WOMEN AGES 50 + FOR SEPTEMBER 2015

Losing weight at 50+ (45+is what I learned) is really tough. And, a sedentary lifestyle contributes to further slowing an already slowing metabolism. Learned that, too.

I don't know about the 80/20 ratio, but I do know that cutting processed foods, including wheat and sugar, help a lot. When we started eating "paleo" or "primal," my husband and I noticed a huge difference in how we felt and our ability to move without those pesky ankle and knee aches. We cut down or completely out things like: pasta, potatoes, sugar, bread, anything with partially hydrogenated oil or high fructose corn syrup. I made dessert treats out of coconut flour instead of wheat flour. We substituted spaghetti squash for regular spaghetti. We used nuts to make hot cereal, instead of oats. We ate a lot of greens. A lot of protein. Even a lot of BACON! I noticed I lost fat, not necessarily weight. And, my cholesterol dropped from 186 down to 165 with clinically perfect levels of LDL, HDL, and triglycerides.

Now, we're about 80% primal in our diet with an occasional piece of bread or roll or pasta. But, we do watch our portions. And we EXERCISE! As I grow older and I see my mother struggle with shoulder pain and loss of muscle in her upper body, I realize that exercise is so critically important, especially as we age. I've been briskly walking (with some slow jogging mixed in) anywhere from 3-4 miles three to four times a week for the last few months and I feel healthier than I have in years. Because I'm so scared to wind up like my mom (osteoporosis, deteriorating shoulders, and no muscle mass), I'm getting ready to start weightlifting, using the StrongLifts 5x5 workout routine.

While there's no fairy dust (gosh, I wish there was, too), with a little work and sensible eating, I think you'll blow your local fitness challenge out of the water! Good luck!

Happy Monday ! ! !

Miriam – hugs for your previous marriage. No one should have to leave the hospital so quickly after surgery. If those men had to have similar surgery, they may finally understand. Last January DH and I both had Influenza at the same time, but his also caused a sinus infection, and mine infected my lungs into pneumonia. He actually said “I will do it, because you are sicker than me.” I warmed up soup while he drove to get DS from school (-30 degrees that week in January, so 2 miles is too far to walk). My current DH is still far from perfect (mostly just ignorant about proper behavior), but he does treat me well when I tell him what that means, and he knows how to make me laugh. And if I tell him specifically “you need to be with me for . . .” he will be there. (this is a crazy paragraph, my thoughts were broken and sporadic, sorry). Anyway, hugs for your past, and prayers for a better future !

Lillian – LOVE the “whatever” story. I will try that !

Linda (and Rori, and everyone) – Thank you for sharing your 9/11 story. So sorry for your loss, and Hugs for everyone ! ! ! I didn’t realize the towers fell onto the Marriot. That part breaks my heart. The boss I had at the time was vacationing in Boston, and it was several weeks before he was able to return to Minnesota. I spent hours glued to the TV and crying, then rushed out to donate blood.

Joyce – Hugs. I hope you feel better REALLY quickly !

Becca – Yay you ! ! !

Cheri – Nice job on the c2c afghan.

Gloria – Thanks for sharing. You are so insightful ! ! !

Katla – Hugs for DH and his difficulty adjusting to the altitude. I don’t remember much, but apparently in 2000 when DD and DH and I stopped at The Grand Canyon I was a blubbering, tipsy idiot. I was 3 months pregnant at the time, and DS was taking all the oxygen out of my blood, so I couldn’t function or think straight, so apparently I spent most of the trip lying down in the van. Give your DH a hug from me.

Carol – Congrats on sleeping all night in bed !

Heather – Hugs !

Joyce – Hugs ! It’s so cool that the karaoke buddy brought in a machine for some added fun. I imagine the Director would allow for “a show” some day. Especially if they sing music from prior to the 1980’s that everyone would likely enjoy. I always enjoyed doing shows for Nursing Homes. More Hugs ! ! !

Mparker – I am in a similar position. Anything I suggest for weekend “fun” is met with ‘umph’ instead of either enthusiasm or another suggestion. The only thing DH ever wants to do is watch sports on TV. I would even prefer to leave the house and watch in person, but then he would have to walk from the house to the car, and from the car to the event, etc. Yes, he walks a lot at work, but he is rarely willing to try something new (unless I put on my tiara and start demanding). I try to suggest all the Fairs, and Festivals, and events, and church picnics. We even have some quaint towns around here that supposedly have fun things like antiquing or crafts shops, etc. If the Casino has a free comedian, I can get him to go to that, but never anything that costs money. Let me know what you find that works ! ! !

Tracie – It sounds like you made some good choices for snacks that everyone will like, and may not notice how healthy they are. I hope you all enjoyed the game. My Dad watched it, too.

It is well past noon, and I am only up to page 29. So I’m going to tell you all about my weekend, sign off, get some work done, then pick back up with my reading and posting:

This Saturday night was the Stars & Stripes Honor Flight. A group does fund-raising to send War Veterans to the Memorial in Washington DC, and other places of interest to them. They leave around 6:00am and return around 8:00pm. The job DS and I were assigned as volunteers was to follow the families out to their cars so we could bring back the wheelchairs that belong to the Organization, this way the family does not need to leave the Vet in the car to walk ½ way through the airport to return it. So, I was stationed at the end of the Parade route, near a rarely used elevator. Only 2 families wanted to leave immediately instead of congregating in the meeting room, so I took those 2 groups of people down the elevator and returned the wheelchairs. In the meantime, I took pictures of all of the 183 Veterans that were on the flight. Most of them wanted to shake my hand when I said “thank you”, and some even hugged me. One particular gentleman came up the ramp with his hands waving high, like he was the president thanking everyone. His son rolled his eyes at me and said “the entire day has been like this.” I said “you have quite the character on your hands”. Well, dad saw son talking to me, walked up to me and said “Thank you for volunteering your time to take care of all of us”. I said the pleasure was mine, so he wrapped his arms around me tight and gave me a huge hug and kiss like it would never end. It was my honor to assist these people who helped maintain my freedom, and here is this big burly man hugging and thanking me. Wow ! ! ! It brings tears to my eyes yet, just remembering the feelings. When my job was done, and all 183 Veterans (over 100 from WWII, around 70 from the Korean War, 1 from VietNam (terminal illness), and 1 Lady), I started to the end of the congregation site to find my son and head home. There were still about 20 volunteers in the room, and only about 4 families, so our job was technically done. DS stated how boring it was, because no one told them what to do, so he and 3 of his friends just stood around talking. I told him of my experience, and he said “see, at least someone appreciated you for being here”. As we were leaving, we saw a small family with a Veteran in one of the Organizations wheelchairs, so I walked up to them (dragging DS by the hand) and said “It is my job to make sure you get to your vehicle safely and I will return the wheelchair so you don’t have to. Is it okay if my son and I walk with you?” They agreed and thanked us, then started talking to DS about their day, and his interests, etc. When we got to their vehicle I said “shake his hand and say thank you", so nice and bright and loud he stuck his hand out and said “thank you for your service”. The man shook his hand and pulled him in for a hug. As he was taking the wheelchair back, he saw another family unattended in one of the wheelchairs, so he folded up the chair he was pushing, placed it safely against the wall, and ran up to the family and repeated what he had heard me say before. A family member put her arm around my son and thanked him. I was on a moving sidewalk, so I had to run the wrong direction to catch them. The same ending to the first story, except every person in this huge family gave my son a hug and thanked him. I think he learned some worth-while lessons that night. Plus, I treated us to Wendy’s on the ride home. My Dad had also wanted to volunteer, but he hurt his knee when he fell and cut his eyebrow, so he is trying to re-arrange his schedule to volunteer in either October or November, and I will definitely do it again!

Ok, time for real work. Hugs for Everyone ! ! !

Terri in Milwaukee

happy mon
hugs
jane

Becca - Forgot to say thanks for posting the article on Your Inner Body Image. Printing it off for the fridge.

Tracie - I will be in Green Bay in March. DS will be bowling the State Tournament in Ashwabenon. I think we have some other scholarship tournaments also on the schedule, but nothing is concrete about those yet. I'm not even sure of the exact weekend of State, but I remember it was March. We are staying in a Hotel that has a big pool. Maybe we can meet up for a walk (or swim, or coffee, or whatever).

Sylvia - I turned on the furnace today, but left myself a post-it so I would remember to turn it off again since it is now 82 outside.

News from the Rheumatologist could have been better. As soon as she walked in she noticed my right wrist, poked and prodded everything, then gave me the quickest cortisone shot of my life. She said "this will hurt worse than any you have ever received, but I'll do it quick, so go ahead and yell". Well, she was in and out within seconds, so I barely took a second breath. Now, my wrist moves about 50% better than before, and the swelling is mostly gone. Next week I start a new pain med (can't take anything until after the colonoscopy next Monday). She said I have graduated from mild to moderate RA, because this is the first time she has seen so much swelling and stiffness. So, if the new pain med doesn't work, I will be taken off the plaquenil and put on something else, likely a biologic. I will do some research, because all the sickness exposure I have, the biologics make me worried. I have missed 6 days of work in 4 years, and 5 of those were for influenza and pneumonia this past January.

jmkmomm wrote: »

So happy, I have now lost 15 of the 30 pounds I had gained. Now I don't think I lost it in a healthy way but I will take it. I love it when you guys gt to meet each other.

Joyce, indiana

Yeah! Good for you!

Mary from Minnesota

Thanks for all the well wishes. I'm getting used to the clutter and the toilet. I fixed the refrigerator light. Go me! LOL! The walk makes up for a lot of it. She lives in an area of NOLA called Nine Mile Point and is in walking distance of the levee. I walked along the levee all the way to the Huey P Long and back. It took me an hour and 45 minutes.

That is a mini road on top of the levee. The river is to the left and the main road to the right.

Ah well kids came home. I just wanted to chime in on the disability discussion. I have been federally disabled for twenty years. I don't discuss it often as I have an "invisible" disability and have often been made to feel bad about being so. But I feel fairly safe here so here it goes. My first marriage was very volatile. While we both worked in cutting edge research travelled extensively, hiked most of the Appalachian trail, competed in triathlons and owned horses, our relationship was abusive on every level. In the end he broke my skull and a few other bones and was arrested and convicted to a short stint at a federal prison for that and for his large collection of firearms and explosives. I fell into a dissassociated state and was cared for by my parents who applied for ssdi for me were rejected and applied again until I was approved. I went eighteen months w no pay. I lost my home my horses and my job. I was granted eight hundred a month to live on and as mentioned before have only gotten one or two percent increases on some but not all years. I got pregnant to another poor choice of mate (due to my horrible lack of self esteem I set my bar underground). Had two lovely cherubs fifteen months apart and gained a hundred pounds on psych meds. Divorce number two. No child support. Dead beat dad. Home to my parents again thank God. They were wonderful. To learn that my dad had misdiagnosed prostate cancer that had spread to his lymph nodes spine bones and bladder. My mum was super shy and couldn't bear nurses coming so I cared for him in our family room through years of treatment. He died in 2009 screaming in agony even w hospice and morphine. In 2010 my daughter was attacked by boys at school, became a cutter and spent six months in a psych hospital two hours away. In 20011 my mother was diagnosed w ALS and lost the ability to speak swallow or walk. I cares for her also in the family room. In 2012 my sister Bethellen dropped dead at age 58. My mother died in December 2013. It was a blessing for her and us. In April 2014 my sister Lauri died of misdiagnosed lung cancer. I also discovered I have a brain cyst that is inoperable but has given me no physical symptoms thank God again. I have lived through all of this but no one knows the depths of suicidal repetitive thoughts I have not acted on for years due to my sense of duty and obligation. Now I am free. I thought I could finally let myself go but am surprised that for the most part I want to LIVE. Not to ENDURE any longer! This though it may jeopardize my ssdi I have chosen to re enter the working world. It is very hard but I love being there. I could not live on my cashiers income nor can I resume being a scientist as my training is mostly obsolete. I do not know what will happen in nine months when my trial work period ends. I hope (that is a long unused word) that I can learn and raise my position at Whole Foods enough so if I move to a full time position with an increase of pay I can make it. I only know that for TODAY I do the next right thing, enjoy the small things, thank God and try to improve myself. Which is what brought me here to you. I do btw agree that there are abusers of the system and it is not only shame on them but it makes those of us who appear outwardly okay shameful too. Which is why I never talk about it. TMI. Sorry.
Hope you can all still be my friends
Mindy from Boston

Mindy you have suffered long enough. I am glad you found us. I hear in many of our voices here that we are tired of the abuse from others and from ourselves, and we want to reclaim our health for ourselves. Yes I did mention ourselves because sometimes I think we are too hard on ourselves as we work towards our goals.

I admire you Mindy for being the survivor that you are.

MNMargaret

night all

Lillian in West Central Saskatchewan

Did 10 min of 10 Min Solution Abs, held my plank for 2 min 45 sec, then the extremepump class. I have scheduled to do a walking DVD, but that might not get done depending on what time Vince needs to be at the hospital. I don't know how long I'll be there, either. Update: So much for exercise tomorrow. Just found out that we need to be at the hosp at 6:45 meaning we need to leave the house by 6:15. Oh well....

katla - so gad you and Rori got together. Isn't she such a lovely gal?

Lillian - so sorry about your back. hmmmm..love fish

Joyce - wonderful loss

Heather - what great news!

Welcome everyone new

terri - what a wonderful thing you did volunteering. Reading your post made my eyes tear up. What a great lesson you taught your son. So sorry about your RA

Becca - I didn't think you could buy a uniform! Your hubby and son look so great

Linda/IA - when we got bonnie, the Humane Society spayed her. However, after we'd had her for a few months she started acting like she was in heat and Clyde was humping her. Turns out that there are some instances, not real common but it does happen, when they don't get all of the tissue. She had a pencil-eraser size attached to one of her kidneys, just enough to produce enough estrogen to drive Clyde crazy (but not enough to get pg). So we had to take her to our vet to be re-spayed. Now isn't that something?

Mindy - Oh my goodness! Thanks for sharing with us. what a life you've led

Went to ceramics then mahjongg. I left mahjongg early because right now Vince doesn't have any heart medication in his system and he's afraid that if he goes into tacharcardia, it'll be much worse. Knowing that if something happens he can pull off to the side of the road and I can drive is a big relief.

Michele in NC
who thinks she'd better get to bed

What game in mahjong??? We play Singapore!! Love it, about 24 of us get together monthly. My turn is November, hostess makes main dish. May not play well, but we so eat well. Gayle Minneapolis

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

Good Evening Ladies,

Joyce, sorry the decongestant isn’t agreeing with you. Good luck on your outing with Charlie. I sure hope all goes well and that you are feeling better.

Barbie, how long will Jake be gone? Do you have any special plans while he is away? Whatever you do, enjoy your time with the house to yourself.

Carey, so sorry for your situation with your health and Aunt’s problems. I hope your black cloud will disappear soon. Thoughts and prayers are with you.

Heather, it sounds like a great day after a less than wonderful trip to get there. You lead such an interesting and active life. I hope the news for DDIL will be good. Think of you. ((Hugs)) [later] What wonderful news. I’d have a cry, too. Hope all else is okay but so glad she let you know.

Pip, I’m glad your shoulder didn’t bother you during the ride. Congrats on the ride and making it home safely.

Allison, glad DFIL was in a good mood. Glad you found a rug you like. Sometimes when I look for something like that, I can’t find a thing, while I will see them everywhere if I’m not in the market for one. Lol

Michele, so how is Vince feeling other than nervous about being off the meds? How long does he have to be off them? Sending healing prayers.

DrKatie, so nice of you to go to help your sister. I’m not the queen of declutter like you are, but all those broken things would drive me crazy in short order. I know you will be happy to get home but try not to let it get to you while you are there.

Joyce, so glad your dinner outing went well. I hope things improve quickly. (((Hugs))) Congrats on your loss!!! Yes, even though it’s not the best way to lose it, I’m sure you’ll take it.

Katia, I love the picture! So nice ya’ll got together. Those are sure some BIG strawberries behind you.

Lillian, take care of yourself. I hate that you were hurting when you were home alone but guess it’s best that they were gone for the day. Yum that fresh fish sounds good.

Tracie, great going in staying away from the foods you didn’t want to eat. It will get easier for the most part. For the broccoli and cauliflower, drizzle the cookie sheet or what ever pan with EVOO and sorta roll the veggie around in it. Season with your favorites but have found that the McCormicks Chicken seasoning is great on it. Roast in oven for around 30 minutes or a bit less if oven is near 400 degrees. You can sprinkle it with parmesan cheese but I find I don’t really need it. I understand the happy/sad part of changing jobs. Good luck!

Sylvia, you have me giggling again. For pete’s sake, turn on the furnace if it’s that cold. You can turn it off again, ya know. And you have convinced me that your bathroom needs a bit of attention. I’m glad it’s on the “to do” list.

CathyM, welcome. This is a great place for support and information. Come often and join right in.

Mare, interesting information about your diet. I have certainly cut down on lots of the sugar and starches mainly because of the high calorie content. I may start paying closer attention to them and see if I notice a difference. Good plan on the weight lifting.

MNMargaret, your walk sounds nice. But you have to stop sneaking up on people before someone gets hurt. Lol I’m sure your Great Niece loved her gift.

Terri, it sounds like a great experience for you and your DS. I hate that your good looking dad didn’t get to go, so don’t give him too many details to make him jealous.  Bummer on the news from your RA doctor. I hope the new meds work great. I am probably going to have to break down and get one of those shots in my shoulder and I’ve heard they are very painful. I’m a chicken! Whaaaaaa

DrKatie, glad things are going well and woo hoo on those walks. Great picture, thanks.

Mindy, my heart goes out to you and all the others here that have suffered abuse at the hands of husbands. You are a strong bunch of women.

Barbie, somehow it doesn’t sound good that a side effect of your bone density medicine is leg pain? Glad your hip is improving.

to any Newbies that I missed. Come often and join in the chat. This thing works!! Please sign your post with what you want to be called. It makes it easier for us to respond to you. Also a location is great, be it specific or general. We are happy to have you join us.

I had my Women of the Moose meeting tonight. It was to honor a member who has served in a number of positions over the years and was a nice ceremony. I had fresh fruit when refreshments were served and stayed away from the awesome looking desserts. I'm off to bed.

I hope all of you have a healthy
and happy day.

Words I live by:
Savor. I have to slow down and savor every bite.
and
Opportunity. Each day offers new opportunities for good health and happiness if we just look for them and choose them.
I Love you,
DJ
Myrtle Beach, SC

Have such pain in my back n hip area, can't sleep!!!! Helped mom get out from the car n snap, fell more like the knee area. Any advice on how to treat n how to help mom??? She's 93 n dead weight, can't raise her body up. Her mind is great just the legs. Very hard to watch, love her so n have had great time together. Gayle Minneapolis

Heather: I'm so happy to hear the baby's test results came back fine. That is a relief!

Margaret: I've done something different with my osteopenia because it worsened between my previous test and my most recent one. I've cut the amount of calcium intake to one Citracal daily and increased the Vitamin D3 to 2000IU per day. My doctor should be back from vacation now, and I'll talk it over with her when I get home from my trip to CO. I got the idea from some studies I read on the net. The information on the D3 came from trusted sources, including NIH. I do feel better now. I don't know what my bones are doing. I'd love to hear more details about your friend's situation. :flowerforyou:

Michele: Rori is delightful. I'm very happy I got to see her again this trip. DH got to meet her, too, and he really likes and admires her. I hope everything goes well for Vince. :flowerforyou:

Barbie: I'd love to know what you are taking for bone density. I'll be talking to my doctor when we get home from this trip and I'd like to have as much information as I can.

Joyce: Things sound so much more positive than they did a short while ago. I hope they continue to be better for both you and Charlie.

Lisa: Sending good thoughts your way. I hope you're able to get your health back in balance and start feeling better. :flowerforyou:

Gayle in Minneapolis: I am so sorry you're hurting. I have no advice, only prayers for both you and your mom.


We're heading home from CO in the morning. Meeting Rori is the high point of the trip. We loved seeing DD and our grand children but DD and DSIL are making life decisions that we are sad about. They will be moving far away and doing things we don't think are positive. We've had a good visit with DD and the grand kids, but I fear we will be heart-sore for a long while. I'm praying for decent attitudes for me & DH.

We will be heading west in the morning and will be home in a few days.

Katla temporarily in Boulder County, CO at 4,979 feet above sea level

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

September Goals :
1. Log every bite and swallow.
2. Cardio exercise at least 3 days a week. Work on flexibility and back strength.
3. Have fun every day.
4. Drink at least three glasses of water daily, preferably more!
5. Eliminate alcohol.
6. Monitor sleep. Try to average 7 or more hours of sleep nightly.