WOMEN AGES 50+ FOR APRIL 2016

csofled wrote: »

For the first time since wearing my Fitbit Flex I reached 10,000 "steps" yesterday! Yeah me, right?

Funny story as to how that occurred: I have been furiously working on a crochet project for a niece. My left hand was feeling the effects so I took my Fitbit off my left wrist and put it on my right one so I could put on my wrist guard. So I'm busy doing my crochet and late in the day my Fitbit starts buzzing and sending out light blinks looking like an SOS message. Low and behold if you wear your Fitbit on your dominant hand and spend the day crocheting you will reach your 10,000 steps!!!


Cheri
Currently sunny NE oHIo

Cheri, too funny. I had no idea. I may have a sore left wrist looming on the horizon. Ha!

Beth: I've been thinking good thoughts for your son. Fingers are crossed, too.

p_dillow: You have come to the right place for support. Taking weight off and keeping it off requires persistence and maintaining a focus on good health. Several of us have reached our goals but we stay here because the support keeps us doing the right thing for our longterm health. You will have to be stubborn and persistent, but you can change your health and improve your life. :flowerforyou:

Dr. Katie: I am sorry that your sister has fallen and broken her other wrist. As a woman with two broken wrists to her credit, I have sympathy for her. I fell because of unseen ice both times. Was ice involved in your sister's falls or is something else going on? All of that said. I wonder why she needs so much help. Are there other disabilities involved that make self-care more difficult? I don't think you're petty or selfish at all. :noway:

Heather: I seem to have less enthusiasm for gardening this year, too. I have snow-pea seeds waiting to be planted, & normally stick them in the ground in late February. I have a cage in the garden waiting to go to work, and no seeds in the ground. :ohwell: Maybe I'll get it done after my riding lesson today.

sleepyscribbler: You are not the oldest here. I'm 66 & I'm not the oldest, either. Welcome! My daughter in law is a Pilates enthusiast, and a certified instructor with her own reformer. Pilates changed her life. I hope it works as well for you as it has for her. Your plan seems like a good one. Stop by often to give and get moral support.

Lisa: I'm curious about the 4H auction. Are they selling animals or equipment? ::flowerforyou:

Carol: I had mammograms all along, but not as often as they were recommended. I would sometimes wait several years between mammograms. I was lucky and have had no reason to regret the choice. BTW: I did NOT take "the pill" after the first two months of marriage. It caused significant water retention and made me miserable & crabby. I used other birth control methods. I think "the pill" causes problems for women's health.

Margaret: I am interested in your comments about anger and the book, The Dance of Anger. Would you recommend it as a general read, or more specifically for someone who is dealing with a stressful situation? :huh:

DJ: "Katla, so happy for your DS and DDIL that they found a house so soon. Have fun at horsey riding, Ms Pro." Ms Pro, indeed! :laugh: :laugh: :laugh: Thank you for your good wishes.




I have my riding lesson today and the weather is so grand I hope we'll get to spend time outside of the arena. I have some ideas in mind if we are inside the arena, and they mostly challenge me with gait changes. Walk, trot, canter, trot, walk. canter, sidepass. . . It will depend on how many other riders are in the arena, & whether we get to go outside.


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

Beth – Will be praying for your DS. I’m sure all of you are excited!

drkatiebug – Hope your sister will be ‘ok’. For all y’all who don’t know this; when it is raining or has been raining … DO NOT STEP ON THE PAINTED LINES IN THE PARKING LOT! They get ‘very slippery’; and, don’t wear CROCS either (even though they’re made of rubber); they’ll also be slippery and not good when you walk into the store. I’ve learned that, the hard way [no pun intended], from experience. It's embarrassing to fall on your @$$ in public.

Why is it, that when family calls and expects you to ‘drop everything and come see about them’ (or their own parents) you always feel guilty about things that you already have plans to do? “No, sorry I can’t do it right now, I have other commitments that I cannot change.” Or a simple, “No, sorry, can’t do it.” I have a friend who has spent weeks (off and on) with an older sister who she’s never had a very good relationship with [and she has children of her own]. Maybe I am ‘mean-spirited’ but, I would not ‘think’ I would expect even my children to give up their lives to ‘deal’ with me; although in my heart I know they would, at least, check on me. They need to make their own plans for ‘help’ for her. Places like ‘Visiting Angels’ which is one that is advertised around this area … seems like a good plan for making sure the patient takes their meds on time, eats, and even gets up to go to (or do) their PT, run errands, and get them ‘out of the house’ for a while. You’ve made plans or commitments and that is what should be what you do, her children can take care of her.

Michele in NC – Making the banners will take up time, and keep your mind off not being able to drive. I did some painting when I was unable to drive. Painted the church that my son and DDnL#2 got married in (for the 2nd time). I did not like the first one; so this time I did it on an oval canvas that I had purchased (the picture that was in it) for the frame. Turned out so much better the 2nd go round. I don't normally paint the same subject twice. I know that DH wanted things to be the way they were before I was unable to drive until I had gone seizure-free for 6 consecutive months. It’s a ‘long’ time; and, even longer when it gets extended. My DH came through and stopped bitching about having to do all the shopping and running errands. I always made my appointments first thing in the AM; so that ‘if’ I wanted to come home instead of staying at a friend’s place he could do it (if he had to). I think I only made him ‘bring me back home once or twice’. I hated staying in an empty house. Most of the time, I slept.

My middle sister had said she wanted just some "Nice Little 'Baby B's" when she gets her reconstruction once. A lot of surgeons (or specialists) expect you to make an appointment with your GP and send those reports to them (only). I think if I ever had to go through that type of surgery that would be my choice, too. I never knew that you’d gain weight in your boobs; and, so far, I have not changed bra sizes either. But, I have noticed that I don’t have the extra breast tissue under my arms like I did before I lost weight; that feels better - I guess sort of a NSV. I’m sure it looks better now when I wear any type of shirt or top (t-shirt). Don’t have that weight bulging out over the sides/top.

I know when I had my colonoscopy; the GastroMD asked who my MD was (so I gave him my GYN’s name because he was the one who referred me to him) and he told me that he wanted my GP’s name; that my GYN was ‘specialist’. That meant that I needed to make an appointment with my GP to find out the results. It happened also when I went to a Neurologist; and, I just called my MD’s office to get the results (Dilantin level). Neurologist had gotten upset when I told him that my GYN had done a "Dilantin level" ... he said that 'she wanted to be the one who did it'. Argument over a simple blood test? Mmmm, had been told it was a little 'low'; but, at a time when Neurologist was attempting to wean me off it - which did not work anyway. He would tell me the results of any tests done in their office or could and would tell me ‘over the phone’. I'm sure it varies from MD to MD and city to city or country to country.

Joyce – Sorry that your sister dug up the wrong bulbs. There is a particular onion/garlic plant that puts out a pretty round purple flower; but, I think they are called, ‘ornamental onions/garlic’, and the bulb is not edible.

Believe me when I say that a “Southern Baptist” IS different from ‘other’ Baptists. So conservative and ‘sometimes’ more judgmental; now I’m a Catholic and like going to the Noon Mass because they have a band. Most Southern Baptist would never do that. My DDnL#2 and DGD#4 got my DYS to start attending church with them at a Baptist Church (which is more of a non-denominational church) with a lot of singing and a band. They are now visiting a church that is closer to their ‘lake place’; and, probably nearer to where they might be buying land and building on it. They like it a lot and will be going back. DGD#4 said that a lot of her friends from school go there so she really likes it. DYS was never ‘confirmed’ into the Catholic faith; mainly, because we took him out of parochial school at the end of 5th grade. My DOS will NOT attend any other church, other than a Catholic Church. Same goes for my DH. Same goes for me about any further ‘discussion’; you can PM me, too.

Lisa in West Texas – My DDnL#2 loves going to flea markets and garage sales to find things to ‘repurpose’. She was riding down the road when she saw that someone had thrown out a big solid wood bed; and, she stopped and loaded it up in her car (or she might have gotten DYS’s truck) … anyway she got it home - to lake place and shed. "Free!" Last summer when we were out there, she had cut the footboard in ½ and I helped her get them nailed into the headboard as sides. Then she got DYS to help her make a box; and, then they decided to make it into a ‘storage’ box. It’s huge; but, they keep it at the shed where he works. They also have stored some stone that one of his bosses had bought to go on his fireplace; but, his wife did not like it. DDnL#2 said, ‘we’ll take it’. They also took back a nice load of ‘heart-of-pine’ that had been taken off when they (DH and DSs) tore down an old farmhouse that had been on the land when we bought it. They’ll have something made out of it for their new place (when they build it). He wants a lot of wood, she wants it to NOT look totally manly. I am guessing she gets her way, other than the light-colored carpet. She has light carpet in their bedroom at the house that was hers before they married. He strips down in the utility room where they have a 2nd bathroom to keep from getting it all dirty. They’ll take what they like about each place and marry it together in a ‘new’ home. I told them that they also needed to go look at a LOT of houses for sale; and, when they find something they liked about it; to write it down or draw it. Never can have too much cabinet space or counter space in a kitchen. Also to make sure they have enough outlets, everywhere! My Mother got mad at my Daddy because she had wanted the 6’ apart rather than the standard 8’ apart. I wanted mine 4’ apart and lots of them. As it stands, they are centered on each wall and none of them are directly beneath a window. Heavy furniture and rarely a way to get to them without a lot of help; so I have a couple of surge protectors to plug in things that I’d normally plug into the outlet and let it stay there. If I had it to do over … I’d get my way about that. I can understand that he does not want ‘light’ carpet because of the Louisiana/Mississippi mud (which is like concrete, if it dried on anything). But, he will agree to have carpet in the bedrooms. Laughed and told her to make sure they got an architect or someone who does drawings for a house to draw up their plans … don’t do what we did and forget to draw in closets; so now they are a LOT smaller than I wish they had been. Oh well, live and learn.

Larisa – Maybe count it as ‘lifting weights’ or check under ‘gardening’; for however long it took you to do so.

Peach1948 (Carol) – Cracker knows when her ‘human Daddy’ has gone out (and DH says she does this when I go out); she gets in her bed and whines, goes to the door and whines, looks around the house and whines, then she comes back to you and whines, if she could talk, she would. We usually put her outside when she does this, so long as neither of us are driving away. I put her out the other day and DH called me to call her home, they had not left from DOS’s house yet. Trees are getting big enough that we can no longer see their parking spaces. She really did not want to come back home; but, she did – very grudgingly and then she whined and talked back to me. I let her back out and told her that DH was gone, she looked around and then was happy to come back inside and keep her mouth shut. LOL!

Anne from Wisconsin – I think we brought up our sons with the same sort of types of moral, religious, and political views that each of our set of parents raised us with. Most children of divorced parents know the reasons for it and they, quite often, say that they'd never make the same mistakes. I know that our DOGD does NOT want to get married or have babies young; she's seen how doing so has messed up a lot of things (for the parents and the child(ren) involved. DOS is married to a woman who did not have the same views and they fight all the time. DYS and his wife did have the same upbringing and they can ‘discuss’ their differences without having WWIII. Usually the best works out and sometimes they find that each of them has to give a little to get a little. I think that works in our marriage of nearly 44 years. I don’t always understand my DOS or his choices in ‘women’ especially. I’m not sure that he has ever had that ‘ton of bricks’ moment in his life. I did (and DH did); and DYS and DDnL#2 also did. Him, maybe sooner than she did. Now she says she wishes she had met him years ago; I tell her that she might NOT have liked a younger version of him. So now she says that she met him at the very moment, second, minute in time that made him ‘perfect’ for her. I hear her ‘praise’ him; and, never hear it from my DDnL#1 – who is always critical of DOS (even when the issue she is complaining about is of her own doing).

Margaret – I've always thought that “Negativity” is a self-fulfilling prophecy; “Positivity” is harder to do; but, thinking positive thoughts makes it better for you. Negativity is never good for your health or the situation you find yourself in. Learning how to say “NO” is difficult for most women because we are brought up to be ‘fixers’ or ‘caregivers’; and, so many times others make us feel ‘guilty’ for not giving in and doing things they want us to do when they should be doing it themselves.

Lenora

All comments are made IMHO

Hi! I am over 55 and have 100 lbs to lose. I've struggled with my weight all my life. I have times when I do very well managing my weight. Right now, I'm at the highest weight I've ever been.

I am going to lose 100 lbs. Pulling out all the stops. Doing this thing. Who's with me to get to goal??

Shout out to KJlaMore: I hear ya sister. We are flurrying here too. Have heart! It's Spring!!!!!!!

Just checking in (((((((group hugs)))))))) Well paid bills, went shopping, and husband took me out to lunch at my favorite place for spinach and quinoa salad. Yummo!

jeannemarie333 wrote: »

Hello April, and Hello Pals ♥ I am on day 4 of no refined sugar and I feel good. I have been struggling with cravings and menopause and lots of other big changes in my life, and I feel like I am at a place to really look at what I put in my body.

Jeanne, Good deal! I'm right there with you. I'm on day 33 of greatly reduced carbs, myself (actual ketosis), and I find that it controls my migraines and other brain-injury symptoms almost completely! Some of us, sugar is just not our friend.
And I'm having significant perimenopausal symptoms as of this month, which, hello, I'm 53. I think I'm probly ready for this
Sending you a friend request...

Larisa in Seattle

cityjaneLondon wrote: »

KJ - I too LOVE brains!

BRAAAAAAINS

I love reading about brains, too
Have you seeeeen these!
http://www.thinkgeek.com/product/huir/

Larisa

margaretturk wrote: »

KaLaMore the author is Harriet Lerner. I think it is great you are going to pursue classes on brains. Fascinating topic.

Katla the book tells how women work on their anger through stories. In reading about their stories it is helping me reflect on my own issues with conflict (anger). There is no right or wrong way to address anger. Anger is just the messenger that something needs to be addressed. In allowing others to take responsibility for there own feelings and then taking responsibility for my own we then hopefully can work as a team so we mutually benefit i.e. we will have a healthier relationship. Without the darkness there is no dawn.

LOVE THIS!

.

Thank y'all for being so supportive of my reluctance to drop everything to go help my sister. I have since talked to her (instead of my niece, the drama llama), and we have decided that for now, I will stay in Georgia.

Someone asked why she needs so much help. It isn't so much that she needs constant care or anything, but she is a widow. Her son is an addict who cannot be depended on for anything and can barely take care of himself. Her daughter can help, and does, but when she doesn't work she doesn't get paid and she really can't afford to miss much work. She does have other friends who can take turns driving her to doctors appointments, surgery, etc. but nobody that can be there 24-7 to nurse her right after surgery when she will be at her worst. The daughter could, but would be much happier if I would do it. Hence the frantic phone calls and texts yesterday. My fear is that she will promise to do it, but then neglect my sister. It's hard when they are 500 miles away. I wish we lived closer.

Since this is her left wrist, she is much more able to do for herself like fix a sandwich, dress herself, etc. she will see the doctor early in the week and schedule surgery for this one. Depending on my schedule, I might go out for the actual day and a couple of days after. We will see. The radius is broken in 5 places and the ulna in one, so it is a pretty bad break.

I think I can answer the question about the differences in Baptists without making it a religious controversy or insulting or offending anyone. Most will differ in some point of doctrine, interpreting a scripture in a slightly different way, or views of what is appropriate for a worship service. For example, musical practices may range from no musical instruments at all in one to full blown bands with drums and guitars in another. You will even see a wide variation in tradition, practice, and interpretation between one Southern Baptist Church and another. One may be pretty mainstream while another is very conservative. This is actually not unique to the Baptist denomination or even to regions of the country. I find it fascinating and interesting.

nb1959 wrote: »

Hi, I'm Noreen. After reading your posts, I am going to have only one goal in April: Log every swallow every day, and stay just under my calorie limit. And I am going to make my self accountable by logging in here each evening and letting you know I made it. I can no longer exercise and have watched my perfect size 10 figure um...blossom...to a size 18. So. Already, I have followed an organic diet ($$$) and gotten rid of chocolate and wine (mostly), and gotten portions in control. Still gaining. On the upside, I have a husband who thinks I am smart and beautiful (love truly is blind--this man sees me nekked!), children and three grandchildren who take time talk to me frequently, and two of the BEST aussies in the world. Not to mention 6 feral-ish cats that hang out on my porch. In other words, absolutely everything to live for! If you're still reading, thank you for your kind and caring heart.

Hi Noreen-
Thanks for sharing with is. I too want to log every bite I take. Even though you can no longer exercise, the diet is the key part of weight loss. Good for you for being honest with yourself and logging the bites you take!
Karen in KC, Calif.

Hi Ladies! I am 65 yr young and new to the discussion board. My current goal is to lose 25lbs over the next 5 months. To accomplish this goal, I intend to get back into a disciplined workout routine of "Wogging" (jogging-speed walking) 5 days a week. I did my first wog today and went 2.5 miles at 15.11min/mile. Not very fast but it is a start. I have not working out since the beginning of the year. A couple of medical set backs sidelined me. Got the all clear from doctors to resume normal activities...Looking forward to developing relationships with the ladies in this group to get a push out the door and some accountability.

Hi gals,

Alison – any DH who is happy to have the paycheck and the work done without the company on his Darling Wife – grrr his D is not Darling.

Sleepy – welcome!!! There are plenty of us who don’t like exercise, and when I started I did not plan on much, but while I have not joined a gym, I do walk the dog and do a ton of gardening, and have added a yoga class.. but that did not happen all at once. I would HIGHLY recommend not cutting your calories too low… this needs to be a change that you can keep for the rest of your life, so small changes – great results, more small changes more great results, repeat until you have something you can do forever.

Margaret – the dance of anger is not a new book is it? I believe I remember it from a number of years ago… I should re-read it….

Anne - Keep positive! You are doing great!

Katiebug – you are not petty, selfish or any of those other things, Take care of you first, then help where you can, and NO guilt. Everyone else has nailed it down, so I am affirming them!

Heather – great that you got out in the garden!

Cheri – so you reached 10,000 hooks? LOL which has a double meaning!

KJ - glad you were able to find your calm place, and tucked in a bit of exercise going to and from the car.. Our water is still rationed, and we are asked to do no more than 56 gallons a day – which is not much – but I have learned tons of tricks and mostly stay under the magic number, it is averaged across the month, which helps - If I stay under 56 gallons my bill stays under $100 – but the minute you are over the first $100 fine kicks in so in a 31 day month you have 1,736 gallons, but at 1,737 gallons you add the cost of the gallon of water, the sewage cost for the gallon and a $100 fine. That only happened once in this household!!!! The $100 was my food budget for the month – I got them to let me pay it a bit at a time. If your daughter would like some tricks let me know and I’ll type up some and send them to you.

College! Great idea!!! You go!

Karen AR10at50 – I’m in CA too, the SF bay area….

Noreen, KalliZ, other newbies – welcome!

I have a SV – about a year ago – I started dealing with some emotional issues with a counselor and took a break from trying to lose and got lax about logging, although I told myself I was doing a temporary maintenance the pounds creeped on, slowly – and I was better with my eating than I ever had been prior to MFP – I have really learned a lot – well while I am still dealing with my issues, thing are better and I have been logging as I should and 4 of the 7 creeper pounds are gone! 3 more and then back to losing again, as really there are 20 more from my point of view and 40 more from the charts point of view to lose.. I’ll just take it one pound at a time.


Kim from N. California

Kim wrote "KJ - glad you were able to find your calm place, and tucked in a bit of exercise going to and from the car.. Our water is still rationed, and we are asked to do no more than 56 gallons a day – which is not much – but I have learned tons of tricks and mostly stay under the magic number, it is averaged across the month, which helps - If I stay under 56 gallons my bill stays under $100 – but the minute you are over the first $100 fine kicks in so in a 31 day month you have 1,736 gallons, but at 1,737 gallons you add the cost of the gallon of water, the sewage cost for the gallon and a $100 fine. That only happened once in this household!!!! The $100 was my food budget for the month – I got them to let me pay it a bit at a time. If your daughter would like some tricks let me know and I’ll type up some and send them to you."

Wow, that's crazy. Now, I'm feeling a little guilty, we have our own well. The well pump is attached to the north side of the house beside the garage. We pay nothing for water and a meager $32 a month for sewer. We are hooked up to the City sewer line. I admit I'm pretty bad about wasting water as it doesn't cost me. I'll be more aware after reading your posts.

Janetr OKC

Barbie - Glad you we able to adapt a modified version of your weight training that was easier on your legs and knees. Where there's a will, there's a way.

Janetr OKC