WOMEN AGES 50+ FOR JULY

Thank nyou all for your replies anbout my knee pain. Yesterday for some reason the pain was better, manageanble, and then I slept pretty good. This morning I woke up and I was in deep pain and took a celebrex at 6 am, but at 9 am was still in deep pain, got up, showered and iced the knee and the back (lower)...right side... I can't sleep other than on my left side (it's my right knee), and all night I remain on that side.. probably causing the pain in my back in the morning...
The weight is still stable, small gain, small loss, nothing changed in about a week. Expect to lose when I have the TKR, as on pain meds, someone said you lose your appetite.
I can't stand this pain, not looking forward to surgery (never had any before), but I can't live with this pain anymore..
Natalie

Natalie, can you sleep on your back with a pillow beneath your knees? I have always been a side sleeper but after I had my knee replacement surgery I woke up in the hospital on my back attached to the continuous motion machine and had to learn to sleep that way for weeks. If I knew before the surgery that I would have to relearn how to sleep in a different position I would have practiced....It was several weeks before I was able to sleep on my side again, but it was wonderful when that happened.
If I can give you one bit of advice it would be to listen to everything your physical therapist says even if it hurts and you don't want to, I actually referred to mine as a Physical Terrorist, do all your exercises everyday and ice, ice ,ice ...that is key to getting use back in your knee. I always made sure that I had taken a pain pill before the PT got to my house for therapy. My heart and hugs go out to you, I have been there not so long ago and know exactly how you feel right now. Because I was so scared before my surgery I went looking online for a support group and that is when I found Bonesmart...the girls on there talked me through every question and fear I had and were terrific afterwards too. xoSissy

Natalie, can you sleep on your back with a pillow beneath your knees? I have always been a side sleeper but after I had my knee replacement surgery I woke up in the hospital on my back attached to the continuous motion machine and had to learn to sleep that way for weeks. If I knew before the surgery that I would have to relearn how to sleep in a different position I would have practiced....It was several weeks before I was able to sleep on my side again, but it was wonderful when that happened.
If I can give you one bit of advice it would be to listen to everything your physical therapist says even if it hurts and you don't want to, I actually referred to mine as a Physical Terrorist, do all your exercises everyday and ice, ice ,ice ...that is key to getting use back in your knee. I always made sure that I had taken a pain pill before the PT got to my house for therapy. My heart and hugs go out to you, I have been there not so long ago and know exactly how you feel right now. Because I was so scared before my surgery I went looking online for a support group and that is when I found Bonesmart...the girls on there talked me through every question and fear I had and were terrific afterwards too. xoSissy

I did go to bonesmart, they are wonderful, very supportive. I have and still am reading everything on that website.
How long ago did you have your knee done? Did you have a femoral block? Supposedly you don't get out of bed until the next day.
I know that I will have to sleep on my back... used to be a back sleeper but not for a long time, been in too much pain from my knees to sleep on my back, so I sleep on my side, and now its just the left side, hurts to sleep on right side with other knee pressing down, I put pillow between knees, helps some, but my back kills in the morning.
I am SO SCARED... never had nothing done, except childbirth...
Natalie

chicklet - I got my pocketbook at WalMart. It was marked down, probably because it isn't very fashionable. But it IS large. Oh, theatres say that they don't allow outside food and drinks. But if you put them in your pocketbook, what are they going to do? Search your pocketbook? I'd say go for it, take your own snacks. When the lights go down in the theater, no one will know the difference. The one and only time I don't use it is when we go to this one movie theatre where the movies are $2. They don't make their money on the movies, they make it on the concessions. Honestly, I usually wind up having something to fill me up before I go. I just feel sorry, I'm grateful that they show movies for $2. Admitted, they have usually been out quite a while. I highly doubt you can order it online. Just look in any store for a pocketbook that is large, has a zipper so no one can see what you have in the bag (someone can see if the bag is just snapped closed). You might want to check out their "discontinued" items. Hey, the end of summer is a good time. There are lots of beach bags that will be going on sale, they are usually quite large.

Sounds like you are taking good care of yourself. You know, one time Denise was REALLY giving us problems. I went to the Y and took a step class. Admitted, I stood in front of the room so I could run out to the bathroom to get sick if I needed to. But when I was done, I actually didn't feel like killing someone. However, Vince didn't work out, when I got home from the Y that day he told me that he'd gotten physically sick. I believe it, I know that I was on the verge of getting sick, too, and I truly believe that the exercise helped. I'm sure it's helping you.

Oh, I so badly wanted to see "Bridesmaids". It was showing so I waited until Jessica came down here because I knew that Vince would have no interest whatsoever in seeing it. Unfortunately, they changed the movies the day before she got here. Then, when we were in FL I was hoping it would be showing there so Lynette and I could go -- no luck.

Well, two days ago I just had some steel cut oats for dinner, and the Wii said I'd lost 2.5 pounds. Last night I had a big dinner (admitted, most of it was veges) and this a.m. the Wii says I gained. Maybe what I need to do is have a large lunch and a light dinner.

I just made Vince a chocolate cake. He's a BIG chocoholic. If he EVER knew that instead of all the oil that the cake calls for, I put in prune puree, he would never eat it. I remember once a long time ago I put an oil substitute in these brownies I'd made. Everyone thought they were the greatest. So I made them again, same mix only this time Denise saw me put the oil substitute into them. Suddenly no one would eat them. So now I've learned -- if I'm going to put prune puree in something, just do it when Vince isn't around. He'll never know the difference.

Have the lemon cheesecake to take to the bowling alley. Just waiting for the cake to be done then I'll go bowling some. I'm hoping to meet up with some people who can help me. I know one guy is a REAL good bowler. He substituted on our team once, and he got something like a 270. Me? I'm happy when I break 100. Perhaps he can give me some pointers. Don't want that lemon cheesecake in the house, better on their hips than mine, that's for sure...lol

Natalie - so sorry you are in such pain. Sending good vibes

Welcome comfortableme! I look forward to hearing more about your exercises. What do you do on the elliptical/treadmill/bike (is it an upright where you can stand?) and which machines do you use?

Bowled 5 games today. Each of the games I broke 100 in (but not by much). I did an hour on the Wii of the balance games today. Tomorrow I'll take the extremepump class.

barbie - thanks so much for your explanation of how you log your food (you, too, Sissy). If we're going out to eat, I do try to peruse the menu before I go. Like a while ago this gal who was on the Newcomers bowling league wanted to go to a bbq place for dinner. I'm not much for bbq but by going there I found out that if I special ordered it, they would grill me some chicken to put on my salad.

Today I just don't feel like eating a whole lot. My sinuses are acting up so I took a decongestant. That ALWAYS dries me out. I know what the drill is, first I'll get cold, then hot, I'll have trouble falling asleep, I don't feel like eating but want to drink. Well...it could be worse. This doesn't happen often to me since we moved to NC, but occasionally it does.

Hope everyone has a great evening.

Michele

HI!I`m proud of myself.I have difficulty when it comes to going to affairs.Had a wedding reception tonite.
Planned what I was gonna eat.I told myself no cake.Well got there ,there was a whole table of homemade Italian cookies.I was so proud of myself,didn`t touch 1,because 1 would have led to 2,3 +.I drank my ice water and was content.
For me this is a huge moment and wanted to share with you all.
have a great night to wonderful ladies.
jane

Good Morning, Dear Ladies,

Jane: WTG! Doesn't it feel wonderful when you walk away from something tempting? Pat yourself on the back, girl!

Barbie: Congratulations on selling and buying a house and getting things sorted and packed. It's a huge job but it sounds like you are on top of everything. It also sounds like you are going to have a wonderful new space to call home:happy:

I am driving down the mountain today to get more shrubs, stock up on food and run other errands. Things are very pricey on the mountain. I like to support the local stores but sometimes when I have a huge list I just have to go to "town". Another beautiful day here. Take care, everyone. I am so glad that you are all here Kackie

:flowerforyou: Good morning! Today I am going to post every meal and walk on the treadmill for at least 10 minutes. That doesn't seem like alot, but sometimes my knee won't take any more. Two years ago my kids and I were racing on our bikes, I stood up to pedal harder and something popped in my knee. It has been a problem since. Two day ago though, my husband and I were riding bikes and when I started to pedal, something popped again and I think it undid whatever I did to it two years ago! I'm taking it slow until the muscles get strengthened again. Cool huh?:bigsmile: Hope you all have a wonderful, focused day!:flowerforyou:

Hmmmm Haven't really been setting goals. Maybe that's the reason for slow progress. Could use some help getting started - or getting "real". Thanks.

@kathy50nye: Welcome! One day at a time. What helps me is tracking my food every day, every meal, every snack. Tracking my exercise motivates me because it shows me how many calories I've burned and that I can eat more!! I never seem to go over or even reach my calorie goal. I have MFP app on my phone too. So when I am out I can still track my food. I don't wait until the end of the day because I can never remember exactly what I ate or how much water I drank. Good luck on your journey.

Ann

Hi everyone, sorry I've not been in touch for a while, not been in a chatty mood sorry.

I'll be glad when tomorrow is over - I'm sure everything will be fine (all the nurses at work keep telling me so too) but I am a little nervous. I've been told I might need to take between 5 days and 2 wks off work, but it depends on how sore I am afterwards.

I hope I am one of the first to get done, I have to be at the hospital for 7:30 a.m. good job I get up early anyway, but must remember no breakfast for me - just plain old water. It will be the waiting around that will make me more nervous.

I'll catch up with you all in a few days.

Bye for now

Viv xx

Good day.Spent part of our 18 year anniversary with my 3 year old grand daughter.She`s always so much fun.
Got a 45 min swim in.
Viv,good luck tomorrow.
Everyone who is struggling with motivation-U CAN DO IT!!!1 day at a time.
Now`s time for you to take care of u.
have a great day!
HUGS
jane

Well, here I sit at the computer at 3:25 (yes, a.m.). I told you I wouldn't be able to sleep! I've already put away the dishes that had to air dry, put the newspapers into recycling, emptied the recyclables, and now I'm on the computer.

Say, does anyone have any suggestions? This Friday we're supposed to go to a baseball game. We're having a "dinner" right before the game. It's something like burgers, chips, hot dogs, bbq, cole slaw, chili, dessert tray (I'm sure that doesn't include fruit), and pepsi products. What would be the healthiest of choices? Vince arranged for it so it would be rude for us not to be there and eat. But what would be the healthiest of choices?

Congrats janemartin on the good choices. You seem to know a lot about yourself, you knew that 1 cookie would lead to 2 which would lead to 3, that's great that you just stayed away.

chicklet - the prune puree that I use is the baby food, just the pure prunes, not the prunes with apples or blueberries. If Vince can't tell the difference in a chocolate cake, then it doesn't change the taste. Gerber usually has it in these small plastic containers, usually about 2.5oz in each container. Applesauce changes it a little, not much. I've also substituted pure pumpkin puree (usually get it in a can, Libby makes it) for the oil, but the pumpkin does change the taste. One thing I make around Halloween is take a box of the spice cake mix (Duncan Hines is the only one I've found who makes a spice cake mix) mix in a small can of the pumpkin and then bake at 350 for 30 minutes. One box usually will make a dozen muffins. Not bad on the calories, either. At least this is a healthier alternative for a dessert. Not the greatest, but certainly not the worst either. And with the spices, you can't taste the pumpkin. One time I made brownies with pumpkin instead of the oil. You could faintly taste the pumpkin, but they were very moist. Of course, even tho they were brownies, Vince wouldn't eat them, so I did. To me, they were quite good. I've tried using the prune puree in white cakes and it does change the color somewhat. It is much healthier for you, something like 124 calories for 1 Tbs (most recipes call or 1//4 to 1/2 cup) of oil, versus like 93 for 2Tbs of the prune puree. Good for you having that pie! I know me, and if I don't have at least a little bite of what I'm craving, then that's all that I can think of. So I'll have a bite

What exercises did you find to be able to do in the pool? When we were at the condo, I went into the pool the morning we left. They had noodles so I would stretch my arms out holding each end of the noodle and swim on my side, I also would swim forward, would bicycle my legs, march, do a ski motion where I extend my arms and legs alternately. I'm always on the lookout for something new to be able to do. I'm hoping (hoping, hoping) for my pool and I will be able to suppliment my exercise by using the pool. I'll probably still go to a class at least once/week because I found that a group motivated me to not slack off.

I just checked Calorie King about the basball "dinner". I would have thought the chili would have had less calories, but according to them 1 cup has 287 calories whereas one hamburger has 279 calories. Not that big a difference, I know, but it was surprising just the same. I don't really know why the book "Eat This Not That" recommends a hot dog as the best choice at a baseball game. The hot dog has 464 calories and I'm sure all kinds of preservatives. So looks like the best choices (not that they're stellar, but they're better than the others) are a hamburger and chili.

Did an hour of the extremepump today. Tomorrow, I'll do a step DVD and then I found out that there's a class in TaiChi at 9:00 so I'll try that. Maybe if I get good enough, I can take a DVD with me when we go down to FL Update: Vince wants to cut the grass tomorrow before it gets too hot, and for some reason he wants someone home when he does (I think he's thinking in case of an accident at least someone is here), so I'll go to taichi next week and just do the DVD at home tomorrow.

Kathy - welcome to a great place to be! You'll find lots of support and hints here.

Viv - good luck tomorrow. I'll be thinking of you.

janemartin - happy anniversary!

Here's hoping everyone has a great evening!

Michele

Just a quick good morning to everyone before I begin my 8 hours of work! I'm not complaining..... I truly love my job and am bless that 1) I have a job and 2) that I love what I do. It makes a big difference when you can get up in the morning and not hate to go to work. I worked in a job for 5 years that I literally hated and it took its toll on me. My life has changed since I started working where I am now about 4 1/2 years ago.

I was delighted again this morning when I weighed in and lost another lb. 3 lbs. since July 12..... I'll take it!!!! I actually took some measurements last night (which I hadn't done previously), so I'm going to start tracking them also.

My biggest struggle since started my journey has been BREAKFAST! I have never been a breakfast eater and I know it's probably the most important meal, but I've just never been one to eat in the morning. However, I began trying to get something in each morning, starting slowly with a granola snack bar about 9:00 am at my desk. That is the earliest I can get food down in the morning. I've worked myself up to a little more..... light English Muffin with spreadable fruit and a turkey sausage patty yesterday and today I'm having a light English Muffin with a stick of low-fat string cheese. I'm trying! But it's still a little difficult. I guess eventually I'll get used to it and be able to vary what I eat in the mornings.

I am in this for the long haul! It didn't take a couple days to put on the 40 lbs. I want to lose..... and I know it won't take a couple of days to get rid of those dreaded lbs..... but 3 lbs. is a beginning!

Have a wonderful and healthy day everyone! :drinker: