WOMEN AGES 50+ FOR SEPTEMBER 2014

I'm caught up with reading! Wow.

For those with low BP but on BP meds, I hope you'll call your doctors and adjust your meds asap. No sense dragging around, being lightheaded, etc. My mom thinks her low BP was due to dehydration and is working on drinking more. She also cut down on her BP meds. Seems to be helping. She sees a new doc today (her old one moved). I hope this one will have some ideas about how to stop the diarrhea that's plagued her for most of a month - and is probably at the bottom (oops...didn't mean the pun ) of the dehydration issues.

For those of you struggling with appetite. I find that I have WAY less craving for food of various sorts when I stay away from refined sugar. I've let a little sugar creep in here and there but I can always tell the difference. When I'm off sugar (and off bread too - a trigger for me) eating well, without any struggle to stay on track, is amazingly easy. When I'm eating sugar, I struggle all the way. :grumble:

Someone mentioned getting a FitBit. I plan to get one this month too. Kim mentioned that she'd bought hers on CL (Craigslist - oh how I love you!) for much less than retail. I'm looking. I don't see any sense in paying retail for something that works just as well used. There are some things I don't like to buy used (like shoes - but even then...) but I'm definitely a second-hand-Rose kind of gal. My mom laughs about my dad giving her an engagement ring he bought from someone who suddenly didn't have a need for it.

I actually like to buy second-hand furniture. I think about who might have used it before and imagine that it was treated lovingly by many people over the years. So much more character than new. (At least to me.)

Even my little dog was second-hand as she was a rescue from the SPCA. I got her when she was 6 months old. I can't imagine why someone gave her away . She does have the most awful bark, which my dad calls a screech :noway: . He claims that was the reason she was given away but she didn't really start barking until she was 1.

I'm waiting for her new citronella bark collar to come. Her last one quit working. She does find a way around it when she's had it on for long but it helps. I met someone the other day who had a Jack Russell terrier. He put a citronella collar on his dog but the dog learned to turn his head so the spray wouldn't hit him and barked away :laugh: . My nephew's American Bulldog learned that a high pitch wouldn't set the collar off so he started barking and whining in a high pitch. Pretty funny.

The vet recommended a trainer to help stop the barking. I sent an email but never heard back. Just as well. The trainer/boarder had such glowing reviews, I let my sister know so she could board her dog there when needed. She called. The charge is $1,000 per week for combination boarding/training. I have a feeling training by itself will probably be well beyond my budget.

I'm heading for the gym. :happy:

Mimi

Terrible arthritis day today, going on prednisone again which makes dieting harder. Can hardly move, though . Gotta do something. send good strong willpower wishes, please. Hope everybody is well or getting better. Jane in NNY :flowerforyou:

Mimi~your right. about the sugar thing.. I made the mistake of stopping at Burger king on the way home:grumble: , bad bad bad...
and now feel horrible... that is it.. done finished kaput!!! no more sugar for me, exp for the 1/2 tsp of truvia in my tea.. will eat fruits but nothing processed..I will stay with my english muffins as they are sprouted grains with no sugar.. I am going to write a list of the foods I like that dont have sugar in them and keep it on the fridge.. but will try and keep it on the up and up..
DH and I have the weekend off, the Eastern States Exposition starts this weekend up in Mass. maybe we can go to that on Sunday.. but go early cause weekends are just crazy up there.. the one good thing about going up there there is alot of walking.. but also alot of food...:huh:

Saturday here and my 2nd day of NO training for the week.
Walking the dog, cleaning house, ironing and gardening, but I do miss training.
Posted my food etc and printed the sheet for the doctor to see. Bought Old El Passo soft stand and stuff taco shells so making that for lunch
Food cals at 1680 so that is OK and my fibre is 26g, Jeannette Jenkins wants me above 20g fibre so OK with that.
At least a spring day here for walking the dog and gardening.
Taking my meds and slathering cream on my body after shower. Will be glad to start back training next week if doctor says OK to re-start. I have done body building training since 1980 when I joined the Australian Army Reserves at age 32 and needed to get stronger and fitter to keep up. 100 guys and 12 girls
I LOVE my FitBit Flex and it said I did 9457 steps yesterday just walking the dog and cleaning

Sugar free yogurt. Tom Venuto ONLY recommends Chiobani Greek Yogurt with or without fruit, the only sugar comes ONLY from the fruit

Lesley in Tasmania

Joyce - I'm so sorry about the chair problem

Cynthia - I realize I'm allowed a cinnamon roll, heck I even kept it within my calorie range. But I just would like to get to the point where something like that doesn't interest me at all.

Well last night Denise calls, says she bought a car. See, Pete (SFB, her bf) had an accident in one of her cars and with the high mileage on it and the fact that it's an older car, I'm thinking the insurance co. is going to declare it a total. Anyway, come to find out that its not that he bought it, but his step-father did. What bothers me is that his mother and step-father aren't doing anything at all to help prepare them for the future, for when they aren't around to buy them furniture, buy them cars, cosign for apartments. What is going to happen when his parents are no longer in the picture? I can guarantee that they're going to buy them a house. He (Pete) is a painter, just has a high school diploma. Denise will get an Associates Degree next May compliments of us paying 100% (plus something towards her rent). At least this will open SOME doors. But really if she wants to continue, she really needs at least a Batchelor's (which we're willing to pay for in full, only she needs to be a full time student, no more of this part time stuff where it takes her something like 7 years to get just an Associates degree). He's a good talker, he should probably be a used car salesman. But looking at his posts on Facebook, the grammar!!! Right now he's a painter for his step-father. Oh, this is the man who threw him out of the house when we were in PA. I'm just sick knowing that this isn't helping them for the future. But what can I do? Where did I go wrong? Bryan talks to me only when he has to, now Denise.....

Last night it was almost as if Lance was saying "time for insulin". He let me pick him up and Vince gave it to him

Did an hour of deep water today after taking my aluminum to the humane society. Planning to do Jari Love Extremely Ripped 1000 DVD tomorrow and then go to the farmer's market.

Jess and Kris are on their way here. They should be here in about another hour. I believe Jess wants to bake the cake here.

After exercise, came home and cut the lawn. I used the tractor (go me!) and the push behind. Admitted, I'm not real good on the tractor. As a matter of fact, at one point I did a lot of riding and didn't realize it but I didn't have the blades engaged! Then went in the pool, then vacuumed out the spa (we'll need to run the robotic cleaner tomorrow but at least Jess and Kris can use the spa tonight if they want to). Have some more of the chocolate bran muffins in the oven, have my dinner ready. Made a lasagna last night for Jess, Kris and Vince. I got a spaghetti squash at Aldi yesterday so I'll have that.

D'Anna - welcome! Come here for lots of motivation

Sylvia - so sorry to hear about your friend. I'll keep him in my prayers. Will your friend negotiate the price of the Jag? Especially if you tell her that the blue book value is only $4,000

Istanis - welcome. We're so glad you found us! Congrats on the teriffic weight loss.

katla - I'm an only child, too. and I'm not very competitive. Now Vince is an only child but he's quite competitive. I know that at the soup kitchen, many times they ask for sweets as they have recovering alcoholics and that helps them to satisfy their desire for alcohol. I agree with you, a DVD or an app just isn't the same as a yoga class.

Vicki - post that pic!

Pat - I don't know about you, but I find it so frustrating when I need to get new glasses I have to buy new frames, too. So many times I just wish they'd take the lenses out of the old frames and use those. Does the yoplait yogurt have that aspertame sulfame in it? That's NASTY stuff. Most plain yogurts don't have any added sugar, I add honey to mine or fresh fruit. If the fruit was frozen, as it defrosts there is more "juice"

Cindy - lentil quinoa -- sounds very very interesting. Care to share?

mimi - I like to go to thrift shops, too. One of the things that I won't buy there, tho, is a bathingsuit. Or underwear (unless it's new).

Jane in NNY - hope you feel better fast

MA - I think your pic is gorgeous

Jess and Kris came here. I didn't realize they were as hungry as they were. Fortunately, I had the lasagna already baked, only I had it in the refrig so we had to put it in the microwave to warm up. I also made some garlic bread and they had a salad. I had spaghetti squash, tomato sauce, and this pepper and onion mixture. Just had grapes for dessert, but I had the chocolate chip cookies for them. Jessica wanted more of the grapes, tho.

Then Jess and I went to WalMart, got a few things, she needed white icing for her cakes. Then we went to AC Moore for fondant. Came home and she made the cakes, which was good for me because normally I would have been tempted to have a BLT but didn't. Made more of the cocoa/tofu drinks for me and then made a key lime pie for them for dessert tomorrow. It's just too easy.

Welcome new people that I didn't mention.

Michele in NC

Oh my… last post was 9/8….and that was a partial… my god son (22 years old) came for 3 days and he decided that what he wanted to do was learn to make cocktails ..one of my favorite things … so for 3 days we drank… not that bad actually… he had to learn to make simple syrup and muddle and presentation, and strain seeds/pulp out of fruit, we spent an evening at my favorite bar with my favorite bartender learning from her… and also understanding tipping…

It was great fun. But bad to my diet ( up ½ lb.. ) and no catching up with you all… so here I go…

Cynthia – glad the windows are done, and pup is getting better…

Heather – great new pic!!!! Mushy peas sound like spilt pea soup without the soup.


Patty – 8lbs off on vacation – awesome!!!! I think the YMCA is missing the boat; you offered them a great deal – the bottom line is you need to take care of you.. Maybe you can teach enough at LA Fitness to say Bye Bye to the YMCA…

Sylvia – I love kale chips, but learned that they have to cook longer and slower; and spaghetti squash, cut in ½ scoop out seeds – put cut side down in a 9x13 pan add a inch of water – cover with foil or a lid; and bake in a 350 oven for 30-40 min depending on size….

Janejanekitt – I call them off the plan meals… not full days and not cheat as that seems like I have done something wrong… but if my logging says I am within goal than it is not off plan… for me off plan usually means I don’t log; because what I am eating is too much work to figure out how to log…

Sue in UK– keep up the good work
Beth – hang in finances are tough….
Brenda – Wow – exercising in the hospital… that’s awesome.

Joyce, I would have done what Charlie did, but with vanilla soft serve –

Mimi – Glad mom got an “overhaul”! sometimes if plain water is hard, water with sliced fruit or cucumbers helps

Laura – great idea to make sure you realize what you are doing…

Pat – that 90 year old dancing will be what Barbie will be doing when she is 90!

Carol – Keeping you in my thoughts!!!

Trulabfloyd – booze has so many calories… I do alternate a “drink” and then a water…and usually do white wine, and get the bartender to do ½ wine, ½ soda water in each glass… helps with calories and will me throwing caution to the wind.
Beth – that was so rude, and says something about her walking the Christian walk…hmmm… I know it hurt, but it is really good you know where she is, forgiving is very good of you, but don’t forget, and adjust how much you trust her appropriately…

I worked with a gal who was deaf, do you read lips? Are you aided?

Beth – talking to a friend out here with a slightly disabled daughter and she found that the local senior center as a board with cards from local personal care assistants that she can take advantage of even though she is far from a senior… so that may be a resource for your son also.

Istanisz79 – welcome

MA – very fun to see you!




September goals:
Stretch 5 minutes 8 times done 2 times
Walk 100 miles -16.34 = 83.66 to go
Do 4 errands walking (from home or a 15 minute walk from the place the car is parked)
Do Heather’s abc balance 2 time a week – 1 done


Kim from N. California

morning ladies~
I just peaked out the window here in the DH office and it is fall in New England,it is 51 degree's out and the leaves are starting to change color... this is my favorite time of the year...
I havent really talked to the DH so dont know the plans for the weekend.. but I will be grocery shopping tomorrow a.m, early will see if he wants to go to the big E or not..
we could go next weekend on Sunday as Saterday is our 17th wedding anniversary...we shall see...
i am going to peruse the internet to see if I can find some type of meal plan that is wholesome food that fills me up.. that is good for me..
do any of you have food that you love and make a batch ,and then take to work for lunches?
i will take suggestions if any of you have any..

Dear Jenn:flowerforyou: Big hugs to you. Plan a special treat for yourself that is not food based. Massage? Manicure? Bubble bath? New book? I have just bought How To Stay Sane for my Kindle. :happy: Well done for not turning to food. It was breast cancer that put the weight on me this time around as I ate for comfort. But it is NOT the answer and just leaves you more miserable. It sounds as if they are just playing safe and you are probably ok. Good luck with the investigations.:flowerforyou:

I am tired, but glad to be back home. I have cancelled tomorrow's trip to the brewery birthday party. Thank goodness. Still got loads of washing to do. Gardening.:ohwell: I got back into my exercising this morning and so far eating is on plan.:bigsmile: I am not weighing in until Monday to let the glycogen water disperse. Then I will know the real damage.:noway:

This morning I went to a craft fair with my friend at the village hall, but only came home with a nice card and a lemon drizzle cake for DH. I will slice it and freeze the slices, then I won't be tempted.
I have just done a food delivery order for Monday night. My main objective is to get back to my typing. I really missed it while I was busy with the grandchildren and on holiday. I want to get that old book finished and out there ! ! ! ! ! !

So ladies, I am determined to eat my normal regime from now on and banish any extra poundage by the time I go to NYC.:laugh: The good news is that my clothes still fit. I got several compliments today from the stallholders about my cardigan which was the last thing I bought from M&S.

I am a slim woman and I am eating slim. :bigsmile: :laugh:

Love to all, Heather in sunny and beautiful Hampshire UK

Greetings to all new and old members,

this month I am on a biking and a walking challenge. I have a real hard time with the walking part. It is still too hot for walking and I do not have a real destination to walk to. There is a nearby park with a lake and I walk around the lake which is about a mile each time , but I feel like a hamster on his wheel doing the same thing over and over again. Plus, surprise, surprise, the park is full of dog owners who feel entitled to leave their dogs off the leash, despite the fact that there are two huge dog runs in the park.

So yesterday I decided to visit Interbike, a huge international bicycle convention taking place in Las Vegas, to get my walking miles in. OMG! The whole convention hall floor was covered in a thick soft carpet and to walk for hours on it was sooooo tiring.

It was a testosterone loaded event. Many depilated muscular men, very few women. Not even the usual convention show girls pushing the products. They used the shaven boys instead.

But it was fun and I stood longing in front of five thousand dollar bikes I could not afford and salivated over expensive bike computers and three hundred dollar saddles.

But I made it out of there without spending any money only my legs are so sore that I passed on biking today. Oh well, I will go for yard sales isntead.


Anne in the Mojave desert

Bump

Just jumping in to hold my place!

Anne and Barbie - there is a lot of evidence that we need some fat on us as we age. Body fat contains oestrogen, which makes for good bone health. We also need to eat fats for good brain function. It is recommended that we don't let our bmi drop below 23. Mine is on the verge of that, or was, so I only want to lose a little more. Neither is the scraggy look particularly attractive!:laugh: I already get comments. :noway: Also we need some reserves in case of illness. Sickness can seriously deplete our reserves and dehydration is a risk. If you attained 110 lbs at 5ft 4 ins you would be on the verge of underweight.

It is so easy for us to become obsessed by the odd pound or two - I know I am!:laugh: The fear of it running away with us keeps us anxiously checking the scales, but all the evidence shows that the healthiest older women are mildly overweight, with bmi around 26 - 27. I like being a bit slimmer than that, simply through vanity and choice of clothes, but bone and brain health are important.
When we were on holiday we went to Trelissick gardens and had a lunch there. The National Trust and garden visiting is largely an older and more comfortably off pastime. I noticed that the lunch room was full of overweight and obese women. Only one other woman was my size. A lot of them moved uncomfortably. I sometimes feel these days like the only slim person of my age in almost any situation. Shopping, yoga, Women's Institute. The nation has let its eating gallop away with it.

Of course, all you ladies have realised this and are doing something about it.:flowerforyou: That does not stop me pondering on the collective madness that has led us to this state.

I will carry on obsessing about my couple of extra pounds I know I have put on this last week and a half until they are gone. And they will be gone! GONE! ! ! ! ! ! As I write they are GOING !

I'm still relieved I am not getting on that train tomorrow! :bigsmile: :yawn: :flowerforyou:

Heather UK