WOMEN AGES 50+ FOR APRIL 2012

I'm having a bit of a mental meltdown at present - won't go into it right now, because I'm at work and I'd just end up in a puddle of tears - not a good look. I will possibly write it all down to get it out of my system later on.

At least I'm not self-medicating with booze or food as I would have done a couple of years ago!

Love to you all.
Amanda x

Amanda sending you a big Aussie hug, hold in there.

There is always so much to read when I log on I don't think I will ever get my novels read now. I always have a couple on the go to suit my mood.

Yes good idea I will try and use the rest time to do some research and planning on healthier food choices and different exercises. Having pneumonia really sucks. I am really tempted to do a little walk on my better days. Wouldn't that be ok. I am worried as I don't want to do the wrong thing and delay my progress.

Another lovely day in paradise. The sky is still crying but now I'm thinking those must be tears of joy! Winter is truly over and warmer days are ahead. Yup. Stay positive.

:flowerforyou: I don't have lots of time to write this morning but just wanted to say how impressed I am with all of you who diligently reply to each and every one of us who post here! It's just wonderful how much kind concern you show. Please know you're all very much appreciated. :flowerforyou:

I actually jogged a full mile without stopping yesterday, amazing my own self! :noway: Not a fast jog, but still. I would have been lucky to jog a distance of 10 feet a year ago. Not that I want to become a jogger per se, but it just feels good. This morning I'll be doing my 6th session of SWSY strength training. :bigsmile:

My scale does not want to cooperate. I said to it this morning, "Back in the sea, Crab!" :laugh:

Good day everyone, :drinker:
jb (I'm Joanie - JB is what my dad called me, it just sort of stuck)

:flowerforyou: Sunshine is back, going to be 70 on this Thursday,

jb- WOW running a mile:drinker: , don't think my body would make it

Nancy- sure do wish I'd had a teacher that had been as creative as you, your students are sure fortunate to have you for their teacher

Amanda-:flowerforyou: Huggs to you. Hang in there:flowerforyou:

Michele- :drinker: to have body fat of 11 something that is awesome!

Jane- Good for you not eating that candy you were putting in the eggs, just goes to show how much will power you have.

Barb- so glad to see you back here,:flowerforyou: I guess I wasn't on here when you lost Bradley so sorry to hear that. Glad you were able to get your Dad's car sold. I know it's so hard on them when they can no longer drive and I went through that with bothf of my parents.

Sarah- I didn't know that Warhorse was a play. I've seen the movie and we loved it, I'll be curious how they do the play:ohwell: Drinking a glass of water in the middle of the night:noway: I keep water by my bedside but only take a sip if I get up to use the bathroom...there is no way I'd be able to drink a whole glass.

Jen- Where did you get your Kettleworx DVD? Was it something you ordered on line?:huh: I do a kettlebell workout but am using the DVD that came with it but know that I'm going to need to mix it up pretty soon.

Jellyfishjen-Get well soon:flowerforyou: When so many of us are looking forward to Spring and Summer it seems strange to see you talking about Autumn...that's the reminder that we are from ALL over the world here on MFP.:bigsmile:

tessi- I know that Barbie mentioned DVD's that you could get, there are a lot of choices for getting exercise at home with little or no equipment. Also if you have cable there are fitness channels that have a variety of exercise shows that you can do at home too:happy:

I'm just shy of my 1/2 way point on this weight loss journey and that's the good thing, the bad thing is that Sunday is Easter:sad: and all those chocolate bunny's just call to me. I have volunteered to have Easter at our house and have decided to do a brunch instead of a lunch or dinner. With it being at our place I'm hoping that will make it easier for me to keep the eating under control. I've asked DIL#2 to bring Cinnamon Rolls...she makes the BEST ones (although she claims it's my receipe...maybe they're better because someone else makes them )

Last night I made the Cola Cake, it came out GREAT and hubby loved it I was going to make it last weekend but with being in bed on Sunday it didn't happen. It was so moist that just a dollup of Cool Whip and it's good to go For those of you that are new I've put the receipe below.

Soda Cake

1 (18 ounce) box dry cake mix (any flavor) I use the sugar free
10 ounces diet soda (any flavor)
1-2 egg white (slightly beaten, optional but cake stays together better and is fluffier) I used the Egg Beater Egg Whites

1. Mix the dry cake mix, the diet soda, and the egg white(s) until well blended.
2. Pour into a 9 X 13 sprayed pan or prepared cupcake tins.
3. Cook according to the directions on cake mix box.
4. Slice into 12 pieces - 4 points per slice.

Using A Zero Calorie Soda Pop / Egg Beater Egg Whites / Sugar Free Cake mix is 124 Calories per piece.

Suggested Combinations: * yellow cake mix / diet lemon-lime soda (with a dollop of Cool Whip -- tastes like a "Twinkie") * orange cake / diet Mountain Dew * cherry chip cake / diet cream soda * diet lemon-lime soda / lemon cake * angel or yellow cake / diet orange * white cake / diet peach soda * spice cake / diet lemon-lime * diet ginger ale / white cake * diet cherry soda / chocolate cake * Diet cola / devils food or chocolate mix * diet vanilla coke / chocolate cake * devils food cake / diet Vanilla coke * diet root beer / chocolate cake * diet cherry coke / chocolate cake * marble cake / diet cream soda * lemon cake / tangerine Diet Rite *.

I have also made a spice cake and used a can of pumpkin. Nothing else, just a can of pumpkin. It is yummy. If you make the coke cake and put it in muffin cups you really don't need any frosting. My grandsons love the cupcakes

Canned peaches, white cake and sprite. But, you do not mix all together. Put peached on bottom. Sprinkle on cake mix. Pour sprite on top and bake. Not mixing it causes some of the cake mix to stay on top and get crunchy like a crumble.

Everyone have a GREAT day, let's get that food logged, Drink plenty of water:drinker: and get up and get moving.

Laura80111

Amanda, I don't know who you are or what it is, but I'm sending hugs with this message. You can get through it. In my life, four times I found myself dealing with what felt like unbearable hurt, and sometimes fear, and having to keep working. When my mother died, I was in an instructor training program that I HAD to finish for a license. I drew myself a picture of the most calming place/scene I could remember, and whenever i felt like it was going to overwhelm me, I started at the picture and breathed slow hand deep until I was under control again.

I'm writing (well tapping with my finger) on a tablet and can't see who posted the comment about rewards and how rewarding yourself with food derailed you in the past. I've lost and regained 50 pounds three times in my life. This time, what I've done with my diet is forever, because of diabetes. I now have my blood sugar completely under control, but I know that if i go off my carb-controlled diet, I'm risking a lot more than a little weight gain, so there is no dessert for me at the end of this project. So what do I do for a reward? Shortly after I joined MFP, I connected with a young woman who had more than 100 pounds to lose. (By the way, she has now lost it!) She had joined a gym, and her trainer asked her to set goals to reward herself at intervals. She did that, and she posted all her goals, and comments about each, here. I thought her goals were brilliant! One of her goals along the way was to go horseback riding. There was a maximum weight for riders at some stable she knew about, so her reward, for when she dropped below that maximum, was a morning of horseback riding. She had a few goals that involved buying clothes, or indulgences such as spa days, but most of her rewards were to engage in activities she couldn't do until she lost weight.

I created a list of rewards for myself, and it's worked pretty well. The only glitch I encountered was that I guessed wrong about when i would need new clothes! I intended to reward myself with new items of clothing, such as a swimsuit or a cocktail party dress, when I reached specific weights, but I wound up needing both those items (for events) before I reached my goal.

Finally, on the subject of rewards, yes, it's Easter this weekend. For me now, and from now on, holidays will have NOTHING at all to do with eating food I don't usually eat. I think it was Barbie at who posted here a while ago, "Focus on the people with you, not the food!" My kids are all visiting us on Saturday, when our swim-and-tennis club has a brunch and an Easter egg hunt in which my granddaughter will participate. I've already made my (healthy) brunch selections from the posted menu, and I plan to take lots of photos, but there will be no sweets for me!

For any other 50+ folks out there who share my goals of dieting right through the holiday weekend, "We can do this!"

Jipsy Judy & Realpure: I am driving up to spend the weekend with my parents and I plan to celebrate WITHOUT sweets or treats too. My Mother will have a cake or a pie or something special for the holiday, but I will pass. I do far better if I don't have ANY thing sweet. If I have "just a bit" I tend to start craving more. That's just me. I have also had rising blood sugar levels over the past year and am waiting to hear back from my doctor about my retest this past Tuesday. It is odd that my sugar went UP after losing 18 pounds when it was normal before, but we shall see. I am hoping it was a fluke, but I am realizing by limiting carbs more that I feel better anyway, so it is a good way to eat regardless. (And I am glad to hear about the Insulin Resistant Diet Book, in case it is what I need to deal with. (Sounds interesting anyway. I would love to hear a little about what it suggests)

I was able to run for 20 minutes in a row this morning. That was almost 2 miles, so I am getting faster. Then I walked 2 miles. I am not trying to do this often, but it feels good to be able to boost my heart rate for that long. Once it gets more humid and hotter, I know I won't be running!

I hope you all have a wonderful weekend. Not sure if I will be able to get onto internet at their house to check message boards!
Kackie

Greetings All

Well, I seem to be chatting it up all the time the last couple of days :blushing:

We now have a healthy school bill in Ontario which is, I think, a good thing. What this means is no more unhealthy snacks or sugar/caffeinated pops(soda) in the machines, no deep fried or high sodium/sugar/fat foods in the vending machines or food service areas. I tend to cook pretty well anyway, in my program, but I am also trying to teach kids the skills one needs to work in industry, so it can be difficult to teach them what their employers might want them to know and what I am allowed to sell. I just thank God that I am teaching culinary and not baking!! The problem with this is that the kids tend to go "out" to eat

We have 10 "junk food" days a year and today was one of them. As a result, I was allowed to sell poutine, ribs and wings. My students also got a chance to learn how to make cheesecakes and cinnamon buns, how to use a smoker, and deep fry. Anyway, we had lineups down the hall today and my students had to really move which is a really good experience for them. I know that making these changes is a good thing, and I do think that their acceptance of whole grain breads and healthier choices is also positive, but my bottom line certainly went up today. My students thought it was the best menu ever! It just makes you realize how ingrained poor choices are, and how addicted we all are to greasy foods. Vegetables tend to come back uneaten all the time, but I still always put them on the plate. Funnily enough, even the teachers eat badly, which surprises me.....they were lining up for poutine too. I will admit that I had four wings today (400 calories, certainly not worth it)

I am still hurting from my run yesterday. Shin splints from one run (is that even possible?) so today is my rest day. Tomorrow I will do a long bike ride and strength train, after sleeping in, I hope.

Have a lovely weekend.

regards

Sarah

scompton54 - I dont know what poutine is, but I do know what junk food is. Unfortunately fat tastes good, I sometimes think its more about teaching how the body feels and reacts after certain foods. I'm sure seeing the vegetables on their plate each day is setting up a good experience for them to fall back on. My 20yr old daughter, now lives out of home and often eats poorly, pizza, pasta, chips, etc, but I like when i get that call saying mum i really have to go out and buy some salad and vegies. So even good habits can be ingrained without them knowing.

kackie - good news on controlling your blood sugar. I am diabetic but now control it with diet and exercise. Being diagnosed with diabeties is what put me on this journey.

GOOD FRIDAY... already here in Australia, my first in 20 yrs without my darling daughter (only child) who is away on holidays at my sisters. My husband is having a sleep in. I like getting up early and having some quiet/meditation time to myself. I am looking forward to a quiet time to reflect and refresh. Its a 4 day holiday in Australia.

Had an ok day eating..gave into the munchies at work.:grumble: .was not hungry, just wanted to crunch...oh well I did go for a walk so did not completely blow the day and it was a pretty spring day. Today was a day off from workout, but back to it tomorrow am. Have good evening, ladies.
Jen

Hello All!

Pretty new to MFP, trying to plug myself into a supportive community so I will stay on track with my fitness goals!
My goals for April - lose 1 lb weekly, ramp up my fitness! I have no problem walking briskly 3-5 miles daily, however I need to tone and shape my core an upper body so I need to find something that I can stick to and something I will see results with before becoming discouraged so any suggestions would be appreciated. (Note - I live very rural so no gym locally) Any fitness/workout dvd's that anyone has used and had success with?

Laura,
I would also look into some yoga tapes. I have seen a huge improvement in tone since taking up yoga. There are many different levels of yoga. I do vinyassa yoga at a studio, but I have heard that CD's or tapes are just as good:-)
Karen

Hello Everyone!

Haven't really been myself for the last few months and just didn't feel like doing anything. Even getting on the computer was a major project for me. So I haven't been on since January I think? I have received a few messages from some of you, and I have read them, but just couldn't get myself "up" to go here. But thank you all for checking in on me. I appreciated it. Made me feel like I did create some kind of ripple in the waters of life.

Things have been going on of course these past few months, but nothing really good to report, just depressing stuff that I will not bore you with. I am hoping soon there will be a change for me. I am praying there will be. I don't think I can keep going like this much longer. I have had too many counselors, doctors, and my mom's physical therapists tell me that I need to do something soon or else she is quite literally going to hurt me physicallly let alone mentally. So I have to do something. Just thinking about it boggles my mind. I just dont want to deall with it, so I am just hiding. I know its not good to do this, but it is how I am dealing with issues at this moment.
When I saw how many months had passed since I have been on here, it kind of shocked me and so I figured I better make an appearance....briefly.
I am glad everyone is doing well with their weight losses , exercises, and life in general. For those that are feeling poorly right now, I am thinking of you and sending my prayers to you.
Take care all.
Chiclet

Wow, I was excited to see this group! I have been with my fitness pal for about 3 weeks. I will be 53 on April 11 and am happy to admit it. I am however, finding that my age makes things a bit different for loosing weight and getting back into shape, so it is good to see support in my age bracket. Thanks for the group. My goal is to loose another 8 pounds this month. In order to do that I am upping my work out goals and sticking to it!

Hello ladies

I am mentally exhausted at present. There's no way that I can go into the reason fully, but it comes down to the fact that I had a huge bust up with the husband of my eldest daughter whilst I was looking after the grandtwins on Tuesday. We have always know that he is slightly unstable, but he completely lost the plot with me for absolutely no reason. He actually raised his hand to hit me and would have struck me if I hadn't stepped back. As I left the house he was shouting abuse at me all the way to my car.

This is a supposedly intelligent, well-educated man. I am totally gutted and really don't know what to do. I want to speak to my daughter, but I know she will have heard only what he wants her to hear. My grandtwins are the most important things in my life and I have the feeling that I am going to be cut off from them.

I hope you don't mind me spilling this on here - sometimes it just helps to write things down.

Love to you all.
Amanda x

Amanda - I am sorry to hear of your troubles. I haven't been in your situation but I am sure that some of the wise women on this thread will have advice for you. Just know that I am thinking of you.

Up early for my day off from work. Wouldn't you know that I was unable to sleep in? I'm getting ready to make my menu so I can go to the grocery store. I have way more planned for my day off than I could possibly accomplish. I hope that I can at least make a dent in my pile of jobs!

Everyone have a great weekend! And Happy Easter to those who celebrate! Mary