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!

One, it's good to have you back into the fold. Every time I log in, I see your name and wonder about you. We owe you so much! Thank you for bringing us together and please, do stay around this time...

I snatched a short while to tell you the latest news: the movers wil be here in about one and a half hour to start packing this house. I have still 2 rooms "out of bound", my bedroom and sewing room, where I do the last sorting as they go.

Last night, Pierre found a home for our rabbit! He was chatting with a young Dane who asked him what were the loose ends still to be tied, and he mentioned Nibbles. And it was a hit! He has young children who used to have pet rabbits and who miss them. They have a garden and no other pet for the time being, so they would be delighted to take Nibbles... I am soooo relieved! I never abandoned a pet before and it really stood heavily on my heart.

Dummy is sniffing at the kennel we took out to clean, and slinking away with a disconsolate air. He knows... BEB it won't be a few hundred miles west we'll go, but almost 6'000... It will take almost 24 hours for Dummy to do this trip... Close to 16 for us.

I went to bed at 9:30 last night, totally exhausted, and didn't even hear Pierre come home (he had yet another party, like tonight, and tomorrow night, and every night till we depart on Monday night). I had my final physical exam last Monday that definitely cleared me. They had told me I had ovarian cancer, can you believe this??? On top of all the rest. But I was quite sure they were wrong, and so they were...

Got to go, for the final run. Think of me, because it is going to be tough. Me trying to keep up with 8 guys packing in various rooms, and the supervisor - the only one speaking English - asking me what goes where on the other side. We spent almost 2 hours yesterday doing and re-doing our plans for Switzerland, because the house there is big too, but very different from this one, as will our lifestyle be. The altered curtains are back, the repaired, re-stained, re-upholstered furniture is back, the marble sculpture we were given will come from Hoi An in two days time - the artist, a Swiss!!!, called me last night - already packed for shipment. All systems are Go! Go! Go!

Thank you for the support. I'll try not to do too bad a job, so I don't disappoint all those who are moving with me LOL!

BEB, don't worry about the other day. I could tell you about myself some stories from not so long ago that would make you feel perfectly ok LOL... Try to have an image of yourself that doesn't depend on other people's ideas. It's the tough part, but the only thing you really have to do to find inner peace. Most of the ideas we have about ourselves come from negative feedback we got from people who were themselves the victims of others' ideas. Our only "fault" is to have trusted them, as they often were our own parents, relatives, best friends. You break that circle and you are free. Try to read Louise Hay's books. They are short and very easy to read, and they'll explain all this much better than I can.

Time to go. You probably won't hear from me till I am on the other side, and with an Internet connection. Hopefully it won't be too long.

Love to all, welcome Karen, and have a wonderful day everyone!

Helene, in Saigon

It's me already... Had to take refuge, to step away from the madness... These people are like earth-moving equipment... But they are good. Got to go sort some more, because I have to keep feeding the monster... More later...

Helene, in Saigon, relieved the power came back. You do not want a power cut when you have to run around and it's 105F outside...

Me again... The day is almost over, thank God, because I do not know if I could go on like that much longer. LOL I say that, knowing I'll probably spend the rest of the evening working, and part of the night too, to be sure the packing can be finished tomorrow... I just spent 2 hours in my quilting room and it's ready to be packed. There is just the bedroom to be done, and it will be over... I can't believe what I am saying. All these weeks spent planning, and it's almost over...  Can't say I regret the planning and sorting, but it's a good thing I am too busy to think.

I am laughing, because they are packing one of my bookcases, and exclaiming, not about the number of books, but about the number of languages in which they are written! LOL  French, English, German, Italian, but also Japanese, Chinese, Thai and Malay... I still speak the first four but I am afraid a lot of the others have slipped my mind. Good memories though...

I guess I'll have a power nap once the house is quiet again (the screech of the tape gun is just too much after a whole day of it...), then I'll regroup and plan the next, final stage. I remembered to ask them to leave me the TV and one armchair for tonight, so I can relax a bit in front of TV... And I have one water cooler, and some orange juice left in the fridge. I am sure Em Hang has managed to prepare some food in spite of the craziness. Dummy yawns and looks distraught. My poor doggie is stressed. I'll curve up with him tonight and we'll grieve together.

Hope I can send you a last report before they pack my pc.

Have a great day everyone,

Helene, in Saigon, soon to be homeless...

HeleneI am surprised that it is me that has had a headache and NOT you!! Wow it sounds so hectic  and a 16 hour travel time sounds daunting. When we went to Hawaii it was 11 hours - I thought that was almost unbearable. I hope your trip goes smoothly and Dummy's too - poor doggie 20 hours You must have mixed feelings about moving - but we will be awaiting your adventures in Switzerland! I loved hearing all about Vietnam - world history in a fun way! 4 languages?? wow that is fantastic. I took 4 years of Spanish in HS and could actually speak it but it is all gone now except for a few words - it's that use it or lose it I guess. Really good advice to BEB - Most of the ideas we have about ourselves come from negative feedback we got from people who were themselves the victims of others' ideas (and I would add with their own issues ) That is soooo true - my ex had my self esteem all but destroyed.. so glad I went to counseling and learned that it was HIM with the problem NOT me and it helped to restore my balance and self esteem

One We all owe you a huge thank you for starting this thread -  you have helped many more than you know!! Please stay in touch

I nixed exercising - my head just hurt too bad and there was just not enough time to get it in and be ready to be back at school by 6 for PTO. So far this morning no headache but I just got up LOL I hope I don't have one today. My sister is greatly improved PTL - BIL got all the medical info mixed up though - I guess that's what happens when no one with any medical knowledge is there when they are giving the family reports - she did NOT have the kidney stone removed, they removed a gallstone which was blocking the bile duct thru a procedure called an ERCP. Kidney stone is still in there. She is off the vent and was allowed some water yesterday. They are talking about moving her out of Shock Trauma unit to a regular room today so I KNOW she is improving. My other sister and I are going Saturday so maybe I can get the real information on the medical end! Sometimes being a nurse is a good thing too! Her DH didn't seem to understand what they were telling him nor does he know what questions to ask.

I do hope to go lift weights after school but will wait to see how my head is today.

Helene, Hope you'll think of this as a virtual hug! My goodness it sounds like a mad house. You and Dummy hang in there. Glad you have each other to cling to! I'm just amazed at you being able to speak 4 languages plus. If your head isn't extrodinarily big, mine must be mostly empty! My prayers that Pierre, Dummy and you all arrive safely at your new home.

One, hope you enjoy that stability ball. I always thought mine would be a good source for America's Funniest Home Videos when I used it. lol. It was commandeered by one of the kids. I know a number of people who find it counter productive to track their intake/expenditures too closely. There are no rules here, just living a healthy lifestyle is the goal. I know we'll all try and give you any support we can.

Bonnie, it can be very handy to have a nurse in the family. My sister is also a nurse so I turn to her quite often. She's worked in most of the local hospitals too so I always ask her advice on which doctors are good. I sure hope your head feels better. I head the story on the news about that poor actress who had a minor fall, felt fine and is now on life support. It gave me chills thinking about you.

Yesterday seemed like a really good day for me. I had my usual oatmeal breakfast and then worked out at lunch time. That really made me feel great for the rest of the afternoon...and not hungry either despite only having about 450 calories by late afternoon. I was drinking a LOT. I realized after work that no one was at home waiting for anything from me and I had this incredible feeling of freedom. I went shopping for about an hour and a half just because I could. I guess that's the way it will be when all the little chicks fly the nest. I know that I'll miss them but I'm kind of looking forward to it too. Gosh, it's not that far away either.

We went to another of the weekly community Lenten services last night. The various churches seem to be competing to see who can put out the most decadent spread of food afterward. Last night's was just nuts! There must have been enough cookies, cakes, etc. for 300 people and there were probably 50. Having worked out earlier in the day sure helped keep me out of it. A very good lesson for me.

Helene, when you sit down on that plane you will let out a huge and well deserved sigh of relief. What a chore all the supervising of the packing has been. Mentally taxing for sure. I figure at some point I would have been like Meryl Streep in Out of Africa when they were trying to shore up the raging waters with sandbags and when it all got to be too much and kept leaking she just said to let it go, let it go, the water belonged in Mombassa anyway. That would be me for sure in your situation. Probably why weight loss is such a struggle too.

One - get back to basics I guess is my suggestion. Baby steps. Take it one day at a time. If you can't count and log then you can wing it and see how it goes. if it's not working then you may have to swing back to logging. Be gentle on yourself. You've had a rough go. Just vent away. we will listen.

Bon - I am worried about your head! I don't think you should be having headaches still. My advice is to take a few days off work. They will survive. Stay home. Chill out. If no improvement get a CAT scan. 

Chris - I tried the ball at my DD's gym the other day. I would be on the Funniest Home Videos with you and would probably win. That ball is a SURE WAY of letting you know you have NO core strength. 

OK, here's a silly rant...why are 9 out of 10 bathing suits made today BLACK??? Is it some kind of conspiracy against those of us who are pale? I know that's not really age related but isn't finding a bathing suit nasty enough anyway?

LOL if they want to sell bathing suits they should have those mirrors that make you look tall and skinny!

I do use a stability ball at the gym - I sit on it to do bicep curls and military presses because core strength helps your GOLF game LOL!! Anything for golf...

If I still have a headache by Friday I will call the Dr. I feel fine everywhere else and have no other symptoms like blurred vision or dizziness. I was thinking it is because I was so worried about my sister and I haven't been to the chiropractor in tooo long - need to get in there tomorrow.

Yeah, you've been worried and all but YOU JUST GOT HIT IN THE HEAD!!! and it's hurt ever since. Can it really just be cooincidence?

Nurses! lol.

Pause....got a mental picture of you two Chris and Bex on that ball......lol ..funny...

Bonny : I am no nurse but know a little here and there and i agree you shouldn't still be having headaches, i would take a day off, lie down...rest your head and if you are still getting them, go for a scan like Bex mentioned!...you did say when he hit you it DID knock you down, check it out??  Don't be a stubborn nurse! now Bonnie Lass...the ones that make bad patients!lol  We love you, and don't want anything bad happen to you! 

Chris: You are getting in some good workouts, and exercise at lunch good for you, spring has picked up your energy levels eh?

Helene: So nice to hear from you, and thanks for your appreciated wisdom once again, i feel sometimes like a little bird in your hands, just sometimes..lol....lol  I feel sorry for you and poor Dummy so long in the plane, i don't know why i thought it was only a few hundred miles, when i had the visual in my head i was thinking about 6000 too, and then i dismissed it thinking couldn't be that far, but it is eh?  Again i say poor Dummy, will they be checking or feeding him on the plane!  In any case i am sure you have NOT forgotten a thing!  I am really really looking forward to talking with you on the other end, and hearing all the stories, i quess you will be busy for about a week, or so, getting pictures hung, everything unpacked, and organized to really appreciate the outdoors in any case just yet!  Soon though you will be working out and getting ready for your mountain, i sort of feel like i am in training with you Helene i have my own little mountain here to tackle this summer ANNE STREET...about a mile long and about a 60-70* angle approx.  hard to tell, it's steep that's all i know and use to get winded just walking up a bit of it, last year i rode 2 blocks, this year i want to go all the way to the top, or die trying.....kidding!  Peg is working on having some pony or horse pics of us and she is going to name them, sort of makes me think of fish you name in a tank, in any case i bet i'll be the one with the long legs...hehehe  Hope your flight goes smooth can't wait to here all about it on the other end..........Gods Speed and Safe Journey my dear to you, Dummy and hubby!!

Well last night BL was good.........i felt bad that some of them like us are having their struggles, I really would like Kristin to win this thing Tara is looking slim and trim, loved that race, was cool felt like with all us watching we were in it too??, together, what a fabulous family we have here, and we are getting closer all the time, DO YOU ALL FEEL IT!!

Anybody watch American Idol, my money is on Alan the guy that sang a copy from Dilanas Ring of Fire, she sang it exactly like like on Supernova try outs, he copied her style, but outside of me how many people would really know that....but he is original, and unique for sure!!!!

I saw my first ROBIN yesterday, was only 10 seconds off the property and flew right by me to a tree, do you think there was some significance in that, or just a coincidence??  lol In any case it is another sunny day, i will be going for another walk today walked 70 minutes yesterday...briskly...today i go Anne st NO the other way not the mountain.....hehehe

Well off i go for my walk, a bit tired today did the walk yesterday, and my new 15lb dummbells for the triceps, biceps, and i rode my bike for 300 calories 30 minutes so am a little tired, didn't want to get out of bed after 5hours but did.........well

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so will finish now my last read was Bex.........have a great day all!!!BEBenjoy your sunshine!!!!!!!!!!!

Edit: Yes Chris, i haven't seen any black ones i guess they shipped them all down to you!!

Bonnie see i am not alone, have it looked into, don't be a stubborn nurse!! Better safe then sorry, right??????????

Renee, so glad you're back here for some support.  I am a great believer in a daily or almost daily workout to keep us on track.  Yesterday I couldn't get to the gym, so I did two 15-minute walks at work and some planks at home.  I love my stability ball and do a lot of exercises with it.

Helene, so it's finally down to the last little bit.  I'm glad it will be done soon.  When will you arrive in Switzerland, and when will Dummy arrive?  I have shipped dogs several times and know too well the anxiety that it entails, waiting for our good pals to be back with us.

Chris, don't be afraid of going over your maximum heart rate, because you CAN'T!!  That's why it is called your maximum!  If your heart rate is going higher than what you THINK your maximum is, that just means your maximum is really higher than you think.  If you get up over 90% of your true maximum, you will feel like you can't possibly keep going much longer, you'll be sucking air and only able to talk in gasps.   What is reserve heart rate?

BEB, good for you with the hill training!  Way to go!  How did your back feel afterwards?  The trainers at my gym say it is not very accurate to use 220 or 226 minus your age to get your maximum.  It may give you a very rough guess but for us "older" folks who keep fit, that formula usually gives a number too low.  I think my max rate is between 180 and 185.  I can get above 160 on a good day in spin class, and have even been above 170 once.  Spin class is a variety of farteleking because we will alternate between 70% and 85% of max several times, as well as sustaining 80% for several minutes a few times during the hour.  We have cards clipped on to the bikes that tell you the various percentages for whatever your max rate happens to be.

Bonnie, isn't it crazy how the husbands never ask the right questions and never know what's really going on in a medical situation?  I think they just don't really want to know.  I am not a nurse but I do a lot of veterinary work with my animals (including delivery of lambs )  so I am pretty hip to all the medical stuff and routinely annoy doctors with my questions.

Don't know what it is with black bathing suits, but I did find a blue one a couple of years ago.

Alice

Thanks girls for all the concern - seriously I feel ok just a mild headache today. If it continues tomorrow I will call the Dr instead of waiting until Friday. It didn't knock me down it just hurt so bad when it happened that I went down to my knee. Believe it or not it's not really very black and blue just still really sore to touch. I promise if I get any weird symptoms or if it is not better by tomorrow I will call the Dr.

TBL - How does anyone let themselves get to 500 pounds?? I don't know I just can't understand that. It would have to be soooo uncomfortable just moving around. I felt bad for her Father but he is the only one that can make a change - she can't do it for him. Tara is looking mighty good! American Idol - I like the red haired girl - Allison, Adam, David and the last guy Matt - having a senior moment I can't remember their names

BEB, way to go on the hills. And who said being a street walker is a bad thing? lol. I'm one too!

Alice, Thanks for the answer on HRs. I meant heart rate reserve (HRR) which is the difference between your resting heart rate and maximum heart rate. It's used in the Karvonen Formula for calculating training heart rate zones. It comes up with the same HRMax but the %'s of max are higher (not a straight line.) I do think it is closer because I wasn't about to fall over at a little over 160.

Bonnie, ok, I feel placated. ;)

My daughter showed me this website. Thought you may get a kick out of it too. I actually said 'Spacebook' one time and she howled.

Yea Adam, and i like the red haired girl too, her voice has THAT RASPY EDGE I LIKE! I think that's why i like Dilana...if you don't know who that is she was second in supernova try outs back in 2006....google her name!  Anyway i think  Adam will be in the top 3...i respect their building up Scott, and him being blind and all, but he isn't the first blind man that can sing, but he bores me with his music choices, the black girl top 5, that country blonde girl, is strange with her body language and she has this large tatoo going on...that is cool but her dancing looks like something mama cass would do...lol  just looks out of place.....good kids this year though eh?? I do like Adam and the red haired girl best!

Dancing with the stars is going well too, i like Mellisa and the little gymist!! 

Well Moon my back was fine after, thanks for asking..i think any longer and it wouls have starting aching.....my back is funny that way some days 1 block other days i could walk around the lake.depends but it wasn't to bad at all, the only thing sore today is my ankles from that fast spring in my step...hehehe actually i was walking at a good clip...3.5 maybe i am guessing....what gadget do i need to judge that????, a pedometer?? Well i was listening to Stand Back by stevie Nicks and a couple songs Robbie gave me, 2pac i like and i was moving pretty good, even jogged a few steps, don't like jogging, prefer biking or walkng now apparently, i can't get over the shape i'm in, i keep remembering how winded i use to get, and back aches, etc...my back is sore now a little from 60 minutes to the bakery and back round trip, that's a good walk for me 30 minutes each way.......i am hooked on those sm. italian buns, pastrami, lettuce and dill pickle slices with mustard, the owner gives me the nutritional printouts for them.....my salt from the lasagna yesterday and the day before was like 4000 no wonder my weight is up 3-4 lbs...yikesif i could just get my sodium down and stay down!

Bex: The concert is May12th for fleetwood is that right, it was yesterday in T/O wished i could have gone......you are going right?? Can you get me a picture of the group for hanging on the wall, i wil pay you for it, one of stevie and the group??

Well another nice warm day, i have some things to do in the kitchen, so i wil check in later, have fun girls..Kyle is enjoying his spring break riding his bike!..friends etc...BEB

Edit: Chris i believe if you hit the top end of your HR that this is more for athletes in training like over 90%...i think for you 75-80% would be a good starting point but it's all dependant on your condition when you start, i was overweigt had just quit smoking then etc... working out to get in better shape...this is what i have concluded from all the websites i have read up on the subject like 90% and higher..is for training for sports etc.. http://health.msn.com/fitness/articlepage.asp x?cp-documentid=100215938 this is only one site there are lots to help you!! http://ezinearticles.com/?Optimal-Heart-Rate- For-Cardio-Workouts&id=830024 or this one i like  http://www.ahealthyme.com/topic/targetheart okay that should give you some bsics....have fun but it really is common sense don't push so hard that your heart wants to pop out of your chest and can't breath..work up slowly but fartlek where possible...if you aren't use to exercise you don't want to overdo it the first few times out, we wouldn't want you lying beside Bonnie in a hospital bed one with a big lump the other a heart attack.....Oh chris the last one i like the "talk test" if you can talk but are finidng it harder then you are getting a decent workout....i know it seems like i am not but with that i know i am....works for me....i like keeping my heartrate up around 120-145!! But when you are in shape you wil ant to push this i am sure....hope this helps......go girl!!..oh and street walkers..is that what we are..look out officers Chris and I are street walkers...lol..honest officer i wasn't selling anything, certainly not Chris's body..lol..meanwhile i am running down the street now.....hehehe sorry Chris i left you holding the bad (withthe black bikini in it)...lol

Hi Robbie and Peg: Hope you aren't to bogged down with work..Robbie i liked the video and song M.I. A paper planes..there is a dance craze...like a gun holding style on this apparently...have anymore songs for me Robbie??  I liked 2 pac too!

hi guys  :D  sometimes my HRM makes me up my HR to 169!  i swear it's trying to kill me...  there are light, medium & hard programs that are preset according to my height, age, sex (now don't go all bonkers on us now...  hehe) & weight.  i can do whatever i want, but they are preset, just for me, so i do them.  i especially like when it wants me do do light.  lol  that's burning less calories, but it's easy.

hang in there, one.  you can do this.  one day at a time!  that's all...  :D  nope!  no going off the deep end.  we're all here for ya.  we're all here for each other. 

keep up that exercise, beb!  ;)  yeah, BL was cool.  last week was the best, though.  LOL

wow!  moving time!  that's awesome, helene, and so exciting!  that sure is a long trip, though.  you poor thing!  LOL  it will all be over soon... 

i hope you're feeling better now, bon!  yep, tall & skinny mirrors.  i wish i had them here.  lol  they sure do make you feel good. 

this is what my HRM has:

basic is 65 - 85% and good for aerobics. 

light is 60 - 70% and is for improving health, fitness, endurance & cool down

moderate is 70 - 80% and is for improving aerobic fitness 

hard which is 80 - 90% and that is for relatively short exercise at high intensity.

Sorry ONE i missed your post, yea we are here for you, seems everyone is having a good laugh with those big balls, i can't get this mental picture out of my head that they were disigned for comic relief or something......lean there fall here, balance what?...hehehe......No fartleking okay girls..loloops excuse me! lol

Hey snow long time no see!!  What is with the tatoo pictures lately, everyone getting one done or something...??."50+ club...lol

and wwwwwwwwww is for the group "Who"...many songs to list!! Theme song for CSI..etc

BEB

Off to bell and choir practice - I worked out 30 min wt lifting and 30 min cardio - NO headache since lunch time!!

big balls...  yeah, that was a good one...  :D  hey!  i was only MIA for one day!  it's so hard to keep up with all the journals & stuff, especially with all this exercise i'm doing.  i'm burning like a beast!  lol  right now, as i'm writing this, i'd rather be exercising, but i don't want to be called a freak again, so i'll play it cool...

that's hubby's tattoo.  he got it for our anniversary, not last year, but the year before.  i was just showing you guys.

i have 2 holes in each year, but i only wear earrings about once every 2 years.  lol 

i sure am glad you're doing better, bon!  Woot!  Woot!

Yay! for no headache for Bonnie!!!!

Way cool that you slipped in a workout on your crazy busy Wednesday too!

Oh and Snow, wouldn't want them calling you a freak. Lay low! lol.

Sad news.  The actress Natasha Richardson who got a head injury skiing, who later was talking and laughing, has died.

Going to look up a calendar to see if this was a full moon.  I had one lady screaming at me, threatening to sue me, at work and I sat there like a dummy.  Too upset to say anything and since it was work I couldn't say what I would have to anyone outside the office. 

Not a great day.  I did something I never do.  Stopped and got some wine and after 2 glasses of blackberry wine, and searing some steak I feel almost human again.  Of course coming on CC, is a stress reliever for me these days.

Also got my hair trimmed at the beauty school nearby today.  Felt sorry for the endearing overly tattooed young guy cutting my hair as he had a bad day for someone yelling at him that he was too slow.  Darn, he really was slow, but in the interest of good karma, I told him he was great and tipped him well.

Young tattoo guy combed, pinned my hair up, pinned it again as it plopped down, he twisted it, clipped it up again, and again.  (fifteen minutes has gone by)  he combed and finally got the scissors and THEN as I was prepared to see inches of this cumbersome hair fall to the floor, he went and cut 1/8" off.  I felt sorry for him and think he was afraid to really cut it.

Another annoying person at work.  Then an employee had issues.

yee gads, I don't often complain, but some days are awful.

Trying to stick to a modified South Beach regimen.  Wanted to cut back on calories today, but was so stressed didn't think it'd be good for me so ate the good dinner.  I have to be careful or I lay awake all night.

Weather is warm enough.  Days are longer.  The sun is out more.  Time to play golf some evening.

P.S. While at the beauty school, I was seated near a large window with the sun blasting in on me.  Young guy handed me a mirror to view my hair and I looked, in the full sunlight, and saw nothing but wrinkles and sagging skin, before angling the mirror towards my hair.  It was almost scary to me.