Any new members out there 47ish?

Hi guys,

Cheryl, another 1 and 1/2!  That's great. I, too, had an Arby's Chicken cordon bleu sandwich - boy was it good!  No fries though.  A little evry now and then won't kill us!  I am the lab manager in a fertility center, so I tend to run my hormone levels regularly- no menopause for me yet!  Just the usual PMS major mood swings!  I think my daughter thought I was going postal on Monday!

I can't remember where you live Cheryl, but roughing it might not be so bad.  My friends call me the Camping Queen because I have tent camping down to a science!!  I can cook over an open fire just as well as I do at home on my stove (sometimes better:))  I use a "Drawer system"  I bought one of those Rubermaid units that have three large drawers.  I have each drawer labelled with it's contents and keep them filled at all times.  I also have one large rectangular plastic bin for all my pots and skillets. I never use these items in the house.  That way, keeping them  stocked is easy.  I use an old oven shelf as a grate to place over my fire pit.  I keep a large round drink cooler filled with water to wash things with.  I have a "camping list" that I keep on my computer and just check it each time I go.  Makes it easy.  If you ever want some tips on whats easy to cook and stuff, let me know.

Have agreat weekend ladies!  Carla

Hi everyone,

Carla: I love camping too!  When I lived in Oklahoma my kids and I went all the time.  Now I'm in Newfoundland we've not gone "tent" camping.  But borrow my brother -in-laws cabin.  We get there by ski doo, draw our water from a stream, cook our meals on the pot belly stove, relax by lantern.  Ice fish and enjoy every second of it.  And by the way 1 pound! Fantastic.  Your another step closer to your goal. Congrats!

Cheryl: woo hoo 1.5 pounds! Way to go girl.  We all know how hard it is to lose one ounce let alone 1.5!

Well we've been in the deep freeze here also.  Our temps were all negatives and today we're smack dab in the middle of a blizzard.  We've got a foot of snow since morning and another foot due before tomorrow.  LOTS OF MOVING SNOW FOR ME. Yeah!

Now just to update y'all a little on my weight.  Since summer I was maintaining my weight pretty well.  Only mild fluctuations of 5-7 pounds.  This last week I was up 14 pounds.  In ONE week.  Today I'm down 11 pounds.  I am having night sweats, hot flashes, mood swings and depression something fierce.  I've also not had TTOM since October. Menopause has (I fully believe) has entered my life and I've nicknamed her Minnie.  Got to live with her so might as well make her part of the family. LOL

Anyway must go the lights are flickering and I don't want the puter to crash before I get this posted.  Take care everyone!

Della

Good Morning Ladies,

Wow we are finally loosing!!! It seemed like we were all in a freeze forever.  I am down another lb.  Way to go to all of you, you are all my inspiration.  For me it is very hard since "Menopause".  This month I am having a lot of night sweats, hot flashes, headaches (headaches could be the weather I don't always know).  Went without them since summer ughhhh.  I have not had TTOM since last April when I had all those weeks of it, so if I go till this April I will be considered in full menopause (one year) "lucky me"... Della I don't think I would give such a nice name if I named my Menopause hahahaha... don't like her very much.

Cheryl how was your visit with your daughter and grandson?  Wonderful I am sure.  I too go camping every year with my whole family (around 40 of us) it is an annual trip in August. However now who ever picks the spot must pick one with cabins as well since the "older" family members just don't do well with sleeping on the ground anymore.  Carla I also have my list on my computer and add to it after camping if I forgot anything, also have my list for vacations too! Makes it so easy to NOT forget things.

Hubby and I are going to Florida for a week for our Anniversary (valentines day).  I can not wait it has been so cold here and my husband has been working way too much he needs a break.  We are going to "Hollywood".  It is a really nice beach north of Miamii with a 2.5 mile long boardwalk and lots of shops etc.  lots of walking.  Since we don't like to rent a car we always try to go where we could walk to lots of things.  We may rent one for one day to go visit my sister at her house about 40 minutes away or she will come to see us or both.

I am determined to stick to my healthy eating if anything to maintain where I am hope to be sitting by the pool or on the beach in my bathing suit.  I have been very good with exercise walking with Leslie 4 days a week and playing Wii for at least 30 minutes 5/6 days a week.  It has turned out to be very fun and beneficial.  Also doing good with eating well.  I went back to logging in all my food, it is a pain but while I am trying to loose it is the only way.  I did okay when I stopped and still ate well but we think we know how much we eat and at least for me I forget things.  This keeps me on track.

Sorry this is such a long post I knew it had been a while since I posted.  I hope you all have a nice day and stay warm everyone.  Betty

Hi ladies,

Well, another week down and 2 more pounds lost - that's 8 total.  Slow but steady, hopefully will win the race!  I have really changed my eating haits and I have not fallen off the wagon hardly at all.  I love the exercise nights with my sister and Sara.  I'm off to a seminar in Columbus for the night and tomorrow.  Will have to have Won't Power at dinner tonight!!  Wish me luck and have a great weekend!  Carla

Hi Everyone,

Carla,  Congratulation on the 2 lb loss.  That is wonderful!  I appreciate your comments on camping out.  It is very encouraging.  You know, to have been born and raised "country" sometimes I am a real city girl.  I am very fond of my creature comforts.  Here I am worried about sleeping in a cabin sans electricity and running water and you are all enjoying camping in tents.  I would be a total train wreck in a tent.

Della,  No one gains and looses fat  that quickly.  This has to be water weight.  Minnie (love the name and your attitude about it) is really playing a number on you!  Bless your heart.

Betty,  I think it is wonderful that you and your husband are going to Florida for your anniversary.  Sounds like allot of fun and well deserved too.

I live on the eastern fringe of central Kentucky and the weather on Thursday and Friday was unusually good.  Both days the temperature got into the 50s.  It is 20 degrees colder today but still very sunny and pretty.  I will have to fess up and let you all know that I did no exercise this week.  I usually have the constitution of a horse, but this week I have had some serious abdominal issues and just didn't feel like moving.  I am a little better today, so I am on my way to do a WATP workout.  I am not going to set a distance goal, just take it one mile at a time and see how I feel.  I have a calendar hanging in the kitchen that I keep all of our appointments, meeting, classes, etc on.  Every Saturday I write in my weight and the total of miles I have done that week.  It is right there where anyone who wants to can see it.  Every Saturday of this month has 12 miles on it and I don't want to put in a big 0 for this week.  My weight is holding steady at 171.5, so at least my inactivity didn't result in a gain.  It did result in allot of restless nights.  When I don't work out, my feet and legs cramp all night long.

Have a wonderful weekend, all.   Cheryl

Good Morning everyone,

Carla, 2 more lbs you go girl.....

Cheryl, sometimes it is good that we take a break from exercise it shakes up our body so you may have helped by taking the week off!  Also, I have to clarify when I said we need cabins for the older family members I was including ME in that group hahaha... I DO NOT do tents.  But the other part of it I do like, just need a bed off the ground.  I prefer the cabins with the bathrooms but get by if we do not have it and don't mind cooking outside etc.  Although I understand your reservations about giving up the comforts of home.

Della I agree with Cheryl that your 'MINNIE' is playing with you, hang in there.  I started to take "fish oil" back in the fall mostly for my joints and the omega 3.  I have noticed a dramatic decrease in my hot flashes and night sweats.  don't know if it is related but could be.

Me I am staying the same but I too did not exercise as much this past week I developed a sinus infection and just didn't feel up to it as much.  I am now on medication and feeling better and it is a new week to start fresh.

Have a good rest of your weekend ladies.  Betty

Good Morning,

I am sitting here at my computer on a Wednesday morning, which is unheard of.  Usually I am running over myself and the dogs getting ready for work, but not today.  We are in the middle of a major ice storm.  I went to work yesterday morning when it was mainly snow but they sent us home at noon when the icing started.  My parents-in-law live next door to us and my mother-in-law called before 6 this morning to tell us to look out at their house.  There was a power line down in the road and it looked like a fireworks show.  I am not going to try work this morning because we are supposed to get another round of ice beginning at 9am and topped off with about 2" of snow before it is over.  I am actually afraid to go off and leave the house because the power lines may pull loose causing a fire hazard.  I think that I will go down to the basement and do my WATP workout this morning because we are likely to be without electricity any minute and it may last for days, if not weeks.  We are fortunate in that our home has gas heat, gas hot water heater and gas cooking stove. We may be rattling around in the dark, but at least we will be warm, clean and fed.  This happened in 2003 and we were without electricity for 3 day, and we were one of the lucky ones.  Some were in the dark 2 weeks.  It is bad but beautiful, looks like a shimmering crystal wonderland.

Hope you all have a great week.   Cheryl

Good Morning everyone,

Cheryl I can relate, we are having a snow storm right now that is suppose to turn to ice this afternoon and go into tomorrow morning,  I am working from home too, I was suppose to go out this morning but decided not to.  We are lucky as well we have a gas fireplace which heats up the whole upstairs and a generator that will run the water, stove, fridge etc.  Although my hot flashes are so bad lately we could be without heat and I would probable be warm!!!!

I have a sinus infection and had not worked out since Saturday, but did one mile this morning and plan to do another this afternoon.  I finally feel somewhat better just had no energy to do anything.  But I am determined to not get out of the habit since I was doing so good.  I have not lost anymore weight (two lbs this month) but I know I have lost inches my jeans are VERY comfortable and a month ago they were VERY tight. 

Stay warm and safe... have a good day Betty

Happy snowstorms to everyone!  We, too, were hit with about a foot of snow on Weds.  I did have to work but I was off by 12:30.  No school, of course.  It took a while to shovel a path to the barn.  someone plowed a strip up my driveway so I can at least get in and out - Then my dad called.  He needed someone to drive him on his bank courier route. So, at 4 pm, I hopped back in my truck and drove him all over NE Ohio.  By then, the roads were negotiable and my truck goes anywhere I want it to.  Arrived back home by 11 pm.

A little background on my dad.  He received a DUI in July last year.  Didn't really take it seriously, they gave him a slap on the wrist and everything was good.  Until Halloween night.  He and my mom were at a party, and he got a second DUI.  Both he and my mom are alcoholics in my eyes.  They are both responsible, hard working, loving people but drink alcohol every day.  I don't know if it's the generation or what.  But as long as I can remember, they came home from work and started drinking - just like Darren on Bewitched hitting the martini's when he walked in the door.  All 5 of us kids have tried to talk to them but they both are in denial.  Jim now has no choice - he can NOT drive or he goes to jail for a year.  Unfortunately, his job IS driving.  My mom drives his normal route with him at 4am everyday - but won't drive in the snow.  He is also a substitute driver for other routes. That's what I had to help him with.  Have any of you had to deal with alcoholism?  It's so frustrating to watch my parents live like this.  We all drink socially - occasionally.  we have all vowed not to drink in their presence.  Then they get mad at us, because "you all think we're alcoholics and we're not"  Any suggestions?

Thanks for listening.  Only a half of a pound this week lost.  Only exercised once and eating has been not so good.  But, today is a new day to start over!

Have a good weekend all!

Carla

Happy Winter (if there is such a thing),

Carla, I am sorry about the situation with your parents.  The nearest I can come to relating to you is with my nephew.  His problem is with pills, not alcohol.  I see what he has done to himself, his parents and his grandparents and it burns me up.  I know I should be more understanding and forgiving, but every time his grandmother cries, I feel like hitting him.  Right now he is a resident at one of the local jails for various offences.   I am struggling to obtain a little Christian charity here, but not doing very well.  Anyway, you have my deepest sympathy.  At least you and your siblings are okay.

After all is said and done, we ended up with a little over 6" snow and a little less than an inch of ice.  I know that is a paltry amount compared to what you all have, but it is a big deal here.  I will say that the drive to work is beautiful, looks like a crystal kingdom.

Have a great Friday.   Cheryl

Hi Everyone,  Quick note....I am down two more lbs.  Wasn't extremely careful with the food this week but busted my hump on the workout...16 miles.

My husband and I are going with our youngest son and daughter-in-law house shopping today.  Betty, wish we had your wisdom to guide us!

Have a great weekend.   Cheryl

Hi Everyone,

Cheryl, congrats, great job, 16 miles OMG...  I am impressed.  Good luck house shopping ask any questions I would be glad to answer if I can.  It is the time to buy if you can I know that and it applies anywhere.

I am afraid that my week has not  been good, on Tuesday my future son in law was laid of, on Friday my daughter, these are the one who are getting married in June and just bought a house!  I have been so sick to my stomach with worry.  I can't even help them much because as a Realtor I also have been slow, so I am now looking for a job in my other field (occupational therapy) not to give me some extra money but to help them if I can.  Although I have not had a lot of luck with that either. 

My 24 year old son who had hoped to start building in a year is going to wait, he lives with us now, we may have more kids here if things don't change soon.  I hope things get better soon but I have a feeling we haven't seen the worst of the changes in the economy.

Well hope you all have a nice weekend. Betty

Hi Betty, Carla and Cheryl:

It's always so nice to sign in and read your posts.  No matter how I feel you guys can make me feel better.

I've not written in a while simply because I've had so many negatives and none are pounds.  I've been to the doctor and fell apart in his office.  I feel like I'm totally out of control and fighting to hold on with both hands.  The doctor has ordered blood work, thyroid, hormones and I don't know what else.  In the last two weeks I went from a size 16-18 back into my size 20's.  I don't know what is happening with me.  I'm guessing menopause.  But I don't know that for 100%.   The nurse phoned me and did tell me I had an elevated potassium level and must see the doctor.  Well I already have a follow up appointment with him this afternoon.  So we'll see what he says.

I'm so happy to read of your posts and your loses.  Hopefully, things will begin to turn around for me again and I'll be right back in the loser catagory again!  In FACT I KNOW IT WILL.  I REFUSE to accept this craziness.

Do any of you watch the biggest loser?  I have watched it off and on but nothing regular.  We did however watch it last night and I was shocked to see one of the contestants lost Nothing. 

Anyway, I just wanted to let you guys know I'm still around.  I'll post later on to let you know what the doctor has to tell me, "IF" there is anything to report.

Take care my wonderful internet buddies.  You keep me sane.! LOL

Della

Cheryl - You ROCK!  And you are quite the inspiration!  I gained 2 pounds in the last week or so.  Eating has been HORRIBLE!!  Exercise fair.  But I'm not quitting!

Betty, your kids are so fortunate to have you as a mom!  It must be your name - my mom's name is Betty!  And although I am woried sick about her, she would give her right arm to halp any one of us - even a stranger!  Hang in there!

Della - times seem so tough for you right now!  Don't give up!  I hope the news from your Dr's appointment was helpful in regaining control of your hormones and your life.  Do yourself a favor and treat yourself to something - anything that makes you feel good about yourself - a nice chef salad from a restaurant or a pair of ear rings - something NOT clothing related.  Focus on your smile and your mood - try to keep it positive.  Find something that makes you laugh - the endorphins that are released with laughter lift your mood.  As always, friends help too! 

Have a great week end ladies- we are supposed to heat up to 50 degrees on Saturday!  Woohoo!  I am so tired of cold and snow!!

Carla

Hi all,

Della, I am so very happy that you are seeing a doctor about all this.  I have been worried about you.  You have been very much in my thoughts.  Please do let us all know how you are getting along.  You have made a great impact on me this past year.  I've never met you face to face but I feel extremely close to you.  Please know that you are in my prayers.

Betty & Carla, hope that you all are doing okay.    Cheryl

thank you Carla, I appreciate your kind words.

{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{HUGS}}}}}}}}}}}}}}} Thank you ladies so very much!!!  Your the greatest and I'm so happy to have this forum to chat with you all!!

Cheryl: I feel the same way about you! Your a wonderful inspiration to me!

Carla:  Thank you for your kind words and offers of support.

Betty: You have been a world of insiration to me as well.

Just to update you all: I did see the dotor-he put me on a mild antidepressant that was suppose to control my roller coaster of emotions and the hot flashes.  In fact they put me into a fog and caused extreme acid reflux (thought I was having a heart attack).   Long story short. . no pills for me.  I'll manage one day at a time.  Minnie is NOT going to control this lady any longer.

I started my journaling again and watching what I eat.  And I started exercising again.

I don't care if I lose one pound-I just want to regain my stamina and healthier lifestyle.

Thank you ladies so much!!

{{{{{{{{{{{{{{[HUGS}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}

 P.S. Other then an elevated pottassium reading (which could be caused by my emotions) all my test results were good.  My TCH AND FSH levels are post menopausal but my body is still producing a large amount of estrogen.  Which means my hormones are out of whack (LOL go figure). 

Della

Good evening.

Della, I am so relieved that your test came back normal (except for the hormone).  Now you know for sure what is going on.  I admire your determination not to let it get the best of you.  The doctor put my mother on a low dose antidepressant several years ago to control her hot flashes.  She took herself off them too.  She felt like she was walking through jello and she would rather have the occasional tropical vacations her body was treating her to.

Now it's my body's turn to rebel.  Last week I did 13 WATP miles and was mindful of all my food, though I didn't journal anything.  Around mid-week, I noticed my feet and ankles were swollen.  When I weighed Saturday morning, I had gained 6 whopping pounds in one week.  It can't be fat, so it has to be water weight.  The swelling hasn't improved, though it is only from the waist down.   Just going to keep plugging along and see how it all plays out.  The weight gain does bother me but it doesn't freak me out so long as I know its water, not fat.  Ain't middle age interesting?     Cheryl

LOL-Cheryl you got that right.  I thought my youth was an adventure but it has nothing over mid life. LOL

Della

Hello Ladies,

Well we are back from our annual trip to Florida for our anniversary, we had a wonderful eight days in 80 degree weather do I miss that, it is 19 this morning here.  I gained about 5 lbs while there even though I was very careful with what I ate and walked every day hmmmmmm oh well back to the routine.  Also, sold a house while I was there!!!!  I should go away more often.  Have a good day everyone. 

Betty