WOMEN AGES 50+ FOR JANUARY

:flowerforyou: Many thanks to all of you for your encouragement on drinking water. That is my biggest downfall and you've inspired me to get serious about having a water bottle in my hand at all times!

Louise

okay, I've read several posts and am feeling motivated just listening to you ladies. Weight has been a problem most of my life, but then menopause hit. UGH. What the heck. I want to be committed to loosing weight and eating healthier this year. Sweets are a real struggle for me, almost like an addiction. A little only makes me want more. lots more. I've always been able to lose lbs. but never able to keep them off for very long. however, once the big 50 hit (two years ago) the weight has been coming on slowly but surely. Keep up all the encouragement. God bless you all. and happy healthy New Year.

I was pretty much in the same place this time last year. I had a hysterectomy in Dec 2006 and was using it as an excuse for not being able to lose weight. In mid- February I went to the doctor to have my thyroid checked thinking maybe THAT was why I never seemed to be able to lose. Did I ever get a wake up call! The doctor told me everything was normal and to, "Eat less, and exercise more." Ouch! He is the one who told me about MFP. It wasn't long until I realized I was eating WAY more calories than I thought.

This past year I have learned to identify my trigger foods and avoid them like the plague. For me it is not just sweets (I love em) but all simple carbs (the white stuff, bread, sweets, highly processed grains, potatoes) that trigger my food cravings. This may not work for you, but what helped me get off them is the following: Take 1 teaspoon of apple cider vinegar immediately before or after every meal or snack. It tastes nasty, but will kill your carb cravings. After a month or so you should be able to stop taking it. Second, I only eat simple carbs one day a week and then only a few bites and only with protein. I use whole grain products in moderation throughout the week. I use Splenda or Stevia in place of sugar. And I have learned a few recipes that allow me to enjoy a treat without starting up all those cravings again. (If you'll click on my name all my former posts will come up and you should be able to scroll through them and find the recipes on an earlier 50+ thread. You'll also find how many times I made the mistake of eating the wrong things and then having to start over before this new way of eating became a lifestyle. ) this is a great tip if you find someone on the thread who seems to be dealing with the same thing you are. Just click on their name and you can read ALL of their posts in one place.

Another thing I have learned is the importance of eating at least one serving EVERY day of the following foods:spinach, broccoli, berries, avocados, almonds or walnuts, olives and/or olive oil. I've also learned to drink one ounce of water for every 2 pounds I weigh. (50 ounces if you weigh 100 lbs). I also exercise every day but Sunday. Strength training twice a week and cardio the other days.

It has not been easy. My metabolism isn't what it used to be. Some weeks I only loose 1/2 a pound. Others I lose nothing at all. But it IS happening. So hang in there and establish some healthy habits. Menopause may make it more difficult to lose, but the ladies on this thread have proven to me its DOABLE.

Speaking of the ladies on this thread: hats off to all you ladies who manage to reply to us all :flowerforyou: You are awesome!

:flowerforyou: Good morning everyone…I am back thanks to Barbie. She has led me home once again.
:ohwell: December was a bad month for me, I found out my husband and my mother in-law are both having health issues. I was dealing with my usual December depression and a lot of stress at work. I am so glad to see a New Year and to be able to continue with my family at MFP.
:drinker: A toast (with water) to all of those starting out new this year and to those of us continuing on our journey to a healthier life.
:flowerforyou: Welcome to our new friends and welcome back to those of us who have strayed.
:flowerforyou: Congratulations to those who were able to maintain, lose or not gain toooo much.
:flowerforyou: All my prayers for those with health issues and with family so far away with health issues.
:bigsmile: My goal for January is to stay on track, drink my water and exercise while dealing with my husbands diabetes (his non-compliance with diet and exercise) and the possibility of him doing dialysis, my mother in-laws cancer and the conflict in schedules concerning her treatments and the birth my grand daughter.
:frown: My mother in-law has two other sons who live in another state. We have always been close and she really wants me to be with her during these treatments, she is afraid of getting sick and trusts only me to take care of her.
:flowerforyou: I hope everyone has a wonderful week. Love (((hugs))) and prayers for all, Rose
:drinker: :drinker: :drinker: :drinker: :drinker: :drinker: :drinker: :drinker:

Good Morning,

I am trying to think positive today. My daughter does have pneumonia, but I know she is in good hands. Her twin sister is staying with her and keeping me updated regularly. The hospital she is in is full so she is still in the emergency room. Her sister says that is probably a good thing so if she has problems breathing she can get help quick. Her oxygen level is in the 90's this morning which is wonderful news.

As of today I have quit smoking for the final time. My plans are to replace my urge to smoke with walking, drinking water and cinnamon candy - I have to check the calories on these, but I think they're only 10 calories each. Today will be tough, but I know I can do it.:happy:

I received a subscription for the Cooking Light magazine for Christmas so I'm looking forward to making low calorie good for you meals this year. My downfall is sweets, so I will be experimenting to find something to satisfy my sweet tooth without adding a lot of unhealthy calories.

Hello all you awesome ladies!
I am brand new to mfp so please, let me introduce myself.
My name is Debbie and I turned 50 last September. I actually feel really proud to be 50. It feels like I've earned a badge. I guess I have when I look back on every thing I have done. I am especially proud to be a mother.
I have realized over the past few years that the pounds have been creeping up on me. I'm going through menopause and I am hypothyroid. I love to enjoy good, gourmet food and a nicely chilled glass of white wine. So, now I sit and look at my belly, yuk. I have put on 25 extra lbs. This is not how I pictured being "Fab at 50 ". I want to show the world that being 50 is awesome! I stumbled upon this site and the more I check it out, the more I love it. I'm really jazzed up now that I can hold myself more accountable and I get to chat with other women that are just like me, trying to get healthier.
I look forward to reading your messages. Have a healthy and happy 2010 everyone!

:flowerforyou: SuzyQ - You are my inspiration for 2010 !!! Thank you for you post today. I devoured every single word. I'm going to print it AND go back through your old posts, too !!! I appreciate your willingness to share your "secrets". I weigh the same today that I did exactly 2 years ago. At least, I'm not going up, but I'm surely not going down. Thanks a gazillion!!!

Louise

Dear Committed,

Hope your daughter's recovery is quick and complete.

Don't mean to make light, but maybe you could "borrow" her pneumonia to help you quit?

What I mean, is...I tried quitting many many times, but it wasn't til I got pneumonia that I actually did.
Even then, needed help (Nicorette) for a long time.

I've been smoke free now for more than 10 years, after smoking for 30.

When the cravings get tough, think of your daughter and take a walk or do something physical for 10 minutes.

Warmest best wishes,
Barbara

Good afternoon ladies,
I think I am finally back on track for real. we woke up this morning and went to the gym for the first time in several weeks. Had a great workout. Came home and climbed up and down the ladder in the barn to put the Christmas deco up top. Now we are going to have lunch. I will have a salad. I have re-learned about myself that I have this all or nothing attitude. When I was cheating for holidays I should have just kept working out and then started back eating right but I eat wrong and stop exercising also. I am working on that. If I can change that I will have won that battle. I tried to read all of the posts. Just skimmed cause there are so many. So glad to have all of the new people. Welcome, you will love this site. for those of us that have been together for this past year I look forward to another year of reaching goals and maintaining. Barbie let me know how your maintaince plan works. That has always been hard for me. Have a good day.
Vicki M

Hello everyone. This is my third day. I think I am finally ready to commit to losing the weight. Went shopping at 10:20 and was offered lunch out and opted to come home and eat my salad. Hurrah for me.

susan
:happy:

:flowerforyou: :flowerforyou: :flowerforyou: :flowerforyou:
Barbara, thank you for your nice message. I'm glad you found my food diary and figured out how to rename your meals......isn't that a cool feature? There are so many new people on this thread that I decided to introduce myself to everyone at once.

Hubby and I been married for 20 years when we got tired of being Roley and Poley. He found Isagenix and immediately began to lose weight as I watched with open minded skepticism. I saw his energy level rise from nap taking couch potato to self starter and heard people marvel at his rapid weight loss. Meanwhile I found MFP and used all the great features to keep us both on track and log my food and exercise every day. Later he set up his own MFP account and now logs his own food and exercise. I lost weight along with him and finally joined him using the Isagenix program
In ten months I lost 65 pounds and went from size 16 to size 4 and nobody was more surprised than I was when the saleswoman in a store, said “I don’t think we have anything here that will fit you, you’re so tiny” Now we call ourselves Slim and Slimmer

I retired five years ago from teaching first grade in public school. We moved from Northern California to NW Washington and I found line dance classes right away. Now I dance three mornings a week and have lately tried my hand at teaching a few dances.

We recently gave up RV travel which we'd been doing for five years and decided to go back to traveling by auto or plane. We have two Standard Poodles, Brandy (black) and Sasha (red). They got the nickname of "the Naughties" because they ignore all my directions when they are chasing birds at the off leash dog park. We have two cats, a young, part Maine Coon named Bernie, and an older black and white named Haifa.

I live with my soul mate, the love of my life, Jake. We've had many of the ups and downs of being married but we continue to nail our feet to the floor and walk through everything because we can't imagine life without each other. He recently came out of retirement to go back to work as an Isagenix consultant so he can share the miracle of his over 50 pound weight loss and new burst of energy with others.

I am so glad to see so many new members on this thread and to see all of us who have been around awhile continuing to walk this amazing path together.
hugs Barbie

Barbie - I had not heard your story before. Where can I find your food diary and about renaming meals? It does sound cool. And what is Isagenix? I'm not familiar with it?

Louise

:flowerforyou: :flowerforyou: :flowerforyou: :flowerforyou:
Barbara, thank you for your nice message. I'm glad you found my food diary and figured out how to rename your meals......isn't that a cool feature? There are so many new people on this thread that I decided to introduce myself to everyone at once.

Hubby and I been married for 20 years when we got tired of being Roley and Poley. He found Isagenix and immediately began to lose weight as I watched with open minded skepticism. I saw his energy level rise from nap taking couch potato to self starter and heard people marvel at his rapid weight loss. Meanwhile I found MFP and used all the great features to keep us both on track and log my food and exercise every day. Later he set up his own MFP account and now logs his own food and exercise. I lost weight along with him and finally joined him using the Isagenix program
In ten months I lost 65 pounds and went from size 16 to size 4 and nobody was more surprised than I was when the saleswoman in a store, said “I don’t think we have anything here that will fit you, you’re so tiny” Now we call ourselves Slim and Slimmer

I retired five years ago from teaching first grade in public school. We moved from Northern California to NW Washington and I found line dance classes right away. Now I dance three mornings a week and have lately tried my hand at teaching a few dances.

We recently gave up RV travel which we'd been doing for five years and decided to go back to traveling by auto or plane. We have two Standard Poodles, Brandy (black) and Sasha (red). They got the nickname of "the Naughties" because they ignore all my directions when they are chasing birds at the off leash dog park. We have two cats, a young, part Maine Coon named Bernie, and an older black and white named Haifa.

I live with my soul mate, the love of my life, Jake. We've had many of the ups and downs of being married but we continue to nail our feet to the floor and walk through everything because we can't imagine life without each other. He recently came out of retirement to go back to work as an Isagenix consultant so he can share the miracle of his over 50 pound weight loss and new burst of energy with others.

I am so glad to see so many new members on this thread and to see all of us who have been around awhile continuing to walk this amazing path together.
hugs Barbie

Barbie - I had not heard your story before. Where can I find your food diary and about renaming meals? It does sound cool. And what is Isagenix? I'm not familiar with it?

Louise

My apologies to all that my post went through 3 times.

Louise

Wow! Just found this thread. :bigsmile:

First a bit about me: I have been logging my food for quite a few years, now. First at fitday, then Livestrong, now here. I usually exercise at the gym anywhere from 6 to 7 days/week. Sometimes life just gets in the way so I do some DVD's at home. I got some walking DVD's for Christmas and am hoping to get a rebounder. I would think that those tapes could be done on the rebounder but with less impact.

Someone (please don't ask me to remember who) mentioned that there's a Wii group here. Where? I have a WiiFit. I don't like the step, for me it's not challenging enough and I don't think the toning section is all that great. They will work one body part but not the opposing muscle. I do like the yoga, tho. I've heard that there's a Wii Plus, anyone know anything about this? I do the hula hooping, too. I will take the body test. I took it every day, then I broke a bone in my foot and couldn't go downstairs to my exercise room, so that's another resolution. I'm sure I'll be able to keep that one.

My goals for this year: well, to be honest, it's more to be less dependent on logging my food every day but still maintaining a healthy lifstyle (that includes weight, etc). I know this is going to be a LONG journey. Honestly, I really haven't lost any weight for the last, oh, 2 or 3 years. I think my body is at the weight it wants to be at (not what I want it to be at). I'm 5'1" and around 130lbs. About 4 years ago I wore a size 12 pants, now I buy at the largest 8, sometimes I can get into a 4 even (depending on the cut, etc.). I know I can get to a lower weight, but then I would feel and look like c***, and that just isn't worth it!

For this coming year I'd also like to be eating less meat and more veges and fish. That'll be hard since dh is a real meat lover. Steak and potatoes man. This may mean that I will have to cook two different meals (which I do lots anyway).

I really don't want to take my measurements right now since I just got my period. I'll wait until it's over. The good thing about getting my period is that I have very little desire to eat junk.

Some of the obstacles I encounter? I live in the South, and if you want pants in a size 10 or 12 or 14, there are lots of them. I can maybe find two 8's, one 6, and I'm lucky to find a 4. The food they serve in restaurants! You should see me when we go out to eat, I ask so many questions about how the food is prepared and make so many changes to the item on the menu! There's only ONE health food store near here. I could go to Charlotte to Trader Joe's. Thank GOD they accept MasterCard:happy:

good night everyone... what a busy day.. now i am getting everyone setttle for the night school vacation has ended and tommow everyone is back to school but allysa she is in college and is home for the mth. what a busy weekend we had and lots of snow oh i love winter will i am happy to say i am doing good again with the water.. and feeling so much better that i am doing this all for me. i have actually gotten things down . i am surprise.. did some walking with my wii and free jogging 10 mins here and than wo mins there i put my music on and i shut everyone out a few times today they were surpise.. i feel uplifted tonight..
it sounds like we all had a good day anyone not feeling or your family members we will say prayers tonight for anyone who had the snow this weekend how much did yous get i measure 8 in here in palmer mass. out on the cape we heard they had a lot again.. its a nice snowing year in new england lookin forward to my vacation through in feb. ok could i as k yous a question what kind of bread does everyone eat.. the past few mths i have been a thing and trying all different kinds.. its been interesting i have not found one i like most, and how do you all feel about white or whole grains... ok have a nice night peace from my family to all of yours love debie and family