WOMEN AGES 50+ FOR JANUARY 2015

Damit.janit - Loved your word of the day, "savor" (dictionary definition: taste and enjoy it completely) That's something that is really helping me overcome some of my less healthy "bad" food favorites. Last night I was eating my baked sweet potato & the rest of the family had pancakes & sausage. Passing that darn sausage plate around was really getting to me. I was already struggling with the day, so I just took a quarter size pinch off one of the patties, and really enjoyed all the flavors - after that I was fine. It reminded me of something Bethany Frankel says "taste everything, eat nothing."

YannieJannie - "Hunger is not an emergency!" How could five simple words, put in just the right order, make so much sense?

Sylvia: the larger train stations usually have lockers, too.
Yanniejannie: I'm sure you would enjoy the books "Chaser" and "A Dog Year: Twelve Months, Four Dogs and Me."

Krieter1 - that's exactly what I do. Have a tiny taste. That doesn't work for everyone, but it does for me, especially with desserts. It stops me feeling deprived and once I know what it tastes like I am fine.
- I think one of the secrets to losing weight is to really enjoy your food. You can still have something delicious, even if it is low in calories. Deprivation usually only works in the short term. I love my herbs and spices so even cheap, slimming and ordinary food, like cauliflower, tastes heavenly!
- Sylvia - I do think the food thing might be a problem, partly because the Spaniards love their salt. Of course there are many wonderful food shops and markets. If you want a cheap and plain meal you could try the Museo del Jamon. It is a deli chain that looks as if it only sells ham etc, but upstairs is a very basic restaurant where you can get something simple like an omelette. You could ask for no salt. We found we didn't always want and couldn't afford to eat in proper restaurants every night. The Museo del Jamon was great and unpretentious.
If you are travelling from place to place then you will have to take taxis and lug your suitcase around, but if you are based somewhere and just going away for a night or two you could pack a rucksack and take what you need, leaving the suitcase at the hotel, or train station. I'm sure it will be great. The Spanish language is one of the easiest to learn a few phrases of if you felt like it. Lots of resources on line and a phrase book for your Kindle? I learnt enough German that way to get by quite well. Spanish is easier! :laugh:

Welcome new ladies! ! ! ! ! Keep coming back and chatting. :flowerforyou: Before you subject yourself to any harsh regime ask yourself, can I do this for the rest of my life? This is for ever. And ever.
By the way, those of you who have trouble saying no to friends and family who offer you things, you just have to keep plugging away and keep saying, no thankyou, I'm eating to get healthy. Don't be embarrassed. Eventually they will get the message when they realise you mean it. Some people are just a bit slow. No one would EVER buy me chocolates or candies as a present. They would be too afraid! :laugh: Someone who didn't know about my dieting once bought me a whole, huge brie. I gave nearly all of it away. :noway: Take back control of your life. It's your life. :flowerforyou:

Both DH and I still have this minor bug. I don't feel hungry today so I must be ill! ! ! ! :laugh:
Sending good wishes to the snow areas. And hugs to Vicki and others with losses. Glad to hear Ashley is pulling through. Congrats Jane on the grandchild! :flowerforyou:

On the subject of our favourite pews - I always take the same place at yoga and get there ten minutes early to make sure I get it. :laugh: I also bag my friend's spot next to me. :embarassed:

Love to all you lovely ladies.
Heather in gloomy Hampshire UK




PS I am currently reading and enjoying "13 Things Mentally Strong People Don't Do" Kindle edition. Good to remind oneself. One thing is - they don't give their power away! :flowerforyou:

Wildfiremoon: I’ve been reading your post and wonder whether you have enough medical support. Your situation is complicated and you are doing the best you know how. An element I’d like to have you focus on is the possible diabetes. Please have this checked out by medical professionals. Blood sugar swings can have an enormous impact on mood & mental wellbeing. They can also have dramatic impacts on all aspects of physical health.

Pipcd: Your strava data for the year is amazing. Congratulations on all you have done! Time to celebrate with something you will enjoy or a gift to yourself or your bike.

Meg: Congratulations on turning your weight around after all of that stress.

Terri_mom: Which boy is your son, the blonde or the brunette? Both look like great kids.

Barbie: You may be the most self-disciplined person I know. I admire all you are able to accomplish. The best part is that you’re healthy, happy, and have built an excellent life with Jake and the pets.

MeredithDoyle85 & newbies: Welcome to a wonderful and supportive group.

Alison: I’m glad you are doing so well in the storm. Stay warm and safe.

Diana in IN: You said and did all the right things for your son’s friend.

Jane: Congratulations on the new granddaughter.

Beth in WNY: Keeping your son in my prayers. I hope that he is able to attend school in the coming semester. Good luck with the van & congratulations on purging your food cupboard. You’ve been busy!

Carol from GA: I am sorry your DH has uninsured dental problems. Both of my parents had false teeth before they completed highschool. My dad’s situation was caused by braces, which were experimental back then. The experiment didn’t go well and he got a horrible infection that required having his teeth pulled. Mom just had, in her words, crappy teeth. They brought me up to take GOOD care of mine, and I’ve always seen to it that we’ve had dental insurance. DH had a waiting period after he went on medicare because we weren’t smart enough to get the policies set up in time for his coverage to be seamless. DD hasn’t been as diligent in that area, but DS & his wife are sticklers for good insurance. It is worth its cost.

Twhitehead in CT: Stay safe in the storm.

Sylvia: We are not frequent or comfortable travelers. DH is a real control freak and doesn’t like new situations. Part of this is his health situation, which has always been complicated by diabetes, and now includes a stroke, MS, and arthritis issues. He hates flying, but has agreed to try it and to travel to some new places in the coming year. We need to get new passports so we can go to Canada, at the very least. We love BC and it has been a few years since we’ve gone there. I love today’s joke.

Krieter: Welcome! We have more than one Terri, so it would be great if you’d tell us where you’re from and add it to your signature. Terri from…

Heather: I may need to read “13 Things Mentally Strong People Don’t Do.” As to position in a room or space, I had “my spot” in my old yoga class but I’ve joined a new gym and I’m in a different spot each time. All of them are freezing. They need to warm up that gym. We haven’t been “church goers” for some time, but never developed a set spot in our last congregation. We would sit with different friends each Sunday. Most of our friends left that church due to the clique that developed there, and eventually we did too. It was like junior high by the end. The pastor’s wife was one of the lead snobs.

CP: I open a word document on my computer and respond to each post on the word document as I read along. Then I copy and paste my word document into MFP. This practice helps me keep up and prevents lost posts that get gobbled by a bad keystroke or other internet hiccup.




I hope those of you in the path of the snowstorm have power and stay safe and warm. We have fog again this morning. I hope we get some sunshine by the end of the day.

My weight has climbed a few pounds. I'm still under goal, but I'm wondering whether the gain is the result of workouts at the gym, or too many calories. MFP, in its wisdom, changed my goal upward for me. I've decided to move it back down just a bit and see what I think. I know that muscle is more dense and weighs more than fat. I don't know whether my weight gain is caused by converting fat to muscle or by eating more & increasing fat. Words of wisdom are welcome.

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.

Happy Tuesday ! ! !

Katla - My DS is the redhead on the left. The other is his cousin, who is 4 years older.
- I also "fell out" of the church where I had belonged my entire life, for a similar reason. My son was born 1 week after the new Minister and his wife had their son. She was always comparing our kids, and making sure to let me know mine was not as great as hers (mine was a preemie, but she still kept it up for at least a year). She also complained often about my daughter (9.5 years older). Then, she decided to go back to school for the same career as mine, and the competition "ramped-up" in her mind. It wasn't worth it, so we left.

Yesterday I was able to ride the bike for 5 minutes, and today I made it 6 minutes. This afternoon I am going to try going to the Dentist, because I have an ancient filling that is falling out, and my coughing isn't as bad today. Still deep and wet, but much less often. The Doctor here feels my forehead and listens to my left lungs every day, and reminds me to take it easy, because viral pneumonia "takes a long time to feel better". Unfortunately, I think I gave it to my Dad (he claims to get it once a year every winter, so I'm not convinced it was my fault this time, either).

Yesterday's NSV was to say no to DH when he asked if I wanted a chocolate shake from McDonalds. I took my sweet old time savoring a grapefruit while they ate their "junk". Tonight they are having Papa John's Pizza, but I'm sure my mouth will still be numb, so I'll stick to French Onion soup when I get feeling back in my mouth.

Hugs to Everyone ! ! !

Terri in Milwaukee (where it is 29 and sunny)

I am reevaluating my journey as I call it now.

Quote - "I -Think - I - Can
Does anyone remember where that came from?

Word - balance
I am now going to look at this as a life journey and even if I weigh a little more than I would like I am going to give myself permission to have a balance of what I really enjoy eating to the whole food diet. It's going to be 90 / 10 with the 90 being what I love to eat... Just kidding

OK, this is attractive. My new favorite snack at work is pickled beets. I found one brand (Aunt Nellie's) that is low sodium and only 20 calories for two beets. So, I have two beets every day. Today, there was only one left in the jar and I couldn't get the darned thing onto my plastic fork, so I fished it out with my fingers. Now I have two fingers and one thumb stained a bright fuschia. Past the second knuckle. (Insert laughter here) Now, I do love that color, but not so much on my fingers. I thought I could just wash it off and it did get a little paler but not much. At least it's on my left hand. Maybe I can keep it in my pocket till it wears off. I'll be that crazy lady who walks around town with her hand in her pocket.

Katla49 you are right medically speaking. I am affraid but I do need to go get checked out. Thank you for the advice. I have survived so much already to give up now.

I do have a question, this happens to me alot but when I eat a veggie burger I seem to only eat that all day. I hardly eat breakfast, I eat mostly lunch and when dinner rolls around I'm not hungry. I know this isnt healthy so I am asking if anyone has any suggestions that might help. I do tend to starve myself sometimes.

Hope all is well with everyone.

marywetterlund wrote: »

I am reevaluating my journey as I call it now.

Quote - "I -Think - I - Can
Does anyone remember where that came from?

Word - balance
I am now going to look at this as a life journey and even if I weigh a little more than I would like I am going to give myself permission to have a balance of what I really enjoy eating to the whole food diet. It's going to be 90 / 10 with the 90 being what I love to eat... Just kidding

thanks mary, I don't know where that saying came from but there is another quote that I like better

"There Is No Try - Just Do"

Mary from MN: “I think I can” is a quote from Little Toot. I don’t know who else might have said it.

Sylvia: Wear your beet juice with pride. :bigsmile:

SallyW & Barbie: The clothes are still fitting just fine. I want it to stay that way. Thanks for the suggestions. I have been filling part of the extra calories that MFP magically gave me with junk. That has to stop. :devil: :noway:

Pipcd: “There is no try—just do.” Yoda. It is a good quotation and worthy goal.



I’m not at the gym today. My neighbor is planning to join, but has a nasty cold right now. I’ll go to Zumba with her, and I’m working on strategies to protect my knee. Stay at the back and to the side is one strategy I’ll use. I may also wrap my knee with an ace bandage to protect it from sideways maneuvers AND to remind me not to do them. Do those ideas seem sensible?


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.

Wednesday and another sunny day in Tasmania.
Walked my 3.3 miles for 462 cals and 10360 steps, Jeannettes' circuit A (chest, tris and booty) soon. = 643 cals and food = 1970
Washed all my clothes and on line, washing bedding off double bed, ironing Stan's clothes and cleaning house. Busy day.
My body fat is 40.6% lowest ever. Down from 46.2% on Christmas Eve

SOOO glad Andy Murray won in 3 sets last night. GO Andy

Lesley in Tasmania

Hi my favorite vitamin F pals! I had a quiet day at work, just an office day. My leg feels fine today and I can even go up and down the stairs like a normal person. It just doesn’t make any sense to me. I do have one good thing to report; we paid off our mortgage today! Actually I stopped at the bank yesterday but the wire transfer didn’t go out til this morning! So yay! No more mortgage!

Sylvia: my kids always have had lots of fever blisters and they are painful. Take care

Janet: way to go….good resilience!

Barbie: how is your osteoporosis doing? I think it’s been a while since you had a report.

Michele: I haven’t been bowling in a while but always enjoy it except I always break nails!

Joyce: you never know what will trigger a “disturbance in the force”!

Jane: congrats on your new baby!!! Darling photo

Diana: so sweet of you to recognize how hurtful labels like that can be and to reach out to help

Beth : I know….I feel like I live in the circus most days! Hoping your son continues to do well

Yanniejannie: glad you weren’t affected too badly from the storm

Sylvia: I too look for the less salt items when I do buy canned food. I don’t buy too much of it though. I hate canned veggies (well corn is ok), so usually the only canned I buy is beans. The beet story cracked me up!

Terri: yes, one day at a time!

Karen: aisle rage! I love it. I have it too. Hate to admit it, but it’s there.

Heather: get well! At step class, we always had the ladies who had their spot, but they couldn’t get there early because of the class in session right before ours. But man they ran right in there and dropped their stuff in their spot!

Wildfiremoon: I agree totally with yanniejannie!

Katla: I never let myfitnesspal get away with changing things because you’re right; that can really mess you up!

Terri: French onion soup is always good! I have a great crock pot recipe….hmmmm I need to dig that out and make it!

Vicki: can you believe this weather? Now we are in a flood watch of all things. Saturday though we are supposed to get snow.

Bwcetc: I missed the main story about Ashley, but does she have a head injury? Vomiting after a head injury might indicate increasing pressure in her brain. Plus vomiting itself will increase that pressure. I may be totally off though since I don’t know the whole story. Sending healing thoughts!

Hope all of you northeasterners are surviving and staying warm. It’s going to be 60s here tomorrow. I have to admit missing the “real” winter weather. OK, take care all, Meg from Omaha where the sun was out again today!

PS where have all the emoticons gone? I can click on a smiley face above, but the choices are way limited.

Call me crazy but I love to see other people happy and succeeding.

*Meredith, Welcome. And thank you for converting the numbers to pounds, for us metrically challenged people. I’m not familiar with “fast 5”, but have tried so many “diets” over the years and found that they just don’t work for me. Yes, I’d lose weight but then gain back more than I lost. For many of us this has become a lifestyle of healthy eating that will last for life. I always thought counting calories was way too hard, but that’s because I didn’t know about MFP. This site is wonderful and this forum with all these terrific ladies, is even better. I wish you luck and hope you come by often. We are happy to have you join us and keep us posted on your progress.

*jane, I know you wish you could be with DD. I’m sure she knows you are there in spirit. I’m looking forward to pics, too. I see congrats are in order. I know you can’t wait to get your hands on her.

*Diana, how lucky for your DS’s girlfriend that she got to talk to you about her weight. And how nice that she has your support. It has to be somewhat easier to start eating right at her age than ours. And I agree, a term like “obese” can really hurt once we find out we are there.

*Beth, thanks for the Ashley update. I know she has a long way to go but glad she is progressing. I see your next post and hope she is alright. Keep us posted.

*Carol, I feel for your DH and his teeth problems. I don’t have dental insurance any longer and it can get expensive very fast. Thinking of you.

*Sylvia, great joke. Thanks. I liked the second one too. You always put a smile on my face, if not a down right laugh.

*Cobourg, welcome to the group. You will find this a great place for support and lots of information.

*pip, great packing advice. In my “mature years”, I have finally learned to pack light for trips. Once or twice I’ve ended up having to wear something twice and found it didn’t kill me. LOL

*Heather, I do the same thing, especially with deserts. It’s funny how one little bite will satisfy me now when a year ago I wanted a second helping.

*Auggie, welcome to the group. We are happy to have you with us and I’m sure you will find it a very supportive and informative place to visit. Come often and post as often as you’d like.

*Mary, you got me with the 90% of what you like to eat. Good one. There are still foods that I’d love to eat and won’t, but honestly I find that I don’t miss them like I thought I would. I’m not sure if one slice of pizza would work for me the way one bite of desert does. I certainly support you in your ongoing journey. Your exercising sounds great. Keep it up.

*Sylvia, try a little lemon juice on the stains. It might lighten it some. LOL Picturing your fuchsia fingers. You always make me laugh one way or another.

*MaryW, I think it’s The Little Engine That Could.

*Meg, that is terrific that you paid off your mortgage. How wonderful.
I would love your crock pot recipe for French Onion Soup. 

My word for the of the month is savor. I have to slow down and savor every bite.
Janet in Myrtle Beach, SC

Twhitehead7 wrote: »

The snow in eastern Ct was substantial, to say the least. And shoveling is crazy(but burns calories)
I am having a glass of wine tonight and still staying within calories(!!) win!
Will need to shovel at 6:30, so son & husband can get out. But I don't have to go to work:)
Trying to stay positive!

LOVE IT!! another calorie burning opportunity!