WOMEN AGES 50+ FOR FEBRUARY 2014

Good morning lovely ladies!
:drinker: :drinker:
Amanda - enjoy that bag!

Linda - I love your enthusiasm and determination. I'm sure those 5 min walks are doing a LOT of good. Keep it up! :drinker:

Molly - nice to see you posting! Congrats on getting back down to it. I used to have a lot of car problems. We only have a two door, so getting out of the back seat was like trying to extract an elephant! Also my bad knee leg was so weak that I had to lift it with two hands just to get in to the paasenger seat. And if we parked too close to the car next to us - oh joy! But if I can do it anyone can!

Sylvia - hope the preliminary hearing goes well todsy.

Jane - hugs for you at Thelma's funeral.

Well, my planning isn't going too well. I am having to work on letting go and knowing what I can't change. There most likely is a tube strike in London on Wednesday. That makes gettiing to DS extremely difficult. Plus there is a landslip on our lical train line and if that isn't mended then EVERYONE will be driving to the main line station and there will be no parking. :sad: :sad: I hope all this will be resolved by Wed, but if it isn't then we won't be seeing my grandchildren.:sad:
To make it worse, DDIL is tsking the grandchildren to her mum's that night, just 40 mins from us, becsuse the builders are bresking through the ceiling from the loft extension in the morning. Oh dear, feel jealous!:blushing: :embarassed: Iff we haven't seen them, then I hope we can pop over on the Thurs for an hour. Don't want to muscle in on their time, but I have clothes presents to give them and it is over a month since I saw them. The baby will be so changed!
Feeling sorry for myself.:embarassed: ! But it may still all work out. Like Amanda, I don't like things up in the air, but "that's life" sometimes, I guess.

Going to ring the nail bar in a minute to have my gels removed. Fed up with them now!

Bye for now, Heather in damp Hampshire UK

Good morning beautiful ladies:flowerforyou:

Molly So nice to see you back here:flowerforyou: !!! I think we all have pity parties at one time or another:sad: , sounds like you`re ready to get serious again:bigsmile: !!!

Amanda I couldn`t get the link to open , I`m sure it`s a gorgeous bag, maybe you can post a photo of it:bigsmile: ! Enjoy your time shopping!

Heather Hopefully all will be resolved by Wednesday and you`ll get to see those darling grandchildren !

Margaret:drinker: :drinker: having coffee and water with you!!!

Sophia`s funeral is today and it`s raining here, it seems every funeral I`ve been to it rains, it`s like the heavens are crying ! Her prayer service was absolutely beautiful, more of a celebration of her life!

Have a wonderful Monday ladies!!! Drink your water:drinker: :drinker: :drinker: and log your food!!!

Hugs,
DeeDee in rainy NC

Rain, colder temps and wind moving in. I'm getting ready shortly to take Gwen for a dr. appt.; well, not snow this time.........YAY!!!

Didn't think the commercials were as good as usual; my fav. was the clydesdale, of course. Bruno Mars was wonderful, as I knew he would be; thought the other group was not. And my pick won...........so, a great night. I would have given MVP to the QB.

Heather ...........I would also be so sad to miss out on seeing grandkids if they were close; hope you get to see them, if even for an hour.

Molly............Good to see you!!! The main thing is you didn't eat the candy----I've been known to throw candy gifts away; lately, not so much, and I'm paying for it.

janehadji...........Your DD sounds very talented and intelligent; I wish her the very best, she is a gem!!!

Susan.........When you were writing about the "short shorts" of the 80's for men; all I could see in my mind was Magnum PI..........thanks for the yummy thought!!!!

janemartin..........Hope your friend Thelma's services provided you with comfort and support. (hugs)

Dee Dee...........Comforting thoughts to you and all who knew Sophia.......(hugs)

Need to get moving
yanniejannie
mid-Atlantic

Just to show you what I could be missing. (Sorry it's sideways!)

To inspire. 75yrs old http://ernestineshepherd.net/

X marks my spot

Laura in Colorado

Molly, Molly, Molly! I have been where you are. My advice to you is to make a list of all the weight issues you have now. Not only will it be a good incentive to lose, but it feels REALLY great to look back at the list later and see how much progress you have made. Some of my favorites from my list are getting stuck in the bathtub, being unable to release the parking brake in the van because I have to pull it up with my hand and couldn't reach it because my stomach was in the way, not being able to tie my shoes or trim my toenails, not being able to zip my 4x men's winter coat, ripping out the butt of my size 30 pants when I bent over in class, not being able to climb the two steps into the garage without being out of breath, aching knees and hips, falling down at a national park and it took three very big policemen to help me back up. There are lots more. And those are tangible, real world things, not just numbers. Now I look at that list and see how far I have come. I love checking them off! I still have 60 pounds to go, and the list is marked off. None of those things will ever happen to me again!

Also, I changed my ticker to show progress - pounds lost - rather than showing how many pounds I have left to go. That big number made me so sad. It was totally overwhelming. I like seeing the number get bigger instead of hoping it will get smaller. I changed my mindset somehow, making it less of a chore and more of a game. And I finally realized I was working on changing my life. When presented with options for food, I started thinking about it like a budget. I can afford that food, but I cannot afford that other one. What will that food cost me? If I wanted something special, I had to save for it. And once the budget was gone for the day, I had to stop spending. And thinking of it in terms of "one day at a time" helped a lot. I can do 1200 calories just for today. I can work out for an hour, just for today. I don't have to lose 150 pounds, I just need to try to lose ONE pound this week. Every time I lose a few ounces it makes me hugely happy. I don't have to think about the "big picture" - that will take care of itself later. It's all about baby steps.

Do you have a support system? I finally told my husband how much I actually weighed (I had never told him before) and then every time I lost weight he was cheering for me, no matter how small the loss. Once I spoke those secret words "three hundred and two pounds" out loud they lost their power over me. The shame and guilt just evaporated. I am really lucky though, that he has always been supportive and never critical. If you aren't getting that kind of support at home, you need to find it somewhere else. That's why this group of MFP ladies are so fantastic! There's not a critical one in the bunch. But you already know that.

I wish when I started I had taken some before pictures and recorded my measurements. I didn't do that. I thought I didn't want to see the truth. Hubby has a few pictures of me that he keeps hidden because they made me cry, but even those are not at my all-time highest weight. I did save one pair of size 30 pants, as a souvenir. The rest I gave away because I'm never going to wear them again.

I hope you will stick with us and let us know how you are doing every day. Some of us aren't very good at replying to everyone every day, but we ARE reading, following, and caring.

Sylvia
In Kansas, where we are expecting 6-8 inches of snow. Darned Phil!

Nancy: Warn your DD about the “Freshman Fifteen.” It is only fair. My mom didn’t warn me. Congratulations on her decision to stay closer to home.:flowerforyou:

BJ: Beautiful picture. I’m sorry but I don’t remember where you’re from.:flowerforyou:

Jettypeople: Exercise more to boost your metabolism and energy. We all hit ”walls.” The term I use is plateau. I surely hit many along the way and it is a common occurrence. Have patience with yourself & eat the most nutritious food you can so that if you run out of hunger you’ve taken care of your body. Good Luck.:flowerforyou:

Margaret: Thanks for the description of the Rumford container. I looked in one store yesterday and they only had the baking powder with aluminum. I’ll look more today.:flowerforyou:

Carol in NC: Congratulations on your newly developed frontal thigh muscle! That is an EXCELLENT NSV.:bigsmile:

Alison: Keeping your brother in my prayers. I didn’t see any post from Pat (Phoo) either. Someone mentioned she’s had contact and Pat wasn’t quite ready to come back yet, but planned to come back soon. I’ll put AA for your brother’s future into my prayers. It will be really hard to stay clean without a good support system.:flowerforyou:

Barbie: It sounds like you and Jake had a very productive day yesterday. You got your chores done and the Seahawks rewarded you with a decisive victory. :bigsmile: :bigsmile: Your pizza sounds yummy and full of good nutrition.:flowerforyou:

FabulousFifty: Welcome. Stick around for a lot of good support.:flowerforyou:

Joyce: I went over yesterday, too. At the end of the day I rode my trike on its trainer in the garage for half an hour and earned part of the extra calories, but not all of them. It won’t happen often.:flowerforyou:

Michele: We didn’t get the memo to come in “costume” but most people did. The experience was fun. There were only two other people at our table, and a team of four isn’t as much fun as a team of twelve. The ladies we sat with were nice.:flowerforyou:

Laurel Fisher: I hope you feel better soon. Back pain is a tough one.:flowerforyou:

Susan: Believe it or not, the Super Bowl was on at the mystery dinner before the actual mystery “performance” began so we knew the Seahawks were miles ahead.:flowerforyou:

Molly in WVA: Shame is a destructive force in life. My mom lived with it from childhood and it caused her a great deal of depression and grief. I hope you’ll show up here for a good dose of moral support on a regular basis.:flowerforyou:

Joyce: Olympics? I must be living in an alternate reality. I didn’t know this is an Olympic year. Where are the winter games being held?:huh:

Amanda: The bag looks wonderful and you deserve a reward. Good luck shopping with your dad. I guess I don’t understand the British health care system. Why can’t they simply put you on the schedule?:huh:

Heather: I hope you are able to see your grandchildren. The baby is adorable. I haven’t seen DGD since June and I am missing so much of her growing up. DD is good about setting up facetime calls. They help a little.:ohwell: :flowerforyou:

DeeDee: I’m sorry about your loss. I think funerals help family and friends reconnect with one another as well as saying goodbye to a loved one.:flowerforyou:

LinC: Running out of patience is usually a bad sign. I hope you’re able to find a way to sustain your positive spirits. Never give up.:flowerforyou:

Gloria: Good luck to your mom. Some doctors have their heads located in a position that gives them “optical rectitus,” AKA a sh*tty outlook on life. I hope hers isn’t one of them. When my auntie needed hospice care they did give her a lot of morphine at the end. Your mom is right that hospice assists with the death process. They also help relieve pain. Marijuana is a much better choice than morphine when death is not near and I don’t think hospice has that option. Eventually morphine may be all that helps. Your mom probably wouldn’t want you to feel guilty about being able to do things she can no longer do. I hope you have a good friend or personal advisor to help you through this process.:flowerforyou:

JB: Re garden manure: One time we went to Alpenrose for a load of their “compost.” We had raised beds at the time, covered in black plastic and watered with a drip irrigation system. We didn’t develop a weed problem. We put down landscape cloth in the bed beside our sidewalk at our current home. It has helped tremendously with weed control. Hand weeding is easy enough for the rest of our tiny space. I use Alaska Fish Fertilizer.:flowerforyou:



Sorry if I’ve missed anyone. Yesterdays’ adventure is done. It was a good time, but I ate too much. :grumble: I don’t know what we’ll do today. Our dog deserves a chance for exercise and play. He had to stay home for our big day, yesterday.:flowerforyou:

Katla in beautiful NW Oregon

“Our greatest weakness lies in giving up. The most certain way to succeed is always to try just one more time.” Thomas A. Edison


February goals:

1. Log every bite and swallow.
2. Move more: cardio at least 3 days a week and strength training as soon as I am able.
3. Water: According to an article I saw on facebook, drinking water at certain times maximizes its effectiveness for the body. I’ll work toward following these guidelines:
* 2 glasses of water after waking up - helps activate internal organs
* 1 glass of water 30 minutes before a meal - helps digestion
* 1 glass of water before taking a bath - helps lower blood pressure
* 1 glass of water before going to bed - avoids stroke or heart attack

Hello Monday! just came from reading a post of a young mother of two who is celebrating her 1 yr anniversary on MFP and the loss of 124 lbs. It's an inspiring post and what an amazing loss. Makes me want to do better but I know the feeling will pass...:laugh:

I've already been online for awhile catching up with my home page so I am keeping it short here. I hope to do some catching up later. For now I have work on my desk to attend to and it's already lunch time in Dallas. Where does the time go?!

May it be a MARVELOUS MONDAY for all...well, maybe not the Broncos.

Plano, Teral :flowerforyou:

Good Morning All :happy:

Yannie*** The weather is our poison apple..when it rains my feet / hands/ and hips grumble and groan...when it snows they still pain but my legs and back join in on the *fun* :noway: So sorry you are hurting too!!!

DeeDee*** Thoughts and prayers... I send to you... while you go to say good bye to your friend ;

Grandmallie*** Our doggy fur buddy used to love to play in the snow..he would put his little nose in the snow then run..he looked like a mini plow..then comes up sneezing..then lie on his back and make like a snow angel....I sure do miss him

Heather*** I pray you get to see your sweet grandbabies...ours are getting older and starting to out grow our games together...but they will still take and give a hug..I love being with them..as I am sure you do with yours.

Amanda*** Have fun shopping with your dad

Joyce*** Your DH is a great guy to take the time to answer your questions during the game...I stay away while mine watch his sports..safer!! :noway:

Molly*** We all have our ups and downs in this journey of becoming thinner...I sabotage mine with sweets...love them!!!!!
All will work out!

Susan*** With my DH it is picking his clothes up off the floor or rehanging a shirt or t shirt because it is hanging by its itty bitty buttons..one arm out... one in...they look so sad and I tell him to hang them up right..For Heavens sake....can men go thru their teenage years again :noway: :grumble: :noway: ...Your Banana bread sounds real yummy!!!

Pkernandez4*** Welcome to the saga of becoming thinner...it can be a hair raising experience

Jane*** She will see you all there and see the love you feel...gentle hug

Gloria*** Sorry about your mom...she would never want you to feel guilty about doing the things she no longer can...it is the cycle of life...all she wants right now is your love and understanding...cherish every minute..hour..you get with her..they are more precious then gold.

Sylvia*** I just recently changed my tikker to show the weight I need to lose..like you had done...I am going back to the lbs I lost..no so discouraging!!

Well it is time for that February **wants**...January wasn't all I wanted it to be...didn't get my 5 lbs lost but I still lost 3lbs..am not complaining...planned to come on more...I get on when I can so I am letting that one go...to log every bit of food ate (( scary :sick: )

February **wants** ; To try to lose the 5lbs!!!
To cut down on sweets :noway: :noway: :noway:

Good luck with all your February wants!!!
Liz from Halifax NS ( Canada)

Sylvia, you could be a motivational speaker. What you said about shame is so, so true. It is a powerful emotion. I am a true believer that every emotion is a gift from God and if used positively can be used to benefit us. You found that way, good for you.

About Hospice. I think they have multiple aspects. Both my Mom and Mother in law were in Hospice care at the time of their death. My MIL was truly a last effort because she was unable to rest in her last days. She was in constant movement. After they started sedatives she was able to die peacefully. My Mom was completely different. Our intention was for pain control and her to return to her own apartment, enjoy her life there, be as pain free as possible and still maintain her life albeit as low key as it would be. With the help of the retirement home (not nursing home) staff and her family we had hoped that she would be able to be a little bit involved in the homes activities again. It didn't work out that way and she stayed inpatient hospice and their emphasis was pain control for her and in helping us, her family, deal with the death and dying process. All was done in dignity and compassion. Mom was able to die, pain free and we were with her as much or as little as we could be. Some of the fmaily couldn't because emotionaly they wouldn't let themselves be close. They helped with that also. They stayed in touch through phone calls literature through out the year following her death. They have frequent memorial services. Many former hospice families volunteer when they can. As you can tell, I highly recommend hospice, if not for your Mom's health but for the families also.

Joyce, Indiana

Hi everybody, too tired to post more but wanted to say hi.

Cynthia

Not sure what happen as I had this all typed out and then lost part of it. So will just go from here and tomorrow is a new day!!
Update on Dad and his surgery. It went very well and we saw good improvement. Now he goes back on Feb 12th to have acouple stents put in. Only problem is he did not quifiy for swing bed for the next couple weeks so he went home. My sister is staying with them until this next weekend and then we are going out. Mom just can not do this alone. So if he keeps doing well he will get stronger and be able to take care of himself.

Joyce--Great that DH noticed and realized on his own that he does not do that very often.

Tina--Sure hope you are feeling better.

Sylvia--Sounds like the deal with the DGC will help with the mom trying to get them. I would hope a judge would look at that and realize she is the problem.

DrKaite--loved the bra story. I know my DH is good at hooking mine up as I have trouble reaching so he has had years of practice. I thought about one of those Jenie bras but with the problems I had with the sport bras I was afraid to try it. Having the bra filling by Dillards last October was the best thing I could of done as now getting the right size. Found one acouple weeks ago at Target and love it.

Meg--your ordeal at work sounds like at our hospital last week, A pipe broke upbove the CR and employee exercise room. Lucky it was inside the looker rooms and moved down the hall the other way. Flooded PR offices. They are glad it happened during the day when people were around or it could of been alot worse. They said over 350 gallons of water when thur the broken pipe. What a mess!! Prayers for your DH cousin.

Jane--Hugs!!

Susan--WOW!!

Pat--Hugs to you, have missed you. I do think this year has had alot of challenges and important not to give up.

DeeDee--Prayers to your friend and the loss of grand child. Our oldest son passed at 24 and it is not easy.

Jill--Congrates on getting off some meds.

Sue--Happy Birthday!!

I was hoping to get all caught up today and only up to Feb 1. I have not got my goals for Feb as I did not do well in January so have to think about this. DH has Cosmos meeting tonight and wants me to go along, so that will be all I get done tonight. I just have to get back on track with tracking and doing what is best for me. Snow has started so see how much we get.

Blessed, Vicki GI NE

Yes Jane, it's true that hospice goes far beyond those "actively dying, last days" of the past. It seems the "technicality" is that if she does start hospice care then she can't have any more chemo. She hasn't been able to have chemo for the past month and it wasn't working before that but her doctor THINKS she might have another route to try to see if she can shrink some of it. Sounds just plain stupid to me. Endure more pain and suffering in hope of MAYBE decreasing or actually prolonging the existing pain and suffering...but it's not my choice. They are going to see if they can enlist in palliative care services and still be able to opt for more chemo.

She didn't want anything to do with helping on the LEGAL marijuana and I am going to make some illegal calls:glasses: . At least I can get her a little and see if she thinks it helps and she may want more before paying the $100 application fee to the state to get the card.

I think I might be eating too much today. Better go log and see where I'm at

All caught up on the reading. Congrats to all of you that put in a great day . And to those of you like me. Went out to lunch not a good choice of food lots of calories. So what do I say to today. Hey it's done. Tomorrow is another day. So soon bed time and tomorrow will come.

See you all lighter.
Linda in Northern Ontario.