WOMEN AGES 50+ FOR JULY 2014

Starting all over again. A couple years ago I lost 40 pounds using My Fitness Pal to record exercise (walking) and food. Now, I have gained almost all of that back and feel miserable. So, here I am!

Welcome back I just have a few more pounds to goal, but even after that I plan on logging in everyday, to keep it off. I've lost it and I sure don't want to find it again! Anyway good luck to you and have a great day.

I dropped out of MFP a while ago. I am just starting up again. My July goals are

1. Brush dogs and cat teeth once a week
2. Brush dogs and cat once a week
3. Walk 3x with dogs
4. Post food at least 4x a week.

If you're wanting to lose weight, it's best to log in your calorie intake everyday.

happy 4th of July weekend. Weigh in last nite not a loss but a small gain, guess I can't complain because it was a birthday weekend. So back on track I want to see a loss. Vacation in 2 weeks so hopefully I can stay on track.

Drink your water and keep moving
Sherry So CA

Good evening everyone! Today has been a whirlwind.

My weight was just where it was when we left on our trip, so I was relieved about that. We picked up the pups from the vet this morning right when they opened. They were so glad to come home! I missed those dogs something awful. I know it was only five days, but that's long enough.

Then we went to the Y where I did my weight machines. Then back home for breakfast. I picked up the grandkids at 11:00 and we went to lunch. Then to the park for an hour before FINALLY the pool opened at 1:00. They were so impatient! But they had so much fun! Except for the little guy who was an inch too short to go on the big slides. (And he can't swim anyway, so I was glad he was too short.) The middle kid, who had the broken arm, had her cast removed on Tuesday but her arm was not yet fully functional. She looked a little like Bob Dole holding his pen. But by the end of our swimming it was all stretched out normally and she was really happy. She and her older sister were jumping off the diving boards, going down the big slides, and having a blast.

After swimming I took the kids home and my son's home health care worker was there giving him his weekly infusion. I had to rush out because I couldn't handle seeing him hooked yo the iv. He called me later to tell me that his Medicaid and food stamps were cancelled because they had put in the wrong address. So he was really stressed. I hope they can get it straightened out.

So, I hurried home, showered and drove 30 miles to my friend's house for painting night, only to wait outside for an hour and nobody showed up. Later I found out that she had to rush off to Phoenix because one of her triplet grandbabies was diagnosed with cancer. We don't know any details yet. I hope she's going to be ok.

So now I'm home in time to walk with the dogs. Whew!

I hope you are all doing well.

Sylvia

Very relaxing pre-4th of July evening. Been a great day with unexpected rain here in North Texas. Does anyone have hypoglycemia? My endo wants me eating 3 meals with 30 carbs and 3 snacks with 15 carbs. So I finally started. The weight
is coming off but sometimes I get sleepy & dizzy. Any suggestions?

Katie, glad the cat is home!

Beth, Happy Birthday!

Barbie & Mimi - thanks for the food thoughts. Food, drugs & alcohol seem to share that addictive component for some people.
My brother tells me to have a "cheat" day, but cheating leads to more cheating and seems to defeat the purpose.

Manc Lass - seems there is sugar in most everything. My brother, the diabetic, can't eat tomatoes or watermelon. They raise his
sugar too much, but grapes don't. Crazy.

Cindy Ok - Did you get any bad storms your way?

Jane Martin - so sorry about the death of your friend

Joyce - hope your health gets better & you can get it all straightened out.

Sylvia - prayers for your friend's grandchild. please keep us updated.

Hearthwood - Love the Colorado Rockies!!

Read all the posts and hope everyone has a wonderful weekend!

Karen Texas

Did 1-1/4 hr of the Seriously Strong with Gin Miller DVD. It really would be better with the bar, but I don't have a set at home, just free weights, so I modified.

Tomorrow I'm planning to do some HIIT. Haven't done that in a while. Update: forget that. It's 4th of July which means the Y won't open until later. Gotta think of something else, maybe a rebounder DVD

Sandy - I always freeze food. The worst part is remembering to take it out in time to have it defrosted. But otherwise, food that I cooked weeks ago is still good. Hope this works for you

Jess and Kris will be flying to Maine for a wedding so I made some chocolate cookies for her to take and I have the butter softening for some sugar cookies. I'm sure after the wedding they're going to spend some time with his parents.

firststepform - welcome back!

Alison - happy belated birthday from me, too.

Patty - sounds like you have great plans for tomorrow. Have a wonderful day! We probably won't be doing anything special

Boy, is Lance really giving us attitude about taking his insulin. This morning it took Vince and I together to give it to him.

Went to Mexican Train Tuesday night. The gal was making hot dogs, sausage or brats. I actually took a veggie burger with me. I can't remember the last time I had a hot dog! I took a veggie burger and a portobello mushroom. You know, I felt so full and so much better than if I'd had a sausage. I took some cherries with me. It's interesting how people always say "I'm trying to lose weight" but some of the foods they bring! I just smile to myself

Alison - I remember when my kids were little, I'd always buy them brightly colored bathing suits because when we'd go to a public pool, it just made it so much easier for me to find them.

So many people have asked for the squash cookie recipe, so here it is:

Source: AllRecipes
Use any winter squash
1/2 cup butter, softened
3/4 cup white sugar
3/4 cup packed brown sugar
2 eggs
1-1/2 cup mashed, cooked butternut squash
2-1/2 cup AP flour
1 tsp baking soda
2tsp cinnamon
1/2tsp salt
1/2tsp nutmeg
1/4 tsp ginger
1 cup raisins
1/4 tsp allspice
1-1/2 tsp baking powder
Preheat oven to 375.
In a large mixing bowl, cream butter and sugar until fluffy. Beat in the eggs and squash. Sift together the flour, baking soda, baking powder, and spices; add to mixture, stirring until well blended. Stir in raisins
Spoon onto cookie sheets spacing cookies 2 inches apart
Bake for 10 to 12 minutes in preheated oven, until edges are golden
Per recipe: 30 servings
Calories: 171
Fat: 7.8g
Chol: 22mg
Sodium: 151mg
Carb: 24.4g
Fiber: 1.4g
Protein: 2.3g
These spread and rise.

Although the recipe calls for winter squash, I used the yellow kind that is in season right now and that worked just fine.

Mimi - have a great vacation

DeeDee - I didn't always carry the boxes up the three flights of stairs. Sometimes I did but sometimes Vince would bring the boxes up to the second floor and then I'd take them from the second to the fourth. He didn't want to leave our cart unattended, which I can understand. And besides, I didn't mind the steps. It did dawn on me, tho, that I needed to go slower than a 20 or 30-something. But I did it. It's also interesting how it seems to be taking Vince much longer to recover than me. Looks like it'll be nice weather. We need to empty the rock that is in the dumpcart attached to the tractor so that Vince can unhook it and we can cut the grass. I bet we'll do that tomorrow. Update: We did it today

Since it's threatening to rain, tonight I'll probably make the sugar cookies for Jessica.

Beth - happy early birthday!

Heather - wonderful NSV for you! Thanks for sharing

Everyone in the storm's path -- stay safe.

jane - so sorry to hear about your friend. Hope you get the townhouse if you like it. Grandkids make things so much better.

avalisa - welcome! To me, that is one of the hardest things to do, not hurt someone's feelings by not eating what they went out of their way to make you. Even if you really don't want it.

Laurie - good for you making something healthy! When I have overripe bananas, I peel them and then freeze them. That way I always have some available to me.

After exercising had breakfast (I did have some cherries before I exercised. I don't like to exercise on an empty stomach). Then guess what we did? Really, the main reason was because we had rock in the dumpcart attached to the tractor which we needed to empty so Vince could use the tractor to cut the lawn (well, really the weeds). While he used the tractor, I used the pushbehind mower and then the weedwacker, then swept the sidewalk and driveway. Then guess where I went???? Vince was just out at the pool putting Rover (robotic cleaner) in it, it's thundering. I suspect this might very well pass us by.

hearthwood - I have to log every day, too. Otherwise I just know that I'll fall off the deep end.

Sylvia - good for you not gaining! That's terrible about your son. Good thoughts being sent to your friend for her grandchild

Carol in Monroe - I love beets, especially the golden ones

Lanace has been giving us such problems taking his insulin that Vince just finally said "this is rediculous, he just won't get it for a while". Not that I can blame him one tiny bit.

Michele in NC

HAPPY FOURTH OF JULY TO ALL THE AMERICAN VITAMIN F's !


Hope you all have a healthy and balanced long weekend!

Saw lots and lots of American cars driving on the Canadian highways today! They must have
got a head start....

Best to all,

BJ, SWOnt, CA

:flowerforyou: I am very much behind reading posts. Back to work and crazy busy. DD is sleep deprived with newborn. Wish I could spend more time with newborn grandson. But that's life.

Allison - happy birthday. I think I missed that post.

Sylvia...the cat story. Now, there's a one to remember. omg

I was thinking of some of the posts here in the past and more recently, where I continue to learn that "moderation" just does not work for me. We learn a lot from each other, don't we.

I called my mom this morning before I left for work. She wondered why I called!!! It's not as though she was not on her deathbed just recently, duh. If she lives to be 104, I swear I will have to die first.:bigsmile: :bigsmile:

Love to all my Vitamin F buddies. And HAPPY JULY 4TH!!! to all my American friends.

Renny
Vancouver Island, BC

Sylvia, so glad you had a great holiday, your dogs are well and glad to be back home. I fear some day you are going to have to deal with your son getting his infusions. I don't think you can fully deal with your feelings about his illness until you share this experience with him. This infusion is his life line right now and may be for a long long time. Will be praying for you.

We are looking forward to our visit in Louisville tomorrow with my daughter and family and even finding something to eat at Joes Crab Shack. Then my sister called this afternoon and said her husband came up with this idea to call my brother who lives in Cincinatti and see if they would want to meet at the Spaghetti Factory in Louisville, He didn't know we were going to Louisville. It wasn't just my brother, it was him, my SIL and her Mom, their son and girl friend/fiance'/don't really know what she is now that nephew isn't sure what he wants, and their two wonderful children. My husband doesn't really want to share his time with my daughter and family but he says he will do whatever the family wants to do. So now there will be 16 of us!!! I hope they are prepared for a family that loves to laugh and laugh and laugh some more. I haven't seen my brother for several months and my sister hasn't seen them since Christmas. I have looked at their menu and they have a nice senior menu I can order off of or I think they have combo platters my husband and I or my daughter who is on a diet can order.

Joyce, Indiana

Heather – your salad sounds good! Glad you had those tomatoes for that instead! Your DDIL sounds great; I wish I had her here to learn from, I can say no just fine; but the minute someone pushes I cave:grumble: :grumble: !!! Sri Lanka !!! wow; so I know Nothing about Sri Lanka except that clothing labels sometimes say stuff was made there - what made Sri Lanka tempting?
Congrats on making it in the heat with success!!!!

Alison – I would have been so worried about your DGD…. Glad she was found safe and sound.

Sylvia – zucchini grow really really fast!!:laugh: But the great big ones are fun to stuff, or to grate and add to stir fry…
Congrats on keeping your weight constant over vacation! Maybe there was more sodium in something than you figured and that is the bloatty gig?
Keeping good thoughts on your friends grandbaby!

Melody – love the idea to do errands/short trips by walking – I really need to get out of my car more!

YannieJannie – welcome home – hope the weather is not too bad

JaneMartin – good luck on the townhouse – sorry to hear you had a friend pass …

Avalisa – welcome; you can eat one if you have the calories to fit it in and if you are the type to have one…just one…. I could do that – sometimes… but some of the gals here have found that they have to say no… So as so much in life is “the decision is yours”

Joyce – I am probably the queen of clueless when it comes to medical stuff – but you did a great job of explaining it in regular English!!! Thanks. I am glad to hear they are changing up your meds to get you to the doc appointment and that you have an appointment.
Glad to hear you will be a restaurant that has stuff that will be good for you. It will be fun to see everyone.

JB – what a great garden!!!

Lestan – Sounds like you have a great garden, and have had an interesting life – Body building is not something I have ever thought about doing.

Renny – Love hearing about your mom – mine would be just as independent!

Voitdancer – welcome

Hope all in Arthur's path are safe!!! I invited myself to the neighbors BBQ for tomorrow - they always do it and always tell me to join in but late after I have eaten so today I asked if I could come tomorrow and could I bring something... They asked me to bring dessert :ohwell: They are dieting too, but I found out they are not counting calories or trying to eat healthy on holidays, weekends or special occasions...no wonder they have not lost much - I am going to make gelato, I found a recipe that calls for non-fat milk and lots of fresh fruit - think I'll make blueberry! Tomorrow am is check in time; hoping I am at what I was 2 weeks ago - one week of camp where I lost it and then a recovery week --- so if I am in the same place as I was before camp I will be pleased!

Today’s step count: 14,989
Kim from N. California

Kim from N CA: Freezing individual portions of meatloaf is a great idea!:bigsmile:

Heather: DH hates to travel and won’t fly anymore, so we are limited in our adventures. We have done a couple of long car trips and I’m hoping we can do more. I so admire all your trips to foreign lands, and exotic places as well as those closer to home. Congratulations on the great NSV. Working outdoors in the heat without getting overheated is clear evidence of better health.:glasses:

Alison: Happy Birthday!:drinker:

Yanniejannie: I read a book about the pony round up on Chincoteague when I was a child in grade school. The book was Misty of Chincoteague. I envy your trip there. Remember all the westerns when we were kids? I was a fan of Silver, Scout, Champion, Trigger, Buttermilk, Flicka & Fury. Never mind the actors.:laugh:

Avalisa: Welcome to a great group! Where are you from? Decide how many cookies you can eat, give the rest to your daughter’s friends and get them out of your house. Maybe she can invite her friends all over for a cookie eating party. Come back here often for support.:flowerforyou:

Sylvia: I’m glad you’re home. Sorry to hear about your friend’s grandbaby.:flowerforyou:

Rhondaoaks.: Good luck to you. & welcome to a great group. I’ve lost and regained before, too. Now I’ve lost what I want and am sticking around for support in keeping it off. :flowerforyou:

JB: My snow peas are done and I plan to pull them up and plant purple pod beans in their place. I hope they’ll provide a fall bean crop. I chose purple pod beans because they taste great and I can see them to pick them. They turn green when cooked. It is neat that you’re growing quinoa. How much space does it take to get enough to be worthwhile? I'd love to see a picture of the growing plants.:flowerforyou:

Lestan48: Welcome! I’m happy you’ve joined us. I wonder what you mean by “statins started lysing my muscles.” I know what statins are, but I’m stumped about what they did to your muscles.:huh: :flowerforyou:



We got our vacuum back today! :bigsmile: :bigsmile: :bigsmile: DH hasn’t had time to install it yet. I took our dog to the Vets for a couple of nights so he won’t have to endure the noise around here tomorrow. The fireworks display is right in front of our house and it is NOISY here. I love the fireworks and the pops and bangs don’t bother me a bit, but the dog gets upset. He doesn’t much like the vet’s, either, but it is the lesser of two evils.

Happy Fourth of July!

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



July 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 three glasses of water daily, preferably more!

Wishing all my American friends the very best on the 4th of July and may you have a blast!
All my other friends ,have a great weekend. Off to skim through all your posts. Am missing you a lot.
Take care
Anamika from a wet Mumbai ( finally):drinker:

HAPPY 4TH JULY to all my US of A friends! :drinker: :drinker: :flowerforyou:

My first marriage was on the 4th July 44 years ago and my DS#2 got married five years ago on the same date. Today they are having lunch in a top restaurant in London.

Just been out to buy 3 loaves from our favourite baker and to pay in the cheque from the premium bounds I bought for my granddaughter. My money was returned as DS#2 failed to send in her identity proofs. Now I will have to do it again.
We like the bread as it is low GI (wholemeal granary with lots of seeds), so we cut the loaves in half and freeze them. Half of the problem with commercial bread is that it is often too salty, not good flour and the bakers use a lot of "yeast improver". Real bread, unless you are gluten intolerant with Crohns disease, is good stuff. I weigh my two slices, which I cut as thin as possible, and it comes to 3 oz. 210 cals. We had parma ham, tomatoes, avocado and arugula in it with basil leaves. Delicious! 310 cals.

One of my old schoolfriends is going to be at her flat in Portsmouth this weekend so I am going to go down by train and meet her for lunch down there. There are a lot of outdoor cafés by the waterfront so I hope we can find a nice fishy one! I feel an oyster or two calling me!:bigsmile:

Cynthia - that was a smart and assertive move getting a consultation on the job situation. DH thinks a hose would be too much of a temptation to use more water. Also, unless they have all run out, we fill the cans from the water butts.

Meg, Katla and Kim - we chose Sri Lanka because it provided the kind of holiday we like. Individual attention, with one car, one driver, our own guides and no internal flights. We love the food and I have never visited a predominantly Buddhist area, though DH has. Wonderful sights, temples and beautiful countryside, tea plantations, jungle and coast.
DH couldn't fly anywhere this winter because his anxiety was too great, but his medication and relaxation CDs have sorted him out so he seems fine at the moment.
I am a nervous traveller - getting to the airport on time and even packing send me into a spin for a few days beforehand, but I know I will love it when I get there so I know it is worth it. Travel is almost as important as food to me.
Sri Lanka is not a very exotic destination to a Britisher as it was part of our Empire for so long. Indeed one place we are going to has preserved its Victorian post office etc. UK folks do tend to go long haul quite a bit so it seems quite normal to us.:glasses:

Sylvia - your son problems sound so troubling, I feel for you. Hugs.:flowerforyou:

Jb - Wow on the produce! Do you sell it or give it away. We have trouble eating everything from our tiny garden. Soon to lift my garlic! Tonight we are using the chard again in a Sri Lankan fish and prawn curry! ! !:laugh: Once the runner beans start it's a real job to keep up with the picking!

Michele - I'm so glad I don't live next door to you, it sounds very noisy! ! ! As I was reading about you using all those machines I could hear our neighbour strimming (weed whacking) and I had to shut the window. Of course, when we have to use our own machines we are just grateful for them!:laugh:

Jane - I do hope the house rental business works out for you.:flowerforyou: My tenant is leaving in a few days so I am hoping I won't have too big a gap.:frown: Shame you don't want a one bedroom flat in Hampshire.

Welcome again all the new posters. Don't forget to put a name or pseudonym and a location. The more you post the more we will get to know you. This site has achieved miracles for me. , but you do have to DO IT.:laugh:

Heather in sunny Hampshire UK

I think this is a way of life not eating healthy one day and taking the next day off. I have gained and lost weight several times in my life time. What I have learned is it needs to be a livable diet. I eat all foods and am working on not labeling anything as good or bad. There will be days where one eats more and other days where one eats less. One of the reasons I have waited over 10 years to try and lose weight again is because i cannot go through losing it all just to gain it back again. In the past, I did diets that limited so many foods and only had about 1400 calories. I have lost up to 70 pounds at a time and have ALWAYS gained it back. When we read through topics we see this is the norm. Losing weight is hard but keeping it off is much harder. When I read people saying, i am going off the diet today but going to eat healthy again tomorrow, I think, you are setting yourself up. One of the things that really helped me was overcoming overeating. Mainly because it discusses how diets don't work. They have an exercise where you write down how many diets you have been on and then you see why yes they are right diets don't work. I am trying to learn how to eat in moderation, work out and lose steady and slow. I want to be off the diet train and diet mentality. Some days are easier then others but this week I have not binged and that is a huge success for me. This is the first time in over 10 years where I did not give in to I want to eat and just allowed myself to do so. I realize this is going to be a struggle for awhile but I am hoping I will get in the groove. Meanwhile, I am trying to find foods that allow larger portions for lesser calories.