts on this thread and respond.....if you are looking for friends who will listen you, you've come to the right place

:flowerforyou: my life has returned to a nice routine except that my hubby won't be able to walk fast or lift anything more than five pounds for a few more days......I don't mind doing the chores and walking the dogs, but it's a challenge to remind him to not do all the vigorous things he wants to do. We went to the grocery store yesterday and I carried the basket ( we got only some vegetables) and we got to the checkout line, he had to tell the cashier that he wasn't a lazy slug making me carry the groceries, but that he was under doctor's orders to not lift anything over five pounds :laugh: :laugh: :laugh:

wizzywig

My apologies for being MIA. I've been trying (again) to do it on my own. :noway:


I've been resisting the idea that I will have to always weigh and log everything I eat. Couldn't I just be normal and keep it under control on my own??? So far, apparently not. I'm not willing yet to give up on the idea that I could deviate from my routine and not eat unhealthily. However, I am going to go back to weighing and measuring and logging for now.

I've slacked off on exercise too, blaming the hot weather. I don't like cold weather either so the weather is not a good excuse. I read a quote recently that said, "There is no such thing as bad weather, just soft people." Hmm. Back on the straight and narrow for me.

Thank you for all your support. And, thanks, Karin, for hounding me.

I'm sorry for disappointing you. I've disappointed myself. I'm not beating myself up about it - just giving myself a little push to move on and get back to what REALLY feels good. And it's not sweets or rich foods!

Mimi I feel exactly the same way! I too have slacked off the exercise (surgery/holiday/too hot/too wet etc) and I'm finding it hard to motivate myeself to get back to it. Also I've put weight back on when I so wanted to lose weight for the anniversary party I am going to in a few weeks. I am so discouraged with myself. :frown:

:flowerforyou: Mary well done for maintaining when not logging, I think not logging has been part of my weight gain.

:flowerforyou: Chiclet you seem to be having a hard time lately with your mum, let's hope the words from the doctor make her cooperate with you instead of against you.

:flowerforyou: Natalie you seem to be coming on in leaps and bounds.

:flowerforyou: Sorry not to reply to everyone individually but as usual I need to get ready for work :ohwell: I'm thinking of you all and sending best wishes your way for a healthy happy day.

Bye for now

Viv xx

PS I've changed my ticker to reflect my weight gain, (hoping it will motivate me to lose more)

chicletgirl21

:flowerforyou: Hi guys!

Mimi: You know I went to the doctor the other day, for myself, and told her that I had not been eating as well as I used to and it was driving me crazy!:explode: I was berating myself in front of her and was pretty much discouraged and disgusted with myself. You know what she told me? She said, "I honestly would be more worried about you if you were doing this and not being aware of it or caring about it. The fact that you do know, shows leaps and bounds about what you know about healthy eating. The fact that you are kicking yourself and telling me that the minute you take a bite of this or that you know it is bad or you know how many calories you are eating, is a very good thing. You won't allow yourself to go back the way you were."
When I walked out of her office, I thought about that. She was right. Before, I would eat junk and just say, "Oh well, I've blown it this far, may as well eat the whole thing now" or while eating (more like stuffing my face) I would just sit there and feel sorry for myself. I noticed that on the occasions that I have gone off, I have done neither of those things. I am totally 'aware' of what I am doing, and at times even calculate how much I have gone off and compensate for it with eating less later or making an effort to swim longer, etc. I never used to think that way.
So Mimi, I am proud of you for admitting it, showing it on your ticker, and being accountable. Because if you weren't doing those things, then you would have something to worry about. I am glad you are back with us. Maybe, and it is just a suggestion, but maybe you might want to post daily on here for awhile to help you through this period, just until you get back on track. I noticed that when you were on more frequently you were helping others and in turn it helped you stay on track.

Besides we just miss our Veggie Queen. Girl, if you charged for the information you gave on roasting veggies and knew how many people I have turned on to it, well you would be rich now!:bigsmile:

BirdieM: I am so glad that you decided to stay at your home. It sounds like you put a lot of thought into it and have made a good decision. I had a fixer upper and I was almost completed with the remodeling and renovation of it, when my husband decided to leave me. I loved my house! It had everything I ever wanted in it!. It was truly beautiful....and new. At least I got to live in it and use it for 6 months. But it tore me up having to sell it. I'm glad you didn't have to do it. You sound much more relaxed and at peace with your decision now. Congrats!:drinker:

Chiclet:flowerforyou:

tiarapants

Hello ladies

It's great to see some of the old faces back (I'm not talking about age here!)

Today I'm having a day at home. If I have the time I will mow our lawns later on. It will take me a good couple of hours as we have such a large garden, but it will be extra exercise. I will also try to fit an hour on my treadmill. What I've been doing lately is just logging it as 2.5 miles per hour, put I actually go up and down between 3 and 4 mph - I log it at the lowest speed just to be more circumspect with the number of calories burned.

Mimi, Birdie, Wizzy and others who have been MIA. Getting back into logging is definitely the way to go. It certainly helps to focus your mind on what you are doing (at least, that is what I find). Not one of us is perfect and we will not berate you for a little slip now and then. What we will do is offer support - just as you have done for us so often in the past.

My DS just called to say that he is popping over to pick something up - so I'd better get my rear into gear before he gets here.

Catch up with you all later.

Love
Amanda x

Elaine005

Thank you for starting this thread. I've lost 9 pounds so far and am going strong. For the next month I'd be thrilled to be able to maintain that rate of weight loss, more or less. I've started this round of weight loss with a set of Self-hypnosis CDs I bought in a moment of real desperation and franticness. Much to my more stable self the things seem to be working! Gradually I seem to be modifying the voice in my head that tells me I can't do this, or I"m addicted to sweets and that I'm helpless to do anything about food compulsions--where I eat a ton of fattening things in breathtaking time. So for the next month I'm going to journal, stay on my plan, keep exercising and listen to my CDs. If nothing else they are relaxing:)