WOMEN AGES 50+ FOR MAY 2015

Lesley: You are so dedicated, thank you for being a wonderful role model!

Lisa WTX: That supper sounds super...now if I only knew what a bella was.... Keep on sharing those recipes. I'm always looking for something new to add to my repetoire.

Joyce Indiana: One of my favorite places to shop when I'm in the States is Ross'... I'll bet you'll love it too. Alberta had an election yesterday too, and the result has made history!

Selena: You have a wonderful partner there! Leather jackets would be wonderful for the Menopal Gang!

Chris MA: I'd be thrilled with a size 8 too! I like the new woman

Thought for the day: When you recover or discover something that nourishes your soul and brings joy, care enough about yourself to make room for it in your life. ~Jean Shinoda Bolen


Carey - Edmonton

I missed my April goal. looking forward to a better May. I want to be down at least 5 lbs by may 21 (doctors appt) and 7 lbs by end of month

Happy Wednesday ! ! !

ncCarol – Congrats on the work-time planks. I told DS this morning to come see me in the evening to remind me to do my planks. I also told him he should do them with me, but I doubt that will happen.

TnToni – The author of “Dance of Anger” also wrote several other books on the same premise. If I remember correct, “Dance of Intimacy” , “Dance of Dating” , “Dance of Deception” and I’m sure there are more. But the whole theory (according to a therapist several years ago) is to change your reaction to a person, forcing them to change their reaction. They will try to change you back to what they find comfortable, but you don’t have to change your steps back if you want to keep with your dance. // My Dad LOVED “American Sniper”. Enjoy the movie and the amazing price. Update – glad you enjoyed the movie, even though it was numbing from the realism.

Pip – Hugs for the accident. Glad you were not hurt. So sorry SIL got snarky.

Mary from MN – Sorry about all your hassle with the phone. Inexcusably bad customer service. Years ago when we sold our house and business in Minnesota, the Realtor could call us to tell us the offer. Not sure if that is still the case, or if maybe it was because she was a close friend, but at least we didn’t have to try to schedule an appointment to drive to her office. Best of Luck and Hugs!

Barbie – Enjoy your trip. Thanks for the inspiration.

Cynthia – Hugs for your Mom.

Janet – I introduced my Dad to the Moose Lodge in Milwaukee through another friend, and I had considered joining, then Dad beat me to it. Ours has special dinners on Saturday nights, and sometimes brunch on Sundays, which is what my Dad likes the best, because it is less that he needs to cook for himself. They also have bands that play music primarily from the 60’s or earlier, which he enjoys listening (not dancing, his back is too bad from multiple surgeries). He truly enjoys the social aspect he gets from the Moose people (and he then requires less from me, but don’t tell him I said that). Since we all live in the same house, we need to socialize outside of our family unit, too.

Peach – I drain and rinse if DH is not looking. If he is in the kitchen with me, I separate mine from the rest and rinse just mine. He caught me adding pureed vegetables to a meal once, so he sometimes “helps” in the kitchen, to make sure I’m not sneaking anything healthy into his food.

Lhannon – thanks for that insight. I never understood food that way, but it makes perfect sense to me. // The subject of running with weights is a bothersome one for me. It may just be me, but I work with 2 physical therapists, and my aunt is a physical therapist, and they all agree that it is a bad idea to run with anything heavier than a bottle of water in each hand for hydration. Even the personal trainer for my 14 y.o. DS would rather see him run on the treadmill “uphill” than run with weights, because it is so difficult to maintain proper form, and so easy to get injured. Please understand, this is the opinion of the people my son and I work-out with.

Meg – enjoy the shopping. What a great way to spend non-meeting time.

Annr - One of the patients here, who is VERY friendly, also calls hers “mentalpause”. That makes complete sense to me. Menopals is good, too !

I am also envious of all the vacations. Ex never took me anywhere because during his drinking years there was never any money, then after treatment, he was too agoraphobic to go anywhere that was a new experience. Now, DH and DS travel so much for bowling and baseball that there is no money (or time) left for a “just vacation”.

Joyce – don’t tailgaters just make you crazy? Like following too close behind me is going to make the person in front of me go faster !?!?! And since I have been rear-ended 4 times at red lights, I’m already paranoid about that. I just set my cruise control and pray. // I drain and rinse my hamburger with a strainer. First over an empty coffee can to collect the bulk of the grease, then in the sink with running water (not too hard to break it up and force it through the holes).

Hey everyone – about Chicago. I will be in the Chicago Suburbs the week of July 11 – 16. We are only staying in a Hotel that Monday – Wednesday, but will still have plenty of free time when DS is not bowling. I would love to meet-up for a walk or swim or something (will likely get a Hotel with a pool, so DS doesn't drive me crazy during the down-time). Plus, go to a café that has healthy food instead of the garbage DS and DH will want to eat.

Allison – I get “do something fun” ideas from Groupon. Unfortunately we don’t get to do enough of those things, but at least I can daydream about them.

Sylvia – lol. My DH would also only wear black or grey if I didn’t buy him stuff in other colors, or trick him by putting them in the cart when he’s not looking. We could be on “Impractical Jokers” the way the 3 of us sometimes behave in public.

Chris in Sunny MA – you just took the words right out of my mouth (or keyboard). It takes a LOT of willpower to get back on the wagon, and keep trying. I know today’s gain is from the ham and pickles from yesterday that was high in sodium but not calories or fat, but my brain wants to quit. I didn’t. I rode the bike for 20 minutes. Knees are sore now, but not painful, so I’m on track again, and I know you can be, too. Let’s keep doing this together ! ! !

I found out Monday that the kid who rear-ended me lied about having Insurance. His Mom does have a policy, but it's not on him or the car he was driving. So I called the Policeman that came to the scene, and told him I want charges pressed and a ticket issued. Then my Insurance Company told me that I could pay for my own repairs, give them all the information, and they will "aggressively" pursue the violator for all the money that it costs me. Too bad I don't have $600 just laying around waiting for a use. But I have good credit at my Credit Union, and my car also needs a new motor for one of the windows (another $500), so I'll probably just take out a personal loan.

2 of the ladies at work are getting pretty serious about this contest and their work-outs, so I need to stay focused in the evenings, and not let my weakness walk me into the kitchen. Frosted MiniWheats was my vice last night. Plus, drink extra water, so I can get rid of all the sodium from the ham and pickles I ate for supper.

Hugs for Everyone ! ! !

Terri in Milwaukee

Heather, I read that about Barcelona. I ordered a special handbag from Amazon and it arrived this morning. I think I love it! It's a cross-body design with slash-proof strap and body fabric, and it has special little hooks on the zipper closures so somebody can't open it on the sly. It also has a carabiner to use to attach it to a table or something. And it's big enough to carry two water bottles, an unbrella, a camera and anything else I need. Seems very well made too. Did I mention it's purple! Not a jarring bright purple, but somewhat subdued. Still, should be easier to spot somebody making off with a purple purse more than a black one.

Katla, Hubby has so much going on this week that he doesn't have any time to shop. I know that I will probably return half of what I bought for him, but hopefully some of it will work.

I had such a great time shopping! Kohls had elbow-length sleeve t-shirts in lots of pretty colors and patterns! I bought six, I think, and a pair of sandals for walking. The more athletic kind with lots of padding. Then at Penneys I bought four pair of pants in a LARGE. Not an extra large! I tried on the extra large first, and it was too bog, so I tried on the large. Even they were a little big, but I was afraid to push my luck and try a medium. I was practically floating out of there! But then, I passed a new thrift store on my way out of town and decided to stop. I found a really nice pair of blue striped capris in a 14 and picked up another pair of capris that said they were an 8-10, but they looked as big as the others so I bught them. They fit too! $3 for both pair! I'm going to have oodles of new clothes for the trip.

Cynthia, the chicken bones were for my hip that was acting up yesterday. They must have worked because today I haven't had any trouble. I have arthritis in that hip, but have never had anything quite like that happen.

Time to pick up the kiddies. Talk to you all later.

Sylvia

Happy 'Top of the week mountain" Wednesday to you all :-) I am happy happy today! So I went to my TOPS meeting and I lost 3.25 lbs!!!! Mentally doing cartwheels in my brain today! So I was the biggest loser (the featherweight of the week) and got my pic taken with the the basket of stuff the members put in. I think I got 5 apples, some Baby Bells, two granola bars, a yam, some oranges, and then about $7 dollars from people that put in 50 cents instead of contributing to the basket. Its a great incentive, and I was proud of myself. Then I also rec'd the "mini ho-ho" which I have not a clue why the contest is called that. Every week people put 10 cents in a container, and every week the games lady draws a members name. If they have lost weight that week, then they get what is in the container. If they gained then it is carried over to the next week. It had been carried over for a couple of weeks so when my name was drawn the total was about $9, (I took the handfuls to the bank to deposit it). All in all a fantastic day.
So my husband took me out to lunch. I was really good and had an appetizer. It was smoked salmon and caper crostini's. There were 6 on the plate so I had 3 for lunch...and I shall have 3 for dinner. I checked the numbers on them and they only were about 140 calories...so that was nice. I did break down and have a NW Red Ale, which came out to 208 calories, but I got my ticket stamped from the Chamber of Commerce. Once I have visited all the different local breweries I can turn it back in the the Chamber of Commerce for a beer stein. There are so many breweries here, its fun to play scientist and sample. I only partake a couple of times a month, so don't get worried ladies, hahaha.
I am jealous of the ladies that are vacationing here and there! We used to have a Winibago RV, but we turned it in. Part of the bankruptcy lets-clean-the-slate- program we were on right after my husbands transplant. It's all good, but I do miss that pretty thing...
My husband mostly goes to the aftercare transplant doc, the blood doc was just a couple of times visits. He was a crazy man, (in my book). Waaaay too hyper, and when you travel that long to get to the darn appointment only having him in the room for about 5 minutes was plan lunacy.
OOh another FYI...if any of you are in the habit of putting your phone in your bra, (there are many that do, you would be amazed lol) please don't. They have done studies, and found that being that cell phones are just mini microwaves you shouldn't put them directly on your body. There is an increase in breast cancer because the radiation from the cell phone can seep directly on the tissues of the breast.
Well I have rambled on enough...
"If its important to you, you'll find a way. If its not, you'll find an excuse. "

"Universal laws dictate when you give nothing, you get nothing."

"Instead of eliminating food, elimate the escape"

.

Cynthia: Husbands that become part of the solution are pretty amazing. The ex was about 150 pounds soaking wet, and never understood the whole issue at all, so this one makes more points daily on that score.

Carey in Edmonton: I’m so sorry! Baby Bellas are half-grown Portabella mushrooms. Maybe not for sale so much in Canada? You could certainly use large, fresh, white mushrooms, or any that are big enough to use for stuffed mushrooms would work. Tonight we’re trying something similar, but with shredded chicken, taco seasoning, a little refried beans and sharp cheddar cheese.  Stuffed in mushrooms instead of rolled in tortillas, baked until the cheese is bubbly.

Terri in Milwaukee: Thanks for the advice from the physical therapists… I have been having some lower back pain of late, and trying to figure out whether it’s the running, the weights, or low-grade kidney ache from the constant threat of dehydration in this country (12% humidity right now). Worth a shot to back off on the weights, see what happens. More than anything, I don’t want to sideline myself through injury. If that means backing off one step to preserve overall forward progress, it’s worth a try.

Sylvia: My niece’s favorite joke from when she was about five: Why did the chicken cross the playground? To get to the other slide!

Pip: love the pup… some of the best dogs I’ve ever known, hands down, have been goldens.

Lisa from West Texas

Good evening ladies .... 105 posts read... And I didn't take notes.

I am having a hard time staying on track more than 2 days in a row ...

Michele ... I know a lot of people use regular bleach in their pools ... We were advised not to. Algae products (if that's actually
the problem) and shock usually do the trick for green water. Do you get your water tested? The one time we had water that wouldn't clear it turned out to be problems with the filter. Keeping it balanced is a job, that's for certain!

Pip ... Glad you weren't hurt ... As for the sil ... Well we all have someone like that ... Thank her for her concern!

Mary ... I think I missed part of the house story ... You had to go to the realtor's office to hear an offer? Never heard of that! If they want a percentage they can call or come to us! Did you counter? We would have taken it right back to the asking price maybe a couple hundred less ... Selling and buying homes is stressful!

Sylvia ... Yay you for the shopping fun. Hope you enjoy your trip!

Yanniejannie ... How are you feeling these days?

Joyce ... I'm hoping to look at a dining room set I saw on Craigslist tonight or tomorrow but have to wait until hubby can go with me. Won't go alone. Not an antique. ... Just a pretty dark cherry china cabinet, table and chairs. I currently have my mom's old mid century modern birch wood set ... It saw a lot of wear and tear before I got it 20 years ago ... Including time at my brothers fraternity house! My husband wants me to get all the things I've been talking about over the years before he retires ... But I don't see the point of spending thousands when there are great deals on furniture to be had.

I know there is more I wanted to say but I can't remember ...

Talk to you later.
Beth

Thursday morning and the 1400 calories went well yesterday. It rained hard all day so NO walk, cleaned house.
Logged food at 1460 calories today. Will have to walk in rain this afternoon wah!
Training shortly.
I DO NOT have a trainer I train with Wii boxing, DVDs of Jeannette Jenkins, Bob Harper and Jillian Michaels in my bedroom. The Sports Nutritionist at pharmacy is shaking his head at NO loss, WHY I am decreasing food calories. I did go to a gym in 2006 but it is 60 Km round trup and expensive, I can motivate myself now.
Lesley in Tasmania

Total stats for the day:
ride hm 2 gym- 10.12min, 17.3amph 2.9mi = 106c
Spin- 40min, 94ar, 121aw, 11-17g, 18.5mi = 345c
ride gym 2 dome- 5.42min, 14.3amph, 1.3mi = 71c
ride dome 2 hm- 15.52min, 10.1amph, 2.6mi = 166c
True total cal 688

Did 55 minutes of Tonya Larsen's Step Pump DVD. The plan for tomorrow is to do Jeanette Jenkins 21 Day Total Body Challenge (is that the correct name, Lesley. I know "21 Day" is in there)

annr - I'm not a coffee drinker, so can I sip iced tea (unsweetened, of course) or water? Good job only having those 2 pieces of pizza. If at TOPS, they want you to weigh in wearing the same clothing, what about the fact that you usually wear less clothing in summertime than in wintertime. Do they make some adjustment for this? congrats on that loss and winning the big prize. I usually avoid appetizers because most of them are deep fried or something. You did well.


Mary from MN - I hate to say this, but when we sold our third house, we sold it for MORE than the asking price. I hope the same thing happens for you. On another note: *I'm* not going on vacation

Joyce - NOW HEAR THIS!!!! GET THAT MAMMOGRAM DONE!!!!! NO EXCUSES WILL BE ACCEPTED.

Sylvia - I talked to them at the ceramics place tonight. The paint that I used on the praying mantis was a glaze, so even tho I didn't use a clear coat, they said it won't fade. Was I ever glad to hear that. Seems that the gal who talked about the "antiquing" uses mostly acrylics and these are glazes. The gal there told me that the paint she recommended for dh is the kind that gets darker in the crevices and doesn't require a coat of paint and then rubbing it off. This paint will get fired. They said that I couldn't refire the praying mantis, but I'm OK with it since it won't fade. Now the ladybug was touched up with acrylics, one guy there told me about this spray that he puts on his acrylic pieces to keep them from fading, I probably should get at least one can of it. There is NO WAY I would shop for Vince. His tastes and mine are so different. Congrats on those pants

SSC - SNOW???? I was laying out by the pool today.

The pool is starting (operative word) to get cleared up. Vince figures that tomorrow I'll be able to at least go in the spa. The pool temp was 79. Now the chlorine is high, but I do have a chlorine resistant bathing suit. Many times I wear it to the Y since they have so much chlorine in their pool. So I'll wear that one tomorrow and then just rinse it out. Probably put it out on the deck to dry

Chris - I applaud your attitude. What a great mindset!

Got the third coat on the orange and yellow parts on the snail and then had time to put two coats of light purple paint on the underside of his body. I honestly didn't think I would get that much accomplished tonight.

pip - when's the party? Oh, guess what we saw coming home from ceramics? Made me think of you. There was this boy on a bike -- get this -- talking on his cell phone! He'll make some sort of driver one day, that's for sure

Tina in MD - hope that washer and dryer work out for you

Italy - I don't think a salmon burger for breakfast is weird. Sometimes I have soup or chicken or whatever I need to finish up

terri - I'm constantly sneaking healthy food into Vince. To me, the inventor of the mini food processor deserves a Nobel prize. If Vince ever knew how often he was eating tofu, he wouldn't eat again. So I just don't tell him. Let me know some of your ways of sneaking food into dh, I can always use new ideas

Beth - we have a chemical testing kit, so we test the water. All the tests said we didn't have any combined chlorine, but tonight the water is (while still not totally clear) getting better. Vince actually enjoys keeping the pool chemicals balanced (thank goodness)

Michele in NC

My goodness - 160 posts. I don't know where I have been ....

Congratulations to all the personal accomplishments everyone

I will try check in ...off to Jasper on Friday and Northern Saskatchewan on Monday....

Lillian in West Central Saskatchewan.......snowing again

Hello everyone! Our realtor told the realtor of the low ball offer that he better make his best offer if he really wants our house or we won't look at it. So, he came up $15,000. Now we're playing ball. We may be under contract by Friday! Closing on July 3rd. Now I really have to get our moving sale going!

Joyce - I really think we should all meet up with Janet in Myrtle Beach too! That would be so much fun!

Allison - what part of the country do you live in? I have to have a fan blowing on me if it gets hot.

Selena - congrats on the book. Your husband is so romantic! The coconut oil pulling is gross the first couple of times but we've been doing it for over a month now and do it first thing in the morning or on an empty stomach. 2tsp full of coconut oil in mouth and squish in and out between your teeth, you may drool occasionally the first couple of times. Time it for 20 minutes. It starts to disolve the plaque between and under your gums at around 15 minutes. So I use a timer. Spit out in the garbage not sink or toilet, it will solidify and clog. Rinse your mouth with warm salt water. Brush teeth. It has really whitened our teeth, pink tongue, no more morning or bad breath. It neutralizes your breath because it kills germs. My DH and I are so glad that we are doing it.

Chris - get a hold of yourself girl! You can do this! Don't beat yourself up. You are probably going to even have to get a smaller dress in 3 weeks. Tighten up your ship, exercise and eat clean and at a deficit you will lose. We are here for you!

Drkatiebug - glad you made it!

Heather - Happy Anniversary! (First meeting )

Lisa - pretty soon you'll be a short skinny lady and everyone will be offering you a ride!

Cynthia - glad to hear about your mom!

Tina - call us we'll come watch the strong young men!

Terri - no OtterBox was delivered! I give up, I am just going to buy one. I would meet you if I was close to Chicago.

Sylvia - congrats on the pants size!

Annr - yea! that is an awesome loss!

Pip - puppy party!

MNMargaret - thanks! Have fun gardening. I will miss that.

Beth - yeah, we had to go to the office. We told her we wouldn't do that again. We want to know over the phone what it is. They did make a better offer though!

Lesley - who is telling you to decrease your calories? Is that part of the challenge?

Barbie - have fun!

Michele in NC - more than the asking price did you have a bidding war?

Janet - congratulations on the big 50lb loss! That is a witness to the hard work and sacrifice that you did!

Have a great night everyone!

Mary from Minnesota

Becca here.....ok I had the lovely appetizer for lunch...and now I am eating TUM'S... lol. I don't dine on smoked salmon with capers crostini's too often..(well never actually) and my belly is telling me. Maybe it was the beer. Tomorrow is swimming day, so I hope I will feel better....
@exermom I suppose you can wear whatever is comfortable, some have "weighing in outfits" clothes they wear at every weigh-in. I guess their reasoning for the no swimming suit option I had tried was that most people do not wear swimming suits walking around the world. When I joined the leader had sent me an email telling me to curtail my commenting on the fact that I was a nudist in California (at an appropriate resort mind you)....sheesh. I don't shove the lifestyle down peoples throat mind you, it was just a aspect of who I was when I moved here. Live and learn I suppose. I know I have a unique perspective in that at my heaviest (265) I was attending a Clothing Optional Resort with my husband, and sons, and not really negative about my weight. The main reason I wished to lose back then is to just move through this world easier, to dance longer, to be able to play tennis, or water volleyball longer...sadly activities I don't do much of, here in Oregon.
@DamitJanit Congrats on the 50 lb loss!!! That is so awesome! Love your Thought of the Day! (Every sentence I am typing is ending with an !) I am constantly finding phrases and thoughts to re-modivate myself and always think on the positive.

Hello everyone!

Sylvia: so these chicken bones...is that an old wives’ tale? I’m stumped! Impressed by your clothes sizes!!

Lisa: My guy is very slim and doesn’t have a food “problem” himself. Makes it extra special when they work with you!

Lesley: what happened to Brian? (Since you’re mentioning someone at the pharmacy.)

Joyce: refried beans, lol. Used to love them when I lived in the south (that and egg biscuits from Bojangles). Burritos with refried beans were my favorite.

I was deathly tired yesterday (shaking and nauseated) after two nights of sleeping badly and a day in the city yesterday for work. Slept reasonably well last night, got tired at the end of the morning and was able to take a nap with my dog. Glad that I have some sleep under my belt.


Hope we all have a good day!


Cynthia :flowerforyou: