WOMEN AGES 50+ FOR MAY 2019

Hello all!

Who am I?
I'm Elizabeth and I live in Decatur, GA, which is really part of Atlanta. I just turned 55. I grew up in the Los Angeles area (Northridge, if you know LA) and my dad still lives there. I have a sister who is my best friend and lives in Toronto. I married the love of my life almost 4 years ago. It took us a while to find each other! We have two cats, Linus and Lucy(that's Lucy in my profile pic), and a 10 month old corgi named Pippin. I somehow ended up in university administration and have been at Emory for almost 22 years.

I've always struggled with having to lose 10-20 pounds. My mom passed away suddenly in Sept. 2017 and the weight crept on through having to manage things and grief. I was up to 171 (I'm 5'3"), eating poorly and not exercising. I had tried a lot of things in the past, but read something about MFP and decided to try it. I had been steadfastly against counting calories, but gave it a try. I met my first goal (30 pounds) very recently and am going for 5 more. Which, of course, are being incredible difficult to get rid of! I walk at least 10K steps most days, work out with a personal trainer 2 days a week, and am, for the first time in my life, starting to run.

I read this board most days and want to get better about posting too, so people can get to know me.

May goals:
Lose that blasted 5 pounds!
Post every day on MFP
Cook dinner at least 1x a week
Start meditating again

That's all for now!
Elizabeth GA

Hi ladies! I'm sticking pretty close to my goals so far, though I went over by 100-ish calories one day recently. It helps me a lot to know that other people can see what I'm doing/eating.

In a few minutes, I'll be going on my first bicycle ride in about 2-3 years. And more importanrly, my first since the 2 knees were replaced. I'm excited and scared at the same time.

I just set small goals for now, so I can achieve them and stay motivated. I am way out of shape, but not as bad as I thought.

Have a great day!

Barb

Carol - When my Grandmother went into the hospital and we found out she wouldn't be able to go home, they kept her at the hospital until a bed opened up in the nursing home, is that how it works there as well? You and Lisa both did so well with your knee surgeries. If I ever need one, you two will be my role models.

Kim - I like thrift store shopping too, when I went for jeans the other day I looked at the thrift store first. They didn't have any in the size I needed in the style I liked. I will be going there for some business clothes if I get this job, they had a good selection.

Michele - Denise is due this month isn't she? Is that why you are going there?

Heather - I think you are a tremendous Granny you just needed to be closer to enjoy it. Is there something in the Canesten that affects women over 65? That makes no sense to me why they won't sell it to you at a pharmacy. Interesting facts about obesity and poorer regions. I have often said that there must be a link. It is much more economical to eat processed foods than it is to eat fresh. I think it also has to do with education and how people are taught to cook.

Karen in VA - I totally agree with you, I bet that your childhood trauma did have an effect on your relationship with food. I am forever telling the people in my family to not force the kids to clean their plates. They know when they are hungry and when they are full and they should be allowed to stop. The problem is they say they are full and before the table is cleared are asking for a snack sometimes. So it's just that they don't want what was served. I don't know how to fix that part.

Lisa - Enjoy your day off, you deserve it!

Viv - Hugs to you. I am finding the time it takes me to read and comment is taking up a lot of my day as well. I know once I start working I won't be able to comment as much.

Karen in NY - "Just Walk on By", I love it. I will now have that song stuck in my head all day.

I am so loving all of the stories, Machka thanks so much for suggesting it.

I started my third set of swim lessons last night, this one is stroke improvement. I learned a lot in just the first night and the instructor really pushed me so my heart rate was up the whole time. It was great.

I didn't have the chat I was expecting yesterday from the lady about the job, as a matter of fact I have not even had a response to my email which is very strange. I hope she is OK, she has been very quick in responding for over two weeks so I am a little concerned.

Today I am going to go into my craft room and make some cards for Mothers Day for my MIL and Mom. I should get them in the mail this weekend.

I am watching the snow fall yet again today. It is supposed to rain all weekend and then next week we are finally supposed to get some nice weather. I hope that the forecast is accurate.

Have a great day everyone,
Tracey in Edmonton

Hi all,

I am Bonnie Lee. I am a 50-year old writer living in Vancouver, Canada with my husband and two cats who we liberated from the streets of Japan. When we moved to Vancouver (from Los Angeles) almost 5 years ago, I had just broken my ankle (walking on the streets of LA). I gained nearly 3 kilos which I had trouble losing because I always found an excuse to stay at my desk in my home office. About two years ago, I missed my first period, experienced my first hot flash, and started gaining more weight. Now I am working to lose at least 10 kilos and stop hiding in my writing and introverted tendencies. I am hardly good at being social or even likeable (my husband teases me by saying I am the archetype for bitchiness on my best days ), but I want to be better and more engaged in the world around me.

My goals this month:
Stick to calories limits
Run 3x a week
Walk every day to complete my move goals
Strengthen hip and glute muscles
Join a local hiking group

Oh and @coastalgosgal, Japan is a lovely country. We lived there for over ten years and miss it terribly. If you can, try and visit your son during New Years. They have a way of celebrating the holiday I found lovely. My mum and Grammie visited us there when they were 51 and 78. Grammie loved trying all the new foods and meeting my friends there.

Carol - meant to mention that Sunday will be three months for me since the replacement, and my knee no longer feels like dead weight that I'm dragging, it's moving right along with me! And the pain subsided somewhere in that time, as well. The occasional odd click or clunk, but research says that's natural. I just appreciate the lack of pain, after decades of it in varying amounts.

Mary (in Minnesota for now) - so good to see you, dear heart!

Just stopping in quick to read more stories...

Back to my doings...

Love y'all,
Lisa in AR

Bonnie Lee- Yes I loved Japan my second tour there. I had my eldest son, he was 2 yrs old when we got there. With a child I was able to integrate into society easier. I was part of a Japanese neighbors play group, and in fact by the time we moved back stateside, my son was scared of American children! On the downside his language skills weren't the best, speaking with no L's or R's! World was pronouced, "wowood"!

I miss the respectful way people treated each other. I miss how society respected their elders. I miss our favorite ramen place, with its steamy windows, and slurping sounds.
💖Rebecca

Hello ladies, I always miss y'all when I take a break. Went to my GP on the 1st and he took me off the HCT and potassium that you have to take with me since it is actually a diuretic. The next day I saw my GYN (who actually put me on it years ago, and now I have to keep a BP Chart AM/PM. He is actually the senior of the firm and nothing happens that doesn't go through him. The MD that he started with is still seeing some little old ladies who refuse to let any other MD to handle their GYN issues and he comes into the office every single day and looks at the age of 94 as good as he looked when I first starting going to him. Then he brought my GYN in and I became his patient and first problem pregnant woman. Hated him at first, told the older OB/GYN that I did NOT like him; but, love him now. He wants me to go to PT & Balance place to help me 'get off my cane'. I am not sure I will ever feel comfortable without it outside or in a place with steps. Talked to him about my appointment to the Neurologist the end of the month. Only a Neurologist is the kind of MD (in Georgia) that can determine whether or not you should drive even if another MD put you on a state-mandated law that you have to not have had a seizure for a continuous 6 month period of time. I had just come off a 6-month diving restriction in May 2 years ago, and 3 days later my 'sleep apnea' MD put me back on one until I saw my Neurologist; who in the meantime went back home because of a family matter and would be back after the first of the year. His receptionist did not say anything about it and I saw his NP (who can't take me off the D/R. The next time I went back she had decided that it would be my turn to see her again, even though he was there; then made another appointment that would have their flip/flop and it was my turn to see her again. After I see the NP for the NeuroSurgeon, I wanted to make sure I would SEE him in late May ... I did not want to see the NP again. They are not in my preferred MD, therefore, I have to pay out of my pocket the difference. Normally I do not have to pay anything when I go to the MD. but it doesn't matter at this point, my family does not think I need to drive any longer. My dear sweet Cutie of a granddaughter suggested that they take in for an early AM appointment, come get me and take me either to the mall or to the library to keep me from being bored. We'll see how that works. At least, maybe then I will get some exercise. So tired of this yo-yo-ing I seem to have started on. Now I am determined to lose what I have gained and more. I hope that when you are not on this site you get dropped. It took some work to be able to get to May, up and down the pages and knowing I can never catch up. So much has happened to me since I rolled down the steps and hit my head on the concrete and 2 or 3 bad falls that made me call my main MD in all this. She called my Neurologist's office to make sure I would actually see him on my next appointment. I guess we'll see ... me making a pure @$$ of myself. I realize that my family doesn't want me to drive anymore. After 21 months, I've gotten used to it. We'll work it out, something Louis told my 'sleep apnea' MD. Louis laughs and jokingly said he should have traded me in on two 21-year-olds. Now he would have to trade me in on three 21-year-olds and a baby or two and a toddler. He knows I am joking with him. I sometimes wonder if the original fall might have been another seizure (or even a small mini-stroke. They have suggested building a ramp; I want someone who knows how to add, subtract and basically realize how many steps you can make from the top of the deck down to the concrete floor. There is not a single step from the carport to top of the deck at 42". That first step down to the carport is 3 inches more or less; but, none of them is the same size. GGGrrrr!!!! I told them they could build a ramp when I was wheelchair bound; otherwise, they can find a carpenter to fix the steps. Sorry for ranting; just needed to say my peace around friends and you have been that to me. One reason I have stayed away from posting. Seems like I am a real *kitten*!