50+ WOMEN FOR THE MONTH OF MAY

Anne..I loved that. The faces made it even better.

Kathy,

Wonderful to hear from you! I will have to admit I'm a little bit envious of your ability to paint. :bigsmile: There are a few in my family that do oil paintings of landscapes and objects, but nothing anywhere near the level that you are at. I definitely missed out on the artistic gene, I have to use a round object to draw a circle. :ohwell: Be sure and post a picture of your work when you are finished. Looking forward to seeing it.:happy: :happy:

We're having more rain here in TN today - we are under a threat of possible severe storms. I know there is a saying that the 3rd time is charm, but I definitely do not want to have to plant my garden for the 3rd time.:frown: Way too much work!

Today was a busy first day back at work which was a good thing- didn't have any time to think abut snacking on anything unhealthy, barely had a chance to eat half of my lunch but did manage to drink 4 cups of water I always use Crystal Light flavored teas to boost my metabolism. I find it's a lot easeir to consume the water when I use the Crystal Light or Lipton teas to give it some flavor only 5 calories at the most.:drinker: :drinker:

My neighbor who just recently got out of the hospital and is recovering from pneumonia got a favorable report from her Dr. today so she celebrated by sharing some grilled chicken and a nice salad made from home grown lettuce that someone had brought her and it was wonderful. :bigsmile: She hasn't had the strength to prepare meals so I've been taking her a meal each evening so she wanted to return the favor which was great for me. I had some vegetables already prepared so we traded and we all had a well-rounded nutritious meal without anyone having to to a whole lot..:happy: :happy:


Gotta run, brought work home so I better get on it!:grumble: :grumble:

Nancy

Hi-
I missed gettting on for one day and it's taken 20 mintues to catch up. :laugh:

Barbie - your trip up the West Coast sounds wonderful. One day maybe my husband and I will get to it. We have a nephew living in Portland so maybe it will really happen. For now, I need to plan a trip to Scotland for the Fall. My youngest is doing a semester abroad and that's all the excuse I need!

Barb- Sauvie Island also sounded fabulous. I'd never heard of it so I've added that to my mental list of places to see. Any luck finding the walking shoes?

Marilyn - welcome to this great thread!!

Kathy - so nice to hear from you. I missed you. I, too, am envious of your talent!! Sounds like you will be very busy. Please do post a picture when you've finished the mural.

Debbie - your exercise room was a great project! I just got Wii Fit. Not sure yet whether it was worth all that money. What kills me is that it places my age at 12 years older than I am and my "obese" (according to them) husband at 14 years younger. :mad:
I tried a couple Yoga poses - the tree one is impossible, but I did very well on the Warrior one.

Nancy- I can relate to your comments about your artistic talent. :laugh: Have you ever played Pictionary? When we play with friends, I have to be with one of my family because I am SO bad that it wouldnt be fair to pair me up with an unsuspecting friend.:ohwell:

I've been sitting here too long. I need to move on and get active or this ticker will never move. I have a luncheon tomorrow and no idea what to wear, I am a little disappointed in myself that I coudln't get it togetehr to lose some weight by then. I may have to go to the hairdresser to make myself feel a little better. Camouflage the flab.:laugh:

Have a great day. Looks foggy and gray here in the Northeast.
Zaza

GOOD MORNING ALL,

KATHY, SO GOOD TO HEAR FROM YOU. CAN'T WAIT TO SEE THAT MURAL WHEN IT IS DONE. NOW YOU HAVE OTHER PROJECTS AND ALL ARTISTIC. NICE TO BE GIFTED AND BE DOING SOMETHING YOU LOVE. MY FRIEND IS 68 AND HER HUSBAND 70 IS STILL OUT RIDING HIS MOTOR CYCLE WITH THE FELLOWS, CAN YOU BELIEVE IT? SHE STOPPED A COUPLE OF YEARS AGO FOR THE REASONS YOU MENTIONED. GLAD YOU ARE HOLDING ON TO YOUR WEIGHT LOSS BY EATING THE RIGHT FOODS. GOOD GIRL!:flowerforyou:

NANCY, HOPE YOUR GARDEN WILL BE OK. I NEED A LITTLE FLAVOR IN MY WATER TOO. I DIDN'T KNOW CRYSTAL LIGHT DID ANYTHING FOR YOUR METABOLISM? I WILL LOOK FOR THE PEACH ONE?:drinker:

BARB, HOPE YOU KEEP FEELING BETTER EACH DAY. SO PROUD OF YOU FOR GIVING UP THAT BROWNIE TO YOUR CO WORKER.:flowerforyou:

BECKY, GLAD YOU LIKE THAT LIST. :happy: IT SOMETIMES HELPS TO READ OVER THE HELPFUL HINTS THAT WE ALREADY KNOW ABOUT BUT OFTEN PUT ON THE BACK BURNER.

WISH EVERYONE A HAPPY AND HEALTHY DAY.
ANNE

:flowerforyou: Marie, I am so glad that we are beyond the freezing weather. I have all my houseplants outside now.

:flowerforyou: Anne, I would print out the commandments but I don't have a printer. The Crystal Light that I get is the to go ones. In little packets. It will say metabolism on the box. I think it has green tea in it and caffeine.

:flowerforyou: Heather, doesn't it make you feel so good when your weight lose is noticed. I have had two co-workers tell me that I had better stop that I am getting too thin. NOT !!! They both are so skinny. So, it wasn't like they are jealous. I just said that I would think about after another five pounds or so.

I made a banana smoothie for a snack and then I came here to log it. I was shocked. Bananas have way too many calories. I learned my lesson. But I have exercise enough that I think I will be alright.

YIPPEE !!! :bigsmile: :bigsmile: :bigsmile: :bigsmile: :bigsmile: :bigsmile: :bigsmile:


We’re home again. Jake drove 435 miles on Wednesday to get us home a day early. There’s no place like home. We’ve been busy non-stop. After the long drive, it was a challenge to find the time to meet my goal of walking 10,000 steps. I had two phone calls to make near bedtime and I rode the exercise bike during one of the calls, and walked up and down the hall during the other one.

:flowerforyou: Nancy

---

thanks for the info on your thunder cake. It sounds yummy and like something I would love a lot although I’m not sure I would even dare make it.

:flowerforyou: Barb----you are such a good daughter to spend your day making sure your parents got to an event that was important to them. Sure, you had a good time, too, but your first thought was of them and how you could be useful.

:flowerforyou: Marilyn, welcome to the greatest group of women. This group has been such an inspiration to me. I’ve learned a lot from them and they’ve “listened” to me in a way that my everyday friends can’t. I hope you’ll become a regular contributor to our group sharing. We’ve driven past Hiouchi Hamlet a lot but never stayed there because it was too close to Eureka which was our ultimate destination. We lived in Eureka, California for a long time and then in Anderson for awhile before moving to Washington.

:flowerforyou: Anne----good for you, going to Weight Watchers even though you knew you’d gained. A support group isn’t just there to celebrate your success. You need to show up all the time. You are such a good example for all of us. I loved your ten commandments especially the one about mapping out the restrooms.

:flowerforyou: Vicki----you’re so lucky to have a husband who encourages and participates in going to the gym. Losing one pound is great. Just keep doing what you’re doing and the pounds will add up.

:flowerforyou: Becky----we love our travels. A motorhome seems like a safer place to be than a tent. I don’t think I’d go camping in a tent by myself and I don’t drive the motorhome, so this is something I’ll be doing only as long as Jake is willing and able to drive. I love bananas and try to find a space for one with my Isagenix shake or with my cereal. I usually have one a few days in a row and then don’t buy them for awhile. Bananas and apples are just about the only fruit I eat.

:flowerforyou: Marie, your aching muscles will thank you for working them hard. You’re right, they can only get better.

:flowerforyou: Debbie, your exercise room sounds great. Congratulations to your daughter on her graduation from high school.

:flowerforyou: Kathy, all your painting sounds wonderful. The RV park we stayed in for two weeks was behind the Harley Davidson store. We went in one day and looked at all the motorcycles. There were some really beautiful ones. I’ve ridden on the back of a few motorcycles and never got the “rush” that so many people get. I didn’t feel unsafe but I didn’t feel relaxed either. You could buy a nice convertible for a lot less than the cost of some of those Harleys.

:flowerforyou: Heather, that’s great that someone noticed your weight loss. Let that be a motivator to keep going. I like your plan to walk while your daughter is paddling.

I have piles of laundry all over my house. I don't know how many calories you burn doing laundry, but I've been active.

Big hugs,
Barbie

:flowerforyou: Nancy, thanks for letting me know about adding the Energy drink to the Metabolism one. I can use all the calorie busting help I can get. I really have found that drinking things like this has helped.

Good Morning ladies,
So good to hear from so many of you. Thanks for all of the encouragement. Well I did it. I went out last night with the girls and my friend brought my brownie cake I wanted. Oh it is so hard to describe how good it is. Melt in your mouth is all I can say. It even smelled good when I opened it. BUT, I ate my one piece and that was fine with me. I even had to bring it home cause nobody else wanted it. I will bring to my grandchildrne this morning. I am so proud cause I could really have eaten the whole thing.
For those of you talking about your chocolate. I am a chocoholic. I bought me a bag of Hersery Bliss dark chocolate and put it in the fridge. I allow myself 3 pieces per day. I dont always eat them but they are there if I need to . i add them to my calories each day and it gives me just enough of that chocolate that I do not have to cheat. In fact the girls had some M&M's the other day and when I tasted one I did not even like the taste any more ( and I used to eat loads of them) Just an idea if you like chocolate. I am going to granddaughter's award ceremony today at her school. It is her last day.

My daughter who graduated last week accepted a teaching job yesterday. Glad that is done so she can relax and enjoy her summer.
Talk to you ladies later.
Vicki

Morning all

Glad your back home barbie - I know what you mean about the laundry everywhere - but I've been home all along:laugh: That's just my life - Saturdays are made for housework:grumble:

Its another beautiful day here. Well ladies I made it all the way around the lake last night. I felt great eventhough my heel is killing me. There were so many people - all shapes and sizes out there doing something good for themselves. It felt just great and inspiring to be one of them! At one point, I wanted to stopbecause of my foot, and there in front of me, coming the opposite direction, was a little old lady and her dog. The lady was moving along with her WALKER - no socks - no laces in her shoes but there she was doing it. I said to my friend - alright that's it I CAN do this. And I did:bigsmile:

Mmmmm chocolate!!! I bought a bag of Giardelli (??) 70% dark chocolate chips the last time I was in the states (we don't have that here) and each chip is 8 cals. but sooo worth it. A few of those beat the craving for me.

Tomorrow is the Dragon Boat Race - I'll be there supporting my daughter and between races I'm going to walk around the lake again. I know I'll have to medicate but if I go slow I'll make it. I tried putting a cushy insole in my left runner but it made my shoe fit differently and I got a stupid blister on the back of my heel - Can't win for losing!!

Vicki - congrats to you daughter and your granddaughter - I love awards ceremonies - my kids don't because I always cry and embarrass them:blushing:

Today I will:
Walk for 20 minutes
drink my water
eat healthy meals and snacks

I'm really worried about the weekend. It seems that I am not as strong as I would like to think. I don't know how my motivation morphs into that 'I don't care" attitude so quickly.

Have a great day

Heather
p.s. My husband got some great shots of our golden while out fishing (while I was working:grumble: ) I'll have to take the time to learn how to post them so you can see my beautiful boy (dog not husband:laugh: )

ESTHER, SO GLAD I CAME BACK ON AND FOUND YOUR POST. IT' S BEEN MUCH TOO LONG, EVERYONE MISSED YOU. WELCOME BACK. SO GLAD YOU HAD A GOOD TRIP. THAT TEMPERATURE WOULD HAVE SCARED ME INTO THE AIR CONDITIONING AND AWAY FROM ANY FESTIVITIES. DON'T EVEN THINK ABOUT ANY CATCHING UP. I WAS OFF A FEW DAYS AND I DID NOT EVEN TRY. LIKE WHEN WE GAIN A POUND OR TWO, JUST MOVE FORWARD.:laugh:

VICKI, IF THERE WERE GOLD STARS TO GIVE OUT,I WOULD GIVE YOU A WHOLE BUNCH OF THEM.
YOU DID GREAT WITH THE CAKE. YOU ARE NOW MY NEW IDOL. ALSO HAVING THE CHOCOLATES AND EATING ONLY 3 PER DAY IF YOU FEEL LIKE IT. I WOULD EAT THEM ALL. WHEN IT COMES TO CHOCOLATE, I HAVE NO DARN CONTROL.:grumble: CONGRATS TO YOUR DAUGHTER ON THE NEW JOB AND HOPE GRANDDAUGHTER WINS LOTS OF AWARDS.

HEATHER, I CAN RELATE TO SEEING THAT OLDER WOMAN AND PUSHING ON BECAUSE OF IT. I AM ALWAYS TRYING TO KEEP UP WITH MY 91 YEAR OLD FRIEND,(SHE IS AMAZING). SHE PUTS US "YOUNGSTERS" TO SHAME. GOOD LUCK TO YOUR DAUGHTER IN THE BOAT RACE. TAKE CARE OF YOUR BLISTER, THEY CAN HURT , REALLY , REALLY HURT. I WONDER WHY THE WEEKEND IS HARDER FOR YOU? IS IT THE EXTRA ACTIVITIES, MORE FUN AND TREATS ON THE WEEKEND?

:flowerforyou: ANNE:flowerforyou:

Hi again

Anne - I don't know what the problem is exactly I do know that during the week, I'm gone from home for 9.5-10 hrs and can only eat the healthy food I pack for myself. I guess it boils down to lack of willpower. Things are quite difficult in my life right now (like so many) and food is still my 'go-to' I do feel like I am coming along and the support and wisdom of people like you is priceless

Heather

Just got in from burning calories pushing the lawnmower. SO much more fun than walking on the treadmill :happy:

My scale didn't budge an inch this past week so I have until TOMORROW to lose another pound and meet my May goal. :grumble: I've been doing lots of yard work, so maybe I'm just converting fat to muscle. I hear that weighs more!

May a new member jump in ?

Hi Ladies !

My name is Pirjo, (rhymes with cheerio), :happy: I live in Sudbury, ON, Canada, (the nickel capital of the world) , and I am a 53 year old single mom.

I found My Fitness Pal on Wed. of this week, and joined up the same afternoon. Back in 2000, I had joined Weight Watchers, and did well, (even with all my "cheating" - I'm practical - we only live once ! ) , and had lost over 50 lbs. (I never did reach my goal.) Over the years, it has gradually come back, plus a bit more. My skinny co-workers (esp. my boss) has been on my back for a couple of years now, to lose the weight, but I have not been ready to commit myself. (Too much going on - working a combination of 3 jobs, being the sole support for our household, being a caregiver, losing my partner, and now being a caregiver for my brother, who has become disabled.)

However - last weekend, I went to try on clothes, and was looking at trying size 18W pants. Had to try on the 20W, which were just a bit too tight, and would not do up. And of course, they had sold out of the bigger sizes. They were at a factory outlet, and only $3.95 a pair, so I was very disappointed. When I told my son and his girlfriend the next day, my sensible 23 year old son said "They call that incentive." And that got me thinking.

Monday, I began journalling what I ate. Tuesday , I went back to the factory outlet, and bought 2 pairs of size 20W pants. Wednesday, I joined My Fitness Pal. And today, I told a co-worker, who had also not been going to WW, and had put weight back on, about this site. It seems that I am finally ready to begin this weight loss journey again, and get my life, and my health, and my body, back in order again!

So - we have 2 days left in May - and my goals for May are -

to get back on track ! With 82 pounds to go, this is going to be long, slow journey ! I may just be around for a long time....