WOMEN AGES 50+ FOR MARCH 2014

Margaretturk: Thanks for your good wishes. We’ll be on our way home from our visit with DD and family on the actual day of our anniversary. I’m sure we’ll be looking forward to being home again.:flowerforyou:

Alison: I hope your husband’s new interest in improving his health will lead to good things for him and you. Good luck to you both.:flowerforyou:

Lee: We got to be 50+ one day at a time. Welcome! I hope you’ll enjoy the group. Where are you from?:flowerforyou:

Sylvia: Did I say congratulations on reaching 100 pounds lost? If so, I’m saying it again. Congratulations! :drinker: I loved your story about the tiny elderly woman driving a huge motor home. :laugh: I like a good hotel, too. They’re so much easier than parking a big rig, getting things set up, getting your food…and the list goes on. I LOVED the jokes of the day. Thanks for sharing.:flowerforyou:

Meg: It is so good to see you here. You’ve been missed.:flowerforyou:

Renny: I suspect this will be one of our last cars. It is possible that we’ll get another after this, but we usually drive our cars for about 10 years. It will really depend on our health. The one we just traded had about 122,000 miles on it and was starting to really show its wear.:ohwell:

JB: I love your new goals, especially the first three. Change your thinking, treat yourself kindly with compassion & make time for self care. These are awesome goals. I hope we’ll see more of your posts.:flowerforyou:

Heather: I like the term underbuyer and it has fit me pretty well for most of my life, but not DH. If he didn’t push for change, there would be a LOT less of it in our lives, I think. I would buy a lot less. I have been more likely to buy things since I’ve lost weight because I needed things that fit, and more recently because I’m starting to enjoy having nicer clothes.:bigsmile:

JaneMartin: Enjoy your granddaughters.:flowerforyou:

Carol in NC: congratulations on the new size medium T-shirts! WTG!:bigsmile:

Kalley: Congratulations on the loss. Enjoy contemplating your next treat.:flowerforyou:

Michele: This is the first car we’ve bought in at least 10 years and the first new one in 2 decades. It replaces one that we bought from a fleet buyer about 7 years ago. That one had been used as a rental car for the year before we got it. We put a lot of miles on it and the wear was definitely showing. The last time we bought a new car was 1993, over 20 years ago. We tend to hang on to things a long time.:glasses:



I’m settling down, at last. I get really worked up about things, even when they’re essentially good things. This was no exception. I worry about money among other things. I guess I’m like a lot of people in that regard. I hope to sleep better tonight.

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


March 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. Find a way to have fun at least once every day.
4. 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

morning ladies,
well must be the sodium, I have been race walking for 3 days now and havent lost an ounce for goodness sake..
all of you are doing an awesome job.but this plateau is getting a little ridiculous...
going to try and get some stuff done today around the house, and get out for another racewalk, or go to the gym, I dont know which yet..
DH is out for his walk, with the pedometer ,I will start cutting down on how much food I give him and maybe he will drop a few lbs

Rainy Sunday, I'll be cleaning, cooking, walking dogs, and doing some work in the recording studio. If it's not pouring, maybe I'll buzz around the track a few times and work up a good sweat. :bigsmile:

I'm taking a few minutes to realize Friday and Saturday are overwith, time to get back on the less-eating plan. I had fun eating pizza last night, it's been ages. Giving myself a little room for weekend frivolity is great and all, but the problem is that it always seems to reverse the progress I've made during the week. Still learning. Balance balance balance.

Red and I spent a few hours at the garden yesterday, working in the rain. :huh: It wasn't pouring, so it wasn't too bad. We got a lot done, the garden's looking spiffy!

Thanks Katla, I'll try to pop in more often! :happy: Busy days lately.

DeeDee, :laugh: Haha! Love it!! I always knew you were an angel :bigsmile: what fun!

Joyce, I just read about your daughter's dogs, she's sure got her hands full. I'm a dog person, I've got 2, and I love them to pieces. I have a big yard which makes it nice.

Here's to a wonderful Sunday! :drinker: (drinking POM tonight, no wine)

jb in Starting to Be Spring-y PNW :flowerforyou:

Did about 45 minutes of challenges (Sat). I did the shorter no nonsense challenge and then the longer one. Doing them both one time seems to take me about 1/2 hour. Then I did the tank top arms challenge (once) which took me about 15 minuts to do. For the remainer of the time I did a stretching video.

Volunteered at the Green Room yesterday. They called me and asked if I'd work. I usually don't work on Friday afternoons, but figured I'd help them out. Got to sign up for when I want. Tues and Thurs mornings seem to work out the best for me, so I try to take those shifts

Jessica came here last night. She wants to make a costume. I haven't sewed in a looooonnnggg time, except for hemming tablecloths.

katla - may you have many many great years with that car. I'm so happy for you. I'd never heard of a "smores" pizza, will have to look it up. Maybe that'd be something for Vince for father's day.

joyce - glad you made another snack. It sounded so yummy. I keep on telling myself "what you eat in private you wear in public". What a wonderful thing for Charlie to tell you! Keep remembering that. You want to continue to look as good as you do now, and cheating won't help.

healthymeemaw - welcome! Glad to "meet" you. Come in often

Kim - you have no idea how much I wish our homeowners assoc would let us have a clothes line. When we had our second house, we had one and I LOVED it. I do hate having to hang things over the railing on the deck. The wind has many times blown the article down on the ground. I do try to dry out my bathingsuit on the chair on the deck when I can.

DeeDee - we didn't get much snow. It was really gone by the afternoon. We never lost power once. Think I'm going to change into a shortsleeved shirt (I have a 3/4 one on now) since it's supposed to get much warmer. Carol needs company, doesn't she?????? We certainly wouldn't want her to be lonely!!!! Hope your cherry tree makes it. The smoothie sounds great. I can understand the fruit being better, but if that'll help you have something in the a.m., that's great

I would never tell the gal this, but remember I was talking about the swimsuit that the suitspinner ate? Anyway, I went to ask her if she remembered where it came from. She didn't (not surprisingly). She said she'd email me if she thought of it, but I highly doubt she will. Anyway, I was really surprised, to me she looks like she gained some weight. I don't remember her face being that round

yanniejannie - whenever my throat is scratchy, I find that having some yogurt makes it feel better. I guess it's because the yogurt coats the throat.

mariabmb - welcome. You've come to a great place for support.

Joyce - it wouldn't surprise me one tiny bit if you could have a computer in prison! You poor dear, hubby really IS driving you crazy. Your daughter was babysitting a jack russel with a postage stamp size lot? Oh brother!

Heather (and katla) - I'm a worry wart, too. I never thought about that being the reason that my strong points tend to be being a planner and being organized. I always thought that was because my mother died when I was so young and I really didn't have anyone else to depend upon to get things done. Jessica wanted to go to a fabric store yesterday, so we went. Honestly, I think she was thinking that I'd make this costume for her. I haven't sewed a lot in about 20 years. The last few years I've just hemmed tablecloths and made a few shower curtain liners -- all straight stitching. And I know how Jessica would be -- she'd want every detail exactly according to this picture. I'm, no where near a decent sewer, so I wasn't about to take on that job. Not sure what she's going to do.

Heather - does all of Europe set their clock ahead at the end of March?

Jessica made dinner last night, chicken breasts, she wanted these butter noodles and I wanted coscous instead (no where near the sodium or calories) along with corn. I'm not a fan of corn unless its fresh corn on the cob -- then I can't stop. So I had this mixed vege (broccoli, cauliflower and carrots). The chicken was pretty moist. I made these chicken thighs that I had marinating so we can have that for dinner during the week.

DeeDee - I'm with you, I want to see a pic of Heather with her fringe, too. I, too, love this time change. Vince doesn't and neither does Jessica, but that's too bad. I absolutely love it. Aren't jb's blog posts wonderful? This summer Vince and I are going to work on the landscaping in the front yard. Shouldn't be as much as last summer. I did talk him into putting down riverrock underneath the deck. Right now we have mulch and when it rains the rain falls in the cracks between the boards (natch) and then there's this "line" in the mulch. With riverrock I doubt that'll happen. He also wants to extend the drains from the house from the front yard where they are now to almost in the street. Then there'll be the landscape lights and some (not much) riverrock. I do really want to get rid of this rose bush that they put next to the garage. I hate it. I don't like rose bushes as they are, and where this one is located I especially don't like it. I also don't like the crepe myrtle by the house so I want to get rid of that. I want a tree/bush that blooms early in the spring, not a crepe myrtle that doesn't bloom until late in the summer. By the time winter is over, I am so looking forward to nice weather, a neighbor has a bradford pear and I love looking at it. However, where this would be located isn't a good spot for a bradford pear. I just know that I want to get rid of that tree. I know what happened, the people who owned this house were getting a divorce and they did the landscaping as cheaply as possible just to get the house sold. I can just see you laying in the snow, Noel on you, making those snow angels. Warms my heart.

jb - I used to be the way you are, counting calories during the week then splurging on the weekend. Yup, it did undo everything that I'd accomplished during the week. However....I did find that eventually I was at the point where I couldn't wait for Sunday to be over so I could get back to heathy eating. Then I got to the point where I only splurged on Sundays and eventually not even on Sundays.

Sunday here - did an hour of this "10 Minute Butt Lift" DVD that I got. Actually, it's six 10 minute workouts. Really, I wanted to be sure that the DVD was OK. And I declare this one to be OK. Tomorrow I'm planning to do the abs section of KCM "30 minute Cardio Blast" DVD, then hold my plank and then take the extremepump class.

Hope everyone has a great evening. Guess I forgot to post last night.

Michele in NC

Hello to everyone!!

My throat cleared up yesterday around noon and I was tip top by afternoon; all I could do early on was barely squeak for hours and felt like I swallowed a spiked golf ball---never have I had anything quite like that. I was sure I was getting a bug. It was back again this am but not nearly as bad. Maybe allergies??????? .........or something with the vocal cords??????? Of course, I used my pity party as an excuse to have Krispy Kreme donuts.......yes, bad move, I know. Anyway, DD and I both did some SERIOUS shopping and went to an Irish style pub for dinner and the ballet last night. She got a little sequined number that she looked gorgeous wearing with black suede double pump 4" heels. I don't envy her the shoes, but, oh, that dress!!!

This am was the monthly gym breakfast..........2 women, 3 men..........the usual.

Margaret...........I also have fallen asleep in front of the tv; doesn't happen anymore much now that I'm not making an effort to stay up for Jay Leno. I do like your word "contentment".

Anamika............Your race is probably over by now, but if it isn't, GOOD LUCK!!!!! and if it is, hope it went well!! Hats off to you, amazing woman!!!

jb..........Thanks for sharing your blog, it's always worth reading. I have tracked it down on the blogs section.

Sylvia..........Given your history, please check doing the couch to 5K program out with your cardiologist, he may well change up the training plan to suit you better. I agree with your son's decision; I think he's thinking very clearly about all this. Loved the jokes!

Sandy...........At the rate you are going and with your dedication, you'll be at that 100lb. milestone soon........need to start thinking about a reward.

Dee Dee.........Snow angels??? I would have loved to see that!!! Bet your dog thinks you are the bestest human ever! Hope you gave the boys a run for their money this am.

Katla and Heather...........I used to be a serious "underbuyer" and still can be now and then...........raised by parents who were both children of the depression and poor ourselves..........I don't stress now over the day to day expenses or little treats (like yesterday), but the big ones are still capable of stressing me out. I realized I was clipping coupons and saving a quarter here and there and DH was never passing on a chance to pay full price and not looking for bargains so I stopped putting spending stress on myself........within reason. It was VERY liberating!!!! As long as we can pay off the credit card bill in full at the end of every month and not touch the "nest egg" .........I'm OK.

Sunny Sunday here!!!
yanniejannie
mid-Atlantic

Lost 1.6 lbs today which brings me 9.6 lbs until I lose 100 lbs. I've been thinking about what I want to do to celebrate. I don't do the whole spa thing.

Busy day.. Happy International Women's day! Thank you all for being such wonderful women

Sandy in ON

Hey Sandy that's fantastic!

Plan to do something on your bucket list or something off your wish list. For my 50 pound milestone I went kayaking! Make yours something you'd love to get out and do. Horseback riding, butterfly conservatory, tobogganing....whatever your thing might be.

Start planning....your 100 pounds loss is right in front of you....Congratulations!

Lee

Hi everyone!! I just found you all and you sound like a great group of women to connect with. My schedule doesn't always allow me to do much more than get on and log and give some support to my "friends" on my feed (I don't have a smart phone to use whereever/whenever) but some days have more time than others and would like to be able to connect here.

My name is Rose (losingw8now) 237 lbs started at 261 end of last August, but got off track at the holidays and have only gotten back on track about a week ago. But my head is back in it now.

Love the stories, the jokes, and the support I have read here (mostly the first 3 pages and the last 3 - sorry for those in between but there are a lot of posts on here right now!)

March goals are to:
log everyday and start to preplan my meals again
drop my cal goal 200 cals during this month
begin exercising, even if just a couple of times per week
get more veggies and fresh fruits into my daily diet

Rose in Baltimore, MD

Heather: I wondered what kind of course would have a person make deliberate mistakes. Then I thought maybe the course was to help those of us who are ridiculously anal about doing the right thing EVERY time. I sometimes forget that every decision is not “life or death.”:blushing: Thanks for your comments. They nudge me in the right direction.:flowerforyou:

Alison: It sounds like you are making progress, and so is your DH. I’ll keep you in my prayers. :flowerforyou: On the diet front: Plateaus happen. I’m an expert on the subject. Log every bite and swallow, plus all of your cardio to make sure you’re not missing some important factor, then be patient with your body. Just keep doing the right thing and the plateau will eventually pass. Drinking more water has helped me deal with water retention, which definitely shows up on the scale. Your lemon water helped me with that. :drinker:

DeeDee: Thanks for your kind words. I do feel better this morning, a good night’s sleep was very helpful. So was looking ahead. Will this be our last car purchase? The concept blew me away, and I have to say I doubt it will be the last ever, but I sincerely hope it will be the last for a good long while.

Sylvia: I’m glad your son has made a decision about his treatment options. He sounds like a thoughtful and wise young man. Less invasive treatment is always best until it is not getting results. :flowerforyou: I am in favor of closet purging when it is time for smaller clothes. I’ve saved things one size up from where I am now so I’ll have them available when the things that fit are in the wash. I really don’t have a very big wardrobe. I agree with your point about taking a “day off” from living healthy. I do have treats and sometimes I go over my allotted calories, but not for more than a day. This is my lifestyle and luckily, DH is fully on board with it. :bigsmile: The sailboat is our “cabin,” & I’m the one who wants to hang onto it.:flowerforyou:

JB: We’re back to allowing ourselves an occasional pizza as a treat, and we favor Papa Murphy’s. The pizzerias have way too much sodium for DH, who has blood pressure issues. I’ve come to like using less sodium since I’ve been leaving it out of so many things for his sake. I now use less salt, but I still add some at the table for myself. My mom used to lick her palm, pour a little bit of salt into it, and then lick off the salt.:noway:

Jeannie Sue, in IL & all newbies: We’re full of encouragement. Welcome. Tell us more about yourself and where you live. My best weight loss advice is to log every bite and swallow, and move more.:flowerforyou:

Michele: What is the Green Room? I love hearing about your active and connected life style. Your worrywart comment made me smile. I don’t think of myself as a worrywart, but the description fits me all too well.:laugh:

Yanniejannie: My parents were both teens during the depression, and my mom never got over it. She was an obese child, and shy, and her dad moved the family frequently to get work during that time. My dad was raised by his widowed mother who went into business for herself to support her 5 kids after her husband died at a young age. She owned a series of restaurants. Both of my parents were frugal, and habitually would “squeeze a dime until it squeeks,” to quote my mom. I never learned to enjoy shopping. This weight loss adventure has really been the first time I’ve enjoyed shopping and my best NSVs have been smaller clothes.:bigsmile:

Lee: I love your advice to Sandy. Rewards from the bucket list to celebrate important milestones are an excellent idea.:flowerforyou:



I’ve discovered that I like to start my day here, and often finish it here as well. I appreciate all of you for what you bring to my life. One of my goals for this month is to have fun every day. I’ve ruined a couple of potentially fun days with stress, but today I want to have fun. DH and I will decide what that will be in a moment. I’m thinking a drive out to the coast should go on the short list of possibilities.

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


March 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. Find a way to have fun at least once every day.
4. 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

I don't have my usual computer to answer as I read today, so forgive me if I miss someone. It's another gorgeous, sunny day in Denver. We keep alternating between snow and warm days, but that's typical here.

We had another mini-crisis last night. Our son called at 4am to say that he'd been attacked by someone trying to steal his car (his hand was all bruised up), and that the person had taken off with his keys (but not his car -- I don't know the details). He got a ride with someone and came home to get the extra key. Well, hubby blew up at him big time and they had a huge argument. Son left with the friend to pick up his car, and I guess he then slept in it, since his condo keys were on the stolen key ring. He refused to come back here. I just hate middle-of-the-night phone calls. We're worried that one of these times something terrible is going to happen to him. I know that boys of his age make a lot of stupid choices (he's 21), but it just seems like he shouldn't need to be downtown clubbing into the wee hours. Or smoking. I'm always stuck between him and hubby. I'm sure I'll get another call soon, as a locksmith will undoubtedly want a title for proof of ownership before opening up the condo.

Of course, my first thought was to eat. But I haven't so far, so wish me luck for the rest of the day!

Katia -- Glad that you and DH found a car that your both like!

DeeDee -- I've had my current "main car" for 10 years now, but it's hit 92k miles (we bought this one new off the lot), and I don't like to drive anything once it gets close to 100k, hence my quest for the next one. Hubby mostly plays musical cars with his main car, although he wants to change all of them now. We've had our extra "weekend car" for 6 years, a 6-series BMW convertible, and he thinks it needs to go soon, too. For me, I don't need to change cars until the mileage starts getting too high, as long as I have something that I enjoy.

Joyce -- We all struggle at times, which is what this group is so good for! Chocolate seems to call my name on a regular basis, too, so I try to save some calories for a little a couple of times a week. I think it's often stress-related, so maybe the urge will lessen once you get your vacation figured out. Prison might be a good place to lose weight, but it's downsides would probably offset the pluses! LOL

Jane in Colorado

Welcome to the newbies - It helped me a lot to clear the cupboards and fridge of everything I considered detrimental to my health journey. (I have started calling it health journey, instead of weight loss journey). Some people can consume a little junk food and be done with the cravings, but that just is not realistic for me. The whole family knows there are never cookies or chocolate in the house, and no juices in the fridge either. Chips, pop or beer are not an issue for me, so I don't care if they are in the house. I typically eat some protein in every meal, and smaller portions of food.

Yesterday, DH went out grocery shopping; I had mentioned to him I would really like some chocolate. He came home with 90% dark chocolate kind!!! 90%? Yuck, just a piece of bitter yuck. Good thing he made a "mistake"!! because I won't touch it, hahaha.

Has anyone heard of the "Grain Brain"? It has been on PBS. We do have the book "Wheat Belly" which I read, and wondered if the "Grain Brain" book was similar.

Daylight savings time here too. I love it. Wish it would stay year 'round.

Time to call my mom, so ttyl.
Renny
Vancouver Island, BC

I don't know if I can be of much use to the newbies, except to say that I have been where you are now. I have had unstoppable cravings, in my case for cheese and huge helpings of carbs, like rice. I used to eat until my stomach was distended and all I could do was sleep. Something eventually switched in my brain and I think the fact that you have asked for help means that you are really ready for change. You are sick and tired of being sick and tired. NOW is the moment and you are ready. You will have slip ups, but take it one day at a time and you can do it.
I found it helpful to ask myself what I was stuffing down and why I was punishing myself. In my case it was my marriage and my inability to face the fact thst it had run its course. Usually something is behind binge eating if only we can access it.
I send you my best wishes and healing. I know how desperate and out of control you can feel. I even wrote a novel about it!
There are many books you can read and websites you could explore. I agree with the others that keeping trigger food out of the house is the first step. I have found that eating proper meals is a grest help. A meal with lean protein and lots of veg makes you feel you have nourished yourself in the best way possible. It is important not to feel deprived. Some research into lower calorie recipes might help. Chewing celery probably is not the answer. It only reminds you you are depriving yourself.
I hope you can turn this around. A switch will certainly go off in your brain and you will be able to repeat your great success. I find I have to think of this as a lifestyle, so deprivation is not going to work for me. The eating plan I use now I would be very happy to follow for the rest of my life. With exercise I can eat 1600 a day and still lose.
Look at skinnytaste.com for some ideas. Start to enjoy your food. Good luck! :flowerforyou:

Heather UK

Good afternoon and welcome daylight savings time,

Welcome Newbies:flowerforyou: :flowerforyou: :flowerforyou:

Deedee:drinker: Thanks for the chuckles. Snow angels what fun!

Alison made the oatmeal like a carrot cake except for added minimal sugar. I did add some applesauce. It made a nice change. I did find adding cream cheese as a topping definitely elevated it. Lots of fiber without the cream cheese definitely in my calorie range for breakfast. With the cream cheese a splurge. Glad DH adopting better habits.

Renny love the idea of a health Journey. Fits with my goal of doing something healthy for myself everyday. I looked up Grain Brain. What I agree on is to try and limit sugar, processed flour, and white rice. Carbs that come from fruits and veggies have fiber that slow down the sugar spikes. It is the spikes in blood sugar that is hard on you brain and body.

Pat 59 years congratulations!

Cravingfreedom unfortunately many of the junk foods have sugar, fat and salt that once you eat them cause you to want more not less. Understand your frustration.

Jane scary about your son. Sounds like he did the right thing in calling you right away. How about the police?

Laurieharris !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! on weight loss.

Kimberly sounds like you are on the right track. Logging and walking. Come back and share your progress

Heather your spring is here gives me hope. I make mistakes all the time without doing it on purpose. I love it when I do it front of students because then I can model everyone makes mistakes, just fix it, and keep going without getting upset.

Carol mediums!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Sandy on weight loss!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! You will make your goal!

Michelle yes NSV, no scale victories are wonderful!

Jb loved the shoes.

Joyce sending hugs.:flowerforyou:

Sylvia love the jokes. :laugh:

Made it to choir even though it felt like 7:15 . We sang Like a Dove today. It was a lovely piece. Tried on bathing suits today. They were o.k. but for $50 on sale I want spectacular, so I decided to wait. Maybe if I had jb’s shoes it would help.:laugh:

Goal:
To do something healthy today, so I have a healthier tomorrow.
Eat a high fiber diet.
2014 word: contentment

jb just read your blog. You got my vote.

Sharon I bet you are my neighbor! I live in Evansville Indiana which is extreme south western Indiana. We like to go over to Garden of the Gods and Cave in Rock. Molly, am I reading it right that you live in Kentucky?

Joyce, Indiana

Hello lovely ladies: It is 52 degrees here today!!!! We had a very small choir today as many are out with viruses and four members are on a cruise but I think we did okay even with only two tenors. Last night we went to the symphony. It was a Pops concert, Denny Deyoung and the music of STYX. It was fun but very loud.:laugh:

It will be interesting to see how things go. The prednisone I am on says it may cause increased appetite and weight gain. The antibiotic I am on says it may cause loss of appetite and weight loss. I wonder which will turn out to be stronger or if it will go first one way and then the other or maybe they will just cancel each other out. Gotta love side effects.:noway:

Sandy - Keep on keeping on. You will make it to that goal. Hope you come up with a good reward for yourself.

Healing angels to all who need them and congratulations to all with victories. Sue in SD