WOMEN AGES 50 + FOR JANUARY 2019

I'm in a bit of a hurry, so I'm not going to try to assign individual responses this time. I'm a night owl myself. I'm usually up around 8 am, and go to bed around two am. Some of my most productive hours are between midnight and sunrise. I've always preferred late nights. As a kid, I'd go to bed as ordered, and stay up late reading with a night light. I can manage to capture the morning hours, but only if I get an afternoon siesta.

Last night I forgot my resolution to not go to bed with dishes in the sink, and I was too tired at 3:30 when I went to bed. So I got up and tackled them first thing this morning. My dishes are done, my kitchen is organized, and laundry is going. Tomorrow I'll tackle the Christmas decorations. Part of me wants to leave them up until Epiphany on the 6th, but I don't know what that is so I don't have the religious reason.

I got a new bicycle for Christmas, and it's all assembled and adjusted--but the rain is keeping it-and me-inside. For the cyclists on here, what's the difference between a department store Schwinn, and one that costs much more from a specialty store? I don't know that I'll ever be dedicated enough to invest in one of those. My little beach cruiser is an adorable orange, has a wide seat, upright handlebars, mud guards, and just seven gears. (I never knew what to do with ten to fifteen gears.) It's got a lifetime guarantee, and it's rust-resistant. I'm going to get a bell and a basket for the front--guaranteeing no self-respecting young thief would steal it.

For the runners on here, how do you get started? Have you always been runners, or did you have to work up to it? Any advice for a beginner? I'll be honest, running is something I've never been able to do, even when I was a kid. I joined the track team in fifth grade, but the only thing I was good at was sprinting. I'm too short for the jumps and hurdles, and longer distances left me gasping for air long before the finish line. Everyone in my family smoked--except me--so I think my lungs were poisoned from the beginning. A facebook friend is talking about doing a 5k in March, and I'd like to be able to join in. I doubt I'll be able to run it, but I should be able to manage a brisk walk or slow jog if I get start working up to it now.

Last night I had about 120 calories left, so I got out the leftovers. Cranberry casserole and sweet potato casserole, on a saucer, warmed up in the microwave. I ate the four bites of the cranberry, and four bites of the sweet potato--which was so sweet. I sat down to log before I finished, and discovered what I wanted to ignore--those casseroles were loaded with calories. I scraped the rest into the trash. Yo-yo is a kid's toy, not how I want to live. Skinny me is waiting in August, and I can't pile up sweet potatoes and sugar if I want to meet her.

Cari in cold, rainy North Texas

Here's our sweet puppy, Leif, if you're interested in seeing his cuteness.

Felicia
Willamette Valley, Oregon

Today is National Science Fiction Day!

I had to do this one because I've been an SF fan since my college days. "The date of January 2 was chosen for National Science Fiction Day as it corresponds with the birth date of famed science fiction writer Isaac Asimov. Considered a master of hard science fiction, Asimov, along with Robert A. Heinlein and Arthur C. Clarke, was considered one of the “Big Three” science-fiction writers during his lifetime. The Foundation Series is regarded as Asimov’s most outstanding piece. His other major series are the Galactic Empire Series and the Robot Series."

Michele - You ladies who don't do anesthetic at the dentist are bad*kitten*s as far as I'm concerned. I want anesthetic for any procedure that involves drilling, and gas for anything more complicated than that! My exposure to modern dentistry came rather late - as a child we all saw the dentist who had been my dad's family dentist for many years. None of us realized just how far dentistry had advanced until Dr. Stewart retired. As a result, I'm a pretty good patient but I am the farthest possible thing from relaxed when I'm in the chair.

Machka - You are both in my thoughts. I can only imagine how hard the uncertainty must be. There's an ad running locally lately where a disabled veteran with TBI says something to the effect that the doctors say he's reached his plateau but "I don't think I have a plateau." For some reason that sticks with me.

Kelly - One reason I've been reluctant to start household projects is that "pulling the thread" factor. In a house as old as ours, even the simplest job on the surface can open up a larger can of worms that have to be dealt with.

Carol - Our family burns a bayberry candle on New Year's Eve and makes Hoppin' John (black-eyed peas and collards) for New Year's Day.

Cheri - I had a little trouble with that 60-year milestone too. Doesn't seem possible!

Margaret - Those flowers are so lovely. Thank you for sharing your photos.

Cari - I wonder if those traits you described for Vader are part of the chow package. Luna is also a chow mix, and she is suspicious of anything or anyone new. Barks like crazy but is very very cautious about approaching anyone. Not so much the rest of it, though... she is good on leash and very smart. I have to pay close attention when we take her places with us because she's cute and fluffy and has a bad habit of wagging her tail and looking friendly, then snapping when someone reaches down to pet her. It's just a warning - she's never connected - but it's not acceptable. I don't want to force her to interact with people she's not comfortable with, but I do wish we could break her of the snapping. I just watch very carefully and head people off when they look like they might try to interact with her.

Kylia - What wonderful news about Aubrey! Glad she is doing well and that her mom and dad could have a little break.

Lisa - The drafting table is fabulous, and it'll be good for all kinds of projects besides painting!

dauchsmom - Welcome! Are you familiar with the Square Meals cookbook (Jane & Michael Stern)? Its focus is American food from the 1920s to the 1950s, and it's a fun read.


Yikes! I found the new January link belatedly so I posted to December yesterday. So what I sat down today I was already seven pages behind. Apparently I'm just going to be a little behind and backwards all day. It's been pouring rain all day so I grabbed my umbrella and took a half hour off to pick up some groceries. When I got back I was starving and it was nearly 2 so I made a plate of raw veggies and hummus for a snack. Halfway through that, I realized the reason I was starving was that I thought about lunch before shopping but then got distracted and didn't eat any. So I guess I'll have my afternoon snack now and my lunch later...

Noom is going OK. I've lost some weight already, but it is likely mostly water weight from not keeping up my water intake over the holidays. The program spends a lot of time talking about the psychology of eating and weight loss, so I'm hoping it's going to help me break through the mental wall I've been beating my head against the past few months.

I've been walking Luna every day but it doesn't look like the rain is going to let up so this evening I'm thinking about wandering over to the gym to see what this week's workout is. They post a new challenge every week.

Hope you are all staying warm and dry.

-Yvonne in TX

Hi everyone, I introduced myself quickly last week and I am usually a listener type of partipcant. I am back on MFP after deleting my initial account a while back. Without getting into detail, life threw a few curve balls and I let my emotional eating get the best of me. My BP and cholesterol numbers are up and since I don’t want to take meds unless I absolutely have to, I will make dietary changes.


The biggest challenge I guess will be getting into a new routine. After being semi retired for two years, I am going back to school part time (political science and German classes) and starting a new part time job next week. I plan on going to the gym around 5:00 am three times a week and going running 3-4 times a week as well. That said, I am giving myself permission this time around to miss a workout and not feel guilty if I need the sleep or to switch my workouts around if my body isn’t feeling it (ie yoga instead of weight training). I will also try intermittent fasting a couple of days a week every few weeks and see how that goes.

Do changes you know you can do. Just because its January, doesn't mean we should implement every change all at once. The sheer idea of that, can set you into a tailspin. Baby steps. At the end of the day, for me, I wish to feel accomplished, not frustrated. I don't wish to feel guilty at the end of the day. I am worth more than to settle for eating food of not my choosing. I will plan my days so I won't be caught off guard. This is the first year I am not making resolutions. I am just going to not let food control my emotions anymore. That the scale does not hold that much importance. Food is just food, I will not attach emotions to it. Just smart choices. That's my plan anyway.💗,
Rebecca
Whidbey island
Washington

One of my visitors

I went to the gym this morning, did 30 minutes on the elliptical and then my class which was total body today. My knees were screaming on the lunges so I only did the upper body move when they hurt. Surprisingly, they were fine for squats and calf raises. It was raining outside so I did a Leslie Sansone video instead for my afternoon workout.

I’m trying a new Trim Healthy Mama sipper today called the Shrinker. It’s oolong tea, almond milk, cinnamon and cayenne pepper. It’s not bad. I like their sippers. They really do curb the soda cravings. I’m not sure the intermittent fasting is going to work for me. If I could do an 8 to 6 window instead of 11 to 8, it would suit me better, but Dave can’t stand having dinner that early. I’ll give it a week and reassess.

My blood type is B+ if anybody cares. Lol.

Dauchsmom: Welcome!!! :bigsmile:

Allie: Good luck with the new boss. :flowerforyou:

Barbie: Pizza and Chinese food have loads of salt. I bet that a little extra water will wash it out of your system.

Pip: I just checked my driver’s license and it doesn’t say my blood type. It does say that I am an organ donor. If there is a serious accident they have my permission to use whatever they want. I called my health care provider and they don’t record blood types and didn’t know where I could go to find out what mine is. My driver’s license says that I am an anatomical donor. Evidently they’ll type me when I pass away and they have my permission to use whatever they want. I wish I understood blood types better. :ohwell:

Lanette: We have had our first two frosts of the new year, barely touched yesterday and light frost on the lawn this morning. Our elevation is pretty low, 18 feet above sea level according to my phone.

Cari in Cold, rainy North TX: We enjoy sweet potatoes and they are health food on our list. We generally cook them in the microwave and eat them with a tiny bit of margarine. They don’t need sweet sauces and are a nutritional powerhouse. My Auntie Mimi used to make a sweet potato dish that was full of real butter and added sugar. It was at least one toe over the line into candied yam territory, and possibly well into candy store territory. :embarassed:

Felicia: I hope you’re able to find a good solution for your dog’s back/leg issues. We went through a back injury with our dog last year. It took a long time with loads of medicines, but ultimately they worked and he is doing well now. There may be hope for your dog, too. Leif is very cute. :flowerforyou:


I’m going to a meeting with fellow horse enthusiasts this evening. Something is up with one of our friends, and I’m worried for her. The problem is that I don’t know any details at all. I guess I’ll find out in an hour or so.

Katla in Beautiful NW Oregon

January 2019 Resolutions

1. Log every bite and swallow.
2. Cardio exercise at least 3 days a week. Work on strength and stamina.
3. Have fun every day.
4. Drink at least 3 glasses of water a day.
5. Monitor sleep. Average 7 or more hours nightly.
6. Avoid alcohol.