WOMEN AGES 50+ FOR JUNE 2016

KetoneKaren - The fairy and her garden were just right, putting a smile on my face this morning. Thank you!

Carey - Can you batch make food to be packed for lunches, so it's just grab and go. Plenty of ideas on the internet.And have you got a slow cooker so you can assemble food (don't worry about prefrying ) the night before and switch it on in the morning. You could make several batches at a time and freeze portions . Then you only have to remember to get them out in the morning.!
I bought my son the Instant Pot Duo for his birthday. It's expensive and there are much cheaper options. You need something ready for you when you get in.

Just made my yogurt and prepped the mushroom risotto for dinner. DH has been cutting our rampant lawn. 70 trips to the compost!

I am still ploughing on with the Duolingo Spanish as I need to familiarise myself with the irregular verbs and all the crazy tenses. Enjoying it even though I have effectively finished the course. I still make mistakes, so I'm not done yet. :noway:

Pip - What's up with your hip?

Charlene - I think upping your calories to the recommended amount is a great idea. And you can add in your exercise calories. This is not meant to be a penance and the more you eat, the more likely you are to stick at it. Slowly does it. It took me 18 months to lose 57 pounds, but I've kept it off for another two and a half years.

Love to all, Heather UK

Stronglifts Rest Day

Kettlebell Swing

Goblet squat-3X7X 35
Russian kettle bell swing-16 X7X 35

Walk 1,000 Miles Challenge

6 miles



Mary from Minnesota

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Chaleen2 – Also remember to up your water intake as well as the exercise. I think that 1300 a day calorie is probably good for you to lose weight; but, I am a big proponent that people ought to go talk to their GPs or MDs to find out what caloric number you should be taking in order to lose weight. I’m not sure if the number of CI that MFP sets for you is for ‘losing’ or ‘maintaining’. Maybe some of the other women know this answer. I’m on a MD ordered medical weight loss program and I needed to lose at least down to 150lbs to reach my goal; but, the nurse is more concerned about when my BMI is down to ‘normal … whether I stop at 150lbs or go on down to 145lbs. I know if I use the number of CI that MFP sets it is way over what my MD said I needed to get down to, in order to lose the weight. Weighing your food and tracking everything that crosses your lips and tracking it honestly is the best way. Putting you food on a salad plate instead of a dinner plate will also help ‘trick’ your stomach as to ‘how much food’ you take in. Ergo the saying of ‘my eyes were bigger than my stomach’. Get a good set of measuring cups – WW has a really good set, sort of expensive; but, still very easy to use. They come in 1 cup, ½ cup, and ¾ cup. Get a good scale for your kitchen … I usually weigh my container that I am using for weighing in my food; and, then adding enough of the food to come up with the right weight.

Prbford64 – Dawn or any dish detergent does ‘dissolve’ fat (oil) and if you use it, it will strip all the oil in our hair out and your hair will not shine and will be brittle and break; if you color or perm your hair, it will strip those as well. Especially, the color. Cut little story; but, not accurate.

Janetr – I think most hate the dentist. Especially the shots to make your gums and teeth numb.

Joyce – I got a ‘lump sum’ on my SSD because of the time I went out on disability (before my regular SSD checks started coming in). Also, time was donated by the other people who would have lost their vacation, if they did not take what could rise up to 5 weeks. Few people also donated their extra sick leave (although that could roll over year-to-year. I got paid for a full year after I left my job for my disability at the full rate and still accruing sick leave and vacation time which was used first before the ‘donated leave’ came into play. This also help me get to the number of years I would need to be ‘vested in my job’ (and allow me to receive my ‘retirement check’. But, when my income got dropped by 75% and not dropped TO 75% - it was a hard blow. Even though we had planned for it. The surprise was when my ‘retirement’ (on disability) dropped and again dropped for the difference to comply with Obama’s Affordable Care Act. My take home pay is now less that my insurance amount. That hurts; but, I have to carry it so I can pay for my medications; otherwise, I could not afford them. Seriously, one of my Rx costs $1200 ‘if I did not have insurance’ … now it only costs me $85 - $90 from my mail order pharmacy.

How about that ‘amputee’ on American Ninja Warriors last night (Monday)? So ‘impressive’!!!! Even though he was unable to ‘finish’ it.

Karen in Virginia – Thanks for telling me what ‘Tahini’ is. I’ll have to look for it. I also ‘love’ Hummus; but, at 2 TBS as a serving size and it being ‘high’ in calories … it I a treat for me.

Lisa – I’m in a small town; my Daddy always told me that ‘if’ I wanted to know what goes on in the county (and why) I needed to attend the ‘county commissioners’’ meeting. I got totally frustrated with the ‘politics’ and knowing and seeing the Head Commissioner put the ‘screws’ to things that would have benefited the county; but, because it was NOT on HIS side of the town. He’d vote them down.

We applied for an ‘equity line of credit’ just to have it ‘in case of an emergency’. I think the appraiser low-balled the appraisal ‘big time’ … but to appeal it is just not worth the effort. He should have told us what he used as comparable house/property; but, didn’t … there has not been a house that has sold out in the county near here; and apparently he appraised the 10 acres of land at $2000 an acre (which would be correct for land around here); but then he added what we ‘owe’ on house to it to come up with his price. Our insurance company has appraised the cost of replacement of the house – almost twice as much. But we also own 40 acres ‘free and clear’ of all encumbrances. If we ever had to sell the house – the 45 acres the house sits on would have to be taken into account. We own 2 tracts of land of equal size (less the 3 acres that DOS paid for and had 'surveyed' out of that tract. When we are both dead and gone; they can use the insurance and pay it off; deed one another their share in each tract to the other, divided up any money in Retirement account, party ... whatever. The things that are of sentimental value is written down and attached to our Wills.

Miriam – Husband CAN work since he is over the ‘retirement’ age, he has paid into SSA all his working life, and he will receive it until he dies. I am the one who CAN’T, even though I paid into the SSA all my working life. He does report his ‘extra’ income as well as our SSI/SSD benefit. It is his SSI and my SSD (Medicare) for our medical bills that is not taxed. But, we still have to report it, it just isn’t taxed. I know a person who has a mental disability; and, worked part-time as a ‘gun smith’ … he HAD to give up that ‘hobby’ and was ‘compensated’ for it … his SSD/SSI check was higher than it normally would be because he ‘depended’ on this ‘hobby’ to ‘supplement’ his income’. I’ve been told so many ‘different’ stories about whether or not I can work (has to be under a number of hours and under a certain amount) per year, he was a ‘gun smith’ and could not have any guns in his house. Because the SSA ‘does not “expect” someone to totally be dependent upon SSD/SSI’. It was not set up for people to totally live on. When I paint anything and sell it; I run it through my husband’s business just so it will be ‘reported’, no matter how they pay me. I’ve been told that I could ‘work part-time’; but, since I get a totally different answers about it, I choose not to work ‘outside the home’. I don’t want to do anything to make me lose any of my SSD and know if I do, they will lower what I get. Supplemental Income Insurance (Medicaid/Welfare) supplements people who don’t work, it also is what ‘food stamps’, subsidized housing, cellphone for emergencies only, medical bills, and lower utility bills get paid. This program is far more abused that SSI and/or SSD; but, it is the SSA budget that gets ‘raped’ to fund the Medicaid program. We don’t get any of that because we own property, vehicles, make too much money from all sources of income, and other things. I don’t know where you are getting your information; but when he turned 65; he started receiving income from Social Security Administration. The age of Retirement has now gone up to 66 and they are talking about it going up every year until it is something else closer to 70 or 72 since the age that people live to and sometimes are able to continue to work has increased. You can take early retirement at the age of 62; and, that might be when you can work some and not have it cut out totally. I was only 49 years old when I became 'disabled'; and, I have been receiving SSD and my retirement ever since. They paid a 'lump sum' between the time I actually stopped working and when they set up my account; it takes a few months; then Part B (which takes care of MD/Dentist - if you do not take out the Part D) and for my prescriptions that I'd never be able to afford if I did not have Medicare and a Retirement check coming in. They might be able to cut it by a certain amount (or based on what you receive). It’s automatic if you have worked and paid into the 'system'. You receive it because they consider you ‘too old’ to work. Social Security Income is based on the number of work quarter hours you’ve put in. Social Security [Supplemental Security] Income are different. I do not know what your work history’ has been where you would have paid into the Social Security Administration from taxes; or if you have never worked or only part-time; but, SSI is different from SSDI. SSI is Social Security Income – which one has paid into the ‘system’ and is entitled to receive upon retirement from a job or now at the age of 66. You are limited to what you can earn if you take retirement early at 62; upon the age of 65 (retirement age) one gets to work as much as they want to. SSDI is Social Supplemental Disability Insurance (and they are different). Medicare and Medicaid are two totally different ways of getting a check. Medicare (for us) pays us some income and for our hospitalizations, MD visits, some dental visits, and prescription drugs. First one based on income. Second one based on lack of income. Some of the abuse is young women having babies every year or two and not naming the ‘baby daddies’, sometimes there are 2 or 3 or more ‘families’ living under one roof and each are getting a check and pooling them which tends to make them stretch further than 'if' they were living under 'individual' roofs … that is also how their ‘men’ can afford to drive ‘fancy’ cars because they don't pay for child support (or they have a thriving drug business). Of course, like always, this is IMHO. IF we were breaking the law, I can guarantee that our financial advisor and the former IRS agent that has been doing our taxes for years would let us know in a NY minute. It's possible that what my acronym for SSI is not SSDI - it is Social Security Income; not Supplement Security Disability Income.

Prbford64 – If you are using ‘dish detergent’ to wash your body … you need to make sure that you aren’t using it to wash your hair. It will strip the color or a permanent right out of your hair and make it dull, straight, and dry. But, it is certainly good to use on your hair if your ‘color job’ is way too dark or garish.

Cheri – We are planning on taking “Cracker” with us when we go to Louisiana; because if left at home for DOS to feed and let out; she’d be in the crate 10 hours. We don’t want her to have an accident in the crate or get the idea that it is ‘ok’ to go in the crate. A little too long to board her since it will be about 10 days. We will probably board her for the time we go to the beach with granddaughters and to the beach with my sisters; because that boarding period would be a lot less and depending on where we board her, she will be outside playing a lot with other dogs that are being boarded. She rides well in the car; and, since I usually have to make a lot of ‘stops’ myself … we figure that she’ll be fine in that regard.

WOW, Cheri, to leave you plants in the house for the ‘new’ owners would be totally unexpected and 'nice' if they are going to be moving in immediately. I don’t know how long your trip will be to wherever you are moving; but, if they were ones I wanted to keep; I’d water them good the day before and wrap them in newspaper and put them in the back seat with the dog and rent a trailer to anything else. I would not park in the sun; and, I would take a ‘mister’ to use on them every few hours, especially if you are planning on stopping for meals, etc. Plants are a lot sturdier than we think they are. You should know that by rescuing houseplants from the rejects. I will usually rescue plants that are perennials … like daisies.

Lenora

Did a 40 minute walk this morning then did gardening for another hour. I'm tanning nicely. Now going to see a counselor to start dealing with my depression this afternoon. Hope it goes well, he is 45 minutes away!

Thank you all for the welcome back and well wishes! I really did miss this thread!

Rita from CT

Janetr: I'm sorry about your broken tooth! My parents both had false teeth from the time they were teens. I still have my teeth, thanks to modern dentistry. I LOVE the dentist. (This doesn't mean I love having work done.) :bigsmile:

Lisa: Good luck! I hope you find just the right RV. :flowerforyou:

Cheri: I hope you and your DH are happy in Texas. I have only moved a few times in my adult life. I look forward to learning how the process goes as you share your adventure with us.

Carey: Good luck getting into a healthy eating routine now that you are back to work. (((HUGS)))

Pip: I'm sorry you're in pain. :sad:

Charlene: I agree with Heather and have a similar personal weight loss story with MFP. Earlier in my life I had another kind of dieting experience. After my daughter was born I went on a diet and lost the "baby weight." It was less than 1000 calories a day and after I met my weight goal I resumed my old eating habits. The weight came back because I hadn't learned healthy habits. This time I had the guidance of MFP and took the weight off slowly. The time it took has allowed me to stay healthy and learn better habits. I have a number of myfitnesspal friends who are still counting calories after reaching their goals and have maintained their healthy weight for years. None of them has gone the extreme low calorie route to weight loss. Good luck! :flowerforyou:

Barbie: Yoga has been a life changer for me, and I'd recommend it to anyone with access to a good teacher. I wouldn't do yoga from a DVD or App because someone with skill and knowledge needs to make sure your form is good enough that you won't inadvertently do damage to yourself. I don't dance because I get dizzy when I try. I have left/right issues. Dance is a wonderful way to be active and fit for those who don't get dizzy.



I just returned from a walk with my neighbor and heard all about her trip to TX to visit her son's family. They have adopted four kids and my neighbor is in love with each of them, but especially the oldest girl. It was wonderful to hear the stories about her. When we got close to home some new neighbors were outside working on their front door area. We had run into another neighbor along the way home so I took both my walking buddy and the other neighbor over and introduced them to the new couple. I embarrassed myself by not remembering her name, but everything went well otherwise. :embarassed:


DD's brother-in-law passed away from liver failure after a long stay in the hospital. He was only 36. What a horrible and tragic loss this has been for the whole family. He was a heavy drinker for years and the long-term effect of alcohol abuse on his liver was the cause of death. He left two daughters behind, and his wife is pregnant with another baby. My heart breaks for the family.



Katla in Beautiful NW Oregon

Tibetan proverb: "The secret to living well and long is: Eat half, walk double, laugh triple and love without measure..."

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

Afternoon ladies.

Cheri, I am over the moon happy with DH new job. You all have waited a long time for this. I know how attached my Mom was to her flowers. I'm not sure how she wold have parted with the, Yet when Dad was a minister and e moved from place to place I am sure she had to part with a lot. Some of the churches gave us a generous amount of money for the move and other times it was pretty small. So I am sure she had to leave behind some things.

Rita, be sure and take care of yourself out in the sun so you don't get skin cancer.

Lenora, our insurance is AARP United Health Care and it costs both of us $29/month. It is our Medicare D supplement. I have been seriously thinking about going with the mail order that they offer. It's 90 days supply of our maintenence medicine and it's $0/month for 3 months. I mean you can't get any better than that. But we take so many medicine that 3 months of medicine comes in big bottles. I use a 8x10 cake pan for mine and a tupperware oblong container for his.

I really enjoy watching American Ninja Warrior. The stories of what motivates those people to get in shape and take on such a difficult obstacle course. The guy last night with the artificial leg was something else the way he struggled on the rolling logs. I was watching his children as he was struggling and was successfull of several logs. and although he eventually fell, his kids were in awe of him. He never failed in his kids eyes.

Joyce, Indiana

Katla ~ So sorry for your DD's in-laws who are going through so much pain with the DH's passing.

Miriam ~ I think Lenora was referring to the fact that in GA you can choose to take SS at the age of 62. Both my DH and I opted to do this. If we had waited until we were 65 or 70, we would probably have received more benefits each month. And, yes, you can work and still draw on your SS. I have a friend who works for the DOT and is receiving part of her benefits. When she retires next Fall, she should receive more.

Janet ~ Sorry about your tooth. When my crown came off last Spring, the dentist detected so decay under where it was placed and my best option was to have it extracted. That was no fun at all and I hope I will never have to have another one done. My mom is 90 and still has all of her teeth.

We had to go to Magistrate's Court this AM to get an eviction for our renter who has given us 3 or 4 bad checks in the last 6 mos. I was shocked at how crowded the court room was with folks who were going through the same thing. We would have gladly worked with the renter if he had been more forthcoming. He supposedly deals with finding race horses (I don't know how to explain this) and I have decided he must also be a gambler. Hope he was not lying when he said he would be out of the house by Friday. Also, hope there is not too much damage that needs repairing. We will have our work cut out for us over the next month.

Carol

I did go back to take pictures of the water lilies. It was hard to do them justice.

Katla - what tragic news about your DD's brother-in-law. (((Hugs))) to her and her DH's family and the wife and children.

Margaret - The fairy garden looks beautiful. Thanks for sharing the pictures. I love the little turtle.



Mary from Minnesota

Margaret - Love the terrapin! We were watching a wagtail walking about on the lily leaves in Norway.

Katla - Always sad when needless deaths happen. But you can't do it for them.

I had a couple of thoughts about the people on the cruise that conflicted. On the one hand, there were people who could have made their lives a good deal easier if they had taken their own health in hand, on the other hand it was lovely to see sometimes quite disabled people being so well cared for. The staff were so good to them. But there were a lot of "can't " , "won't " and "don't "s going on. Not very interesting to talk to. :grumble: However, it was certainly a wonderful way for some very compromised old people to see more of the world. What an opportunity! But too many were resigned to ill health and obesity.

But you can't do it for them.

Heather UK

Carol: My daughter's brother-in-law is the one who passed. It is a sad situation for the family.

Heather: Lifestyle choices have a huge impact for the individual and those who love them. Some things are beyond our control. My husband's chronic diseases are examples. Other things are within our control, such as whether we smoke and what & how much we eat or drink. I think we are fortunate that we took ourselves in hand and began this journey to better health. Our efforts have made our lives better. We are lucky that we stumbled into MFP & this supportive group of women.

Hi all! I am pretty new to MFP, but began reading early June some of the posts and then skipped over to June 19 to get a some idea as to who everyone is. Well, the individual I remember most is Penny, with the very pretty daughter, going to Prom. I'll just have to learn as I go. I was told by my doctor I'd gained weight so, on 5/16/16 I began my diet and at the same time, I joined MFP just logging my food. I decided to interact on 5/31 and requested a few friends that we encourage one another, but when I came across this thread, I decided to post. There are a lot of exceptional women on this group and thought it might be nice to interact rather than just read. I'm on the Keto plan for weight loss and have lost 24 pounds. I'm so excited about the process of the Keto plan. My doctor wasn't so excited but agreed to allow me six weeks to try it out and if blood work comes back ok I can stay on it as long as I go in for regular 3 months checkups. My fingers are crossed because this is the only diet program that seems to work well and I'm not hungry. That's a big statement for me, because I'm always hungry. I was born with a spoon in my mouth - not a silver spoon - but one with collard greens and cornbread in it. Haven't stopped eating since.

I live in the Dallas TX area, been in TX for 8 years. I work for a legal firm as a paralegal in public benefits which I've done since I was about 31 years old. I'm 63. I'm a case handler so I actually do representation within administrative law. I want to retire in a couple of years. My husband, Terry, says he will never retire, but I told him he can do what he wants, but I'm retiring and doing some things I'd like to do, rather than advocate for everybody else. I'm originally from Florida and my husband's job brought us to Dallas.

There are many of you not in the US. Love the pictures earlier of the Norway scenery. All the pictures are nice. The flowers are beautiful that have been posted and the fairy garden. So, ladies, you are my kind of company.

I don't want to bore you guys to death before I get your welcome, so thank you for your time. Love this blog/thread. Freida