WOMEN AGES 50+ FOR SEPTEMBER

Good Morning Ladies,
Thanks to everyone for your thoughts and prayers for my dad.
It was a hectic week-end for me so I am happy to see the scale is still inching down. :bigsmile:

Amanda - Congrats on taking swimming lessons!!! I know you will have fun. also thanks for the laugh.

Rebel - so sorry about your aunt but happy about your reconnection with an old friend.

Mary - Hurray for your 3rd Grandson. Three's a charm they say :laugh:

Barbiecat - you so inspire and amaze me.

Laura - 1 lb to go!!!! how exciting!!!:drinker:

Gayle and Jocy - Welcome!!!!:flowerforyou:

Sunday we found 2 kittens in the polebarn. Still had the umbilical cord on and their eyes were still closed. The mother was in the middle of moving the liter so we gave her the babies and followed her. I need to start holding them soon or they will be to feral to adopt out. The mother is way to skittish and she will train them to be the same. I also need to live trap her and get her spayed.

Saturday night we went to a block party to meet the neighbors. We had a great time and found out we were the talk of the neighbourhood. DF put a solar light up by the windmill for no real reason and everyone asked us about it. :laugh: :laugh:
Someone even (kiddingly I'm sure) asked if we had hidden a body there. :noway: Anyway I knew I had no control over the food there so I kept my calories low all day so I could have more flexibility. This leads me into this week lesson. I am putting it at the end so you can skip it if it doesn't interest you.

Eating out in restaurants

The first step is to plan ahead. The more you plan the better you are able to control your intake and stay within your goals.
First find out where you will be eating and if possible participate in the selection of the restaurant. Once you know where you will be eating you can call ahead ( or look on the Internet for a menu) and ask about menu items, portion sizes and prep methods. Also take the opportunity to as for recommendations. You may also find out calorie and fat values have already been calculated for some menu items. Knowing this can help you to eat lightly during the day to conserve calories, however never starve yourself that can backfire and you could lose control when faced with a tempting selection.

When you can't plan ahead check your current calorie "balance" so you have a chance to make the best choices possible. When an unexpected lunch invitation arises refer back to your original lunch plans is it realistic to choose alternate foods and still maintain the same calorie counts? if not could you cut back some of your planned calories at dinner? Unexpected dinner invitations are harder as you have very little wiggle room. You could make the best choices possible and cut back a little the next day.

When ordering perhaps you could select 3-4 items you would prefer and order a la cart. This helps limit you to the foods you want rather then having additional food that comes with the meal to tempt you.

You could also order something that takes a long time to eat, salad or seafood in a shell.

If you are hungry, order raw veggies, salad or a glass of low fat milk to be brought out right away.

Remember extra calories and fats are hidden in cooked veggies, broiled fish, warm or toasted baked goods, cheeses, crackers and sauces.also in marinates.
If you want a dessert consider fresh fruit, angel food cake, fruit sherbet or low fat yogurt.

When you are ready to order don't be shy. Ask questions and let your need be known. Don't feel you are being a nuisance it is your meal and all restaurants want you to be happy. Your health is important.

If the portion size is to large consider splitting a meal and ask for an extra salad.or ask for a container for the leftovers. If you worry about eating to much then get the container at the beginning of the meal and put half aside. Alternatively give yourself permission to leave food on your plate.

At buffets

Go through the line once and take a salad only and see what else is available. Sit down with your salad and plan out what foods you will select.

Use a salad plate you will automatically eat less.

After eating have the plated cleared away before having coffee so you are not tempted to nibble.

Fast food

Use caution when ordering salad as they are not always low calorie.

Skip the cheese or special sauce

Choice regular sized sandwiches instead of super size.

Try grilled meat instead of breaded or remove the breading.

Everyone have a good day and keep up the good work.

Peggy

Walk a nice dog???? Do we burn more calories is our dogs are nice but rambunctious???

:huh: Okay today was a total "fish out of water" day. I went on a meet and check each other out date on Sunday after talking to this guy for 3 weeks on the internet and then the phone. The meeting went well and we spent the rest of the day together just walking around looking in shops and having coffee at Starbucks before calling it a day. He said he had a really nice time (as did I) and wanted to see me the next day (today) so I mentioned the movie Under the Tuscan Sun and he said he would like to see that. So I suggested he meet me at my home in the early afternoon and we'd watch it. Well he said that sounded nice and he would bring some food and wine for us.

So he shows up at noon and he has 2 bags of food with him. (He does know I am losing weight) But when we start going through the bags it was the most bizzare food to bring over. It wasn't even really food, more like snacks but even that was questionable.:noway:

He brought:
a bottle of Merlot
4 fresh peaches
2 apples
a jar of baby dill pickles
one 12 oz bottle of water
4 pepsi's
a large bag of cheetos
and 4 bite size candy bars (not the mini bars you hand out at Halloween, but the 1 inch by 1 inch size!)
Oh and a package of blue pads that unfold to about 4 feet by 4 feet!!:noway:

I told him I couldn't eat the candy, cheetos or the pepsi's because I was watching my weight, and he said "oh that's right, what can you eat?" and proceeds to ask me if I can eat pizza:laugh: , and other fattening things! I don't think he understands how I am eating. I told him chicken, fish, vegetables, fruit, etc.

It really through us both off and was just plain weird. What do people do when they are dating and going out places. Like he wants to go out in a couple of days to eat pizza. Do you just go and do the best you can or should I get a little more detailed in how I eat with him? Is it fair to expect him to not to go to a pizza place because I can't? I can't very well go to a pizza place and bring veggies. How would that look when they bring the pizza to the table and that is all they have to eat there?

I have never been in this predicament before (I used to eat the pizza) and I haven't dated in about 3 years. Am I doing something wrong?? He is average in weight and really doesn't have to watch his weight, but why should I have to forego what I am eating??

What do I do?

Chiclet:ohwell:

Laura - I'm glad you didn't fall this weekend. Keep up the excellent bike riding.

Barb - I had blurry vision in one eye many years ago too. Hang in there and make them figure it out. I ended up with laser surgery to relieve the pressure and have been fine since.

Chicklet- I don't know why guys are the way they are. It sounds like he was trying, but just didn't know how to try. Hang in there. Cheese pizza isn't that bad for calories. Just have a light breakfast and lunch the day you go. Be strong on not having any meat on the pizza. Veggies are OK for the most part and don't add much.

Welcome all the newcomers.

I had an off day at work. I either felt good and wanted to kill my co-worker or I felt like I had a fever and needed to sit still. After I complained to my boss about the co-worker from Mars, he left the room and I said to my office mate " Did I ***** enough about it?". My boss shouted "NO" from the hallway and we all laughed. One co-worker is a nice guy, but very frustrating to work with and very annoying to sit next to. Which is why he is in a room by himself. They want to move me into that room with him. I think they decided today that is not an option. lol

Well, time for Monday Night Football.

Jeannie

PS: thoughts and prayers to all not mentioned individually

Part 2 took so long, I posted before I read your post, Barb. I am so glad that your eye turned out to be less serious than originally thought. That is a blessing! Hopefully, you will be out of your fog soon! Take care -Bec

Hi

Welcome all newbies this is a great place to be. :flowerforyou:

Barb Must have been a bit of a worry until you got the results, but glad that your eye problem is not a detached retina afterall.

Barbie The line dancing sounds such fun, I've been looking out for a class nearby so I can join.

Bec I seem to have a knack of finding lost animals, I have found a jack russell dog - well he found me, he followed me home or maybe it was our dog he was following :laugh: in the end I coaxed in into the house - having got our two dogs out of the way. I asked around, but no one knew who he belonged to, so DD to him to the RSPCA where I think he was claimed the next day. I found a baby/young bird again DD took it to the RSPCA and a kitten (we nearly kept the kitten but we found the owner after nearly a week) and now the bunny :bigsmile: I hate the thought of anything being lost.

Weather here is awful. :grumble: It's rained every day since Thursday last week! Having to dry the washing in the drier and even though it is cool on a night time it's too early to put the heating on. so I wrap myself up in a blanket where's a hot flush (flash) when you want one :laugh:

Not sure what to do today :huh: Feel as if I should do something productive as I am not at work, but can't organise myself, there is so much to do I don't know where to start. What happened to my 'things to do today' list that I was supposed to start. That could be one of my things to do today - start a list

Well it's just started raining (again) thought it seemed to be getting darker. I'd better make a start - can't get out into the garden but there's plenty of little jobs to do inside, might start with de cluttering the cubbyhole under the stairs. Let's hope I'm in a throwing out mood :bigsmile: I have been known to move "stuff" from one place to another instead of throwing it away - well you never know when something may come in handy and be useful :bigsmile: :bigsmile: :bigsmile:

Take care everyone and have a good Tuesday :flowerforyou:

Viv

Hello ladies.

I didn't get the chance to get back on yesterday. Not only was it my first swimming lesson, but it was also our 2nd wedding anniversary (and 22nd anniversary of being together). In addition to that, I was running my dad back and forth all afternoon. Very time consuming.

So, swimming. I didn't drown!!! For the first time in my life I actually floated (yes, Bec, I remembered to breath when my head was above water!) I had so many lessons when I was younger and was always told that I had 'negative buoyancy'. Well, I am inclined to think that what I really had was a fear of putting my head under the water. The swimming instructress is a darling. She's probably in her mid sixties and is extremely gentle and encouraging. At the age of 51 I think I may be able to learn to swim. Yee-haw!

One thing that I want to do is find some good conditioning shampoo to protect my hair against the chlorine in the pool. Any advice ladies?

DH and I exchanged anniversary cards last night and celebrated by just having a quite evening together. It was perfect. Once upon a time we would have arranged to go out to celebrate - but we've finally realised that we don't need to do that to enjoy each other's company. I did cook him his favourite meal though (chicken with tarragon, mushrooms, noodles, lemon and cashew nuts). We rarely eat the same thing at meals - something people often find strange, but we have such different tastes foodwise. I'm a vegetarian and he loves his meat (and I'm such a lovely wife that I cook meat for him). I bought some sweet potato and harissa dip from Sainsbury's. It is part of their 'be good to yourself' range - their healthier range. It was delicious and a real treat for me. I had it with tzatziki and some Ryvita multiseed thins. Yum! We shared a 'medley of melon' afterwards. Even though it was all 'healthy food', it did feel as if I'd had a special treat.

Barbiecat - it sounds like you are enjoying your line dancing! Good for you, I wish I had the gumption to give it a go. Also, how lovely that you were able to meet up with Robin.

Viv - my mum had a house rabbit that my sister found wandering the streets. They tried to find his owners, but ended up keeping it for about 6 years. It was one kwazy wabbit! Ate the bottom of mum's curtains and did all kinds of other damage. Mum loved the thing though.

Years ago we had a 'pet' badger that had strayed into our garden. It was much too young to be on it's own and we fed it and took care of it. After about six months it just disappeared.

Chiclet - just enjoy your date! Pizza doesn't have to be the death of a diet - make allowance for it in your calories and choose the best option. Your mum sounds like she's wanting to be a bit of a party girl at present, bless her heart.

Barb - I'm relieved for you that it's not a detached retina, but take care of yourself anyway. What will happen about your new job? Will you delay it?

Michele - what does the Bosu workout involve?

SuzyQ - I have the same problem if I exercise late in the evening. It takes me ages to unwind afterwards.

Laura - no new bruises is definitely a positive thing! You seem to have your balance back!

Conidala - welcome and you have definitely come to the right place for motivation. This site is brilliant for accountability too. Good luck.

Mary - congratulations on another grandson!

Renny - Isn't it lovely to catch up with someone you haven't seen for a while and for it to be like no time has passed?

Mimi - hope you're ok Sister Veggie Queen! We all miss you.

To everyone else and all newcomers - sorry if I didn't mention you individually, but I read all the posts and think of you all.

Must get moving now. Catch up with you all later.

Amanda x

HerbieSue: I figured my WW weight also, but still wonder if it is right for me. It did not include size of my frame. I am short, but would never consider myself "petite" except in the clothing world. When thin, I am still pretty muscular and am not fine-boned. Does that mean I should be the same weight as a pixie-framed person (tiny wristed - small feet, fine facial features - just not me) I am hoping like you that I will be able to discover my ideal weight as I look in the mirror.:ohwell:
Bec

You WILL KNOW w hen you are at the best weight for you. And it doesn't have nearly so much to do with what the scale says as how you feel and where the rolls and buldges are. I am currently at my goal size. But now that I am there, it is obvious that I didn't set a proper goal as there are still rolls and buldges in places there shouldn't be. :blushing: I can now dress in such a way as to make others think I have lost all that is needed, but when I see myself in the mirror after a shower I KNOW there is work yet to do. I knowI'll never look like I'm in my 20s or 30s again, but I am determined to be the best me at this age I can be! :drinker:

CHICKLET, Your mom's sex talk made me laugh out loud. My mom shocked me several times that last few years of her life. My theory is that we all eventually lose the capacity to keep those thoughts that roam around in our heads from spilling out everywhere unhampered.

:flowerforyou: It didn't take me as long to unwind last night after zumba as I thought it would, but hubby had a restless night, so I did too. This morning I am sore in my lower back, but am hoping a nice hot shower will help that. Today after walking the dogs, I'm getting the hand weights out and my Biggest Loser Bootcamp DVD. Its amazing how focused I am once I got the wake up call.

Instead of meeting my girlfriend for our Tuesday lunch today, she is coming here and I'm making tilapia and veggies. Thursdays has become my newest challenge as that is the day I get together with a group of ladies to sew and we potluck it. I suggested brown bagging it so everyone could bring what they wanted to eat, but no one but me liked that idea. Last week I made a strawberry spinach salad and it was tho only low calorie, low carb food there. There were loads of simple carbs though, not to mention 3 kinds of dessert So guess I'll become the official salad lady so there is always something I can eat. Its either that or just brown bag it myself and let them talk.

Its almost light enough to walk the girls, so better get off here and get busy.

:bigsmile: Good Morning Ladies!!!:bigsmile:

I had an absolutely awesome day yesterday.:happy: I was back on the exercise wagon as I got in 4 hours. two hours on the treadmill and 2 hours of DVD's I started a new Turbo Fire program and I mixed in some old Turbo Jam favorites.

I felt great by the time I drove over to meet Barbie. She is such a lovely, beautiful, lively and tiny, tiny person. I knew I would recognize her but of course she only really new me by the adorable black nose and floppy ears aka Bodi, :laugh: We had a great visit talking and it could have gone on longer but I had to get home to DH. I do have to say I love my car. Its a Nissan 350z bright blue convertable. It fits my personality. Barbie is dancing so much and has learned so many new dances and they were only on day one!

Barb - I am glad your eye thing isn't worse but I can relate to how frustrating it can be when you can't see right. hang in there.

chiclet - the sex talk with mom was hilarious. although I have to admit, I had that talk with my dad when my mom passed. since he had been married for 65 years I wanted to be sure he was aware of safe sex practices. DH thought I was losing my mind when I brought the subject up to my dad :laugh: :laugh:

Amanda congrats on the successful first lesson. I don't remember a time in my life when I didn't swim. I was on a swim team in florida when I was 7 years old. And younger than that we lived in St Louis and the pool opened on Memorial day weekend every season. Since my birthday always falls around that weekend I was always having my birthday party at the community pool as young as 4. Before that we lived in Blythe, CA on the colorado river. My family all spent every weekend at the river. I have pix of me at 4 months old sitting in the river. Swimming is such a great thing to do. Oh, and I have noticed that it has become much less comfy to cuddle with DH since I have no padding anymore.

Suzzyque - bring your own food. you can always take something for everyone else too but look out for you. And I am right there with you on the really bringing it since I kicked myself in the butt!

Welcome to all the newbies.

viv - I am the queen of list making so that is where i would start but I think as long as you do anything it will all start to fall into place. just do one thing at a time.

Reb - sorry about your Aunt. How great to connect with old friends. I have a couple of women that I have known my whole life and even though it can be 5 or 10 years between visits, its like we have always been there. Its a great feeling. I'll bet when we finally meet it will almost feel like that too!:flowerforyou:

Jeannie = as I drove away yesterday I realized we didn't take a picture. I had a camera in my bag and everything but we got to talking and .......

I hope you all have a fabulous day!!!

not in this catagory yet.

12 days I will be, and with a 5yr old to boot. *head swimming*

Scanned over the posts VERY quickly! I'm so far behind that I'll just pop in and say hi.:ohwell: I did read about the hilarious conversation between Chiclet and her mom....and laughed out loud!!!!:laugh: :laugh:
Just sending hugs to all! Welcome newcomers!!! One Day At A time!!!!:flowerforyou: :flowerforyou: :flowerforyou:

I had my yearly checkup at the OBGYN's today and he said it's the healthiest he's seen me since he met me 7 years ago!!! :blushing: :bigsmile: Eating healthy, one day at a time, drinking water, tracking my food and being open to new ideas and new foods, have literally changed my life! :happy: Chiclet, as far as the dating thing, one of the things that works for me is to keep living as normal as I can and be careful about the amounts I eat. As Jeannie said, you can eat cheese pizza and go light on the other meals. FOR ME....and I repeat, because we are all different and different things work for each of us.......FOR ME .....I need to feel like I can participate in all activities with a healthier attitude. If I feel like I have to stay away from going out to eat....even to a pizza place....I’d feel deprived.:grumble: Deprivation leads (me) to almost surely discouragement and then eating.:sad: :sad: I’ve been doing this since August 2009 and I try to bring better choices INTO situations...... rather then taking situations OUT of my life! So far so good!:blushing:

I went through my cedar closet, and have made a decision to get rid of just about everything that doesn’t fit me! :flowerforyou: I have bags of clothes going to Big Sisters tomorrow. :happy: My regular closet has only got the clothes that I intend to wear and believe me....it’s looking pretty skimpy.:noway: At least it will make choosing an outfit easier! :laugh: What a wonderful dilemma to have! :laugh:

Feeling grateful for the beautiful fall day!

Hope you all have a great day too!!:flowerforyou:

Back to work!:ohwell:

BirdieM

I continue on my madcap week, and I am surviving nicely. I should not be online, as my club arrives in just over an hour for a hot dog roast, but had to tell you my funny story from work today. As most of you know, I work at a high school. Our school is doing a fundraiser with the Ford Motor Company where for every car test driven on a certain day, the company donates $20 for our school. A TV station out of Wichita came to our school today to film a commercial for us. They had blocked out the letters "LHS" on the football field for students and staff (all wearing school colors, of course) to stand in for a background for the commercial. The student council had miscalculated on the size, and they could not read the LHS from the top of the stadium, so they had to make us resize the letters. I told fellow staff members that I had never been so flattered as I was when they told me that my S was not big enough to be on TV. Made it a great day for me!

I use this line of products.

http://www.triathletesports.com/SearchResults.asp?Search=triswim&Click=15883&gclid=COWS_r38h6QCFRL4iAodkhsbHQ

i just LURVE their conditioner for getting the pool residue out of your hair.

Hello Everyone, very active on the posts today, good day for all!

I had my time at the gym again today, very pleased with myself and also sore, but that is the best thing. Rain here now clouds are very dark.

chat again tomorrow, luv to all

Marilyn