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!

Hi Beth

Glad you decided to join us here. The ladies here are a great bunch, full of great anecdotes, hints, stories, you name it, seems to me you'll find it here!

I took yesterday off, and went back to the gym today. Did my cardio-elliptical and treadmill. Also did some weights, but today I was using lower weights. So far I am not feeling any extra pain, thank G*d! However, I did manage to lose my Ipod, which is my everything when I go to the gym. I'm pretty p-offed at that. I had all my good music, and as I've mentioned before I'm really not in a place to buy a new one! Maybe it'll show up somewhere, somehow. If not, there is some lucky blankety-blank, out there! I need to let go of this, and not stay as upset and angry as I have been for the past hour or so. And of course, my son, gets the brunt of my frustration.

Original Post by midwife4cc:

Thank you so much for the warm welcome! I look forward to getting to know you all.

I made myself do something today that was a bit painful. I'm a visual learner. So I decided I needed some visual ways to motivate myself. So I started looking back I through all my digital pictures to find any that showed my weight. I have digital pictures way back because a few years ago I scanned most of our old photos.

There weren't that many of me. I'm usually the one taking the pictures. But I did find a few. I edited them to go in a folder just for this purpose. Wow, was it eye opening! And WOW do I have a big butt!

So I decided as much as I hated it, I had to ask my dear husband to take a couple of "before" pictures of me (front and back). OUCH! it hurts to see what people see when I walk away from them!

I've always had the hour glass figure but that bottom half is sure big! Anyway, I put these up on my profile page for just my friends to see. (It's too painful to have just anyone looking. Although that's kind of funny when I think about it because everyone who sees me in real life knows I have a big butt. )

I also found one picture of me weighing about 160-165 lbs if I remember correctly. Unfortunately, I was also 27 years old at the time! Back then, I would have preferred to be about 145. But today 165 is my goal and now when I look at that picture, I think I looked great and I sure wish I looked that good again. So, that picture is now my motivation picture even though I know I'll never look 27 again.

I have realized I have not ever really been happy with how  I have looked.  Even in my primo buff state about 8-10 years ago, I was always looking and finding faults.  And now, like you I'm saying I only wish I could look like that again.  The thing is, I'll be saying the same thing 10 years from now.  So, for me it's a matter of appreciating what I do have today.  And that has always been an uncomfortable thing to do.   The other day my son, Kieran, who is 18 and some friends over for a bar-b-que.  And a few of them commented to him on and asked if I worked out because they thought my arms and back and shoulders looked great.   and I still see how it could be better!

Original Post by oneis2many:

Even in my primo buff state about 8-10 years ago, I was always looking and finding faults. And now, like you I'm saying I only wish I could look like that again. The thing is, I'll be saying the same thing 10 years from now. So, for me it's a matter of appreciating what I do have today. And that has always been an uncomfortable thing to do.

 

One: That is so true! I keep saying we are all too hard on ourselves. That's why this thread is so great!

Beth: You are a welcome addition. I love the family group photo; clearly everyone is having a great time. My mom's an RN, and I love her, so with three of you on site, I'm feeling the nurturing pour over me.

Alice: You're so admirably disciplined to work out at lunch. I can't quite manage that. But I do try bring stuff from home, and I now understand what you mean. It's so hard to get myself together and get there on time, let alone with a nutritious meal. I tend to bring dinner leftovers, which we had with only Tom and mI living here, but may not now with the advent of returning son.

clharr: Please tell me you knew I was kidding about the foot kissing. I forget that my weird sense of humor isn't always clear. And, hooray for your new low. Atta girl!

All: I am kicking myself over dinner mistakes tonight. I was working at home all day on a presentation and forgot to eat. So, by dinner, when husband asked to meet at Chili's, I thought sure. Same thought when he said let's split an order of wings. Same thought when I saw fajitas on the menu. Then, I got home and went on the internet to see the damage. OHMYGODOHMYGODOHMYGOD. 1800 calories! 100 grams of fat. I'm devastated. OHMYGOD! I'll be working out for hours tomorrow. Now's when I need some self forgiveness instead of loathing, right?

One, I had to laugh at imagining I had found a weird way of exercising by emptying closets!!! LOL

No, the getting rid of useless stuff is related to something I was reading some days ago: a book by a lady who writes about simplifying your life. And that reminded me that for the Chinese, clutter is a "ch'i" trap, ch'i being your life energy. The more clutter in your life, the more ch'i stagnates around you and the weaker you get. Some clutter may even suck ch'i out of you (dead or dying plants, wilting flowers...). If you read books about feng shui, they'll tell you your house should always be clean and free of clutter or it will make you sick. In fact, in Chinese medicine, low ch'i may make you fat, because of the stagnating ch'i, especially around your tummy. So, I concluded I probably was a victim of that as my house is full to the brim of stuff I don't really need or use, things I pack from house to house and just stuff in some cupboard till the next move. The clutter mounts with the moves and the years, so I said "No wonder I have that tyre around my tummy..." I also theorized that most of us have reached an age where we have accumulated clutter, old stuff and memories, and that that may be the reason for our common problems.

I also proceeded to change that and started emptying cupboards and getting rid of the mess, and I declared myself "official thread guinea pig"... If the lbs start dropping, I'll recommend the cure to all. Now you have all the details. It may be a coincidence, but since I started last week I have dropped almost 3 lbs... More on the subject in the future...

Oh! one more thing: the fleshy spot between thumb and forefinger is called "stress point" by the Chinese. If it gets painful to the touch, it's because of accumulated tension. They recommend you massage it slowly every time you think about it, to release the tension there. You also may press it between thumb and forefinger of the opposite hand, and keep the pressure as long as you stand it. It should help with both the pain and the release of the stress. You did mention you were depressed. Depression is often a consequence of stress...

Robbie, I liked the "practice husband"! LOL I am still practicing with the same one, but they say Swiss people are slow!!!! Yesterday he made me laugh, because I was telling him, as we were coming home after the graduation dinner, that I had just realized it would be just the two of us again, and that I felt a bit lost, as I had been a Mom for the past 25 years, and didn't really know if I could re-learn to be something else. In fact I don't even know what exactly I am anymore... I hardly had time to finish my sentence when he said: "You can take care of me! I was happy you were such a good mother and I never complained, but I could do with a bit more mothering myself!!!" He looked so young and hopeful he just made me crack up!!! Men can be so annoying but, you have to admit, they can also be so cute...

Hello Beth! Welcome! I was the last one to join this group before you and everyone was so gracious to me I have to unroll the red carpet for you too! I personally find it wonderful to be able to share my thoughts with so many women my age, as they make me feel less of a freak. Sometimes you wonder... But then you realize it's not just you, it's that special time in your life, and it helps so much! I hope we can make you more comfortable and hopeful too.

Hey! clharr, we are at about the same weight. I am probably shorter (5'3"), but more or less....

snow, you are so courageous with them machines... I usually give them a wide berth as I am always afraid I won't be able to use them... Even the treadmill makes me afraid I'll fall off in a heap if I forget myself...

Have a great day everyone. Today is definitely closet cleaning day!!!

Helene, doing the Snoopy dance since she realized she had one pair of pants that is actually TOO BIG for her!!!

we had pizza yesterday & i didn't even gain the usual 3 pounds from it!  :D  i didn't gain anything!  LOL  i think that's a 1st...  i must be doing something right!

i haven't logged my food intake lately.  it's good for me not to, i guess, since i'm supposed to be maintaining now.

schaufel, first, please tell me how I would pronounce your name.

And I have done some reading on feng shui, and am aware of chi. I have one most of my closets are wreaks. However, I hate clutter I can see on a daily basis. I don't buy a lot of 'chuch-ka-las'-a Yiddish word for anything cute and small people decorate their homes with. I really need a very 'clean' looking home. Works for me. I hate having to do more cleaning than is absolutely necessary!

snowfence, isn't it weird how sometimes we can eat more than usual and not gain an ounce? Then they're the other days-most of them when an extra slice of bread puts on 5 pounds! (well maybe not quite-but you know what I mean).

Robbie-I'm sure you know you just need to cut back a few calories over the next few days and add a bit more exercise for the next few days. I know, believe I know the temptation to work out for hours upon hours today as if to purge yourself of the heinous crime you think you did by eating what you did-sort of a punishment, yes? Been there, done that! I am not trying to negate your feelings on this at all-you do know that! IN fact, I used to be anorexic/bulimic about 19 years ago. I say this because when I found out I was pregnant with my son, who is now 18, I stopped all that behaviour. I do, however, still carry with me some stinking thinking of which I need to be careful of. I don't want to go back there!

And to all the other fabulous ladies,  hope your Saturday is a satisfying one!

love ya all!

ya know, i was just told that recently...  that anorexics exercise!  i didn't know that.  i thought they just don't eat.

yeah, the family was on my case for walking...  :(  they should walk too!  i don't walk that much!  i didn't walk yesterday or today, so whatever.  lol  i want to, but the weather is kind of iffy here.  i don't want to get rained on.

i hate that when you didn't even eat much & you gain!  LOL  that is so true!  i think the key is to keep your metabolism up with eating often & exercising.  :D  who knows...

Hi Everyone - greeting from Washington DC . We toured the Vietnam, Lincoln, WWII, Korean Memorials - walking around everything - even wore my pedometer we walked 3.5 miles so I CAN go have a good dinner tonight!! LOL Went to the top floor of the old post office - fantastic view of the city. My stepdaughter's condo is beautiful! Her husband is selling the units at this place so they got a really good deal and it's only 3 Metro stops to center city!

WWII Memorial was impressive. Then it started raining so our son-in-law picked us up - he was working and couldn't go with us. Actually got on their computer to put my foods in so I didn't have to keep a paper record -I think I'm addicted to counting LOL

robbie - great new pic of you and hubby! You look very happy - I'm VERY happy in my second marriage - he spoils me terribly - something I NEVER had with my first practice husband LOL And if my daughter ever finds a young man I may do the same as you - kiss his feet! LOL So far all the dates from eHarmony have been big NO's LOL is she getting too picky?? I just keep praying that she will meet the right one. Hey - everyone splurges once in awhile - maybe it will shock your system into losing. Last time I cheated - had wine, chocolate, too many calories etc - ended up losing a pound! Don't weigh yourself for about 3 days - that's what they say it takes to get rid of the fluid from the sodium and carbs. We went to Ruby Tuesday's a few months ago - I did the same as you came home and looked it up - thought I did OK - ate 1/2 plain hamburger and only a few fries - OMG that hamburger was 1000 calories by itself! Sometimes you're better off NOT knowing! LOL

Beth - nice pics of your family! So glad you joined us. You're brave with the pics - I find that logging keeps me on track! I don't know if I want a pic of my backside!!! LMAO

snow Exercise is good for you - don't worry about what they say! I use the machines at the gym but I paid a trainer when I first went because I was so intimidated! and uncomfortable because I felt dumb not knowing what to do! But I do know now and I try to help other new ladies that come! so they won't feel intimidated

schaufel If cleaning out closets makes you lose I'm going to start too!! LOL I thought I'd write a book "mowing off the pounds" cause I lose every time I mow LOL

clharr - Congrats!! on the low weight - it's a big mental boost isn't it. Have a wonderful time at your shower!

And we all are too hard on ourselves. I want now to get to a weight that 10 years ago I thought was too much LOL I am glad to be be healthy and able to exercise, golf etc

Hope everyone is having a great weekend . I'm looking forward to my dinner !!! I ate strawberries, raspberries, and blackberries for breakfast - yummy! Little bit of wine, grapes , cheese and crackers for lunch. Maybe seafood for dinner! Still trying at least somewhat to watch my calories - I really don't want to go back home 2 pounds heavier! LOL

Hello to my fello fiftiers & sisters in the fight against flab,

   I'm a fifty-two year old suburbanite just coming off another year of winter carb-loading all in the name of 'comfort foods'.  I'm at 5'5" and hovering at 156; last fall I was at 163 before a week at a yoga spa & a new dedication to eating 'right'--I got down to around 150 before Halloween, Thanksgiving & Christmas had the audacity to come around and tempt me.

  Now summer has come, I'm doing circuit training 3 or 4 times a week & taking a 1/2 hour walk at work every day I can.

   I've gotten great enjoyment out of reading many of the posts to date, although I must confess I did not yet make it through all #328!!!

   When I was back in my 'zone' I found that yoga & meditation were a big part of the process.  Losing the stress aspect helps me tremendously with the ups & downs of the weight stabilization process.  I also took up with a Holistic practitioner and, although I'm not sure I'm a believer in the 'muscle strength testing' process,  the supplements I'm taking certainly helped me with my various aches & pains related to that magical age of ours.

   Where I could really use some good suggestions is how to get past the 'food as reward' habit.  As a kid, good report cards warranted a trip to the ice cream shoppe; good times are synonymous with family meals; and we all know that a chocolate bar makes a boss' criticisms go down easier.  As a 'good workout' doesn't hold the same reward feel to me & shopping (my other alternative) is probably not a good idea,  what's a girl to do?

  Thanks for letting me drop by.

i probably shouldn't even say this, but i still reward myself with food.  :D  i can't help it!  and i don't see why not...

i mean, come on...  so you have a special treat now & then...  you deserve it, don't you?  LOL

sorry, i just had to let that out.  i guess i would say to go out & buy some new clothes for a reward.  the problem with that is that you will NEED new clothes anyway.  so is that really a reward?

i've been to DC a couple of times.  it's pretty cool there, and yes, that's alot of walking!

hey barbe, how about a vacation as a reward?  i dunno...  i always gain from them...

Hello everyone.

Been emptying cupboards the whole day (got rid of a TON of stuff, mainly bedsheets, table cloths and clothing), and now I am taking a breather after hubby left for the airport (on his way to Hanoi for the first of his three trips there in the next 2 weeks...). There is a huge storm rumbling round and round but not ready yet to burst. The clouds are getting darker and angrier-looking and the air feels like hot jam. One actually has to make an effort to pull in enough oxygen when it's like that. Can't wait for the thing to pour and go...

Welcome barbe! You are welcome to drop by any time!

Bonton, we can start a dieting book collection under the heading "Alternative Fitness Programs": "Mowing off the pounds" and "Chuck out the clutter, get rid of the blubber" could be the first titles... Any more ideas out there?

Snow, do not worry about your family. There is always a resistance to change. I have noticed that it's not because they are negative or don't understand. It's just their way of telling you you are ok the way you are. My boys get angry when I say I am fat. They tell me I am just huggable When your family sees how much happier and active you become, they'll stop putting pressure on you to drop the exercise...

Have a nice day everyone!

Helene, in Saigon, where that stupid storm is still just rumbling...

Ooops! I forgot:

one, schaufel is pronounced 'shaofl'. It's part of our family name. My first name is Helene. The nearest pronunciation in English is Elaine - H is mute in French. 

Original Post by barbe715:

 

Where I could really use some good suggestions is how to get past the 'food as reward' habit. As a kid, good report cards warranted a trip to the ice cream shoppe; good times are synonymous with family meals; and we all know that a chocolate bar makes a boss' criticisms go down easier. As a 'good workout' doesn't hold the same reward feel to me & shopping (my other alternative) is probably not a good idea, what's a girl to do?

 

Hello barbe, Welcome! I certainly can relate to what you have said. I'm still trying to find answers to this problem myself. I've taken to buying myself inexpensive jewelry like little necklaces and rings. I've even decided it's okay to paint my toe nails when I never did before. (Don't do my hands yet.) So, I'll buy nail polish sometimes, too. These little things don't cost much. I know it costs some money but so does the food! So, I just remind myself of this fact and it helps me not feel guilty for spending a little on such things.

I used to think nothing of stopping by the convenience store and grabbing a soda or picking up a donut at the grocery store and I did these things on a daily basis. Even if I didn't frequent the convenience store, I still ate more at home before I started counting calories. Well, when I add up what I spent on food before it no longer feels foolish to spend a couple of bucks on a little bling thing once in a while, especially when I feel down or want to celebrate something. And besides I'm finding that I feel a little more "dressed up" when I always put on a little piece of jewelry with what ever I'm wearing.

One of my goals is to loose a size. When that happens, I'm really looking forward to making myself some new clothes or shopping for new ones.

If clothing or jewelry isn't your thing, what about a hobby or collecting something you love? Even garage sale shopping can be fun for some people. These are just my ideas. Maybe others will tell us their suggestions, too. (hint hint )

Hi Barbe and welcome :-)

You've found a fab forum here. The ladies who come here 'get it'. That, to me, says it in a nutshell.

As for rewarding with food, it is something most people do, isn't it? I mean to some degree or another. Some of us just might be making those rewards a tad to large! LoL! Personally, I go for the savoury stuff. Chocolate, unless it's the really expensive, real chocolate doesn't do much for me. However, give me a bag of cheesies, or tacos and well, then there's a smilin' lady!

And Helene, my name is Renee, except it isn't pronounced the French way.  It sounds like the word 'greenie', without the 'g'.  

I'm off to a bridal shower this afternoon. 

I'm SO HAPPY to have found you at last. I can't claim to have read all the posts, but I can claim to be so tired of this weight and ill health. I'm just starting on CC, but I love the tools. I had no idea I was eating so much, or that simple planning would be my first key to losing.

I spent my life at a more or less normal weight until one day the grieving process took the form a stopping at a convenience store for a snickers. and again, and again, and suddenly I didn't care what I ate. That was 20 years ago and I was devastated when, coming out of the hard times, I didn't just shed the pounds. I didn't. I walked, I ate salads, and all I did was gain gain gain. Plus of course I developed a yen for bad candy, donuts, cake for every office birthday, on and on. I didn't want to deprive myself.

So now I have deprived myself of good health, the ability to get around, and my basic (inner/outer) attractiveness,. I tried a gym, but overdid it, got sick and quit. I can't walk any distance anymore nor stand up for long, so I got a stationary bike. I have spent at least ten years trying to add new habits, slowly--biking for just 5 minutes, drinking tons of water, learning to love leafy green veggies again. I love summer fruit!

The analysis and planning tools on this site are such fun to use, and so enlightening! I'm looking forward to the warm support I have read in all these forums. I weigh once a week. my SW is 260, CW 254 and GW 147 (2+ years from now). One thing that does go faster for me is the years! I'm in for the long haul.

I have some success with non-food rewards (although the very idea seems wrong). I have never before treated myself to music I love, to movies I enjoy, and I do love pedicures, waxing, and trinkets. I hope to work on "closet cleaning" activities and reward myself with room for hobbies like sewing and painting.

ciao! (no, not "chow", uh, how about : see you in the wind!)

I am finally off for the summer, so hope to have more time to read the posts!

Also I plan to work out more, prepare healthier food and enjoy life.

So far I have lost 25 lbs in the past 11 weeks, need to lose at least 25 more, realize the last 25 will not come off as quickly.

I love to walk, but I live in South Texas and the heat and humidity are just too much for me. I do work out at Curves 3X's a week, lift weights and use exercise DVD's.

You gals are keeping me motivated. Thanks!

Best wishes to all, for a great start to summer!

Welcome earth_mom! I hope you enjoy CC as much as I have so far. I'm also new here. This is my second week. It sure looks like you've made a nice start on your journey if you are already down 9 lbs.

imblksh33p (Marrianne) - You're from South Texas, too? I'm in Corpus Christi, but my work carries me as far south as McAllen and as far north as Victoria. Where do you live, if you don't mind me asking? It IS HOT here, isn't it? I've lived here most of my life but you never get completely used to the heat. The older I get, the worse it is, too. Some ladies from our church are starting water aerobics tomorrow morning. I'm looking forward to being able to exercise outside but in the water.

Hi there earth mom! 

Sounds like you're well on you're 'weigh' to good healthy habits.

And about that bridal shower I went to...well, I have decided to stop counting the calories for today!  I couldn't possibly even guess or want to know what was in the cake I ate.  I did eat mostly salads, however there was hummous and tahini there, and no, I did not measure how much I was taking.  I don't consider it a total right off, I'll just really keep the calories down to a bare minimum for the rest of the day.  It's already almost 6 in the p m, so I'm really not worried.  And this cake, this cake, OMG-was worth every calorie!   I even brought some stuff home for my son and will  have to be smart and disciplined and not dip into some of that stuff.  Well, at least not too much.  And I feel really tired from that food to.  And from my long jog last night. I jogged/walked for over an hour-and boy I am still feeling it today.  Even with all my stretches afterward. I dn't mind this kind of pain/tiredness.

I really love the fact the women here are from all over the world.  From Norhern Europe, to Southern States and Canada-that's me-I'm from Toronto-any of your every heard of it?LoL  

Hi robbie!

I just read your message of a couple of days ago - thanks for the "shout out".  I've lost my way again - was doing well, but it all seemed to be slipping away from me.  I was just marking time for most of May and then at the end gained!  Now it is a new month I am hoping to "get a grip again"!  I have a lot of reading to do to catch up on the thread - looking forward  to it!

i know where toronto is!  me & hubby stayed there for one of our anniversarys.  :D

i know what you mean about that cake being worth every single calorie.  LOL  i just hate it when i break down & have a piece of cake & it wasn't even worth it, but sometimes...  it really IS worth it.

well, it's a new week & a new month, so let's get going!!!  this is it!  summer is almost here.  :D

good luck everyone!!!  (man...  a bag of cheetos sure would be good though...)