60 yrs and up

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  • swimmom_1
    swimmom_1 Posts: 1,302 Member
    @alteredsteve175
    Glad to hear your hanging in there.
  • karlschaeffer
    karlschaeffer Posts: 1,507 Member
    @alteredsteve175 Thinking of you.
  • Pdc654
    Pdc654 Posts: 317 Member
    @alteredsteve175 Hang in there and know we are here for you. I think of you often.
  • AnnPT77
    AnnPT77 Posts: 34,222 Member
    @ridiculous59: Beautiful outdoor photos! I assumed you had snow there. I actually don't mind snow (except the part where it's too cold/iced-up to row.). I used to XC ski, but a combo of knee damage and osteoporosis make me hesitant to ski solo even with a cell phone, and none of my friends ski anymore.

    I do think today's landscape here is quite lovely, too, in case it seemed otherwise.

    I don't know whether it's true where you live, but my part of Michigan can give a person weather whiplash in the Winter, let alone the shoulder seasons. As usual, recently it's been way below freezing with and without snow, then can get up into even 50s F (I guess that's 10 C?) and occasionally higher, then we go back to cold and snow, cold then melt, freezing rain, or . . . !

    Entertaining, if nothing else!
  • swimmom_1
    swimmom_1 Posts: 1,302 Member
    AnnPT77 wrote: »
    Welcome to all the new folks, and greetings to those who've been here for a while! Let us know how you're doing with eating, exercise, general fun, or anything else that feels important in your life, eh?
    (snip)

    Hope everyone is having a good January. We've almost got 'er beat 🙂

    Ya think? 🤣 This all happened yesterday and overnight, poof, starting from bare grass:
    nt9qse4z6ix9.jpg

    But this is still there under the new snow blanket, I'm pretty sure, so I guess there's hope. 😊
    wgmqvdtaj9xg.jpg

    I'm doing fine I guess - by way of update. I'm having a truly minor rotator cuff irritation, doing physical therapy now for that, laying off machine rowing (which doesn't have the effect on it you'd think!) for now, so stationary biking about an hour most days, and starting to do the few strength training exercises I want to and can do with the shoulder situation, alongside the physical therapy exercises.

    It's beautiful! We got about 2 inches yesterday in Harrisburg PA area but its gone today! Your second photo, Isn't that called a "Snow drop?"
  • Pdc654
    Pdc654 Posts: 317 Member
    Let's talk about lasting side effects related to Covid. It's been 13 days since I tested positive and a week since I subsequently tested negative. I did have a pretty high fever, above 102° for about 3 days and a low grade temp for 2 additional days. For the first week I also had bad sinus congestion, sore throat, chills, headache and fatigue. I stayed home an additional week after testing negative, but did 30 minutes of walking in my house each morning that second week, without a problem. Today I returned to the gym thinking I would do my normal Tuesday routine of one hour of water aerobics and then strength training. We'll, I was surprised by the overwhelming fatigue that hit me during the water aerobics class. I got out after 45 minutes ( it's a 60 min class) but I really started feeling it 20 minutes in. About halfway through the class I also got a headache. I took my shower as usual and rested a bit, then headed up to see how the weights would effect me. I only did 3 sets of 3 exercises at reduced weight, maybe a total of 15 min, but that extreme fatigue hit me again and I was shaking by the end. The headache stayed with me for a couple hours after I got home. Has anyone else has anything similar happen, and if so, how long did it take to get back to normal. My usual Tuesday- Thursday routine has been 60 minutes of water aerobics followed by 60 minutes of strength training.
  • AnnPT77
    AnnPT77 Posts: 34,222 Member
    Pdc654 wrote: »
    Let's talk about lasting side effects related to Covid. It's been 13 days since I tested positive and a week since I subsequently tested negative. I did have a pretty high fever, above 102° for about 3 days and a low grade temp for 2 additional days. For the first week I also had bad sinus congestion, sore throat, chills, headache and fatigue. I stayed home an additional week after testing negative, but did 30 minutes of walking in my house each morning that second week, without a problem. Today I returned to the gym thinking I would do my normal Tuesday routine of one hour of water aerobics and then strength training. We'll, I was surprised by the overwhelming fatigue that hit me during the water aerobics class. I got out after 45 minutes ( it's a 60 min class) but I really started feeling it 20 minutes in. About halfway through the class I also got a headache. I took my shower as usual and rested a bit, then headed up to see how the weights would effect me. I only did 3 sets of 3 exercises at reduced weight, maybe a total of 15 min, but that extreme fatigue hit me again and I was shaking by the end. The headache stayed with me for a couple hours after I got home. Has anyone else has anything similar happen, and if so, how long did it take to get back to normal. My usual Tuesday- Thursday routine has been 60 minutes of water aerobics followed by 60 minutes of strength training.

    Everything I'm reading suggests slow, gradual return to normal activity. (But I'm saying that as someone who hasn't had Covid yet, AFAIK.)

    There's a thing I ran across that is essentially consensus expert medical advice for coaches and athletes at all levels about return to workouts after Covid. I don't know whether you'd find it helpful in your case, but I'll link it so you can decide whether it seems helpful or not.

    https://www.uptodate.com/contents/covid-19-return-to-sport-or-strenuous-activity-following-infection

    I hope you'll have a smooth and speedy course to full normal activities!
  • Pdc654
    Pdc654 Posts: 317 Member
    @AnnPT77 Thank you!! This provides me with a good guidance on how to get back to it. It sounds like what I am experiencing is not unusual and I will listen to my body and stop if I need to. I especially liked their guidance on a structured plan to gradually get back into strength training over 4 weeks based on a reduction of 50/30/20/10 percent reduction from normal in weeks 1-4 of returning to training. This helps.
  • AnnPT77
    AnnPT77 Posts: 34,222 Member
    edited January 2023
    Pdc654 wrote: »
    @AnnPT77 Thank you!! This provides me with a good guidance on how to get back to it. It sounds like what I am experiencing is not unusual and I will listen to my body and stop if I need to. I especially liked their guidance on a structured plan to gradually get back into strength training over 4 weeks based on a reduction of 50/30/20/10 percent reduction from normal in weeks 1-4 of returning to training. This helps.

    I'm so glad it helped you!

    Early in the pandemic, a large fraction of the US women's rowing team (i.e., Olympic team) got Covid. This was before the vaccinations or treatments were available. At the time, I knew one of the women on the time, and she posted about her experience. While she was acutely ill, she was so fatigued that she had to sit down and rest part way up the stairs in her condo - a woman who'd been recognized as among the top handful of rowers in the world, a multi-time World and Olympic champion. As she recovered, she reported only being able to achieve a rowing machine pace typical of a reasonably-good high school athlete, far from her norm. Starting from being one of the most fit people imaginable, it was at least a small number of months - from memory, 2 to 3 - before she was back in the region of her normal performance.

    I'm not saying that to be discouraging, but rather to say that as regular recreational athletes, even with milder cases now that we have vaxes and treatments, it seems reasonable to give ourselves some time to get back to our previous performance, but that it can happen.

    Do you hate it when things take patience and persistence? I know I do! ;)
  • Pdc654
    Pdc654 Posts: 317 Member
    @AnnPT77. Yes, I hate the idea of not being able to bounce right back after this illness. But patience and persistence, while not being my most favorite mode of operation, is probably the best route to go. Especially as we get older. I would rather go slowly and consistently and get there without injury or other health problems even if it means having to rebuild my strength and endurance over a longer period of time. I'll keep your story of the Olympian rower in mind as a reminder that even young, strong athletes have had to take their time getting back to their normal activities after covid. It might take me longer than 4 weeks. I'll use your article as a guide but I won't feel bad if I need to take longer.
  • momzilla11
    momzilla11 Posts: 50 Member
    Silver lining from my covid (delta) 18 months ago: I now have only maybe 80% of my taste and smell, which makes food less appealing, even my favorites. I have to say, it works for me at this stage of my life, trying to reclaim health and fitness after decades of bad habits. It's helped me lose more than 40 lbs since August, at 68 with a bad knee
  • BartBVanBockstaele
    BartBVanBockstaele Posts: 623 Member
    momzilla11 wrote: »
    Silver lining from my covid (delta) 18 months ago: I now have only maybe 80% of my taste and smell, which makes food less appealing, even my favorites. I have to say, it works for me at this stage of my life, trying to reclaim health and fitness after decades of bad habits. It's helped me lose more than 40 lbs since August, at 68 with a bad knee
    Too bad, you have/had to experience this, but it is a nice illustration of my position that food does not have to taste good, it should just not taste bad.
  • donnacps1
    donnacps1 Posts: 5 Member
    Saying Hello, I'm over 60 by a long shot, but loved Spark social groups. How are you all doing?
  • NewGrl64
    NewGrl64 Posts: 110 Member
    @NewGrl64 - nice you were able to get into ketosis 👍; please do let us know what your numbers do in February - enquiring minds want to know 😉 😀

    Hi all! Update on my new venture into the LCHF/Keto diet. My appointment with my doctor for labs in early March has been moved up to tomorrow. I had hoped to have a little more time before taking blood tests, but maybe it's a good thing to take them so early on so I can see how things progress as the months go on.

    So far, I've been doing this for about 3 weeks. I've lost a total of a little over 6 lbs. Again, probably water, but I'll take what I can get at this point. It should make my doctor happy anyway. :p

    I'm rather interested to see what the diet will do to my cholesterol over time, so I guess tomorrow's tests will set the baseline. My cholesterol has always been just over 200, but my HDL has always been on the high side and my triglycerides have been low-ish. My LDL, however, is high. I've read where people on this diet actually have an INCREASE in LDL, so I'm a little concerned there. I guess we'll just keep on and see how it goes.

    @momzilla11 so sorry to hear you got Covid. I had it a year ago December and it took a while to get back to normal. Hang in there.

    @donnacps1 Welcome. I don't post often, but I do log in and read all the comments. This seems to be a great group. :)

    As for all of you experiencing snow, I live in the desert. I moved here years ago from the northeastern U.S. to escape the snow. This winter is reminding me of New England. We've had more precipitation this year than we've had for a very long time. In fact, we have another front coming in Sunday bringing more snow. Strange winter, but at least we won't have drought this summer. Silver lining. :D

  • BCLadybug888
    BCLadybug888 Posts: 1,708 Member
    Hey all, life is busier for me just now, my retirement sideline of becoming a travel agent had a growth spurt as I booked a cruise for two family groups - 1 with 3 cabins + air, the other for cruise only but 7 cabins! Now, if I could just finish my courses lol, I am 79% complete. I am going to a lunch & learn tomorrow put on by Disney, which is great because I must get my family vacation booked soon - me, my daughter, my son & DILaw & 2 grandkids are planning to go to Disneyland in May.

    I've also made a concerted effort to connect with some of my former colleagues so had a few extra social outings too.

    And I adopted a 4 yo female cat, had her 2 weeks today and I am enjoying her company
    now that she's more settled.

    My weight has finally gone below my December low before my cruise, so that feels good. And I feel good momentum just now, am having good success with using Time Restricted Eating to keep my appetite in check. I have increased my fasting period to 16 hours most days.

    I just bought a InstaPot clone, is a rice cooker, steamer, pressure cooker and slow cooker + more! If it does the trick, I will get rid of my old crockpot. Haven't even unpacked it yet, was delivered this week. I am looking forward to seeing how quickly it can cook beans - I soak dried beans overnight, but they still took absolutely ages in my crockpot to get properly soft.

    @Pdc654- I had Covid last fall, and I completely recovered within a couple weeks, save for the fatigue. That took at least an extra 4-6 weeks before my prior energy level fully returned.

    Keep at it folks!
  • donnacps1
    donnacps1 Posts: 5 Member
    edited February 2023
    Sounds good. Hope your new cooking pot works well. Let us know. What team is this? Just curious as I am new to MFP recent posts. Oh, I see it's called 60 yrs and up.
  • AnnPT77
    AnnPT77 Posts: 34,222 Member
    (snip good stuff)

    I just bought a InstaPot clone, is a rice cooker, steamer, pressure cooker and slow cooker + more! If it does the trick, I will get rid of my old crockpot. Haven't even unpacked it yet, was delivered this week. I am looking forward to seeing how quickly it can cook beans - I soak dried beans overnight, but they still took absolutely ages in my crockpot to get properly soft.

    (moresnip)

    Wow, @BCLadybug888: I admire your energy! Also, what you're doing sounds like it includes a lot of fun. Good stuff!

    I snipped your post down to that fragment to focus on one point. You may already know this, but others may not. Since I'm a long-term vegetarian (since 1974!), I eat a lot of beans. I've learned that some people don't know that certain types of beans must be boiled for ideal food safety, if cooking from dry.

    Kidney beans for sure are one of those, and I think soy beans may be (but I don't normally prep those from dry). It's possible to soak, pre-boil, then put in a slow cooker for the rest of the cooking.

    Pressure cooking in the new cooker may be fine, since getting to a high temperature for a given length of time seems to be the big deal, but I don't know that for sure.

    There's information from multiple reasonably sound sources about this. Here's one from The Ohio State University:

    https://cfaes.osu.edu/news/articles/chow-line-dry-kidney-beans-need-be-boiled

    I hope your new cooker turns out to be a great solution: I always cook beans on the stove top, usually during Winter heating season ;) , and freeze a bunch in my chest freezer for later use. I know other people like various cookers, and don't have my luck with freezer space, though.

  • ridiculous59
    ridiculous59 Posts: 2,908 Member
    @AnnPT77 I never have any luck getting my beans soft enough. We have very hard water and I've wondered if that's the reason. I eventually just gave up and buy them canned. Except for lentils. Even I can't mess up cooking lentils haha. But perhaps soaking overnight and then boiling for 30 minutes would soften them enough to add to chili or whatever. Do you have any experience with hard water and legumes?
  • AnnPT77
    AnnPT77 Posts: 34,222 Member
    @AnnPT77 I never have any luck getting my beans soft enough. We have very hard water and I've wondered if that's the reason. I eventually just gave up and buy them canned. Except for lentils. Even I can't mess up cooking lentils haha. But perhaps soaking overnight and then boiling for 30 minutes would soften them enough to add to chili or whatever. Do you have any experience with hard water and legumes?

    Not recent. Most of mine will turn to mush if I cook them long enough, but I usually do soak them overnight, and simmer them on the stove (low heat in the last stages when there's less liquid, but more of a boil at first, anything short of boiling over).

    I can' imagine that soaked pinto, kidney or black beans would be pleasantly done in 30 minutes of cooking, though. I'm usually cooking them for hours. Canned beans are very affordable these days, eh?

    Beans that are very old can be harder to soften up IME. I've read that adding salt at the start can make them tougher, . . . but Cook's Illustrated recent said just the opposite, that they should be soaked in brine. Maybe time for an experiment or at least some Google-Fu?

    Me, I salt near the end only because I'm never sure how much they'll cook down, and I'm a "by guess and by gosh" cook, so it's easier to salt the right amount when they're close to done - just cooking long enough for the salt to permeate.
  • momzilla11
    momzilla11 Posts: 50 Member
    Regarding the bean discussion: I discovered that the beans themselves make all the difference in cooking time and even taste. The dried beans we find on our supermarket shelves are likely years old, having been warehoused under whatever conditions. Try Rancho Gordo heirloom beans for fresher, more tender and flavorful, and faster cooking beans. A bit more expensive, but if you order direct and/or join the bean club, you also get to explore and discover amazing varieties of heirloom beans from small farms.
  • spinnerdell
    spinnerdell Posts: 233 Member
    I've had mixed success getting dry beans as soft as I like them by soaking and boiling them, and I think our hard water may be partially to blame. The Instant Pot I was gifted for Christmas does a great job cooking them evenly. I agree that fresh, high quality beans will give the best results, but my bottom-of-the-line pintos and black beans turn out very well when soaked and pressure-cooked. I leave out the salt until the end of cooking just out of habit.
  • AnnPT77
    AnnPT77 Posts: 34,222 Member
    AnnPT77 wrote: »
    @AnnPT77 I never have any luck getting my beans soft enough. We have very hard water and I've wondered if that's the reason. I eventually just gave up and buy them canned. Except for lentils. Even I can't mess up cooking lentils haha. But perhaps soaking overnight and then boiling for 30 minutes would soften them enough to add to chili or whatever. Do you have any experience with hard water and legumes?

    Not recent. Most of mine will turn to mush if I cook them long enough, but I usually do soak them overnight, and simmer them on the stove (low heat in the last stages when there's less liquid, but more of a boil at first, anything short of boiling over).

    I can' imagine that soaked pinto, kidney or black beans would be pleasantly done in 30 minutes of cooking, though. I'm usually cooking them for hours. Canned beans are very affordable these days, eh?

    Beans that are very old can be harder to soften up IME. I've read that adding salt at the start can make them tougher, . . . but Cook's Illustrated recent said just the opposite, that they should be soaked in brine. Maybe time for an experiment or at least some Google-Fu?

    Me, I salt near the end only because I'm never sure how much they'll cook down, and I'm a "by guess and by gosh" cook, so it's easier to salt the right amount when they're close to done - just cooking long enough for the salt to permeate.

    Oops, maybe it's obvious, but bolded should have been "I can't imagine . . .". IME, only red lentils and maybe soaked black or green lentils might get done as quickly as half an hour on the stove top in a regular pot. Quicker by pressure cooker, I'm sure.
  • BartBVanBockstaele
    BartBVanBockstaele Posts: 623 Member
    I've had mixed success getting dry beans as soft as I like them by soaking and boiling them, and I think our hard water may be partially to blame. The Instant Pot I was gifted for Christmas does a great job cooking them evenly. I agree that fresh, high quality beans will give the best results, but my bottom-of-the-line pintos and black beans turn out very well when soaked and pressure-cooked. I leave out the salt until the end of cooking just out of habit.
    I have fought the Instant Pot for a long time, mainly because I live alone and no one seems to sell small electric pressure cookers in Toronto. However, I finally gave in for one single reason: soybeans. I do not soak them. I merely put them in the pot, add water, press the button and open the pot when everything has completely cooled down. I am then left with the tastiest beans I now, and there is essentially no work involved. As a confirmed old bachelor, I love that. Soybeans are the only thing I cook in the Instant Pot, but I truly love it, for that reason.