40+ Club: Spring Fitness Challenge

Hi Everyone! Happy Friday!

Tex--I'm so wishing I could see what you are seeing right now. The spring blooming sounds incredible! And I just opened up that website to check it out. We have a few signs of spring but definitely they are more subtle ones. Here goes: 1 saw 1 bluebird. Lots of Red Winged Blackbirds and Robins. 3 Raccoons hung out in a tree outside of my kitchen all day long last week (not sure of the motivation there, but it was a first for me to see). Snowdrops blooming. A few daffodil and lilies popping out from under the snow. And that would be it. Even though it's still 20 degrees and a sheath of while is on the ground, I know spring is in the air!

Alf--so glad you are doing well!! I'm sure your nut binging will not be a problem. When I binge it's usually on something like that too....it's not hard to eat a ton of calories because the serving size is so small unfortunately.

Niknik--ok, so I'm a little biased on this subject because I never eat fast food--but yes, run away from those fast! Cooking things for yourself, even if they are comparable to what you are eating out, are going to be so much better for you because you won't have all the sodium and questionable "fillings" fast food places put in the food. It's great though--learning how high in calories something is really makes you learn about making choices. I always actually enjoy logging in my splurge dinners because I can really think about it--oh wow, so that Pecan Pie was 500 calories...was it worth it or not? And if it is, I may order it again...maybe not every week but sometime in the future, but if it wasn't, I can make a better choice. I find Cooking Light is a good magazine for simple and quick ideas on lightening good foods but not eliminating them. Great job on the exercising! And, I'm on maintenance but still think the tummy is an issue--I have been doing planks and exercises to try to tone it up a bit and think they are working. And bread when you make it really depends--I would say from 105 calories up to 150, but there are some that are higher. I try to stay in the 130 range and limit it to just a slice a day, or 2 at the very most.

Now that it's spring, or at least about to be spring, does anyone have any plans for mixing up the exercise routine a bit? Just looking for a little inspiration. In a few weeks we will be able to get out in the woods again--I'm so psyched about that---the beginning of mushroom and wild leek (ramp) foraging. I'm not sure if I can use these hikes/rambles to replace any exercise because I'm not sure my heart rate will be up high enough with all the stops and starts...but I may wear my HRM and test it on the first day out and see because this will be the first year I will have time to more of this during the week since my son is finally in school for longer than 2 1/2 hrs!

Anyway, enjoyed reading everyone's posts this week--have a great weekend! Robin

JPriceGA, what a great post! Welcome!! I think it is wonderful that you've stuck with your plans through the ups and downs. We all have those, and the real key is to get back on track when you can. And it sounds like you've done exactly that! I think your fitness goals are very reasonable. 40 pounds between October and May would be an incredible achievement (I think that's about a 1lb a week average if I'm not counting wrong). I wouldn't beat yourself up if you don't achieve that because that means having nearly perfect weeks every week....and who has that? It really looks to me like you are doing everything right.

niknik, I can only agree with everybody else when it comes to fast food. Just avoid it. If it is the only option, then it's the only option. But it rarely is the ONLY option. There is just so much bad stuff in it, it really isn't worth it for your health (and that has nothing to do with weight loss at all....just for your health alone it is worth avoiding). I haven't eaten fast food in years and don't miss it a bit. Regarding the loose skin, as alf indicated, we just have less collagen in our skin as we age. Now some people will lose that 'sag' or loose skin over time, regardless of age. But that has to do with genetics, how quickly the weight was gained, etc. You can try various lotions and such, but, at the end of the day, it probably is something that will either go away on its own or something that you're going to live with. I got quite a bit of saggy skin when I lost my weight, but, thankfully, much of it has gone away now....so there is hope!

alf, I've never tried to do anything about my stretch marks. I've had them since I hit puberty :blushing: , and I'm so used to them, I forget they are there! I know....I'm no help at all. Regarding the nut addiction, I don't think it is too much of a problem as long as they are dry roasted and not covered in salt. Yes, the calories are high (and there are nuts out there with more nutritional value than the peanut), but they aren't unhealthy at all (again, as long as they aren't roasted in oil/covered in salt). I don't know if this means you are going way over on your calories, which is another issue. But if you are eating them post-Zumba (as you indicated earlier), I think it is a great post-workout snack. Of course, I've become addicted to nuts in the past year or so, so maybe I'm not the one to be giving advice on this.

Robin, my husband and I have tossed around the idea of training for a half-marathon now that the weather is nicer, but I'm not sure we're going to get a chance to do that (he travels nearly every week right now, so it is tough). But I definitely plan on getting outside more, even if it is just for walks. I'm not a big outdoor exercisers (because that means working out in front of people, and I don't like that too much ), so my workout routine varies from season to season only in what body parts I like to target. Right now, I'm trying to work on my arms with P90X so I look good in my tank tops this summer. I will also start trying to focus more on my legs, but they only lean out with the cleanest of diets so exercise isn't really the key there. Wish I could provide more inspiration. I can always recommend more DVDs. :laugh:

TxMs, my husband has turned into a complete couch potato since we moved to DC, but he can still do things strength-wise (and I consider a plank a strengh move) that I can't. Frustrates me to no end.....so you're not alone. He's always been able to handle planks better than me. :grumble: I want to move to Texas!!! They're calling for snow on Sunday. :sad: Oh, well. The flowers are beginning to come out and there are buds on the trees so spring is really just around the corner.

Friday check-in for me.....it has been a good week. It was a recovery week from P90X and I focused more on cardio, which was good. I felt I was losing some of my cardio capacity, but a few Insanity workouts and I feel right back where I was. My clothes are fitting better. My eating has been clean. So all is well here.

Hope you all have a great weekend!

Welcome JPrice! This is the best group evah!

Weigh in day...the scale said an even 223 so that means I'm down another 1.6 this week. Yeeeeehaw! All in all, it's been a pretty good week. There were a couple of days when I simply let myself get too hungry (plus PMS) and then I made a bad choice for a meal. I stayed within my calorie range but didn't feel good about what I ate. So, all in all, I'm happy with a 1.6 pound loss. The jiggle-lier fat is peculiar to me. I'm exercising (yes, I'm doing lots of ab and core work and even tried the plank but I have to cheat and do it on my knees...someday I'll be able to do it the "real" way... ) and eating right and I guess I was thinking the fat would just firm up. I know I'm firming up underneath, tho, because I can feel it. I'm feeling impatient and excited because, for the first time during my journey (and in my life), I can really see a visible difference.

Stiring and Robin: I know fast food is my enemy but I thought I was making good choices at Burger King by eating a chicken tendergrill. It has only 410 calories (without mayo) and I figured that because it was grilled and a chicken breast that it would be good for me. What the HECK are they injecting it with to make the sodium content 1,100?!!!!!! And WHY?!!!!!! :noway: Lesson learned. What a strange metamorphosis...4 months ago I wouldn't have given a fleeting thought as to the sodium content. I like being more aware. It feels good.

Here's to everyone having a warm, wonderful weekend! :drinker:

Hi there, everyone!

LadyPersia & Tex--you all are inspiring me to try some planting this year. We live in a condo, so it's not like we have a yard, but we do have a little strip out in front that could use some colorful attention. I've also seen commercials for growing your own vegetables upside down on your porch or in your house. I may try that.

Alf--Did I miss it? How did your PT eval of your hip go?

KimKelly--congrats on your mini marathon and your weight loss! WTG!

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Anyone know of the best kind of bike to get? My hubby is inspired to get us some bikes to ride this spring/summer. He is 300 lbs+, so we need something sturdy for him. I'm hoping to use my bike to do the Tour de Pink fundraiser for the Young Survival Coalition: http://www.ysctourdepink.org/site/TR/TourdePink/TourdePink-EastCoast?fr_id=1170&pg=entry. It's only 61 miles :noway: , I'm sure I can do it.

Good monring from very cold NEPA 18 degrees.

I have pots all over my kitchen with seed screaming to get in the ground...not.....

Alf- I love bread machines...so much easier to control what goes in.

Sing...Hope all is well...

Zebras and Robin welcome back

Texssip Send some bread my way....Glad Lady Bird did such a awesome thing. I have lots of family in Texas. They always send pictures in the bonnets

Jprice Welcome... My doc told me I need to lose more weight also. We can do it!

Stiring..warm weather please:)

Ready to kick it up a notch. Share your warmth.

Have an awesome weekend

Happy Sunday, everyone! If anyone knows about bikes, please chime in. I'm really trying to get us all off the couch.:bigsmile:

Stiring, my water intake is a bit better. Lemon juice and making it ice cold helps a lot. I also make sure I drink as much as possible with my two fist-fulls of vitamins every day. I do about 20 oz of water a day now. It's hard for me not to feel water-logged because I drink 72 oz in protein shake per day, plus all the fluid from my IV. I don't count it as liquid because it has a lot of coffee in it. Weight Watchers says that counting coffee toward your 8 oz of fluid is OK, but I dunno. I'd like to get it at least 4 glasses of pure water per day with drinking the shakes.

Today, I'm going to walk with the dog. We took a short trek down the street to grab some doggie doo bags (about a 10 min walk), and it was very refreshing in the freezing cold. The sun is out, so once it warms up a bit we'll go out for longer. I also hope to get some calories burned by doing some housework around here. It's starting to look a bit unloved. We're not going to church today, as my hubby has a cold and I'm sure the congregation appreciates him keeping his germs to himself. :laugh:

Have a great day, everyone!

This 40+ thread seems so friendly and encouraging. I'm looking to expand my support system and would like to join in this group if I may. I have been on myfitnesspal for about two months and am happy with the results so far.

I am privileged to see a personal trainer every week and though I eat well, I have obviously been eating too much and MFP is helping me understand that. Comments on my page really help keep me focused and I like to reciprocate too.

LadyPersia - Thanks for the welcome! Looks like you've got some serious running going on! With you running over 100 miles a month, I'd think you'd make your doctor happy!

I saw you want to run a marathon - have you run a half yet?

I added up my exercise for the year this week - and I've run 60 miles since January - so I'm eating your dust!

I just finished my best exercise week this year - over 8 hours of exercise time.

Wow...that is impressive! I love how you're working your way up to a marathon. I'd love to run in a marathon (or 1/2) someday. Right now, running is simply too painful because my knees are a little upset at me for being so overweight for so long. Someday, tho. It's one of those long term goals to run in one...just because I can (when I can).

So...welcome! If it's encouragement, positive comments, and support you're looking for, you've found the right place! Good luck to you on your journey!

Thank you niknik43! Looking forward to giving out as much if not more than what I get.

Thank you JPriceGA for also inviting me to be your friend.

I like this site more and more!

It is so good to see new faces. We all can use the support.

JPrice - Welcome!! I hope to run a 5K soon. I am not up for a full marathon. I dont know if my back could handle that much pounding. I love to run, but my bulging disks do not.

I have a question in regards to all the sodium talk. What is the issue? I guess I never have even thought about sodium when considering my diet. Is this a bad thing and should I be watching it? I thougt it had to do with High Blood pressure? Mine is almost always around 115/120 over 65/70.

Jujubie - Welcome!! glad you have found us. You will find alot of friendly people who are willing to help keep us on track.

I didnt get to check in on Friday, Work was so busy, I am down 1.4lbs if I remember right. I was happy with that after the week of eating that I did. I havnt posted in a for a few days so I would lik to share a major accomplishment for me. I was able to run 3.25 miles in 35.32 minuts. I have never ran that far or for that long before in my life. I never dreamed that I would be able to do it after I turned 41. I would love to be able to run a marathon but not sure the old back will let me. I did Zumba on Saturday. I took my mom and niece, My niece thinks I'm crazy because I have a coin skirt that I wear. She was laughing at me, but as I was putting it on she looked at me and said, I can tell you have lost alot of weight. I was so happy, but 10lbs I dont feel is alot but I will take the complement :blushing:
I was getting ready for church this morning and came across a skirt that I bought last winter that I had not been able to wear this year and decided to try it on. It fit me better than when I bought it. I was tickled.
I just hope that I do not start slacking off. Once people start telling me that they notice I have lost weight its like I tread backwards again. I dont know why that is, but I am not going to let myself do that this time. I only have only 3 months and a few weeks before my 25 wedding anniversary and need (want) to loose at least 30lbs.

Sorry I didnt comment on everyone and how great they are doing, keep up the good work all, we can make it through this together.

Have a good night.

Good Morning!

altushe, I am SO happy to hear that your edema is gone now. I hope the endoscopy reveals the issue, but also reveals it has corrected itself. As you already know, take it slowly when increasing your calories and you won't gain. Up them to a level for a couple of weeks at a time, and when you stop losing, then you are where you need to be.

tron, so happy to hear you have power again. What a pain! Hope things go well in Nevada.

JPriceGA, congrats on the great workout! Sounds like you are doing great.

gbryant, sodium is a bit of a tricky thing. As I said on Saturday, it is a transient mineral, which means it leaves your body. So, ultimately, going over your sodium levels every now and again isn't a really serious issue because you can flush it out of your system eventually. Last I read/heard, it may have some minute impact on weight loss in how it impacts your metabolism, but I've never seen anything really firm on that. It IS a BIG problem if you have high blood pressure, so it needs to be avoided if you have that. And there are people with sodium sensitivities (like altushe) who really need to keep their sodium low. But sodium is bad from the mental viewpoint when trying to lose weight because of water retention. It is amazing how much water you can retain from eating too much sodium, and that can be completely counter-productive. For me, when it comes to things like restaurant foods or fast foods, I find the excess amount of sodium completely unnecessary. It has a tendency to cause people to crave more food and such, and, in my opinion, isn't being added to the food for any true culinary need as much as it is being added to aid the corporation (see fast food) or to make people eat more (see most restaurant food). In processed foods you buy in the store, it is being added for preservation purposes. And I wonder how we've gone from a world where bread last for a week on the shelf to one where it can last for a month on the shelf.....but we have. And much of that is reflected in the sodium content. I don't need my bread to last for a month since I own a freezer.....so I opt not to add those preservatives to my body because they are unnecessary. Again, those are decisions being made to benefit the corporation and not the consumer....and I don't like that when it comes to things I'm putting into my body. So.....there's my opinion on sodium.

singfree, so good to see you!!! Yes, you were missed....of course you were missed!! Yes, we woke up to snow yesterday morning. It was actually a little pretty, and only lasted a couple of hours. We only got about an inch, and it was all melted by mid-afternoon. But it has been chilly down here. We went into DC on Saturday to see the cherry blossoms (my new photo!), and I got really chilled. We've been in the 40s with a nice breeze blowing so not-so-like spring right now. But....at least we've got sunshine (minus the few hours of snow yesterday) so I can't complain TOO much.

All here is well. Eating not great this weekend, but I've cut my calories quite a bit over the past few weeks and wanted to give my body a break. I'm back on track today. I even took both days off working out this weekend as I'm starting back up on P90X today. We ended up walking about 9 miles or so on Saturday when we were in DC, and even though I didn't really feel it too much, I decided it better to take yesterday off as well so I start on P90X again a little more 'fresh'. So off I go in about an hour to do that.

Hope you all enjoy your days!

Thank you so much for the welcome.

I can feel that I am slowly edging towards a slum; I was away on vacation and didn't log in my food though I did pay attention and that resulted in a 0.6 pd gain in a two week period. I'm afraid to get back on now. My official weigh in is on Wednesdays.

My strategy is to have a scheduled workout that is non-negotiable on the same day each week and a night bowling with a league. My husband is pretty good at coaxing me for one or two sessions a week on the treadmill or recumbent bike but those I sometimes pass up. I know that the more I do, the better the results.

Just logging in my food honestly and facing what I eat has been a big step for me. i find that showing it to my MFP friends keeps me on my toes a bit more so thanks to my new supporters. I hope that my messages help you too.

Jujubie, a .6 pound gain is NOTHING! You really should be proud of yourself for handling your vacation so successfully. I know how hard it is to get back into the habit of logging, but think about all you learned by logging your food because that obviously made this last holiday a success for you. I've been in maintenance for almost two years, and I still log my foods periodically to remind myself of what I am eating and to re-teach myself about appropriate portions (something I struggle with). So look at it as an education instead of a chore. Maybe that will help. Sounds like you've got a great plan for your exercise. Don't push yourself too hard if you are just starting out. I think the ideal right now if you are just starting is to aim for 4 workouts per week of about 30 minutes. It is just something to reach for. If you meet it.....great. If you don't.....there's always next week.

singfree, I'm definitely looking forward to the spring weather. Alot of trees/bushes are in bloom right now, which is reminding me that spring is on the way. But we are chilly. The last time I checked, we're supposed to get quite a bit of rain (maybe a little snow tomorrow) over the next week, so I'm still looking forward to hitting our 'average' temps for this time of the year (low 60s). But I really can't complain after the relatively harmless winter we had. Good job on changing your diet up a bit. I've been trying to eliminate some fat calories from my diet recently, and one of those is cutting some of the peanut butter out of my oatmeal in the morning. I'm finding that I get really sluggish about 45 minutes after I eat now as a result. I think it is that hit of carbs. I'm wondering if changing my breakfast would help....or adding the peanut butter back in. I think I'll experience with both because it is beginning to impact my energy levels for my workouts which I don't like.

I started the second round of P90X yesterday. I don't like the Round 2 upper body workouts as much as Round 1, but they are good workouts nonetheless. I've also decided to try to do something of an Insanity rotation at the same time. I know....what am I thinking? But I really want to get my cardio capacity back up, so I'm going to follow up my P90X workouts with one of the shorter Insanity workouts for these next three weeks and see how that goes. My biggest concern is whether my upper body can handle that. Yesterday was fine.....so here's hoping. My eating is back to good again. Wish I had an easier time keeping my eating clean over the weekends, but I'm working on it.