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????

You girls are the greatest!  I spend so much time nodding my head in agreement with what everyone writes that I feel like a bobble-head doll!

Donna - you're a transplant to Kansas?  Me too!  I've been here about 10 years now.  I bet it was quite a culture shock for you to move here.  I'm from Iowa so other than the difference in the weather it's still the midwest!

cjmitzi - Welcome!  I had my gallbladder removed years ago, when I was 16, due to stones.  The only advice I have about diet is to stay far - far away from anything greasy or fatty.  It will tear you up!  To this day I'm not able to eat but very small amounts of most pork because of that.

Welcome cjmitzi! I had my gallbladder removed about 7 or 8 years ago.......that is when I heard I fit the statistic of the group of people who are most likely to have gall bladder troubles.......fat, forty and fair........hello!!! But like mctami.......my daughter had hers out when she was very young, only 17 years old. Yeah watch the real fatty foods. Sometimes I can have like bacon, stuff like that, other times........look out! Sometimes when my stomach is all tore up from eating the wrong thing, seems like whatever else I eat, no matter how "un" fat it is.....keeps my stomach tore up.

Seeing we have two ladies here who live in Kansas..........where is everyone else at?

I'm in Knoxville, TN. Only lived here 3 years, lived in North Carolina for 18 years. Then 3 years ago, my husband of one year at that time, kidnapped me and brought me here kicking and screaming! No, really I love it here!!

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

Bonna

Has anybody else started having lower back problems since beginning their exercise routine?  I did the eliptical trainer for an hour Saturday, then took Sunday "off," and today I'm a little sore through my lower back...I went ahead and did Yoga--carefully--and it's a little worse now, actually.

Good grief.

South (New) Jersey shore.

Hey Gordabutt - I get it in the lower back all the time.  My Pilates instructor says I must hold my stomach in more during the routine b/c that band of muscle wraps around the lower back & lower abs.  I've tend to believe it b/c I 've noticed if I pull in my lower ab I can feel the pressure release from my lower back immediately.  Your yoga class should have modification (Pilates does as well) to help strengthen that area and more it strengthens the less pain you feel in the lower back.  Do not let anyone talk you into doing any exercise that hurts your lower back.  If you feel pain stop until you strengthen more.  When I first started with Yoga I made the mistake of getting a tape that was at an advanced level (over achiever) - I thought I was going to have to dial 911 and request a paramedic to pull me out of the position.  I then found one that had modification for my 40 + (but thinks she's still 20)  body and flexibility level.  I try to do those on days I don't go to the gym and my 2 year old (yes.  2.  Imagine my shock) will all me to do without him.  When I put my legs in table top he thinks he gets to sit on them.  Resistance is an under statement. 

I live in Dallas, Texas - born and raised.  I'm currently weighing in at 160 butt naked first thing in the morning.  I only weigh in once a week b/c among my other talents, I'm a scale junky and am breaking the habit of jumping on every day, with clothing, without clothing, in the morning and in the afternoon and evening. My weight goes up and down so much during the day (can actually differ by 5 pounds between day & night) that I get discouraged and eat terrible because of it.  I do my measurements & weight on each Saturday (although I cheated and check again on Sunday and lost another 2 pounds.  (See what I mean)   So if it's okay with you guys, I will check in once a week on the scale but will keep the post on water and exercise.  I think that's a great challenge.  I was sooooooooo going to blow off working out today (get my nails & toes done instead) but this post has made me change my mind.  I will suit up and show up for my Pilates class tonight after work.  The challenge will also hold me accountable for some type of exercise on the days I don't have Pilates regardless of the 2 yr old.  I'll just have get creative.  I've been whining about wanting to add more exercise so this is perfect for me.  I've tagged the 40 challenge so I'm leaving here to go post there.  Big Huggzzzz to all my new 40 + friends and may each and everyone of you achieve your personal goals. 

I wanna join!  I signed up for the challenge, my first one.  I'm 48, 5'4 and weigh 187.  Since I've been doing CC, I'm down about 15 lbs.  I have to lose weight because my husband is getting the gastric surgery and I absolutely can not be heavier than him!  Also I need to lose weight for all of the usual reasons - health & happiness.  :)

Jlomiller - I use to live outside of Dallas.  We go to visit for two weeks each summer, just to remember how hot it can get :)

Everyone else and Jlomiller - A pleasure to meet you.

Welcome too!!! and congrats on the 15 pounds! Give us some tips!! How long have you been a member??

Bonna

Jlomiller,

  I just love Pilates--I did a Pilates program after I was hit by a car about 9 years ago.  It is the total bomb.  I wish my gym offered it. I was very lean back then, and it still drastically improved my body...tone, posture, flexability, everything; plus, it cut my recovery time dramatically.  Good for you!  You're going to see and feel such amazing and wonderful results.

--Donna

I'm wanting to do/learn Pilates. There is some of it on a video I just got. But tell me this.........do you get sore from a work out? I did one this morning, didn't feel like I was doing it right.....and was hoping to feel a little soreness here and there. But if it works, hey!

Hi Everyone!  I just signed up on the other thread for the 40+ challenge.  Makes me nice 'n accountable for increasing exercise as well as water intake.  The last 5 lbs really are the toughest but I'm not complaining, and I don't want to get neurotic about it. 

I just wanted to mention here that pasta can be enjoyed every day, if you like it that is.  The recommended serving on the boxes is 85 grams but you can eat much less than that as a first course and then follow that up with a meat dish.  I think that's how Italians stay so slim.  One is forced to leave room for the meat course, and then the salad and fruit at the end.  People in Tuscany tend to chow down, but in other parts, women over 40 (from what I've seen) keep their pasta servings tiny.  But very flavorful.  Pasta is not the enemy!  That's my 2 centessimi for the day :)  xxNancy

I'm up for learning Pilates too!  Does anyone know of a home video version that's worth a hoot? 

I've done a little yoga and also Tai Chi but that's more of an "exercise my mental demons" type of thing, you know, stress buster.

Anyone familiar with Callanetics?  It's been several years since I've done that but it's outstanding for core and your booty.  It's a routine with slow, deliberate movements, lengthening muscles, toning, etc.  There is nothing aerobic about it.  I've talked myself into it - I loaned it to my daughter a couple of years ago so I'm getting it back and I think I'll just start doing it again!  Hee-Hee ;-)

Bonna: I had my gall bladder out when I was 31 and right after giving birth. I wasn't overweight at the time and was told multiple pregnancy hormones will trigger it. I had had three pregnancies in a very short period. Then recently my daughter had hers out when she was 16. That time we were told it was hereditary, so who knows?

Tami: I know how you feel about fatty foods. After 16 years, even now I can barely bring myself to eat pizza.

I live in the country outside Seattle at the foot of the Cascade Mountains. I think I'm the only one on the West Coast . Everytime I post or reply I seem to be about three hours behind!

Elaine

Thanks for the welcome.  The only tips I can think of is spending a little bit of money for a decent pedometer.  I got the Omron HJ-112 Digital Premium Pedometer from Amazon and it has been a workhorse.  I love that it shows total steps and also total aerobic steps, and has a one week history.  

Besides that, I'm just doing the normal -- counting calories and trying to exercise.

Elaine - I'm in the south Puget Sound, on your time :)

Bonna - I had my gallbladder out also, last fall. 

I'd love to try a pedometer, especially when I go to Disneyland. I'm going to look into that today.

If I can find it, somewhere here on CC there was a post that led me to a link, I'm thinking it was from Glaxo, but it was some pharmaceutical company, anyway, you register, answer a few health questions and they will send you a free pedometer. I ordered mine a little over a week ago, and I'm still waiting, so we'll see. I'll look for the link and post it on both our forums if I can find it!!

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

Bonna

Free pedometers from Pfizer, you just take a 3 minute survey:

http://www.myheartnow.com/content/index.jsp

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

Bonna

Free pedometers from Pfizer, you just take a 3 minute survey:

http://www.myheartnow.com/content/index.jsp

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

Bonna

Elaine, I've heard that too about gall bladder problems, the hormone thing. My daughter had had some female problems right before hers flaired up, and was given hormones on top of birth control pills to try to help her. I always wondered if the hormone treatment helped to bring it on. Interestingly, she had hers out one December, and then I had mine the following June. She liked to say - "Mom takes after me." LOL

Bonna

Hey Too nice to meet you too.  Thank you.  Don't know if you've been here for you too weeks this year but hot it's not.  We've had so much rain that the water restrictiions have been lifted and the lake levels are back to or above normal. 

Donna:  I doooooooooooooo love my Pilates class.  I fight for my classes 2 times a week.  There has to be a pretty good reason for me to miss.  My man picks up the baby on Mon & Wed so I can go to the gym.  I started going in Feb (my new stress release since I quit smoking) and have been faithfully every week since then (save and except emergencies).  I didn't really feel like going yesterday but after reading and posting, I did.  I keep my work clothes in the car so I have no excuse.  My gym even sell work out clothing so I really really really have no excuse.

Bonna:  thanks for the pedometer link...got one coming to me too.  Sure hope it works better than the one I got a McDonalds a couple of years ago.  And Pilates doesn't always make me sore either. 

mctami:  Your tape sounds like fun.  A lot like Pilates - I've wanted to try Tai Chi too - I love stress busters.

I just love this group.  Everyone is so friendly here.  Thanks Bonna for starting the forum.  Do you have any idea how many bios I went thru trying to find my age group.  I was staring to feel like an elder ... okay, okayyyy....a fat elder.  :]

Biggggggggg Hugggggggggggzzzzzzzzz 2 yall

Jlo........update for me on the Pilates.

It made me sore, just took overnight. I am in misery today. My own stupidity........while I've only been doing a little bit of working out every couple days and only for the past week......I bought an exercise Bean Saturday. Yesterday I put the video on and did TWO complete workouts. I wasn't even up to one complete workout before then. Then I went for a walk........and then I got on the floor and did some more for about 10 minutes last night, crunches, leg lifts. Well, my shoulders and neck are soooooo sore, I move like a 90 year old this afternoon.......on the plus side, my abs are just a little sore, the kind of sore I like b/c it tells me - hey....you worked those muscles.

But I feel so stupid on overdoing it, I'm mad at myself and I'm not overeating, but I don't even feel like pushing the water today.

So, you all will easily beat me on the challenge, and I'm not going to push myself that quickly ever again.

I just wonder what I'm going to do in 20 years???? If I do that then, will I feel like a 110 year old lady?? LOL