60 yrs and up

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  • AnnPT77
    AnnPT77 Posts: 34,204 Member
    AnnPT77 wrote: »
    @AnnPT77 Axe throwing? Seriously? That's so awesome! And speaks well of your upper body strength from rowing :)

    I was surprised: It doesn't take a large amount of strength. The axes used were small (but very pointy!), probably less than 5 pounds as a guess? The throwing was more reliant on technique (how you *kitten* and follow through) plus staying relaxed. I think most average people could do it.
    @BCLadybug888 have fun with the grandkids today :)

    I have an all-day dragon boat clinic today with a coach coming from out of town to train us (out of town = expert LOL). My lunch is packed. My gear is packed. And I was up an hour before my alarm went off. Can you tell I'm excited?

    That sounds so fun, @ridiculous59! Some of the most fun I've ever had as a grown-up has been at rowing camps, and this sounds similar. Expert coaching is great, the camaraderie is wonderful, and . . . interesting, fun people seem to do these kinds of not-so-mainstream hobbies. Let us know how it goes, maybe?

    🤣🤣🤣

    Just realized I got kitten-filtered because MFP thought I was using a bad word, but I was really using a perfectly sensible word in this context: "C*ck", a term quite respectably used for chambering the axe-head back against one's shoulder, with elbow pointing skyward, in preparation for the throw. Also a respectable term for a rooster, but a slang term for . . . something else, thus kitten-ed on MFP!

    🤣🤣🤣
  • donbonsully
    donbonsully Posts: 5 Member
    I am new to this post. I’m just curious what is kittened on MFP?
  • AnnPT77
    AnnPT77 Posts: 34,204 Member
    I am new to this post. I’m just curious what is kittened on MFP?

    There's a list of words that MFP considers to be inappropriate to use, mostly things that are considered swearing, sexual, or otherwise objectionable or impolite. If someone puts one of those words in a post, MFP replaces the word with "*kitten*".

    So, in my previous post, I was talking about axe throwing, used the word "c*ck" in a totally innocent and respectable way (IMO), and MFP substituted "*kitten*" so it looked like this:
    AnnPT77 wrote: »

    I was surprised: It doesn't take a large amount of strength. The axes used were small (but very pointy!), probably less than 5 pounds as a guess? The throwing was more reliant on technique (how you *kitten* and follow through) plus staying relaxed. I think most average people could do it.

    Evidently, that word I used is on the "inappropriate words" list, because it's also a slang term for a private body part.
  • tjharleygal55
    tjharleygal55 Posts: 583 Member
    @AnnPT77 😂🤣😂🤣😂
  • JackieWilson58
    JackieWilson58 Posts: 13 Member
    Accept but find what you enjoy doing - I like to walk as you notice what’s going on around you. Or get a bike? Decide what foods you can do without - and do without. It’ll start to go, the weight will. Just embrace it all. 60 is fabulous, it just doesn’t feel like that yet - but motivation is a great motivator :)
  • AnnPT77
    AnnPT77 Posts: 34,204 Member
    I've been thinking about the "exercise motivation" discussion we were having earlier. I'd mentioned my personal focus on picking things that are so fun I'd want to do them even if not good for me - which is true - but realized there really is more to the story. I don't know whether similar ideas would help others, but I'll take a chance and see.

    There are days when I wake up that it would be easier to go back to sleep, instead of getting up and getting with it, and I realized that I do have some ways of gaming myself that do help me.

    One of them is to create "appointment workouts" or social connection/obligation. I'd started getting active before I ever lost any weight, when I was obese. One thing I've done is to deliberately create a group of friends that row together in the summer. I coordinate the group, communicate with everyone, keep track of who's coming. Every year, when we have a new learn-to-row class, I help with the class, and at the end recruit people from the class to join our rowing-friends schedule. Often, we'll get one or two new people per season, just enough to overcome attrition or maybe even grow a little.

    Thing is, this also creates an obligation to Be There, if I possibly can be. I'm meeting my friends at a specific time and place. (Bonus for me: I'm not a person who likes to hang out only and exclusively with people my own age - not that there's anything wrong with that, it just isn't me. Our rowing group gathers people of all adult ages who want to join in. That adds to my fun!).

    So, on the days when I didn't sleep well or something, this friend-connection stuff is that little extra prod that gets me out of bed and packing my stuff to head for the river.

    Pre-pandemic, I went to classes at the Y twice a week (spinning). That wasn't as strong a motivator as my rowing group, but still, having that "appointment" of a class I'd paid for, was a bit of a help in getting me to show up. Now, I take bike rides alone (in season) instead of spin class; I don't even try to do that first thing in the morning, which makes it easier for me to make it happen!

    In addition, I started participating in a thread here where people report what their workout was that day. No one would nag me or "motivate" me if I didn't post there, but it's an aid to me in my self-motivation, and there is a little bit of pleasant social chat on the thread, too. (It's https://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/10705619/what-was-your-work-out-today#latest, but that's not the only thread or group of that general type.)

    So, those are a couple of things that help me keep on track with being active, in addition to just choosing fun things that I truly want to do.
  • BCLadybug888
    BCLadybug888 Posts: 1,704 Member
    edited July 2022
    Ann, nice that you added those extra motivating measures that help keep you active independent of 'feelings'. I found it helpful.
    Thank you 😊

    My doctor retired last year, sigh. And my dentist (whom I loved, can you believe it??) at the beginning of this year.
  • ridiculous59
    ridiculous59 Posts: 2,908 Member
    AnnPT77 wrote: »
    On a more personal note: I'm going to whine a little. I went to my primary care doctor today for my routine 6-month check-in, the key point being review of blood test results and a re-up of my essential thyroid meds.

    I knew this was going to happen sooner or later, but it's here: He's retiring! (He's some small number of years older than me, and he's been my doc since well before my breast cancer diagnosis in 2000, though I don't remember the exact year I started seeing him. Decades, though.)

    He's always been super good about listening - really listening - to my concerns, responding with ideas, and about explaining things patiently when I had questions. Over the years, I've really learned to trust his advice, judgement, and experience, even though I know he's a regular human with failings like the rest of us.

    I always figured I was a little bit of a thorn in his side. I have lots of questions, and I talk very fast whereas he's one of those more methodical people, so I felt like I kind of overwhelm or bulldoze him sometimes. But today, he said such nice things about the experience of being my doctor (!), that I guess maybe he does have some personal liking for me after all. He even gave me a hug (very gentle and polite!), and he's not really a huggy guy, usually a little bit formal.

    I'm gonna miss him. I told him sincerely I hope he'll be very happy, of course. But, dang! ☹️

    Finding a doctor that you connect with is no easy feat! Believe me when I say that I truly am sorry that yours is retiring. My doctor (who I rarely saw, but liked immensely) recently moved to a larger city so I know a little of what you're feeling 🙁
  • ridiculous59
    ridiculous59 Posts: 2,908 Member
    Having "activity appointments" works well for me too.

    I retired shortly before the pandemic started. At the time most stores had to close and we were advised to have a social "bubble" of only a handful of people. A group of us who dragon boat paddled together started getting together to walk three times a week. After our walk, because coffee shops were closed, we would take our travel mug of coffee from home and set up camping chairs in a "socially distanced" circle in a park. And solve the problems of the world. There was still snow on the ground but we did it three times a week. Two years later it's morphed into a regular walking group and we still go out three times a week, but now we go somewhere indoors for coffee afterwards LOL We walk winter and summer for an hour, but sometimes we snowshoe instead.

    My dragon boating is also an appointment that I always keep (unless I'm out of town or the weather cancels it). I'm on the club executive so feel I'm obligated to show up twice a week, though it isn't really an obligation because I love doing it.

    My dogs require a walk or hike every day so that's another obligation that keeps me active.

    And finally, I buy a season pass for cross country skiing and I'm frugal so I try to get in as many skiis as possible!

    I fit in strength training and yoga in between the other things but because it's just something I do, and not something that's externally motivated by a class or group, I tend to slack off sometimes. So that's my proof that an external commitment works better for me.
  • coblujay
    coblujay Posts: 688 Member
    Thank you, @AnnPT77

    Still here and paddling away.

    I'm one of those people who prefers to exercise without interacting too much with people, other than hiking with my sister. I take an occasional class with Orange Theory Fitness, but sometimes they have "partner" workouts, which I don't really care for. My goal is to get in and get it done without having to socialize. At the same time, I don't want to plan workouts. I want someone to tell me what to do and when so I can just show up. I had a trainer for a few years and when funding permits, my plan is to do that again, with a focus on weight training.

    I'm in the process of building a new business (at 63) and since I've been swimming regularly (2x a week) for the last year, I don't have to think much about every stroke like I used to. I look forward to it because so many amazing ideas come to life while I'm in the water. It's my therapy, meditation and dream time. It's really helped in the midst of the chaos of business planning. At the same time, I pretty much just say hello going in and thank you going out.

    @Pdc654 I'm sorry to hear about your bone density scan and that you aren't off medication for high blood pressure. Hopefully the meds will really help. I need to add weight training in too.
  • Pdc654
    Pdc654 Posts: 317 Member
    Thank you, @coblujay.

    Yeah, I hope the medication for the bone density works well. As far as the high blood pressure, getting off at least one of the meds will be a goal for the coming year.
  • BCLadybug888
    BCLadybug888 Posts: 1,704 Member
    Mel, where do you live? I ask because I really need to make a modest walking commitment and you sound like my speed lol!

    The Maritimes are really lovely and friendly. Good goal!
  • BCLadybug888
    BCLadybug888 Posts: 1,704 Member
    edited July 2022
    I decided to try a little carb cycling to see if that Kickstarts anything, supposed to aid in losing proportionately more fat, so that's good!
    Plan is to do 2 low carb days (max 50 net), 4 moderate days (aiming for 150 net) and then 1 day with no carb restrictions but keep within maintenance calories - started this week and is for the next couple of weeks only, before my next holidays.

    I did Keto a few years ago and lost 50+ lbs, but of course eventually gave up and regained ++. So I don't mind low carb, just not as a sustainable lifestyle, we'll see how it goes!
    Anything apparently to avoid adding regular activity just yet ...🤣

    On the weight front, I reached a new MFP low this week! I would love to lose another 4.5 by Aug 13th, my MFP anniversary, as that would make 52 lbs lost but might be a bit ambitious for me - hence the carb cycling experiment! 🙂
  • Melwillbehealthy
    Melwillbehealthy Posts: 894 Member
    Hi Ladybug. I live in Ontario. I see that you’re in B.C. I wanted to finally travel, but was hesitant to leave the country for health reasons right now. We’ve driven to the maritimes before, but decided it’s a cheap, short flight, so we’re flying. The airport isn’t huge that we leave from, so shouldn’t be a lot of hastles like you find at the Toronto airport.
    Last time we visited Newfoundland ( where I actually got lost hiking), and Labrador, absolutely beautiful and you’re right. The people are very friendly.
    This time we’re staying in the southern provinces and going to P.E.I. I’ve never seen Confederation bridge that they built to the island in 1997. It must be huge! I can’t wait to see it. Ferry, or boat was the only way to get there before this, new bridge. ( 25 yrs. Old!)
    I’ve been to most of the places we’re going on my own, but this time it’s an escorted tour.
    Going to hIke the Cabot trail among others, so it’s real incentive to work out and build stamina. We do travel by ferry sometimes. Watching my diet with more care now. I’ve kind of given myself a weight loss goal, something new.
    Good luck experimenting with carbs. Your approach sounds interesting. Recently, I was told to eat carbs in the morning, but I spread them out during the day. It seems to work for me.
  • BCLadybug888
    BCLadybug888 Posts: 1,704 Member
    Hi Mel, yes, I am in BC.
    I have not been to NFLD/Labrador but I have been to New Brunswick, Nova Scotia and PEI (crossing the 'new' bridge lol).
    PEI was exactly as I imagined it - very tidy & green!

    My daughter went to UofT for law school, so we drove across Canada twice (and thru the States once), as well as headed east from there to see as much of the country as we could when we had the chance.

    I joined a walking plan on MFP yesterday to get me up to 6000 steps in 28 days, maybe that would help you too?
    An escorted tour sounds like fun! Good for you for booking it.
  • karlschaeffer
    karlschaeffer Posts: 1,507 Member
    AnnPT77 wrote: »
    I am new to this post. I’m just curious what is kittened on MFP?

    There's a list of words that MFP considers to be inappropriate to use, mostly things that are considered swearing, sexual, or otherwise objectionable or impolite. If someone puts one of those words in a post, MFP replaces the word with "*kitten*".

    So, in my previous post, I was talking about axe throwing, used the word "c*ck" in a totally innocent and respectable way (IMO), and MFP substituted "*kitten*" so it looked like this:
    AnnPT77 wrote: »

    I was surprised: It doesn't take a large amount of strength. The axes used were small (but very pointy!), probably less than 5 pounds as a guess? The throwing was more reliant on technique (how you *kitten* and follow through) plus staying relaxed. I think most average people could do it.

    Evidently, that word I used is on the "inappropriate words" list, because it's also a slang term for a private body part.

    Healthy fun day!

    Never knew what the “kitten” meant. Thx!
  • AnnPT77
    AnnPT77 Posts: 34,204 Member
    @pdc654, I'm sorry to hear about your bone density test! I think mine's heading in a bad direction now, from my last scan, so I need to go back in for a consultation. I may have to go back on drugs.

    I did take a bisphosphonate for bone density for around 4 years, experienced no significant/observable side effects, and did get an improvement in bone density, to the point that the specialist approved me stopping the drugs at that time. Since things have declined again, we'll see where I go next, I guess.

    Fingers crossed that you get a good outcome!
  • AnnPT77
    AnnPT77 Posts: 34,204 Member
    Hello,
    I just turned 60 and frankly, not happy about it 😂. No seriously, I’m a mess! I had a face peel last month and got Botox for the first time July 1! My body didn’t like it… it was just a little bit between my eyes (frown lines) but I got a big headache and I think it triggered ny arthritis as everything has been hurting! I have to be careful now to stay out of the sun, which is no fun! All the fun things I like to do… golfing, kayaking, biking, swimming, have to be done in the early morning or late afternoon when the sun is low, hat wearing, sunscreen etc. I have been walking, ugh! I gained back the 5 pounds I lost in June in the first week of July: we went to Palm Springs and Prescott… lots of driving and I got car sick, party with no health food.. anyway I did finally have some time to do some internal reevaluation of myself and so feeling motivated again to fight the battle of the bulge. Again. Tracking food I think will really help me to see the blind spots in my current lifestyle. I did my yoga dvd today and walked this evening. I am scared that I’ll never lose the weight. My grandma died of complications of diabetes. My hgb a1c was 5.8 in April. I really want to be healthy and balanced…. Not focusing on my wrinkles and brown spots. Anyways, I know I sound very shallow but honestly, I’m a nurse and very used to putting everyone else first… I thought I’d do something for me for a change but it kind of backfired and didn’t agree with me! 😂 I guess that’s a sign to accept my age gracefully and focus on my whole health: body mind and spirit. Anyways, I need support and encouragement. You all are very encouraging with your fun stories and successes.

    Hello and welcome, @Ineedtolose50lbs! It sounds like you've had some real ups and downs in your life recently - I hope things will level off for you into a calmer and happier overall scenario very soon.

    I certainly found food tracking to be extremely useful, for sure to dial in appropriate calories via enjoyable-to-me food choices, but also to gradually tweak my eating to improve overall nutrition, which I've found to be a good thing in my case. Having that food log to review, think about, and adjust plans going forward has been helpful in finding the eating strategies that really work for me.

    I think the specifics can be very individual (based on reading a lot of people's posts here on MFP), but the "experiment and adjust" process can be broadly useful. I might speculate that your background as a nurse, with the meticulous record-keeping required there, might be good skills development for the personal logging and analysis process.

    How are things going for you so far? I'm cheering for you, and I'm sure others here are, too!
  • AnnPT77
    AnnPT77 Posts: 34,204 Member
    Older member of mfp, thinking of doing low carbs any tips anyone ?

    Hi, @dejavuohlala - looks like you've been here on MFP (2013) even longer than I have (2015). I thought I'd seen your ID around the Community before.

    What are you hoping lower carb will do for you?

    I have to admit, I haven't tried that. I'm vegetarian (have been since 1974), and low-carb vegetarian is a difficult combination, IMO - not impossible, but many of my favorite protein sources do bring some carbs along with them. Fortunately, I haven't found that I need any particular carb level to sustain good energy, not to avoid cravings/appetite, which seem to be a couple of the reasons that (non-diabetic, non-insulin-resistant) people seem to adopt a low-carb approach.

    For sure, experimenting with different eating strategies can be helpful, to figure out the best personal route.

    Wishing you success with it, if you go that route!
  • ridiculous59
    ridiculous59 Posts: 2,908 Member
    AnnPT77 What a wonderful way to spend a summer evening!! Gorgeous view 🙂


  • Pdc654
    Pdc654 Posts: 317 Member
    AnnPT77 wrote: »
    @pdc654, I'm sorry to hear about your bone density test! I think mine's heading in a bad direction now, from my last scan, so I need to go back in for a consultation. I may have to go back on drugs.

    I did take a bisphosphonate for bone density for around 4 years, experienced no significant/observable side effects, and did get an improvement in bone density, to the point that the specialist approved me stopping the drugs at that time. Since things have declined again, we'll see where I go next, I guess.

    Fingers crossed that you get a good outcome!

    @AnnPT77 Thank you so much for this information regarding your experience with medication for bone density. That was very helpful and makes me feel better hearing that you did have improvement with it with no side effects. I really don't want to go down the path my mom did. She had osteoporosis and was pretty frail in her later years. I hope I can prevent that.

    I wish they would start the bone density scans earlier. But medicare pays for it every 2 years starting at age 65. I had my first one at age 65. Then at age 67, and this one at age 69. My first one showed osteopenia already but my doctor only said take calcium and really didn't have any other recommendations. The second one was about the same as the first, and now this one was bad enough to call me in for a consultation. I'm wondering if it was started at 60 with more aggressive management if more bone loss could be prevented.

    Ann, hoping you also see an improvement with your next scan.