WOMEN AGES 50+ FOR NOVEMBER 2016

Hi Everyone,
I am new to the group but want to say you ALL have inspired me. I turn fifty next month and really want to make my health and happiness a priority. At a little bit of a life cross roads but want to focus on the positive as I am a true believer on what you focus on gets grows : )

2.5 years ago I lost my mom. We had a some what distance relationship. I lived about 250 miles from her and during her last couple of months i went home to help take care of her with my sisters. At the end my sisters had to work a lot and it was me and mom a good deal of the time. It helped heal some of the things and when she left us i ate my way up 35 pounds. Such a waste.

So now 2.5 later i am struggling to get it off. My plan is to stop beating myself up and focus on the good things about me so i can feel good and motivated.

November Goals.
Workout: Walking 6 days a week 2-3 miles (walking the dog)
Total steps per day: 12,000-14,000
Weight Training - 3-4 days a week
Log all food
Claorie goal 14-1500 per day
if i go off stay under 2,000 Calories
Lose 4 pounds this month
Drink 6-8 glasses of water per day (Really trying to increase water)

When i had my 3rd child this was my plan and I lost 40 pounds in 6 months. So back to basics.

Thanks for sharing your inspiration and listening. : )

Chilly in Rhode Island

Sherry 18 wheelers? Wow, what a woman! ...My dream is to pare my stuff down to "pup tent" living but I am very far from that goal. Congratulations on your success in that arena. I love your new digs. Lisa has been a role model and there are others here whose ranks you join as a clutter buster!

Lisa Your post was full of good news! Great news on your VA health care eligibility! So many people are grumpy about the affordable care act but it has provided options for many people that they would not have had.

Heather This is going to sound weird, but I am so excited to hear how horrible the conservatory is because you can remodel gleefully with no second thoughts. I looked very closely at your floor plan, and that conservatory area, in conjunction with your kitchen area, has such potential! I don't know where your weight bearing walls are, but most of that ground floor could be a large, mostly open, area that could be defined by furniture placement, providing a terrific place to entertain if you wanted to, and would be really conducive to having grandkids about. I LOVE your house, I do hope everything works out the way you want!

Concerning the Christmas Cake, it reminded me of a quest that I have. I want to perfect or find a fruitcake recipe that does not have candied fruit in it, with the possible exception of candied ginger, which is not technically a fruit. What I am after is something with a ton of nuts and dried fruit barely held together with the batter and properly preserved with liquor. Anybody have input? Have been thinking about this for years. I hate candied fruit and am not at all fond of maraschino cherries.

NYKaren I smiled when I read about your hummus and veggies. I bought red pepper hummus in individual serving sized containers and a bag of red, orange, and yellow bell peppers. Ate a whole pepper and the container of hummus at work yesterday & it was SO DELICIOUS and about 150 calories. I have to remember that I love healthy food a lot more than I love junk in any form. I have a weird mentality that says I am not "worth" healthy food because I don't comply 100% with a healthy eating plan. Talk about self-defeating! Giving that up, bye-bye unworthy thoughts.

DJ I love your posts.

Barbie Don't you love the way fresh sheets feel and smell? A clean, fresh bed is such a luxury.

Monique and DJ I am insulin resistant (carb sensitive) too. The way I know is that my morning/fasting blood sugars hang around 105-107 instead of under 100. Eating a high carb meal causes my blood sugars to be higher for longer before it returns to normal. So, like many others here, I do better on a lower carb diet. I did Atkins for awhile but now I am happy to keep carbs under 100g per day.

Michele Butt Bible LOL!!!!!

Janetr Nice house pics, hope you are well, rash-free, and having as much fun as it looks like you are!

Gloworm You are my hero. Ohmmmmmmmmm!

Penny Have decided to eat one pound of raw veggies per day. Three days later, I am really happy with my decision. One bell pepper yields almost 8 oz...it isn't that hard to do...thanks for the idea. xo

Cheri

Hugs and encouragement to everyone else!

Today I am hoping to take my grandson to the Poe museum. I think he will love it.

Karen in Virginia playing with grandson today

Peach1948 wrote: »

Janet ~ I hope your trip to Tybee is fun. During the last hurricane, I think there might have been a lot of damage. Let us know!

People that were next door to us in the RV were over there the other day and climbed to the top of the lighthouse, she didn't mention any damage. She did tell we needed to go over there.



Janetr okc (on thw way toTybee Island)

Welcome Chilly in Rhode Island. My grandparents was born there and according to the Family Tree there are relatives still there.

Lillian in West Central Saskatchewan

Rita, great pictures of your grandson.

Janetr okc

Sherry in Portland: I hope you will be pleased with your new lifestyle. :flowerforyou:

Newbies: Welcome to a great group of supportive women. :flowerforyou:

Michele: My "fall back" issues happen annually, but they feel worse this year. It is weird that I travelled two time zones away and back without trouble, but am struggling with setting the clock back an hour. I guess that is one time change too many for my biological clock. :ohwell:

Gloria: Thanks for the egg recipe! It looks like great party food.

Lisa: Good luck with your many changes, and with the two election pieces. I'd love to have a preview of both of your editorials. :flowerforyou:

Heather: I love what you shared about your diet lifestyle. I think it is very positive for those who are new to see how you've been able to succeed.



Like Heather, I've been here quite a while. I started at 210 lbs on October 15, 2012 and have lost 76.5 pounds in all, as of today. I reached my initial goal of 140 pounds August 12, 2014 but decided to go a little lower for a margin of error. I've been bumping around the 135-136 zone since then. Once in a while I've gone up as far as 137, but it has been for only a day or two. I have counted calories for every bite and swallow since I began. It worked to lose weight and it also works to maintain weight. I prefer a protein rich diet because I feel best that way. It ends up that I also have a relatively high fat diet. I love dark green veggies such as broccoli and brussels sprouts, and enjoy salads. My exercise choices are yoga, walking, and horseback riding. I ride a recumbent bike to burn calories if I've over eaten or want to earn a treat.

Election day is tomorrow. This is a tough election and I voted a while back since Oregon has a mail-in election for all elections. I voted, but I didn't get to vote my first choice in the national election because that person lost in the primary. I did get to vote for first choices in state and local elections.


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

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

Good Morning Ladies,

Heather, your food always sounds so delicious. I feel like I cook such plain dishes but then that is what I like so it’s okay. I also eat pretty low carb with a few exceptions. I love meat as much as veggies so never have any trouble getting my protein. Thank goodness DH and I both like chicken a lot as that is the main dish at least 5 nights a week.

Valerie, welcome. You have started on a life journey and found a wonderful place for support and information. I know from friends that you will still struggle with eating right so tracking your food is important to find what works best for you. Come here often and let us know what’s going on.

Monique, thanks for the explanation. I have a question for all of you Oregonians….Do you actually get to go to the polls and vote tomorrow? MY DD moved there and said she got her ballot in the mail and is to fill it out and drop it off at a certain place or mail it in, but didn’t think you could actually go vote on election day. Each state is so different and very interesting.

Barbie, you are just the “Bomb”. You remind me of the Energizer Bunny. I mean, didn’t even slow down for back surgery. I’m so happy you are healing so well!!! ((((Hugs))))

MicheleNC, I was very impressed with all you did for the Halloween party. I don’t know if I’d go to that much trouble if the Queen were going to visit. LOL But that’s partly because I’m so lazy. Anyway, a huge congrats on everything being absolutely wonderful. I hope everyone enjoyed it. Now are you going to go that extravagant for Christmas? I love Christmas and Christmas decorations so can’t wait to see what all you do. I like to start with my Christmas decorations by December 1st, but the Cruise is Dec. 2nd and having company before and after it, so probably won’t get everything down from the attic until after she leaves on the 10th. That will really put me behind so I need to rethink this.

Gloria, my mother used to make fruitcake every year and I didn’t like it as a child. My best friend has an aunt that makes fruit cake cookies (we call ‘em “Lizzies”) that I absolutely love!!!! She gets me a couple of dozen every Christmas and I dole them out like gold.

SueBDue, Christmas at Disney with family sounds wonderful. Even though it’s not traditional I’ll bet it will be a Christmas to remember.

Lisa, when you work at home are you in the camper or in the warehouse? Just curious. I’m so happy that you are getting to cut back to part time.

Heather, I had to look up mangetout. Now that I know it’s snow peas, I love them. That is something I very rarely buy for some reason. Think I’ll put it on the shopping list. Thanks. I do eat lots of broccoli and cauliflower. (later) you said they aren't snowpeas but that's what Google told me? I guess they are similar?

Penny, thanks for the geography game. I will check it out later, but sounds like fun.

CarolGA,

Chilly, welcome. This is a wonderful place for support and information so come often. It sounds like you have a plan for success so please share with us often.

KarenVA, good for you on getting rid of that notion that you aren’t “worth” healthy food. You know you are, girl!!! The hummus and bell pepper sounds wonderful. I like hummus a lot but my brain goes to dipping chips in it. Boo hiss. Now I’ll think veggies!!! Thanks, friend.

Rita, glad you had fun with your DGS. He is one handsome boy!!! Congrats on the loss!!!!

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 slept so well last night which was wonderful after the restless night before. I am so happy that election day is almost here which means the madness is almost over. I don’t even enjoy watching the news any more since it is almost all about the election. Enough is enough!!! I hope that whoever wins will do a good job for our Country and try to unite us once again. Thank you ladies for all your posts. Please know that each one is important to me in one way or another.
Sending love and good thoughts to all of you and I hope you all have a Happy and Healthy 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

Hi all!

The dried fruit, glacé cherries, mixed peel and orange zest are soaking in the orange juice and brandy. We will finish the cake tomorrow.

Our viewer said he's still mulling it over, but is worrying about the proximity of the neighbouring properties, particularly the large house on the left, so I don't think it is a goer. I told the agent they were quiet and useful for taking in parcels. Actually we find them a pain.

We spent the afternoon hanging laundry, heavy mall shopping, unpacking, preparing cake and cooking chorizo stew. Then, because I had promised you all that I would, I did some tidying in the garage - i.e. throwing away old garden stuff. Phew!
Happy to chill now.

Karen - I'm sure you could adapt any nutty rich fruit cake recipe and just leave out the things you don't like.
When I originally saw the house I thought all the walls would have to come out, but I'm having a slightly more conservative idea now, leaving the dining room walls and extending out a bit and knocking all that rear bit through. That would leave room at the back of the kitchen for a utility and toilet. Oh well, we aren't there yet. I have everything crossed.
Don't forget, hummus is very high in calories. Good thing you had an individual portion.! It is one of my favourite things so I don't buy it.

Love Heather UK xxxxxxx

Just beginning "My Fitness Pal" journey today. I'm 51, saw this group and decided it was for me. I've never "joined" a group before, but thought it might help keep me motivated if I followed along with others who have similar goals at a similar stage in life, and share the ups and inevitable downs. I never had a weight problem until I had my children, which I did later in life, around age 40. Since then, the weight has been pretty tough to lose. I tried a couple of years ago and lost 11 pounds, but it creeped back on and trying what used to work before (just giving up dessert and candy) isn't effective any more. The weight keeps slowly building. I'm about 35 lbs heavier than my ideal weight and am noticing its significantly harder to keep up with my boys and even things like crossing my legs and tying my shoes are becoming noticeably more difficult, and I'm always out of breath when I arrive at the office, having walked just about two blocks from the parking lot. I have a very sedentary desk job, and am often sitting here for 12 hours and even more. I've never enjoyed exercise, and have never really belonged to a gym. Before kids I used to walk a treadmill a few times per week at home, but don't have one available any longer.

My goals:
Stop the mindless eating when I feel stressed or blue, and when packing school lunches.
Try my best to stick to 1,200 calories daily until I reach my target (which should take about 6 months)
Drink 8 glasses of water daily
Become more active as weight is lost and I (hopefully) have more energy (I have NONE now, it just seems hard to get through the days).

If any of you have tips about how to avoid the stress/blues munching, I'm listing...I sometimes start snacking at night and even as I'm eating I tell myself I should not do this, yet I continue as if it's somehow going to make me feel better, despite the fact that I know I'll feel worse when I'm done. I know better, and yet I can't stop the cycle.

Thanks!
APG91

APG - -1200 calories sounds too low to me. If you are 35 lbs overweight your mfp allowance will be higher. Don't try to lose more than 1 lb a week. Going too low only ends in bingeing. Try to eat at a level that is sustainable over a lifetime, not for a short spell. Remenber to add in your exercise calories so you can eat more. That way you will not feel hungry.
It is no use asking too much of yourself. A good sustainable regime, cultivating good daily habits, is the way to go. We all want it to happen yesterday, but this is for life, not for a few months, so it is important to enjoy ourselves.

My chorizo stew was fabulous! It came in at 500, which is way over my usual amount, but I am well within limits today and I didn't count in my active afternoon.

Love Heather UK xxxxxxx

.

Happiest voting memory, every year taking my daughter into the voting booth; this is the first year I will be going in all by myself in 18 years! And yes, my DD showed us a pic of her mailing in her ballot--we were so proud.

NYKAREN

Heather - I too looked up your mangetout as I'd never heard of it. Maybe you can tell me the difference between bangors and polish sausage?

Penny - be safe there darned global warming!

Carol - that is such a happy emoticon - just love it.

My crockpot meal the other night was a big hit with the boys. Whole potatoes in the bottom (peeled or not), chicken on top (frozen or not), about 1 cup BBQ sauce (basted again about half way through). Cooked on high for about 5 hours until the skin was pulling away from the drumstick. DGS#1 says this is my 3rd best recipe after pork chops and brined chicken breasts!

Started out the low carb day with coffee and scrambled eggs with a little shredded cheese. Now I need to work on my menu for the week and decide what's for dinner tonight. Either hamburgers or pork tenderloin (the tenderloins were on sale for half price the other day so I bought 3 and threw them in the freezer).

I've already been to counseling with DGS#1, the library to pick up 'The Dance of Anger' and '1, 2, 3 Magic' (a type of discipling which I have used in the past), loaded the dish washer, called about a chair I would like to have for my desk off of Craigslist, and now going to do laundry oh yeah . . . and fill out my ballot.

Later gators!

Gloria on a roll in WA

hey Glo I found 1 2 3 Magic a really helpful book. It can be wonderful but use it consistently and fairly. It is so important to take some of the frustration and emotion out of the equation when disciplining but boundaries and respect are so important in raising a citizen !
Your under pinning of love you have for your grandchildren is so beautiful
NYKAREN

Sherry, several people don't put a post, just some kind of punctuation mark. It marks where they have read to, it's quick and easy.

Barbara, I can't imagine how in the world a person could put up a pool without reading directions. Well, my son in law could and did. He is smart like that.

Ellie, my almost 10 year old DGD is doing a radio spot today. They had a local radio asking kids to write about things the were thankful for and on one day it was about seatbelt. Several years ago they were in a bad car wreck and the kids were left hanging upside down by their seat belts. So they liked her story and asked her, and many others to be recorded. From what she wrote, they made a 15 second and 30 second script. So she did that and it caught the ear of another radio station. So they are in Louisville, Ky today doing that live interview. And she can be ad lib. I don't know how they will be able to shut down shop for the day if they allow this kid to be ad lib!

As you all know we are having our family Christmas at a rec hall that belongs to our local Baptist association. It is just a big room with a kitchen off to the side. It does have a large fireplace with a big hearth. It will be our responsibility to take the round tables and chairs that are stacked and set up our space. There are two bathrooms and small storage room. So we will have 9 kids and all of us adults there. My DGD are 10 and 15, the remaining kids are 5 and under, don't know each other since they see each other once a year, 3 are shy, 3 are warriors and would beat some one up if some one took a toy and then a new born. As far as adults, there be the Mom of the newborn who is the Mom of the 3 warriors, we will never be sure if my nephew is the dad to any on these kids except the newborn and we know he is not. Then the other 3 will be there with his Mom who is afraid to leave them there with their father who will be there with his current main squeeze. But in any other year, they are in town together, share a hotel room together and in each others arms whenever possible. But the main squeeze will be here so who knows what those dynamics will be there. I think for entertainment we should buy a box of condoms, blow them up and let the kids toss them around like balloons, then deflate them and give them to my 2 nephews. The Mom of the 3 shy kids is engaged and we are wondering if her soon to be husband will join her next year.

Christina just called, Ellie had her radio spot recorded, they didn't have to give her any cues, when they stopped for commercials, she just started talking. I guess she is used to her Dad's recording studio he has in their house. He does Christian podcasts on using echnology in the church. She was presented by the Head of Department of transportation of Kentucky with a medallion saying she is an ambasodor. She is the only child that this has been given to, a few adults have it. But it was because of her bravery in the wreck and her willingness in talking about it so freely.

Joyce, proud Grandma in Indiana