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!

Helene: Not all of us are traveling....I will be staying home alone this xmas with Angel and my new kitten Buttons.  Picture of him in my gallery!  He is so affectionate just what I need now that Kyle is gone the little guy sure fills that void.

I had to look up gnus i had never heard of that before...interestingly in alot of those animated movies or Afican safari type movies I see them all the time....now i know...learn something new everyday and now that I have i will bet you anything that within the next 24 hours I will turn the station on tv and there will be a gnus staring at me..any takers on that BET?

You really should write a book Helene I don't know what you'd call it but your adventures sure sound like alot of fun...I would love to have been in that plane with you when you went in 2002...I could just see the rolls of film I would having been spewing out...lol..i just love animals in nature like that....when I was young I always wanted to go on a safari...unfortunately I never did...I wonder if they still do that sort of thing anymore?  I know that next year I plan to do something exciting with my life, some trip or adventure...there is a possibility some of my singles club may rent a houseboat for a few days.....if that doesn't pan out I would like to travel someplace new maybe  but I will need to save for that....1 more really nice trip for me just not sure where!  I may rent a car and visit Kyle and travel around Ontario but I sure would like to do that with someone, more fun then being alone!  Anyway lovely pics Helene....you should put that 'southeastern' one up on for your icon for awhile!...HINT HINT...lol

BEB, are you still sticking to your plan and staying out of the junk food? Does the SB need to be oiled? ;)

Helene, what a sight all of those animals must have been! The only thing I've seen that's even remotely close would be migrating birds. Nature is amazing, isn't it? I felt a bit down last night when I left work and the sun had already set. I happened to look out through the college buildings and trees to see that it was creating the most beautiful pink, orange and purple colors on the clouds. I just had to smile & say a little prayer of thanks. Oh, and I love tanzanite too so fill your pockets, OK? ;)

Ug. Another cool gray day in PA. I was running late AGAIN this morning so I had to drive to work instead of walking. It's only about a 4 minute difference when I add looking for a parking space, etc. but sometimes that seems important.

My WW weigh-in is just before lunch today. It SHOULD be much better than 2 weeks ago when I was UP a couple of pounds following my trip. According to my scale that's gone now but I'm curious to see if I've made an progress beyond that. I'll let you know.

Still pretty stormy with the SD at home so while I check in every day here, I often forget to post. Please know I'm still out here pulling for you!!!

Last night the words Pilates and torture seemed to be synonyms!! LOL I have decided that I have weak abs... some of those Pilates moves were killers and I wasn't very good at them! I'm not sure I really like it but then I'm not very good at either so....I must NEED it...persevere. I never was very flexible even when I was younger. I just hope it is making me lose inches...

Really looking forward to DD's and my "shop till you drop" weekend!! Last year I did all my xmas shopping in 1 weekend! I hope my knees and feet hold up. I think we are having dinner at Bravo last year the food there was fabulous!! Shopping at LLBean and the Ross Park Mall on Friday then dinner at Bravo,. Saturday we'll do the Robison Town Center stores and Mall.

Bonnie, maybe Pilates is just the ticket. You always complain about your waistline not cooperating anymore. Pilates might beat it into submission. Hang in there! Good luck with the shopping. I'm always amazed at how exhausting that is. My feet and legs don't appreciate it either. And thanks for all the words of encouragement in my journal, etc. It really means a lot..I know you have similar experiences.

Chris, good luck with the weigh in today!  I think you'll have a great result :)

Bonnie, I'm not a pilates fan, prefer yoga, but I think it is important to work on flexibility especially as we get older and can't aerobise (is that a word?) the way we used to because of knees, etc.  Stick with it and you'll appreciate the benefits!  Your shopping trip sounds fabulous!  There's definitely something to be said for getting it over with in one weekend :)

Okay Helene I have to admit to being an idiot.  Earlier in the year when you mentioned this climbing trek I associated it with Mt. Everest.  Now with all the descriptive talk about Tanzania and the African migration I realise it's totally different.  Eh!  Now I've read the wikipedia article on Mount Kilimanjaro the whole thing comes into a much different focus.  Which route will you be taking, how long do you expect the climb to take?  

BEB, I'm not travelling either!  I will have the kids with me though.  I don't know that I would put up the tree if they weren't here.  I love putting up my tree -- but it's mostly for them.  Maybe you could go middle of the road, and have a small tree, but not go all out the way you might if Kyle were home.  That way you'll still have some Christmas cheer, but because it's different, you won't feel so mopey about being alone.  Ha!  I just had a mental picture of Buttons toppling a small tree!  Make sure you anchor it down :)

FTF: Ha ha thanks for the cute mental picture....You said it will be Buttons 1st xmas I can just imagine the first day after the tree is decorted all the bulbs all over the house!  He will probably eat tinsel too!Last year I pulled some tinsel out of Angels rear-end from eating it

I just lost Buttons, I heard him crying, then I couldn't find him...panicked and going from room to room calling his name..Angel who usually goes on the hunt was doing the room to room search with me....after I am crying his name endlessly he finally comes out from wherever he was...thing is I checked everywhere and didn't know where he was....now I still don't know where he was hiding....kids? 

Oh good news it will only cost $50.00 to get Buttons fixed by the SPCA here on Jan7th I only hope I can keep his legs closed that long he is already trying to hump me...men!I wonder if there is a deterent!  Angel has his tail in the air last night it looked weird for him to be lying like that I hope he WASN'T trying to invite Buttons?now that could get interesting?

Chris: Beautiful sunsets I find at this time of year!....and no there is no oiling needed on my SB I have just started using it daily again...I don't want to lose the muscles from lack of use..and it burns calories right?  No I am not eating junk food, and today I am cooking a pot roast with winter squash and whipped potatoes that should last me the whole weekend...haven't had a roast since Kyle moved out! 

Bonnie: Good that you are trying something different the 'torture pilates' hehe...it may be just what your waistline needs, I see commercials with that lady in the burgundy doing them on tv all the time...I have to try it sometime when I am thinking of it! When you mentioned body sculpting a few weeks ago I thought you were talking about actually making out of clay or something, don't know what I was thinking...silly me...didn't realize it is a form of exercise...lol

Have fun on your shopping spree!!... and your Italian dinner out afterwards...I bet you'll do well and get it all done in one day!....I don't go out much but when you get into the mall and hear that xmas music and see people smiling with christmas cheer it is so easy to get into the spirit of it...I am waiting for some snow to get me to that point! Then I will spend the whole day, with back breaks of course and do it...like I only have 1 person to shop for well 2 if I buy myself something...I want a digital camera! and some new sports bras!..lol

So girls: What is everone doing for xmas this year now that we have tantilized everyones christmas spirit and dangled the idea in front of all your noses like a carrot to a horse...lol Soon we all have to start getting out the decorations and buying or putting up trees..I may buy a small one but I am thinking of Buttons I have this 7ft maybe I should maybe I shouldn't...let him have the experience so many before him have had...Angel and Bandit that is?

Oh and Chris: Remember last year you were the last one to get your tree decorated eh....?  ahem...  Get your SD together with you to do it this year that would be a very good 'family experience  to share' with her together right?..

Boy all this talk has me getting in the mood...almost ...but the warm sunny weather makes it hard for me to think of xmas just yet...I mean weather here is so much like New England and New Hampshire right! and Penn....!

Well off to take a shower, my pot roast I always add a bundle of my grandmas recipe of herbs wrapped in a cheesecloth for that extra pickley scent and taste!...hmmm yummy...

what a treat..bye for now...BEBwho wants to go to church this xmas!!

Laura, we'll be taking the "Coca-Cola route", so called because it's easy and goes from one shelter to another. I'll look into the file and give you the highlights of the trip so you can see what I'll be doing. It will take 6 days, followed by 3 days of safari and 2 days of beach rest in Mombasa (that part I'll leave to the rest of the group as I am not a sun-bather at all, on the contrary: my hopelessly white skin can't take much sun before it roasts, so I was never fond of beaches). I would never attempt climbing anything in the Himalayas, much too tough for my skills. It's colder too. I am not even sure I'll make it to the top or if I'll have to wait for the others at the last shelter...

BEB, I didn't mean to say you would be going anywhere. I was joking, because I am always told that my descriptions make people feel they are actually there with me. So I guess I will make you all go to Africa for the holidays!

My bread is baking and it smells so good. I added walnuts in the dough today. Time to go make dinner.

Have a nice day all.

Helene, in Switzerland, where the rain has returned

Helene, I'm glad you're going to take us all with you!

BEB, I'm a certified worry wart so take this for what it's worth, but you might want to consider skipping the tinsel. It does seem to be next thing to catnip to them and my vet says it's not uncommon for them to get obstructed bowels from it. The ice cycle type is the worst. That can be deadly very quickly and insanely expensive for the surgery even if it's caught in time.

Chris, that's a great tip about the tinsel.  I didn't know that!  So, you haven't told us your weigh-in results.

BEB, I thought your comment about the nude models in Bonnie's body sculpting class was a joke (and a funny one )   I didn't know you were serious.  That's too funny!

Helene, I have seen television programs about the great African migration.  Your description has made me want to see it in person.  Another item for my "retirement" list.  The most exotic thing I've seen lately is a dead badger on the side of the road.

Hang tough everyone.  Remember, thin tastes better than any food you may be craving!

Alice

Alice: I like that..'thin tastes better' comment...lol Yea silly me about the nude models....I think I say something funny everyday...but with my English humor not everyone picks it up...yoy are very astute!

Helene: Yes you are definitely taking us all along with you on that safari, and climb it's like even though we won't be there we are training with you!

Bonnie: Are you sore from the pilates?

Chris: What did the scale say??  TELLLLLL!

Margaret: Still out there? 

So what ever happened to Robbie??...on with her life....??

1000 calories today and am contentedly full.  I am content ....now to get through the evening,  Yesterday was a maintenance not deficit bust..it is getting increasingly harder now with the sun going down early it is playing mind games on my stomach!  Of course I know my stomach can't see but tell it that!..hehehe..

Motivational word for today!!.............'THIN'...THANKS ALICE!

There's a lot of Xmas talk going on around here!

I will be doing some shopping on Black Friday as I will be in Arizona and hopefully finding great items. I never have that many gifts to buy. Such a small family. I got an adorable little backpack with a 3D moose on it when I was in Quebec for my 2 year old great niece. She's the only little kid I buy for. My family is scattered to the 4 winds, and we are never all together for Xmas. What does one get for an 80 year old mom who has everything? Her eyesight is failing so maybe I'll try to get her onto some audio books with a good MP3 player that she can operate easily. Ideas, anyone?

BEB, sheesh, alright already: weigh-in was 136.4, basically back to before I went to NO and 2.8 down from 2 weeks ago. I was 134.6 on my home scale this morning sans clothing.

Bex: Eyes failing..hmm...audio books have no idea does she have a computer?  Before you say no alot of elderly people do....I was wondering if you buy her a mp3 player she can use the USB port to download her choices onto her mp3.

Speaking of eyes failing where do you buy those magnified with lights table gadgets that you look through to enlarge items and there is a light attached you see CSI using them all the time on small items etc??

I have been using limewire to great success and have it all backed up up onto the 8GB memory stick for safe keeping.....what do you give an 80 year old how about a cruise!...lol ......Or a nice big book with pictures of various places around the world that would be entertaining and she could go somewhere without leaving home! Maybe on a safari!...lol

Chris: Well i was just curious as everyone else....don't get your shorts in a knot...lolDid you not like my xmas idea with your SD? Or just having a bad day at the office?....?

Hi there!  No I haven't got washed away yet but this weekend is predicting extremely bad weather with gales and heavy down pours.  Only problem is I am going out Saturday by the sea and not so sure its a good idea!!!!!!!  but room booked and I have a raincoat!! and if there is a break in the rain I might get some good pics of crashing waves.

Oh! I must be turning into scrooge!! HUMBUG! Who said Christmas????

I like the 'thin tastes better than a cream bun'!!  That was what you said wasn't it!!!!!!!!!!!! but I do wish that 'thin was filling!!'

I can't imagine cooking fresh bread and then leaving it alone!

FTF I do enjoy aerobics so long as its not taught by a dance instructor.  I once went to classes and they were so complicated.  I continued and almost learned all the moves but would have prefered a simpler routine that concentrated on the exercise and not the dancing.  If you get it wrong your in the way of the others.

Hi there!  No I haven't got washed away yet but this weekend is predicting extremely bad weather with gales and heavy down pours.  Only problem is I am going out Saturday by the sea and not so sure its a good idea!!!!!!!  but room booked and I have a raincoat!! and if there is a break in the rain I might get some good pics of crashing waves.

Oh! I must be turning into scrooge!! HUMBUG! Who said Christmas????

I like the 'thin tastes better than a cream bun'!!  That was what you said wasn't it!!!!!!!!!!!! but I do wish that 'thin was filling!!'

I can't imagine cooking fresh bread and then leaving it alone!

FTF I do enjoy aerobics so long as its not taught by a dance instructor.  I once went to classes and they were so complicated.  I continued and almost learned all the moves but would have prefered a simpler routine that concentrated on the exercise and not the dancing.  If you get it wrong your in the way of the others.

BEB a little sore from Pilates..mainly my hips...I think I did not work those little muscles when i was lifting. Felt better after body sculpting last night. This weekend will be walking while shopping LOL - shop till you drop weekend with DD's

I left a "to do list" for DH LOL while I am gone. I made stuffed shells yesterday so he would have left-overs

Everyone have a great weekend - think fit and healthy and get some EXERCISE!!!!

BEB, my panties are just fine, lol. I appreciate that you care! I do hope to do things like that with SD at Christmas, but we're a Loooong way from being sure she'll even be here by then. She's trying every thing her little 16 yr old brain can think of to get out of it. 

Bonnie, I hope you have a super time shopping with your DDs. I'm sure you will. You're a sweet wife to be sure your DH has tasty left-overs. Hope he comes through on that honey-do list! ;)

margaret, do be careful out there! That being said, I've always wanted to be near the coast during rough weather. One day I hope to be in Nova Scotia or New England and see the waves crashing against the rocky coast. Have a wonderful time!

Bex, I think the audio books are a great idea. I suppose music dvd's might be too if she likes that sort of thing. My mom does have one of the Ott lights but her eyesight isn't too bad and she quilts, etc. a lot. Christmas shopping in Arizona? Wish I was on your short list! I looove jewelry from the southwest.

Alice, I love that thought too. The other one that helps me is 'if food didn't cause the problem, food won't fix it.' I'm better at resisting my cravings than I am resisting feeding my emotions. I succumbed a bit last night with a Pepperidge Farm German Choc. cake, but fortunately they are fairly low cal as desserts go. No effect on my morning weigh-in. I'll just have to resist the leftovers for about 24 hours & by then DH will have wiped them out. lol.

Gallery pics: If any of you check out my gallery I have some new pics of Buttons age 24 wks now and below the old one of him at 8 wks how fast they grow! He is so tall now and the lean loving machine...except for this humping...lolI sure hope his affecionate liking to lie with me doesn't change after he's neutered..?

Margaret:  Please be careful around those waves, although pretty can be unpredictable wouldn't want to read that your are floating in the middle of the Atlantic..lol

Bonnie: Have a great time shopping with your daughters!!

Chris: I don't know what to say about a difficult 16 year old girl, other then reverse-physcology it use to work with Kyle...if they think something is their idea they are more inclined to do it...just a thought!

To everyone have a neat "Friday the 13th"  whoooooa!

Off to do some housework!  Then maybe a walk in the sun!.....Think THIN!..BEB

Margaret - Was talking to my mum on the south coast (Worthing) and she said it was absolutely lashing with rain. Be careful out there! 

Chris - any particular jewelry from the southwest in mind? Maybe a turquoise and silver belt? You have been coveting belts lately!

Lee - Buttons looks adorable. I have never seen a cat hump a person before. That's dog behavior, isn't it? Great that you can get him fixed for cheap. What are you buying Kyle for Xmas?

Alice, I think your retirement list will be one of the most interesting of all the ones I will ever see. You are never afraid of challenges and have more energy than that roadrunner from the catroons. My favorite cartoon, actually. No matter how many times the anvil dropped on the coyote, or he fell off the cliff, I laughed every time. Beep! Beep!