WOMEN AGES 50+ FOR FEBRUARY 2105

Well, thank you all for the encouragement and congratulations on my 3-pound loss last week. Unfortunately, I have not been on plan the last two days. We have this chocolate store called Hoffman's Chocolates just a couple of blocks away from my house, and it's right next door to the theater I am rehearsing in for the next show I'm doing. Now, this chocolate is the best I've ever had. EVER. Well, I bought myself some Hoffman's chocolates (a chocolate covered pretzel) on Friday night after rehearsal - I think because I was so tired and I hadn't prepared anything to eat for dinner, so I was running on fumes. Saturday morning and afternoon were fine -- but then Saturday night came and I don't know what got into me. I went back to Hoffman's chocolates and bought a 1/2 pound box of chocolate covered pretzels and milk butter crunches (my two favorites), had them put them in a box and wrap them. I told myself I deserved a Valentine's present, since i don't have anyone special in my life right now. But then, while driving to see a play that was an hour away, I ate the whole box in the car! Just goes to show that the addiction never goes away and can strike at any time.

Anyway, I've been thinking a lot today about why I let myself get off track like that, and I think I've figured it out. As soon as I told myself on Friday after the weigh-in that I was going to have to work extra hard to win the contest, I lost the motivation to stay on track. I kept telling myself, I can just have the chocolate now, because on Monday through Friday I'll just juice and I'll still lose a lot of weight. But that's not how to do it. I shouldn't worry about the contest. I should just take it day by day and concentrate on getting the most nutrition I can FOR THAT DAY. Like Alcoholics Anonymous - they say take it one day at a time, and I guess that's what I have to do. Anyway, the chocolate was delicious, it's out of my system, and I had a grapefruit this morning and beans and a huge salad for lunch, so I think I'm good. I also went to the farmer's market this morning and loaded up on all kinds of fruits and veggies. I took them to work and loaded my little frig at work with all kinds of goodies for the upcoming week, so I'm good to go.

Hope you're having a restful weekend. Here's to a great and nutritious week!

CP in So. Fla.

Good Afternoon,

Newcomers. Glad to see others are finding us. We missed you.



Lesley so sorry about Mildred. She is lucky to be a part of your family.

Had a nice time at the dinner last night. It was a five course dinner. I just let myself enjoy it. They has champagne to start and white wine with the fish course and red with the beef. I felt very spoiled. I do not drink much so I did feel the effects. The woman sitting across from us grew up in the area. She talked about what is now Highway 61 being laid through their farm when she was growing up. Unfortunately they did not honor restoring their land when they were through construction it, and their farm was never the same. Now that area is all homes and shopping. Where our home is it was also a farm about that same time. It is easy to forget that farms were given up so that we can have the cities we have today. Also, she was a cousin to the family who donated the farm house we had the dinner. It was fun to learn more our the history from her perspective.

Today I found some essential oil formulated to help your gums. It was a bit pricey but compared to a dental visit or restoring a tooth it was cheap. I thought I would try it.

for all the friends reaching their health goals.

2015: Word strength

Just because you see the hook does not mean you have to bite.

MNMargaret

Thanks for the encouragement everyone. I’ve logged for 16 days, lost 10 lbs. I feel a little stuck on weight, but I lost 2 lbs last week and 1.5 the week before. So a little care this week (many days left) and I should be good. I had a great day yesterday, and so far so good today!

I spent some time today using my MFP calorie and exercise data for the last 3 weeks to calculate the net calories I need to lose 2 pounds a week (I got net 1400/day)… it was a wee bit lower than the MFP calculator (net 1530), so I reset it manually. Good to get confirmation that I’m in the right ballpark.

I did Mary from MN’s chicken fajita salad for dinner last night, and it was gooood. Thank you!

I got some more homemade veg soups made and frozen (yay immersion blender).
Today I tried celery root, leek, potato and apple. It was Ok, would be better with some spices. http://www.chow.com/recipes/28907-celery-root-soup.

Margaret – thanks for the salad tip + Greek yogurt lunch tip. I need to go back to packing salad greens on Sunday for weekly lunch salads at work. I’m having some of your yogurt recipe right now – wow just a little bit of lemon zest and coconut really add a lot! I skipped the fruit spread and threw in some fresh pineapple I had in the fridge. I logged it in a recipe, will keep doing that one!

Linda – “see you all lighter” – I like that!

Michele – good for you looking at menus ahead of time. I have 3 days of family travel for a funeral this week, so that’s a great tip. As to friends who want to drink, yah just gotta be honest but real friendly and pleasant at the same time. They’ll get over it!

Kim – great job on the steps AND ON ONE YEAR ON MFP and on 30 lbs down!
I’m gonna think about a fitbit in my future as a bit of a treat after I get my knee replaced and get back in action.

Oh Lesley, so sorry about your Mildred beagle. We put our cat down this fall and it set me on a long sad time. Find a way to do fun happy things this week!

CP – good for you getting back on track by planning fruits and veg for the week at work. I always get screwed up when I don’t take the time to plan, or get too busy. I’m hoping that as I spend more time logging on MFP that good healthy eating will come more easily with less forethought. They say it takes a lot of repetition to make a habit.

I love the pictures of folks, really helps personalize. Here’s a selfie of me at a hockey game this winter:


Cindy in SoMD

Michele - Diabetes D-Tour is available at retail.
Gail, metro ATL

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

Leslie, my heart goes out to you and Mildred. Those trips to the vet have been the hardest things in my life. You cry all you need to, and remember that she will be out of pain.

Sylvia, so glad you are doing better each day. Just keep taking it easy and give your body a chance to heal.

Congrats to all that have made your goals and had NSVs. And best thoughts for those with health issues and family problems.

When I got home from the cruise yesterday my sweet hubby had me a dozen roses. We don't normally do more than a card but he must have missed me. I was so happy to see my 3 doggies. It's been a lazy day and I'm slowly getting my land legs back. I don't remember that happening before but the water was so choppy I guess I learned to walk in the rocking ship?
I finally caught up on the 364+ posts, but obviously too many to respond to. Just know I'm thinking of you all.

Welcome to all the new ladies. This is a great place to get support and information, as I'm sure you have seen. We are happy to have you with us.


My word #1 is savor. I have to slow down and savor every bite.

#2 is opportunity. Each day offers new opportunities for good health and happiness if we just look for them and choose them.

Janet
in Myrtle Beach, SC

Hi all. Too far behind to even attempt to catch up. But I 'm still here. I have just been very lazy. The recumbent bike/cross trainer was delivered yesterday and I did 30 minutes on it today. I'm on the lightest load, but I'll increase it when I see how my knee does. had a great valentines day; saw 50 Shades of GRey (it was ok), and hubby cooked a steak dinner that was delish! Take care and I'll try to be here more next week! Meg from omaha

Cindy in S. MD - I'm glad you liked the chicken fajita salad. It is so simple but healthy and I love it! I use pace original salsa mild and that gives me a lot of vegetables and I love the hot bite. Good job on the weight loss!

CP in S FL - don't beat yourself up about that. We all do that on occasion! You know what you have to do and you did it you packed that refrigerator at work with good food and got back on track good job!

Pat - thanks for the beautiful picture of your cactus in bloom!

MNMichelle - when you write about where you live I know where you are talking about! That used to be my neck of the woods until I moved way up north! It is refreshing to hear about the cities. Good luck with your gums my son had advanced gingivitis and just spent $5,000 getting lazer treatment on his gums. It's a new treatment and much better than having to have them cut like to use to. My DSIL sells the essential oil and he swears by them.

Leslie - ((((hugs ))))

Everyone have a great day!

Mary from Minnesota

Lesley: There are tears in my eyes for you and joy in my heart for Mildred because she has someone who loves her so much.

Run free dear Mildred. Know that you have truly been loved.

Mildred beagle passed way peacefully at 9.45am this morning at the vets.
Time to move on and remember her with LOVE always

Lesley: You are in my thoughts. That trip to the vet is a very hard one. Lots of hugs.

CP in So Fl: I ate sugar/flour/wheat free for six years and went back to my old ways. You are right to call it an addiction...and addictions are slick. I named mine "Sid" because that's the name of my ex=H. He was slick too! I'm glad you brought that up for me. Now I remember that I'm fighting "Sid" again. It helps to call it by name. I'm so glad you got right back on the wagon again. That is certainly the important thing. Now for all the "Sids" out there. . . lets give them heck this week, ladies!

I have enjoyed everyone's baby/pet pics. I'll have to see if I can attach a pic of mine sometime soon. They have been a sweet spot in my life for many years too. (No pun intended!)

Have a good Monday!

Lesley - I am so sorry that you are grieving the loss of Mildred Beagle, but proud of you for putting her needs and comfort first. (((Hugs)))

I've had a self-sabotaging day. Tomorrow will be better!

Good night, everyone!

Carol in very, very cold NC

Leslie- my heart is with u

I still wasn't feeling all that great in the stomach (wonder why?) so I just walked on the treadmill for an hour today at 1% incline 4mph. The plan for tomorrow is to do some yoga, hold my plank, and then take the extremepump class

Got home from VA. I am so mad at myself for not taking any reading material with me. I finished crocheting the blanket on the way up there. When we got home, had dinner, then made more of the ginger cookies for the gal at the Y (evidentally, the people there had them and she didn't get any for her birthday.). I'll give the rest to Lynette. Then made a chocolate pound cake to take to FL, I'll probably give 1/2 to Dick and Karen and Vince can have the other 1/2. Tomorrow I'll probably make the sweet potato muffins to take to Mel and I'll probably give some to Dick & Karen, too.

Joyce - <being smart> I think the name of the travel agency that Heather is using is called "Heather's Travel Bureau". Dick and Karen know that I don't like the taste of beer. I had a little bit left over one time and then Vince had the gout so he couldn't drink and so I gave the rest to Dick to finish for me. However, they do know that I like sweet wines. what I'm thinking that maybe I'll do is go to WalMart when we get to FL, buy a pack of these small (8oz) bottles of club soda. I'll pour that in the glass and then a bit of wine. I remember being on another forum where we were "pocket pals" too. Haven't thought of that in quite a while.

katla - we haven't seen this couple in almost a year. They are good friends. It's just me, but I feel bad saying "no", so I try to work around it.

Let me tell you, when we came out of the movies last night it was snowing, and it was bitter cold this morning. It actually felt warm when we got to NC!

Beth - I just can't believe the weather you guys are getting! It never seems to end

They are calling for like 3-5 inches of snow tomorrow. Oh, why can't this be happening AFTER we get to FL? Watch...we'll get to FL and it'll warm up. Never fails.

Sylvia - I think one of the reasons that I don't care for beer at all is because my father owned a tavern. As long as I can remember, there was that "smell" in the air. Don't get me wrong, it's not that Dick and Karen push the wine on me, it's more me who feels bad saying "no". I just want to find a way to drink with them, just not as much. I remember being at their house one time when they'd just made some lemonjelo (I think that's what it was called). That was pretty potent stuff They would make their own wine. They're really great people. I just want to find a way to enjoy being with them but not having to drink much.

Carol in GA - Vince is the exact same way as your dh. I think it's probably part of his OCD. Things have to be just so. Many times I just let him do it because I know that if I didn't, he'd just get upset and that would upset me. So, just like you, I don't bother.

Margaret - you've given me something to say about the wine. "I don't drink very much so I'll really feel it which is why I'm having it with club soda". Thanks!

drkatiebug - fantastic that you're getting a new Fitbit! I've heard so many good things about their customer support

patcoh - thanks for the link. Interesting..

Lesley - My heart goes out to you. I know only too well from personal experience how hard this is. But know inside that you're doing what's best for Mildred. Very unselfish

Michele back in NC

Lesley I am sorry about your beloved pet. It's not easy, that's for sure.

My stomach got upset last night and I had a gingerale. It helped, but since I rarely drink pop/soda, it never occurred to me how many calories/carbs, sugar etc. is in the stuff! Wow! So not worth it!!

And today I totally gave in to my stress level and went 400 calories over... 2nd day in a row. Dang!

Oh, and just wanted to give you all my thanks for being so supportive. Tomorrow is another day.