50+ Women for the Month of March

Grammymax

CW 223 boo!!
mini goal Mar 24 215 (anniversary)
Other mini goal Mar 31 213

Daily challenges

Drink 6 glasses of water
Eat fruit and veggies
Be positive

Have a good day all

Heather

Good goals Heather. You can do it. We're here to help encourage everyone.
Esther

Grammymax

The Today show recently had a segment on why it's harder to lose weight at our ages. Turns out it's not the hormones (or lack thereof) associated with menopause; it's actually that our body composition is shifting to more fat, and fat burns calories slower than muscle. So, that's why we have to consume less calories than younger people (as verified by the BMI tool on this site). It's also important to do more strength training to build more muscle to burn more calories. It's great unless we have too many aches and pains to do that strecgth training!::laugh: What a vicious cycle.:grumble:
At least we have some great company on this journey. Enjoy today and watch those calories and lift some weights!
Zaza

Thanks zaza. I didn't know that but it's good to know and to remember!

Grammymax

Welcome pattygirl and smileygirl. And anyone else who is new to the thread. Sounds like we all can be and encouragement to one another but knowing that we can also be encouraged when we need it is great. Thanks to all of you for sharing your ups and downs.

Have a great day no matter whether the sun is out or the rains are falling. We can do this together.
Esther

zaza54

One more thing from the Today show for those of you at a plateau - the dr. on the show explained that the body gets used to a certain calorie level and exercise routine. To lose weight once you've reached a plateau, you need to consume even less calories and exercise harder, which means changing it up so that the body doesn't coast along in a familiar exercise routine. So try different exercise routines, pieces of equipment, sports, etc.
I have to admit I'm reluctant to try too much because I'm afraid of hurting myself since that seems to happen very easily, even when I haven't done anything.:grumble: Nonetheless, I have to remind myself to change it up and consume less. So darn hard.:mad: i want to go snack right now. I guess I'll drink water - I'm adding that to my goals for March. More vegetables and more water.
Take care everyone.
Zaza

schoonmp

:flowerforyou: Hi everyone good luck with all you're challenges. I'm hoping to lose 5 pounds by the end of March. My goal is to continue working out on my lunch hour for 30 minutes 4 days a week and walking my dogs twice a day.

Pam

healthier4me

Hi everyone

Hope you are all doing well:flowerforyou:

I am staying motivated with my exercise routine getting lots of walking in (outside) and my workout DVD's. I try to spend about 70 minutes walking at a brisk pace. Today even though it was still chilly the sun was shining and I could see/feel spring all around me. As long as I can listen to my tunes on my MP3 player I feel like I could keep on walking:bigsmile:

My food intake is going along great as well. In particular I am trying to pay more attention to getting in extra vegetables and fruit.

Best wishes and cheers to all:drinker:

Georg

About the plateau/calorie issue -
I go to Curves & they have a nice meal & exercise plan.They recommend either a low fat or low carb diet (they have both) then after 2 weeks increase your allowance, then after 4 weeks increase again for a few weeks & then start all over. It's supposed to keep your body guessing & you never hit starvation mode.
It's been pretty successful & the technique can be used with any meal plan.

sailgal

Thank you Georg and Zaza-

I have been struggling trying to reconcile eating my exercise calories with a weight that won't budge. Both of your suggestions make so much sense to me. I do think that weight loss after a certain age has a slightly different set of rules than weight loss did when I was in my 20s and 30s.

My inability to get the scale moving has coincided with the addition of non-fat yogurt to my diet. I had not been eating any dairy but added it back in for the protein and calcium. Lately I've seen several posts about women over 50 and the tendency to store dairy products as belly fat - YIKES - I certainly don't need that!

Thanks for all the great posts and support!

Cindy

zaza54

Georg- thanks! Very helpful info. I think at our age we need all the help/suggestions. Now, if only I had the discipline that healthier4me has I'd be in good shape!:laugh: I'll just have to keep you in mind all day long. Thanks everyone for being here. Have a great day.
Zaza

plantlady99

Hi everyone

Hope you are all doing well:flowerforyou:

I am staying motivated with my exercise routine getting lots of walking in (outside) and my workout DVD's. I try to spend about 70 minutes walking at a brisk pace. Today even though it was still chilly the sun was shining and I could see/feel spring all around me. As long as I can listen to my tunes on my MP3 player I feel like I could keep on walking:bigsmile:

My food intake is going along great as well. In particular I am trying to pay more attention to getting in extra vegetables and fruit.

Best wishes and cheers to all:drinker:

My hubby went to the gym again with me. He on the elliptical and me on the ark. Feels so good when I'm finished. At first I seem like I'm never going to make it. Then 10 minutes in I'm like a crazy women. I did a little more then an hour (710 calories). Tomorrow I will do some weight training also. My belly needs work.

:flowerforyou: Sailgal: I drank a lot of milk and ate a lot of ice cream before. Maybe that is why I have my belly? :explode:

Hope EVERYONE has a great day.

Thanks Healthier4me for the motivation and to :flowerforyou: ALL THE LADIES:flowerforyou: that are on this thread.

ZaZa,:flowerforyou: YOU CAN DO IT!!!!!

We can be Fabulous in our 50's

I'm working on it. :bigsmile: :bigsmile: :bigsmile: :bigsmile:

Kathy

AHealthierSuzyQ

HELLO EVERYONE! I'm so thankful to have found you all here at MFP. Just reading about everyone else's successes and challenges helps me tremendously.... not to mention I need accountability.

Today instead of my usual workout I met all my sister-in-laws and we deep cleaned our husband's mother's house. I was really surprised when I calculated how many calories I burned climbing up and down on the ladder washing the kitchen cabinets and cleaning out the fridge. So now not only does my MiL have a sparkling house, from top to bottom, but I burned enough calories to treat myself to a steak tonight instead of my usual chicken or fish!

According to the scale I only lost one pound this week. But the way I look at it any downward movement is a huge success! The best part of today was when my SiL ( who hadn't seen me for two weeks) said, "Girl you look like you've been losing weight!" Made my day. THAT made it so much easier to say no to the donuts and chips everyone else was eating and reach for an apple instead.


Created by MyFitnessPal.com - Online Calorie Counter

barbiecat

:flowerforyou:
I guess I should be cleaning my house to burn all those calories but the exercise bike in front of the TV keeps calling to me. I had a great time at line dance this morning. We're doing a lot of lively Irish dances for the month of March and the pace is fast. I'm getting inspired by the Clean Eating Club and the organic eaters so we went out today and bought some organic foods and took another baby step toward being healthier along with being thinner.

I still weigh myself all the time but haven't recorded a new weight even though I've lost because I want to wait til March 31 and only record what happened for the whole month. that will take some discipline I'm not sure that I have.:bigsmile:

Best wishes to all for a healthy fit day.:flowerforyou: :bigsmile: :happy:

AHealthierSuzyQ

I bet you burned just about as many calorires :bigsmile: jigging :bigsmile: as I did deep cleaning! It had to be more fun!!!

I guess I should be cleaning my house to burn all those calories but the exercise bike in front of the TV keeps calling to me. I had a great time at line dance this morning. We're doing a lot of lively Irish dances for the month of March and the pace is fast.

plantlady99

Jig dancing & house cleaning. Way to go!!!!!

:bigsmile: :bigsmile: :bigsmile: :bigsmile: :bigsmile: :bigsmile:

plantlady99

Good Morning all,

Well, its Friday. and the weather is going to be in the 60's tomorrow. I am sure happy about that. I think I have my work-out buddy. My husband, this is a big deal because he works the midnight shift and he would get home he would get ready to sleep, as I am going out the door for my morning drive. But, now he waits for me to come home, which is 2 hours later, to go to the gym. He says he gets motivated watching how hard I work out. Well, I am trying anyway. He really does not need to lose just maintain.

This is a big deal for me. When I was younger I was always the active person. We ran together, danced, and love the out doors. Then, personal family problems got in the way. His constantly changing shifts and days off to climb the ladder in corrections. He was also a member of the National Guard for twenty-one years. So, I was alone a lot and I just gave up. Thank God, I had a strong close family. Now, I am building my life back to a happy state, and loving it. I do get down, but when I log onto this site I seem to get out of it so much easier. I find that I am not the only person having problems and struggling to have a healthy life style. I love my new exercise buddy.:flowerforyou:

So thanks to you all for the warm and wonderful support you bring.

Ok, enough of that mushy stuff.

Have a great Morning.

Kathy

zaza54

Kathy,

zaza54

Kathy,
I seem to be having technological challenges this morning. I just wanted to say that I found your post inspirational. It is so positive and motivating.:flowerforyou:
Keep up the great work and attitude!
Zaza

Benson

Morning everyone

Friday Yay!!

This weekend will be busy for me as usual but I do have plans with a couple of girlfriends Sat night
Just going to a play and maybe a bite to eat but out is out!! I'm going to hop on the scale in the morning to check if I have made any progress. I sure hope so. I won't be on until Monday so I hope to have good news. I'll be happy with 2-3 lbs gone. Actually I'll be happy if I don't gain!! Stayed within my cals yesterday and drank only half my water goal but its coming. Another small goal for the weekend for me is to plan meals for five days and do the shopping for that. Planning makes all the difference to me. Otherwise I'm grabbing whatever is handy and its not always the best choice.

Have a good weekend ladies

AHealthierSuzyQ

I'm exhausted today after yesterday's cleaning marathon! There was NOTHING in me that wanted to even get out of the bed this morning. I finally dragged myself to the treadmill by mid-morning but only managed to do 20 minutes and not at my usual pace. Reckon I overdid it yesterday?

Good news is I was also too tired to be very interested in food, so when I met hubby and friends for lunch I was only able to eat about half.

Anybody else have something like this happen to them?


Created by MyFitnessPal.com - Online Calorie Counter

plantlady99

Susan,

I would have been exhausted too, after a MARATHON of house cleaning. You did great getting on your treadmill. I have to push myself to work out at times.

Can't say I ever lost interest in eating though. :bigsmile: .

Eating only HALF. :flowerforyou: That is a good thing for you. Only half is great. I am still working on that. I have done it though. But, not every time we go out. :bigsmile: :bigsmile: I do make better choices.

ZaZa; :flowerforyou: My no eating after 9:00 p.m. on week-ends are going to be a true challenge.

Have a great day all.

Kathy

barbiecat

Good afternoon, everyone,
I learned my own lesson about overdoing. It was a beautiful day :bigsmile: so the dogs had a nice walk on the hill followed by breakfast and 20 minutes at the dog park (they ran, I walked) followed by a shower and two hours of line dancing. I came home and walked the dogs again and got on the exercise bike (weight loss level two). That was way over the top for me and after 10 minutes I got off and went off to do something seated before heading to the kitchen to cook.

My energy level is high:bigsmile: but I'm still not Superwoman.:sad:

Restaurants are my downfall so I am currently operating under a policy of no eating in restaurants. There's always a group from line dance going out to lunch on Fridays and I'm very proud of myself for declining the invitations. Keeping to my plan is more important to me right now than pleasing my friends.:flowerforyou:

Penny46

Hello, I am new to all this.
I am heading for 63, on my 62nd birthday I had a stent put in my LAD and after that lost 30# out of fear of dying I think, just used portion control and cut fat and sugar. I am also diabetic type 2.
in Oct I came to a standstill but in the last month have gained 4# so need some motivation.
Glad that spring is here so I can get out more and move. Wanted to be at 175 by May 10 but at 195 now so doubt that.
Will hopefully get some motivation from this site.
Penny

barbiecat

:flowerforyou:
Welcome, Penny,

This is a great group. MFP is a great site for getting all the support and information you need to reach your goal. I've been logging my food and exercise every day for almost a month and it's made a huge difference. I started this journey in January and I take it one day at a time with baby steps. I don't try to change everything at once.

good luck on your journey:bigsmile:

plantlady99

Welcome :flowerforyou: Penny,

As, :flowerforyou: Barbie said this is a great site. lots and lots of great people with all kinds of information. I love the support. I log in my food everyday. Sometimes when I'm really good I plan for the week. I find this helpful. It is easy having the food log. I love seeing how many calories certain foods are. It really gives you a perspective on what you should eat. A big eye opener.

Breaking habits is hard. Never mind with putting in everyday stress with it. This is a great place to find supportive friends.

Welcome and Happy New Life Style Journey. Stick with this and you will feel great!

:flowerforyou: Kathy

plantlady99

Going with my sister today to work out.

Have a great morning. It is beautiful out hear in MA.

zaza54

Welcome Penny and good morning to all my other friends here-
You ladies are something else - I can't believe the energy levels. Susan and barbiecat, I'm exhausted just reading what you've been doing.:laugh: Like plantlady, I , too, never have trouble eating.:grumble: Oh well, we've got to keep a sense of humor about everything, especially these days. I feel like it's a thin line between hysteria and humor given the current state of the world and economy .

Well, I can compartmentalize and , for now, I am going to enjoy having my baby home from college. Of course, I'm going to spend all day worrying about the older two (and their cousin who's visiting from Europe) surviving the Hoboken, NJ St. Patrick's Day parade today.:grumble: I'm sure they won't be feeling grand tomrrow when I see them for dinner.:laugh:

Anyway, have a wonderful week-end. Spring is finally in the air.
Zaza

barbiecat

:flowerforyou: :bigsmile:
Good Morning, Kathy, Zaza, Penny, Sue,and everybody else,

Today will be a lighter workout day. We have to go to Seattle for a long afternoon meeting. We have our midday meal planned and ready to go in the cooler. We can eat our lunch on the ferry, have a few snacks from the cooler at the meeting or on the ferry coming home and then a light meal when we get home.

We told the pet sitter and her boyfriend to bring their own food because we no longer have pop and snacks in our house for them. We'll pay them a little more since we're not providing lunch.

I am reminded of inspirational speaker at my friend's TOPS meeting who said, "If you fail to plan, then you plan to fail".

There is snow predicted here and Seattle.:bigsmile:

Happy to everyone, especially those of you who go to work all week.:bigsmile:

Georg

May I brag a little?

I've been busy preparing lunch for a swim meet. There will be 15 swim teams with 2-3 coaches each competing at the local high school. Since my kids were swimmers years ago I've prepared lunch for all the coaches, officials & volunteer timers. I bring sliced turkey, ham & roast beef, cheeses, whole grain bread, homemade pasta salad, green salad & raw veggies.
When I did it as a parent, we were all so busy & wanted to watch our kids. If I do it now, it frees up parents to do the other stuff & enjoy the meet a little more. I can do it for less than $4 each by putting it together myself, so it saves the school some money, too.
If the officials weren't served a quick lunch onsite between events, they would have to send out for fast food down the street. They have practiced those students all week, will be traveling on the buses before daybreak to get here & sit out in the sun/weather all day ...the least I can do is donate a little healthy lunch. I always tell them I'd rather make their lunch than do what they do! wink
I made the salads last night, the veggies are cut up. This morning I'll arrange the meats & cheeses.
The coaches all appreciate it so - they hug me each year as they leave & some tell me they come just for the lunch!
:blushing:
Those of us who have more time on our hands should help pick up the slack for the ones who are running around with their kids - we know just how they feel.


That's my soapbox for the day.

Grammymax

Good afternoon, everyone,
I learned my own lesson about overdoing. It was a beautiful day :bigsmile: so the dogs had a nice walk on the hill followed by breakfast and 20 minutes at the dog park (they ran, I walked) followed by a shower and two hours of line dancing. I came home and walked the dogs again and got on the exercise bike (weight loss level two). That was way over the top for me and after 10 minutes I got off and went off to do something seated before heading to the kitchen to cook.

My energy level is high:bigsmile: but I'm still not Superwoman.:sad:

Restaurants are my downfall so I am currently operating under a policy of no eating in restaurants. There's always a group from line dance going out to lunch on Fridays and I'm very proud of myself for declining the invitations. Keeping to my plan is more important to me right now than pleasing my friends.:flowerforyou:

My goodness girl!!! I think that would be overdoing. Where are you located? I noticed on your profile it said Washington - I'm in Salem, Oregon. I would love to get into line dancing or something fun to work off calories but don't want to go by myself.
Esther

Grammymax

Good morning all. I stepped on the scales this morning and WHOOOOOOOHOOOOOO...I'm down another 2#. I feel inspired. But....I will feel more inspired when my clothes feel loose!

Some advice I read that I'd like to share is this ... don't look at the whole picture, look at what you want to accomplish each week rather than in 6 months. I want to lose between 1 - 3 pounds each week and I'll be happy at the end if it averages out to 1-2 throughout the 12 weeks that I want to lose 15. Then by the middle of summer I want to have lost 20...but for now I just want to lose at least 1 pound a week. It helps me to not be overwhelmed.

Hope you all have a great weekend. Stay focused and drink that water:drinker: :drinker: :drinker:

Esther