WOMEN AGES 50+ for MAY

Thanks for the birthday wishes. I just got back (last night) from spending the weekend and my 50th birthday in Nashville with my best friend. I was really worried about turning 50, but it was a GREAT birthday.

I've enjoyed reading all of these posts and getting to know you all on here. I've only been on MFP for about 3 weeks now, and I'm really loving it! I too have downloaded the Android app to my phone and it is SO easy to keep track of everything!! I tell all of my friends about this website.

Now for my confession - I didn't do so well staying under my 1400 calorie goal while I was in Nashville, but I went down there "allowing" myself those 4 days for the big event!! - knowing that when I got home, I would get RIGHT BACK AT IT! I feel good about the time I spent with great friends, and also feel good that I'm not beating myself up or feeling guilty about it.

Today I'm back at work and back on my fitness plan - and doing GREAT! So I just wanted to say hi and let you all know that I really enjoy (trying to) keep up with this thread. Keep up the good work all!

Grace

Great attitude Grace and HAPPY BIRTHDAY!
Chiclet, you too! Hope you had a good one!
Michele, one thing I didn't mention about the droid app is that you can't join in with the forum posts from your phone, you need to do it through the computer programme, Hope that's clear?
Star, I've ordered the book too, didn't think I'd get it here but I did, through Amazon.co.uk. I LOVE anything that sounds scientific and general, like this as I don't like to be told what to do in strict guidelines. Sounds like exactly my cup of tea! Thank you!
Have a great day everyone and hope I haven't missed any birthdays! I'm sure I have but HAPPY BIRTHDAY to all you birthday girls! Enjoy!
Barbie, great to see you burning all those cals!! I haven't started my upper body exercises yet but am working on it!

Good afternoon ladies,
Welcome back to the thread Heather. So glad you are back with us. I also ordered the book from the swap that Barbie recommended. Thanks Barbie. I am going to love that book swap site. Alread sent one of mine off to someone. Have some more questions for you, but I will message you with them. Hungry so need to go find some supper. talk to you later.
vicki M

The Mexican dominoes last night was a lot of fun. Actually, we were the rowdiest table.....lol

healthyandlean - my suggestion is to journal EVERYTHING (and I do mean everything) here at MFP. Measure, measure, measure. To me, that is what is so very important. You'd be surprised at some things like how little a portion of certain foods is (like spaghetti) and sometimes how many calories are in something you thought was low but really isn't (like sweet potato). Also, this may help you to find what works for you. Like I just can't eat late at night. No matter how many calories I have left for the day, if I eat something late at night, I'll show a gain. But that's just me. Some people can do this.

Viv - I know that I could never in a million years keep in my head what I ate for 2 or 3 days. That's why I jot everything down especially when I can't journal things until a later time.

We're going out to lunch with the Newcomers tomorrow. First, I'm going to the church near there where this lady give crochet lessons. I really need her to look at what I've done to be sure I'm following the directions correctly. Then, I'll probably go to the lunch late. I've already told Vince what to order for me since I want something off the menu and not the buffet. Last time we were there, everything on the buffet was deep fried or swimming in oil/butter. I'm going to get steamed chicken with broccoli, no rice and no sauce. I'm going to get water without ice to drink. I remember from last time that it was a large portion, so if I can't split it with someone, I'll bring 1/2 home.

Barbiecat1 - you ask "why are the healthiest foods more expensive than junky ones". That's a good question. To me, if the government wants to lower obesity and add to its income, highly tax junk foods. It's sad, so many times you'll see someone who is watching their pennies order the lower cost junk food and those people tend to be overweight. To me, if junk food were highly taxed, they'd choose healthy food and we wouldn't have as much of a debt. I remember one time a few years ago when I was coming home from taking care of my dad, I stopped at a McD. The McFlurry was less expensive than the fruit and yogurt parfait! Then they discontinued the large parfait and only started making the $1 size. Bummer. We were just in FL and I bought some oranges. Were they ever good! If I'd had time, I would have gone back and bought more and brought them home.

McMadame - you'll find something real soon, I'm sure of it.

Went to the orgizational meeting for the senior bowling league we're going to join for the summer. On Mon you can bowl for free from 1-3, the league meets on Wed, plus you get 3 free games/week. Not a bad deal if I do say so myself. They will still have $1 bowling on Sun from 10-2. I didn't know it or else I would have brought my ball and shoes but they practiced bowled three games. I did rent shoes and used a house ball. Even with my high handicap, I'm still the worst bowler on the team. I am hoping to get better, tho. Maybe I need a professional to view my form and tell me what I'm doing wrong and what I could work on.

Kelly - when we were in FL and I had to post from my phone, I used the MFP app for the droid. One of the things I couldn't figure out was how to delete a food item. Also, there wasn't a "complete this entry" tab but it looks like I really didn't need it. I also couldn't figure out how to view posts. So I just waited until I got home to read them. The way this bunch posts, I was fortunate that we were only gone a few days, but for the next shuttle launch, Vince anticipates that we'll be down there for a few weeks. What am I going to do, except get further and further behind?

Ladies I need your help/input. One of the ladies that we play bunco with is getting married for the first time. She's 50 and it's her first marriage, same for her hubby-to-be. One of the gals wants to thow her a shower, which I don't have a problem with. However, she wants to do all the cooking (she IS a good cook). She told me last night what the menu will be -- baked ziti, garlic bread, Italian sausage, and salad. I'm trying to stay away from refined carbs and I'm not a real big meat eater. Yet, I don't want to hurt her feelings. But on the other side of the coin, I'm really not looking forward to a dinner of baked ziti, bread, and sausage. She's asked me to come early to help just set up (you know, be sure there's napkins, etc) so I really can't say that I'm sick and can't go. If she hadn't asked for my help, that's probably what I would have done. Now you have to know this about me, I have a very hard time saying "no" when someone asks for help. I know that I could just have a smaller portion and allot myself calories for the baked ziti, etc, but my real fear is that I'll fall back into my carb-craving mode. A while ago I was out of it, then I went to this one lady's house to watch a movie. She'd made Swedish meatballs (I only had one), rice (I only had a little, but it was white rice just the same), rye bread (I only had 1/2 a piece), someone brought a banana pudding (I only had a little), I brought a pineapple/angel food cake and some popcorn. Yet, when I got home, I had these cravings for rye bread, I had to go out and buy a loaf. Well, I had a slice or two, now the cravings are gone. I guess I'm afraid that I'll get those cravings again.

mimi - isn't "Food, Inc" really good? Really got me thinking about my food and how it's grown

Happy birthday chicklet and Grace!

It's gotten colder here - in the 70's versus in the 80's. I totally forgot to bring a pair of socks to change into after exercising (I get so sweaty) today, so I just wore the flip-flops that I wear when I take a shower.

Vicki - I WISH I could buy only healthy food and no crap. Vince likes his crap. So sitting in my pantry next to my (unsalted) pumpkin seeds are his Pop Tarts. But you know something? His crap takes up a lot more space in the pantry than my healthy food. The other day he kept on and on about how low his cholesterol number was. I just said to him "that just means that your cholesterol med is working. Let's compare apples to apples. I'm not taking any chol. lowering med. Where would your number be if you weren't taking it?". He hasn't said a word since then. This, from the uber-logical person!

Hey, Heather. I'm sorry, I don't remember you. Maybe that was before I joined MFP. Welcome back, tho!

OK, Linda just told me that I can't read the posts from my phone. Well, I'll just have to wait until I get to the library or maybe next time we'll get a good signal for an unsecured Internet connection like we did last time.

I have a DVD called "lalofit", it's mostly weights that I'll do tomorrow a.m. and then go to crocheting and then to the lunch. Then, Fri I'll do the stairmaster and there's mahjongg at 10.

Here's hoping everyone has a great evening!

Michele

Bump

:flowerforyou: Morning everyone

Just a quicky as I'm back at work this morning and need to get myself organised.

:flowerforyou: Just wanted to say that I've read through all the posts and there's some good advice out there (as usual) it's given me something to think about. I'll definitley look out for healthier/organic options and cut down on the crappy stuff. Also I've got myself a little notebook and will jot down/plan my meals then when I can get onto the computer I'll enter acurately instead of a lot of guesswork. :embarassed:

:drinker: Welcome Grace and a belated Happy Birthday to you.

:drinker: Smerwt Happy Birthday to you for tomorrow, just in case I don't get time to post tomorrow.

:flowerforyou: Mimi you sound back on track - Sister Veggie Queen is back!!

Sorry will have to cut this short, just noticed the time so must the doggies walked.

Bye for now
Viv xx

Izzy and I enjoyed a great walk today. We walked down (up and down and up and down) to the end of our lane. Beautiful views and beautiful trees. Not too hot so we didn’t broil in the sunny parts. (It did get up over 90 later in the day.)

This was the first time I’d walked down to the end so that felt like an accomplishment. There are just two houses in about a mile’s distance and I’m kind of a chicken. There are mountain lions and bears out there you know! (Actually there are, but I’ve never seen them.)

We saw three pretty birds. Bright yellow, I think on head, tail and a band on wings, the rest was black. I don’t know what they were and couldn’t find them online. They were bigger than goldfinches and smaller than robins. Not yellow-headed blackbirds either. I expect they're migrating through. Seeing them was a treat.

Welcome back, Heather. I love that we can always come back and get back on track.

Vicki, you’re right about a smaller amount of healthy foods costing less than a larger amount of junk food. It also costs us less in another way – medical bills!

Barbie, your pizza sounds delicious, made even more delicious because your DH made it.

Natalie, your blood sugar numbers are the best kind of motivation. You are really doing it. Woo hoo! :flowerforyou:

HealthyAndLean, good news all the way around. :drinker: Good luck in finding a job.

Who watched American Idol tonight? Some of the songs were sung amazingly well. I don’t want to hear Randy say, “He’s in it to win it, folks. In it to win it” one more time! :noway:

I gave Izzy a kennel cough vaccine tonight. It’s the nasal inhaler type. Just $5 at the feed store vs five times that much at the vet. It's a good vaccine to give a dog that’s going to be around a lot of other dogs, at a dog park, etc. If we find a playmate for her, who knows what that dog will have been exposed to. And...I hope we get more time in at the dog park too. My new hat, “vet.”

BTW, you won’t see any veggies in my diary today. It was another one of those funny days where I wasn’t home in the afternoon to fix them. I did, however, get a pedicure!

Hello All,

I just glanced through this thread and would also like to join. I am 53, as of today, have two grown children, one boy who is still in college junior at Stonehill and a girl who recently graduated from Bridgewater State College. I don't have much time to post but just wanted to claim a spot for now if that's okay.

I am going upstairs to my gym and working out, I got inspired by reading these message boards. I joined an online trainer site a couple of months ago, I did lose about 5 pounds there and then my daughter showed me MFP and it looked great. It is easier logging in food and workouts than the one I was paying for so I canceled my other plan and joined here. I've lost a total of 10 pounds over past two months and hope to keep going. I joined a challenge and hope to lose 6 more this month, that would be great.

Have a great day......

Debbie
Birthday 5/5/58

Good morning Michelle,
Maybe you can go early to help and explain to her that you are really trying to eat healthy and the food she is serving does not agree with you. maybe you can bring a side dish that goes along and eat that along with the salad. I really dont have that problem cause I just order or eat what I want. I guess the people around me are either with me on this or they are so busy eating themselves that they dont pay attention to what I eat. I hope it works out for you I know how those cravings can be. As for vince make him buy his own crap. LOL.
Vicki M

welcome Debbie and Happy Birthday.

this group of women is the best n the world.

I am sorry that I haven't been very wordy lately(posting) Just not enough time. I hope you all have a wonderful day.

To Chicklet, Grace and smwert! (I think that's all the birthday's this week!)

To Chicklet, Grace and smwert! (I think that's all the birthday's this week!)

Happy Birthday!!!!!!!!

Happy Belated Birthday!
:flowerforyou: Chiclet ~ Grace:flowerforyou:

Happy Birthday! :flowerforyou: Smerwt and Debbie:flowerforyou:

Faye, happy news on the bluebirds. Mine nest in trees just 20 feet from the house and do
fine.

Macmadame, I am sure there is a better job for you. Your employer did not sound like
the type that was worth any more commitment.

Cherub, I went through the same thing with my bank card 2 yrs. ago. It took a while to
resolve, but I did get all the money back. Lots of paperwork to file, PIA, indeed.

Congratz on the new start Heather, hang in there and don’t give up!

Natalie, outstanding results on the blood sugar. I bet it's not a fluke!

Hey Viv, I am in the office myself this a.m. and should be working on an audit.:sick:

Mimi love the hair color, I was just thinking of letting mine go. DH is opposed!
Your yellow birds were probably immature Orioles, both Orchards and Baltimores are
yellow in their first year. I do all my the vaccines for the dogs except the Rabies, it is
much cheaper.

Vicki I agree with you on the price of healthy foods. My only defense is the garden, and
“putting by”.

I am still kick’n along working out everyday and enjoying everyday. Can not wait to get
in the garden. Remember I am in the WI and spring is not a yet certain thing . Did
spread woodchips yesterday and put compost on my rhubarb. Weather is cold and wet.
I am unable to do long walks outside as everything is to wet. Drive is covered in water,
water standing on the sand.

It is always a thrill to see the new buds in the spring. Many of my shrubs and plants have
been with me for years, even through moves. I brought pieces of my favorites along.
I still have scilla and coral bells from my Grandmother’s farm, iris, daylilies, and Korean
lilacs from my parents home among others. How sentimental am I?

Really must get back to work before the boss comes in, OOPS, she’s already here, it’s
me!

To all of you I did not mention, I am thinking of you fondly. You all know that I am not
that good at this. I do read all the posts and appreciate you all. It is not for lack of interest, mostly lack of time.

Onward and upward! Alice

Debbie, welcome and HAPPY BIRTHDAY.
Smerwt , HAPPY BIRTHDAY.
Star

Good Morning to all,

May 5 is looking very nice here today so I will head out for a walk this PM. I am pleased to tell you I have been very consistent with outdoor walking this spring.

This week I have not had any 'attacks' of the undiagnosed RUQ pain and fluctuating liver enzymes that plagues me. Note I have left 'yet' off the end of the previous sentence. I am always hopeful this mystery illness will disappear! I do try and be an optimist who manages reality as needed. A pragmatic Pollyanna (is that an oxymoron or just moronic?)!

Michele, my thoughts on your question of handling a difficult menu. As you may remember, I eat gluten free, etc. etc. in some attempt to feel I am able to manage my health problems, so I have some experience in preparing for challenging menus. Some people don't get gluten-free (even if the person is allergic), just as your hostess may not be able to understand your desire to eat something other that what I am sure will be an expertly prepared menu. "You can ease on your diet just today; it is sooo good" etc. etc. is an oft heard refrain from a hard working hostess. A suggested option for you is too eat your lean protein, etc before you go and then just eat salad/vegs at the event. An avoidance strategy I use (other then not going which I do use too), is to try and get a position at the dinner table/room away from the hostess so she may not fully appreciate you didn't sample her prized zita. My experience has been that most people (beside the hostess) don't really care what you have on your plate as long as there is something on it and you are being social. Some people may feel you should be more direct, but I find it is easier to pick my battles, so I often use the strategy above. For your consideration.

Happy cinco de mayo to all,
Karlene

Happy Birthday Debma! Glad you are joining us. I just love this site and enjoy reading all the posts on this thread everyday.