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: Thank you so very much for your words. I enjoyed your short story and found it beautiful. Your words on choices and justifying bad choices and commitment to lifestyle hit home with me. "I know that sometimes I have eaten things I knew I shouldn't have just because. Because it is not fair, because I was tired of "depriving" myself, tired of having to watch out, to count every bite," Those words really hit home with me. I appreciate what you are saying. It feels like you are speaking directly to me. Your encouragement is a beautiful way to end my shift tonight.

And your words are a beautiful gift to bring (early) to bed with me tonight!

Happy Saturday:

Let me be the first to say "you go girl" Helene, and thankyou. 

I don't know what i thought, but there was some rice i bought it did have alot of sodium in it but since buying this long grain brown i have been saved.  Your inner ear problem i can really relate in 1998 i got 2 ear infections, back to back and since never having them before did not know at first i even had them, until i could hear myself hearing well my balance got so bad i was also having dizzy spells, felt naseau all the time and it was the scariest time of my life, literary, i couldn't stand up i was so bad i was bed ridding, xmas day i couldn't even get out of bed to make dinner, this went on for over a year.  Every day i prayed to god for help, and was on a long waiting list to see a specialist (shorter wait times now) and all of a sudden one day i woke up and it was better was gone......just as fast as it started.....but i truly empathize with you......and am sorry you are suffering like this.  Wouldn't wish this on anyone, that inner ear is tricky, equalibrium.  I am here for you!.....when will your new granite kitchen be finished????

beth, it sounds like you had a great, rushed thanksgiving.  lol  that sounds awesome walking with your girls.  mine won't walk with me.  at least you had the time to spend with your family instead of getting called in.

beb, your stats look great!  my butt usually feels fine, but i know what you mean about sitting for a long time.  i need to keep moving, crossing my legs, or even stand up after awhile.  it does start to hurt!

that really sucks about your shoulder, man!  :(

alice, i saw alot of climbers in red rock near vegas.  that was pretty cool.  it reminded me of you.

peg, awesome!  you are jogging 40 minutes already?  yep, your muscles remember.  it's not too hard to start back up.

helene, it's not just you.  lol  i was up a pound!  it's gone already, but then we went to the breakfast buffet today, so...  then wendy texted me that she wants to go for lunch!  she's here now & luckily hubby doesn't want to go eat again already.  i seriously thought he would want to go eat again.

yep!  life is all about choices.  don't fret over choices you have made.  there will be plenty more coming every single day!  :D

Oh no....i can't stop...i opened a box of chocolates to share with guests and i have spent the last 2 days eating them... i have no self control...i can't stop..and this morning when i got up i felt nauseous probably from to much sugar.  What worries me is i know it's not a healthy choice and for the most part my sugar levels are good, but once in a while i go oveboard with stuff like this, last year the xmas festive logs with white inside and cheese cream whipped cream chocolate coating outside.....i had an addiction for and wasn't happy till i devoured the 3000 calorie cake....yikes........i have tried to stop and can't, what can i do to sike ( how do you spell (syke) yourself out???)....this is my only worry....i know it's not something i do often but i worry about my addiction to chocolate.....i enjoy it sooooooooo!!...I'm very serious about this though i need some sound advice and throwing out the chocolates i can't??...Can i just get my fill and hopefully the cravings will stop!!???????????....BEB stressed

Okay i removed the box from the kitchen maybe this will help!!

Helene: Since you like rice i invented a new dish after i have sauteed some green peppers, mushrooms, nuts, onions etc i add the rice with 1 inch beef or chicken chunks, together and add a 2-4 Tbsps of "rasberry vinagrette" low fat salad dressing...to taste, oh this is so yummy completely gives it a new sensational taste......it's different i thought you might like to try it!!

Well it worked moving the chocolates out of the kitchen...out of sight out of mind......lol...i felt guilty about eating them this for ME is good now i won't make a pig of myself today...i did eat 8 pieces so i have to ride my bike a little longer....i cancelled going out with Glenn, i don't know why i do this i plan to go out with Rick or Glenn and then i cancel, something is going on inside me i really don't understand...it's like i want to have someone and i don't, i like my life the way it is, but i also want the perks of a relationship...is it possible to have both....am i being fair to them????????

Beth- So glad you got to spend the entire day with your family! My daughters and I talked about walking after our feast but the sidewalks are icy and it was only 34 degrees. I didn't care so much about the temp as the ice - too afraid of slipping and breaking something! LOL We all played Cranium instead and I sipped on wine!

Helene - once again thanks so much for your post and the story you related You have such a gift with words!  I am sorry to hear about your inner ear problem - dizziness is awful. A few years back I got dizzy and was that way for about 6 weeks - numerous tests revealed nothing and it finally went away but it was terrible while it lasted, so you are right to be cautious about water etc. I think that is why it was easier to drops a few pounds when we were younger - we didn't have ailments to get in the way! Like I had no arthritis, no tendonitis... LOL age does make it harder

Peg - Don't be so hard on yourself - we all take a break now and then!! Sometimes other things in our life prevent us from having the "energy" to focus on eating healthy.  And wow back up to 40min jogging already!! That's great. The good thing is - you're back !!! and we're glad you're here with us!

robbie - Hope you're having a great time at the cabin!

BEB - bone density does not have anything to do with arthritis so when they said your bones are that of a younger person it just means they have not lost density. I try not to buy things I can't stay out of... why not give the chocolates away.

snow - If I ate like you I'd be as big as a refrigerator!! LOL You amaze me how much you can eat and still maintain - that would be nice. I was going to go to the gym today but put up my decorations instead. Now I need to go shower... I'm still in sweats! LOL

I put up my xmas tree and decorations today! I usually do it Mon and Tues next week - we are off school and hubby is hunting - but I am going over to my daughters to babysit for her Mon and Tues so she doesn't have to pay her babysitter PLUS I get to be with my grandson!!!! My other daughter had left her Dickens village here, so I'm hauling that to her apartment - she is putting it up this year. Started buying both girls pieces of Dickens village when they were about 12 so needless to say they each have a little city!! Dinner out tonight for SD's 30th birthday. Then coming back here for cake and coffee. I made a choc cake with peanut butter icing ( her request) will send it to camp afterwards with  hubby - can't have that here, I'd eat it for breakfast, lunch and dinner! LOL They live 5 hours away so she won't want to haul it home!

Weight last week 124.2 weight this week 123.

don't worry, beb.  i'm sure it's just that good old holiday season thing.  it's going around.  just remember that each piece you eat is another choice that YOU are making.  sometimes it's worth it & sometimes it's not.  just ask yourself each time if it's worth it or not.  if it is, eat it!

hopefully, you are not craving something else & eating chocolate to cover up the other craving, because if you are, you WILL end up eating the other thing, too.  been there, done that.  :(

that's why i eat a little chocolate every day.  it keeps me from having lots of chocolate here & there instead.  you can't deprive yourself of the foods you love.  you just need to learn to have them in moderation instead.  maybe you can allow yourself a piece at night as a reward for doing good all day?

then you'll want to do good so you can have the chocolate.  :D

i dunno about these guys, but yeah!  lol  you better decide what you want to do.  maybe you really don't want either one, but you DO want someone.

bonton had a good idea.  give them chocolates away.  hehe  i'll take 'em!

that's awesome bonton!  i didn't even think of putting up my christmas decorations yet.  i should do that soon.  maybe i'll do it once everyone leaves.  i dunno.  123?  you're doing great!  the holidays are good for you!

i just had the urge for a premium caramel ice cream bar, so i walked instead.   that's 3 miles so far today.  that's probably all i can squeeze in with these people here.  i haven't been called the "walking freak" again yet.  :D 

now i'm gonna have all my usual...  15 baby carrots, 3 cups of salad, 1/2 cucumber, tomato & 2 oranges.

Well i was sitting watching my xmas lights flickering on and off and i am not convinced that the young doctors diagnosis of my shoulder is correct, after alot of research i have come to the conclusion yes i may have the beginning of arthritis but i think my problem at the moment and not being able to move my arm backwards is my olf friend from my 20's bursitis...it has all the symptons....exactly...the pain, location et...and remember this was an injury not a slow onset.....well anyway i have to wait to the new year for treatment pyhsiotherapy, but that is my diagnosis and noone knows my body better then me. 

Thanks Snow the idea of the evening reward sounds like helpful advice, i am not throwing them away cuz i can always get more, so that won't solve the problem, there has to be a way to work through this and solve the problem not ignor it.....and your idea is rad..................reward for good behaviour....it will keep my cravings at bay, besides i think my binge is over...a little a day is better then a lot at once.....great idea.............THANKS.......i don't know why i didn't think of that...but i am glad your here.............BEB

geez!  i forgot to eat the tomato.  i guess i'll go get it.  i think i'm gonna toss my celery tomorrow, though, because it's looking pretty bad.  lol  i'm gonna have to start eating green beans & peas or something.  i dunno.  i'll have to think about it & choose something to switch to.  i'm getting tired of eating all this stuff everyday.

i hope they treat you for the right thing!  they better!  silly docs...  like what would they know.  you had this before, so just tell them.  :D

no problem!  i love the reward thing.  they say not to reward yourself with food, but you know me!  LOL  what better reward is there?  and why not?  just decide before you have any what your reward will be.  sucking it slowly really works too.

another old trick would be the old "maybe tomorrow".  just tell yourself NO (about any specific craving) & that maybe you'll have it tomorrow.  then, the next day you might not even want it anymore because you'll be so proud that you didn't have it the day before.  maybe even stretch it out for 2 days or a week, month, etc.  the longer you wait, the prouder you'll be!  and you are NOT depriving yourself of any food that you love.  you're just putting off having it one day at a time.  lol  that's what i do with donuts.  well, i used to do that & now i only eat them if they're free.

me & hubby used to go out & buy a dozen donuts.  we'd each eat 6 of them ALL in one sitting!  or we'd buy a large pizza & each eat 1/2...  while fighting over the last slice!

hmmm...  those were the days... 

ummm...  i mean...  maybe that's why it's so easy to maintain.  i won't ever do either of them 2 things again.  LOL  i could tell you alot more, but you wouldn't believe how much i used to eat.

so that's why a buffet here & there doesn't even hurt me.  or a whopper meal AND a sandwich, etc.  well, you know.  i usually post what i eat & it's NOTHING compared to what i used to eat.

All this talk about food is making me hungry! After eating way too much yesterday, I've hardly had anything today.

That's because we had another birth this morning at 10:30. I got called out at 3:30 this morning. At least I managed to get 6 hours of sleep before going. My apprentice got to "catch" this time. She did great. It was her second catch. The baby was another boy, 9 lbs 12 oz, 20 inches long. It was also a water birth. We had to deal with some extra bleeding but all went well and mom and baby are both doing great.

I didn't get to weigh in this morning because of getting called out early to the birth. (Saturday is my usual weigh in day. This is the first one I've ever missed.) So I will have to weigh in tomorrow morning. I hope the news isn't too bad after all my Thanksgiving eating.

Well, I'm going out with my husband. He's got a singing gig tonight at our coffee shop. Gotta grab something to eat, too. I may just eat a power bar, though.

Have a good evening. I'll be very busy this next week. I have to do follow up with the baby just born and this one is 2 1/2 hours away. Plus I still have one that's overdue and another one that could go anytime. So if you don't hear from me for a while, you'll know why.

~ Beth

So snow sounds like you use to eat like i did, i remember sitting down with 3 salmon sandwiches and that was just lunch....of course i had a backyard then and use to chop my own wood, and did alot of gardening etc.....but still that was just to much food for me....i stayed around 172 though it has just been the last few years since i have been on disability that the pounds have creeped on.  Anyway i just biked 500 calories off have to make up for those nasty + calories from yesterday and chocolates.....so now i have to have a -700 daily deficit this week to lose 1 lb normally it's -500 daily........snow do you like rice, i came across this in my experimenting awhile ago and i like it, try it if you want to try something new....saute mushrooms, cook brown rice in chicken or beef broth depending what you want to add, then through in any vegetables you like and i like peas, broccoli, bokchoy, and celery, and add some Raspberry vinaigrette...it is soooo good. 

Snow i forgot to mention, if your celery is getting soft or wilting submerge it in ice water for a few minutes then put it in a plastic container with a damp paper towel, it will make it crisp again......it works i store it for several weeks like this.......and submerge again before use..........love bokchoy too....

Hi All

Thanks Bonnie for the kind words. I am not spending too much time reflecting on my past mistakes. It serves no purpose. Instead I am focused on now and tomorrow. This is my third shift then I have 2 days off. I hope I will have the energy to run tomorrow. Now that I am back on the trail I want to keep it up. If running sounds like too much after a short nap, I will take a walk. Pork Chop will be happy. Poor old gal can't jog but she will take a walk anytime.

Beth: Glad to hear your babies are being born! I am sure your apprentice was excited to catch again. LOL. I have quite a few catches under my belt. It is always special to be the first one to touch new life. An extraordinary gift!

Snow: Have I told you lately how much you inspire me?

Peg/Frost/Scarlett O'Hara

Hi Girls!

Just had breakfast on the terrace with DH, and now he is gone for 90 minutes of tennis (doubles). So I thought I would just take the time to tell you about this morning: I got up at 5:30 (went to bed at 10:30pm, tried to read a bit and woke up at 11:30 to turn off the light LOL). I just had a mug of coffee. DH was sleeping deeply as he went to bed at 2am, because he had some work to finish, so I let him sleep and went walking on my own.

The sun was just rising and the compound was deserted, apart from an army of gardeners and sweepers cleaning the lanes... There were also a couple Asian people doing Tai Ch'i on the riverside. The air was cool and the tide high. Entire islands of water hyacinth were floating, laden with birds of all kinds and colours: tiny  green weaver birds (they make nests that look like round bags from woven grass blades) hopping from patch to patch to catch the small bugs they relish, small grey herons that look like brooding old people huddled together to gossip, gracious white egrets, pristine and dainty, regally accepting my gaze as they passed by on their tiny bobbing realms...

I walked briskly, reflecting on my new-found resolution and on the support I get from you all. It felt good to be walking tall again, alone in the brisk morning air, with the knowledge I wasn't alone or forgotten. I walked for one and a half hour, then sat on a bench to look at the river, the birds, the beauty and peace of it all. When I arrived home DH was up and had prepared breakfast: crisp croissants, fresh baguette, butter, honey, orange juice and a steaming mug of coffee. I had a shower first, then enjoyed my breakfast while we discussed the happenings in Thailand.

DH was supposed to go to BKK this Tuesday, but I guess he won't, as 100'000 tourists are desperate to get out of there and can't... Phox was lucky to get out when she did! And we thought of all the small businesses that had already prepared for the Christmas season, people that had barely recovered after the tsunami and that will go under again. Not the Sheratons, or Hyatts, but the small people that can't afford even one bad season. And all that for a guy who says he won't step down, to "uphold law and order against the rabble". Maybe the rabble wouldn't have acted up had he chosen to "uphold law and order" by implementing the decision of the court of law ruling his brother-in-law to be a crook that deserved to be punished! More ego-trash for you... Thailand needs a Lee Kwan-yew but all they have are Thaksins, alas...

I will now log my activities and food for the morning and start my day. FYI, I walked 4.5 miles, took 11700 steps, and burned 571 cals in a little over one hour and a half. Not too bad for a Sunday morning. Hope you all will wake up to as perfect a day as mine has been so far. Bonton, hello! You always say the most gracious things about me and I seldom answer you directly, but I do appreciate. My messages are always so long, I just can't address everyone personally...

BEB, for the solution of your problem with chocolate, go back a few pages and re-read what YOU said about commitment...

Have a great day everyone,

Helene in Saigon

Thank you Helene: I am at work but just now through your words I took a walk in Saigon as the sun was rising. The fowl who are indigenous to the area all said hello to me and I savored the smells, colors, flora and fauna of Vietnam.

Peg

Good Morning:

Helene; This is nothing more beautiful, peaceful, uplifting then a sunrise, unless a sunset, i adore both, in my youth i spent many a morning or evening, walking, hiking, sitting by the water and just watching the sun hovering along the horizon, the glistening water rippling to the shorelne, the sounds of nature at it's best, the birds, hovering overhead searching for food, and the arcade of fish capturing their prey, how beautiful our planet is, i never miss a minute of appreciating it, spending alot of time by the water in cottage country, i often reflect back to misty mornings sitting in a boat with my line in the water, watching the fish wishing i was a master of the sea... lol....   I love nature and appreciate all it has to offer, if only people where less compicated.....i suppose that is why i took up photgraphy at an early age i wanted to capture what my eyes could see, if only i could capture what my heart can feel............Helene:......you are such a joy to read every nite...thankyou you are a blessing to me!!

Frost:  How is the transition working to nightshift, will you be alright with it????

Well Kyle is sleeping over at his friends again so i am enjoying the solitude, ye-haw.......i so love a xmas tree and all it's flickering glory of lights, i only wish i had a fireplace, i wonder what those artificial ones are like???...I know it's not the real thing but the sentiment is there!

Have a good day all!!!!................BEB

Happy long weekend to everyone

Alice--I’d love to hear what you do with your trainer. I work with a trainer once a month (it is included in my gym membership). Fantastic photos of your hike. You must be in wonderful condition to do those hikes almost weekly. I’m also trying to get back to my lowest weight of the year of 148.

Robbie, great job on the loss.

BEB—hope your shoulder is feeling better.

Helene—I loved your description of rice in Vietnam. I loved the mango sticky rice in Thailand, not exactly diet food but low fat compared tot cheesecake and so much better. The pineapple stir fried rice was also super. Those were the highest calorie foods I ate while there, which explains why I didn’t gain on the trip. Loved the story by Coelho. What is the name of the book? I really feel for the people of Thailand. So many jobs lost, so many businesses will fail for this political squabbling. We had such a wonderful time and everyone we met was so friendly and lovely and we were so lucky, getting out 12 hours before the trouble at the airports started. Your description of your morning walk made me want to travel again, soon.

Bonton—Way to go on losing a pound! Great.

beth, lol  you should have been hungry last night!  you didn't hardly eat yesterday.  congrats on the water birth & that's a big baby, 9.12.  you should have a good weigh in.  i hope you had a nice night out!  good luck with the next 2 babies.  :D

beb, when you used to eat alot, did you also eat fruits & veges?  i never ate them.  LOL  why bother?!  with all the junk in the world, who needs fruits & veges?  i realize now that they really DO make a difference & they aren't that bad, either.  i wish i had stayed 172 eating like that.  i was just going up higher & higher!  of course, i had NO exercise, either.

i like rice, but i don't like mushrooms, broccoli, don't even know what bokchoy is, & nope on the vinaigrette, too.  i am very picky.  sometimes i'll have one of them steamfresh packages of rice with veges.  i like that & yes...  lol  i eat the whole package.

maybe i'll try that with the celery instead of throwing it out.

scarlett, i especially like the small dove chocolates & they come with little sayings on the wrappers, too.  i saved this one from last night because i liked it. 

"don't look back and ask why.  look forward and ask why not?"

i hope you found time to run or at least walk yesterday.  :D  thanks!  that is so funny.  i really don't see how i can inspire anyone.  i'm just being myself & doing what i do.  maybe i'm inspiring because you guys can see all the mistakes i make & you know that it's OK to make them.

helene, your morning sounds awesome.  i'm glad you enjoyed your nice long walk.  i probably won't be walking outside here for awhile.  maybe i'll get a nice day now & then.  i hope so.  i really miss that!  when i walk outside, it's kind of hilly & i walk up & down alot of steps.

phox, good luck on that 148.  i know you can do it!

I'm now enjoying my morning coffee after "taking a walk in Saigon" - Helene I felt like I was there with you... I do think you could have been a writer! What is happening in Thailand? I have not watched the news for several days because of company.. I should stay more on top of things. I have not worn my pedometer the past few days  - even though I was busy cooking etc I probably did not get my 10,000 steps - need to go to the gym to get them, can't walk outside too icy. Today I will put it back on!!

phox - mango sticky rice actually sounds good to me - the picky eater! LOL Actually pineapple stir fried rice doesn't sound bad either! I guess it's mainly veggies that I have a lot of dislikes, I eat all kinds of fruit. A trainer once a month would be great - our gym leaves a lot to be desired but a small town has few choices. So I must stay on top of things and constantly come up with new exercises. I know you can get back to your lowest!!!

snow - after my own heart LOL I like rice, but i don't like mushrooms, broccoli, don't even know what bokchoy is, & nope on the vinaigrette, too.  i am very picky Now you sound like me! I like Dove dark chocolates!! If you nibble at it with a cup of coffee - yummy and it makes you feel like you had dessert without all the calories!!

Beth - wow  9lb 12oz is a big baby! Hope you had a good time while hubby was doing his singing gig!!

Putting a pic of the turkey cookies in my gallery - just got them downloaded into computer. Heading to my daughters today - 2 days with my grandson YEAH!!!