WOMEN AGES 50+ FOR JUNE 2024

Allie - It sounds so horrible for Tracy, but I hope the live twin does very well, and every day that goes by before delivery gives more time to grow.

Annie - Just thinking about you kid. The every waking moment of alertness and attention is wearing, I'm sure.

Machka - You're pushing yourself awfully hard, kiddo, with the move and everything at work, as well. Any word on whether you'll get the position(s) you've interviewed for? Hope the migraine has subsided.

Tracey - When you committed to getting your certificate, you were doing something different to get something more and better than you'd gotten before. That's something to be very, very proud of, dear heart, and totally understand that you're not just thinking about you, but others as well. Oh, and I'm so sorry the Oilers lost! They really did so amazing, coming back from 3-0 to get to the 7th game.

Barbie - How did your meeting at the dentist go?

We've got heavy rain coming in, which we do need the rain part, but hoping the heavy isn't TOO heavy. The weather here just can't seem to help being all or nothing... but the grass was absolutely crunchy when I walked down to get the mail yesterday.

Bad night last night, as either the mushrooms or the pasta got stuck... took a couple hours and finally, a cup of hot tea to get whatever it was dislodged. *Sigh*. It was yummy, but not worth that... either I ate too fast, or didn't chew things down small enough, or both. Annoying. Decided to forgo coffee and stick with tea again this morning. Things are still just a little ouchy.

Some of my tests are in, and my iron and potassium are not just spot on, but improved, which is good. Still waiting on the thyroid and free T3, T4 results. Got a few other highs and lows, but all of them are borderline, nothing ranging terribly far away from normal ranges--and without exception, all of them are better than they were the last time they were tested. If the thyroid comes in as OK, then the fatigue levels are due to the Skyrizi, and it gives me something to talk to my gastroenterologist about on Friday. 🤷🏻‍♀️ We'll see.

Slept nearly 8 hours last night, even with drinking a cup of tea near bedtime, so am pleased with that. And... I got through 20 minutes of yoga yesterday. Not AT ALL what I wanted to do, but I need it too badly - and I haven't done it since May, mostly just blaming it on the fatigue. So easy to stop, but it's time to get it going again.

Later, my dears,
Lisa in AR

(((Michelle)))

Tracey I know what you mean by 160. I was at 161. Most of high school I was 155 and was not happy with that. I am happy to be in the low 160's now. Turned the corner in the number is not as important as how I feel and if I am having other health issues.Many markers have improved as I slowly lose weight.

Learning more and more how our microbiome is key to our health. Lifestyle and diet are major contributors to a healthy microbiome. I talked with friend last night who is on my same page. She is about my age and healthy. We both commented on how many we know who are starting to fall apart. Drinking, smoking, and junk food seem to be the main culprits. Smoking uses up nutrients your body needs...alcohol and junk food give you little to none of the nutrients you need and contribute to fatty liver.

I still think of the friend who said think of your body as your home. If you neglect or trash your home you see the results. It is true for our bodies too. I remember my sister is the throws of her cancer wishing she could have a new body. She was also the one who would say I will start tomorrow. I also remember her snacking on a bag or Oreos to mitigate her stress. She died at age 59.

I only get one body and it is my responsibility to do right by it.

I had a two hour sleep this afternoon, with vivid dreams! I'm sure I needed it. Sleep is the healer. I fell asleep during the lunchtime news and woke myself up with a mighty snort, much to John's amusement.
I'm waking up early in the morning, so getting around five hours in the night. I use the early morning for my exercise time, starting off with the ones I can do in bed and then getting up for the standing ones. I suppose I'm doing 30-40 minutes. So, with the nap time, I'm averaging 7 hours.
At the moment I'm lying on my bed with the fan going, as it's a HOT day. I am not good in the heat. Beautiful sunshine.

Yesterday, at my son's, the girls had a meltdown. Edie especially wanted to go in the sea, as she had spent the day on some camping experience with the school, and had a heat rash. She had a cold shower, but was still itching to get in the sea. Bea followed suit, so there were tears and begging, but to no avail, as my son had just got back from London, was exhausted, and wanted to get everyone settled before the England match on TV. The protest was loud and chaotic.
I think they might ditch the cycling track class they do every Wednesday, and go in the sea today. Far too hot for racing.
My son took us home, though I did offer to get an Uber.
Family life!

I had a bunch of leeks in the fridge, which have been sitting there, so I've softened them down and thawed a ball of pizza dough. Leek, mozzarella, and anchovy pizza! Half a very thin pizza each. It will heat up the kitchen, but we can open the French doors.

I may go out for a walk when it's cooled off a bit. Nothing on TV except football. My Maigret may have recorded. There is also a Michael Palin from 1997 about Patagonia and Chile.

I'm walking up and down stairs with alternate legs. Have to hold on to the banister, but I'm pleased.

Love Heather UK xxxxxxxx

WOW where does the time go? I was sick a couple days, out of town a couple days, forgot a couple days, then WHAM I haven't been here in ages. Definitely not my intent!

I'm really doing well in the food department. The Ozempic does make me slightly queasy most days, but definitely has completely changed my appetite and my interest in food. Hubby made french onion dip to have with a small bag of chips with dinner the other night and I had 3 chips! That's all I even wanted. And I love flavored chips and dip! I went out yesterday with a friend and ate 1/4 sandwich and a small bowl of fruit and was stuffed until dinner time.

I also discovered something; I have been afraid of being hungry. That sounds totally stupid, but I used to get migraines and would pass out if I got too hungry, so I started carrying food on me all the time and eating every time I got even somewhat hungry. I no longer have that fear. It's totally irrational, but I never realized it until a couple weeks ago, I was hungry and dinner was in about 2 hours and that was just fine. It dawned on me that I was not worried like I normally would have been. I think it's the Ozempic.

OK back to work with me. Hope you are all doing well. Oh, forgot to mention, our hail claim is now up to $125,000. UGH

Take care, Meg from Omaha where the College World Series is not the only place to find baseball-sized objects: the hail last night was that size! Fortunately, that missed us by about a half mile. GAAAAAA

Margaret - love your posts, so many good points and observations. No matter where we are today with eating and exercise, we can always improve and will see positive results. I can't remember how tall you are - 5'8"?

Ginny - hope the ortho SI treatment works and helps your foot. Nice to get this and the implant (hopefully) finished up before retirement.

Annie - it's neat that your dad is asking what he should be doing. More work for you perhaps but sounds like he's more apt to follow directions and suggestions.

Meg - glad to hear the Ozempic is working. Very nice to have your appetite suppressed and not be hungry! Did the doc who prescribed it give any nutrition/eating recommendations? Like get so much protein & fiber, etc.? Just curious if there's an "after-care" plan once a person loses the weight they needed to. Maybe they reach a natural set point then go off it and resume with low-carb or ?? This is all new to me. WOW on that hail claim! Glad you were missed by the hail this time. My brother in Indiana has had his roof replaced twice in the past decade due to golf ball hail.

Rita - thank you, I'd forgotten your diary was open and I'll check it out. Yes, it does sound like your recommendations are based on the same formula mine are. I haven't added in exercise on the MFP, mainly because I gave it a go a few days ago and that would have had me well over 2000 calories. Too much to wrap my head around at this point. Maybe in the future.

For now, I think I'll keep on my lower-carb path. I'll just make more of an effort to curtail eating, even though it's low-carb, after supper since there are extra calories the body has to put someplace and eating close to bedtime isn't good anyhow. There's another gal in the class with a huge yard and garden and gets plenty of exercise like I do, and she also is familiar with keto and low-carb eating. Curious to see if she makes any comments at next Monday's meeting. She did ask Coach Melanie about Keto during the last class, Melanie said don't subtract the fiber from the carbs yet, maybe something to look at down the line... she kind of intimated using Keto for maintaining? She danced around it a little, lol.

I know for some of my classmates, who live in 55+ retirement communities and have been eating the SAD (Standard American Diet), Melanie's calorie and macro recommendations will be very beneficial. These folks don't have a lot of activity - no big lawns or garden areas to weed, weed-eat and mow. So increasing walking and going to the gym for exercise might be welcome additions for them. And something I'll be doing in the future.

Ladies, we are all different - what works for one person might not work for the next for varied reasons, so I fully support whatever you all are doing and the eating/exercise plans you follow. You are the best judge of what works for you, so keep up the good work.

I started weed eating out front at 8 this morning. Good morning neighbors! Rise and shine, lol. I don't think my little battery operated string trimmer makes a lot of noise. Took a little break for a while, then continued weed eating in the back yard and got out the manual pruning saw and removed some branches that were hard to mow under. Done for now!

Better close. This has run on for hours. Have a great day!

Lanette
SW WA State

Margaret--You have a beautiful voice.
Michele--I understand about your friend. I am still working through my friends passing. We took the bench last Saturday to the rehab center and glad that is done. Still can't believe at times she is gone.
Tracey--Thanks for sharing the song about aging. Sure sounds like I feel a lot of the time.
Blessing, Vicki GRAND ISLAND, NE

The kids did get to the beach today and went for pizza at Fatto afterwards. They said it was bliss!


Love Heather UK xxxxxx

Hi everyone! I return to work on July 5th. I am glad my foot is better. There is pain, but I do have arthritis. I am trying to work with my foot without the boot. I am waiting for my orthotic. I am so happy because I lost two more pounds! Maybe exercise will help, too. I plan to get in the pool to work out. Today, Rose and I slept. She did have a round of playing ball. After catching six balls in the Mississippi sun, she left me and went to the patio. She told me that I was crazy if she would run all day.
@exermom-, Thank you for the welcome back.
@auntiebk -Do you have someone to care for you? It is hard to recoup alone. I hope you are free of pain.
@SophieRosieMom - thank you for the positive vibes.