60 yrs and up

Hello, all.

Things are quiet here, haven't had an in-person conversation with anyone since last week Friday! I'm grateful to have good self-entertainment skills, and several lifetimes of craft supplies and UFOs (unfinished objects, for the non-crafters in the group). Blooming ornamentals in the garden are holding steady at many Tommie Crocus and still some Snowdrops, with the black pussywillows sadly sparse because I was lazy about pruning last year. There will be hellebores, squills, chionodoxa soon, plus the earliest of the daffodils ('Rijnveld's Early Sensation', for me). The squills are showing color, but still tightly closed.

Did another 3 x (2000 meters on, 2 minutes water break/cool-down) on the rowing machine yesterday, trying to keep my pace slow at 1:40 per 500m, and heart rate as close to 140 as that would allow (hit 142, but still the workout was overwhelmingly zone 3 (of 5) as I'd hoped).

Today was a walk, through a surprisingly empty lowish density suburb near my house. Yeah, it was still below freezing (around 30 F/-1C when I went out) but calm, sunny, and very nice if dressed reasonably. I only saw 5-6 other walkers at a distance, a few kids playing in yards: Seems low, for a Saturday. Maybe people are taking self-isolation very literally. I'm thinking I'll try to walk a little more, and gradually increase distance, as weather permits (I'm a bit of a weather wimp ). My knees are kind of cr*p, so walking isn't my jam, but it's good to be out in the sun/fresh air. I'd tried a couple of roughly 2.25mi/3.6km walks recently without much negative consequences, so today was 3.69mi/5.9km (per fitness tracker); we'll see how that settles in.

I'll probably be too lackadaisical to follow through, but thinking of a list of things I've "meant to learn or do", to chip away at, if I start to get bored with my confinement or routine. Some are jewelry-making skills (simple silver soldering, soft-solder flooding, metal fusing, filagree polymer clay, improved metal sawing skills, etc.); some mixed-media or jewelry (resin paper, resin generally); my 457th attempt at establishing a meditation practice; improve some more fitness oriented habits (strength training! eek!); read docs to figure out how Garmin/Firstbeat estimate VO2max/fitness age (results are too weird ); change the banjo strings (vexatious); plus some household improvements I've been meaning to get to and maybe will by the year 2094 . Mostly, I have the supplies and instructions; I just need to find the ambition. Perhaps tedium will be the motor.

I thought I was not being an evil hoarder in these difficult times . . . but I found that when I cooked up my bag of bulk lentils from my last grocery trip, I had 17 two-cup bowls to go in the freezer, plus enough for dinner. Oops. Good thing I like lentils, and I've already told my friends I'd share.

My weight seems to be slowly trending down (ultra-slowly; I'm in maintenance with a desire to slowly drop just a bit). I think the lack of dining out is part of that effect. I do need to think more about supporting the local businesses, though, now that they're down to carryout/delivery only.

Just Tommie Crocus (C. tommasinianus), no Snowdrops in this shot:


Best wishes to all: Stay well, happy, productive! :drinker:

Today I learned how to use Zoom to join in a group discussion for something I'm involved in. It was a great feeling to figure out something new all by myself.

Ann, I live in a lovely 55+ community with well paved private roads and I'm amazed at how few people have been out walking. The temps are around freezing when I walk the dogs before 9 AM but it has been sunny and 50's in the afternoon and yet few are out. It appears that many are taking the term "self-isolate" very literally.

With our good weather, I have been pulling weeds and hubby planted some shallot starts. We'll have rain on Monday but for now, it feels like gardening weather.

A young friend did some emergency grocery shopping for us this morning and had to get substitutes for two of the four items we requested. Another young friend texted me today that she'd go shopping for us if we needed her.

Staying with a schedule and eating my regular foods has been a good thing for me.

Barbie in NW WA

GM. I thought I'd introduce myself. I am 63 and will be 64 in a couple of months. I worked in Healthcare for 30-40 years and always recommended exercise to my patients especially the 'older' ones, the seniors. However, over the years allowed my work, almost 24/7, to hinder my own fitness. Now being retired and overweight by about 10-20 lbs. I have decided to work on it. I have tried going to the gym a couple of days a week esp. when the weather is bad outside to walk on the treadmill, ride the bike and do some work on the weight machines. I have just started logging my food and exercise to see how I am doing. Here's to getting fit together.

Got up early - went to the local grocery, only to find that they have changed their hours again. Okay. Onward to the Red Cross - my hemoglobin was low - no donation today for me. Back to the grocery store - got some rice. Alrighty then - the day is improving! A hike with the 🐕 later. Life is good! Wishing a good day for all of you!

Blessings upon us today. Eating the beans and cornbread, looks like I will tomorrow, too. Walked and shredded (day 2), shopped at Aldi - their meat had been hit hard but I bought for a pot roast Tuesday when the beans are gone
My scale was in a good mood today and the sun is out (50s today). Thought about doing garbage pickup today (it is messy on my way to walk) but kid said No and so we aren't. Mondays are better for that.
Take care and enjoy Spring.

Hello everyone. Good day to you all. Loving all the new profile pics and outdoor pics. I real pic_me_up, if you will. Welcome to all new posters-this is a great group for support. And positivity. Just back from a hike- people are social distancing better, but there is still room for improvement. I saw a group of young mothers with babies all crowded together as they walked???????? Then we did a great stretch when we got home. Feels good. Make healthy choices, make safe choices.

Glad to know our group has been doing well and staying focused during these troubling times. I've chosen to not leave my apartment unless I simply must to take the trash to the chute or mail room infrequently. Our large seniors building is home to many who are far older than my 73 years, perhaps unable to maintain safe hygienic practices and need the help of aids or family who come and go daily. Just seems the less time in the halls or elevator/stairs are a safer distance from germs of others who may not know the virus is undiagnosed in their system. This leaves me on my own and I'm ok with that, social distancing if practiced by all generations in my opinion is the only way to shorten the duration of the devastation COVID19 is causing.

The one thing I am happy to report is the healthy eating and moving habits that I've been performing seem to come more naturally now and not worrying about what I can eat next (or what's eating me) cravings are not as troubling as the health of the world. I'm well stocked and Amazon fresh can deliver anything I need if we must shelter in place more than two weeks. My plan to stay active, setting timer to make sure I'm up and walking or exercising regularly is my daily goal, no time to procrastinate. My husband is doing well, he's out of the country and will be until it's safe to return. I talk to friends and my kids daily and take great pleasure in making little videos and sending them to the grandkids, reading them books or demonstrating little science experiments and craft projects. I miss going out to walk and the gym but can go outside on my balcony and garden in containers, chat with neighbors as they are out and about from my safe distance and keep occupied on my own. I'm grateful for the companionship this thread has provided. Keep motivated and safe all. Thanks for listening. Breathe deeply, repeat. Om….

A lovely day walked the dogs round the town park only saw a couple of people then planted some lettice seeds and managed to get some cat good finally so happy cats🐈🐈🐱

I am 63. I have lost 40+ pounds and would like to lose about 15 more. I have been at a plateau for weeks, so I am trying 5/2 fasting, with 500 calories on the 2 fasting days. Wish me luck.

Greetings, all. Working from home this morning and will venture out this afternoon. Have a safe day, everyone!

Add me as a friend if you like. I check in here most days and I'm always ready to share support and encouragement.

To add friends on MFP using the desktop app;

1) Click on the username in the left sidebar. A window showing the username will open.
2) Click on the username again. The user's profile will open.
3) Click on the "Add Friend" button on the user's profile page. There is an option to send a message along with the request. That's always a good idea - just a short note mentioning where you saw the user, some common interests or goals, etc.

j29t You are such an inspiration to all of us the way you notice and respond to everyone. I am glad to be sharing this journey with you.

my plans for weeding for 30 minutes every day were thwarted today by rain so I'm back in the house on the exercise bike

Barbie in NW WA

gbarringer4 wrote: »

Age 65, Male, started this journey Jan.6, 2020 at 263 lbs. Today, March 23, I'm 209.
You know you've lost weight when you loosen you belt and your pants fall to the floor. I started with a 46" waist and now it's 40". BP went from 156/85 to 117/71. I'm no longer pre-diabetic and no longer have sleep apnea. I don't snore a night either. Every two weeks I meet with a physician and nutritionist. Everything about this has been positive.

That is truly amazing, can you tell us more about how you did it? Congratulations!