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!

barbarriba: Don't let our being "tight" keep you from jumping in anytime!

Bonnie: Is there a Nordstroms, Macy's or  or a Dillards nearby? They all sell NYDJs. I have the same problem you do exercising in the a.m, but I force myself because if I put it off--like I did today--sometimes I just skip altogether.

Ohio: I just don't worry about my tush since I can't see it.

Bex: I'm not sure ridiculous optimism--oh, wait, you called it positive thinking--is the same as denial. I think you may have hit just the right balance. Today, I was up even more, which I knew would happen since we enjoyed sushi with friends last night. I had a bit too much Saki and modeled my new jeans whilst begging approval from all at the table. Did I mention they were good friends? Anyway, I am ignoring the scale today and staying off tomorrow until I get back to normal, but I am still logging and exercising. Congrats on the  I Phone--they are dazzling.

Snow: If you are still considering a heart monitor, think about getting a Garmin Forerunner. It's a GPS that comes with a heart monitor and can give you a calorie readout that is tailored to your weight, gender and age. It also tracks (by satellite) your walks/runs, so you can find your way home if you're traveling.  It measures your heart rate, too, of course, and gives you speed and lap data. Unfortunately, they're not cheap (about $300), but I got mine for Christmas last year, so maybe you could put it on a wish list. Check it out on line. If you're at all techno-geeky (I'm more like a geek with no techno skill), you'll love it.

Everyone: Thanks for the continued supportive sisterhood. Have a great weekend.

yeah barb, jump right in!  it doesn't even have to be "on topic".  we all just answer each other while still starting our own topics...  grumping, complaining, rejoicing, whatever.  :D

only some macy's have them nydj.  there are like 4 macy's by me & none of them have 'em.  i found a store around here that does, though.  it sounds like a small shop, but maybe i'll check it out.

hmmm...  a garmin forerunner?!  that sounds awesome!  i'll have to google it. who knows?  maybe i can find one cheaper.

Rebbex asked if I'd been traveling since I've been out of the loop. Unfortunately, no. What's been happening that's interrupted my postings is that my mom, who lives with me, had her hip replaced last month. She's 86, so recovery is a bit slow. But now she's doing a lot better, and I'm returning to my own interests, including chatting on CC!

This weekend was full of opportunities to eat! We went to a wedding yesterday with barbeque and two cakes. Besides the wedding cake they had this chocolate cake with crushed Heath Bars in the frosting! Today it was a niece's birthday party with barbeque and another cake. Plus, all those homemade potluck side dishes that are so tempting. I ate a lot more than I have been lately. I managed to stick to just the toast glass of champagne!

I don't know if I'd let you all know that I got great news from my doctor about a week ago. My triglycerides have dropped from something like 204 down to 106. And my cholesterol's come down from 315 to 239. I've still got a way to go. But I'm still not taking medication. If I can keep this up my doctor isn't recommending it. So, thanks to all of you for the support you generously give. I'm very grateful!

robbie Thanks - there is a Macy's where my daughters live. Next week when we go over for our grandson's birthday party I will stop in and see if they have them. If not my daughters and I go to Pittsburgh x-mas shopping every November and I can look there.

snow Look it up then look on eBay I've gotten some great buys there. Also ck out amazon.com they have good prices too

Bex There are things I would like to say to her but I think the best way to get back at her is not respond at all. But I did laugh when I read your suggestion of a farewell card! LOL too funny . I am really glad she is leaving - I only hope that next spring she doesn't change her mind. And as far as inter-club - I will go if they call me to sub - I don't take direction from her as to what I can and cannot do!

We had some bad news tonight. Tom's got blood clots in his leg (the same side that had the hip resurfaced earlier this year, and the same side the bicep tendon tore off). He just can't catch a medical break this year. Now the insurance company is saying the injections (blood thinners) he needs are excluded from coverage (about $600). Arrghh!

Robbie - I'm so sorry to hear about Tom's health. I pray things improve for him soon.

barbarriba - that's great news about your numbers improving at the doctor's visit. But I'm sorry to hear about your mom. My father broke his hip a few years before he died and I remember how difficult his recovery was. Breaking a hip can be extremely painful.

Snow - Good luck finding those jeans. They sound really nice. I just buy Walmart jeans because they sell them in tall sizes.

rebbex - Congrats on the new IPhone. I'm a bit jealous! I would love to have one, too. I guess I'm a sucker for such gagits, too.

Everyone - Think of me tonight. I've got two ladies who might be trying to go in labor. I REALLY do NOT want two at once! First of all, I don't want to miss anyone's birth and second of all I don't want to have to pay a back up midwife to deliver for me. I'm sure it will all work out though. It would be really funny if I get a full night's sleep and no one ends up calling me.  But if that happens, I'm going to the Y in the morning to work out.

~ Beth

Robbie:  That is terrible!  He just can't win this year.  I hope this will be the end of it.

Barbarriba:  That bloodwork is great!!  I really wish I could see changes like that.  I had to give up and take medication and my cholesterol is still not any lower than yours.

Bonnie:  I tried NYDJs at Nordstrom.  Unfortunately they made my thighs look huge.  Not for me!

BonBon:  Just remember that she might show other people you both know anything you send.  Make sure it doesn't make you look petty.  It is probably best to just let it go.  She brings more unhappiness onto herself just by being the way she is than you could with anything you might write.

Star:  Welcome!  I have also started an exercise routine (actually been at it a year now) but I have found that I simply need more rest days than younger people do.  If you can keep up six days, that is great, but if you start feeling really tired, cut back.  I don't seem to be able to do 4 days in a row.

Beth: Watch them have babies one after another and keep you up all day and night.

Rebbex:  I have an iPhone too.  It is all the rage for us nerds, you know.    I really enjoy it.  My favorite application is the maps.  I have no sense of direction and can practically get lost in my own back yard.  It is saved me several times.

Hubby is still in a lot of pain from the surgery.  He is taking painkillers that seem to make him sleep a lot but not soundly.  As a result, he tosses and turns all night and keeps me up as well.  Hopefully this will pass soon.  He has been in pain so long, that I am almost forgetting what it was like when he felt better.

I wrote up an amusing blog (at least I think it is amusing) about dogsitting.  Stop by and read it if you get a chance.

-Carol

Welcome Starblue. I’ve copied out your exercise plan, put it next to mine and am trying to change up my plan. In my gym the toning classes use light weights or bands and some of the exercises are just like the ones I do in the weight room. So toning days I use lighter weights and try not to overdo it. You have a very ambitious plan. Maybe you need to set intermediate goals so you don’t get discouraged.

Robbie, sorry to hear about your husband’s health problems. Hopefully, this will be the last bit of bad news and he’ll recover quickly.

Thinking of you Beth, have an easy night and a great workout at the Y.

I’m still running hard to stay in the same place.  Lots of exercise, eating well and no downward movement on the scale. I stopped logging for 2 weeks to avoid obsessing so maybe I should go back and see what’s going on caloriewise.

Robbie  I'm sorry to hear about Tom's health - hopefully he will recover quickly from this and that will be the end of his health problems. It's weird how all that stuff is on the same side. My arthritis, tendonitis and bad shoulder are all on the same side too - it's weird. Why won't your insurance cover the injections when they are medically necessary?? It's terrible that insurance companies can tell us what medicines we can or cannot take or we just pay out the nose.

Barb - Those are some great numbers with your blood work! Keep up the good work. Sorry to hear about your Mom's hip - hope her recovery continues to be positive.

Beth Hope both babies don't come at once!

Carol  I wrote that letter  and it made me feel better but I tore it up. I feel ignoring her is the best way. No matter what I say she is one of those ppl that thinks they're always right. AND I will not sink to her level of writing letters - if she had been a true friend she would have spoken with me personally about the whole thing instead of calling my work phone when I was not there and leaving a message and then writing me a letter with no return address! Hope your hubby soon feels better.

phox I've been logging, eating fairly well, exercising and staying the same or gaining. Let's hope we both start a downward trend soon! My protein has been low maybe that is why I am not losing?? I never know - I really don't think I burn as many calories as CC says even though it is only 1640 for the day.  I only eat around 1200-1400 and I burn an extra 300 -800 in exercise so I should be losing and I am not.

Everyone  Have a great day - it's back to work today

Robbie - so sorry to hear about Tom's blood clots. Not funny. Can be really serious. Make sure he does exactly what the doctor orders and to hell with the expense. Although it is completely baffling, especially to Canadians, how your insurance companies operate. The most we have to contend with is how come the dental plan didn't pay the full amount. And it's always because the dentist charged higher than the fee schedule maximum.

Beth - good luck with the births. Catch a nap where you can. You have had so many deliveries lately you will be getting rich. What was going on 9 months ago that everybody was fooling around?? Ah yes, New Year's?

I think we should all look out for tough times ahead with the crashing of Lehman's and Merrill Lynch today. Holy cow! That's a wake up call. 

Loving the iPhone so far. Apps store is the bomb. Unbelievable what you can put on there. Hoping that my organization will improve overall and my life will seem less chaotic, even as I prepare for a major household upheaval with the ripping out of my kitchen. My induction cooktop has arrived and I'm anxious to use it. My daughter is going away on business soon and I always find that when it's only my life I am looking after, and I am alone, I have so much more time for the things I want and need to do. It's kind of great actually. Tupper is coming along nicely, growing like a weed, and figuring the routine out pretty well. 

I feel the need to exercise today. I'll go on a big walk without the dog and see if I can log a few miles. Now that the weather is a bit cooler I find I don't drink nearly as much water and I thing it's having a negative effect on the weight loss.

barbarriba: Glad your Mom's doing better. And Mazel Tov on the cholesterol. Have you been eating oateal? Skipping red meat?

Beth: I hope today is one down and one to go for you on births!

Carol: I forgot about your poor hubby and the hernia. Believe it or not, Tom's got one too, but he's just too busy to deal with it. We went through the no sleep thing with the hip, but it will get better! And I agree; older bodies need recovery days after workouts.

phox: Not obsessing sounds like a good plan, but maybe couple it with a reality check by logging? Seems like several of us are stuck on a plateau right now, or gaining! I am up 3 today, Bonnie's up, you're not down. So, maybe it's a change of seasons plateau? Just wish the market would go up like my weight!

Bonnie: I'm joining you on the protein train. I get about 1500 calories a day, but I only seem to lose if they're high quality calories.

Bex: Our health care system is the world's worst in light of our wealth. Makes no sense. On the bright side, I was able to get the shots covered--my legal background makes me an effective grouser! I told Tom he'd lose that if he ran off with his lover in my dreams! Send pics when the cooktop goes in. Glad to hear Tupper is "waring" well (groan).

I'm sick about gaining 3 pounds, but still believe that Snow is right; just stick to the program and it will work!

Thaks for all the support.

barb, traveling would have been nice though, huh?  hehe  i wish i could go traveling.  sorry to hear about your mom.  at least things must be getting better since you have the time to come back.  that wedding & birthday sound really great!  i would have ate alot, too.  i just wouldn't have counted them days.

congrats on lowering your triglycerides & cholesterol AND not taking meds.  i've lowered my blood pressure to like 90/60 & the stupid doc still has me on meds.  the jerk...  i know what he's thinking!  he's thinking i'm just gonna go back to my old ways & gain all them 84 pounds back & have worse blood pressure then before, so i might as well stay on the meds.  that's not gonna happen though!!!  i guess he's just looking out for me & that's his job.

bonton, i am.  i'm gonna look up them jeans and the garmin forerunner.  if i take my time, i should find a good deal.  :D  i hope.  i don't think i want to buy jeans without trying them on though.  i just don't get why you aren't losing.  maybe it's from not mowing.  ;)

robbie, oh no!  that sucks!!!  tom has blood clots & insurance won't pay for it?  is there something else they would suggest?  maybe you could call them.  a change of seasons plateau?  lol  no...  your weight will go down!  you'll see!  :D

it'll work everyone!!!  just hang in there.  eat better & stay active!!!

southern, yeah, you are quite tall!  did you even shrink any yet?  i did.  i was always 5'8" & i'm only 5'7" now, unless i shrunk more.  congrats on not having to deliver both babies last night.  :D

clharr, i hope your hubby gets better real soon.  i can't wait to see if them jeans fit me.  my thighs are really small, like 19" or so.

phox, you'll get it.  you just need to start losing & then you'll know you're doing the right thing.  just keep making changes.  change your calorie intake & calorie burn & even the foods you eat.

rebbex, you really need to drink alot of water.  i hope that walk does some good for you & you see it on the scale!

snow Ah but I am still mowing! Mowed half the grass Sunday and finished last night - it was just too hot and humid Sunday to finish after playing golf. So no - I'm still really active. Just not playing a s much golf - you know work gets in the way!

Today I added some cooked chicken to my lunch. We will see if adding more protein helps as my % in protein has been a little on the low side.It's definitely not over eating as my calories have been 1200 - 1400. Plan to walk after school then have to be back over here at 6 for PTO. Making sure I get 10,000 steps a day to on my pedometer which is about 4 miles. Wanted to get back to the gym tonight to lift weights, but there just isn't time for that tonight and be back here by 6. It won't happen tomorrow either as I have a Dr appt after school and choir practice sure wish I could exercise when I get up but it makes me sick.

I may have to accept the fact that I will not get out of the 120's but I WILL work to at least stay in the low end if I can't break 120. OK do I sound a little discouraged today???

bonton, what the heck?!  you ARE still mowing?  i just don't get it.  you seem to be doing everything right.  maybe you just need a good cheat meal.  :D

yeah, you sound discouraged.  :(  not losing will do that to you & not having a chance to go to the gym.

change things up, that's all i can say.  if you eat bananas, eat apples.  switch from carrots to green beans, etc.  i dunno!  lol  it's gonna come off though...  don't you worry about that!!!

maybe it's just stress from that crazy lady.  LOL  just kidding...  you're handling her just fine.  :D

I've been a bit preoccupied for a day or so. My position at the medical company has been "deleted" to quote them accurately. They are pulling back on expenses and are having a rough go against some bigger competitors and a changing health care scene. They will be doubling the workload of some poor sloth that they pay half as much as they paid me. Poor guy. In a way I actually feel relief to be out of there. I worked for one of the ugliest people on earth. Way uglier in fact on the inside than he is on the outside, and that's pretty bad, believe me. A horrendous person in a way that most people cannot imagine. I don't know how I coped really other than the distance geographically between us made it possible to ignore a lot of what went on and what he was about.

So now I am on a bit of an unanticipated vacation so to speak. I haven't thought much about what I'll do next but I want it to be something I can enjoy, even if I have to take a big pay cut, and work part time. I find that the more people make, the more they spend, don't you agree? We could all live on less. (Says the one who bought 8 pairs of shoes on vacation last week!)

Snow - good luck with the jeans and the garmin. I looked up the jeans here and they are available supposedly in quite a few little specialty shops. I guess now that I have a bit of time on my hands I'll try to check some out. 19" Skinny legs girl! I can't even imagine what that is like. We have thunder thighs in my family. I think my calfs might be 19" LOL! (just kidding)

Bon - you are a puzzle. I just can't figure it out why you don't lose. Sometimes there is no justice in this world. Ask Robbie!!

I think Beth must be in the throes of delivery central. I watched Baby Mama last night. Hilarious!!

I'm still not craving the water but I'm not gaining. In fact I think I lost half a pound today. Probably all the stress. Lose your job, lose a couple of pounds. 

"Death is more universal than life. Everyone dies, but not everyone lives." - anon

Live it up, ladies!

Rebbex, that's quite a quote!

Robbie, so sorry to read about your husband's health problems. Best wishes to him.

Thanks to all of you for your kind words about my mom. Luckily she hadn't broken her hip. She was disabled from arthritis and had a full hip replacement. No fall--fingers crossed. She had the other hip replaced five years ago. But then the second one got so bad that she again couldn't walk--or sleep--because of the pain. It's wonderful to see her up and walking again. She's very sharp--reads all the time and does sudoku. Loves to talk politics! Her grandmother lived to almost 102. And her mother lived to be 92 and smoked and drank at that. So, I figure my mom will be around awhile. Glad she won't spend her time in so much pain now. Of course, she's got other aches and pains. When she's ready we'll be going back to the YMCA. I take her to an Arthritis Foundation water exercise class there that's wonderful. Works out well 'cause then I go and work out in the gym while we're there. I'm very grateful that the Y has programs for everyone.

Snowfence, that's something the way the doctors always assume that a person won't be able to make any permanent changes to improve their health and just put everybody on drugs. I guess they get discouraged by having so many people not take their advice. My doctor seemed almost giddy that I'd come back having accomplished what we'd set out to do. Years ago I helped a friend save their teeth with a regimen of waterpik, floss, baking soda, and I don't remember what all. When they went back to the dentist with their teeth tight in their gums again, the dentist couldn't believe. My friend asked the dentist why he hadn't recommended these things. He said, "People never do these hygene improvements when they're recommended." Guess that's why dentists get depressed!

Well, I don't think I could have improved my eating without CC. I'd tried before and just couldn't get with it on a sustained basis. Maybe I'm a CC lifer.

Good morning. Everyone should read this wonderful article in the New York Times about positive eating. Positive eating and positive thinking would probably make me a lot happier (and maybe even thinner) than obsessive counting and measuring.

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/09/17/dining/17di et.html?_r=1&oref=slogin

Rebbex, sorry to hear about your unexpected vacation. I hope you can turn this around to an unexpected opportunity. Good luck/

Thanks for the link to the NYT article. Totally agree with it. But I still need CC to help me with portion control. But I think the focus on eating the best--highest quality from the most unrefined source--and eliminating empty calories has to be an improvement. I think I am enjoying my meals more and looking forward to them.

BexYou know there's a saying - "God doesn't close a door without opening a window". I'm sure there is something great in store for you and maybe a job that you will be much happier in.   8 pairs of shoes! LOL  that's the one thing I never look at when shopping but my daughters both have shoe fetishes! LOL I can't figure me out either - us shorties find it hard to lose weight  -like me and robbie - it seems like my body thinks it has a found a new set point that I don't like!

barb- I have improved my eating on here too especially in getting in more protein - never realized how little I got some days until I started logging and from someone who really doesn't care for veggies - I do make an effort to have more than I used to! LOL Never had a problem in portion control except maybe the opposite of most - some days I haven't had enough calories. Eating is just not important to me and if I'm not hungry I forget to eat. LOL But since I started on here and am logging I keep my calories at 1200 or above - some days that's a big glass of skim milk at the end of the day to get there.

phox - great article and how true - is someone says you can never eat chocolate then you crave it - so better to focus on what to eat rather than what not to eat and end up craving all the what-nots!

I finally got the software for my pedometer installed on my computer last night - it's cool -  tracks your daily, weekly, monthly and yearly steps, aerobic steps (walking over 10min without stopping), aerobic time, distance and fat burned.  In 9 days I have 83,483 steps and have walked 35.22 miles and it would have been higher because 2 days when I golfed I forgot to wear the pedometer which would have added about 6 miles to the distance and way more steps. I set my daily goal at 10,000 and for now aerobic time at 20 minutes. Once I start back to the gym aerobic time will increase. SO as you can see I'm certainly not IDLE! So why aren't I losing weight???? who knows

No further word from the golf B so maybe she has finally decided to let me alone! LOL

Everyone have a great day!

congrats bonton for posting the 1001st reply!  WooHoo!  this board rocks!!!  :D  you probably need more calories to lose.  hehe

rebbex, sorry about the job.  that sucks.  :(  at least it's kind of a relief to be gone.  :D  absolutely, the more you make, the more you spend.  i always had thunder thighs, too, until i started walking.  yeah, lol  my legs are quite thin now. congrats on the 1/2 pound!

barb, your mom sounds pretty awesome.  :D  that'll be nice to get back to the Y with her.  yeah, well, i'll show that doc!  he'll keep seeing the same old me, because this is me now & i'm not changing.  i could have never done it without CC either.  i'm here for life.  i'm the same as you, too.  i appreciate food so much more now!

phox, i like that!  positive eating & positive thinking.  thanks for the link!

hey you guys!  my daughter came on here today!!!  :D