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!

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)

Well Bex I kind of took door # 2! Hubby and I walked downtown (1 mile) in the new 10-12" snowfall and it was still snowing. We were just going to have a glass of wine and come home and cook. After sitting in there with the wine and getting warm and toasty we decided to order and I was so hungry for a burger and fries (can't remember the last time I ate them) - that's what I ordered. On the "good" side I ate only half of each! But oh my calories with snacks for the day 1646 -way high for me - a shock to the system as snow would tell me. I really hope it didn't make me gain another 2 pounds! And I have no doubts that you will be size 12!!

Peg  I bought Jillian Michaels 30 day shred and like it - it's a wt lifting, cardio and abs routines. Made me really sore the first time I did it and I lift way heavier weights at the gym!

Bon - a burger and fries! YOU!!! LOL. You've done me proud, girl!

Peg - say the word and she's yours. 

Good morning:

Wanted to pop in early to avoid the all the heavy reading, have to work out harder today, ate in the eveing last night, cereal, salad, and a jello with dreamwhip x2, so gotta work out a little more today..

****If anyone has trouble finding a food with that days letter use a letter from any previous day so A-D cuz i think some days would be easier than others to use.****

so E is for edam cheese, a 28g or 1 oz is 100cal. 7g fat, 53g potassium, 7g protein, 273g sodium, 0 sugar, 0 fiber, good source of calcium 207% so although there is some fat and sodium it is a great source of calcium which us ladies know is very important to us at our tender transitional age!

Bonny: You need to switch scales with Chris....lol..your weight it'll come down you'll see!

Bex: What is Ben and Jerry's??  Chutney there's something i haven't eaten in years...hum...

Have a great everyone!!...bye

LOL Bonnie: Burger and fries. You will probably lose.It is important to be diligent and consistent. But it is lifestyle not life sentence. A mile long walk with the man you love after a fresh snow in January...followed with an indulgence for a treat you were hungry for....that is not a mistake, that is living! I think it is good. I have read the thread and your journey with the Jillian Michaels shred tape. How often are you doing it?  Max's dr's appt is coming up Monday night. I will be so happy when we get this blood pressure issue resolved.

Bex: I will bring it up to Max again but he seems determined not to have any new animals. I think we are both still grieving for Frost. For some reason I seem more able to move on than him. I think he is afraid to love another cat. He had never been around a cat before Frost. In typical cat fashion, he stole that man's heart.

E is for endive lettuce.

The endive (also known as Belgian Endive, Witlof, and Witloof) is:

• Low in Saturated Fat, Cholesterol
• High in Dietary Fiber, Vitamin A, Vitamin C, Vitamin K, Thiamin, Riboflavin, Folate, Pantothenic Acid, Calcium, Iron, Potassium, Zinc, Copper, Manganese, Vitamin E, Magnesium and Phosphorus

The nutritional value and health benefits of endives makes them ideal for:

• Maintaining optimum health
• Weight loss

Avoid including endives in your diet if you're interested in:

• Weight gain

Peg

My weight bounced back up a bit this morning 151.8

It was expected because of yesterday's body pump class. That always makes my weight bounce but I also know it will come back down.

Got called to a birth this morning. So I'm on my way out the door.

More later,

Beth

PS E is for eggplant.

Ohhh Beth you beat me to my word but I'm going to put in my info anyways

E is for eggplant Eggplant is a very good source of dietary fiber, potassium, manganese, copper and thiamin (vitamin B1). It is also a good source of vitamin B6, folate, magnesium and niacin. Eggplant also contains phytonutrients such as nasunin and chlorogenic acid. Nutrition Facts Serving Size: 1 cup, cubes (82 grams)
Amount Per Serving Calories: 19
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 0g 0%    Saturated Fat 0g 0% Cholesterol 0mg 0% Sodium 2mg 0% Total Carboydrates 5g 1%    Dietary Fiber 3g ~    Sugars 2g ~ Protein 1g 1% Vitamin A 0%   Vitamin C 3% Iron 1%   Calcium 0%

19 calories in a cup - geez we could "pig out" on that! LOL

Peg- Your words are very true it is about living not a life sentence and we had fun walking in the snow even if it was up to my knees!! I am trying to fit in Jillian on my "off " days from the gym. Gym M-W-F and then Jillian T - Thurs maybe sat if I feel up to it( really depends on how the knees feel) LOL. So glad Max is seeing the Dr on Monday - keep me informed - I'm sure they'll put him on meds right away , last reading you gave was really high. Uh ...endive - lol - don't like it... imagine!

Plan for the day... finish golf seat covers and LOL try to get that darn table runner cut out! Didn't get to it yesterday. Then dinner - the steaks - and root on the STEELERS!! Will probably put another fire in the fireplace today too. Might walk a little on the treadmill since I indulged in 1/2 of a burger and fries! I can watch golf while I'm walking. We stayed right beside the Plantation course when we went to Maui!!! But didn't golf there because it was $250 per person plus we needed to rent clubs! That's a little pricey for my budget!

Eggplant is wonderful Bon, and only 19 calories a cup. Wow. The problem is that it needs to be cooked and boiled eggplant, which is probably the kind with 19 calories a cup, sounds awful!  I love eggplant and gave a bunch of recipes (http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3426922,00.html.) on the A day (aubergine). You should be able to enjoy winter walks and a restaurant meal from time to time without feeling guilty. I had a glass of wine and dessert Friday and Saturday and my weight has popped back up 2 lbs. There doesn’t seem to be a way to let down the vigilance and get rid of this pesky 5 lbs. Really, I was careful all week, exercised a lot and relaxed a small bit over the weekend, and back to square one. We really seem to be in the same boat. But, like you say, if we stop watching, weight will rise. What are golf seat covers? I saw the photos. Are they fleece runners for the golf cart?

Have an easy day Beth and a good weekend to everyone.

e is for eggs!  i guess they're good for ya.  not too many now...  ;)

super congrats, southern!  you look great!!!

nice poem, beb  :D

rebbex, i love it!  flip a coin...  ;)  i like tails.  congrats on them 14's & 12's soon to come.  i was like that when i was losing.  i always wanted more.  that next pound down was all i wanted.  i wanted it more than anything.  maybe that's why i did so good.  i would think about what i wanted to eat & then i would wonder if it was worth it.  sometimes it is!  lol

that is awesome, frost!  you had the whole gym to yourself?   i would love that!    yep, like a kid in a candy store...  i'm glad max is going to the doc monday.  keeping that bp in check is pretty important!  endive?  lol  i think i'll go get some of that silly lizard's food again.  we lost a gerbil yesterday.  the poor guy.  he tried to hold on...

OMG!  i'm so proud of you, bonton!  man, i sure hope that worked.  at least you walked for the burger & fries, and you only had 1/2 of each.  :D  yep!  i'd say you did great.  yeah, trade scales with chris!  hehe 

Bonnie: LOL golf seat covers. I love the new pics you posted of the winter wonderland, the beautiful Christmas photo of you and your man, and the pic of hubby with grandson is so precious! LMAO you not liking a vegetable? Shocking.

Snow: You are so right. Decide if a craving is worth it. And yes, sometimes it is. But usually no.

Beth: The weight will always do a little bouncing. But woman, you look fantastic!

Robbie: Speaking of looking fantastic. The picture of you by your Christmas tree shows how great your figure really is.  You look awesome!

I am still working hard. Watching what goes in my mouth and exercising daily. Patience is hard for me, but I am trying.

Peg

E is for Emmental - a Swiss cheese I love, the one with the holes, tasty, high in calcium but unfortunately, also high in fat, as most cheeses are. It is lower than cheddar but way higher than goat cheese.

Keeping it to a minimum, you can indulge occasionally and not suffer. In a 1 oz serving (think a slice on a delicious turkey or veggie burger, topped with sauteed maushrooms - YUM) , there are 120 calories, 9 g of fat of which 6 are saturated (ouch), and 8 g of protein (YAY!). I think cheese is a trade off. You pay in some aspects, you gain in others. Moderation is they key - right, Snow? Don't be an extremist about anything and you will be fine.  

Bon - I hate endive too. 

Phox - thanks for the Aubergine (eggplant) recipes. It's not an item I've been too fond of in the past but I'm open to trying it again.

I'm going to cook a spaghetti squash for dinner today and serve it with BBQ turkey boobie. I'd be interested if anyone has any spaghetti squash recipes. I only ever do it baked, then scraped out and tossed with a bit of extra virgin olive oil and parmesan cheese. There's another E word (sorta) - extra virgin olive oil...but I'll let somebody else write about that one.

Update for Clairlaine:  U all asked me to keep you posted!!  She is home for those of you who saved her icon(name) as buddy she has a rather long almost amusing experience while in the hospital dated Jan9th you may find in her journals.  Go there for all the details don't wish to repeat here!  She is however, doing very well!! 

Oh i am in real agony with my shoulder, so i am stopping these exercises, i think they are only aggravating the situation, and wait to talk to the therapist on Tues...whagee i wish there was a cure...heat or cold....i hate cold...wonder what will work, it might help if i knew what was really going on there??  Why didn't they take more then just an xray!!..What is it called when they check the ligaments and tendons etc??

Original Post by blueyedblonde1956:

Update for Clairlaine:  U all asked me to keep you posted!!  She is home for those of you who saved her icon(name) as buddy she has a rather long almost amusing experience while in the hospital dated Jan9th you may find in her journals.  Go there for all the details don't wish to repeat here!  She is however, doing very well!! 

 Hi everybody!  All my journals are public, so anybody can read them.  Look for my adventures in medicineland if you have time to read a long story.

I'm doing better, back home and recuperating from congestive heart failure.  Hope all of you are well and happy, settling into the New Year. 

BEBI think you need an MRI of your shoulder. An xray will only show problems with the bones not the tissue, ligaments, tendons etc.  You could for example have a tear in your rotator cuff - it would NOT show on xray but would show up on MRI. Can you quietly insist that they do one?? And yes you are right to stop the exercises if they are really aggravating it - maybe they didn't diagnose you right. Myself I prefer heat but when I had shoulder and upper neck problems ice was the only thing that got it to stop hurting. I hope you feel better - it is miserable to ache like that.

Bex -Sorry no recipes for spaghetti squash - I actually like it(see there are some veggies that I like!) but have never cooked it - only had it out. Never heard of that kind of cheese - we are all learning!

PhoxOh that's right I forgot the other name for eggplant and you are right it really needs something else to go with it! I am going to try to duplicate that dish I had out on NY's eve. If it is a success I will post the recipe! Yes the golf seat covers are fleece - tied  on the edges - you would think they would be hot but they aren't! I won one at a tournament and decided to copy it. They keep your legs from sticking to the ?leather seat of the golf cart. I usually walk but when I play with hubby I ride because he cannot walk - BAD knees. And he actually likes it too! LOL

If anyone decides to make the Orange Wedding Salad - be sure to use the small packages of dry tapioca pudding mix - the kind you cook. An afterthought  was that my girlfriend made the salad and LMAO she used tapioca right out of the box - salad turned out like cement but the really funny thing was she made it 3x before asking me what she was doing wrong! We had a good laugh over that!

snow - Well I DIDN"T lose any weight BUT I didn't gain anymore either from the splurge! I just don't think I have much of a metabolism LOL I don't like eggs either uh that is unless they are pickled! with beets

clairlaine -  I did read your journal and you do have some funny cartoons in there too! LOL I am so glad you are better and they got to the bottom of what was wrong. I always like reading your menus! Do take care

E is for edamame, a delicious treat high in protein and low in fat. Edamame is a green vegetable more commonly known as a soybean, harvested at the peak of ripening right before it reaches the "hardening" time.  In East Asia, the soybean has been used for over two thousand years as a major source of protein. Edamame is consumed as a snack, a vegetable dish, used in soups or processed into sweets. As a snack, the pods are lightly boiled in salted water, and then the seeds are squeezed directly from the pods into the mouth with the fingers.

I did my best to remember how I made a delicious, low fat (not fried) eggplant Parmesan, since I usually don't measure when I make up a recipe. Hey, Phox, glad to hear from you, and  thanks for re-printing that site for other eggplant recipes. Don't worry, we're almost all "catching" the 2 weekend pounds this week.

BEB: I agree with Bonnie; sounds like you need a second opinion. Bonnie: I also agree with Peg: life sentence, indeed! Glad you had a nice walk. Go Steelers!  BEX: Trump turkey burgers sound great, thanks. Congrats on losing, and I love Emmental. Try spaghetti sauce on the squash--easy and good.  Peg: Patience is hard for me, too. I went out with friends last night who had to evacuate. They now have three adorable but very sooty Bijon Frise/Shi Tzu mixes. I wish Max good luck tomorrow; it's better to know and address than to worry (the latter being my specialty). I also like endive, so thanks. Beth: Good luck with the birthing, and thanks for all the techno advice.  Clairelaine: Welcome home and keep up the good work recovering. Snow: Do you grieve gerbils? If so, my condolences.

Clairaine - It's so good to have you back. I will read your journal. I'm glad you are on the mend.

Phox - I also wasn't aware of that other name for eggplant. I missed that somehow but will go back to see the recipes. Eggplant is a great way to reduce calories in some meat dishes like "eggplant Parmesan" for example. I'd enjoy finding other ways to use it, too.

Bex - I love spaghetti squash but I cook it just like you described with the olive oil and Parmesan. I do add some garlic. I once tried it with spaghetti sauce but didn't care for it that way.

BEB - I agree with Bonnie. You should get an MRI. But another idea is to call around and see if there are any chiropractors in your area who are familiar with ligament problems with shoulders. I know there is one here who does wonders with shoulders. But it's kind of a speciality. So call first.

Peg - I believe what you said is the bottom line of what we all need to do more "Watching what goes in my mouth and exercising daily." And yes it does take patience.

Bonnie - I agree with Snow. I think that's cool that you only ate half that burger and fries. And the fact that the scale stayed the same after doing that is good. But man I keep hoping for that scale to drop for you! You work so hard. Anyway, I'm praying for you. Hang in there. You look great the way you are. But I can relate to wanting that last 5 lbs. Hey, I love the golf covers. It's hard to see the prints real well in the small picture. But I particularly like the middle one and the one on the right.

Everyone - There is a new article on my daughter-in-law's case that came out yesterday.  We are all still waiting on the district appellate judges to make their ruling. It's still a waiting game. Please continue to pray for her release so she can be back home with my son and their children.

Here is a link to the new article.

Beth

PS I'm still waiting on those babies. The one who called this morning still isn't having consistent contractions. So I'm still waiting.

EDIT - It's 4:53pm central time. I'm headed out, hopefully to deliver a baby. I don't know. She still doesn't have consistent contractions but her history is fast labors once they get started good. So I can't chance it. It takes me 2 1/2 hours to get there. I'll let you all know what happens when I get back. Wish me luck! I don't want another false alarm. :-)

you are so right, too, frost.  sometimes it's worth it, but usually not.  if it is, though, that could just save you from your next binge.  it's great to see how well you are doing!

rebbex, absolutely!  moderation.  how else could this be lifelong?  hehe  we all need our favorite foods.  extremists are the ones who end up quitting.  ;)

i sure am glad you're doing better now, clairlaine!  :D

geez, bonton!  you like alot of this stuff being mentioned.  i've liked a couple of things.  we both are super picky, but yet, we like different things than each other, too.  at least you didn't gain from that splurge, so that's good for upping your metabolism.  gross!  pickled eggs?  hubby would like them.  not me!

robbie, that stupid critter.  lol  i guess i loved him, but i have always said 'no pets in the house!'  that's why, for one reason...  they croak!  we were watching him all day, too.  hubby was holding him & stuff, trying to make him feel better.  he couldn't even stand up!  anyway, he was the bad one.  we had to seperate them a couple of weeks ago, because he kept trying to eat the other one or kill him or something.  i guess it was just his way of playing.

thanks for the condolences.  i guess we'll have to have a funeral now.  he was ashley's & we had a funeral for ang's turtle last year.  LOL  well, and the family cat.  that was a while ago, though.  yeah, we're kind of weird...  :D

the funny thing is, i went to check on my chinchillas this morning & jack (the baby) was laying on his side!  man!  that was scary...  they usually only do that if i've had 'em out playing for a while & they're exhausted.  or if it's super hot.  believe me, it ain't hot here!  he probably just played a little too hard last night.  :D

we'll be praying that your daughter in law gets out soon, southern.  hang in there.  it'll work out & hopefully soon!

Hello everyone...

Yes, I know, I disappeared for much too long, but things have been hectic here, between my children's visit, the news we were leaving Vietnam soon, and all the adjustments it entailed, from planning our move, notifying our families, making lists of things to do, things to get before we left, and what not...

I am slowly adjusting to the idea of leaving my beautiful house we liked so much, leaving this country we know so well, leaving my personnel to a suddenly uncertain future, having to think of sending our very old remaining dog on a long and stressful journey, to an unknown and so very different destination... Each and every move is such an upheaval...  I'll be able to give you more details at the end of the week, as the official announcement will have been made. So far, nobody is supposed to know, so we are not free to say anything, really.

We first heard in November, when my husband was approached to replace someone going to retire. It will be a big change, as he will have to travel often and for longer periods. It is a big promotion also, and a job for which he will be perfectly suited, so it was very difficult to refuse. We were first told we would move at the end of the spring, but the timing was later sped up, and now we will leave before the end of March.

We are returning home as planned, on the 24th of January till the 6th of February, as it will alow us to take care of a certain number of things while we are there. My cousin will visit us with a friend for 4 days at the end of February, then it will be time to start packing, finding new jobs for the cook, maid and gardener, saying goodbye to all the friends, the places, the things that have been our daily life for the past 3 years and a half (4 years for my husband).

Right now, I am biding my time, and making lists of all the reasons why this is a good move... But I look out my window and my heart breaks, because not a single plant or tree I am seeing now will grow where I am going... "And I see no bravery in my eyes anymore. Only sadness..." to paraphrase James Blunt...

It will pass. And my list is growing longer and I am starting to feel excited about the new life expecting me. That must be the reason why I thrive being an expat: I can't but feel the smell of the waiward wind, calling me, urging me toward new horizons, or try to answer the silent voice forever asking: "What will it be like to live there?". I am a wanderer at heart. LOL

After such a long absence, there are more than 10 pages to read so, of course, I haven't had time to catch up with news from everyone. I just started reading. But I still have in mind Robbie's very valuable remark about why we feel it is ok to be tempted, to go much beyond what we know is good for us, just because it is that time of the year. Point taken Robbie. I myself was very off-hand while my children were here, as if living next to young 6ft+  rail-thin men exonerated me from the dangers of too many calories! Of course my weight went up and I am now mad at myself, but whose fault is it but mine? Just like a kid...

I am sorry Beth about your daughter in law - and your son! - victims of the unforgiving times we live in. Too many articles we read, too many stories we carry in our mind, too much negligence in our collective past we are trying to correct at once, as if we could eliminate the injustices humanity let be committed in  previous unenlightened times by suspecting everyone today!!! I send you all my prayers and love.

I see Clairelaine has joined our ranks. In my mind I call her Claire-Helene, because Elaine is how you pronounce my name in French! Welcome! I am sure I'll discover others as I keep reading. I just wanted to say hello to all my friends. Yes, like so many others I am heavier than last year by about 3lbs. But I'll give you the official figure on Friday, hoping there will be some improvement in the meantime!!!

Have a very nice day everyone!!! Happy year all.

Helene, in Saigon, who is very glad to be back in the fold!!!

P.S: I edited my photo gallery, if anyone is curious!

F right? Fava beans (are you thinking of a nice Chianti??)...This food is very low in Saturated Fat and Cholesterol. It is also a good source of Protein (14g/cup), Folate, Magnesium and Phosphorus, and a very good source of Dietary Fiber and Manganese.

Helene, it's wonderful to have you back. I looked at your gallery. You have been a busy bee, haven't you? I love your quilt tops. I'll have to put some of my mother's in my gallery for you to see. She's made at least 2 full sized quilts for each of her 5 children, and one for each of her 13 grandchildren, plus a few more. She's 83 now and only really got started when my father started showing symptoms of Alzheimer's about 15 years ago. It has been her sanity saver! Dad died five years ago but she's still going strong.

Your house IS beautiful. I don't blame you for hating to leave. I've lived pretty much in the same area for my whole life. My husband will probably need to take another position within a few years so I'm going think of you as inspiration. I'm actually excited at the prospect.

Bonton, you got a lot more snow than we did --as usual. lol. We got maybe 5". DH and his friend actually drove to Gettysburg on Saturday. There was very little precip just to the south east of us. I did the Shread with DD on Saturday. I didn't have hand weights so I'm still fine. I'm SO weak in my upper body that I thought I might be sore even without weights. I feel my thigh muscles but I wouldn't call them sore. I'd like to do it with her regularly, I really enjoyed it. Well, sort of: just when I thought I should kill Jillian, it was over. lol. My weight has been up 2 lbs since doing it.

Snow, your poor gerbil reminded me of my nephew's. When he was only about 5 he decided to take his gerbil for a bike ride. Unfortunately he put it on top of his front tire. It was a short ride...and life...for the poor little thing. I know it's terrible, but it still makes me laugh.

Beth, boy your new pic is hot! Thanks for the encouraging words. Hope you see a baby today! That's a lot of driving for nothing.

Robbie, Phox, and any other recipe posters: Thanks so much! I love experimenting but just don't think to look for recipes sometimes. It's also nice to know the recipes have been tried by a trusted source! It's a bummer when it turns out to be a dud. My beef recipe turned out well on Friday. I'd give it a B+ or A-: it was very good but didn't knock my socks off, it was very easy to make too.

BEB, our house guest was from Kentucky so the opposite direction from you. Nice guy but for those thinking of matchmaking, I'm not sure I'd recommend him. He's hetero but I think he's single for a reason. lol. VERY set in his ways and sure of himself. I find it amusing but wouldn't want to live with it!