WOMEN AGES 50+ FOR NOVEMBER 2012

:flowerforyou: Happy Wednesday...I have been an exercise bum all week...did something to my lower back over the weekend...but could have walked...just didn't.

A little story for you...went to work on Monday and boss is a little antsy all day and then late in the day says "got a minute to talk? "...should have been the red flag...apparently he has decided (although he made it sound like he hadn't decided yet) to sell the agency....excuse me, WHAT??? Needless to say my coworker (only two of us) and I were blind-sided and the change is all happening 1/1/13. We are guaranteed jobs for 2 years so that is good and our salaries will remain the same....but oh man lots of other changes...so needless to say I have been drinking a little more wine than normal, not exercising and not sleeping very well (awake from 3am til 5ish).

I have taken a page out of Barbies book and am trying to write gratitude lists on the inevitable change...I am getting there and at least we keep jobs...

Will try to be more positive tomorrow

Jen

Hello, Ladies! :happy:

Boy, was I surprised (and thankful) at my weigh-in this evening~ minus 2 pounds! :noway: :bigsmile:

I was hoping for a gain of only 2…. :embarassed: :blushing: :ohwell:

Losing some inches when I took my measurements this morning was also a plus! :bigsmile:

Our leader, who is also a dietician, had an interesting “game” to try on us this evening;

She arranged a “pretend” buffet table of holiday appetizers—paper plates with little pictures of whatever for us to choose from, and then she gave us the calorie count of each item, so we could calculate how much our plates held (after we returned to our seats)…. It was an eye-opening experience, :noway: and gave us plenty to think about as the holiday party season begins.
She emphasized that she does NOT expect any of us to lose a significant amount this coming month, and does not want us to feel deprived, :grumble: but she does want us to be mindful that those calories add up FAST in a party/potluck/buffet situation. :huh: :sad: :noway: :devil:
For example,
Cheese Dip, 1 oz. (1/8 cup) = 50 calories
1 Tortilla Chip = 12 calories
1 Wing Drumette = 50 calories
I don’t go to many parties, period, much less those that have what I call “fancy appetizers”.
My family usually sticks to “real food”, like a glazed ham, chicken and dressing, venison chili,
bar-be-que, and Aunt Clara’s homemade yeast rolls…..
The game DID make me much more aware of CALORIES at party-time!

I have been reading your wonderful posts, and I just want to THANK Y’ALL again for your encouragement, support, inspiriation, and humor! :flowerforyou:

I have yet to figure out how you reply to each post individually, but I will try….

Barbie, thanks for this message board~ it encourages me when I need it most! :flowerforyou:

Katla49, your husband’s comment made me LOL! A silver-tongued devil, indeed! :laugh:

LinCharpentie, welcome to the group! You will LOVE this message board! I LOVE your quote about giving the weight away~ I sure don’t want to find it again this time around! :laugh: :happy:

Nancy, I bet you are one of the most favorite teachers at your school! I really enjoy hearing about your class! I am SO looking forward to returning to school! :flowerforyou:

Laura, I’m glad you enjoyed that champagne~ the holidays are about celebrating! :bigsmile:

Linda-SundanceB, I’m glad you’re the help you deserve and are getting better! Your posts ALWAYS encourage and inspire me! :flowerforyou:

Laura80111, I got a chuckle over the venison BBQ~ our BBQ and chilis are USUALLY made with venison. I figure most folks need a good, lean source of protein, regardless of its name…. :happy:

DeeDee, I HATE mornings when I start out tired~ it makes the day last for-EVAH! :grumble: :ohwell: :yawn:

Meg, I LOVE your NSV~ I haven’t been able to wear a watch in years~ that will be something else to look forward to! :flowerforyou:

Linder4866, I don’t have a decent winter coat, either, but I hope YOU find one you love! :happy:

JaneHadji, I will enjoy reading your post when you return. ENJOY your holidays! :flowerforyou: :happy:

Well, Ladies, my little brain has been strained to the max~ I’m just not very good at typing… :ohwell:

Hang in there, make healthy choices, choose to move any way you can, and drink that water! :drinker: :drinker:

Janie :flowerforyou:

Linda - that's good that even tho the diabetic counselor couldn't answer your questions (that in a way surprises me), at least she is going to look them up and get back to you. When our kids were little, if a toy required batteries, we'd always put them in and cut those pieces of tape so they could play with the toy first thing Christmas morning. Ahhhhh...the days

When I took my car for inspection yesterday, I finished those coasters. Next on the agenda -- write out the cards

momara - To quote barbie "never, never, never give up". It IS possible to lose weight after 50. Admitted it takes a lot longer and the weight comes on much faster, but it CAN be done. We'll be here with you every step of the way. Just log in here daily.

Lila - I take the apple cider vinegar straight. It's not much and I'll tell you that at first I cringe. But that doesn't last long at all. Will you buy the bicycle for your daughter here and ship it over there or just send her the money and have her buy it over there? I'm so sorry to hear about your dd#1. It IS so hard not to run and fix things. I guess it's just something we have to learn

katla - if you don't keep you dh, I'll gladly take him.

Lin - boy, your maids have different names than mine. Mine are called "left" and "right"

Only was able to do 30 min of yoga today and then 1 hr of deep water (I did some laps for the first 1/2 hr and took the deep water class for the second). ds was going to call at our time 9:30-10. Seeings how I missed him last time he called, there was no way I wanted to miss this call. Vince sort-of chastized me for coming home at around 9:30, he thought I should havae been home earlier. I just figured that he could talk to Bryan for 5 minutes or else Bryan might not call until 10. Oh well..... have senior bowling today, already have my carrots in the car. I'm becoming known as "the carrot lady" since I always bring carrots. Well, last week I had to bring grapes since I couldn't chew the carrots (remember, I had the tooth pulled and was trying to eat soft foods). You wouldn't believe the number of people who asked me why I didn't have my carrots! lol

Tomorrow I'll do a DVD called "Personal Training with Jackie" (weights)

Nancy - I do wish there were more classes at like 7:30 or 8. Early classes seem to be at some rediculous hour like 5:30. I know, that's not really rediculous for working people, but for me it is rediculous. There's no way I want to be there that early

Jane - take it easy on the exercise! Let us know how it goes

Meg - congrats on the challenge and the NSV. That's wonderful. That teacher Bryan had was when he was in high school. How he hated having to use proper punctuation and proper grammar. No matter how much Vince would tell him that when you go on a job interview, if you use improper grammar, it reflects badly on the person being interviewed. A guy Vince worked with even complained how every time one of his workers writes something, no matter how intelligent this worker is, he always had to rewrite it. Didn't sink in. Probably not until a stranger pushed it. Unfortunately for some students, he retired. But I totally agree with his desire to have things right. Your adventures with your cats crack me up. We have 4 cats so I can just see this. I bless the inventor of the Pill Pockets each and every time we have to give Loki his medicine. After he finishes his Pill Pocket, I do give him some treats -- really more to be sure that the med was swallowed than anything else. I don't think he'd intentionally not swallow the med, but I can see it happening. Of course, Bonnie is ALWAYS in the act....lol

jane - enjoy your trip and your holiday!

Jen - that is so horrible that your boss is selling the business but it's good that you will have your job for two more years.

Lin - my FIL used to say when he retired "I don't know where I found the time to work". Now I understand what he meant

JNHeff - that must have been a real eye opener what your dietician did.

Going to get ready for tomorrow. Hope everyone has a great evening.

Michele

bump

Darn. I lost my scale. Weigh in is Friday and I can't find my scale. I took it with me last weekend to weigh the bales of hay I was buying and I know I didn't leave it. But, we've looked in both vehicles we had with us and it's not there. I am afraid to buy a new one because I'm afraid it might weigh me differently.

good evening to the knowing November ladies,

Well, its official, almost 80 percent of you all love Gordon Lightfoot, and he brings back great memories! Just in case you missed the reference, his complete works were remastered last year...Meg has put the new recordings on her Christmas List.......so be good Meg! Santa always knows..... I must admit, I did not realize that he was so popular, or so widely known.....OR that Sasha can sing every line of the Railroad Trilogy! and others can sing the Edmund Fitzgerald...somehow I thought he remained a old Canadian folksinger, not an international star.

Any feelings about Leonard Cohen? Suzanne took me away when I was 12, first poem I ever really loved! Then he sang it!

I am very inspired by the pals here who continue to motivate with their success, insight, and just plain "get back on the horse sensibility". It seems to me that almost everyone has busy lives taking care of their dear somethings, their animals, friends and extended family. Each one of you has a reason, a trial, a visit, a tough day when you could have given up....but you don't. so I won't. I have had two friends who told me about MFP, and both are gone already.....

Today is DAY 49, that is seven weeks of seven days! Tomorrow is day 50. And I am still here, and you are all still here!

Hooray for us, we are almost at the end of the month, and we are all still here!







I started yawning at 9, I think the wheat does that to me...but eating brown rice EVERY day does get boooorrrrrrinnnnnnggggggg. But pasta, twice in one week, for me is a no no....its not chocolate, its bread I crave, and damn, I am allergic to it....just not enough to stop completely.

Cleared my slightly old fashioned, if unorthodox teaching and marking strategies with Head, tomorrow, clear more info on my masters with the powers that be. And, funny, I already have a grad degree and don't need it to do my job! Wish me luck...

Hello to all of you, glad to read all the posts and hear the sharing. I really love checking in here every day and miss it when I can’t make it.
Today was busy, tried to get as much done in the morning as I could because whole afternoon was spent with a non-profit group “Getting to Home” planning how to address homelessness and hard to house people in our area. I suspect I will be on the funding and grant writing committee. Tomorrow I have to interview applicants to back fill a position in our office, do sessions with a risk management consultant to update and fill the gaps in the RM policies, then off to a Skills Centre board meeting, Friday Xmas dinner party (and I haven’t bought the gift yet – ackkk). So tonight I plan on getting to bed early to get enough rest to keep on top of things.

DD2 will get extra $$ (I guess that should be €€€) put in her account so she can pick out the bike she wants. Good thing her office at the university has a good security area and she also has a large balcony to keep it secure at home too. The video chat is the first time Jenneka has seen me since I’ve been on the weight loss program. She knew I was losing, but it was really funny to see her reaction to the difference in me (and she only saw the face really). That was my best NSV for the month.

DD2 got good news from the Dr – her back is healing well so won’t need grafting (which was a possibility if the skin didn’t re-connect – glad I didn’t know about that actually). Enough about me……

Momara – please don’t give up ever, just come visit, accept the small victories because they add up quickly and if you fall, pick yourself up and keep going. We all have been there and are in here with you.

Katla - men! You gotta love ‘em. Silver tongued devil indeed!

LinC – great loss!!! You are kind to give your son’s labs some company and loving while he’s away.

Nancy – your kids probably went to sleep to the cadence, not the lyrics thank heavens or they would have had nightmares. I never really thought about how macabre that GL song really is. I used to have a map of all the shipwrecks on the Great Lakes and the loss of life was amazing.

Laura – your boss actually found a use for road kill – amazing! But when you think of it, probably better than just leaving it (although the scavengers probably would have appreciated it). I still love Lightfoot and also prefer to remember his great years and talent (however how come Leonard Cohen seems to be getting more popular as he gets older?) The pulled venison/elk recipe sounds good. If my neighbor/dog walker gives me some of her venison when she gets her deer, I’ll have an idea of what to do with it.

JaneM – glad to hear you’re feeling better, maybe the Violet time did it! I’m knitting a sweater for DD2 for Christmas. Somehow knitting just relaxes me – what types of projects does your ladies’ knitting/crocheting group do? And how did the return to work out go for you?

Linda Sundance – great that your ergonomic evaluation is set, I think that should make a difference.

DeeDee – hey we have a Dee and a DeeDee now !

Meg – how sad about your student’s finance, but how kind of the group to pull together to help. I know it’s kind of black humour but your comments about the KGB and Kremlin really were funny. Hope the old man kitty is doing okay.

Liz – hope your day with the difficult group went well and I’m sure you get that group because you deal with them well – take it as a vote of confidence in your abilities.

Lin – thanks for the good thoughts and DD1 is on the mend (see beginning of post).

Jen – I know that change is challenging, roll with it as much as you can and make your plans. It’s good that you have two years of stability in front of you while you assess your situation.

Janie – great on the 2# loss! I’m glad I read your post before I go to my first Xmas event, I’m going to avoid the grazing table.

Michele – no, won’t ship a bike – just a small 12x18” package cost $43 to ship so I can’t even imagine what a bike would be. This way she can just pick out what she likes and pick up some panniers or a basket for it too.

MaryC and Cheryl – looks like the gremlins are little thieves! Both of you losing things and your posts are right beside each other – weird.

BJ – yup, Leonard Cohen fan here too, mostly his poetry more than his voice though. My grade 10 English teacher introduced us to Suzanne and I was hooked from then on. But Alleluia is my all time favourite.

Anyway, going to go and make a cup of tea and do some knitting. Have a couple of good books on the go (Even Silence has an End, and City of Women) and it’s going to be an early night.

Have a good one ladies, and I’ll try to check in on the posts tomorrow, oh and it’s almost December and I haven’t thought about the December goals yet.

Lila

Good morning ladies. A cold and frosty one in London today.

DH and I are back to the middle of the bed, he's getting over my hair and I'm getting over his rude comments about it!

I need to accomplish lots today as I'm off to Germany bright and early tomorrow. Can't wait to see my baby girl!

Will try to pop back later.

Love to all.
Amanda x

Michelle, when I mix my protein shake up I use a little hand whisk (tiny thing that I got with some hot chocolate) - seems to work well.

Amanda x

Good morning, Ladies –

Almost December – gah! We were all marveling last night over how quickly the year has flown by. I can’t believe I was in France in May and can barely remember being there for all the other events since then! I don’t think next year’s going to be any better, but it will all be good.

I’ve read all the posts but won’t respond to all of them (as promised lol). I will just chime in that I too am a GL fan, and thanks, Meg, I’m going to be downloading the newly mastered recordings asap!

Congratulations to everyone on their wonderful eating control and weight loss over the past week – that’s a big accomplishment! I personally think the weight loss gods were watching out for us – but whatever it is I’m truly grateful for the loss too.

Been having a tough time getting back into the exercise mode (ha!) after the ski trip, but yesterday I made myself do my next workout, and today I popped up and put in yoga without thinking about it, so I guess I’m back. I still want to catch up with the plyo workout I skipped on Tuesday, but that may have to wait until Sunday. I find I have a lot less motivation when it’s cold out – but I know once I get going I’m fine, it’s just the getting started part that’s hard. Today I plan on getting out for my walk – it’s supposed to be warming up again, so there’s really no reason not to, and I need to get myself into the mindset that it’s OK to be outside since I’m FORCING DH to help put up the lights this weekend :laugh:.

Yes, Christmas decorations go up this weekend. I’m always a little mixed about it, particularly if we’re going away for Christmas, but we have some entertaining this year, and it’s a long season so I’m putting them up and will be happy about it. I remember one year I decided to skip it because we were going to be gone for quite a while during December, and boy did I regret it! My mom’s decorations were destroyed in the fire last year, so she told me she’s not planning on putting up anything. I’m pretty sure it’s going to make her sad – she always does up her house wonderfully. I’m also worried about her because she’ll be alone for the week – I may have to see if she wants to come over to Tahoe with us.

Well, as you can see I’m just pondering life today lol. I have a ton of work to do, so I better get after it. Have a wonderful day everyone, and be sure you keep logging your food and water!

Cheers,

M.

Good Thursday morning, everyone

It's "Pajama and stuffies" day at school today. That means we can all go to school in our PJ's carrying our favourite stuffed toys. Since I only have one pair of winter pajama pants, and I don't really want to wear them for a night and a day straight, :noway: I'll borrow DH's housecoat and go in that. Old Kermit the Frog (an original from the 1970's) will come with me.

This afternoon we are doing some experiments testing the PH of various household products with red cabbage juice. I must get pictures of my young scientists with their test tubes and stuffed animals! :laugh:

Laura80111, Congratulations on the .2 down even after your long weekend. :drinker: Well done.

Jane, I hope your workout went well and you had fun with the knitting group.

Linda – Sundance, I know you made it to the gym because I saw your update - well done. I grew up in a family of 4 sisters, I’ll bet my mum did her share of early morning PMS counseling. Bless you for being there when your DD#2 needed you :flowerforyou: . Mine always confided best in the early am too.

Meg, Great NSV with the watch. Go you! Speaking of your DD#2 – good job you busted her at school. I used to do that with mine now and then, not say anything, just let her know that I knew, and I knew that she knew that I knew…:ohwell: Let her guilty conscience do the rest. Bubblegum flavoured medicine for a cat?

Lin, You’ll have that really great winter coat on in no time! I am determined to buy a new ski jacket when we are in the city for Christmas. For the last eight years I’ve been wearing the one my DH left behind when she went of to university. It’s a size extra-large snow boarding coat. Another old lady wearing a marshmallow. Time for a change.

Jen, oh dear. Change is tough, it really, really is. Hang in there, keep your stick on the ice. We’re all in this together (as Red Green would say)

Janie, 12 calories in ONE tortilla chip? :noway: And used to think a whole wheat chip was a good option. Oh dear. Thanks for the description of your virtual buffet. I think I will adapt it for a classroom activity about making good food choices.

Wessecg – Lost your scale? As I read your first sentence I was wondering how on earth that could happen. Now it makes sense. Oh dear. Maybe it’s in the barn with the hay???

Bjmcq – What’s your master’s topic? I keep going back to school too, it’s just kind of fun to stay on top of the new stuff.

Lila, we could have a book club! I usually read non-fiction, but I’m always on the look out for good stories.

Oh, Amanda, have a super, super time in Germany with your dear girl.

Gotta go wash my hair and mix up something nutritious and green for breakfast.

Hasta pronto,

Nancy

PS: I will have regular clothes on under the housecoat!

Watch this space for December goals to be posted on Saturday.

Hi everyone,

Things have been hectic to say the least. I haven't had time to read and catch up with you all much less post myself. Just wanted to pop in for a sec and let you know I am still alive and kicking, lol.

Need everyone to pray and think good thoughts. My interview for the job I would like to move up to is today, YIKES!! I hate interviews. I never feel like I make a good impression and always doubt my performance after they are over. At least I am familiar with the people doing the interview. I think it will help counteract anything I do to shoot myself in the foot since they have worked with me on other projects.

Wish me luck. I will let you know what happens as soon as I know.

Hope you are all well and I will try to block out some time to catch up tonight.

Jolene

whoops! it DISAPPEARED! i'll try again:

Hummus, 1 T. 23 cal.
Cheese Dip, 1 oz. (1/8 cup) 50 cal.
Spinach Dip, 1 T. 50 cal.
Buffalo Chicken Dip, 1 T. 20 cal.
1 Cheese Cube 17-34 cal.
1 Wing Drumette 50 cal.
1 Tortilla Chip 12 cal.
1 Wheat Thin (original) 9 cal.
1 Pita Chip 9 cal.
1 Meatball 50 cal.
1 slice of deli turkey 22 cal.
1 slice of deli roast beef 32 cal.
1 slice of deli ham 32 cal.
1 oz. summer sausage 100 cal.
1 melon cube 7 cal.
1 Tortilla Roll-Up 50 cal.
1 carrot stick 3 cal.
1 celery stick 1 cal.
1/4 cup Chex Mix 60 cal.
1 shrimp 7 cal.
1 mini cheesecake bite 78 cal.
1 Christmas cookie 90-370 cal.
1 small piece of fudge 70 cal.
1 cup Eggnog (no alcohol) 340 cal.
12 oz. regular beer 150 cal.
5 oz. wine 135 cal.
1 shot hard liquor 100 cal.
5 oz. Margarita 232 cal.

To quote Scrooge: BAH, HUMBUG!

DO enjoy your holidays, but try to take it easy on the mindless calories! Try to BURN some cals on a regular basis, spend your

party time visiting instead of eating, and drink that blasted water! :drinker: :drinker: :drinker: :drinker: :drinker:

Hope this helps!

Janie :flowerforyou:

We just did the "How much do you weigh without the bale," then "How much do you weigh holding the bale?". One bale was 60 pounds so I had a real hard time holding it long enough to see my weight while holding it. I sure hope I find the darn thing tonight.

BTW - Mazaron - I just noticed that you're almost at your goal!!!! Yay to you. Hope I just you in the next few months.

Exermom - you're right - maybe I can pick one that shows me every ounce. Mine only does .2, .4., .6 and .8.

mwheat - I wish I could go skiing. I'm lousing at it, but I can't wait to see how it goes now that I have less weight and less pain in my feet. Who would have thought that just 23 pounds would make a ton of difference on how much pain I had in my feet??!!

:flowerforyou: Glad for Thursday,

Meg- congrats on you and your workout partner at work in placing 1st & 2nd last week:drinker: Great NSV, I love it when my jewelry is fitting properly too.

Lin-being busy and retired is my goal...or maybe it's just a dream of someday:ohwell: Love your description of you in your new coat:laugh:

janehadji- I'm sure that with your list in hand you will get it all done in time....will be watching for your return after your visit with your daughter and your trip to Mexico...Enjoy:happy:

Jen- sorry you got blindsided Hoping that the change will be for the better. Sorry to hear you hurt your back, but remember when there are things that are totally out of your control the one thing you can control is your eating...this is what I have been living by for the last year when all around me everything else has been out of my control...you can do it:flowerforyou:

LincC- congrats on being high loser at your TOPS meeting:drinker:

Janie- congrats on your "pound give away" and your lower inches:drinker: That's a great way to get into the holiday season. Your leader playing the game with the foods is a great idea for helping you see what the calories are that you could be eating at a holiday party. I really didn't like reading that list with the calories...I could feel the pounds just attacking my thighs and stomach...gotta do a workout just to feel better:blushing:

Kathy- there is nothing like clean windows and knowing they are new and will help with the heating bill is a plus:flowerforyou:

maryC-hoping your fitbit is there for you when you return:huh: Hoping someone honest found it.

Cheryl- a missing scale? That would really cause me to panic:noway:

Renny-yes he did have some great quotes:happy:

bj-congrats on your 50 days:flowerforyou: It's becoming a habit.

Barbie-hoping that it's nothing serious with your bike, I know you waited so long to get it:huh:

Lila- sounds like you are really busy this holiday season. Congrats on your daughter noticing your loss...it's always encouraging when our kids give us the compliment:flowerforyou:

edraper- congrats on losing that little extra from the holiday. I too did a bump and have lost it and a bit more...it just goes to show that if you keep at it you can succeed at this:drinker:

Amanda- have a good trip and enjoy your visit...glad that the middle of the bed is being used again

Michele- I eat eggs, egg beaters and fish and chicken and I'm usually over on my protein for the day...so I can't help you with the protein mixing...but am sure someone on here will know:flowerforyou:

DeeDee-sorry to hear the weight gremlins have attacked...hoping you find a way to get rid of them soom

M- enjoy getting those decoration up. For years after the boys moved out hubby said he'd never do lights again because the boys were gone, but two years ago he came home with new lights and put them up...have no idea what changed his mind...maybe it was having grandsons Love the pictures.

Nancy- how fun it must be for the kids wearing pj's and carrying their stuffed animals...that wouldn't work with me as I wear things that only my hubby sees

Carolyn- glad your Thanksgiving was a success, how wonderful to be able to walk a Civil War Battlefield and then to find your GGGrandfathers grave. I'm sure that not many people do that today:flowerforyou:

Jolene-sending good thoughts your way for your interview:flowerforyou:

Robin- here's your swift kick...given with love:flowerforyou: when everything around you is out of your control take control of what you can and that would be what you eat, feed your stress with healthy choices...YOU CAN DO IT:drinker:

****
Yesterday the boss was gone for almost the whole day and I got a lot done at the office ...so I'm hoping for another good one today. it would be such a good feeling to feel caught up by the time Christmas comes.

When i went home yesterday I must have pulled a muscle in my neck as I could hardly move my head by the time I got home so I didn't get in any exercise...I feel like I really missed something by not exercising. Hoping to get something in tonight.

We spent the evening getting caught up on our favorite shows "Once Upon A Time" and "Survivor" before I headed to bed. Hubbys favorite evening snack is sugar free jello and last night I felt that I should have some too...it was so refreshing and hardly any calories...I may just start making extra:bigsmile:

Hubby works tonight an I'm going to make my fudge and then hide it...I think if I can do that then what's out of site won't be a temptation to hubby...I'll let you know:huh:

Everyone have a good day, Remember to log your water (drink plenty it's really important), get some form of exercise in and log your food...let's make this season one of the best for all of us:drinker:

Laura80111