WOMEN AGES 50+ FOR JANUARY 2015

Mary fr Minn - 25 pounds in 100 days - wow! That's inspirational. Thanks for the feedback.

Fitgranny - a diabetes scare was the impetus for me to get serious. I wish you the best of luck.

Beautifulluv - GREAT resolutions! Really specific and do-able. I think I'm going to write monthly goals and keep them posted at my desk.

pipcd34 - Everything you said hit the nail right on the head. I'm realizing that logging my food and exercise will teach me how to know when something is worth it and when it isn't.

I stayed on track for lunch with a bag of veggies, a cup of beans, and a beautiful fresh plum tomato. I'm stuffed, and all for only 343 calories!

Hello! Just turned 60 and new to the discussion boards. I've come to believe that dieting has not served me well - starting with the Grapefruit diet when I was 17 yrs old and only wanted to lose 20 lbs.

Many, many, many diets later, I now have over 200 lbs (yes, I said over 200 lbs) to lose. I have the typical health problems associated with obesity - type 2 diabetes, blood pressure, etc. But I also struggle with degenerative disk desease in my lower back that has really limited my mobility. I had pretty much given up living a productive life. I could make it to my job & home, but only from shear will power.

So I'm still asking myself what made turning 60 into a big wake up call?! It started with a painfully frank conversation with myself about how my poor health affects the people around me. I don't feel like I can continue to accept the status quo because I have so many obstacles to losing weight now. A thousand mile journey begins with one step, right?

So here I am. I've made it 7 days, today. My eating plan for now is to just be very deliberate about what I eat, staying under the suggested calorie/nutrition limits set by Myfitness. I log everything into my food diary BEFORE I EAT IT. So far, it's working for me and I'm encouraged by the weight I've lost this week.

Hope someone identifies with my struggle, and is encouraged to take the first step on their personal journey.

Brenda from MD, love your quote.

Good wishes for all of those on the NE coast who are expecting blizzard conditions.

Damp cold and very windy here today. Spent the morning taking apart my steam cleaner to clean out debris. Felt very handy with my screw driver skills. LOL

I keep trying to realize how I lost 20 pounds in a year and now can't shed the 9 I have gained back. I think it is because I logged each meal before I ate and then stuck to it. Need to start doing that again.

Carol ~ GA

Brenda - so sorry to hear of the deaths of your young people. :flowerforyou: I am currently retyping my novella which was based on the death of my sister in law when I was 25. We lived with them and it was life changing. Some of it was for the good. I certainly learnt a lot about myself and grew up a lot. It also brought me closer to people.

Yesterday I was watching "Call the Midwife", which featured a stillbirth. It brought back so many memories of my stillborn baby girl that the tears were really coming. It was good in a way. The love I had for her is still there 37 years later. I so appreciate my beautiful DGD. It was a miracle when she was born.

Love to all who have lost dear ones. ♥♡♥♡♥♡♥♡

Heather in Hampshire UK

PS the East Coast storms are on our news. Stay safe!

Happy Monday ! ! ! I am finally caught up on reading since I was so busy this weekend.

pip - I had an "aha" moment this past week, too, regarding calories, etc. A store had 5/$5 progresso soup. I read all the labels, and only purchased the French Onion soups. I can eat an entire can as a meal, with fewer calories and fat and carbs than 1/2 can of any other option. Or, I can use it in the crock pot to enhance a meal for the entire family. I had no idea that progresso soup (and I will read other labels better from now on) was so bad for me. Good thing I enjoy eating onion soup.

Now, to back track from my reading

Michele in NC (and all others interested in the conversation about the weighted vest) - I did not hear back from my Physical Therapist Aunt, but I did ask the opinion of my DS's personal trainer (MS degree in Sports Exercise, and StrongMan winner) . His opinion is that the vest would be much less damaging to joints, with the exception of ankles, knees, and possibly lower back. He states that if you have healthy joints, you may walk, or walk on the treadmill, or use an eliptical, but should never run in a weighted vest, because it would put so much more pressure on your lower joints. When I hear back from my Aunt, I will let you know.

Kim in N Cali - congrats on the NSV. I have much better control if I ask at a restaurant for my to-go container with my meal, and split it immediately before I start eating. I don't think I am at the place yet where I could stop eating. I admire you for that !

The PopTart conversation makes me laugh out loud in public !!! I keep chocolate poptarts in the house for DS to snack on between events (I also keep lunchables and/or turkey jerky and/or protein bars, because you never know what a 14 y.o. boy is going to want 1 day to the next). Well, this weekend his poptart got squished in my bag, so he refused to eat it, so I ate it instead. First time in MANY years. That + a grapefruit was my supper yesterday, and I cherished (savored) every moment of both items.

Heather in UK - the whole music conversation makes me confused and sad. I can't believe how traumatized I could have made other people. I have one of the "strange" brains that has music inside every second of every day. If I don't have external music, I will create internal music. I am not afraid of silence, but the internal music tends to be repetitive, so I create external music to calm myself (sometimes, that means singing or humming or whistling out loud). The only time I turn off the music at my desk is when someone asks, or when they come in with a migrane. I apologize to anyone whom I traumatized with my music. I really meant no harm.

Barbie - I also look forward to the day I am able to control the other foods, like you compared to food allergies. I would NEVER consider even trying to eat shellfish because I know the life-threatening consequenses. Yet, a few times a week, I will be weak, and eat a complex carb that is both bad for my weight and a triggerfood for my RA symptoms (white wheat, corn, and potato). Thank you for reminding me.

This weekend was full of bowling for both DS and DH again. DS struggled toward the end of H.S. bowling, and brought his fill down to 76.28%. His team is now in a VERY close race for first place with 2 other teams. He is now down to the #5 spot, so he may not qualify for State. At the Sunday Junior Gold tournament, he started strong, but left splits in the 10th frame of the first 2 games to finish with 167 and 162. Games 3 & 4 were both over 200. Game 5 crashed with a 128, then he came back with a 219 in game 6. His first 3-game series had him only 10 pins away from Qualifying, but his final 3 games he was about 50 pins out. But I am still very proud of him, because he listened to his dad the best possible, and maintained his composure even during his bad games/frames. But the big surprise for the weekend was when his cousin from Minnesota walked in and bowled a few lanes away from him. That made it more fun, and we took lots of pictures (I just still haven't figured-out how to save them to this computer so I can download them to show you all).


DH was only able to get his "girls" to win 1 game out of 7, but they all had good fills (they were up against the #1 team). He bought them pizza, and they all had a good time, so that feels like a win for him. Today they take team pictures.

Well, I see a few more people have posted lately, and I will have paperwork to do. Prayers for everyone expecting the blizzard ! ! !

Terri in Milwaukee (where it is snowing, but we are only expecting a few inches).

Joyce: I’m not a green tea fan, either, because it results in me spending lots of time in the loo. Truvia is not a sweetener I’m willing to use. I will use stevia, agave, or real sugar.

Heather: I hope your hair coloring goes well. You look wonderful in your photos. I take mine as God grows it, and it has quite a bit of silver these days. We feed hummingbirds right at our windows. The river runs in front of our home, and we see lots of waterfowl, Osprey in the summer and occasional Bald Eagles in any season. Some of our neighbors feed seed eaters.

NCCarol: You are sounding happier than I can remember. I’m so glad that things are going well for you. Enjoy your guest.

Noexcusses118: It sounds like you’ve got a good attitude. This is a good place for support. Stop in often. I’ve lost my weight, but I’m still counting calories and getting support here because I want to continue to be healthy and make good choices.

Fitgranny56: DH is diabetic and has been for a long time. If he keeps his blood sugars averaging under 200, his A1C moves into a good zone. He says that everyone is different and it could be a different number for you. Do you have good support available through your doctors office?

Tammy: Welcome back!

Krieter1: Welcome to a supportive group. You can succeed but it will take time. Be patient with yourself and make better choices. Eventually, you will see improvements.



I went to the gym and had my core and yoga classes, plus I did a little work on machines. I still really miss my old yoga teacher. She was special. I’m making the best choices I can, and I am getting stronger. This isn’t perfect, but it will get the job done.


Katla in Beautiful NW Oregon


“Our greatest weakness lies in giving up. The most certain way to succeed is always to try just one more time.” Thomas A. Edison


January Goals:
1. Log every bite and swallow.
2. Cardio exercise at least 3 days a week.
3. Have fun every day.
4. Drink at least three glasses of water daily, preferably more!
5. Eliminate alcohol.
6. Monitor sleep.

kevrit wrote: »

I am so far behind! Just wanted to let you all know I am still here and not able to catch up. Been too busy! Today, getting ready for winter storm Juno here in CT. Wish me luck! My office is already planning to be closed tomorrow.

ps. I am only up to page 36 and I see the thread is on page 43! I am so never going to catch up!

Stay warm!
Rita in CT

Good afternoon dear ladies!

Hope all you folks on the East Coast are some place safe and warm ahead of the big storm.

I find it hard to post over the weekends because I normally only read on the phone or iPad, so I really miss being part of the conversation. I read, just never get a chance to write.

Pip: I don’t have but a couple of “friends”. I really consider this whole list my friends!

Laurie from BC: Welcome! Glad you are enjoying your fitbit. The interaction between my competitive nature, MFP, my up24, and Runkeeper/map my fitness has been a huge boon to my overall health.

Welcome all the rest of you newbies! If you are here for inspiration to get healthy, I dropped my blood pressure from 138/90 to 104/78 with just diet and exercise in only 5 months.

One of my tricks early in this “learn to eat game”, was to box up heathy snacks and make them easily available. I went to the Dollar Store and got six extra small (1/4 cup) tupperwares for a buck. I filled 3 with peanut butter filled pretzels (have some protein and help with the carb craving) and the other three with 1 oz (28 grams) of peanuts, almonds, or cashews (protein/fat hit). Each one was about 140 calories. I would drag one or two containers with me all the time, so I would never be starving enough to feel compelled to drive through a Drive thru. I knew that I had turned the corner when one set rattled around in the car for more than a week uneaten.

Someone asked if I compete in herding with my dogs. Yes I do. I compete in small flock/small field AKC (American Kennel Club) and ASCA (Australian Shepherd Club of America) trials. I don’t do the big field Border Collie trials that you are more likely to see on TV with huge distances and large flocks of sheep. I don’t have any regular access to those type of training opportunities. What we do more closely resembles what you saw in “Babe” where the pig quietly moved a few sheep through and obstacle course. (That’s the goal anyway.)

Still on the dog issue (since I am the crazy dog lady), I never allow my dogs to interact with other dogs on lead. They are intact males and big, so anything stupid that happens will be their fault. There are few things the irritate me (or my dogs) more than being galloped at by some dog while the owner is yelling “they’re friendly”. It is at this point that I channel my inner “female dog”. My replies vary on my mood:
“The vet says he will only be contagious for a few more weeks…” (Said very sweetly…My favorite)
“Your dog might not bite but I do…” (Not said very nicely!)

Either way, the dufus owner will pretty quickly collect their dog (if they can).

How I start my dogs so they learn that other dogs “out there” have little value to them is by giving my guys a treat (very tiny) and acknowledging that they saw another dog. I can easily rapid fire more than 10 treats in a minute until they realize (yet again) that I am the provider of all wonderful things. This concept will even work for reactive dogs, but it takes quite a bit of consistency to get passed years of a bad habit. (Where have we heard that before…..)

Looking for the joy in every day, just like my dogs.
Remember to breathe…

Sally W.
Oregon

Good afternoon, all. Cloudy all day and we are supposed to be having rain by now but nothing yet. Went to gym for ladies light aerobics then our class had a luncheon at a local place; I had salad with lite oil and vinegar dsg, half a baked potato (one butter pat), and half of a small steak.

Karen..........Congrats on passing on that cheesecake...........Kudos to you!!!

Margaret.........Will check out the movie Leap Year if it's on Netflix..........LOVED the ice sculptures!!!! I like pretty much any English actor!!!

Heather.........Tatties and neeps? We have a CD by "Old Blind Dogs" that has a song about them! The group played at a folk concert I took DD to at our local library many years ago. ((((hugs)))) for your sadness.

Janet........It's you I need to thank for the word "savor".........which I used yesterday!!!

Mary.........Hope your zumba was enjoyable!

Cynthia.........Thanks for the job update, I was wondering.......fingers crossed for you.

CP...........Fantastic start!!!

Gail........May you heal quickly w/o complications.

Tammy..........Welcome back!!!

Brenda..........I am sorry for your added pain of loss. (((((Hugs)))))

Sally........It seems to me (very faulty memory here) that I read a book about a farmer (?) ages ago and his herding dog.........the dog had a simple name which might have been the books title too....Nip, Yap, something easy and reminded me of the James Herriot books although I can't remember where it was set. Ring any bells with you?

Hello to everyone else; welcome newbies. Stay safe up north!!!!

Hunger is not an emergency.
Determined.
yanniejannie
mid-Atlantic

Trying a different medicine today as the other doesn’t seem to be doing anything for me. Was hoping to get to play golf tomorrow but alas this cold is still hanging on. Did spend an hour outside getting fresh air and helping DH with pecans. Every time the wind blows there are more to pick up.

Margaret – I love the ice sculptures. Thanks for sharing.

MaryWetterlund – what a visual, you and an 11 lb block of chocolate!

Judy in PA – thinking of you and hope you aren’t in the path of the storm.

Mary in MN – I got a laugh out of your saying you didn’t eat 6700 extra calories! I never really thought of gaining a lb being 3900 calories extra. Hummm you may have some big motivational theme there. Hang in there girlfriend.

CP – good start, now just take it one day at a time. If that’s too much to think about, take it one meal at a time. You Can Do This!

Tammy in VA – welcome home. Good to “see” you!

Rita- wishing you good luck with the winter storm. Stay safe.

Krieter1- welcome to the thread. There are a lot of women here who have lost a lot of weight and lots of women who have lost a little weight. The tie that binds us is we all want to lead healthy, productive lives. I congratulate you on taking the steps necessary to regain your health. Remember this weight loss journey is not a straight line. There will be lots of ups and downs but if you stay the course and have faith in yourself, you will succeed. We all wish you the best.

Allison – don’t beat yourself up. The longer you’re snowbound the more you might need whatever you bought. Good luck.

I agree with the poster who said she thinks of all the ladies on this thread as friends. I even picture how I think they will look (if no picture in profile) and love hearing about their lives. We all laugh and cry together. It is such a blessing.

SueBDew in TX

Lestan48 wrote: »

Tuesday here and done my weight and measures:
This week I have LOST 2.6% body fat, 2.47 Kgs FAT and 0.25 inches
In 6 weeks I have LOST 4% body fat, 4.43 Kgs FAT and 4 inches
In a week I have GAINED 2.57 Kg Lean body weight
In 6 weeks I have Gained 3.32 lean body weight and 1.68 Kg MUSCLE
Brian said this would happen. 1 KG = 2.2 pounds, happy with that.

I see Brian again on Friday

I had a 2 mile walk before breakfast. I am washing clothes, then make out shopping list and go grocery shopping

Lesley in Tasmania

great stats!

Judy – some of the gals look at it that you start fresh in the morning, I try (critical word – try) to start fresh immediately – so log the cookies and then walk in place or do something to begin to wear off the calories and do the next meal “right” - I make it work many times…

Joyce – the pew thing cracks me up, I am not a church go-er but end up in one for a service occasionally – I have singing friends and will attend to hear them especially if they have a solo. I always get there early as usually I have not been there before, and I want a spot where I can see the choir. So sometimes sit in someones “spot” the looks are funny – and one time I was asked to move as I was in their spot; so I said I was a visitor, and did they have special visitor seating, if so could they tell me where it was? - - I knew I was playing with their head, but really! And they ended up letting me sit in their pew but at the end. Hehehehe

Cynthia – this is the perfect time to meet with the trainer, when you need the encouragement!

Heather and Viv - on Sunday nights here there are 2 shows, the British baking show then Downton - well I love them both; the baking show is so fun as things are so different from here! There was one on biscuits they were judging them on crispness, and our biscuits are fluffly and not dessert… the dessert item is a cookie here --- but are all british biscuits crisp? Or is there a softer biscuit, so we have a butter cookie with cinnamon/sugar on the outside that is a snickerdoodle, and it is a soft cookie… Last night was stacked pie, that was done in a straight sided pan, looked NOTHING like an American pie! So interesting.

Carol – great news on the scale and on the visit from your friend… easier to do together!

Wildfiremoon – welcome – join in the chatter and we’ll cheer you on.

CP – welcome, and you have it figured out, log – move repeat… it is not always easy, but it is not always hard either… and some of it gets to just be habit and no thought is required. We are here to share the ups and downs.

Pip – great rant! And how I feel too – if I am going to spend calories it should be very healthy or very wonderful or even better … BOTH!

Krieter – welcome

Heather – Glad you are still writing, and love lasts forever!

Sally – I have the treat gig going with Levi my reactive dog, and we have solved the reactive-ness to birds and strollers.. and working on other dogs between treats and moving away it works most of the time.. but we can not pass on a sidewalk… or even across a 2 lane road, but a 4 lane we can do..that is a HUGE improvement.

Vickie – so sad to hear of all the health challenges with family - congrats on keeping your eating under control… sending good thoughts.



January goals:
Walk every day
Log all bites everyday
Do a fun thing every week.

Kim from N. California

wildfiremoons666 wrote: »

Ok here goes. I suffer from bipolar disorder and am manic depressed. I have been yoyo dieting for so many years. When my Mom died 15 minutes after midnight, the day after her birthday I felt is was time to try and do something about my weight. They said she died in her sleep from an apparent heart attack. I try only to fall when my depression gets the best of me. I have only lost 5 pounds and it is a start. When I eat certain foods they make me so nauseated. There is a chance I am diabetic and all I know is right now I am borderline. I do log my meals but some days I get so bad I don't eat at all. I know I can do it but it is hard alone. I don't have many friends at all. My fiancee is a great support but he says I am perfect just the way I am. I have lost a mother, who I miss so much. I also lost a brother a few years ago from an allergic reaction to something he ate. I am scared. I have survived cancer, a rare stomach disorder that needed emergency surgery to save my life.
I am sorry this is so long just need to talk to someone. I don't like the way I look

Sorry for posting twice was trying to edit

Hi gals! Interesting day. I went to PT and used the hospital valet parking. I was walking away when the guy in the car sets off the car alarm, so I turn around to see him waving his arms around as my car rolled backwards down a hill towards the busy street in front of the hospital. So I trotted (yes I know) to the car, grabbed the open door and yelled at him to step on the brake. The guy was so panicked he couldn’t find the brake! So another valet guy is even dumber than I was and ran behind the car waving his arms like that would help. The poor guy finally gets the car stopped about 10 feet from the street. I about had a heart attack and he felt awful. That was punishment enough. I’m sure he thinks I would call his boss and report him, but the sad look on his face convinced me otherwise!

I also have lost some weight. Last quarter I had put on weight with my dad, with the baby, the knee etc, and I have slowly been losing so that now I am less than 9 pounds over my lowest weight, so I am happy about that.

DD#1 is driving me crazy. I think I told you she went to the ED Thursday night and told them she was going through 18 pads a day….three months after the baby and a month after her D&C. So they packed her and told her to see the doctor today and of course she didn’t, instead choosing to go to work. She also got into a text thing with DH; this Sunday is ‘first Sunday” dinner with her, her BF and the best friend and her bf. So she keeps texting hubby saying that since Maddie (her friend) is bringing Chris (her boyfriend) Tanya’s bf should get to bring a friend too. DH just keps saying “you and Maddie are both bringing your boyfriends so that makes it equal” but she doesn’t get it. He finally just started ignoring her texts.

Joyce; you cracked me up. I am a person who HAS to sit in MY spot in church and this last Sunday there were people there. Now mind you, they have THEIR usual spot too so I’m not sure why they felt compelled, but they gave me a rash LOL. It did bug me I hate to admit!

Fitgranny: strength training is even better for glucose control than aerobics. I also read in Diabetic management magazine today that 3 10 minute bursts of activity is better for glycemic control than a long exercise session. Try to make some of your favorite sweets using Truvia instead of sugar.

Hi Tammy: nice to see you again!

Pip: don’t worry; no offense taken. I’m with you; if I’m going over it better be really worth it and those people who ask those kind of questions really annoy me!

Heather: sending you lots of (((hugs))) for your loss. So many years ago yet so fresh. Xoxo

Sorry I have not responded to everyone. I did read all the posts. Welcome to the newbies. Come back often. You easterners….batten down the hatches, stay home, and keep warm. Take care Meg from Omaha where apparently I am the only person who can drive a standard LOL