Health Exercise Eating and Age

smackadoodle

:sick: A few of us have been sick or injured lately, including me.
Although I am used to periodic health problems, I find it discouraging when it comes to exercise downtime. It is not as if I pickup where I left off, there is some backslide in my muscle strength and my exercise routine and motivation.

I do a certain amount of exercise daily because of walking the dog. But adding additional exercise daily......that is what I lose.

My friend who used to walk my dog was injured a few months ago and keeps re injuring the same arm.
Recuperation has taken months. Her doctor says, the older body is less forgiving.

WELL!!!!

I forgave my body for my kidneys when they stopped working.
I forgave my leg when my Achilles burst.
I forgave my thyroid when it grew a tumor and they took out my half my thyroid.
I forgave my eyes when I needed glasses at 10 years old.
I forgave my uterus for having to be removed.
I forgave my body for giving me thin hair and a high forward.

NOW it is unforgiving when I try to HELP IT!!!!

I suppose all I can do is continue thanking it for still being here despite trying times.

That is how I feel about getting sick as an older woman.

ginnylee74

Hi Smackadoodle

I agree with you. Btw, how "old" is the doctor that told you that.....:grumble:

I had a doctor tell me that I just wasn't trying hard enough to lose weight. He said I needed to lose in order to be healthy.
I would say he weighed about 250 lbs. and was probably around (no pun intended) 5'8. I asked him then if he could please check my thyroid and he said that wasn't my problem.

Unfortunately I got a little rude and when he told me to lose to be healthy, I kinda told him wasn't that like the pot calling the kettle black. Needless to say I didn't go to him anymore. I felt bad afterward because that's not usually how I react to things but it was too late by then.

I too have injuries that mess up my exercise. And it does take longer to recover. However we don't need to be reminded of it all the time.

Hang in there.

Ginny:flowerforyou:

steppingstones

S- Loved your thoughts, I hope I understood the sense of your message which I found most touching. For me it said- Yes, we have a reality of an aging body to deal with and we have to forgive the effects of that reality. I try to love what and where I am although it is often difficult to accept. Also, I try to surround myself with medical professionals who "get me". G. You were right to tell off the MD. We all deserve to be respected, whatever our age.

smackadoodle

There are times doctors have to be told something. Good for you G.L.
Yes, SS you understood my message.

poli22

Good for you for telling that Doc what you thought. It is so easy to tell other people that they are not trying hard enough when they have no idea how hard one is trying. I too have health issues that make losing weight difficult. I have been eating between 1200 and 1500 calories and have been exercising six days a week for over three months and have lost absolutely nothing. I have tried upping my calories and I gain weight. I lower the calories and I stay the same. I am hanging in there though, at some point this has to work! So all of just need to keep on keeping on.

Good luck to all of you.

steppingstones

Poly .Thanks for your post. Keep logging.

ginnylee74

Thank you Poli,

You're right. We do have to keep on keeping on.

smackadoodle

I am weighing in (ha! ha!) again about my needed additional exercise. It seems so hard to find the time for it but before I had the time so I know it is me procrastinating. When i read posts from younger women I get a bit freaked out about the amount and quantity of time they devote to exercising.
I was never THAT physically fit. I walked, hiked, biked, swam, did calisthenics at home, and I danced. Go to a gym for much more than jazz- exercise... no. Lately with the heat, I feel so tired after a long walk with the dog.

I think I am writing this to get my reluctance and insecurity out about doing more structured activity. I believe I am at my set point weight and need to up the activity to lose just the 2 more pounds to my first goal.

ginnylee74

HI Smackadoodle,

I was just thinking the same thing about the exercise and the time young women devote to it.. I used to run in the am and loved it so I guess I had forgotten how much time I spent doing that.

I started walking again and while my knees are ok after replacement my back is killing me. It's not a problem with pain going down the legs or anything. It's, according to my doctor, bone rubbing on calcium buildup from an accident when I got thrown from my horse. Even though it hurts my pride to admit it I think I am going to try exercises that you can do sitting in a chair. There are DVD's out there that would work. There is even one that helps strengthen your core. I went on Target's web sight and they have some on there that aren't available in stores. Stronger Seniors: Core Fitness Chair Exercise and Stronger Seniors: Stretch & Strength (2 Discs). I have a hard time in the heat too. I also want to get some Bands and dig out my hand weights to work with. If I can get a routine going I know I will feel better. Just a matter of doing it and making it a morning habit. I hope that strengthening my core will help my back. So, you might check out the DVD's and see what you think. There are a lot of exercises on TV that would be free but at this time they are too much for me. My husband and I have a saying when we get frustrated with things we are unable to do anymore. We call them "the I used to's" lol. I have to do something as I haven't lost any weight for over a month. So this is worth a try.

I wish you well in thinking through what you are going to do to rid yourself of those darn 2 pounds to meet your first goal.

Ginny

steppingstones

Well Ladies I am in the same place. I am exercising more with DVDs and walking and biking. (got my videost mostly from Collage videos.)But I am still not getting any great results. My Health person upped my calories to 1500 and after a week my scale still hasn't moved. Trying hard not to get bummed and this site really helps. Remember the days you could just cut back a few days to look good in a new dress or be ready for a party.


Good luck everyone with your goals

ginnylee74

Stepps, Yes I remember only too well when you ate salads for a few days to lose a bit Never felt hungry doing it either. Another "used to." Ha ha. I too am at 1500 and finding it hard to stay there or under a bit each day. The evenings are the hardest, plus I can't sleep at night. Have to talk to my Endo about that at my next appt. I don't know if I'm tired from no sleep or because my Thyroid meds aren't high enough.

Smackadoodle, after seeing the weather in your area you have to be melting. I know we can get in the 100's but it's dry. You all are dealing with the humidity too. It must be terrible. It's hard trying to exercise in that heat. Plus your poor dogie must feel it double with the fur coat. I know my dogs do. Especially the one with the dark coat.

Have to go, my Granddaughter and new great granddaughter just came up the driveway. Catch you later. Have a good one.

Ginny

steppingstones

Ginny, I bet that baby boosted your day. So nice to have family close by. The sleeping thing can be an issue for me also. I ordered some stretching videos from Collage and they seem to help. The jury is still out on the 1500. I stepped on the scale and nothing!!! I see her again in a month and maybe I will just keep away from the scale until then. But seeing her has upped my resolve and I am hoping.

Smackadoodle, I think we all get into a rut and the hill we have to climb seems awefully big. As a big reader, I try to find something to motivate me. Some of the blogs on this site are good. The one Ginny mentioned on the logging page is good.

Well it is Sunday, my day off :laugh: and maybe time to set some goals and plans for my week. For example, look at my week's appts and figure out the exercise I will fit in.

Have a great week. :flowerforyou:

smackadoodle

Thanks for the encouragement . :flowerforyou:

BlueJean4114

oh, i so understood so so many of these replies. I have a heart condition which limits my activity tolerance.
I am new here, and am hoping to increase the tolerance though, and no doubt, once i get some weight off, there will probably be less strain on my heart. I am currently in terrible, terrible shape, but, i am beginning to feel a flicker of hope i could get better.

But, if you've never watched the documentary series of 4 films, called "The Weight of The Nation" (about USA)
you *might* find it as fascinating as i did.

One of the things the experts in the documentary pointed out,
was
that when it comes to dropping pounds, that THAT is way way way More related to CALORIC intake,
NOT exercise!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
BUT
that exercise is KEY to KEEPING it off. (as well as numerous other health benefits, from exercise)
but it said losing pounds is way more about calories.
....which i found encouraging, as i am a little limited on how much exercise i can do.


IF anyone is interested, one can click HERE:
AND WATCH THE DOCUMENTARY FOR FREE: http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/697736--weight-of-the-nation
^each of the 4 films, is about an hour long,
so pull up a chair,
maybe watch one every day or so,
make some popcorn, and let me know if YOU were as amazed as i was with that film. I thought i would NOT learn much, i sort of figured i already knew a lot about gaining weight, losing weight, age and weight, nutrition, the causes of the now epidemic obesity rates in the USA, etc etc,
but
i was wrong, i learned a LOT....and i felt inspired by many of the people they spotlighted in the film, especially the two older women who both lost 100lbs each, side by side, together, and how they changed their lives, and how they manage to stick with it..


i found myself thinking
about those 2 older women in the "Weight of The Nation" films
for days and days afterwards..............

BlueJean4114

BUT PLEASE DO HANG IN THERE, EVERYONE!!

Re: Walking the dog on hot weather days.

We go over 100 degrees in the summer, pretty often where i live. My dog has zero heat tolerance, just melts, BUT if he DOESN'T get his walkS, he goes NUTZ.

SO, I got him to like being hosed down by the garden hose. I put him on leash, stepped on leash, and,
after running out the hot water of the hose from being in the sun,
i gently hosed him briefly at first, like for a moment,
praising him the whole entire time,
and THEN, leave immediately for a walk.

Each day, repeat, slowly adding more seconds that you hose the dog, (from neck down only, of course)
CALMLY praise dog the entire time you are gently hosing his fur,
and THEN, leave immediately for a walk.

Dog learns to associate "hose = WALK!" faster than you'd think.

OVERTIME, you can slowly increase the time you can hose the dog's fur, while continuously calmly praising the dog,
so dog can then tolerate becoming totally soaked by the garden hose prior to each walk.

Before i hose the dog,
i hop in shower, and dry off just enough i can get dressed,
leaving my hair wet,
and THEN i go hose off the dog.
I am beginning to like how my hair looks when i get back.
suits me, i think.


ANYWAY, THIS IS ONE WAY, TO WALK A DOG IN HOT WEATHER,
SO BOTH YOU
AND
THE DOG
CAN BETTER TOLERATE THE HEAT.

When my dog is soaking wet, he walks along fine on a 110 degree day, as if it is only 70 degrees, and i feel much better, too.

worth a try,
again, first week or so, only gently hose the dog's fur for mere seconds, and then leave IMMEDIATELY for the walk. Build up the time you hose the dog sloooooowwwwwly.

BlueJean4114

ALSO,
ONE MORE THOUGHT for those who are struggling with plateaus,
are you using your MFP food diary?

i am. I am new here, but
I can see where this helps me become aware of how many calories i actually eat, and it is causing me to measure the amts of food i DO eat,
which i never did before.

i have mine wide open to public to see, and am getting advice from MFP veterans, too. I very much like reading other ppl's food diary, to see how that person does it. Lots of ideas out there.

You really should log ALL food you eat,
every bite,
to spot trends, to see how many calories egggggggggggzactly you actually DID eat.

Our "guesses" at how many calories we eat, might not be so accurate as actually logging it in the MFP diary.

BlueJean4114

also, i should have said, right off,
that you, Smackadoodle, sure HAVE been through a lot, as have many others on this thread,
and you are only human,
and it IS a lot to accept. I think it's only natural to have days where you struggle along to keep your chin up and find motivation to press forward.
but don't give up.

don't quit.
All of us can get better than we were last week. Sure, maybe WE won't be runners, but, we can still strive towards feeling better and better. We can't give up.
i know, i know, i am new here, so who am i to say "don't give up"
and it very well may be,
a year from now, *i* will be the one posting "i am not losing weight!"
and YOU will be the ones egging me on stick with it.

i just feel bad for the situations of so many ppl on this thread, and have deep empathy for the things you are all facing,
and just hope you DO find some motivations to press forward.

Til you DO feel better,
DO your best to be good to YOU.
Indulge in things you enjoy, as best as you are able, to lift your attitude.
Spend time talking with trusted pals who can encourage you to stay at it, yet do understand it is NOT the same for you as it is for some ppl.
Read inspiring biographies, or other books on topics you ARE fascinated with.
Learn new things.
Take a class.
Walk with music in your ears, or play your favorite songs often.
Go to art museums, concerts, festivals, or whatever it is that YOU enjoy, do make the time for YOU to do such things.
Get out among nature, walk in the woods or fields, beaches, nature is a great thing for a person who needs comfort. Walking slowly is fine, this is more for your mind than your legs.

Join in on causes or charities you care about, to help feel your own worth.
Drink lots of water, eat as well as you can,
LOG evvvvvvvverything on MFP,
get enough sleep as best as you are able,
and be gentle on yourself right now, you've been through a lot,
and it will take time to accept changes and limitations, don't beat yourself up for that.
but
do press forward,
we can only go in one direction from here.


HERE IS COOL THREAD WITH MOTIVATIONAL QUOTES, some of which i found very very good, like
"It doesn't get any easier, we just get stronger."
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/700865-favorite-motivational-quote

ginnylee74

Hi BlueJean4114,

Thank you so much for your encouragement. Thank you too, for the sights to view. I will watch them. Anything that helps keep us on track and upbeat is welcome. I wish you success with your weight loss journey. Actually I wish all of us success. It really is a life journey. Friend me if you would like. I am on every day and try to encourage my MFP pals.

Ginny

PS> http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/697736--weight-of-the-nation BlueJean, when I tried to go into this sight a notice came up that this sight was not trusted????????? Maybe there is a problem? I will try later. But thank you anyway.

Ginny