Ages 70+

Street ready before logging on Stats
Week 3, day 1 of 5 ... did it!
That said ... it doesn't mean that I am not somewhat let down. Circumstances. I had a 'bad sleep' night last night.
Seems to be an every-other night occurrence the past few months. One night I sleep well, only briefly waking to use the potty 2 or 3 times between going to bed and getting up in the morning. Then, the next night, I fall asleep as usual but when I wake up the first time, I cannot go back to sleep; either because something is cramping or hurting so I toss and turn and cannot fall back into slumber. Then, the longer I cannot fall asleep, the more awake I become, also the more awake-but-tired. In the end, I get up, bundle up on the recliner and turn on the TV. Many nights, I eventually drift off into sleep toward daybreak and catch an hour or two more sleep. That kind of a night leaves me exhausted and lethargic most of the next day. Which easily leads to eating the wrong foods because I don't want to be 'bothered' with cooking a nutrition and diet-friendly meal. Today, thank God, I had a lunch reserved at the Senior Center and leftovers in the fridge to warm up for supper. But still. I hate it.
PS ... Well, 'hate' is not the correct word. I don't actually hate anything. But I do dislike it greatly!

@nsk1951 ... Insomnia is a hard thing to deal with. I have trouble too. I started taking Magnesium once a day a few weeks ago, and I'm sleeping better. I have a sleeping pill but lately I haven't had to take it.

I read that 50% of people have a magnesium deficiency and some of the symptoms are fatigue, muscle spasms, weakness, sleeplessness. Might be worth checking out.

BTW, up this morning, jumped in the shower and then got dressed.

I was tracing my weights over the past year when I got off the beaten path and put back on a lot of my lost weight, and I'm not too discouraged. I'm actually only 21 pounds more than this time last year, and I can lose that in no time now that I have a better game plan and am focused again.... and then it's onward and "downward" to my ultimate goal of -100. Just watch me. I can do it!

Alarm at 7:50, dressed and out the door before 8:00 in search of food!
I am so lucky to have a place nearby that sells healthy pre-cooked meals. You take them home and heat them up. I can split most of them for 2 meals. Some are basic foods you take home and make what you want with them.-- Plain baked chicken breast, rice and a veg. Add your favorite sauce, leftover veg, serve a salad on the side, you might just get 3 servings--they are very generous with the meat.
This morning I had 1/2 steak, scrambled eggs, fried potatoes. With coffee and some fairlife milk, Held me from 8:30 until 2:30 lunch. 265 calories, 33 grams protein.

Up, showered, dressed and ready to go out the door. Have a 5 hour round trip to make to St Petersburg, FL. Looking forward to eating at Doc Ford's Rum and Grill Restaurant on the way back. Will stay as close to my eating plan as possible. Everyone have a good day! ~Barb

Big day out. Traveled 6 hours (round trip) in heavy traffic to pick up plants that were gifted to me by a friend who recently passed away. Unfortunately, I wasn't able to get the big ones, but my son is going to rent a U-Haul truck and we'll get them all on Saturday. Her husband is in bad health and can't take care of them. Early dinner at Doc Ford's was great. I had crab cakes, coleslaw and clam chowder.

@nsk1951 ... My doctor said she often prescribes magnesium and wasn't surprised it helped my sleep.

@BarbMessimer @nsk1951
DH had knee surgery; at night; during recovery he used to cramp up. He started taking Magnesium Citrate. Works very well.

@kwiatpatt254 Great to read that you are recording meals and having success. I haven't been recording meals; though I do exercise. I am a strong believer that recording meals=success. I have to get back to it. I had a hip replacement 4 years ago. I still do the physio exercises in between my exercise outings.

Has anyone done the 5% challenge here at MFP? I'm thinking and debating. Thought didn't do a heck of a lot, did it?

I know exactly what you’re saying Barb! Basically I have reached the average life expectancy for women. Doctors are sometimes a bit condescending because if something changes you hear “it’s to be expected at your age.”

My lab tests are good but I could still lose 10-20 pounds. So why am I beating my head against the wall? But then I remember how restricted my life was 💯 pounds ago. I was miserable. I want to experience and live happily in my body for the rest of my days.

I used to think about weight loss in 10 lb. goals. Then as time went on, I thought 5 lb goals were less daunting. Now I look at one day at a time and even with minor normal daily weight fluctuations, each pound (or even part of a pound) keeps me on track and honest with myself. This weight didn't come on overnight, so I celebrate each day's minor victories, on scale or off. I would like to lose 30 lbs. but my doctor said that a 25 lb loss is probably more realistic “ at my age”. Whatever that magic number is, it is a goal which is in sight and I am determined to get there.

I weigh and record my weights daily in a word document. At the end of the month, I record the lowest and at the end of the year, the total lost for that year. This helps me to look at the big picture instead of getting upset with daily fluctuations.

2021 -36 lbs
2022 -30 lbs -66 cumulative
2023 -2.0 lbs -68 cumulative

Although right now I have some weight to lose to get back to my -68, I have the whole year to do it and lose even more. My goal is -100 pounds, and I know I'll get there sooner or later.

BarbMessimer - well done on your weight loss. With your positive attitude, I have no doubt you will get to your desired goal.

I weigh myself daily first thing in the morning. When I see a loss, even a fraction of a pound, I record it. I know weight fluctuates so if the scale shows an increase the next day or so, I just ignore it as I know it will come back down.

@BarbMessimer I liked to read that you: Look at the big picture; and have confidence that you will achieve your goal. Excellent!!

I have to remove the blinders and give myself more credit than I do.
Health is a journey.

kwiatpatt254 wrote: »

I agree that life events and a weight loss goal are part of the large picture. It is a journey that has starts and stops, the odd detour, but the goal is always there. So we take a little longer to get there. We WILL get there. Together! If today brings disappointments or challenges, tomorrow brings new hope and resolve. We will get there.

I really like what you wrote, and I agree. Although there might be a day or a week when I don't eat according to my "life plan", I know there will never be a time when I consistently eat like that.

Good morning The blinders are slowly coming off. I believe it is due to taking a proactive approach to exercising (though I had a negative attitude to start). It makes me feel better. I missed about a month as I had a heck of a viral cold. DH coaxed me to the Rec. Centre. I was very negative. However when I got into my routine (small steps) and associating with like-minded people. That changed my negativity. Today off to the Senior Centre 45minutes stretch and light weights. 30minutes on treadmill. Waiting for the weather to break -7C/19.4F a little cool for me to be outside walking. I like to walk outside more so than inside. It is a form of meditation for me + I get to meet with a neighbour or two along the way.

@kwiatpatt254 I do a lot of reading a well; to understand what I am getting into.
I like the word embrace. I try not to get overwhelmed with all of the information that I am processing.