calling out to women 50+

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!

BEB - this whole site is on the net and can be found with search engines like Google and Yahoo. I think the only exception is that CC has some kind of security filter set up so that our profiles are not found by the search engines if we choose that option. Otherwise you can find just about any page on the Internet as long as you know the right words to search. That's because the search engines find webpages anywhere on the Net. That's the whole point of search engines.  The reason copying and pasting links into the forum doesn't usually work is because CC adds a space somewhere in the URL which makes it not work. If you find that space, you can delete it and then copy and paste it into your browser. That works, too. That's how I found the recipe.

Sorry if this is confusing. I guess I'm more of a geek than I realized. I've been doing website design for 15 years.

~ Beth

Robbie: i just type it by hand but the time it takes to copy and paste i could have just typed it....

Beth: what i wanted from you was not how to copy and paste that i know what i wanted to know was the words "if you go to this link" how you can go to a link using "that" but you have since answered me, anyway thanks gotta go eat my asian salad!!

oh Robbie i copied that asian recipe as a link favorite for myself, i will try it tomorrow...yumm thanks and i am going to try and copy the dressing too off this salad bag ......hehe

Now that i am getting so many recipes i had to open a new folder in favorites-links to store them for fast quick access while in calorie counter!! Howver Robbie stored that recipe and yes i found it, but when i went to recipe brouser into first course i checked all of them Robbie and couldn't see it there?

Keep the recipes coming, gotta good one from that site that was it Carol that recommended the eggplant..gotta try that one of these days.

Rick makes a really good vinagrette for his yam chips that he grills on the barby!!  He makes them just for me...now i have him using lite oils..hehethere great on the road!!

Have a good night all....beb...............off to watch the tube !!

D is for Dates

Dates are believed to have originated around the Persian Gulf, and have been cultivated since ancient times from Mesopotamia to prehistoric Egypt, possibly as early as 6000 BC. In later times, Arabs spread dates around northern Africa and into Spain, and dates were introduced into California by the Spaniards in 1765. The fruit is a drupe known as a date. They are oval-cylindrical, 3-7 cm long, and 2-3 cm diameter.

Dates Nutrition Information.

A 100 gram portion of fresh dates is a premium source of vitamin C and supplies 230 kcal (960 kJ) of energy. They are fat free, cholesterol free, and are a good source of fiber Every 100 gram portion includes Vitamin A -- 5 mcg beta-carotene and 75 mcg lutein + zeaxanthin and Vitamin B-complex total folate - 13 mcg. A single date contains Vitamin B6 -- 0.192 mg. Dates also contain Vitamin A1, B1, B2, B3, B5, C and more than 20 different amino acids, helping us digest and assimilate carbohydrates easier and control blood sugar levels and fatty acids content in our bodies. The selenium lowers the risk of cancer and heart diseases, as well as helps us keep our immune systems healthy. As a single date contains around 23 calories, this very low calorie count and the huge amount of healthy substances in dates make them one of the best nutrition sources for a diet plan menu.

 Traditional Medicinal Uses.

Dates have a high tannin content and are used medicinally as a detersive (having cleansing power) and astringent in intestinal troubles. As an infusion, decoction, syrup, or paste, dates may be administered for sore throat, colds, bronchial catarrh, and taken to relieve fever and number of other complaints. One traditional belief is that it can counteract alcohol intoxication. The seed powder is also used in some traditional medicines. The roots are used against toothache. The pollenyields an estrogenic principle, estrone, and has a gonadotropic effect on young rats.

Work is still a struggle with cortisol levels and sugar cravings. I am trying so hard. Last night after work I went downstairs and did 55 to 60 minutes of cardio. I plan on doing the same this morning.  I haven't started on the weights yet. That will take some additional time at the gym and after working all night I think an hour of fat burning is enough. I need to incorporate weights on a day off.  I think tomorrow or Monday I will begin that regime. Planks are awesome! I am dreading weight lifting but just a little bit. Initially it is so hard until you build up strength. It's been a long time since I lifted. LOL. Weight is down. I can feel it.

Have a strong and lean day.

Peg

I weigh 150.8 this morning!

Fully expected to bounce back up but I didn't! I'm almost there! Can you believe it?!!!!

~ Beth

Beth, That's wonderful! I think I'm almost as excited as you are! lol. It's great to know success if possible.

Beth  Yeah for you almost there!!! and you look fabulous in your new pic!!! I'm so glad your apprentice is doing better.

chris Of course being from central PA I've heard of chicken and waffles  actually the Elks club here serves it as a Friday night "special" LOL I don't care for waffles though ...imagine

Peg Now I actually do like dates!! In fact I don't think there is a fruit out there that I don't like...it's just veggies that I have a problem with LOL Lots of interesting info on dates! It's funny I used to be like you - love the cardio - now I actually prefer to lift weights and hate the cardio ...but then part of that might be because my knees ache Glad you are going "down"

robbie - I actually make a salad similar to yours but no peppers in it but hubby doesn't like it so I rarely make it unless we are going somewhere for others to help eat it. I have all the things I need to make the curried shrimp thing on my grocery list - when I go to Altoona they don't have it here - then I plan to make that. Keep your recipes coming - I'm liking adding a few new things to my menus. I haven't weighed yet today so don't know if I'll be happy or sad LOL

Woke up to 7" of snow and still snowing like crazy. Was thinking if it snows all day maybe we'd take a walk tonight - walk downtown and stop in and have a glass of wine before walking home. I love to walk in the snow! I'm going to finish up those golf seat covers and start the table runner today. We have a fire in the fireplace so it's cozy and absolutely beautiful outside! DD is a mess over that guy - she needs to let it go. How come they don't listen their MOM??? Last night we took our GD to a Rainforest show - they had all kinds of animals - she loved it . GS was sick so he couldn't go. Our other GS went bowling for the first time with his Mom and Dad - he loved it but then he is VERY athletic - he's our little golfer!

Trying to think of something interesting to cook for dinner since we are "snow bound" LOL

Now not that I would EVER eat this but here goes:

DANDELION GREENS, COOKED, DRND 1 CUP 105 35 1 7 2 0.1

Good morning Girls:

BETH:  Congrats on your victory!, and since those great clothes (how long were u in the closet picking them out).. really accentuate your slimness, you have just won a free trip to corpus christi~!! Hehe... Sincerely though, great job...!!..i am so happy for you!!  Don't forget i'll see you at the finish line for a drink..hehehe, Kyle saw your pic and loved your pink suit?  Wants one now for his future girlfriend!

Chris: How did your beef dinner go?

Peg: That was interesting facts on the dates, i never ate them because i thought like prunes they were high in sugar, have to look again!  Thanks!  You may not have read the article that was posted for me after xmas when i was eating to much sugar and then craving it by Beth, she had recommended more protein in my diet (daily food intake), and since i have been taking in more protein  (hard boiled eggs) without the yolk (eyeballs) etc....i haven't been craving sugar, just a thought!  For me anyway she mentioned hypoglycemia as i was eating way to many chocolates, sweets in general over the season.

Bonton: If you are just getting the snow now, you 2, guess whats coming next, sunshine....and some cold.....but at least sunshine if the direction from here doesn't change, we get the same weather but a few days apart and it's of course warmer there.  I loved it down in west virginia when i was there twice...stayed at a lodge on Tygart Lake in Grafton WV. did alot of boating!  Hey fireplace.....ahhh i can smell it from here..!!hehe 

D: is for Dandelions eh, 105g at 35 cal. I know Bonny got this one ahead of me, and since i can't think of one right now, i thought i would just elaborate on the specs for it.

Dandelions i know people make wine out of it, (figures i would know that), lot of drinkers in the family...hey Irish, Welsh, Cdn what do you expect? hehe, anyway i know the roots, leaves, and seed clusters are edible too!

There is 7000 units of VitA in the leaves per ounce then lettuce at 1200 units...wow, Vit B,C,and G....G?...that's a new one for me!  Boil or steam like spinach.3

Leaves are best picked when young as they can get bitter later in life. They can be used fresh in salads when they are still young and tender. The French soak dandelion leaves in salt water brine for 30 minutes before cooking them just like spinach. In fact, they taste quite a bit like spinach. They contain 7,000 units of Vitamin A per oz: lettuce contains 1,200 units and carrots contain 1,275 units so the dandelion leaves really pack a punch!. They are also an excellent source of Vitamins B, C and G.

4The root is considered the "official" plant part of the dandelion. With your rooting tool, dig up the root while the plant is flowering. Second year plants are best for harvesting, as the root is well-established and full of vitamins. Be sure to let a few plants mature to seed so you will have enough new plants in the years to come. The active ingredients of the dandelion root are now used by pharmaceuticals in treatment of many urinary complaints, bleeding ulcers, dyspepsia and rheumatism. It is also a splendid agent for skin diseases because it is so high in Vitamin A. It is also used all over the world as a coffee substitute. Brush dirt off the root when you have pulled it out. Do not wash it, as that may promote the growth of mold and prevent the root from drying properly. Store in a cool, dry place. Use a coffee-grinder (used exclusively for herbs) or a mortar and pestle to grind it into smallish pieces. Prepare an herbal infusion with boiling water, just like tea. Let steep overnight for best effect. Drink daily until conditions ease. You might also try applying this topically with a cloth soaked in the tea for ezcema or other skin problems. www.ehow.com/how_2101599_eat-a-dand for all the things you can do with a dandelion, interesting reading actually, considering all the dandelions we get up here it might be fun to go biking in the spring-summer and pick some...good exercise too!  CARDIO WORKOUT!!...

Well off to do my workout....to bad it's winter feel like picking some dandelions!

Our grandmothers and there grandmothers were on the right track there are so many wonderful medicinal things growing out in our wooded areas that we have no idea about, but wouldn't walking with an expert be a fun experience, have to look into that!!............always wanted to do that!!

Have a good day................beb 

D is for Dill - a tasty addition to our favorite recipes, especially salmon. Here are some interesting facts about DILL that you may not have known.

The name dill is thought to have originated from a Norse or Anglo-Saxon word 'dylle' meaning to soothe or lull, the plant having the carminative property of relieving gas.

In the northeastern U.S. and adjoining parts of Canada, the seed of dill is sometimes known as "meeting-seed". This expression originates with the Puritans and Quakers, who would give their children dill seeds to chew during long church meetings, due to dill's mild hunger-suppressant qualities.

Now, isn't that interesting? HUNGER SUPPRESSING QUALITIES? How come nobody is proposing piles of dill on the many "diet" internet blogs and logs and diatribes? Well, maybe they are, and I just haven't read them. 

Congrats Beth!!! You sound SO HAPPY!! And you should be. What a fantastic accomplishment. Your arms look awesome!

Glad everyone else is hanging in and reading and posting and generally doing well. It doesn't seem as if anyone is gaining. GREAT JANUARY everyone! I am down 1.5 today. Not quite what I wanted but I'll take it. 

I'm heading off to the Farmer's Market for some fruit after I treadmill for 30 minutes. Then I am pampering myself this afternoon with a trip to the hair salon. I have to travel the first 3 days of the week. but hopefully I will have some time in the evenings to log on with my laptop and see how you all are doing.

Have an awesome weekend!!!

Beth: Awesome, just awesome. Great picture, too. And, I am so very impressed with your web design skills; not many women our age have that.

There are no other D foods I can think of, but D is for Vitamin D. Vitamin D regulates the calcium and phosphorus levels in the blood, by promoting their absorption from food, and it helps in bone growth and remodeling. Good sources of it are salmon, milk, cod and dairy (and liver, but I wondered if that would be an incentive for anyone here). Here's a Salmon Recipe that non fish eaters in my house like.

Frost: I'm rereading Pamela Peake on stress and cortisol, and you are describing the classic conundrum for women--stress activates the release of hormones that make us crave sugar. The solution you have found (aerobics) is one she suggests, along with weights. I am like you (prefer running to lifting) but I find exercise tapes (particular the much older and most recent Firm tapes--not the middle period) keep me motivated to lift, because it's like taking a class. I do them with very little room or equipment at home. Do you want me to e-mail you some recommendations?

Bonnie: Do you like Taco Soup? It's a great wintertime comfort food, which sneaks in vegetables under the radar. DD can't hear it from Mom--it must be some evolutionary limitation that says kids can't learn from their parent's experience. Chris has a "date" (I suspect it's more of a bootie call) tonight with a girl he sees between real relationships. I feel for her, being his "outlet," but at least he's not moping around now.

BEB: Hope you had a good workout.

Chris: Thanks for your kind words. I guess I do know how to dress. If I can, I'll scan a picture of me from 10 years ago, so you can see the difference. And, don't be thinking crow--there are lots of good ideas in that Med diet!

Nick and I went to see Gran Torino last night (Tom's at cabin with his old friend). It was wonderful. I'd give it 3.5 out of 4 stars.

Original Post by rebbex:

GREAT JANUARY everyone! I am down 1.5 today. Not quite what I wanted but I'll take it.

Bex: Our posts crossed in the posting. Good for you; your day sounds wonderful. Have safe travels!

Ok so I worked out every day this week ( gym 3x for an hour and a half, shoveled snow for 1 hr and did Jillian x1 plus walked on the treadmill) and really watched my calorie intake and reduced eating processed foods and what did it get me ...a 2 pound weight gain since last saturday GRRRRRRRRRRRR

I think I'd give up if I could but toooo afraid of gaining even more and then nothing would fit ! My stats are in my journal ... A - for the 5 days this week. I just don't get it.

robbie - I do like Taco soup and sometimes make it - it's not one of my favorites but still good. I have a recipe for hot sausage soup which has tomatoes and spinach in it(normally I don't eat spinach but don't mind it in the soup LOL) , I substituted turkey hot sausage last time I made it and you couldn't tell the difference, so way less calories and still good.

Congrats Bex on the 1.5!!! Yeah for you and for Beth so close to goal!

AAAAAHHHHH Bonny?  The only thing it's gotta be muscle do you have all your measurments, arms, chest, waist, hips, thighs, neck, calves etc....because the only thing i can think of is muscle weights more then fat!!!...If you haven' measured....do so?  In a a couple weeks if your weight is still going up take he measurements again!!!Then you'll know for sure....Don't give up if it is muscle that's a good thing!!!!!!!!!

D is for Deer Meat! Okay so it's really a "V" for Venison but it is deer meat.

Only 128 calories in a 3 ounce serving! It's a lean meat and natural meaning deer are not raised on processed foods and fed hormones like cattle, pigs and chickens usually are. You could consider it organic but it's probably not certified organic.

Bonnie - Your weight is doing exactly what it's supposed to do after such a hard week of working out! I can't remember where the article is but remember that after we use those muscles, the process first means that your muscles retain fluid because of the burning process. In a day or two, you will probably notice you are peeing a whole bunch. That's when your weight will drop and I bet it drops a lot! I've seen this pattern many times. I weigh every day. So it's easy to notice the trend. Even though I'm thrilled about today's weigh in, I'm figuring tomorrow I will be retaining fluids again. That's because I did my body pump class today and I'm really feeling it in my  muscles. So I expect the scale to go up for a few days before it drops again. It always happens that way. You are doing exactly what you need to do. Just hang in there! Don't give up because you will see progress on the scale. It just may take some time.

Robbie -Thanks for all the good recipes. I'll have to try that Salmon recipe. My grandson doesn't like fish and we like to keep it in our diet. So I'll give that one a try, too.

Rebbex - That was very interesting stuff about dill. My mother used to put it on salad and it was very nice. She sprinkled just a little. I think I'll remember to do that next time I make a salad. Thanks for the info.

BEB - Dandelion's are wonderful. They also detox the liver. I tell pregnant women to drink Dandelion tea and lots of it when they have pre-eclamptic symptoms or have a history of pre-eclampsia. I've seen really awesome results from using it this way. So if anyone has high blood pressure issues, consider drinking Dandelion Leaf (or root) tea. The leaf tea tastes better but the root tea is more powerful.

Chris - Yes, success is possible! If I can do this, I know you all can. And you all know that I understand what it's like to get discouraged, too. Life is up and down. So we shouldn't expect anything else with weight loss. It's up and down but if we do what we should the trend is down. Keep the big picture in mind and it helps to prevent discouragement.

Peg - I feel stupid asking but what are "planks"? I hope you get through the struggle at work. Have you tried small protein snacks during the day? And don't forget to keep drinking water. Sometimes if we get a bit dehydrated, it's easy to misread thirst for hunger or other cravings. So keep a water bottle near by you at all times.

Everyone - Thank you so much for all the congratulations and for all your support. You guys are so awesome! Hey, Larry went with me to my body pump class again today! And our grandson wasn't even here this time. He had to go home for a few days to take a test at his old school but he is coming back to us later today. I think he's also going to miss next Saturday because of another appointment back home. But my daughter tells me that he talked like he really likes the class. I'm going to try and get us there for the other time it's held during the week, too. I'd like to go at least 2 times a week. I know that would be much better than only once a week.

Update on our kitty. He is on meds now because he had a lot of fluid built up around his heart and lungs and that's why he was having so much trouble breathing. The vet thinks he has heart worms, very rare in a cat but much more serious and it can't be treated except to keep the fluids from building up so bad. He's been peeing a lot. So I guess it's working. Hopefully he will start to feel better this week. I don't' want to think about loosing him.

Enjoy your weekends! I won't complain about our foggy damp "cold" weather (in the 50's) since you guys are getting so much snow.

~ Beth (still waiting on those babies)

Thanks Beth for the encouraging words...I'm trying to get over the scale shock. I can't do anymore - I did everything right this week....and LOL that doesn't happen often.Beth - look in Alice's (moon's) gallery - she has a pic doing planks! Glad your kitty is doing better

robbie and anyone else who wants it - Check my journal for a recipe for Hot Sausage soup(using turkey hot sausage so healthy and LOL gets me to eat spinach and tomatoes and onions)

Pics of the golf seat covers are in my gallery and also a couple of pics of our snowfall! The snow is up to the top of my 12" planter on the back porch!

Bex -didn't know those facts about dill - may start eating it every meal - LOL - well at least for hubby if it prevents gas oops maybe too much information LOL. Safe travels this week

Peg I notice that my weight goes up when I'm working - maybe it is a stress response or less sleep than when I am off. Water and protein ... I think I need more too.

BEB good job elaborating on the dandelion!!!

I set out tenderloin steaks for dinner, have some zucchini to saute and will make a nice big salad. Hubby will undoubtedly have bread and potato too but I will pass on those and fill up on veggies imagine! Still comtemplating walking tonight after dinner - we got about 10" of snow and it's still snowing!

That's why i was peeing alot, and was bloated...thanks Beth..that explains mine!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!yeah and the weight loss

I got way behind with posts so I can't comment on all the interesting chat. Congratulations Beth, you before and after pictures are wonderful. What a great job.

On Friday weigh in I was down half a pound. Better than a gain, though I probably put in back over the weekend. I really didn enjoy the wine at dinner though. Have a great weekend everyone.

Beth: Planks are those lying down exercises that Alice has in her gallery pics, i do believe!!

Oh have you got any pics of your grandkids??

Edit: Last in line just adding anote now that i 've read the new additions, Beth, i knew it had to be something, cuz 14 is long i hope Rocky is feeling better real soon....!!

Bonton: Looks like i am not the only one buried in snow....lol, and this is only January....wish i was enjoying your fireplace, i miss that on days like this!!..I quess i could always put the VHS tape of the xmas fireplace on tv to watch...

bye all!...........beb

       &nb sp;            *** A poem for you Ladies***

       &nb sp;               &nb sp;                ROOM TEMPERATURE

Some hoist the windows, gasp for air,

While others find it chilly.

Some turn up thermostats a hair,

While others think them silly.

Some like it cold, some like it hot,

Some freeze, while others smother.

And by some fiendish, fatal plot,

They marry one another!!

       &nb sp;               &nb sp;               &nb sp;            SOUND ACCURATE!!........LOL

On a serious note, Stop-loss a tv 2008 movie on the iraq war as seen throught the eyes of the soldiers,  one in particular, it makes you think!!  When is it ever going to end!  After there tour is over, and they should be staying home, the army is forceable shipping them back to do yet another tour...Hence the title stop-Loss! For anyone interested in seeing it!

Bon - after the week you've had, poor girl, this is my suggestion ...  flip a coin...heads, get thee to a dietician, tails, get good and drunk and eat a box of truffles, a tub of Ben & Jerry's, start over on Monday

Robbie - I had salmon for dinner but that was before I saw your recipe. I am a fish lover and I will definitely be trying that! YUM! 

After my trip to the salon I went shopping at the clearance sales. Some great buys out there! I even bought a few 14's. They fit a bit snug right now but in 10 lbs they'll be perfect. I'm planning on 12's for the summer wardrobe! I'm realizing that I have to be much tougher on myself. I've been going down steadily, but slowly, and I am getting frustrated. I want more!

We have to stay from sugar and all other things white, and get with the protein and whole grains girls. Nothing new there. Tomorrow is E day, so I'll sleep on it and see if I can find something edible other than the obvious ones to post about.

Now, I'm going to make up a batch of Trump Turkey Burgers, as I call them. A recipe from The Donald's chef in Florida which I originally saw on Oprah. Fantastically awesome. You can still get it off her site under recipes. Look for Mar-a-Lago turkey burger, and also the Mar-a-Lago pear chutney that goes with them. To DIE for! 

Robbie: I would love some workout tape suggestions.  Thank you so much. I am glad the fires up your way are not threatening your family or home. Whew! My prayers go out to all those that is HAS effected.

Bonnie: Someday I will learn the benefits of protein. It really does help. I am working out after work (somehow that just seems wrong lol). After my last shift I went to the hospital gym and I was alone! The whole place to myself. I was like a kid in a candy store. Hopefully I will be alone this morning as well. I don't have to return to work tonight so I will try to lift more.

Beth: I am like Chris, so excited for you, you would think it was me. LOL. You have really shown us all what commitment and determination can do. And self control. Congratulations.

Bex: Laughed like crazy over the recommendations to Bonnie. Too funny. I have no doubt you will be in the 12 size by summer. Stay on track and you will get there.

LOL chicken and waffles scare me.

Strong and lean ladies....strong and lean.

Peg

p.s. Bex: I look at the kitties pics almost everday. LOL. (I'm in love with Kenzie)