WOMEN AGES 50+ FOR JULY 2023

Poerava14 · July 2023

Barbie: What a hot looking ride! Excited for you and Jake.

Kim: Bravo on starting your swim workouts. I used to be like your friends doing the laps in a manner where we could talk. These days I do half a mile but mix up the strokes and also use a kickboard and pull buoy to add variety to the laps. I have a cheap waterproof mp3 player so I even have some upbeat tunes or FM radio to keep me company in the water. I often miss my days living in Hawaii where I could go into the pool every day after work.

Lisa: Hope all went well. 💜

Machka: I am whooshing healing energy your way.

Lanette: How big are your chicks now? So cute that they ran back at the sound of treats. As for that 'selfish' feeling now that we live alone. I get it. Yesterday was the first time in over 30 years I could go shopping for a mattress and not have to compromise. I felt mixed emotions, but then let the lump in my throat dissolve with deep breaths and put a smile on my face for the rest of the shopping trip.

My new gentleman friend and I continue to communicate mostly via text, but last night we had a long catch up call. He is having fun on his adventure, and told great stories of the people met, golf courses he played and scenery he sees as he drives only backroads, not the interstates. As for when we will meet again -- we're working on that! Without doubt, we will be going to see a concert together. Just a matter of which one and where.

Speaking of concerts, I am going to see a Queen tribute band at Red Rocks. My girlfriend is coming. She recently retired and is getting back into doing fun things again. She lives in the next building of our condo community and walks two really cute white chihuahuas several times a day. My cat and her dogs 'talk' to each other. LOL.

Stay well friends. We can do this and everything else we put our thoughts and energy into.

Rori
Colorado Foothills

okiewoman510 · July 2023

Lanette - Thanks for the shout out! It is definitely hot down here. Our backyard thermometer showed 109.9 this afternoon, but it is in direct sunlight.

My BFF is here this week. Her son is getting married this weekend nearby. Her hub and both sets of parents, all the siblings, etc will arrive Thursday and depart next Tuesday. That will leave her and her Hub here with DH and I for one evening to enjoy some quiet. It's going to be hot for sure with all the running we will have to do for the rehearsal dinner Friday night. Then Saturday the event venue is beautiful but the whole back of it is glass. It is meant for about 220 people and there will be 300 so it is going to be crowded and HOT!

Okie in the TX Hill Country

ginnytez · July 2023

Debbie-good luck with MIL and assisted living.
Annie-good job not giving in to chocolate. Your dad and his computer sound a bit scary.
Allie-you are going to need the weekend to recover!
Rori-I understand your feelings with some of the "firsts." I went out a few months ago and bought a new mattress. My husband would never have gone for the price-but gosh I sleep well in it! I can enjoy some of these decisions with no regrets (but that doesn't mean he isn't missed).
Okie-hope you can enjoy wedding despite the heat. Dress cool!

Have everything ready for tomorrow-lunch in fridge, calories logged up until dinner and decision made on what to wear. Done with adult stuff-going to go watch some kind of junky tv!

Take care all,

Ginny in Ohio

Anniesquats100 · July 2023

Good evening ladies!

Today I ate 1083 calories, Yay! Right on target! I did thirty minutes on the bike with intervals, and then my dumbbell routine, Yay! My deficit is 511, Yay!

And my NSV (non scale victory) is that I got rather frustrated with my dad but did not eat my emotion. Yay! I stared at the chocolate and walked away. Now I need to repeat and strengthen that response.

My sister and my dad have duplicate lodging reservations for my aunt's funeral, but I'm trying hard to stay out of it. The worst that can happen is they pay for two rooms. I'm more worried about Dad's computer.

Annie in Delaware

pipcd34 · July 2023

auntiebk wrote: »

Wildfire season has begun. The “Flat Fire” is burning 8600+ acres in the Rogue River/Siskiyou National Forest near the town of Agness. Saw smoke from the fire blowing down both Hunter and Myers creek drainages and Pistol River on my way home from Gold Beach this morning. The terrain is so steep and nearly inaccessible the firefighters are struggling to “line” it. American Red Cross has set up an evacuation shelter at the Gold Beach high school though at this point none of the 40 + threatened structures are under an evacuation order.
Tracey I’m thankful Rodger’s employers did the right thing and sent him home when it was too smoky to work outside. Trust they won’t dock his pay?
Ginny Yup, the mirror has lights that blink when turn signal engaged. When you upgrade your Apple Watch do you turn your series 8 in for a discount? Or would you consider selling it to me? ;}
Lisa thinking of you today (Tuesday). Hope the procedure gives some answers and a good direction.
Margaret sage counsel to Tracie about “NO”.
Machka so sorry to hear about your knee. Know how hard enforced rest is/was for you. Hope you get good answers this week.
Kay thanks for the chicken/apple sausage recommendation. Always looking for good protein sources.
Debbie “Speaking up and saying no, or making my wishes known on any level is something brand new for me.” Bravissima!
Michele got the replacement mirror last Thursday 7/13. He also replaced the left front “running light” that the last two repair folk (one the dealership) didn’t or couldn’t. I am content.
Pip where are you camping that’s cooler?
Allie happy to see Miles so happy at daycare. When do you hear back from the medicos?
Heather you and Johnny went all out for DSIL and boyfriend. No wonder you’re exhausted.
Through pg 38 but time to finish this morning’s PT and take the dogs down to the powerline meadow.

7/13 gratitude: not to need ibuprofen this morning.
07/12: Move: 2 sets PT w/x&a, line dance class, dogs to powerline.
Steps:9592 yay!
Fuel: sugar in vs mfp=8 CI=1701 CO=711
Live: Joe, readings, BP, library, Post Office. Wt:130.7

Later, lighter, lovelies!
Barbara, the Southern Oregon Coastie AHMOD
2023: Be of good cheer. July: Move more, fuel better (less sugar), live NOW.

Pismo beach California

Whidislander · July 2023

SophieRosieMom wrote: »

Pip - I want to be one of your dogs. What a neat camping set-up you have there.

Lisa - hope the colonscopy goes smoothly and helps find the answer.

Carol - I'm right there with you. At this point I'm grateful I'm not gaining more, but wish I could get my weight to go the other direction. Do you have a pedometer and can you walk any distance without pain?

I pulled on my walking shoes early this morning and got in a "sunrise" half mile. My arthritic knee was a little bitey and broken toe foot was bothering me. When I got back, I realized I'd pulled on a pair of old walking shoes for some reason. But still got around 2,000 steps. Some mornings when I don't walk and go 7 am shopping at Walmart, I notice that by the time I get home, I'm well over 2,000 steps. Prior to covid, I'd see seniors doing early morning "Walmart walks". These days there's more traffic in there since employees are pulling pick-up orders, but it's a way I get a little more exercise.

Machka - continued sympathies regarding your knee. Seems to be "knee year" for our group here.

Heather - so happy that your son will drive you there and back.

Rebecca - you are such a good penpal. I hardly do any cursive writing anymore and I think my hand would cramp up after a paragraph. Way to go on your fast.

Joy - how neat your little Lucy is keeping you more active. So nice that she decided to adopt you and your husband. The fox catching chickens is making me nervous....

Chicken escape: I just went out to see how the chickens were doing. The gate to their run was wide open and they were no where to be seen. I called "here chick chick chick" and put some of their favorite treats in a little pan, rattled it and here they came from inside the woodshed. I walked back into their run, threw the treats around, and they all came right back in so they are now securely locked in again. It was still pretty dark when I let them out this morning and must have just missed latching the gate. I'd been wondering how they'd do free-ranging. When I have more time this afternoon I might let them out for a few hours. Rosie was asleep in the house so didn't have to test that part out.

Accountability: I downloaded the WW app onto my jitterbug phone this morning. Still haven't signed up though. Not sure if I will; I'm looking at other food/nutrition information to see if I can make some changes on my own.

A friend of mine stopped by on Sunday and said she's lost 6 pounts with WW in the past few weeks. She and several other gals at her work are keeping each other accountable - sharing results, tips, recipes, etc. Recording weights - not sure how they are doing it exactly. When I was working 10 years ago, I was a member of a little group there where a fun chart was kept. Similar to below except simpler. Just how much lost or gained. I messaged her this morning, wondering if I could be added to her group remotely.

So I'm tossing this out: would any of you be willing to share your weekly- bi weekly - monthly results? I'm thinking just "Pounds gained/lost -- how many pounds left to goal". Or some variation - whatever folks wish to share. Someone could be the record keeper (I would volunteer for now unless someone else would want to do it. I don't have a lot of time to make it complicated Just basics here.)

Example:

Week of July 17, 2023

Lanette.................... 1 pound lost........................... 7 pounds left to goal.
Arlene .................................................................... at goal since January 2019. total 50 pounds lost.
JaneDoRight....................1/2 pound gained.................... 20 pounds left to goal.
Sue Sue........................ 1 pound lost......................... .2 pounds below goal, 23 pounds lost since November 2022.
Jan from Jamaica........... 3 pounds gained............ 21 pounds to goal. Surgery/vacation.

Participation would be purely voluntary. No competition. Participate for a while then drop out if need be. NO judgement, NO coercion. Pick your own goal, use MFP or WW or BMI or whatever. Change your goal whenever you want. Several of you report your success from time to time and it's inspirational for me. But I'm too busy (lazy? ) to go back and look up your stats when I need a boost. Maybe having something like this posted once a week would be helpful to others.

Would anyone want to participate in something like this? Again, no pressure. I don't want anyone to feel their privacy would be violated or that they must give information they don't wish to share.

Anyhow, just looking for feedback. Knowing me, I might change my mind about the whole thing by tomorrow.

Make it a fabulous day!

Lanette
SW WA State

My last jag of writing was 6 letters or so, with 5 pages or more each! I definitely got my writing in that weekend! I write with a mixture of cursive and printing!🙃
Rebecca
Whidbey
Wa

barbiecat · July 2023

Lisa in AZ Thanks for sharing about your weight loss journey. One of the greatest qualities of the women on this thread is that we support each other in whatever path they've chosen. My weight loss path was different from anyone else but I got great support for what I did.

Annie, Your stories about your dad and how you didn't eat chocolate to solve the problem are inspiring.

Rori, All your new adventures sound exciting.

About making decisions now that you are alone. One of my line dance friends who cared for her wheelchair bound husband for many years before he died said that she had a bit of struggle after he died with not feeling guilty about the various sorts of freedoms she had now that he was gone. I'm sure it can't be easy.

We completed the sale and transfer of the Subaru to our friend today. We spent a lot of time at the Department of Licensing and signed all the papers. The man at the DOL was a master of patience working alone with a long line of people waiting, some who had to be told that they were missing something and would have to return later. I want to be mellow and kind and patient like him when I grow up

Barbie in NW WA

LisaInArkansas · July 2023

Test results - medically stuff:

Good news in the overall. I do still, of course, have ulcerative colitis. That's lifelong, and won't change, just trying to get the symptoms to subside. They call it "going into remission," but I struggle with that term.

The esophageal scope showed no issues at all. They did a small amount of dilation, but overall, my stomach was just fine, and he was pleased with how healthy it is.

The colonscopy showed a lot of inflammation (and ulceration), but only in the last seven inches or so (or first, according to which way you're headed

.) This time they were able to look at the rest of my colon, and it is all healthy and in fine shape. I will be starting a month of steroids and another set of antibiotics to try to diminish or even heal up that inflammation. Nice to know it's limited and all the other work hasn't been in vain. Fingers crossed the double barrage will work this time.

Corey made me a cheeseburger after we got home, and that was the yummiest thing ever. I might just survive after all...

Thanks for all the good thoughts, my dears,
Much love,
Lisa in Arkansas

Whidislander · July 2023

My meal was fantastic today. Good hearty salad, kielbasa sausage, zucchini, mushroom, onions and wild rice bowl. Then 2 cookies with a coffee. I closed my eating window at 4 pm. I should sleep well tonight.😁
Rebecca
Whidbey
Wa

exermom · July 2023

Lanette – interesting thought about the grinding. I’ve never ground my teeth before. I guess we shall see what the dentist says

Lisa AZ – good for you getting on that elliptical. Congrats on the fantastic weight loss

Anne – good for you not giving in to that chocolate. You are a real inspiration!

Took my walk around the block and then made some of the protein pancakes. I need to get more mix.

Michele NC

SophieRosieMom · July 2023

Lisa - glad the colonoscopy had relatively good news - no new surprises and there are ways to deal with the ulcerative colitis.

Michele - I misspoke. I don't think I grind my teeth as much as clench them when I sleep. I was also waking up with aches above my temples and this little bite guard helped with that. What it does is prevent my mouth from completely closing I guess. Good luck with your dentist, hope it's an easy fix for you. You've been through a lot with that tooth.

Rori - I'm very excited for you and your gentleman friend.

It will be fun seeing him again.

I was going through my clothes in the master bedroom closet, pulled out a few tops for the thrift store. There are still a lot of DH's clothes in there.... and I can't bring myself to get rid of them because I don't want it to be half empty. Same thing with his shirts and sweaters in his dresser. There's something so final about that kind of emptiness I guess.

I was talking to my sweet next door neighbor whose wife died 12 years ago. He told me he was finally able to start giving away her things. He told me she comes and talks to him in his dreams all the time now (he's 92) so he must be getting closer to being with her. He said she told him to start purging.

so he's been making trips to the thrift store.

Lanette

SW WA State

Whidislander · July 2023

Good news Lisa, glad your innards were doing well, and youre going on meds for those last bits.🤗💖
Yes food takes so good after a fast!
Rebecca
Whidbey
Wa

skuehn48 · July 2023

Snowflake1968 · July 2023

Machka - I hope you get answers and heal quickly.

Lisa - Glad that is over for you. It sounds like positive results.

Joy - Thank you. I would be careful of those foxes as well.

My grandson sent out a text to Aunts and Uncles last night asking for money for his birthday as he has found a laptop he wants. He had 25.00 in his wallet towards it. This morning he asked me to take him to McDonalds for breakfast, a usual occurrence here, I told him no as I have someone coming to fix my dishwasher. He said he would pay himself so I drove him up. He wanted to go in so he could order and pay himself. I miss the little boy, but am proud of this little preteen.

Lanette - I would be up for posting. I weigh daily, but I could do an average over a week or month and post that.
That’s sort of sweet and at the same time a little creepy that your friend is being told to purge.

Michele - I like a soft icing myself there was one my grandmother used to make, I think it was called 7 minute icing.
As long as the vinyl is adhered properly it holds up well in the wash. You have to hang to dry though. If I was doing dish towels I would probably sublimate them. They are more durable.

Barbara - do these fires affect you? Are you on evacuation notice?
In this instance because he worked the majority of the day he will be paid the full day. I forget what the threshold is for hours but if that hasn’t been met they dock the pay. It’s good for the taxpayers not the employees.

Rori - I think I would struggle with guilt of purchasing things with only me in mind as well.

Annie - Great job avoiding the chocolate.

I had an extremely lazy day today. I didn’t even feel like driving Jonah home so he stayed over again.
I have to take him home tomorrow.

Tracey in Edmonton

dlfk202000 · July 2023

Walked the wetlands this morning for over an hour then walked with friend for another hour + this evening. Finishing at almost 9 1/2 miles.
Hopefully I will sleep good- should be asleep now. Dh's alarm will be going off in 30 min so may be a while before I get to sleep. He has to be at work at midnight.
Alarm set to go off early again for tomorrow to walk before it gets too warm and before Ezie gets here.

Debbie
Napa Valley, Ca

Machka9 · July 2023

I distracted myself today by buying a dress to wear at a multi-day work conference next month.

https://jacquie.jgl.com.au/shop/jersey-grace-dress?channable=017b75696400323830313130353764&colour=Decadent Blooms&gclid=Cj0KCQjwk96lBhDHARIsAEKO4xaer2D1OCzpjd95_1Dey9zhCcM17spPh7xoWEJRiWlOqDcE9EHYsiUaAt_uEALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds

And I've got the next 5 days off work.

Machka in Oz

TerriRichardson112 · July 2023

Up early and did usual weekly grocery shopping. All is put away and I’m having coffee.

Lisa Ark:Great to know that things are looking up a little.

Planning to go blitz the dining room clutter.

Some data about my weight loss journey.

July 2023 - My Why?

The sad fact is that there are no hard and fast rules to getting fit and healthy. Each one of us is a unique individual, and there is no magic formula for what we want to do.

It’s a marathon, not a sprint. Slow, steady, sustainable habit adjustments are crucial to getting to where we want to be.

I started in January 2015.
My WHY! I had developed degenerative bone disease in one hip which impacted my mobility. My weight had crept up, which didn’t help matters. I needed a hip op, but had to lose an appreciable amount of weight before that could happen. I was 227 lbs, and at rock bottom emotionally.
My HOW! By chance, I received an email from my writing coach which set out a way to achieve writing goals which resonated with me. It set out a 4 step plan which changed my life. I realised that it could be applied to all sorts of goals and resolved to use it to create a written plan for my desire to lose weight.

My How?
📍My 4 Step Plan for goal setting success
(AKA Jurgen Wolff, 'My Writing Coach')

📍Step 1.
Imagine you are at the end of the year. Think of the one thing that you would like to be able to look back at, at the end of the year, and say 'I did that!'
Write:
"At the end of this year I would like to look back and be able to say ....................."
This becomes your primary goal. (If you have an unused note book use the first page to do this.)

📍Step 2
Underneath that write:
"Today, to help me achieve my primary goal, I am going to do............... (Write in one or two small things that you can do now to start you off.)
Now go and do them! You are taking the first step towards success!

📍Step 3.
Now that you have taken the first step write out and complete the following sentences
Tomorrow I will ....................... to help me achieve my primary goal.
This week I will ....................... to help me achieve my primary goal.
Next week I will ...................... to help me achieve my primary goal.
Next month I will .................... to help me achieve my primary goal.
Please take the time to write these out. It reinforces your commitment to the goal.

📍Step 4
Review your progress daily, weekly, monthly.
Adjust the steps as you progress.
CELEBRATE EVERY SINGLE STEP YOU TAKE!

This is what I wrote on the first page of my notebook.

📍At the end of the year I would like to be able to look back and say that I had lost 1lb for every week of 2015.

📍Today, to help me achieve my primary goal, I will:
1. start logging my calories on MFP.
I had been putting this off for far too long. (I got the shock of my life when I realised how many calories I was eating. My dietician had said I should be eating between 1200 and 1500.)
2. walk to the local shops. (This was a 2 mile walk. It took me over an hour, but I felt great afterwards.)

📍This week, to help me achieve my primary goal, I will:
1. park on the other side of the town park and walk to and from the activity centre instead of parking outside it. (This was a twenty minute walk each way as I took a roundabout route through the park. )
2. weigh my food and log it on MFP and stay under goal.( I have done this almost every day now since I started logging.)
3. do a minimum of 30 minutes exercise every day and log it on MFP. (I started walking around the neighbourhood after dinner if I hadn't done this earlier in the day. I also did ‘Walk with Lesley' several times a day as well as doing my out and about stuff.

📍Next week, to help me achieve my primary goal, I will:
1. weigh and log foods
2. increase my walking to a minimum of 60 minutes a day
3. do a minimum of 3 X 30 minute aerobics sessions
4. do 30 minutes of Tai Chi each morning

📍Next month, to help me achieve my primary goal, I will:
1. weigh and log food
2. Join challenges on MFP
3. increase my aerobics sessions to 45 minutes
4. Extend my yoga/tai chi using YouTube vids
5. increase my walking to 90 minutes a day
6. Keep a diary of my progress.
7. Add other goals as the months pass, but never lose sight of my primary goal for the year.

I steadily adjusted my habits. One small thing at a time.

By September 2015 I had lost over 40 lbs and had my hip replacement done.

I hit several plateaus after that, but kept going until I reached maintenance in November 2019. I have continued to adjust my habits and gradually dropped some more weight and now weigh what I weighed pre babies.

This is some data on my progress

🦋🐞🪲🦋🪲🐞🪲🦋🪲🐞🦋
Name: Terri
Age: 77
Height: 5’2”
Total weight lost to date: 95 lbs
Time it took to lose: 5 years
How long in maintenance: Started maintenance August 2019
Maintenance weight range: after going onto maintenance I continued to lose weight very slowly, so started reducing my maintenance ceiling. I am currently at a fairly steady weight.
Initially: < 150
Amended: < 145
Currently: < 140
• Average weight recap
Average weight recorded for
2020: 147.9
2021: 141.8
2022: 138.6
2023:
Jan: 132.9
Feb: 132.8
Mar: 131.6
Apr: 133.7 (I had an operation in April which temporarily put my weight up several lbs and skewed the average)
May: 133.6
June: 133.7

JUNE
Week ending:
July 01: 133.9
July 08: 134.1
July 15: 134.0
July 22:
July 29:
July 31:

Successes
• Back to what is a new normal for me.
• Pre-logging food for the day ahead
• Healthy snacks factored into calorie budget
• Solid Habits development
• Maintaining mindful focus on health and fitness
• Cutting myself some slack on the daily ups and downs
• Finding enjoyable ways to move. If you don’t enjoy it, then it’s difficult to motivate yourself
• I found some great seated Pilates videos from Rachel, The girl with the Pilates Mat., and some cardio with body weight videos that I like. YouTube is such a useful resource.

Struggles:
• Remembering to adjust the intensity of my exercise regimen to take account of medical advice
• Managing the possible weight increase with increased toning strength work

🦋🐞🪲🦋🪲🐞🪲🦋🪲🐞🦋

🤗 🤗 🤗 and 🙏🏻 🙏🏻 🙏🏻 to those who want/need them.

Welcome to the new peeps. Draw up a chair and sit awhile. 😂

☘️ Terri

Machka9 · July 2023

Rosemarie2972 wrote: »

I always wanted to see Acadia National Park where the forest meets the ocean!

I have decided to try and see the National Park by riding an electric bike. I have never ridden an electric bike. The bike will not have a throttle which I understand would make it easier. There will still be about 20 miles of pedaling to do. People in their 60's do this but apparently it is tiring as well. This will be on gravel which concerns me a little. And there will be horse drawn carriages on the road taking tourists around.

So I have a year to get in shape for this one day at Acadia National Park. I plan to start riding the stationary bikes at the gym and increase the resistance and get to 30 miles a session anyway!

Best,
Rosemarie from Georgia

I may have bitten off too much. I am not sure.

Way to go Rosemarie!

Machka9 · July 2023

Anniesquats100 wrote: »

Welcome Lisa in Arizona!

Lisa and Rebecca, thinking of you!

Pip, your campsite is lovely!

I just finished riding my bike with 20 seconds sprint intervals. It really gets me puffing! I'm glad I found something that gets my heart pumping without scaring me. And it makes the time pass faster. I'm cooling down on the couch with Teddy boo which is not the right way.

If I can keep this up, I might be ready to try running in January. But the first goal is to finish my sister challenge which ends in a week. I really want to lose two pounds by then and hit 159. It's a bit of a stretch goal, and probably means that I need to rein it in at the family Sunday dinner. And be careful what time I weigh myself.

So there's yoga and aerobic walking yet today.
Hope you all are having a great day!

Annie in Delaware

You're doing well!!

I dropped 4 kg in time for a cycling conference last month ...

Then I hoped to drop a bit more and start running this month. There was an event right at the end of the month. Then I hoped to drop a bit more before the work conference in August.

It's going to be more challenging now, however I have maintained the last couple weeks.

I always weigh myself in the mornings, after I use the toilet ... that's when I'm the lightest.

M in Oz

Machka9 · July 2023

1948CWB wrote: »

I am at my highest weight ever! Before the pandemic I weighed 166 and now 174. Pip...Need your boot. Poor food choices and too much wine. Exercise is almost out of the question because I seem to injure some part of my body each time I try.
Tomorrow is a new day and I pray that I will get back to learned habits from the past.

Carol in GA

Can you do casual walks?

One of the tricks is to ease into exercise ... don't push it too hard to begin with.

Another trick is to watch YouTube videos and read through the instructions on websites to be sure you're doing the exercises properly. Lots of people hurt themselves because their form is poor.

GodMomKim wrote: »

Carol,
Don't eliminate exercise, just rethink it... when taking something from one end of the house to the other do it in 2 or 3 trips instead of one and you just exercised! maybe some arm circles while watching TV... just start really slow! Injury is not the goal! LOL just a tiny bit more movement, and if you keep adding movement you might end up exercising and barely realize it.

smiles Kim
in Hot N. California

Yes!

Even getting up and standing for a while ... doing some housework while standing and walking.

I'm trying to stand, with my standing desk, for at least an hour a day. I can't walk much right now, but I can stand and kind of shift about while I'm standing. It's a few more calories burned than sitting.

M in Oz

WOMEN AGES 50+ FOR JULY 2023

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