Lots2Lose & over 40 (CLOSED GROUP)

Good Morning!

When I went to set up my under 2000 calorie ticker this morning I realized there is noway I am lowering my calories since I have not made it to 20 plus days under 2000 calories. So my goal is to be under 2000 calories at least 21 days. If I can do this every months for 2 or 3 months then I will think about loweing calories to 1900.

Have a good day!

Friday Foods
Vegetables, vegetables, vegetables – I love them & they have so few calories. They are so varied in color, taste & texture that how could you ever get bored with them. Pictsweet has some vegetable medleys that come in a box (2 servings) that are just wonderful. I bring them for lunch quite often & eat the whole box without even risking going overboard on calories. Check them out! They’re great!

@Shelly – I like that you utilized your computer to help you know when to eat. Isn’t technology great?

@karenleona – I hate to hear that your daughter & daughter-in-law aren’t getting along. It can make for some very awkward times. I think they should respect you & your house and work it out.

@Hopeful53 – Good job on getting back into the gym. That will help your energy level. Have a good trip with your family!

@Mollie – Great job on staying under 2000 calories for 12 days. I know you’ll do even better in April! Fast food is a tough personal challenge; only 3 days in a month is quite impressive.

@Jojo – They have come a long way in knee replacements; don’t be afraid if that is where you end up. Oh, I also suffer from slow (VERY SLOW) weight loss. It’s frustrating but like you, I use others success stories to help motivate me.

@katzpawz – 2.5 miles in less than an hour is moving, I will I could walk that fast. Keep up the pace! Also if you can see (or at least recognize) the positive aspects in things, you’ll be surprised how it will affect other things in your life. I’m a firm believer in being able to find something positive in everything. Don’t get me wrong – I’m not one of the chipper, “oh no it’s her” kind of person. I just enjoy finding something good in everything. Sometimes it’s really challenging though.

Christy

I posted my kindergarten picture in honor one of my MFP friend who is trying to get us to think back to our childhood days when we were very active. The point is to remember our energy and bring it back to our adult life today. So if you have a childhood picture scan it and use it to bring back some of that youthful vigor we all had in our youth.....:-)

It brings back the innocence of being so young at heart!:flowerforyou: I am going to see if I can make it the week with this picture up. I just changed to my rose.

Thursday Triumps day-

March was the 1st month I had over 12 days under 2000 calories and this week 3 days in a row. Despite not losing 1 pound this monthh I have several NSV's. Today I was able to wear a skirt I could not wear this time last year. I start wearing it in December and January but it was snug. Well it is not snug anymore! YAY! It fits wonderfully. A few more pounds and it will be loose.

Also last month I challenge myself to no fast foods. It was a bad habit I had gotten back into after my weight loss surgery. March I only had fast foods 3 days out of 31. So April is going to be better for sure weight wise. Shooting for 21 days under 1900 calories. I am going to work on eatling less processed stuff too.

Great job Mollie! What a ton of NSVs this month!!! No doubt you will lose in April - I just feel like it will be your month!!!

TIP FROM MY GYM

Healthy Lifestyle Tip: Fitting Exercise Into Your Busy Schedule
When planning your exercise program, it's important to realize how essential health and fitness is to your well-being. You should view your workouts as a priority. Here are some ways to make exercise a part of your regular routine:

-Schedule your workouts just as you would any other appointment. Exercise will have a positive impact on your entire day.
-Even if you don't feel like exercising, just do it! This is especially important in the early stages of your program as regular visits build the foundation for success.
-Whether you work out in the morning, afternoon or evening, exercise at the same time each day for the next three months. This will help you develop a regular habit.
-Do not overdo it. Set a goal of 3-4 visits per week; your joints and muscles need time to recover.
-No matter how you exercise, just work it in and make it fun! Remember, keeping fit is a lifestyle.

Christy

Thanks Christy! Great reminder!

Happy Friday all. Been a busy morning for me. I am hosting our knitting/beading/crocheting/gossiping/eating group this evening - there are 6 of us and we take turns hosting on Fridays. Anyway, baked 2 dozen chocolate chip cookies - did I mention we eat? Still have to cut up veggies for salads and clean the powder room. Planning to get a walk in amongst the over activity.

I did my walk yesterday after a trip to the grocery and my foot is not feeling very well. However, I need to keep moving - I fear if I stop, I will end up back in my old pattern of being totally sedentary.

Friday Food - I have started eating a same snack nearly every day - 1/2 C non-fat vanilla yogurt (usually Dannon brand) with 1/2 C frozen blueberries stirred into the yogurt. It is some yummy - as good as ice cream to me - and around 100 calories for a pretty big bowl. I am not really a blueberry person, but I have been trying to eat more of them since I started counting calories and frozen they have so much more flavor and a firmer texture.

Mollie - I love the new profile pic. What a cute youngin' you were!!!! I also love the idea behind it. If I can scare up a school pic, I will scan it and add as mine too!

Kelly, I understand about not wanting to post when not feeling totally positive. Of course, if you need to vent, we are certainly happy to listen. Reading the others posts sure help motivate me, esp. when I am feeling down. What a great group we have here!

Hope everyone has a great day!!! I will likely not be back until the ladies leave tonight, but I will be back!!!! :bigsmile:

Hugs to all!

Finally caught up on everyone's posts. I have been in weight loss groups before, but none like this one. As Paul Simon said: "We've got a groovy thing goin'!" I'm not the best at responding to everyone every day, but I do read all the posts.

My default setting has typically been to see the glass as half empty. One of my goals for improving myself, is to look for times when I can see the glass as half full. Those are the days I will usually post. No one benefits from my negative rantings (although I have indulged myself a few times). It seems to help in so many areas, not just weight loss.

I just got in from my walk!! I'm still holding at about 2.5 miles in just under an hour. My goal is to reach 3 miles in an hour. It's going to take some time to get there, but a month ago I couldn't do what I'm doing now.

I wish everyone a great weekend. Remember, the glass is half full, and celebrate your successes!

katzpawz

My favorite Terry Pratchett quote (okay, one of my favorites)

"There are, it has been said, two types of people in the world. There are those who, when presented with a glass that is exactly half full, say: this glass is half full. And then there are those who say: this glass is half empty. The world belongs, however, to those who can look at the glass and say: What's up with this glass? Excuse me? Excuse me? This is my glass? I don't think so. My glass was full! And it was a bigger glass!"

Now that is a successful glass!

Mollie- great job staying under 2000 for so many days in march!! april will be even better

Joanna- i love your attitude of sticking with your health plan even when the scale is not moving yet...it will come

Katzpawz- i am one of those who tends to look at myself as the glass half empty...but for some reason i always find the positive in others....need to change that for myself

L- glad you are getting some energy back....

Christy- thanks for the tip from the gym regarding making fitness a priority in life. For me, this has become my 'job' while i am off on disability.

I am not a gum chewer...my kids laugh when they give me gum cause it only lasts about 3 minutes then i spit it out!
I do like to watch 'Heavy" and, less so, 'biggest loser'....i don't like all the game-playing they do on biggest loser but both shows motivate me to work harder. I think if i was forced to work as hard as the biggest loser people i would have a heart attack.....although some days i work so hard at the gym i feel nauseated!
I also have trouble with my knees...one I had scoped and cleaned out several years ago...they wanted to replace it two years ago but I did nothave time then....lol....now i need a heart valve fixed first....then my back...then eventually my knees...good grief...i will be dead by then...lol
I went to the gym this morning and hope to do a light cardio workout tomorrow...but we will see if i can move in the morning
work hard to stay on track this weekend.
karen

Daily Inspiration for March 30, 2011
Katie Jay,MSW

Be persistent.

Just possessing a skill will not get the job done; you must use your skill over and over again to reach your goal.

Think of the tortoise and hare in Aesop's Fables. The hare was skillful, but not persistent. He stopped and took a nap during the race! But, the tortoise was persistent. He just kept running and running. Slowly and imperfectly, but persistently. Like that brave tortoise, persistent people are rewarded with success. More talented people have fallen short because they did not have the fortitude to go the distance.

Action for the day: Are you persistent? In your journal, explore how it feels, or would feel, to be persistent and what that might mean for your overall success.

Daily Inspiration for March 27, 2011
Katie Jay,MSW

Have courage.

Over time, most people realize they will have to make important changes, difficult changes, if they want long-term weight loss success. Some of the changes are physical: more exercise, better eating habits, getting your lab work done regularly. Some of the changes are mental: resolving long-standing depression, changing negative thought patterns, uncovering old ideas that sabotage you. And some of the changes are spiritual: reconnecting with your Creator, learning to care for your soul, and leaving an isolated lifestyle behind.

All these changes are often scary and require hard work. Be brave--physical, mental, and spiritual health await you.

Action for the day: Take 15 minutes today and make a badge of courage for yourself. Get out the crayons, markers, tape, scissors, glitter...whatever you need. On your badge write something like: "Susan the Brave." Hang your badge where you'll see it every day (and wear it around the house from time to time to help you change how you view yourself and your potential).