Motivation

I'd like to start this thread specifically for women who are 50 or over.

As a 53 year-old woman, myself, I am finding new challenges, unexpected difficulties and wonderful insights on my path to getting to and maintaining my health, weight and body shape.

What seemed to work for me as little as five years ago doesn't work quite the same anymore. My body doesn't seem to respond to what I consider healthy eating habits and good workout schedules as it even in my middle to late 40s'.

SO, I am would to hear from those out there who are finding themselves in situations. OR NOT, maybe you can enlighten the rest of us as to how you keep your shape, or how you're getting into better shape and a healthier overall lifestyle.

Hopefully this will be the start of something wonderful, educational, funny-offer up jokes anecdotes, whatever!

LET'S GET STARTED!

Ohio - I think you have done the right thing by preparing for emergencies on your bike while in desolate places. I hope you always ride with others too! Three cheers for your commitment to exercise. I always feel like such a slug compared to all the bikers and hikers and runners. 

I'm trying to up my walking for the next 6 weeks to meet my goal of 40 pounds by October 1st. So far I've lost 27 but it has taken 5 months. I'll have to do just slightly more than 2 pounds a week for the next 6 weeks to lose the other 13. I feel like I can be a bit more active now, probably because I am a bit lighter, and also I'm thinking that the weather might cool down a bit once September comes which makes it easier to do outdoor exercise. And, I will have puppy boy to keep me busy! Can't wait for THAT crazy to begin!

"It's alright letting yourself go as long as you can let yourself back." - anon

beth aka southern:  Wowzee, wowzee, wowzee!  You look amazing.  And you've lost so much weight.  It's hard to believe you ever fit into those pants.

Bon:  Some days I wish Kieran was three again.  Little kids, little problems.  Ah, we (at least I) am rarely happy where I am.  I'm always thinking if.... -add whatever turns your crank-would be, happen, etc., then I would be happier.  I am not saying happy.  That comes from within. I'm very aware of that. 

My  latest plan with Kieran is 'silence is golden'.  If he want to feel the consequences of going against the law, he'll continue on the way he has been, and maybe then...who knows?  I am finding this extremely difficult.  Also there's been some major hassles between my father and some issues between him, my brother and finances.  It's boring, complex and confusing.  Anyways, it's making for anything BUT an easy going time right now.  I know I take things to the nth degree-that's who I am.  It's only after pulling my hair out I remember to let go and let G*d.  So, that IS what I am doing.  It's worked in the past, and I can't see why it won't work again.

btw. ladies, please don't be surprised if I am on here tomorrow, having taken back my will and am all f&**&%ed up again!

love to you all

and to another 24!

renee

HI Ladies,

I hope everyone is having a nice weekend. Mine feels kinda lazy. I had a nap today after church and I took one yesterday, too! I keep thinking that I've got three babies that could come any day now and then I'll miss sleep. So I guess I'm trying to store up on it.

rebbex - cute puppy! And i love that quote "...Middle age is when your broad mind and narrow waist begin to change places." - anon  Only for me, it would be narrow hips that became broad hips.

starblue - Welcome. Look forward to hearing more from you.

Ohio, Bonton and Rebbex - When you guys talk golf, it sounds like Greek to me. But it's cool that you enjoy it so much.

Robbie - Enjoy your trip to Dallas. I'm sure you will do fine while away. I hope you reach that 123.

Bonton  - Good luck on that golf tournament.

Snow- That baby must have decided to come finally. I'm thinking of you and can't wait to hear all about it!

I may go check out joining the YWCA tomorrow if time permits. I think I want to add some variety to my exercise. I plan to keep walking but I would like to add something else, too.

I tried on my "little black dress" today (the smallest thing in my closet).  I bought that dress for my mother's funeral in December of 1999. I don't know what I weighed back then but I know it was less than I weigh now. The dress is a straight one, so it's meant to hug the hips, which for me means I have to be slimmer. Anyway, the dress finally went over my hips but just barely and was definitely too tight to actually wear. So maybe another 10 lbs and I can wear it again.

I finally reached 178 and took my measurements. I happen to have my measurements the last time I weighed 178 (2 years ago) and I'm smaller in my thighs, waist and upper arms than I was 2 years ago. That is testimony to all the exercise I've been doing this time. I wasn't exercising 2 years ago.

Gotta go. See you all tomorrow.

~ Beth

Hi everyone - just a quick note - I came in second in my club championship - shot an 88 today so I was pleased!!Club champ shot 84 and 86 to my 90 and 88 ... but still good golfing  My hubby one first place in his flight. Very tired tonight - tournamnet golf is exhausting.

Off to shower and bed - will ck in tomorrow

Oh Bex - VERY cute dog!

Hi everyone. The green trend line is finally moving down. There has been lots of zigzagging and a slow move upward since May. I'd like to get down to my goal weight (only 4 lb. away) before winter and holidays begin. It is the weekends that do me in. Slow (very slow) and steady. I've kept up with the weights in the gym, feel good about it, but don't see any scale or loose clothing results. But strength and strong bones are important for lifting those grandkids!!

Have a great week.

Anika, Queen of Mowing, Silver Medalist in the Golf Olympics - very well done! I think you should have a giant piece of chocolate cake. I know I would!

Beth - hope you find something interesting to join at the Y. Also looking forward to a pic of you in the black dress. Doesn't it feel great to put things on that you haven't been able to fit into in forever? I bought an outfit on sale the other day from a very chic designer store. The 16 pants fit pretty good but I bought the 14 instead because by the time I will actually need the outfit in the fall, I am determined to fit into it! And then, by jeez, I'll have them altered when I need a 12!! Just thinking of that makes me so happy.

Phox - way to go with the trend line! Strong and lean, that's the way to go!

Bex - Thanks! I took my friend a mudslide(premixed in a bottle... I knew she would beat me ) to celebrate her win! I passed though because I don't like those LOL. All the ladies stayed afterwards and we ate burgers and fries LOL not really on the healthy plan but I was starving. My neighbor brought me a piece of peach pie -my favorite kind of pie.  I did only eat half and shared the other half with my cleaning lady. Might as well pass those calories along LOL

phox - good for you with the green trend line! My goal is only 3 pounds away yet very elusive to get to! Hope you get to yours! I just keep trying but seem stuck where I am at again ( BIG SIGH) BUT I'm healthy so what's to complain about

Queen of Mowing did the grass today. Hubby is on vacation the rest of the week before I go back to work. Tomorrow we are waxing my car, still have the truck to do. He wanted to stain the new sliding glass doors... which have been in the basement for 4 years - uh NOT - they've been there that long they can wait till spring - I go back to work Monday! No more projects this summer. Going away Thur and Fri to golf - stay and play package!

Greetings from Dallas!

Big excitementso far. My 87 year old dad with corneal thickening and cataracts (Can't see squat) drove me to the gym this morning in a downpour with broken wipers. Who says going home isn't an adventure! My Dad's doctor was a high school classmate; he says Dad's the fittest 87 year old in his practice. My mom is another story. My Mom has diabetes and her feet are purple. It's very worrisome, but she won't talk about it and won't listen to him (and, as an R.N., she certainly needs no lip from me, of course), so I just let it slide. In fact, that's how I handle the whole family thing...just let it slide.

My Dad has a Jordanian friend who made us a Mediterranean feast: Kibbe, Hummus, Baba Ganouj, Shish Kababb, Tabouli (I know I spelled it all wrong). It was fabulous and I'm still full! I'm afraid my food budget has been shot to pieces, but I figure, at this point, I'll just enjoy it and have fond memories when I jump back on the wagon. I have at least worked out every day.

Ohio, did you used to be a girl scout? Good planning on that bike. Bex: 27 pounds. Yowsa, yowsa, hubba, hubba! Renee: being quiet is best plan with Kieran. He will grow up--at least by 40! Beth: Keep up your exercise; it will return rewards in spades, if my Dad's an indication. Bonnie: Enjoy rest of week with hubbie. Phox: That green trend line is my lifesaver when I slip up. We're both 4 pounds from goal weight...So near, and yet so far! Snow: Where are you and that bambino?

Greetings from Dallas!

Big excitementso far. My 87 year old dad with corneal thickening and cataracts (Can't see squat) drove me to the gym this morning in a downpour with broken wipers. Who says going home isn't an adventure! My Dad's doctor was a high school classmate; he says Dad's the fittest 87 year old in his practice. My mom is another story. My Mom has diabetes and her feet are purple. It's very worrisome, but she won't talk about it and won't listen to him (and, as an R.N., she certainly needs no lip from me, of course), so I just let it slide. In fact, that's how I handle the whole family thing...just let it slide.

My Dad has a Jordanian friend who made us a Mediterranean feast: Kibbe, Hummus, Baba Ganouj, Shish Kababb, Tabouli (I know I spelled it all wrong). It was fabulous and I'm still full! I'm afraid my food budget has been shot to pieces, but I figure, at this point, I'll just enjoy it and have fond memories when I jump back on the wagon. I have at least worked out every day.

Ohio, did you used to be a girl scout? Good planning on that bike. Bex: 27 pounds. Yowsa, yowsa, hubba, hubba! Renee: being quiet is best plan with Kieran. He will grow up--at least by 40! Beth: Keep up your exercise; it will return rewards in spades, if my Dad's an indication. Bonnie: Enjoy rest of week with hubbie. Phox: That green trend line is my lifesaver when I slip up. We're both 4 pounds from goal weight...So near, and yet so far! Snow: Where are you and that bambino?

ohio - My husband has TaylorMade golf clubs - he likes them and just won second flight with them! Did you end up buying them?? The lady I golf with all the time - who just won the ladies club championship - has a variety of clubs and nothing really brand name LOL  so for her it doesn't matter what club she swings she's good!

robbie - Your meal sounds good! Hey at least you're exercising while away! Your Mom probably would not listen to you either even if you did pipe up and say something. Glad you are enjoying your visit.

 snow  Are you checking your computer while away??? how is the baby and Mom??  and you???

bex WOW 27 pounds congrats - we all chat so much sometimes I lose track of what ppl are accomplishing! Way to go

beth You're quiet - where are you??

Everyone have a great day - off for a stay and play tomorrow

Ohio:Why would the job be stressful--the pay, working conditions, or people you encounter?  Maybe the right outcome will be determined by whether they offer it to you. If not, it would've been too stressful, if so, it's your next life lesson? Sounds like sunny FL is acting like sunny TX, where I'm on day 6 of rain. Bon: Hope you're out there teaching those links a lesson in humility. When I played a lifetime ago, it was the other way around.

Mom made fried chicken last night. I was hopelessly awful. Talk about a childhood favorite. I did, however, resist popcorn at the movie after. Went to see Tropic Thunder with my brother and sons. It was ridiculously vulgar and inappropriate, so I couldn't stop laughing. Especially when Tom Cruise dressed as an aging, overweight, balding studio executive, did a reprise of his Risky Business dance to a rap song. My humor has been warped by years of being raised with and raising boys.

Good day all.

Ohio:   What position is this job?

Surprised you dad is still driving at 87.  That's great.   And you trust to be the the car with  him?   Yu're even greater or crazier!  My dad stopped drivng around 85 or 86, and driving with him was indeed an adventure.  Since I don't drive, I did depend on  him at times.  Not too often in the last few.  Well, he'll be 90 in November and not driving but going strong in other ways. 

I, too, pigged out last nite. I rarely do that.  I hate a half a small container of Baskin Robbins Rasberry Cheese Louise frozen yogurt.

I felt horrible about as soon as I finished my last bite.  I reasoned with myself that since I do so rarely it wouldn't do much harm.

Glad it was mentioned here:  which one is the 'trend line' on weight chart?  What exactly does it represent?

hope all of the ladies enjoy their day

The discussion on parents driving is timely.  Last night my husband and I went out to dinner with his parents.  About 1/2 hour after they left, we got a call.  They had wrecked the car, could we come to get them?  They assured us that no one was hurt.  Panicked, we drove out to get them.  It turned out that his father had not seen the center divider and drove over it, tearing up the bottom of his car and doing something bad to the transmission.  Driving with his father is scary and clearly he shouldn't be driving (at least at night), but this is Southern California where you can't get far without a car.  Now we are trying to figure out how to get his father to agree to stop driving at night.  Parents can be difficult.

Also, they have started something new on CC!  Groups!  There is a 50-60 age group.  I suggest that everyone join and start topics there as well.  Maybe I should a topic on dealing with aging parents.  See you there!

Oh and Bonton, there is a golf group too!

Ohio - congrats on the job! I remember the first time I was a manager. I inherited the worst bunch of griping, backstabbing, beyotches known to man. They were awful! I went to the library and got some management books rather than adopt the fly by the seat of your pants philosophy. I got one on problem employees that was supremely helpful with getting to understand why they were the way they were. Eventually my staff would come into my office and tell me what a great boss I was. That was all I needed to hear. I had to fire a couple along the way which wasn't pleasant but I sure learned a lot on that job! Management is a tough gig. Good luck with it!

Robbie - LOL on the trip with the parents. I'm glad you had fun. I bet they miss you already. My mom (79) keeps a car and "claims" she can still drive, but she really just has it for when guests come so they can use it. Otherwise it sits in the garage (thankfully). Her eyesight is much worse than she lets on. 

I won't be around for a bit. Going on vacation. I'll look forward to reading the updates when I get back. I've already quit logging for the first time and am just hoping to keep it reasonable. If I gain a couple I won't be mad. But I doubt I will lose any while traveling and eating out every day. I have to pick up puppy boy on the 31st. Can't wait for that. Take care all. Will miss you!

Hi everyone,

Sorry, I've been so quiet lately. I've been incredibly busy. The baby business is starting to really get busy. So I have a lot more prenatals to do and babies due, too. I had a false alarm this morning but I had to drive all the way to her house (45 miles away) just to determine it wasn't the real thing yet. Anyway, I haven't had near as much time on the computer as I would like. But I'm still hanging in there with counting calories and exercising.

I joined the YWCA. I'm still walking but I've cut back to 3 miles morning and 3 miles evening. I've started some weight training at the Y and I'm also going to try out some classes. So far, so good. But I was SO sore for about two days. I feel much better now.

After the scale being stuck going back and forth between 178 and 179, it finally dropped down to 177.2 this morning. Hopefully it won't just go back up tomorrow.

Hey, what would ya'll think about moving our group to the new groups section? Just a thought. But it might be a good place to be.

If you don't hear from me tomorrow, I'm probably at a birth. I will check back as soon as I can though.

Have a good weekend,

Beth

Hi everyone,

I just weighed this morning and had to report in again.

I've had almost two weeks of zig zagging back and forth everywhere from 178 to 180. My official weight loss for last week was only .8 lbs and the week before only 1.4. Since my average had been 2 lbs a week before, this was disappointing especially since my exercise has increased and my calorie count  has been good.

Well, yesterday I was thrilled to see 177.3. But today was a total shocker. I weigh175.0! I weighed twice to be sure. Yep, 175! I drank plenty of water yesterday. I don't think I'm dehydrated. I did not eat late and I had something easy to digest for supper (spaghetti). Still, I expect tomorrow's weight to go back up a little. I haven't lost this much overnight since the first week I started. Could I have really been holding on to that much water these past two weeks????

175? I think I will go dance around the park this morning instead of walk!!!!

I have not weighed less than 177 in probably 10 years! In 1999 I know I weighed less than 177 but I'm not sure exactly what I weighed. But I have this little black dress that I wore to my mother's funeral that only fit me for a few months back then. So I think I may just try it on later today. I'm thinking I still have about 5 more lbs to loose before it will fit me good though. Still, 175! That makes my day!!!!

I'm still waiting on the babies. I've got two ladies who could go any time. I'm just praying not at the same time. I have a back up midwife on call but I really want to make both births myself. And preferably with some sleep in between the births.

I hope everyone has a blessed day today and a great weekend.

~ Beth