WOMEN AGES 50+ FOR MARCH 2015

Just popping in to mark my place. No way to catch up since Friday. The kickstart seems to have been working - lost 3 lbs last week. Off to work some more...

Carol in NC

Good morning! It such a beautiful day here today! We may even hit 80 degrees! We walked to school this morning which was really nice. Then I did a little drafting, took my moving dolly up to my son's apartment, then met with the building manager to pay the deposit and get the keys. Yea!!! It's officially his! The manager was extremely kind and gave him a week to move and said if he needs more time than that to just let her know. It seems they have a ton of empty apartments and no need for his old one right away. So, some of the pressure is off him now. That has to feel good. We went through the new apartment again and looked around. It is SO much better than the tiny one he's moving out of. And the kids are over the moon!

When I said I didn't think that people ever really change, I meant deep inside, values or lack there of. I know that people can change habits, overcome addictions and that sort of thing. I'm proof of that. But I think mean people are mean through and through, selfish people are selfish, and nice people are nice, and they don't really change their core makeup. I can see that my son has made some effort to change his daily habits, but that underlying core of anger and narcissism is still there, like it was when he was a teenager. I can see it, maybe because I'm his mother, and I worry.

Lunch will be left over turkey and noodles from last night's dinner. It was really good, but led to a huge dog fight. We decided to give each of the dogs a little bit of the turkey and noodles, each in turn. Spot got some, then it was Molly's turn and Spot decided he wanted hers too, and she didn't want him to have it, so there was a big fight under the table. I was squirting them with the water bottle, which had no effect at all. Then hubby stuck his hand into the buzz saw to try to stop the fight and he got bitten on the arm and hand. At first he said Molly did it, but then he changed his mind and said it was Spot. Blood was everywhere. I threw Spot and Bruno out on the deck till we got it all sorted out and decided all the blood was coming from hubby. Cleaned up, we could see it was two puncture wounds on his arm and two on his right index finger. Once they stopped bleeding, all it took was a couple of bandaids. I wanted him to go get a tetanus shot, but he said no. I think he didn't want to report it as a dog bite.

So, the moral of this story is...NEVER give the dogs anything from the table ever again. We have learned a lesson for sure. I had no idea that a bite of noodles was so important that they would kill each other over it.

I'm not sure we can keep Spot if he is going to be such a fighter. I don't know what to do. I'm going to call a dog trainer who advertises at my vet's office and see what he says. I know it's more a problem with the owners than the dogs.

Well, I have to get to work. Have a great day.

Sylvia

I’m thinking about weight loss/healthy living as adaptive management. You have to keep good track of stats and progress, and then change what’s not working.

My March goals were:
Exercise at least 5 days a week.
Eat 5 fruits and veg a day
No snacks or drinks after dinner

I lost weight and did mostly met my goals the first half of the month, but not the latter half. Travel and work busyness got the better of me.

So for April my goals have to be ways to avoid those traps.

I have done a good job of getting routine good eating habits in place, with a focus on lots of fruit and veg, lots of low fat protein, and <150 g of mainly whole-grain carbs per day. I allow myself little treats - a couple of Hershey kisses sometimes, but I think I need that to stay on track. I’m in the habit of prepping workday lunches on Sundays – cook some soup or make some Ball jar salads. I need to find some go-to dinners that are lean and green and I can get on the table fast when I get home at 6 or 7. My DBIL next door grills up a storm every Sunday nite to have meat ready for weeknites –so I’ll try that.

I have done a good job of getting a morning calisthenics routine in place – some push ups on the counter, some calf lifts while brushing teeth. And I’m adding to that every few days – added crunches today, next will be some free weights.

I have not done a great job of consistent sweaty (ie aerobic) exercise. I ride my stationary bike occasionally, but don’t really sweat. So I’m going to try a variety of classes this month and see what sticks. Zumba tonite. I’ll do the bike and free weights the nites I’m not out.

I have not done a great job of getting up from my desk during the day. So I bought a FitBit to remind me to do so, and to challenge myself to increase my “active” time.

So basically I gotta burn more calories, work on healthy quick dinners, and avoid crazy work and travel days, stay positive.

Goals for April:
Burn more calories
Be happy and positive!
Get some go to quick and healthy dinners into my cooking rotation.

Welcome to Shelties1 from SoMD, I’m there too. May we both get out of Lane Bryant soon!

Heather: Mushy peas. Have been served it in the UK a few times. I don’t get it. ☺

Meg- glad you are back!

Carol- Congrats on 3 lbs!

Spring has finally hit here, yay - Cindy in SoMD.

Hello All!

Happy to report that it is sunny here in MA, although a bit windy and cool by the ocean. Jake and I had a lovely walk earlier, it's aways good to get away from the office for a spell.

Carol in NC...Congrats on 3 lbs.!!! That is awesome!!

Carol in GA...I love Coldwater Creek Clothes, hope your outfit fits well. I have bought alot of clothing from ebay also and have gotten some really good deals. You may have noticed that I love the thrill of the bargain!

Mary...how romantic that you and DH will be going to the place he proposed to you. Have a safe and wonderful vacation.

Sylvia...so thrilled about your son getting the apartment. As a mother I know how it is when our children are doing the best they can and are still struggling. May they make many happy memories in their new home.
In regards to your DH's dog bite...please keep an eye on it. My sweet rescue dog Jake was attacked by a neighbor's dog while my son was walking him. Jake bit my son as he was scooping him up away from the attacking dog. The next day my son's hand that was bitten swelled up to the size of a baseball glove because of the bacteria in Jake's mouth. Fortunately a round of antibiotics cured him. Although Jake was almost killed, I am thrilled to say that he made a full recovery and the neighbor paid all the medical bills for Jake and my son.

I decided to make an appointment with the doctor tomorrow about my back. Mary, I did look up the symptoms of a pinched nerve and I think you may be right..I'll let you know how your diagognics skills are. I want to continue my yoga classes and other exercises, but I don't want to cause further injury so I thought a professional consultation was in order. To my great surprise, exercise has become a daily habit for me and I don't want to "fall off the wagon".

i walked over 17,000 steps yesterday, a good portion last night at the mall after dinner. We have a very large, beautiful mall right here in town and I have been taking advantage of the walking oppoutunity this winter. I am meeting a friend there this evening to walk with me, it will also give us a chance to catch up on our lives.

Today, for the first time in decades...I ... am ... wearing... size... 10... jeans!!!!! I will admit that they do have some spandex, so there is some give to the fabric, but this is the first major goal for me. I am so happy and proud of myself. This is 1 of the 2 pairs of jeans I bought on Friday at the Salvation Army, they are from Talbots and cost $4!!! Thanks Ladies for letting me share this victory with you.

I hope everyone has a wonderful day.
Chris in sunny MA

mikesmom1983 wrote: »

Hello All!

Happy to report that it is sunny here in MA, although a bit windy and cool by the ocean. Jake and I had a lovely walk earlier, it's aways good to get away from the office for a spell.



Today, for the first time in decades...I ... am ... wearing... size... 10... jeans!!!!! I will admit that they do have some spandex, so there is some give to the fabric, but this is the first major goal for me. I am so happy and proud of myself. This is 1 of the 2 pairs of jeans I bought on Friday at the Salvation Army, they are from Talbots and cost $4!!! Thanks Ladies for letting me share this victory with you.

I hope everyone has a wonderful day.
Chris in sunny MA

don't belittle the achievement size 10 IS A SIZE 10!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!... I do the same thing. once I did a run and I got 1st place in my age group and I dogged it because I thought, well, there were probably only 2 or 3 in my age group. my husband says the same thing to me, HEY ! YOU GOT 1ST PLACE!!! THAT'S GOOD, JUST KEEP IT AT THAT!!!!!!!!!....soooo, passing on his wisdom...... size 10 is a size 10... rejoice!!!!!!!!

Happy Tuesday ! ! !

I have been around, but it took me until today to finish reading all the posts from the weekend (lots of bowling here again, but no great scores to report).

Chris - congrats on the smaller pants. I took my 30% off coupon to Kohls yesterday with the intent of buying work pants 1 size too small to hang near my full-length mirror. Imagine my pleasant surprise when they fit Since the smaller size fit, I treated myself to 2 new shirts and a skort (one of the few credit cards DH pays). We deserve to be happy and proud ! ! ! (and I want to look good for Frankie Valle on April 12)

Joyce and Janet - I tease DH that he is "so cheap he squeaks when he walks".

TNToni - I hope you find your open door quickly. Hugs for the job change. Also, for thick hair : I used to be a hairdresser, and I still swear by professional hair care products. There are ways to remove build-up from hair and scalp, which makes the new hairgrowth healthier, and lightens the weight of your hair to make it feel thicker. There are also products with more protein and less moisture, which keeps the hair stronger, feeling and looking thicker. There is also the opportunity for wave or curls, which also makes hair look fuller. When I went on my RA medicine, I lost about 1/3 of my hair, and while it was happening my wish was that it would make it more "under control" , but instead it gave the curls more room to bounce off each other, so now it looks crazier than ever. I have heard that Rogainne works, and I think there is Rogaine for women now, too.

Gail - Hugs for your loss. I hope you can all celebrate life and move through the grieving process in whatever manner you each need.

My new "work-out buddy" rarely gets to have her lunch hour the same time as mine, so we haven't been able to work out together. But I am happy to report that the healthy lifestyles of the rest of us here is rubbing off on her. She set up a MFP account, and was appalled at her breakfast. She now brings oatmeal instead of a big greasy bag from McDonalds. She also spent time on the elliptical all her other lunch breaks. I also see her eating fruit instead of chips and cookies. I keep reminding her to take babysteps so that this is a lifestyle change, not a diet. She smiles more now, too. I am so happy for her. DS still gets moving in the morning, so I have been getting in my pre-work workouts, too, which motivates me more for the entire day. I feel so empowered lately, and I would like to thank all of you for support and determination and motivation.

Now, back to work, as this is the end of the month, and I have to make sure all of my billing is ready for the Billing Department first thing in the morning.

Hugs for Everyone ! ! !

Terri in Milwaukee (49 and sunny)

Hi Everyone,
Good day yesterday. My friend was so helpful and kind. She is an excellent sewer and I answered most of her questions "I don't know." I think she has me on the right path so I'm much encouraged and not as afraid to sit down at the sewing machine.

I find myself getting very hungry in the afternoon -around 4 pm. I think I need to plan some healthier snacks for that time. I do better when I plan.

ToniI'm sorry about the place you work & work out closing-2xs the change. Hope you find something that puts your skills to good use, pays the bills, and gives you satisfaction.

The snow is receding still not much green here but the sun is peeking through the clouds.

Naiomi2015 from 47F Massachusetts.

March Goals Report:

1. Log every bite and swallow: Done. I’ve been as accurate as I am able without actually weighing my portions. If my weight remains stable I likely won’t weigh or measure every bite and swallow, but I will continue to report them.

2. Cardio exercise at least 3 days a week. Done, and on extra days except when I was sick. The gym membership has been a big help, but I walked the dog outdoors and on the hotel treadmill when we travelled. I did not exercise while sick. :noway:

3. Have fun every day: I met this goal most of the time, except when sick. That was one nasty illness. The sick day driving across WY, UT and part of ID was spectacularly awful. :sick:

4. Drink at least three glasses of water daily, preferably more! As usual, I could do better with this goal.

5. Eliminate alcohol. I did have a couple of celebratory drinks this month, but only a couple and they weren't a problem.

6. Monitor sleep. I kept a formal sleep journal for part of the month, but not the whole month. I am still monitoring sleep and will return to daily recording if I am getting overtired.


Barbie will post a link to the new thread towards the end of her day. This thread will close and you can find us again by following her link to the new one.

Have a great day!

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

I get to walk daily along the Mississippi River and the view is inspiring. I dream of the size 12-14 I used to wear. I know eventually, I will get there this time.

Sorry, I forgot to say this is Ethel in Quad Cities, Iowa.

God evening ladies -

Mary - that sounds like quite a trip. Are you originally from Missouri? Have fun. I hope your house sells while you are gone.

Carol - although I'm a retired teacher, I can totally overlook run ons and other grammar goofs when they come from a friend. Find writing in fragments refreshing after having to be so proper! The message is the main thing.

Heather - the birthday celebration sounds like fun. The lady will be so pleased you all are doing this for her.

Some of you asked why my Y is closing. It is small and we have an old, costly facility. Also most of our members are there with a reduced rate. That means we don't bring in the same money others do. In fact our Middle Tennessee organization is struggling in general. Interestingly, the Y in the city my husband works in 75 miles away is also closing. Actually i live within walking distance to a Y in a large church facility.Or house is built on property the church used to own. It is a small gym with a good track. I plan to go there to walk and do Yoga Stretch. But I need a pool. I will get something worked out because I am determined to make it to the water 5-6 times a week. The thing I am most sad about are all the wonderful members I won't be seeing anymore. Hopefully I can carpool with my close water friends. Thanks for all your supportive words.

Stats for the day:
ride hm 2 gym- 12.09min, 14.7mph 2.9mi = 100c
jog - 31.18min, 6.5speed for 1mi, 6.7speed for 1mi, 7.0speed for 1.5mi, 8.57ap, 3.5mi = 285c
ride gym 2 dome- 7.17min, 11.7amph, 1.4mi = 71c
ride dome 2 hm- 18.13min, 9amph, 2.7mi = 181c
Total cal 637

terri_mom wrote: »

Happy Tuesday ! ! !

Strodtbeckp wrote: »

I used MFP three years ago lost 20 lbs. got RA and gained almost all the weight not feeling good. I have been faithful in logging in for about 40 days,but am not losing. I have increased my activity level by walking and feel better. My goal is to walk 10 K a day and do strength training three days a week. Want to do some stretching to keep flexibility and maybe gain some back.

At a standstill too. I have been logging in too and I am not eating that much. Could use another workout during the week. Good luck to both of us and let's not give up!