40+ Club: Spring Fitness Challenge

Good Morning....from cold NEPA

Stress seems to consume me right now and I'm exercising through it. My BP is not where I want it but I am working my diet into better routines. I think I have a case of the winter blues. I can't get warm.

StiringWendel - Thanks for the reminder about water. You're right, I need to keep it with me. Bad thing about it is that I'm usually home, so there's no excuse!

Tron3002 - I'm impressed with your Nevada workout! Thanks for the water sympathy.

Cathy B - congratulations on your weight loss, and on your blood pressure going down! That's terrific.

MrsFoxtrot5 - You are cracking me up with the bread reports! I love it! Bread used to be hard for me, too, but the worst was potatoes! I could never stay away. Hang in there.

Lady Persia - I'm in PA, too! How's your water intake coming?

IdleJack, welcome!

Kylakesgal, welcome! Consider yourself signed right up. :-)

Alf1163 - I heard great things about Zumba! Once my nutritional issues are resolved, I hope to sign up for a class that they have right in my subdivision.

Kim Kelly - I hope you're feeling better today.

Friday Check In:
Well, I haven't yet improved my water intake. :frown: I think I get so full, then when I'm not full I want to eat instead of drink. I think I'm going to set a low goal of 2 glasses per day and work up from there.

As you can see in my siggy, I've had weight loss surgery. It's working really well; so well that my body isn't absorbing the amount of protein it needs to for me to stay healthy. :grumble: I'm having some problems with edema. It comes from protein malnutrition, which I'm battling right now. Of course, in my head I'm thinking, "just drink some WATER and it will go away." I'm sure it would help, but it won't solve the problem. I'm carrying around about 7lbs of extra weight from the swelling with me. I refuse to weigh myself until it goes down again, hopefully this week.

I'm still also struggling with getting in enough protein every day. I get in 60 grams easily, but that's only good for "normal" people, not surgically-altered types like me. I need over 100g daily: 120g is good and 180g would be better. To solve my dilemma, I'm on the quest for a better protein shake! Drinking 60-90g of protein per day will help me a lot; I won't then feel like I have to stuff my small, new tummy with a ton of food and feel miserable.

Have a great weekend, everyone! If you're celebrating Valentine's Day, enjoy!

Hi everyone. Been a particularly busy week for me between work and my husband being out of town all week (still not back), I've been doing double duty on school for more daughter - bringing and picking up - in addition to my already horrendous commute. It has been fun having just a girl's week though…

Still cold here but no snow so not quite as bad as it had been.

Still having a hard time with maintenance although I understand from many that I am not alone in this experience. Guess it just takes time. Despite the anxiety of last week's weigh-in, I did not alter exercise or eating and am anxious to see what the scale says on Sunday. My eating continues to be good and even though my husband was gone all week, I managed to get to the gym everyday as usual - thanks to a very supportive and understanding 11 year old! There would again be no reason for me to have gained, but that's been the case for the past 3 weeks so we'll see. I just want the comfort of finding the right combination of calories/exercise to maintain (vs. gain or lose) although as many of you have suggested, maybe I need a "happy" range. More to come on Sunday.

Welcome to all the new members. I am fairly new too and look forward to sharing and benefiting from this group everyday! Thanks to all who have been trying to help me get over this hump…hoping I get there soon!!

Good Morning Friends.

A windy and bright Saturday morning here in Romania. Was exhausted yesterday but think that is because I hadn't eaten enough on Wednesday and Thursday. I therefore had a big day tomorrow and went over my calories by about 100 but it seemed to work as I think I've lost again - I know we are only supposed to weigh once a week but I'm so scared of putting on that I feel the need to check everyday.

My also 40plus husband has also managed to loose this week despite the neck injury, so we are both pleased. A couple of pounds closer to a new camera (for my husband if he looses 30 pounds) and an Ipad for me (if I loose 40 pounds).

Have a wonderful weekend everyone.

Mrs Foxtrot

Tron, continue doing what you are doing for yourself, not for anyone else including your husband. I know it is hard to ignore the comments but just think about yourself. If you need to, just remind him that you are not competing with him...keep you head up high!! :flowerforyou:

mrsfoxtrot, congrats on your weight loss, keep up the good work!!!! :drinker: An IPad, that is a great reward. I told my husband I would like to have one but he said I already have a laptop...:laugh: He is right, I really dont need another electronic device...at least not for now.

altushe, hang in there. You are doing a great job!!!!! I have been wanting to weigh myself but I am really afraid to see the numbers now. I know I have gained, I see it, I feel it...maybe I should cause it might be the incentive I need to crack the whip some...I have let go, succumbed to too many goodies (actually baddies) lately... :grumble: :noway: I might weigh in on Friday morning.

Cbaker, a deep tissue massage, never had one. It sounds sooooo good right now. I've heard they are kinda painful...in a good way...I'm also a Grandma!!! My granddaughter is 2 yrs old. She will be 3 in July. She is a handful but so much fun to be around. We are actually spending time with her tomorrow. :drinker: I have not seen her for about 3 wks. She was with her dad. Congrats on eating healthy around Valentine's. I am a sucker for candy, cookies, chocolate...not good time for me. :grumble: I've lost my willpower lately...

Ok guys, eating wise, not so good for me, I need a challenge!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! And I am soooooo upset at not doing any lifting lately. Gotta start something soon...:noway: I need an intervention!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Watching the Grammys!!!! Anyone else?

Good night!!! :flowerforyou:

Whew! So glad I found you! Kind of fell off the posting wagon. Chicago finally had some of that snow that everyone else has been getting and I just got wrapped up in other things. Very bad habit of mine. When anything changes, my nutrition/fitness is the first to go. I definitely need to break that cycle! We're finally starting the thaw here and just that thought alone makes me want to move! Spent the day swimming yesterday, it felt great. Just seeing the word "spring" in this topic feels great. Have a great week everyone!

Hey, 40+ Club! Happy Valentine's Day to all! :flowerforyou:

I'm still on my nutrition plan. I'm hoping that my nutrition is good enough to get off of it in the next week or so, but at the same time, I'm scared. :frown: I haven't been able to eat 100+ g of protein per day, which is what's required to keep me out of protein malnutrition. I'm trying, but it's hard! That's a lot of food for me. I'll keep at it, and try to find a protein shake that will work for me and help me reach that goal.

This past week, I had to check my blood sugar for the first time. Ouch! It was great both days, thank God. Other than that, I had my first taste of my favorite candy bar since my surgery: Hershey's with Almonds. Yummo! I just realized I forgot/ neglected/ psychologically blocked :laugh: writing it in my food diary, so I'll amend that soon.

I'm on some kind of cleaning spree, like 2-3 hours of fairly intense cleaning. This is WAY out of character for me! :laugh: I've been on it for the past two days. I hope this is a good sign that my energy is returning to me and that I'm on the mend. I have also forgotten to log my exercise hours, so I've added those as well.

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Cathy B - Thanks for the encouragement. Yes, we are ON IT! My doctor found my malnutrition right away, because I have blood work done every 3 months. I have a nurse who now draws my blood weekly while I'm on the nutrition program. I will keep y'all posted.

Altushe - I hear that about a 5-7 lb window is good for maintenance. I fluctuate that much in a day it seems! Hang in there, as long as you're on track you'll get settled into your "happy" :bigsmile: place.

MrsFoxtrot - Glad to know that your hubby is on the mend after a neck injury. You and he have some great rewards for weight loss. Those would keep me on track for sure!

Tron - Dudes--they are a mess! :laugh: Girl, don't let your hubby torture you like that! Pack a breakfast/lunch for yourself when you work with him on rentals. Educate him on the finer points of protein vs. carbs. Try not to hate him for dropping weight simply when he thinks about it--he got the luck of the gender draw on that one.

Alf - I hope you weren't too disappointed at the Grammys. I heard they were terrible. And, if you're teaching Zoomba, I think you get a pass for a minute on the lifting, for real! I'm falling out just thinking about a Zoomba class!

SingFree - I've been looking for a get-away for my DH & me. I think I'll try the place in Gettysburg you mentioned, maybe in the spring. Cool! My best to you on the night shift--that's a tough one.

Kerry - I lived in Chicago for several years. A great place to live, with terrible weather. Hold out for spring and summer--there will be plenty to do to keep you on program for sure.

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :drinker: :drinker: :flowerforyou: :flowerforyou:

The snow started to fall this morning. It didn't stick but it's supposed to snow all week long.

Yesterday I did great! Until my daughter pulled out my favorite, chips and dip. I told everyone in the house that goodies were gonna be banned from our house.

Exercise wise.... I went on the treadmill for an hour and a half. One hour was on the highest incline. The rest was on the lowest but I upped the speed and even jogged for part of the time. Jogging has actually gotten a little easier for me so thats exciting.
It said I did 6 miles but I go by how many laps I did and it showed 3 3/4 miles. I forgot to wear my HRM so I only added in 450ish calories when it said I burnt well over 600. Gonna go on there again today so I need to get out my HRM and see the true total.

Stiring.... Have you tried a Netty pot? We just bought my husband one because he was starting to not feel well and it has really helped. We bout the battery operated one which was good because he had a blockage which with the pressure that builds up it actually cleared it up.

Alf... Have you noticed a difference sense you haven't been lifting weights? You are so active I wouldn't think it would make much of a difference but I wouldn't really know.

Sing... Sorry about the night shift. It sucks, is all I have to say. I understand the money issue because that is what drove my husband to do it for so long but honestly, you never really get used to it.

Good Morning!

I'm doing MUCH better. I was able to get in a high impact step workout followed by 30 minutes of chest/back strength training yesterday. Today I'm planning a short bootcamp cardio workout followed by a tricep/bicep workout and, hopefully, a very short but intense leg workout. I'm getting my energy back after this sinus infection, and it feels great. My eating.....not so great. :embarassed: I'm still up for a challenge.

Victorious_One, sounds like you are getting a handle on your health post-surgery. I've known a couple of people who've had weight loss surgery as well, and, boy, did it change their life (for the better). I know it was completely worth the dietary troubles to them. It sounds like that's the case for you. Good for you in managing it so well. I have no doubt when you solve the protein issue, you'll find more energy as well. What kind of protein shakes have you tried? I really think protein powder is probably the only way you'll be able to get your protein in.

cef, good to see you!!! I didn't think you'd been back in the US very long.....and you're moving again? I know what that is like, and it isn't easy. Unfortunately I don't know anybody who lives in the Houston area. I've been there, but that doesn't help you find a place to live! Don't worry about the weight gain while you were back at work. I have no doubt you'll take it off very quickly, especially if you are running.

KimKelly, sorry you are so busy but it is good that it is creating so much activity for you!

tron, sounds like you had a great Sunday workout! It sounds very ambitious. Good for you. I've never tried the Netty pot. In fact, I had never even heard of it until I read something about it here on MFP. I'm not prone to congestion (I don't suffer allergies and such) so I have a tendency to ignore things like that. No doubt, though, I could have benefited from it the past few weeks. At least I'm on my road to recovery now.

singfree, good news on the gym! That would give you so many more options. I know I love working out at home, but it does limit some of the options a bit. Hope it works out for you.

Off to do my workout! :drinker: Enjoy your day everybody. :flowerforyou: