WOMEN AGES 50+ FOR JANUARY 2016

tuliplor, I remember you and planning your trip to Disney. How did it go. I love Disney any way I can get it.

Thanks for concern about my eyes. Each day I learn a little more about them. Sometimes they are just a bother. There is one big floater that I call my windshield wiper since it just starts at the bottom and goes across and across. Now I am beginning to realize that it is worse back here in my office. When I am in the living room using the lap top ON MY LAP, I guess my eyes are tilted differently. Here in the office it is basically right at eye level and it is a lot worse. So it is pretty difficult to move my eyes just the right way to read. When I am talking to people and not focusing on reading anything, I don't hardly notice anything is wrong. Baked a cake tonight and I was wondering how it was going to be to read directions but it was OK.

Today my sis, Michelle and I all went out to the building we are having dinner at tomorrow. We have to take absolutely everything we would use at my house. Pots and pans, spices, milk, corn starch, eggs, you name it, we have to take it. The only thing they have there is a lot of serving spoons. Oh they have a good bathroom for Charlie and wonderful soft toilet paper.

Kids came in early afternoon just as I was getting ready to leave so I didn't get to see them much. Had a nice supper then went home and opened presents. I got a nice outfit for trinity the 14 year old. For so long she has been such a string bean we have just been comfortable in buying extra small for her. So I bought a real pretty blouse on clearance. And speaking of clear, it was to clear! So I bought a bright pink cami to go under it. Now I have seen her in her camis and there isn't much to her up there. Well this was a different kind of cami, more the type of material of work out gear. But she is no longer and extra small. But the blouse although it looks OK she says it rides up to far in her arm pit. she said she wanted casual rings and her Mom sent me picutres from Kohl's and I went overboard and got her 7 of them. For her sister I got a razor that is a kind of skateboard and then another one of the knex that makes a roller coaster. I don't know who was more excited, her or her Dad. In years past Charlie has always given the girls money because they needed it for their finances. That's the kind of guy he is. Needing for finances instead of getting them something that they would't have the money for. So Christina got that early in the year Michelle told me to do what I wanted for her and then sent me a wish list from Amazon. So I got her a FitBit, Koerg individual coffee maker and a tool kit. She said she kind of liked me to go shopping for her. I enjoyed it much better also. And I felt sorry for her sister just having to sit there and watch Michelle open her presents. But her car was sitting outside and that's what they needed their money for.

So we have had a good family day and we will have an even better one tomorrow. I ahve one brother who isn't feeling well at all and may not come That will be a loss. He is the outgoing fun loving brother. My other brother is very quiet guy who jsut takes care of his wife and grand kids. But when the two of them are together, John is able to let loos and have a great time and we build up some great memories.

Bed time now. Welcome to so many newcomers. I look forward to getting to know each and everyone of you. I need a lot of help staying on track and DJ is real good at kicking my butt when needed.

Joyce, Indiana

Good morning!

Today I didn't write, but I got all my photos downloaded onto my laptop and saved them on my memory stick. Before lunch (my favorite curry laksa) I am going to sort through tights and leggings. DJ - I will have a think about storage. :flowerforyou:

DH isn't going to football today as the weather is so awful. I do love my time to myself, but I have decided to have my soup anyway and he can make himself a sandwich. I have a Korean film I want to watch, but it will wait. It really is foul out there.

I really like Barbie's quote STRATEGY IS STRONGER THAN WILLPOWER. Anyone who has trouble keeping their comittments to themselves, like me, should really give it some thought. Basically for me it is "If it ain't easy it won't happen, or it won't happen for long." Willpower wears out very quickly, which is why I always say, don't ask too much of yourself. Low calorie diets only last while the initial enthusiasm is strong. Then people wonder why they are giving in to temptation, having a binge, or just going over calories. If you can't stick to it, don't start. Life should be enjoyable. Food should be a pleasure, not a punishment. Moving more should not be a dreaded task. Find a way to have fun.

Off to check my drawer.

Heather UK

morning my friends~
10 and a 1/4 of sleep and gosh do I feel better!!!
trying to get a grocery list together will go early tomorrow morning.. trying to figure out food for me and for Tom for a couple of weeks, thats how we roll. going to cook and make things to freeze, saw a recipe for shepards pie stuffed potatoes, that sounds like something he would eat!!!
more veggies and fruits for me , and basic proteins, trying to cut out most sugars and carbs.. that will be a challenge.. but I can do it,
when we had dinner with Helene and Bert, (renter and her friend) she asked what would could help with kidney disease.. vegetarian diet and staying in shape, she said well if it were me I would be on that right away.. this coming from a 72 yr old woman who plays pickleball tournaments,bikes 30-40 miles ,golfs, swims laps she is uber active.. and is a gem.. I want to be like her.. have to build up to it, but I want to feel good and really get back into shape..

trublutopaz wrote: »

Hi-
After a number of setbacks, I'm here for sure this time. It has to happen. I'm nearly 60. I teach high school. I need to lose 65 lbs. I have a few goals/resolutions this time around. I hope it's okay if I post.
1. Use meditation to stave off worry (one of my biggest problems)
2. Monitor meds after my thyroid surgery.
3. Watch food intake.
4. Walk or ride three days a week.
5. Weights three days a week
6. Consult a trainer
7. Try to change my image from "I am a teacher" to "I am a person who happens to teach." Seriously, it's important.
8. Take more time for myself and fun
9. Find meaningful volunteer opportunities
10. Start looking beyond my job.

Hi, Trublutopaz, your goals hit me as I am a teacher like you, goals #7 through #10 were particularly familiar to me. As I approach retirement (still more than 5+ to go) I worry that I won't know how to relate to myself and others without the focus of being a teacher. It does take mindfulness and I am not there yet, but it is so very important to be mindful to know why you are still teaching.
Here are some things I have been thinking about, I keep in touch with colleagues that have retired and notice what they are up to, whether they seem happy with their activities etc., I notice what I do on my vacation time, do I just sit on the couch and eat or do I actually plan on social activities or something new, sometimes I have to force myself to try something new, start with subjects that you love, for me it is music so i attend workshops and concert that interest me, for my husband it is visiting historical sites that connect to his love of history.
This year I stopped after school tutoring because I was not taking care of myself and everything hurt, b.p. was high, I was not on a healthy trajectory, so I stopped working after school and I go to the gym instead and what a difference, my mood is better, my energy is up.
I have always admired teachers that have a real joy and energy for teaching, but I've noticed that they don't have a one track life, they have interests that lie outside of the classroom, yet are really talented teachers.
Anyway, welcome to the group, logging and checking in have been very beneficial to me the past 4 months.
Karen from NY

Mary great picture!

Gayle hope your friend is healing quickly.

Margaret

I will be 52 in May, and SO want to look and FEEL better.
I am 5'3" and I have hovered on the 175 lb mark on the scales for the last 8 years.
I tend to do better when I am surrounded by encouraging people....and boy do I need encouragement! This looks like the place for me to get the motivation I need.

Glowworm ... The website is Home Storage Solutions 101. She's known as Declutter365 on Facebook. She offers free downloadable calendars and lists and whatever you need. I work with the calendar the most. I do get her email too... Where she reminds you of what they're doing. It's just a tool but I like it.

Happy New Year everyone!
Starting off the new year right this time and getting back on my Somersize diet program. Last time I lost 38 lbs. before the plateau and am hopeful to do so again.

Last year was not a good one for me. Recovering from breast cancer, chemo, radiation, surgery and LOTS of steroids, then a back injury and more steroids helped me gain back all that I had lost and a few pounds more! Let's not even talk about the holidays and all the cookies, candy and scrumptious add-a-dish gatherings. This year will be better, since I'm finished with all my treatments -- hurray! -- and recovering my mojo. My back is better too -- though not perfect.

My plan for the new year is this:
1) Stick to my Somersizing diet, because it works. (Anyone who wants to know about the diet can google Suzanne Somers, Somersize and we also have a Facebook support group with lots of recipes, etc. You can find her books at most bookstores, including used book stores.)

2) Exercise 30 minutes per day, even if that just means walking the dog for 30 minutes. (I was up to walking/jogging up to 2 miles per day before I got sick. Now I struggle for anything over 1/4 mile.)

3) No cheating on the diet! If I fall off the wagon today, I'll get right back on tomorrow. One sweet cheat means two weeks of getting your body back on the program!

4) Plan sweets that are allowed, so I don't cheat. Plan lunches, so I don't cheat. If the unexpected happens, do the best I can until I can do better -- it's okay.

5) Stress is no excuse! I can be stressed skinny as easily as I can be stressed fat.

Good morning! I'm enjoying my coffee and reading about your doings before getting ready for Zumba that starts at 10.

Yall are talking a lot about decluttering. I'll have to check out Declutter365 on FB that bwcetc mentioned. For whatever reason, the declutter bug hit me a couple of weeks ago and I've been slowly going through stuff and boxing it up for charity or trashing it if need be. It's amazingly scary what we have accumulated. I guess this will be my year of decluttering because there is no way it can be done in a short amount of time..... I guess it's kinda like loosing weight - it will take time. (Sometimes I get philosophical.... Thank goodness it's not often....)

It's time to get ready for Zumba!

Have a happy day!

I love this stuff! Great posts! How do I join this group? (Note...I've been with MFP off and on for a couple of years but obviously haven't figured out its finer points. LOL)

I am a newbie and this is my first time joining in an online group. I live in Connecticut. 59 years old and need to get rid of this extra weight. I had gastric bypass 2003 lost 90 lbs. Life/death happened gained back 42 lbs. Want to take control back and be happier in 2016. No more excuses.
[*] Make healthier choices
[*] Take my medications properly
[*] Log my foods daily
[*] Exercise 3 to 4 times a week

Mary W

[*]

Newbies: Welcome! You join by posting. To find this group again, click on the hollow start at the top of the page. It will turn yellow. When you want to come back, go to Community and click the gray star you see. It will bring you here. :flowerforyou:


Yesterday we took our Christmas Tree down and put the decorations away in the garage attic. The only decoration left is the Christmas wreath at the front door and I'm not ready to take it down yet. I do still have three wrapped presents that were a part of DDIL's gift. We will give them to her the next time she visits here or we go there. They're crystal goblets, and I didn't want to ship the whole group to her parent's home across the country from here. The one I did ship arrived safely.

Today will be my first riding lesson in 2016! I look forward to it. It is only 27 degrees outside at the moment and I will be dressing WARM. When I was heavy I was always warm no matter what the air temperature was, but that has changed since I met my weight loss goal. I'm healthier and happier, but also not as warm. :ohwell: :bigsmile:


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. 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.

Happy Saturday ! ! !

The clinic is open today, and it is the start of a new year, so, after reading and responding, I will sort and redistribute magazines, then completely my paperwork. We are pretty busy today, so it will be mostly time-management. I will finish reading the thread for December first, then jump into 2016 shortly.

Becca – I am also enjoying the Bear Naked granola. It is offered in so many flavors, and seems to be low in fat compared to many others. And it is affordable at Big Lots (like $2.50 per bag). I like it in my yogurt. So sorry to hear that your blood donation in conjunction with your sore throat has wiped you out so badly. Too bad DH had to suffer with naughty kids in the laundromat.

DrKatie – Hooray for joining the gym. I hope you truly enjoy it, and learn plenty.

Linda/IA – HaHa about the time to take DD to work, and her Dad taking her. I’ve been there before, too. Thank goodness for the alarm system on my phone.

Peach – Have you visited many gyms yet? Most of them these days are trying to help people avoid “Gym-timidation”. I know you will soon decide what is right for you.

Rori – Hooray for your weight moving in the right direction. I hate plateaus. Keep up with the emotional support from your co-worker, too. Congrats ! ! !

DJ – I never heard about keeping a candle in my car. I do have salt now, and a shovel, and 2 sets of jumper cables. I also keep a few bottles of drinking water and a blanket. But you are correct about cell phones. Thanks for the suggestion. // I also told DH in no uncertain terms that he should NOT keep Frosted Flakes in the house. DS doesn’t eat them, DH shouldn’t eat them now that he has diabetes, and I don’t need them for any reason. We’ll see what happens next time he goes to Sam’s Club.

Joyce – Hugs and Prayers for you and DH and your eyes ! ! !

Sharon – Hugs and Prayers for everyone regarding the loss of life. It will likely cause grief far beyond what we can imagine. I hope everyone is able to move through mourning feeling love and at their own pace. More Hugs ! ! !

Margaret – Beautiful pictures of all the winter flowers/plants. Thanks for sharing.

Sylvia – Hugs and Prayers about your ex with the mice. That is absolutely horrible abuse. I’m so glad DH is the opposite. Definitely what you deserve ! ! ! // Happy Anniversary !

Well, ½ of my work day is over, so I have to post before I read January 2016. Apologies to anyone I missed. Know that I hold you all in my arms and prayers.

NYE we took DS and a friend to Harlem Globetrotters. The boys had lots of fun, and so did I. Then my age sank in, when they got into friends car to find an open Bowling Alley, while DH and I went to the Casino. NYE at the Casino is new for us – usually we just go to bed whenever, then give each other a Happy New Year kiss when both of us wake-up. We ate supper a little after midnight in the café. I decided to end the year with something I have always loved but gave up for weight/health reasons – Grande Nachos. Stupid, because after eating only ½, I felt nauseated. So, grande nachos are now on my “never” list. Yesterday I did my produce shopping, and Sunday I will buy $3.99 / lb cod, and more Healthy Choice soups for 89 cents each.

Happy New Year to Everyone, along with hugs and more Hugs ! ! !

Terri in Milwaukee

Good morning from the Pacific NW--I'm Susie, 55, just started back on MFP with my new Fitbit Charge HR last weekend. I started with a 3 day jumpstart, and it felt empowering to begin before the new years resolution timeframe. I have about 30 lbs to lose before my son's college graduation in May and I'd like exercise to become a habit for the rest of my life. But I really HATE "exercise." I do love to walk, though, and I enjoy lifting free weights, so...one step (literally) at a time... Anyway, I look forward to hearing about all your successes.

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

Good Day Ladies,

MicheleNC, if you want to put the puzzle out to work on, could you cover it with a cloth when not in use, to keep the cats from re-distributing the pieces? I don’t know how we did it but when we had cats, they didn’t get on counters and tables.

Tuliplor, welcome back. Sorry you regained some of the weight you lost. Even though I went way off track between Thanksgiving and New Year’s, I still look at this journey as a life change that I will continue forever. Even when I was eating poorly, I still recorded my food every day. Good luck this year.

Joyce, it sounds like a wonderful time with everyone there. I love getting gifts for people when it’s something I know they will like. Sounds like you did some serious shopping.

Lisa, glad it’s been a safe trip and I know it’s always good to get home. Good luck with the interview.

Heather, I soooo agree with you that for me it needs to be easy or it won’t happen. Actually on the low calorie part, I find it easier than I thought I would. I simply chose my favorite low calorie foods so I can have more of them. I have cut back but still need to work on portion control. When I control the portions I find I’m hungry.

Barbie, well that is quite a word for 2016. I’ll admit that it was a new one for me. I had to look it up. But it does sound like that’s something you constantly do, and one of the many reasons we love you.

Heather, it’s so nice when we get something we love, like your Dyson. That makes cleaning such a joy as compared to a drudgery. Have fun with it as long as you can.

M1cbry, welcome. This is a great place for support and information. Please tell us a bit more about yourself to help us get to know you. We also ask that you sign each post with the name you want to be called along with a location, general or specific. Come often and join right in.

Shesback, welcome back. I know for me, once I reach my goal I’ll have to stay with MFP forever or will end up just like you did…..only I might not stop at 30 pounds. Good luck.

Tashia, welcome. Congrats on overcoming your cancer and other health issues. I hope 2016 is a great year for you.

Kimses, congrats on that first sticker! Every journey starts with that first step.

Tberry, you join by simply showing up and joining in. Great start! Now please tell us about yourself to help us get to know you and sign each post with the name you want to be called, along with a location, general or specific. Come often for great support and wonderful information.

MaryW, welcome to you as well. Sorry to hear you went through all that and gained almost half of it back. MFP works so you can get where you want to be if you stick to it. We are here for support so come often.

Katla, I love hearing about your riding lessons and how you enjoy them. I’ve mentioned before that when I was FAT, I was always warm or HOT and sweating like crazy. I didn’t know it was because I was fat? Duh!!! I didn’t read the Fat Ladie’s Manuel, what can I say. Now that I am 60 pounds lighter, I am cool much of the time. Life is grand!

Terri, sorry the Grande Nachos upset your tummy but good that they are now on your “never” list. Wish they were on mine! Happy NY!

Wreck, welcome to MFP and to this group of lovely ladies. Hopefully you won’t develop diabetes since a number of us here were diabetic when we started but are no longer. It’s amazing the health benefits from a healthy diet and lifestyle. Come often and join right in.

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.

Today for the first time, when I came upstairs after my morning coffee and breakfast, rather than go to my computer to check in with MFP I turned on my new Wii and did some exercises. I have to keep doing that because I end up spending too much time on here and don’t get to the important stuff. I do think I’ll like exercising with the Wii and it will keep me motivated. I have to get back to regular exercise!!!
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