WOMEN AGES 50+ FOR MARCH 2013

Happy Tuesday!

Caught up on most of the posts, my aren't we a busy bunch! I'm going to check out the book Pain Free that some of you are talking about and I know there was another one mentioned on here recently but can't remember the name. No loss last week but I'm eating better this week. Bought a new swimsuit for the pool at the gym, one size smaller!

Barbie-Happy belated birthday!

Robin-:flowerforyou: I'm glad you are going to get help! Sending hugs and prayers your way! We are here for you

Been up since 2, mind wouldn't shut off:frown: so going to try to get a few more winks before I have to get ready for work.

Kathy:drinker:

Good morning beautiful ladies:flowerforyou:

No time to chat this morning:sad: ! Will try to pop back in later and chat like I like too:bigsmile: !

Amanda Glad you`re feeeling better:flowerforyou: !

Kathy Hope you were able to get a little more sleep:yawn: !

Kate What a wonderful post to Robin !

Have a fantastic Tuesday!!! Drink your water:drinker: :drinker: :drinker: and log your food!

Hugs,
DeeDee in cold NC

Hello, everyone! It’s been intermittently snowing here but we didn’t get hit nearly as hard as predicted - thank the weather gods!

Amanda – so sorry to hear that you weren’t well. You are truly committed to go into work after that! I'm glad that you are feeling better, even though you didn't get your piggyback ride.

Grandmalle – congrats on getting the scale to budge! Was it yesterday that you were going to see your friend? I hope you found her well enough to enjoy your visit.

Sue – I hope the steroids are doing the trick but sorry to hear that you are having trouble sleeping. I haven't taken them often but don't have issues when I do. My younger DD hates taking them because she has sleep issues and becomes very irritable (trust me, I am usually on the receiving end of that!):laugh:

Nancy – glad you had a good time in Grenada and that you are reunited with your “boys”.

Mwheatcraft – sounds like you and DH had quite the date night; love the fashion show visual.

Robin – I’m sorry to hear that you are depressed but you are definitely doing the right think in getting help. I went through a tough time years ago and the counselor I saw was a godsend. It was such a relief to just talk things out with an objective party and one who could give me some coping techniques. Sending prayers and positive energy your way!

Monet – hope you get to feeling better soon!

JB – love that quote!

Barbie – happy belated birthday! It sounds like you had a (typically for you) busy day but a good one. I really do get tired just from reading your daily schedule.

LindaS – so sorry that you are going to have so many surgeries but, as you said, thank goodness that we have the ability to fix so many things that ail us. It sounds like you’ve given yourself a good talking-to; good luck in getting back on track and staying there!

The number of us that have dealt with depression was kind of an eye-opener for me. When you are dealing with it yourself, you often feel so alone and as if no one else could feel the way that you do….. I’m glad that we have this forum to come to, in good times and in bad.

Have a great day, everyone!

Sandy in central Ohio where it is snowing AGAIN:grumble:

Feeling frustrated with myself :grumble: - I have been reading a very good book ("Eleni" by Nicholas Gage) and I was getting to the end of it and just couldn't stop reading until I finished .... at 1:00 a.m.!! Getting up for work at 6 was NOT fun!! :yawn: But it was such a good book (a biography about Greece during WW II and the Greek Civil war and about Mr. Gage's mother being tortured and murdered for arranging for her children to escape out of the communist controlled village they were in) - If you are at all interested in history and what a mother will do out of love for her children, definately a book to read. Now I am trying to find a copy of the sequel (A Place For Us) - the story about the 5 children emmigrating to the US and how they acclimated during the 1950's. But hopefully I will only read during "normal" hours



Amanda – I totally agree with the praises of electric blankets! I live in South Carolina (the “Sunny South”) but still cannot live without my blanket in the winter. You would think that growing up in Michigan I could handle the cold a little better …. But nope! I hate it!! Hate you didn’t get the piggyback!

DeeDee – Thank you for reminding me to drink my water. My bottle was sitting on my desk untouched until you said that. I’m drinking now! :drinker:

Grandmallie – I wish I could get myself up early. There is a boot camp down the road from me every morning from 5:30 to 6:30, but I just can’t get myself up by 5 am to go :noway:

Michele in NC – don’t you just love those Kohl’s coupons along with the sales? One of my favorite places to shop!

Judios – your hike in AZ sounds wonderful! That would be so nice to have the calories on the menus – it sure would make it easier to eat better

LindaS – I can totally relate to the self-sabotage! Sounds like you are going to conquer this little set back and get on with what you know you need to do.


I had better get back to work -

Beth in SC

Good morning everyone! We have blue sky here – snow on the ground but blue sky! Well, it’s a start anyway.

Wow, I don’t know what was going on yesterday – maybe the cold snowy weather and maybe just boredom, but I would careen from a nice healthy bowl of soup to half a bag of tortilla chips, a wonderful salad with shredded winter veggies to cookies . . . terrible eating day. Getting back on track today.

I’m so glad to have my own basement gym back. I can kick and punch and not worry about who hears. Of course that will change when everyone’s back in the house, but for now it’s all mine meheheh.

Many thanks to all my Vitamin Fs – I’m so glad to have company in this journey.

Grandmallie, that’s a great way to start the day! Good luck on your trip.

Amanda, I’m so glad you were able to get some sleep and hopefully kick whatever bug hit you. I agree with you about the cold. I’m ready for some warm and some digging in the earth, so come on, spring!

Kathy, wonderful news about the bathing suit – and bonus for being able to swim too.

Lucy, you poor thing. As I’m sure you know, drink lots of water and get some potassium for those cramps. I sometimes will get a cramp if I flex my foot the wrong way, but mostly I just have to be sure I’m getting potassium. You must have been up early – we already had several inches blanketing the place when I got up.

Beth, I love Farmers’ Markets. So much fun but I can get into trouble – case of eyes bigger than my wallet lol. I had seen Les Mis on Broadway some years ago – truly a great show to see live.

JaneM, have a wonderful time at Violets, and happy Easter to you and your family. Congrats on the ortho being finished!

Luvbuttons, sorry but I laughed when you said you spent most of the day in the closet. With all the news this week it cracked me up. Sorry, juvenile, I know. On the subject of garam masala, it’s a combo of basic spices but almost all the recipes call for a small amount – a ½ to 1 tsp usually. It’s known for adding depth and complexity to the dishes – and you can get away with tossing in a sprinkle of several baking spices: cinnamon, nutmeg, cardamom, etc. Here’s a simple recipe from about.com:
Garam Masala Recipe: Here's a simple recipe for garam masala. If a recipe you are making calls for garam masala and you don't have any, the following recipe will make a great garam masala substitute:
• 3 Tbsp coriander seeds
• 2 Tbsp cumin seeds
• 2 Tbsp cardamom seeds
• 2 Tbsp black peppercorns
• 1 tsp whole cloves
• 1 tsp freshly grated nutmeg
• 1 whole cinnamon stick
Place everything but the nutmeg in a dry skillet and toast for about ten minutes over medium-high heat, stirring from time to time to keep everything cooking evenly. When the ingredients have darkened slightly and give off a rich, toasty aroma, remove them from the pan and let them cool. Grind in a spice grinder or coffee grinder, and mix in the freshly grated nutmeg. Store in an airtight container away from heat.

Barbie, HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!! I’m sorry I missed saying so yesterday. It sounds like it was wonderful.

DeeDee, sorry I misread your post to mean the puppy had been sick – I’m glad to hear you’re feeling better. Colds do tend to linger, don’t they?

Meg, lol at the bleh Monday. You certainly have a long day ahead of you, but it sounds like it will all be over soon – yay! Best wishes for warmth heading your way.

Carol in NY, do try to learn the yoga moves and don’t get discouraged if it doesn’t seem doable at first. The cool thing about yoga is it builds over time – your muscle fibers get longer the more you stretch them, and they become more pliable and you become more flexible. It truly is a great way to stay young.
Michele, DH suggested I try taking in the dresses too – and I may just do that. I really love them and have only worn them once or twice each. I hate to waste them. They’re not styles that are trendy so I can get away, and at least a couple of them will be easy to alter. On the other hand I could just eat all the choco bunnies and forget about the altering . . . not! . I’m not sure if Les Mills is actually from down under – but the trainers in the latest video are. For some reason I was thinking LM is a Brit. Not sure. Great buy on the sweaters! Good for you for thinking ahead to Christmas already.

Jodios, you’re so lucky to get to be out and hiking in warm weather – I can’t wait. The bigger cities are starting to require the calories be listed – I love that! Enjoy your stay in the warm southwest.

LindaS, I’m so sorry you’re struggling with the idea of having to go through more pain to become pain-free. However, think how strong you’ve been and become through the weight you’ve already lost (over 50lbs!) and the exercising you’ve been doing. The carpal tunnel surgery isn’t anything really, so you should be up and running soon – literally. I hope you’re feeling good about how much stronger you are now and how a new knee will just allow you to work even harder to get to your goals. Cheers!

Katla, hooray for less dog hair! I would say, credit yourself for exercising healthy eating and lifestyle .

Jmkmomm – congrats on losing the Easter weight – and before Easter!

Robin, I’m saving you for last to say that we’re really pulling for you. I know a counselor will help you in ways we can’t, but please feel free to express yourself here. Let’s hope the lengthening days will bring some sunshine back into your life.

OK, I really need to pay attention to my work – ahem. I hope everyone is finding a way to stay warm (or enjoy the warmth, you lucky few!). I’m keeping those of you who are struggling in my mind – I hope you gain a little strength knowing we’re pulling for you.

Cheers,

M.

Thank you all so much for your wonderful support. I love you all. I made the appointment. Tomorrow I will speak to an EAP counselor. then we will see where that leads. Small steps.

*Trying to Smile*

Robin, Bodi and Ritter

Jodios: I am impressed that you can wear a bikini.:bigsmile: I was eighteen the last time I had a bikini. Tanning was not a possibility because the sunscreen they had back then was basically worthless and I could burn on an overcast day sitting inside a car with the windows up. :grumble: Sunscreens are better now, and so are car windows. :bigsmile: :bigsmile: :bigsmile:
.
Linda Sundance: I am sorry you are dreading surgery. Keep in mind that you don’t actually HAVE to have surgery just because you lose weight. :noway: You get to decide. :bigsmile: I started this weight loss adventure because I realized that I was experiencing knee pain because I was too heavy for my knees. Sure enough the weight loss has dramatically reduced the knee pain, and the exercises the doc gave me to strengthen my leg muscles are also helping. Maybe you’ll elect to have the surgery once your weight is down, and maybe not. This is your body and your choice.:flowerforyou:

Amanda: I love the doggy picture in their winter hats. :bigsmile: What sort of books does your DH write?

Nancy: Congratulations on the fabulous NSV. :bigsmile: When I last had a student teacher worth her weight in gold I created power point presentations while she taught. The big challenge for me was to design presentations to include active discussion and participation from the kids. I enjoyed that work and left the power points behind for the teacher who took my place when I retired. I have no idea whether she’s ever used them. I do know my student teacher has used them in her current teaching position. That makes me happy.:bigsmile:

M: Thanks for the Garam Masala recipe. I think I’ll try it.:flowerforyou:

It looks like another dry day here in NW Oregon and I’m starting to wonder what we might do for some fun. It is Spring Break for kids here in Oregon and I’d just as soon find something to do that isn’t crowded in a place where parking is easy. Picky, picky, picky.

Katla in NW Oregon

Sitting here freezing in my kitchen in Sunny South Carolina!!...brrrrr......bump

fjfjty-Welcome! This is a very supportive group. You will love it.

Just have a few minutes- DH and I are going to take advantage of the sunshine and get in a good walk before dinner. Will check back later if I can get my school work done early enough!!

Thinking of all of you.

Deb A in CNY

Happy tues.
Barbiie,sorry I missed your b/day.
Robin,glad you are getting help.I suffer from Gad-generl anxiety/depression.Suffered for many years til I was diagnosed.Went to therapy for 5 years and still see the pysche dr 2xs a year.
Hope all are doing good.
HUGS
jane

Just peeking in to mark my spot.Been out of pocket babysitting last week and having troubles getting my routine again.
Sue in TX

jodios - Glad you're having such a great time in AZ. I'm sure you'll at least maintain, if not lose. I wish places would have not only calories, but nutritional info on their menus. To me, restaurants should offer regular dinners and 1/2 size dinners (at 1/2 price). I know that this is what a senior or lunch menu usually is, and you really don't know that you can order off the lunch menu unless you ask. I also think that if someone wants water to drink, instead of those itty-bitty cups, you should be able to get a decent sized cup and not have to pay for it. Honestly, most people are in the habit of getting a larger size soda, so the fast food place will contine to make its profit.

Linda - remember, the pain from the surgery is only temporary, but pain from added weight and not being able to have the surgery is long-term.

Kathy - woo hoo on the swimsuit. To me, the absolute worst part of a gym class in the water is having to pass by a mirror and seeing myself in a bathing suit. I figure if I can do that, I can do anything in the class

Amanda - so glad you're feeling better. Take it easy, you certainly don't want a relapse (and neither do we!)

Sandy - I, too, was surprised at how many of us dealt with depression! Real eyeopener.

Brooke - I'm glad we don't have an In'n'Out Burger. When we were in CA, Vince HAD to go to one. Personally, I didn't think it was all that fantastic. But then again, I'm not a hamburger officiando. The last time I wore a bikini was at a party we went to before Jessica was born (she's 29). The theme of the party was "island theme". So I had a grass skirt, flip-flops, the whole 9 yards. Here it was, in the middle of March, and as we're driving to and from the party I'm praying "please don't let us get stopped by a cop". I actually looked at (not even tried on) that bikini and couldn't get over how big the bottom was! Today, there is no way I'd even consider something like that.

Beth in SC - I grew up in NJ, then we lived in PA for over 20 years. I really think that in a sense our blood does thin out. I have a real hard time dealing with the cold right now.

Nancy - woo hoo wearing your shirt tucked in! I don't do that. Well, MAYBE if no one will see me (like if I'm cleaning or something)

M - I, too, can get in trouble at farmers markets. I'm always wanting to try this and that. So many times before I can finish the vege, it's starting to go bad. Oh well.... Glad I'm not the only one who laughed at Luvbutton's "spending the day in the closet"

Jackie - that trail you discovered at the Catskills, is it a rails-to-trails trail. If so, it'll be a gentle incline/decline. We biked on a few rails-to-trails pathways, and it was so scenic and not very difficult because there weren't real big hills. I haven't done anything about my March goal. My goal was to work on my craft, but I haven't even started. Congrats on achieving one of your goals.

fjfjty - jump right in!

Got up, went to exercse. Today I tried something I'd never tried before. I went on the elliptical but at a higher resistance. Honestly, I thought I'd have a greater calorie burn. Maybe I had the resistance too high. Maybe I need to start lower. Went to one store but they didn't have any bras that I liked (their prices are reasonable). I'm fussy about my bra, I don't want one with an underwire. That hurts my breastbone too much. Yet, I'm small so I need padding. It seems so many of the bras have an underwire. Just got a sports bra. Then did a little food shopping, only because this is the last day of the sale and I had coupons, so I got 2 bags of veges for free. Then played mahjongg, I maj'd twice -- and once on a closed hand!!!!! Then home to run the dishwasher, hard boil some eggs.

Say, has anyone had one of the Slimful chews/bars? They are only like 90 calories. I'm not sure if that's what is causing it or not, but I'm no where near hungry and it says that it supposedly takes away hunger.

Tomorrow I'll go to a yoga class and then take the deep water class.

Found out today that the one branch of the Y won't be able to get a new set of caliphers because of the expense. See, that's one of the reasons I'm so glad I'm off that board. To me, health is more important than putting a coat of paint on the racketball court. Well, they told me that another branch has caliphers, so tomorrow I'll ask them if I see the woman. This one branch only had the bioimpediance (?sp) ones, which to me are virtually useless.

grandmalle - hard as it is for you, you are such a good friend to Ruth. You'll be in my thoughts. It feels so good when someone notices your weight loss and says something, huh?

Geez Louise...look at the time. Hope everyone has a great evening.

Michele in NC

Barbie – Belated birthday wishes. May you continue to feel younger every year and be like the 100+ year olds you’ve been telling us about :flowerforyou:

I’m completely swamped at work putting the finishing touches on a national conference taking place next week in San Diego (anyone on this thread live there?) I’m still hitting the condo gym every morning at 5. :yawn: I love the quiet serenity and dark of early mornings. I have a cat for an alarm clock. :laugh: :laugh: Slowing seeing signs of spring here in Colorado, even as there is still the remnants of the latest snowstorm are still on the ground.

Inspired by many of you, I spent a little time cleaning out oversized clothes cluttering my closet. I found 2 summer weight business suits that will go to my local cleaners for alterations. A good seamstress is such a blessing.

To everyone seeing success (however you define it) a big BRAVO! To those going through a rough patch, hang in there and take it a day at a time.

Stay well.

Rori in Colorado Foothills

Fjfjty: Welcome. Feel free to join in the discussion. That is how we’ll all get to know each other.:flowerforyou:

grandmallie: Nice that your boss actually said something about your great progress. Lots of people are afraid to mention anything connected to a person’s weight for fear of somehow offending sensitive feelings.:flowerforyou:
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Michele in NC: We’ve ridden some rails to trails places and loved them. It is such a good use for abandoned rail lines.:bigsmile:

Meg: I hope you get the rest you need.:flowerforyou:

Barbie: I think staying in the moment is great advice for all of us all the time.:bigsmile:

This is a rest day for me. I seem to be in a low energy mode. I rode the recumbent bike for a while, but haven’t been very active other than that. The weather is overcast and I’m enjoying staying in and reading books. The one I’m reading right now is by Kathleen Eagle. I’ve read some of her books before and I like this one very much. :bigsmile:

Katla in NW Oregon