Anybody wanna have a "Women over 40" forum or group????

I think we all have different concerns and certainly different challenges when it comes to getting in shape, losing weight and living happier and healthier. I know it is certainly different for me now then it was 20 years ago. When I look back to 20 and 30 years ago when I was in my 20's and 30's (yes I'm 51 yrs old), if I wanted/needed to lose weight, it was usually just a few pounds and now I see how it was pretty cut and dry - watch what I eat, more exercise, weight comes off, nice flat tummy again. And I do realize there are plenty of younger women who don't find it that easy, and believe me, I hear ya!! None of us like the shape we are in or we wouldn't be trying to fix ourselves!!

Anyway, I think there are issues like slower metabolism due to age, and then there are the good ole issues like hormone replacement therapy, maybe post-hysterectomy, and hey.....what about the belly problems due to having that bikini cut for c-sections or female surgery so many times your muscles are now like hamburger meat? Then things like medications we may take that make losing weight a little more difficult.......blood pressure meds, anti-depressants, things like that?

There are quite a few other things that I can think of that, luckily for them, just probably don't apply yet to the younger women.

Anybody wanna form a little 'ole over 40 forum or club????

Welcome, Jules...the blueberry/spinach/cottage cheese thing sounds great, where do I find that?

Bonna, I'm up for a challenge.  I know I'm not drinking enough water, for example.

I still weigh the same, (sigh), after an 11-mile bike ride yesterday evening.  I ate a very sensible, lo-cal dinner, with water.  My jeans fit exactly the same today as they did three weeks ago. (Another sigh.) I have a history of being able to lose weight by strict dieting alone--much to my eventual detriment--and I'm getting so discouraged trying to do it "right."

Have any of you fasted to get a jump-start?

A 11 mile bike ride.   WOW! Good for you.  Like I said I eat more calories than you and do not have much advice for anything different but keep up the excellent work you are doing and I would think something would have to budge soon.

i'm 43 and i swear that scale won't budge one ounce.  i sit most of the day but am pretty active in the evenings.  i eat pretty healthy.  i guess just too much.  still i always seem to b hungry. 

i even bought me a raquet to play raquet ball thinking chasing a ball around an empty court would make something happen....still nada....not one ounce (of course i've only been twice :~).  i could use all the support i could get.  i have ridden my bicycle to work three days this week.  it is a task since my job often requires me to run errands,  so i am trying to save all my errands for one or two days during the week so i can bike the other days. 

i weigh n at 165 and would it will b a glory day if i can even drop 5 pounds.....but my goal is for 135.  so i need ideas, motivation, support.....etc.

How is everyone today? It's about 5pm here on the west coast and I am trying not to eat anything before dinner. I thought I'd drop in and see what everyone is up to to see if I can get my mind off snacking.

Hi Elaine & everybody else!

I just got in from a bike ride.  My husband is a big (fast) biker, and I can't keep up, so we bought a tandem.  We get to spend some time together, and I'm learning some techniques to be a better rider.  It helps to have him push me a little, especially when I haven't been out all day. 

I was really good today with calories! (yea me!)  Yesterday I was good until about this time, when I decided to reward myself with a wine cooler.  OMGosh! 488 calories in that stupid thing!  Not even worth it.  So today I went to the store and bought a ton of fresh fruit.  I can binge on bing cherries and melon and not regret it.  All that to say, Elaine, don't snack!  You will feel good about yourself at the end of the day.  Those extra calories will only make you feel bad in the end.  Be strong; I know you can!

OOOOOOO Deh I had no idea wine coolers have that many calories.........and I almost bought some today, thinking it would be my treat to myself, having been so good about calories and having already put in about 50 hours this week,.......and one more day to go. Good thing I didn't do that!

Well today I didn't go for my walk, felt all this pressure to get started on work early (working at home this week), but I did do some toe touches and situps (tandem with hubby, you know I help pull him up and I go backwards and vice versa) and some other exercises. I tried to touch my toes 2 weeks ago and could barely get past my knees......and woke up with sore hamstrings. Well for some reason, maybe the walking I can now touch them. I did like 30 toe touches this morning.......no soreness a bit. The other wierd thing is, with my neck problems....usually just a 15 minute walk gets me hurting, and my legs get sore, lots of hills in my neighborhood. But this whole week, the 4 days that I walked, I increased it each day, but never got sore. So does that mean that I'm getting my muscles in better shape or that this isn't enough for me????? It's all more exercise than I am accustomed to doing.

I used to think I wanted an exercise bike secretly thinking that way I can get my excercise in while sitting down. Now I'm thinking stair stepper, maybe. See you all are really rubbing off on me and motivating me and I'm starting to think that just maybe I can at least get going on some good cardio workouts even if i don't lose a lot.

Scales went down.....just a little but puts my total at 2.8 pounds since June 4, after a bit of up and down. Seems like all of us either go up or stay the same no matter what, so I'm not holding my breath it will stay there. Here's what I know........WE ALL DESERVE TO BE SKINNY!!!!!

vstar biker.........I am glad you joined us. Riding your bike to work 3 days, now I am really impressed! I bet it will catch up and you'll start dropping. We are almost at the same weight, I'm at 167. I've always found it hard to move under the 160's (or least these past 10 years that I've struggled). Let's cheer each other on to get past this itsy bitsy hurdle.......RAH RAH WE CAN DO IT!!!

Gorda seems to be in favor of a challenge.............here's what I'm thinking......

What if we each start posting how much water we drink each day and how many minutes we exercise? Or we could divide up into 2 teams and challenge each other on either the water or the exercise? Sounds kinda fun to me and hey it sure couldn't hurt?

Let me know what y'all think and we could make it start on Monday??

Bonna

Hi Everyone.  I got an extra hour of walking in yesterday - now if I could only do that every weekday?  I eat about 2500 calories on average per day, I can't seem to get it any lower so I depend a lot on exercise.  I'm already in the Clean Eating Challenge of Dee's, Bonna, but I can surely add a Water Challenge.  Truthfully that won't be hard for me, the more I drink water, the more I want it.  Monday works :)  Exercise challenge sounds fun, too.  Is it okay that I'm two months shy of 40?  I feel a HUNDRED inside. 

I met a couple from Florida yesterday, they're here with their family, it was nice talking to them.  I've got house guests coming for a week next Friday, that's going to be a killer as far as watching what I eat and drink.  Anyone have any suggestions?  bye for now! Nancy

Nancy,

Maybe you can give me tips about getting myself to drink more water?  I just don't seem to be able to drink very much..I'll drink iced tea, diet soda, and coffee, but I only seem to drink water when I'm exercising.  I'm not even sure how much I should actually drink each day--I probably only drink about 16-20 ounces per day.

When I have guests or I'm baking wonderful things full of sugar and butter, I have a plate or bowl of my favorite lo-cal snacks all prepared and ready to put into my mouth instead of that wonderful homemade danish pastry, or cake batter, or whatever.  Maybe you could try that when your guests come.

By the way, I didn't work out at all yesterday, and I'm sort of glad I skipped a day...I think my body needed a little rest after that long bike ride.  I maintained my calorie intake at 1200, and I didn't gain any weight, at least.  I'll go to the gym today.

Bonna, I think you're getting so much fitter that your body is providing better support for your neck and you're not getting lactic acid build-up in your muscles, so you're not getting sore. That's great!  Muscles burn calories!  Hooray for you!

Hi - The Water/Excercise Challenge sounds good to me, count me in.  From what I am reading you all sound like you doing great.  I had a good week  staying within my calories and doing alot of walking.   I need to stay consistent which is usually my down fall, but I am trying to take the one day at time approach so that I will.

Gorda - I usually do not have any problems drinking water as long and it's always around me.  So I always have a large cup or a bottled water at my desk at all times.  Usually they say to drink 64 ounces of warter a day.

I enjoyed all the posts this week.

Hi All.  New here but 51 and 30 pounds overweight so I qualify.  LOL  I wanted to share this little tip because I know many of you sit at a desk all day.  Swing your legs.  Rock back and forth in your chair.  You can do either or even both of these activities while typing or while on the phone.  Cross your ankles and swing your legs.  Need to stand and stretch?  Plant your feet but move your hips or do a few mild knee bends. These are activities that burn calories and can be done without your co-workers thinking you have gone over the edge.  When you notice you are not swinging your legs or rocking back and forth in your chair - do it.  You will be amazed how many additional calories you will burn while sitting behind that desk!   I just typed this post while swinging and rocking at the reception desk I sit at and best of all I know I'm burning extra calories!  Try it. 

Hi Everyone!
Just a couple of quick responses to recent posts.

Gorda - You wondered about fasting...I used an ocassional fast as a way to break a plateau when I dieted and kept the weight off for over 5 years.  It was during the last 15 pounds and only after a 2 week period of not losing anything at all.  I would do clear liquids only for a weekend, no longer.  Broths, Sugar Free Jello, Tea, Coffee, and lots of water.  I would typically drop 2 pounds over the weekend and then gain it right back.  That was o.k. though because it would break the plateau and I'd continue to lose at an acceptable rate for several weeks again.

DEH - Tandem bike - what a great idea!

Bonna - Breaking 160's - I'm right there with you!  In the past, 160 was always my sticking point.  I'm happy to say that I broke that "10" this morning weighing in at 159.8, Yippee!  I mark milestones in 10 pound increments.  I broke 170 easily after starting at 171.  I just broke the 160 mark and am now focused on 150.  Achieving those 10 pounds goals makes dieting seem less daunting.

Drieser - Fidgeting - I read an article quite a while back that verifies what you're saying.  People that fidget lose weight quicker than others.  If I remember correctly it said a mild case of the fidgets would typically burn an average of 300 calories a day.  Fidget away!

Tami

Hi Donna!  Water and tricks to drink more of it... For me it's just a matter of starting and I feel very thirsty from drinking water so I just keep on drinking.  But if that's hard for you, what about trying different bottled waters?  Some taste better than others.  I mostly drink sparkling water but change to still if it's bothering me.  Sparkling aids the digestion, too!  I quit drinking sodas unless I am at a restaurant that has Diet Coke (a rarity here).  Another gimmick to get you to drink: keep a nice, thin-rimmed glass handy for drinking.  All drinks taste better out of thin rimmed glass or crystal!  The bottled waters can be real gimmicky, but if it works, heck, why not drink water from Fiji or whatever the new thing is.  I've started pouring water out into our glasses even before we sit down to eat lunch or dinner - I've not heard any complaints yet :)  For those of us past our thirties it's important to stay hydrated - works better than the best skin care products for smoothing and firming and general skin appearance, and is much cheaper.

THanks for the baking/guest tip, I will certainly try that!  I'm mostly worried about how much going-out we'll be doing.  For drinks, for meals, etc.  I will try to cook as much as possible at home but when doing sight-seeing, the restaurants are going to be part of the landscape.  Just one of my downfalls...  ciao! Nancy

How much would you pay to take weight off?  I mean if it was guaranteed to take it off?  The reason I ask is because If you would pay to take weight off, then you would pay to eat less.  I have a lifestyle that requires I eat out often on business.  I have a trick that has served me well when I seem to be in restaurants continuously. It might help when entertaining your out of town guests.  It also works when preparing meals for them at home.  Order or prepare things you don't like.  Not eating it or not eating all of it is much easier!  It may seem like a waste of $$ when in a restaurant but as I started out asking... how much would you pay to eat less and keep weight off?

drieser, that is pure genius.  Looks like I'm going to be preparing and ordering lots of HAM and PROSCIUTTO.  Yuck!!!  But do your houseguests wonder, "why is she feeding us this ___?"  ha ha!

Anybody else having problems reading the posts? I've tried to go to "page 4" off and on all day, but it won't go.........

I can't tell what page I'm on.  I think it's page 4.  I see it at the bottom of the posts.  Thanks for starting this post by the way.  I've been looking for this for a while because your right, I'm not like I was when I was in my 20's (dammit).  Just turned 43 last week; used to have to pluck my eyebrows but now I have to draw them on.  Boobs use to stand at attention - now they're trying to get acquainted with my toes (I give a whole new meaning to the term Miracle Bra) and I can't wait until I can finally retire and sit with my sweetie in our matching rocking chairs with our matching beards and mustaches!  And then my face has the nerve to throw me a pimple?  What's up with thaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaat???  It's hell being a Diva sometimes.  I should buy stock in wax and moisturizers.  Anyway, that's for creating the forum that will let me share my 40 + year opinions.  Happy weekend to all and thanks for being there.  You guys are great.  Chow

41 years young and trying to get back to pre baby weight from 15years ago! Weight loss is slow but steady, trouble is trying to do things I did 15 years ago like .............horse riding. I went for the first time on Tuesday and haven't been able to cross my legs since!!!! I don't creak when I walk but do go "ow! ow! ow!" Haven't been able to do the lateral thigh trainer for 4 days cos of it! Think I shall stick to 40 year old type of exercise!

jlo and gemini, hi there and thanks for joining.

Jlo I love your sense of humor and sounds like you and I have some of the same problems and same outlook on them. And hey ya gotta laugh, (Plus laughing probably burns calories) Maybe we can buy the wax and moisturizers by the case, split 'em up and save both of us some moolah. I noticed today my high dollar lifetime guarantee tweezers are about done for. I don't think they intended them to be used to tweeze quite so many hairs in one lifetime.

And Gemini......I hear ya on the ow ow ow. Just yesterday I was saying hey I did all this exercise and I'm not sore. Well you shoulda saw me this morning, and all day......I am definitely moving slower and saying ow ow ow. I forced myself to do more toe touches anyway and I'm starting to think that was not the smartest thing to do.

So everyone, how are we going to do next week's challenge? Should we divide into a couple teams, see what team wins or how do we do it? Or do we just want to start out with everybody kind of reporting in with how much water they drank and/or how many minutes they exercised each day? That might be a good way to go for our first week???  Let me know gals so we can work it out to start on Monday.   And always remember and never forget.....

WE DESERVE TO BE SKINNY!!!!!!!