WOMEN AGES 50+ FOR SEPTEMBER 2014

Happy Thursday!

Nothing special planned today. I'm currently soaking one of those "dry clean only" items, a jacket with an acetate lining and hoping it doesn't fall to pieces! Fingers crossed!!! Still working my way through Upstairs, Downstairs on Netflix.........couldn't imagine why I didn't watch this this when it was first on PBS, then realized I was still in school then working night shift and had no tv.

Pat.........We could be gone all day too.......until after dark when we stayed closer to home and played under the streetlights........hide and seek, fox and hounds, kick the can. I didn't roam as much as most because I usually had my nose in a book. Lived in 3 blocks of homes grouped together outside of a very small town and knew every single person in every single house......some families had been there for four generations or more. Roamed the hills all day if we wanted, including a shale/coal one left from mining that was a goldmine for fossils---a couple of which I still have. I remember climbing the side of the mountain----zero safety equipment, of course; just the hammer and chisel stuck in back pockets

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the sun on my back and legs......I could climb like a monkey back then......coming down off the fossil field terrified me, didn't stop me though. It's amazing that no one I knew fell down a mine shaft............ahhhhh, Pa. coal country!!!

Carol..............Hope you are finding the chair exercises you wanted to make up for the lack of foot usage. I took my mom to a chair exercise group at a local center once and remember they got a pretty good workout; but, sadly for her, at that point her dementia was at a place where she could not participate very much.

Heather..............You will have a fabulous time in NYC

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maybe the leaves will be changing in Central Park, it's so pretty in fall. I also hope Scotland stays! What sights are you most hoping to see?

Meg.............Woohoo!!!! That increase in running time is remarkable

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you must be doing something very right! Super NSV!!!

Michele...........We never had desserts as a rule either............the only exceptions were the Christmas cookies, holidays, and birthdays. If I was sick my mom always made me lime jello........a tradition I've tried to carry on

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my daughter is not thrilled.

Hello to everyone else, welcome newbies; hope you all have a good day!
Stay strong!
yanniejannie
mid-Atlantic..............beautiful, sunny and warm but not too hot

Good afternoon!

Shana - There is an app (I guess that's what is called) by varidesk that you can install on your computer and it will pop up at the times you set to remind you to get up and move. You can tell it how long you want to stand up (or be away) and it will tell you when it's time to sit down again. I sometimes use it when I'm going to be doing something I know I will get in engrossed in. Otherwise, my own wandering mind and achy body reminds me to get up. I made a deal with the guy I work with that I will get up once per hour and walk for five minutes. And, welcome!

Lesley - I for one truly hope you stay with us. I learn a lot from you about a "different" method of being healthy, not to mention being fascinated by your life in Tasmania. I'm glad your health is improving. I'm sure you're sick and tired of being sick and tired!

Michele - I drove about 1/2 block with the boot on the other day because it IS a pain to put on and off. I won't do that again! Braking is fine but I can't feel the accelerator through the two-inch sole on the boot. My biggest problem with it is that I walk like the character Lurch. I've switched over to my walking shoes (well, just one) and put an insert in the sole today to try to even my leg length a little. I hope that helps because I'm noticing the strain on my back and hips from the walking lopsided factor. However, I did have almost 7,000 steps by the time I got to bed last night. I (hopefully) have forgotten how to be sedentary and can not imagine the physical and mental torture of being prevented from walking for three months.

I'm still previewing exercises because I had a meeting last night. I went straight to the meeting after work and got home after 9 p.m. I ate a snack supper and then went to bed! Tonight will not be quite so late but still not a normal evening.

For those of you signed up for the Nutrition class on Coursera, how is it going? I've been focusing on the other class I'm doing this week and will end up doing the Nutrition class on the weekend. In the other class, I'm reading Jane Eyre and am not really enjoying it any more this time around than when I was in college. It is a LOT to read in one week and I am a FAST reader and love to read. I still have all of the lectures to listen to, too. I do enjoy those, though, and will watch/listen while I exercise. I need to see if I can download them as podcasts so that I can listen in the car on my way to and from work. That being said, I am so thoroughly enjoying having my mind stretched! It has been stagnant for too long!

I need to get some work done now. I have a large mailing to get out this week. :grumble: :sad: I will probably end up stuffing envelopes at home so that I can elevate the foot and listen to my lectures while my hands do mindless work.

Carol from delightfully fall-like NC

Bump again.

Good morning everyone! It's rainy here today, so I didn't walk with the kids this morning. We knew last night it was going to be raining. So my son took them to school and I slept an hour later. I'm picking them up this afternoon.

Today is picture day, and they will all have their pictures taken for the yearbook even though we aren't buying them.

I'm sitting here at my desk wearing my new size 14 jeans. I don't even have any "spillage" at the top until I sit down, then my tummy spills over just a little. Still, they don't hurt, and they make me feel better, so I'm wearing them. I remember when I was young and I had to lie down on the bed to zip my jeans. And I was thin then!

I'm trying to get set up for when my new "intern" starts on Saturday. Hubby helped me move my second potter's wheel up into the sunny room in front of the windows. It's much nicer there. And I cleaned off some shelves and moved those too. It will be nice to have some company!

Lesley in Tasmania, I do not believe in the starvation mode thing, but that doesn't mean that I'm criticizing anyone else who does. I have just not found it to be a factor with my own diet. I admire all the body building stuff you do, and love reading about it, but can't do it myself. I wish I could eat that many calories though! :sad:

Sue, I'm getting my hair cut today too. Fingers crossed for both of us getting good results!

Arthur, we are still out here sending you hugs! :flowerforyou:

Dianne, there was an article yesterday that said a new study finds that artificial sweeteners actually kill some kind of bacteria in your gut which causes weight gain. But only in some people who have that specific type of bacteria, which means that some people will gain weight due to the artificial sweeteners and some don't. I used to drink diet soda a lot, and I gained a LOT of weight. Of course, I was eating huge portions too. When I stopped drinking diet soda and just drinking water, I still gained. Go figure. So for me it is more about the food, but I'm not afraid of a little real sugar. Hubby is a chemist and he says he would not put that artificial stuff in his body because of what's in it.

Amanda, I hope the drain helps and you feel better very soon!

Heather, your post reminded me of a recipe I saw online that I want to try. It's oven fries made from butternut squash.

Barbie, I love the quote about buying a bomber!

Meg, running for FIVE minutes!!!!! Great job!!!!!!!

Shana, do you mind if I ask how heavy you were when you started running? My hubby thinks if I start running now I will wreck my knees and feet. But sometimes when I walk I feel like a racehorse being held back but really wants to run. I did run alongside my granddaughter's bike and did just fine. I want to do the couch to 5K thing, but my cardiologist also thinks I'm still too heavy. (He's an idiot though, so his opinion doesn't matter too much.) Maybe someday.

Here is the joke of the day:

:happy:

If someone with multiple personalities threatens to commit suicide, is that considered a hostage crisis?

:laugh:

Have a great day everyone!

Sylvia

Sylvia - from what I understand about the Couch to 5k programme you just start by doing a little tiny bit of running. Even I can do ten yards! ! ! ! Unfortunately I can't do much more than that with all my joint and foot problems. :sad: A little tiny bit of running can't hurt, but watch it! Almost anything puts my knee out. I think the problem with you would be reining yourself back when you were going well. Slowly and carefully does it! How's the blood pressure?

Heather UK

Wow this board moves fast! Thanks for all the welcomes! I had to open in another window just to refer back there is no way I could remember it all

I am feeling so excited and great this morning! After being really down and out of it yesterday (5! inactivity alerts on my monitor!) I ended up taking the pup out for 'just a nice walk' since it was still warm out. Once we got out though I realized it was lovely out and we just kept going and mixed in a bit of running. I went out on the trail and we ended up going 5 miles! My DH was a bit upset that we were gone so long but I really think he was just hungry :laugh: I whipped up some 'breakfast for dinner' of eggs with ham in tortillas that was pretty tasty. This morning I got up early again and went out for a 4 mile run before my first meeting! I really feel great and am so happy I was able to do Tues run, Wed run/walk and Thurs run with no foot issues! I am actually optimistic now about being able to finish the half in October!! Tonight - strength training!

Michele - I set custom goals in MFP as well. I haven't change sodium but do change my calories, protein, carbs and fat.

Barbie - I do a plank challenge too - I have been doing it for a while now (started as a 30 day and I just kept going) but it is no longer continuous. I mix it up now with regular plank, one foot plank, side plank and side plank dips - i really like it after I run because it stretches out all the muscles in my legs and feet and is surprisingly calming for me.

Anne - set 1km as your overall running goal for now but don't stress or push yourself to get there, just take it slow and do what you are able to so you don't get hurt or frustrated. Maybe set tiny goals for now ( I am going to run to that tree or to the corner or whatever).

Lesley in Tasmania - how do you measure your body fat? I had a dunk test recently and thought I would be much lower than I was. I was not at all happy with the results. I am not a body builder per se, but I love lifting and I love seeing the changes in my body and getting stronger.

Heather - I love NYC! We used to go a couple of times a year for business or to take our daughter and sometimes her friends. You have to set aside some time for the Metropolitan Museum of Art - fantastic! and there are many smaller lesser known art museums as well. The Brooklyn Museum is really great too and has had some wonderful photography exhibits. I would also include a visit to Grand Central terminal - it is really incredible architecturally and has been beautifully restored (note the big clock with opal faces - they were so dirty before that no one realized how beautiful they were!). We had a wonderful friend, unfortunately gone now, who was a historical architecture buff - he belonged to an organization that studied the history and architecture of the buildings in NYC and would always take us on fascinating tours.
As far as running is concerned - when I started it was not pretty and I couldn't go far... I was out of breath, my knees hurt, my back hurt, etc... With losing the weight my knees no longer hurt (still have arthritis and tore the meniscus in one), my endurance has improved and best of all - I am off all medications! My BP is way down, cholesterol is way down, blood sugar is normal!

Patty - I have also heard that about the wheat in the US. I have a friend who gets sick when she eats wheat products here but is fine in Europe!

Pat - I love to bake and still do some, especially for holidays. I put things in the freezer and once in a while pull out 1-2 that fit into my calories for that day. I am not a huge sweet eater but I do love a cookie every once in a while. I don't modify the recipe, I have modified what/how much I eat.

Carol - Thanks for the info on the app - do you know what the app is called? Otherwise I will see if I can find it by searching for varidesk. I work at home, remotely so there is no excuse really. I could stand up when I am on calls or do other things... I have used conference calls as times to stretch - I can listen while I am stretching!

Sylvia - I was around 175-185 when I started running and I am 130 now. I think it is SUPER important to make sure you have the right shoes for running to cushion your feet and knees (go to a running store and have them fitted - you don't have to buy them there. I did that and then ordered my shoes online). and also take it slow - like I told Anne walk a little, run a little...
I also stopped drinking sodas but primarily because of the impact to blood sugar. My daughter had been doing research for school and one of the things they were looking at is the relationship of how artificial sweeteners affect or fool your body into thinking it has had sugar and the impact when it isn't really there.

Leslie - My puppy Hobbes and I are sending good thoughts Arthur's way! Hope he is doing much better now!!

Ok - that is all I can see for now and I really need to get back to work! I am really looking forward to getting to know everyone!

Shana from sunny and hot So. California

As far *kitten* New York, it is just to big for me. Our city is about 120, 000 and that is big enough for me. although I enjoyed the historical aspects of Philadelphia, it was just to big. I let my daughter do all the driving.

Baking. My Dad was born and raised in Minnesota and his Mom baked everything! I can never remember eating anything but home made bread for sandwiches or just to eat bread. We were shocked when we were there after Grandpa died and we were served regular bread. I like to bake cookies, that's it.

I guess I am having what I call an "MS day'. I woke up exhausted. Now on Saturday nights I don't get the same amount of sleep and sometimes when I have a doctor appointment. But I gradually feel peppy. But I am sitting here still feeling like I could just go to bed and be in a deep sleep. If things go as usual by about 6 or 7 I will 'wake up'. I would have gone to bed but my sister has a doctors appointment and I am taking her at 10 AM, She takes about an extra 15 minutes just getting our the door plus the time it takes her van getting her scooter out of the car using it's hydraulic lift. So I have to allow myself more time. So I couldn't get a nap in. So my mind is fairly blank today.

Joyce, Indiana

Happy Thursday all! I am really just bumping, but hoping everyone is doing well.

Saw the doctor yesterday and she said my meals and exercise were just right for me. She wants me to see a dietician to go over my meal plans in depth. OK with that. Need to find out how much cholesterol she says I can have per day, I have genetric high cholesterol and was diagnosed when I was 21.
Have new meds for cough ( 1 a day now) and cream fro my spots. I can go back to training again now
Slept really well last night after plastering on the cream
I did Jeannette's Cardio dance before breakfast and Jillian's kettle-bells after breakfast, doggy walk this afternoon
Going to clean house and do some ironing
Today's food = 2129, under my cals with 30 g fibre
All OK in my world again
Lesley in Tasmania

Did 1 hour of a "10 Pounds Down" DVD today. Tomorrow I'm planning to do Jillian Michael's Burn Fat Boost Metabolism DVD

Anne - I'm the same way...I like to have things for my guests and many times it just isn't good for me. What I've found is that if I have two things -- one for them and one for me -- that seems to work. Like I may have a cake (which isn't good for me) but also some fruit (which is good for me). I did this the last time Jessica was down here, and to my surprise, she chose to have more of the grapes and not the key lime pie. Interesting, especially since she'd requested I make the pie.

barbie - thanks for confirming that I can change my goals on MFP. I tried last night and just couldn't figure it out so I thought maybe I couldn't. But you told me that I could so I just kept looking, and, sure enough, I can

Lesley - I'm so glad you decided to stay here. I really enjoy your posts so much and I learn so much.

I went on the 9th for blood work. At the time I requested a copy of the work be sent to me. Well, I still don't have it but they said if I set up an account on their patient portal I can print one out for myself. So I set up the account, only they don't have it online yet. Why, I have no idea. They said something about the doc having to "sign off" (whatever that means) but they did say that I should check back this afternoon. I just like to have a record for myself.

Joyce - good for you getting that hot spot done! I'm proud of you. You reminded me of something that a friend of mine did. You know those trifold screens you see in Japanese restaurants? Well, she got one of them but it was broken. So what she did was take the three pieces apart and hang just those panels on the wall. It's interesting, but I don't think I would do it. To me, it looked too much like it should have been one of those screens.

Heather - I would love to have a vegetarian meal at least once a week. Now the problem is trying to sneak it into Vince. He wants his meat and potatoes! I'm thinking that if Scotland decides not to stay part of the UK, that would probably incent Spain to break off, the Catalonians (?sp) want to break off.

Amanda - glad to hear from you!

Patty - one thing I did learn (and the only thing so far) is that sodium has been recommended to be 1500mg, so I changed my goals here at MFP (thanks to barbie). I guess I have about 3 more videos to watch. There are lots of good links, but I'm so busy watching the video that I don't click on the link. Oh well..... I wonder how next week will be talking about labeling. I took the test. On my first attempt, I got 11 out of 15 right, on my second attempt I got 14 out of 15 right. OK, I'm mathematically challenged. When they asked you for percentage of carbs/fats/protein for the day, how did you figure it out. LiveStrong gave you a piechart and would give you the percentages, but MFP doesn't. How did you figure it out?

Carol - Oh, I remember well that feeling of walking like Lurch! I didn't find my boot to be that much of a pain to put on and take off. But I must say that it nearly killed me not to be able to exercise for over a month. To be honest, right now I honestly don't feel like I've learned a whole lot in the Nutrition course. But that might very well change since this is only the first week. You're going to do the whole week's worth on the weekend? Good for you, I don't think I could do that. Sounds like you have a good plan -- stuff envelopes, keep your foot up and listen to lectures.

Sylvia - I have this "thing" about putting something in my body that was made in a lab. For that reason, I tend to not use artificial sweeteners and shy away from things like Cool Whip. I know, there are some things that I have that probably do have "lab formulated" ingredients. I just made oven fries from a butternut squash. The recipe didn't call for any olive oil and I thought, while they had good taste, that they were "mushy". I might try spraying oil on them before baking them next time.

Exercised, then went to Aldi, came home and roasted some spaghetti squashes, went in the pool, now I'm here. scraped out the squashes and have two in the freezer and two in the refrig. I'll probably go thru them in no time as I really like spaghetti squash with tomato sauce on it.

Vicki - let us know if you use the glow in the dark paint and how it works.

Shana - I had already changed my calories here. I think MFP would give me more but by using one of the formulas, I found that my caloric intake should be less. I like to have "breakfast for dinner" sometimes. Wish Vince would want it more often, tho. I wish there was a place where I could get the dunk test done, but I need to rely more on the caliphers instead. I, too, enjoy lifting. I like to lift slowly, that's my preferred method. Sometimes, tho, a DVD will want you to go faster. Congrats on being off all medications! Score one for exercise!!!

Well, even tho I went over on my calories today, I had some of the tofu/cocoa mix. I knew that if I didn't have that, I would dip into those German cookies again. Now I'll be ok if I can just ration them out one/day (maybe two, but no more than two). Aldi finally had them so I bought 4 bags. they are so good, what I like is that they aren't real super sweet.

Arthur - welcome back! You sleep wherever you want to sleep!

Meg - oh no, MORE rain! Don't even MENTION that "s" word...!!! Tell me about how expensive organic foods are. I get organic apples, celery, and strawberries. I know that there are others that are on the "dirty dozen" list, but honestly I just can't see myself spending all that money. To me, tho, organic strawberries taste more "strawberryyyie" (hey, I just made a new word...calling Mr. Webster)

Lesley - where DO you get all that energy from??

Michele in NC

Good evening, masters of the staying fit business,

the rain did not reach us, obviously everything was dumped into Arizona. Arizona is less than thirty miles from my house, but I do not think it rained at the border, I practically bike there every day. .

I spent a frustrating day in the sense that I tried to install a new cassette in the rear wheel of my road bike. I bike so much that I wear out the moving parts quickly and I learn how to do most of the maintenance work myself. I put more miles on my bikes than on the car. But this was the first time that I tried myself on a cassette and it took me a few hours, before I finally got it. So I did not go biking today. While I was working on my bike one of the neighbor’s kids came by with a flat tire on his bike and I tried to teach him how to fix a flat. But I have to say that his attention span was very short, and I ended up doing all the work myself.

To make up for not biking I went to the park though and tried to run a little bit, well if you can call this running. It was more like a lame jog and not very long. It was still too hot to really make an effort.

But I was proud I tried and I think if I persist I will eventually succeed. A few years ago I never thought that I will be able to leave some road cyclists in the dust, but I do now. Not the real fast ones, of course. Thousands of miles pedaled, paid of.

Sylvia, if you have the urge to run, try it. Obviously the fitness experts recommend running as one of the most effective weight loss tools, at least that is what it looks like, if you watch these weight loss shows.

I am just watching PBS evening news and they report about Scotland. What is going on with all these separation movements? I am always waiting for Quebec to separate from Canada. I do not know if it is a good thing or a bad thing. If you believe reports, smaller countries seem to do better in all over quality of life, maybe bigger is not always better.
From personal experience I found that countries like Switzerland and the Netherlands, both tiny countries with a rather small population were doing extremely well in every respect, compared to bigger countries. While I thought mega cities like Los Angeles for example, are becoming nearly inhuman. Of course LA is not a country, but compared to many European countries it is bigger in size and population. That is also from personal experience. I could not stand the traffic and the smog in LA.


Heather

I have not been in the Big Apple in years, but my bicycling magazine just had an issue which crowned NYC as the bst cycling city in the US. Hard to believe. But obviously you can rent or share bikes which certainly is not a bad idea as a tourist But I still doubt that it is like in Europe. . I remember walking my soles off in New York. The galleries are certainly fun to visit, there is some great art in New York, but of course you have great art and great museums in London too.

Everybody keep on counting calories and keep moving

Anne

Well, I have been MIA so here is a little update.

My mother's only sister passed away on Saturday, 33 years to the day from when her first husband passed (father of all her children and first cousin to my father so my cousins are first cousins on mama's side, third cousins on daddy's side). Spent a lot of time prior to the passing sitting with my mother and other family, then much time afterwards with visitation, funeral, my sister from out of state, etc. In the middle of all this was my father's family reunion. Mama didn't feel like going, so my sister and I took our father. Let's say I've done my share of seeing family this past week. I love them all, but I have missed you all, my MFP family!

I broke down and got a Fitbit today. I sure hope it is worth the amount of money they charge for it. They seem to be quite proud of it! I was disappointed that you couldn't use your Kohl's coupon. Oh, well! I've synced it to MFP (at least I think I have) and am now charging it up all the way. I'll give it a try with the sleep thing tonight.

As for school pictures, when I used to be in charge of them at my school, the school got 50% of underclassmen picture sales and 30% of senior picture sales. It was a good money-maker for the school. Yes, they are expensive, but the picture goes in the yearbook and the child gets a student ID whether he buys any pictures or not. We never pressured students to buy. I don't really have a problem with the pictures because a lot of people do enjoy getting them, but the other fundraisers are a real rip-off in my opinion. Schools get such a small percentage of the actual purchase price and the stuff is way over-priced to begin with.

I need a serious kick in the tail to get motivated again. I need to give it one big serious attempt between now and the big 6-0 in 5 weeks. A lb a week would be so nice!!!!!

Heather: You have great passion for travel and good instincts for finding the things you’ll enjoy most. I hope you have a fabulous trip to NYC and the weather cooperates.:flowerforyou:

Sylvia: I love your sensible outlook and your great jokes.:flowerforyou:

Bjkidfun: I’m sending good thoughts your way for your surgery, and hope all goes very well.:flowerforyou:

Lesley: Good news about Arthur. Congratulations!:flowerforyou:

Joyce: You are so good to your family. I hope they appreciate what a treasure you are.:flowerforyou:

Lesley in Tasmania: It sounds like you got plenty of support and good news from your doctor. I hope things continue to be ok in your world.:flowerforyou:

Michele: I also think about what may happen if Scotland leaves the UK. DH is of Scottish descent, and I’ve known there has been conflict for a long time, in the hundred's of years. I’m also a fiction reader, including historical fiction, and have read quite a bit about the English treatment of Scotland before and after Culloden. :flowerforyou:

Rori: Pumpkin is very healthy, but sugar, fat, and pie shells aren’t so good for us. Try some baked pumpkin with cinnamon and nutmeg sprinkled on it instead of pumpkin pie.:flowerforyou:

Dr Katie: I hope you plan a something special for the big 60. I agree with you about school fundraisers. Too many of them don’t give enough to the school for the time and trouble, in my opinion.:flowerforyou:


It has been a good day today, although a quiet one for me. I went to yoga and enjoyed every moment, but really didn’t do much after that. I hope to be more active tomorrow.


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



September 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!

What a day... alarm clock didn't go off... rushed off to work without my lunch...missed my exit. All of this before 7 a.m. The day didn't get much better. Busy is an understatement. But I'm not complaining about that... better busy than bored.

It's been a fast paced day, and of course, now I can't sleep. So I am taking a moment to pop on to try to catch up with the thread.

I hope everyone had a better day than I did.

Going to try again to get a few hours of sleep.

Nite, Nite

Jenn

morning~
I am up having my warm lemon water and on the computer..DH feeling a tad bit better...we are working on a teen that came in on weds and is moving to mississippi tomorrow. she has 18 cavities:noway: well they worked on the top weds,today we do the bottom.. the mother didnt seem to care she just wanted them done before the move... depending on how long it takes we might miss lunch, so better bring something I can just grab.