WOMEN AGES 50+ FOR FEBRUARY

I did get counseling for mom, but I really don't see it helping her. You know it only helps if you want it and she just likes being miserable and wants people to feel sorry for her. The counselor is suggesting a psych evaluation because she suspects she may be bipolar and has been all her life. It would kind of explain a lot about what my childhood was like with her and how she has treated me and even my husband and child throughout the years. I know it sounds mean but I am hoping that that is what it is because it is treatable with the right meds and the up and down moods will even out....like normal. Something needs to be done because my body is paying the price for her treatment of me. My arms are covered in a rash from my nerves.

I don't think that sounds mean at all. I worked in an inpatient mental hospital for 32 years, and I have seen how mental illness affects families over and over again. If medication can help, go for it! And sometimes it is possible to get help paying for it. Don't be afraid to check in with us - we don't care if you are down, we want to help. Keep us posted on what you find out.

And while I am on the subject, Jeannie, hope all is going well in your neck of the woods.

WELCOME TO ALL NEWCOMERS!

Hope everyone is doing as well as can be expected! No loss here, but 300 minutes of exercise logged this week, so I am somewhat proud of myself. I've been pretty busy the last few days. Until later!

PS Yes, the peanut butter melts in the oatmeal. Personally, I put smooth in my oatmeal, and crunchy in my cream of wheat.

:flowerforyou: Well, as Barbie always says, "just take one day at a time!" All week I've told myself that if I can make it one day doing my exercises and eating within my calories, I can do it again the next day. So far, so good! It is always so amazing to me when I get back on track how much better I feel right away and how much I don't crave sweets. Eating more fruits is so much better than the sugar sweets. Even today I have been successful, which is wonderful as weekends are usually my downfall. I am so glad for each of you ladies, your posts, and your words of encouragement. We ARE in this together! Hope you each have a wonderful weekend!! Keep on keeping on!!!:flowerforyou:

Evening lovelies!

Barbie, would love to see you play dogsled! Your balance is impressive!

Chiclet so glad to hear from you even though you're hurting. Please keep posting, might help keep you from feeling so alone on top of everything else you're going through.

Jeannie also glad to hear from you, what you are going through is soul-tearing, sending you and yours thoughts of light and peace.

Jackie, BirdieM missing you both.

Lynn and SuzyQ so glad to hear from you again.

Barb missing you too!

Amanda Robin, Marily, Michelle, Mimi, Viv, Mary and all love reading your posts.

Like many others, weekends are my downfall... too many indulgences, too little movement... but doing better.
It's been too cold and windy for lunchwalks so dance class has been the only activity.
Today the wind died down and the sun shone, so even tho' not above freezing, took an hour's brisk walk along the river while the doggies were getting "detailed" (cleaned and polished up, no caudal removal... ;>) BUT... then was so hungry I brought home pizza and salad instead of making the FreezerPurge crepes. At least it was chicken pizza not pepperoni! Over on calories, but not WAY over like Saturdays used to be...

Don't really want to "do" anything tonight (food prep, laundry, etc) so think I'll line dance a few songs to see if my mood/energy improve.

Welcome newbies!

Hugs to all,

Well, this looks like my kind of place. As you can see by the number of posts that I have, I'm very new at this. I think I just read all of Friday and Saturdays posts, wow, there is a lot going on here. I just joined MFP on Tuesday and I'm still learning the ropes. Whoever said "you can't teach an old dog new tricks", obviously never had an old dog.

I just decided that I wasn't going to be at the bottom of my list anymore. The kids are all grown and married off and all the grandchildren (6) are healthy and happy..........time for me to get some of that healthy and happy too. Isn't it interesting how we (as women) work so hard for everyone else's happiness and ours gets lost in the shuffle? How are we to continue that endeavour if we don't pay attention to our bodies and what we want? It's not being self centered, after all , the car wouldn't run if you didn't put gas in it or check the tire pressure once in a while.

Someone posted that I could come in here and just rant if I wanted to. She said you all had big shoulders ......you're probably sorry she said that now. I work out of my house, so I don't have to be anywhere. If I don't fall face first into the keyboard, I could be here a while. I've always kept journels, yep theres an s on that. I keep one for my business and one for diet & exercise and one for my travels and well, I think I'm obcessed. MFP's app is on my phone so I don't have to carry a journal around at lunch or into a restaurant.....it feels so liberating, I may find apps for everything on my phone.

I lost a few pounds before I found MFP but this last week has felt so good. This site makes it so easy. The only downside now is I have to be accountable, I mean, I come in here and start spouting off about all kinds of things and as supporters you're going to want to help me see results. Hhhmmmmm, I guess I'll have to put up or shut up, by now I'm sure you've figured out, I'm not gonna shut up.

I wish everbody Health & Happiness and hope you let me stick around for awhile.

Happy Sunday all! I have just spent some time reading through the messages here to catch up and what a lovely group you are! It helps so much to know there are people who understand how it feels to go through this weight loss journey, that things (not just food!) make us (me!) eat too much!

Life can be very trying sometimes and goodness knows i keep on trying! Something about me:

I have been a single mum to two daughters since they were 6 and 8 (they are now in their late 20s), we were left by a man who should have known better (he went abroad and left me to it)! I work full time in a worthwhile but demanding job and my daughters are fabulous, kind and loving girls. The eldest was married this year in her dream wedding (which she and hubby-to-be saved for). A few years ago I met a man who, despite my resistance, turned my heart around and we got engaged.... me, engaged! At the age of 49! Well, unfortunately he passed away last May after a short, aggressive illness. I am back on my own, working too long, eating too much......but not so much now. This last two weeks have been trying as (1) it was the anniversary of us flying in from a wonderful trip to Hawaii on valentines day 2 years ago, (2) it was the day I was due to go to the gym for my induction....but instead I cancelled and spent the evening balling my eyes out in the car in the gym car park!!! ..... thought I was okay...should have known better! This was then followed by (3) my uncle dying that week (4) my mum falling and ending up in the emergency room and needing support, including getting her to the funeral, and (5) me ending up in bed for 2 days exhausted and low. And I wondered why I was exhausted!? I am feeling better today ( I have a positive disposition most of the time).... but this last week has been tough and this has affected my eating. I am eating healthy things BUT I am eating a lot of them and I know if I had not banned 'bad' foods from the house since early January I would be in a very sorry place right now.

It is Sunday, I am here and about to look March in the eye. I am going to Florida in September with my daughters and son in law and I want to be at least 3 stone lighter so I don't feel tired all the time and find the heat overwhelming! Wish me luck!

Looking forward with a smile, my best to you all!

Hello ladies,

Been down to the gym today, getting on quite well with the Pilates, soon to start the main course exercises. I will be perfecting the earlier ones until I can do them by memory, thus I can put them with my regular workouts. Trying very hard to snow here, on and off, I sure wish for another 20cm or more, I am fearing we will not have enough to properly dampen the farm fields for spring crops. I am really wishing for the globes foods to level down again.


CHICKLET, hey gal, we are behind and beside you! You are not alone in the quest you have taken on. Draw strength on the thought of how you are making a difference in someone's life. Where would she be without you? The good Lord will help you and give you the daily strength, just have faith in yourself. Take a time out, go for a walk, sit in a quiet room, play with a pet, phone up someone you have lost contact with in a while. Distraction is not avoidence, it's peace of mind and blood pressure release. We are good distractors too, have you seen the pictures??? Keep in contact, we want to know how you are fairing out. <<<<HUGS>>>>

LDSPILL , welcome, yes this group of strong and good willed. We are here to help and see you through this journey. I have had several ups and downs and these ladies have given me some encouragement.

HOPEFUL53, hello, getting through a maze of events that are particularly negative can be a jungle run. I have had a rough year past and this one is not nice either. However this last bit of trouble for me has renewed my energy to fix me up. So too, I am at ground zero and working to the top level. Hang in there, be true to yourself and all will work out.

Okay gals, I've got work to do, best get at it.
Love from my house to yours...

Marilyn

Good Morning Ladies!

Got on the treadmill this morning and was watching TV as I walked and forgot to stop. That's just ridiculous! Nobody forgets to stop doing something they don't like. Oh, maybe this is an "Aha" moment, maybe I secretly do like it but my brain hasn't engaged yet. Not the first time I've heard that phrase. Sometimes we have to stop and rethink what we think we know. Is that too tongue twisty? Blame it on the Psycology degree (that I don't use), I'm always trying to figure myself out. This could take some time.

Thanks for the warm welcome, certainly is nice to sit down and talk to a group who is going through all the same kinda stuff I am. Sometimes it feels like you're the only one in the world with this problem (whatever it is) but I guarantee you're not. My heart goes out to all the ladies who are not only struggling with their own health and fitness issue but having to deal with others as well.

Chiclet...You're taking steps to help your Mom, don't ever feel like you're being mean. She can not make the decisions on her own....she needs you. My Mom and I spar (that's what I like to call it) quite a bit. She has just recently finished her 4th treatment session (over five years) for cancer. Her doctors tell her what to do and of course, she thinks she knows better. So she and I go round and round about how she does what she wants and then complains about how she's not getting any better. She got herslef one of those electric chairs and for the most part stopped walking, even after the doctor said, "you need to walk more". So we do what we can to make whatever time there is better and more comfortable. I told her "I can't fix stupid", she responded with "If I wasn't in this chair"...I said "yep, I know, that's why I felt safe saying it...I can out run your chair". Then she busted up laughing. You can only do so much.

Suezzzque...I love Joyce Meyer, I'm going to use that Chocolate Chip Cookie line with some of my friends.

Anniebnannie...I'll be 57 in June, don't sell yourself short with that..."younger folks" line. I believe...You don't stop playing because you get old, you get old because you stop playing. Have fun, kick up your heels, do something goofy.

Marlouise...Thank you for the kind words of welcome, I look forward to possible carpal-tunnel...I'll be here so much.

Hopeful...Just be true to your name and everything will level out. I studied Metaphysics for a while (I'm an information glutten) and the minister once said.."Things just don't happen, they happen just". There is a reason for everything. You will either get stronger, smarter, more patient or healthier...something from what you're going through now. I know from reading the posts here that I can speak for these ladies too when I say, We're here.

The snow is gone, the temperature is up (69) and the lake is looking beautiful on this glorious sunday.

I wish you all Patience and Understanding.

Thanks for the inspiration, ladies. I just burned over 500 calories in under 42 minutes on the treadmill. I feel really good. Thanks for the encouragement. (I did have a piece of leftover stuffed pizza for lunch - which is a food that i love. Confession is good for the soul, right?)

I totally agree with you, ram58miller. That's always been my downfall. Do well - treat myself - feel guilty - kick myself in the butt - get back up and do well again - just to repeat the cycle over and over. It's time to stop the madness.

I am new to MFP. My daughter found the site two weeks ago and just loves it, so she got me interested and now I'm hooked! This evening is the first I've investigated the message board and I'm thrilled I found this thread. I had a yoyo weight history that was totally out of my control (I would fluxuate as much as 70 pounds) until 4 years ago when I was diagnosed with autoimmune disorders. Once we medically got that under control, my weight is more stable despite the maintenance prednisone I take. MFP is exactly what I need to monitor my nutrition and exercise since both have to be limited and I want to be sure I have enough. I would like to lose 11 more pounds, and increase my exercise slowly. I started tracking my eating several days ago....what fun and I love entering recipes.....tomorrow I'll start tracking exercise. I look forward to the support that I see you all give each other. I have a question.....anyone out there dealing with gastroparesis (mine is caused by scleroderma)? I am always looking for yummy soft foods and ways to handle the gastroparesis. About me personally....I am a retired 1st/2nd grade teacher who is a quilter, photographer and does digital scrapbooking. Have two kids, 4 grandkids and live in south central PA. Definitely looking forward to spring and making friends on this site. Life is good!