WOMEN AGES 50+ FOR JUNE 2014

JB, it seems like you all have a long road ahead for you. But you seem like a close knit family and it does take that. I wish you all the luck and send prayers.

Joyce, Indiana

Hello Ladies,

This is what I posted as my introduction and then I saw this topic.

Hello. New here to this site and the whole tracking your food and exercise. Have been working out at a physical fitness facility that is part of a major hospital in Virginia. Was doing and 8 week program called Functional Fitness within the fitness center. Wonderful program. Has helped to find exercises that I now love doing. I loving working out in the Therapy Pool. I can do a 1 1/2 - 2 hour workout in the therapy pool and not be sore the next day. I have also found out which classes I am not ready to take yet because they made me very sore.

I was diagnosed 5 years ago with Fibromyalgia after about 5 years of having to endure the doctor's skepticisim about my symptoms and illness. But I finally found a wonderful Dr. that told me if I stuck with him, he would help me find out what was going on with my body and sure enough, not even 6 months later I had my diagnosis.

I had been a medication for my fibro, but last summer I was able to take myself off the medication because I had started walking every day, twice a day for 30 - 45 minutes. But then towards the end of the summer I fell when I stepped on black walnut and ended up fracturing my wrist, twisting my ankle, getting tendinitis in my right foot and a very sore and scraped left knee.

Last April I made a decision that I would start working out again, but realized that I needed more than my own motivation and more than just walking. So I did some research and checked out fitness facilities and decided to join the medical fitness facility.

I love it and enjoy going to work out. Since joining I have lost 4 lbs and 2 inches, in addition to gaining endurance and strength.

It has not been an easy road or journey and there have been plenty of times when I have wanted to give up and just lay in bed. But I have realized that doing that doesn't really help me, it makes my fibro worse. But I have also learned to listen to my body and to know when not to push myself any further because if I do I will dearly pay the price with being unable to function for 2 - 3 weeks.

It is difficult to not push myself to do more when I feel like I can, but trust and believe me when I think of the consequences of doing that I know I can't.

So, with that said, I am here to encourage and being encourage, to support and be supportive and to hopefully make some new friends along the way.

My June goal is to keep working out and lose another 4 lbs in the process.

My total weight lost goal is 40 lbs.

Just recently started a new business venture and am working towards making that a success as well.

Thank you all and look forward to reading more posts and topics.

Sandy Doyle
In Beautiful Berryville, VA

Morning ladies~
I dont know what is going on with me.. I sabatoge (sp) myself every blessed day..
did great till I got home the DH grilled a hamburger for me,so had that on a fold it flat bread.. which was all alotted into calories
then I was still starving so what did I eat,had a bowl and a half of raisin bran with unsweetened almond milk and 2 chocolate covered graham crackers, I think I stayed under but ate right up to my exercise calories:explode:
I eat well during the day. it is at night when I am starving , will have to figure that out......
I havent lost an ounce in I dont know how long, I am up 10 lbs and am disgusted with myself...
I havent been to the gym, though I race walk 3-4 miles almost every day..
being menopausal doesnt help either..im through it I think,but still
I am always a early packer, so I have some stuff on our dining table set for vacation at the end of the month when the DGd come from wisconsin...
I need someone at night, to be next to me and slap me upside the head when I reach for something:blushing:

Good Morning ladies.....I am also hoping for a "lighter" June. Just started logging food and exercise . Day three.......I look forward to reading more posts from you all. This menopausal crap sucks and weight is a huge part of this "mature" age of mine....(51) Have a great day!
Kim

Good Morning!

Jb ... Mariah and your family are in my thoughts and prayers.

Kim ... I'm changing the whole family's diet ... if there are trigger foods available, he may be tempted! Fresh, homemade, preservative free is good for all of us ... some of the other things (like chocolate and cheese) are going to be harder.

Cynthia ... hope your job is not in jeopardy, but if it is, that there's a greater opportunity waiting for you!

Sandy in VA ... welcome!

Beth in Western New York

:flowerforyou: Hey Ladies,

I have really missed you. I asked DeeDee to let you all know that my son was hospitalized with some cardiac problems. I want to thank all of you for your prayers, hugs and thoughts. Megblair1, Margaretturk, Grandmallie, Katla49, Barbiecat, Yanniejannie, DeeDee2211, and cityjaneLondon thank you for the personal notes, well wishes and prayers.

My son was released late Sunday afternoon and is at home. His father called an ambulance for him Tuesday afternoon because he was having shortness of breath.:sad: He refused the ambulance but his father was able to talk him into going to the hospital in his truck. He had just been in the hospital with an infected boil 2 weeks previously. Anyway, they concentrated on his heart this time. His entire lower body was swollen to the point that it looked like it would burst if you touched him; his resting heart rate was 137 and his blood pressure was normal. He had been treating himself with gout medicine because he thought he was having a gout attack. Last but not least, his admission screening weight was 465.2! :sad: All said and done he had fluid built up all over his body and around his heart (approximately 100 pounds worth); had an accelerated heartbeat, weakened heart muscles, severe sleep apnea and additional complications from gross obesity.:sad: What he thought was gout swelling was in fact the beginning of heart failure. They finally were able get 40 pounds of fluid off him and delivered an electrical shock to his heart to get it back in rhythm. OMG! It was quite a week! He has been counseled about his weight and must lose 265 pounds. I am encouraging him to sign up with MFP.

So now, I’m back! :happy: Its June and I must make up for lost time and the 4 pounds I picked up over my journey for the last couple of weeks. My goals for June are to 1) release 7 pounds; 2) to the gym at least 4 days each week; 3) walk the dog 5 days each week; and 4) have 8 glasses of water each day.

Tere

Heather: Depression is a sneaky thing and difficult to combat. I’ve been a victim at times and find a number of things helpful. The feeling of being able to fight back is probably the most helpful thing in the “toolbox.” I hope your son will be able to find things that he can do to help himself. My list includes medication and supplements, solar temperature lights and exercise. The ability to help myself has been wonderfully empowering. It sounds as though he’s already using some of the same tools. I wish him luck. I’m happy you’ll get the opportunity to see friends and cook them a fabulous meal.:flowerforyou:

Kalley: Good to see you posting again. I hope the meeting with your DB goes well.:flowerforyou:

Bwcetc: I’m so happy your son has had a few headache free days and hope he continues to be headache free. We’ve had lots of dietary experiments to combat DH’s health issues. Some of them have been very successful. After he got medication for his MS it has been easier and we’ve been able to let gluten back into our lives. Experimentation was interesting, and also expensive. Good food is the foundation of our health, so it is very much worthwhile. I’m hoping for his sake that you’re able to isolate your son’s trigger foods quickly and that the list is short.:flowerforyou:

Kayzoola: I hope you’re able to get your gardening sorted out. I don’t know where you are in the PNW but in our area we have a LONG growing season and can do fall crops of some of the things we miss in the spring. Tomato plants are big and still available at the garden stores. My beans never came up and I’m considering trying again for a fall crop.:flowerforyou:

Tamara: Welcome. Where are you from?:flowerforyou:

Yanniejannie: The boat ride was fun. I was tucked behind a windshield so my hair didn’t fly, but I love the image it conjures up. :laugh: :flowerforyou:

Vicki W: Welcome! I hear you about the weight coming back. I had a similar experience years ago. This time I’m staying on the diet even though I reached my goals. I’m still counting EVERY calorie but I’m getting more calories because I’m maintaining rather than losing. There are a few of us in this for maintenance support. Once you get the weight back off, I hope you’ll stick around.:flowerforyou:

Rori: I’ve been thinking about Meg, too. I’ll join you in sending prayers for her and all those in the storm area.:flowerforyou:

Barbie: I didn’t know you had a farm in the past. I wanted one when I was a kid. DH grew up on acreage and wasn’t enthused about the lifestyle but he was willing to accommodate me. I found we could afford acreage or a nice house, but not both. I picked the house.:flowerforyou:

Meg: I’m thinking of you in the storms and hope that you’re house isn’t damaged. I remember something about the basement flooding in the past. I hope it stays dry.:flowerforyou:

Amyloutoyou: Logging your meals is the most important step you can take toward improving your own health. Good luck.:flowerforyou:

Michele: We love Mexican Train dominoes and hope to get the neighbors hooked. We often play when the family is together for holidays.:flowerforyou:

TahoeReno: I hope you can open yourself to the possibilities here. What we believe can often guarantee a poor outcome, or inspire a successful one.:flowerforyou:

jb in Portland: Prayers for Mariah and the whole family. I’m glad they’re being aggressive with her treatment plan & pray it is successful. Are they still on the east coast?:flowerforyou:

Alison: It sounds like you’re stress eating. You’ve had enough stresses in the last year to account for it. What to do about it is the question. I hope you’ll find your balance soon. Have you tried stocking up on veggies like celery and carrots to help with the munchies? Hugs.:flowerforyou:

Tere: Welcome back! I’ve been thinking about you. I hope your son is on track to improve his health now & also hope he takes your advice about joining MFP. Social support will be important for success if he is at all like me. It is really tough when our children are caught in a negative lifestyle. I hope you have the support you need, too.:flowerforyou:



DH wants me to fix breakfast, so I’ll see you all later.

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



June Goals:
1. Log every bite and swallow.
2. Cardio exercise at least 3 days a week.
3. Have fun every day.
4. Drink at least two glasses of water daily.

Good afternoon everyone!:flowerforyou:

Tere - Glad to hear your son's immediate crisis is over. Unfortunately we can't do the hard work for them!:ohwell:

Meg, Vicki - I hope you are safe in the storms. I saw some news items on the internet. :flowerforyou: :flowerforyou: :flowerforyou:

Jb- sounds as if the doctors are throwing everything at it, which means they have hope she will be cured.:flowerforyou: Such a terrible worry for you all. But children are do amazingly resilient.

Just been out with DH to fetch in a bit of shopping. We're having Hairy Dieters paella tonight. It's delicious! I'm using our still madly producing broad beans instead of French beans. I'm determined to eat back fewer of my exercise calories so I can lose these 2 pounds that have crept up on me. Today I did 470 cals on the machines and 73 on strength training. But it's never enough! ! ! ! ! ! So from today no little sneaky bits or mints I have eaten late at night. Everything accounted for. I took a couple of too big skirts to the charity shop today:brokenheart: , two of my favourites and very expensive. I also remembered to take some unwanted gifts, still in their packets and some books. I think the young girl in there could learn to be a bit more gracious as she just said, 'take it to the back'. An older lady intervened and was more thankful. There was a brand new leather wallet in there, still boxed, and a silk scarf with its ticket on. I don't expect them to fall all over me, but a warm smile and a thank you is nice!:grumble:

My French beans are being eaten by something as they come up so I have netted the area as I suspect the pigeons.:grumble: Only one yellow courgette has survived out of four so I have stuck a couple more seeds in. I am still waiting to see how many runner beans make it out of the ground - so far about half!

Tomorrow we have a trip planned to Chichester. I want to look beautiful, :blushing: , so I will just do half an hour of strength training and forgo the machines so I have time for showering, blow drying and make up. We will be walking a lot, so hope to use up some calories that way. We should get round the cathedral, the art gallery, lunch in a pub and a visit to the museum of rural houses through the ages. I don't like motorways so we are going through the back ways and will cut through the South Downs so it should be a pretty ride. Coming back I might just sit in the back seat and let DH take the motorway. For some stupid reason I feel safer in the back!:blushing: :laugh:

Love to all. Say safe.

Heather in showery Hampshire UK

My third day of logging in to this thread. ;-)

I just sent for body fat calipers and the Jillian Michaels Shred DVD, which I'm not planning on starting til next month.

Hanging around being unproductive until my body pump class at 12:20 today.

I finished my anatamy chaptor for group fitness instructor certificate and read Chapter 2. I still have to finish the questions and then start chapter three, which is Kinesthesiology.

I've been getting 8 glasses of water in for the past 4 days.

Hope everyone is doing well working on their June goals ;-)

Jacqueline in NYC

Hello to all: Hope those in the path of storms are all safe. We had a few thunder storms here last night but nothing severe thank goodness.

Cynthia - Hope things turn out well with the job. That is crazy stressful not knowing.

jb - Prayers for Mariah and family. Sounds like a really tough year. My DGD had a friend who was in a similar situation. This little girl made paper dolls and put a photo of her face on them then gave them to her friends. The paper dolls were taken on all sorts of adventures and pictures were taken. Then all of the pictures were put in a book. We took pictures of DGD and her paper doll friend riding my horse, swimming at the pool and at the children's museum. At the end of the summer this little girl had a book full of pictures of herself doing many fun things that she could not do in person because of her treatment.

So far today I have done my water works class and checked on the kitties I am cat-sitting for a friend besides doing a little housekeeping. Need to work some more on organizing and purging my files.

Allison - Don't beat yourself up over eating late. I often find that when I am tired I want to eat. I somehow think it will give me more energy but it doesn't work that way. Evening is when I crochet or read because then my hands and mind are busy and I am much less likely to eat. I crochet prayer shawls for our church and the prayers and meditations help too.

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

Good Morning ladies. WOW!! what a night it was. We ended up with wind and 2.5 inches of rain. Sun is shining this morning. East Nebraska sounds like was hit hard.
I go to the skin doctor after work today as have a spot on my arm that looks funny. I am so afraid of skin cancer so better to have it checked out. My grandfather had skin cancer that started on his ears and he ended up with no ears.

Meg--sure hope you are ok. Worried about you last night and this morning when I was listening to the news and they talked about boats being used to help people stuck in cars in Omaha. Hail and wind.

Sandy--Hope all keeps going well with DB.

Vicki W--welcome. You have come to a great group. Remember you are not in this alone and One day at a time.

Barbie--great NSV on going for music instead of food.

jb--thanks for the update on Mariah. What alot for her to go thru. Keeping all of you in our prayers daily.

Cynthia--prayers on your job and pray it goes the way that will be best for you.

Sandy Doyle--Welcome and come often and you will find this a very supportive group.

Allison--hugs. Breath deep and you will figure this out. I find evenings and my days off at home alone I want to eat every minute.

Carol--I know just what you mean. There are times I want to put my foot down and stop the world until I can breath and catch up.

Tere--Wow! Please take care of you. Prayers for DS it sounds like he also has a long road ahead of him.

Heather--you outing for tomorrow sounds very relaxing.

We are planning on taking several of the grand children swimming at the new pool Sunday afternoon. So means I have to go buy a new swimsuite. Good thing is I will not have to buy the biggest one and can pick out one I like. I hope anyway. DH just told me at lunch that some friends in Wilbur has alot of damage from hail. They lost most the windows and siding has holes. She has in home day care and most the toys and playhouse in the yard is full of holes. How terrible. So much damage around the state this morning.
Blessed! Vicki GI NE

Hello everyone! I hope Meg and anyone else in that storm last night is OK. Vicki, I'm glad you didn't get too badly hit. It sounds just awful.

Terre!!!! Welcome back. We have been so worried about you. Thinking good thoughts for your son to get through this. Fear of dying can be a powerful motivator. That's what finally did it for me.

Went to the Y this morning and did treadmill and the weight machines, then came home and fed the garden. I was so proud of my little garden till we took a walk last night and got a peek at our neighbor's garden. It's incredible. Mine looks pitiful by comparison, but hopefully, according to the Miracle Gro package, it will be big and lush very soon too. This guy is just an over achiever. Every year he has a huge beautiful garden. I have a feeling he works at it harder than I have. I'm not walking past his house anymore. He gave me a big bag of tomatoes last year that were to die for. That's what made me think I wanted to plant a garden this year.

I'm at the studio, just finishing some drafting work. It's awfully hot in here, so I may not stay much longer. I'm just too cheap to turn on the A/C yet. Moving around in the studio doing any clay work is just impossible. Better to go home and clean house. Like that's ever going to happen!

Here is the joke for today:

:happy:

Three leaders of the big beer companies meet for a drink. The president of Budweiser orders a Bud. Miller's president orders a Millers and the president of Coors orders a Coors. When it is Guinness turn to order he orders a soda. Why didn't you order a Guinness everyone asks? Nah Guinness replies. If you guys aren't having a beer neither will I.

:laugh:

Have a great day!

Sylvia

Good afternoon ladies,

Thank you for all the warm welcomes. It means alot to me. My heart aches reading of some of the struggles that some of you are going through and it makes me realize that I don't have it as bad as I think. You are in my thoughts and prayers. I've had struggles and I know that while you are going through them it is not easy to understand the why or purpose of the struggle. But hang in there, things will get better and you have a wonderful, supportive community of ladies.

I have been living in Berryville, VA for 1 1/2 years and have not really had the opportunity to make new friends there. We live in a rural area and the neighbors are not in close proximity to us. But, as I said in my previous post, I have been going to the fitness facility in Winchester, VA and have met some wonderful ladies and the staff there has been so wonderful that I look forward to going and when I am not able to go, I miss it.

My weight loss hasn't been dramatic, but it is happening and I would rather it happen slowly and stay off, than have a rapid weight loss and hat the pounds come back.

In addition to my fibromyalgia, i have plantar fasciitis, morton's neuroma, a heel spur on my right heel and achilles tendinitis. So, walking at times can be very difficult and painful for me. There are times I dread standing when I have been sitting for awhile because I know what's coming. Fibromyalgia is a tricky thing. It affects each person a different way. Some people have their entire body affected, some have one side or the other, some have from the waist up and some, like me, have the lower have of their bodies affected the most. So for me, from the waist down is the worst. I cannot lean on anything with my hips, because it is like someone is stabbing me.:sad:

But I push on and forward. I have fibromyalgia, but it does not have me.

I do daily walks with my dog. Our driveway is an oval shape, big enough that if I do 20 laps, it is close to 1 1/2 miles of walking. Bently (my pup) and I walk it twice a day. Sometimes we do 20, sometimes 25 and other days just 15. But he is what keeps me motivated to do the walk because he loves doing it so much and he won't eat his food until we go for our walk.

I recently started a new business, selling jamberry nail wraps and I love it. I love the wraps as they are non-toxic, latex free and formaldehyde free. They are fun to put on and I can do it in less that 15 mins.

Well, I've rambled on long enough. If there is one thing I have learned with having Fibro, and that is listen to your body. I tend to push myself harder than I need to, but I have learned that when I body is saying enough, I need to stop or I will pay for it dearly.

Looking forward to checking in daily and seeing what and how everyone is doing.

Hope everyone has a good day.

Good afternoon,

Actually made it to the gym for the ladies light exercise session this am; then off with Gwen to the eye dr. Line dance this evening.

Meg---Vicki---Sue.............I had the Weather Channel on last night till about 11 or so thinking of you all and watching the radar; so very thankful you are all OK!!!!! Sorry for any friends or relatives who had damage.....but soooooooooooo glad you are well.

Anamika........HI!!! Happy for your new job! Good luck; may it be all you hope!

47Jacqueline..........Someone once told me that habits are formed in 3 days........so now coming here should be a habit for you.

Heather.........Hoping for a fabulous memorable day for you tomorrow; no doubt you WILL look beautiful!

Tere.........Your son sounds like he has a long haul ahead; hope he takes all your good advice. I had a much more minor medical thing with my DD recently and I know how we worry

---

best to you too.

SandyDoyle..........I looked up Berryville, never been there, but I have been to Winchester many times; probably should say THROUGH Winchester.

Cynthia........I don't know exactly why she found it necessary to sleep on the floor; except that she always liked camping?? Or more likely she had the bed piled with books to the point there was no room for her. lol. Good luck with that job issue. LOVED the Kevin Hart/pizza thing!!!

jb.........Miriah has a formidable road to go down; wishing her the best result and a complete recovery.

Michele...........It seems you always make great food choices, like that veggie tray!

Margaret...........Oh, how I envy your height!!!!!!!!!!!

Time to make my afternoon hot chocolate, then get ready to go to line dancing lessons.

yanniejannie
mid-Atlantic where it it hot, humid, and overcast

Sue – what a great idea with paper dolls!!!

Anamika – Good for you! Stable and larger will give you more opportunities – longer hours are a drag; is your commute on public transport, or via private car?

Vicki – glad you are safe; the storm looked really scary! Good luck Swim suit shopping – I hate it! Maybe thinner it will be easier; I did try one of mine from last year and it fit ok, a bit loose in the bum; but totally wearable. I am glad; all new clothes is so expensive. :happy:

Sylvia - when fall comes you may want to dig into your garden area some manure/ compost and do it again in the spring before you plant. Miracle Grow will give you lush plants, but is it kinda like McDonalds for plants, it doesn’t build the soil, and really healthy soil will let the plants grow strong roots and be wonderful.
Love the joke!!! I look forward to them everyday! :bigsmile: :bigsmile:

Meg – sorry to hear about your friends, but so glad everyone is safe!

Sandy in VA- lots of us also have pets “fur babies” they are great company and motivation! Do you have a farm – or just in a rural area? My best friend’s step son has fibromyalgia and quality diet has helped him when he makes the right choices -

Pat – Breakfast for dinner is a special treat; my mom was not a morning person so sometimes as a special treat she would make it.

Speaking of fur babies - my Levi has a case of the blue fog (aka farts) he follows me around and all day has been letting them rip - omg! He must have eaten some weird thing on a walk...

So I was thinking of you all this afternoon; I decided to cut 4 of the bananas I had in half and dip them in chocolate and nuts; then freeze them - So I'll bring 8 frozen bananas - the kids should love them. But I had:blushing: to lick the spoon covered in chocolate - and could just hear you all saying " just how are you going to log that?" :grumble: I have no idea - but with all the yard work I have had 1600 exercise calories this week so far that I have not eaten back so I am thinking that I won't log it and will just be careful the rest of the week.

Well it is only 4pm here and I need to do 1-2 hours more of work, just had to share the chocolate event.

Smiles Kim in N. California