Motivation

This is a daily thread for women 40+ who are: losing those middle aged pounds, dealing with hormonal issues, family issues or just plain losing their minds!  I hope my friends follow me to this new thread and I hope to make more friends along the way - all are welcome.

Cheryl :)

Hi everyone,

Today I woke up and weighed myself and I seemed to lose 10 pounds overnight!  It must have been the tulip diet I started last week...if you add a little salt to the tulip, I found they are quite tasty!  There must be some enzyme or something that could cause such drastic loss - anyhow, I think I'm going to write a book about this and become famous!!!

Cheryl :)

 

p.s.  April Fools!!!

Cheryl,

 I followed you; this should be easier. I have also found if I go : community>people> then go to the threads I have posted on I can find what I need with out all the scrolling except for when I actually get to the thread. Does that make sense? Anyhow this should help too.

Gotta go teach something

Hi Cheryl, I just got started dieting again.  Trying to eat better.  Trying to make it a 'life style'.  It is rough!  I am an emotional eater and often will eat to make me feel better which of course makes me feel worse in the long run.  I am 40 and a mother of 3 - ages 14, 8 and 6 months!  I teach full time.  I go go go go go constantly and rarely have energy for 'me'.  So working out is 'hardly ever' and eating right is difficult!  Anyway, I'm looking for motivation myself.  Maybe reading and responding to others that have trouble staying motivated will help them stay motivated and in turn help me stay motivated. 

Hey ladies,

I'm still plugging along.  Have lost 16 pounds so far (started 1/14/08).  Yay!  Tomorrow is my weigh day for this week and I'm nervous because I had to go on a business trip for 3 days last week to a dude ranch where all they served was steaks, baked potatoes and yummy desserts at every meal!  So, my streak may be ended tomorrow.  lol.  We'll see!

I was a good girl and did 40 minutes of cardio yesterday and am planning to do some weight training tonight.  My plan is to alternate weight training and cardio, working out as close to every day as I can.  Working out is the hardest part, for me!

Happy April, everybody!

Valerie

Valerie, 16 pounds is awesome! I have to start exercising - I really do...I will...

Dana, I eat out of boredom - or when I'm tired I think eating will make me more awake - something that I am now aware of and, instead, I'll go lie down (if possible).  As for emotional eating - you have to go to TLC and see the program with the English guy - last night was all about emotional eating.  I only watched the beginning but it looked like he has some kind of exercise that you do which helps a lot.

Britiney, ahhhh homeschooling - I remember it well - always being called away to teach or check....How many hours a day do you put in?  I used to do about 3 to 4.  Also, do you work also, in addition to hsing?  And, thanks for giving us a clue about getting around on this site - it's not so intuitive I think.

Have a great April 1st!

Cheryl :)

Hi Cheryl and everyone else

I have been dieting off and on I think my whole life.  I too am an emotional eater. Yet in my head I know better, but for some reason I just can't stop myself. I am 43. I have a 21 year old daughter and 16 year old son.

I like you danawithya work full time and put over 40 hours a week in at work and when I come home from stressful days I don't feel like doing the things I know I should.  I try to plan my lunches but its really hard when my staff always like to go out on Wed and Thurs. I just can't seem to find the will power at times

I am so glad I found this site. I am hoping with sharing with others like myself I will find the inspiration and motivation I need to reach my goal.

I have started walking again on my treadmill, I finally got my daughter to create me a playlist of songs that I like and it really helps with wanting to get on and staying on. I need to incorporate weight training.

I hope everyone has a great day!!:)

Angie

Hello to everyone.

I stumbled across the thread and immediately Cheryl has scared me to death by bringing up hormone issues. At just shy of 41 I wasn't even THINKING hormones until a few seconds ago. Ah shucks...... 

Seriously though (although I was seriously frightened about the hormone thing) it's a great idea to share with someone who is not 20, weighs 110 pounds and is looking to figure out how to lose 5 pounds before the spring dance. Kids, work/career and other "real life" moments not to mention .... dare I say it.... hormones and a slower metabolism can make things tough.

Looking forward to hearing what you all have to say.

Hi Scaroppo and welcome to the thread.  I'll be posting a fresh one everyday on this board, so keep your eye out for it. 

I know what you mean about sharing with those young people.  Seriously, I read posts and, having no idea about the posters background, think they are very overweight or something, only to find that they're 15 and they THINK they need to lose weight.  I'm not judging, I was there myself and *shaking head* if I only knew.

As for hormone issues - mine hit me at 39 - sudden POF (premature ovarian failure) - it was directly after having the chickenpox - not sure if there's a relation, but now it seems I get a period (if you can call it that) once or twice a year.  My last one was in October.  Anyway, as women head into their 30's, it's very common to have strange periods, and that's the beginning.  At these times women sometimes have annovary periods - there is no egg relased (and so no progesterone) and they get VERY cranky and start to put on a little weight. 

Anyhow, didn't mean to scare you...but it happens...but not normally until the late 40's or early 50's, so I'm sure you have plenty of time.

Cheryl :)

Hello ladies,

Cheryl, it was a good idea to move to a new thread. The other one was getting pretty long. Thanks for notifying me of the change. Hopefully you won't kick me out when I turn 50 in 3 months?

I went for a nutritional testing today. I think I surprised the Dr. with all of the "ailments" that hit all within the last 2 years. She blamed the majority of them on menopause and has made some suggestions. I need to fill out a really in depth questionairre for my next visit.  I was intrigued with the visit and really liked the dr. (a woman in her early 40's). She uses vitamins, herbs and some natural hormones and doesn't prescribe meds. I was sceptical about the visit but came out feeling better about it.  I had exhibited at a women's expo a few weeks ago and she was represented in the next booth so I had some time to talk about her treatments and didn't go in blindly.

Incidently, she talked to me a bit about the progesterone cream that we had been discussing on the prior thread. She brought it up without me mentioning it! So, that's a definate change I'll be making.

Valerie,

16 lbs is fantastic! I weigh on Tuesdays and only lost .4 lbs. in the last week. It was very discouraging. I thought that I'd lost more. 

How did you do (on the scale) after the business trip? I am leaving on Friday for a family vacation and I know it is going to be bad for me. I'll have to work harder when I get home, I guess.

I'm not sure if it is harder to work outside the home or at home. My husband works from home, too, and all day is a food fest for him. He has gotten to the point of eating candy bars and snacks in his office so I don't see.  I have sunflower seeds in my studio (I don't have to worry about him touching them). We used to eat breakfast and lunch together. Now, we still eat in the same room but each make our own meals. It seems silly but I just can't allow myself the foods that he eats or I'd weigh another 50 lbs. I think if I were to work outside the home I may not be tempted so often. I am being very good since starting CC but it hasn't been easy...just disciplined. 

Angie,

I did bought a small flat screened  tv that I set up in front of my treadmill. I was only walking about 20-30 minutes per day before the tv but now can do 5 miles easily while watching. If it's a really good movie, I have been known to walk the full 2 hours!

Good luck everyone,

Edie

Hello Everyone,

I'm 44, have two teenagers, and have just this past year noticed the weight around my middle building up.  I've always had a fairly slender waist - and always been heavier in the bum and thighs - so this has been an eye opener for me.  I never wanted to acknowledge that age could affect my weight, but the reality is that hormones do affect weight and how weight is distributed on the body.  I don't want to scare any younger readers, but for me it's been healthy to acknowledge this and not expect my body to look at 44 how it looked at 24!!!  I am working on losing some of my "middle" now (I've accepted that I probably won't lose much of the bum and thigh weight) and adopting some new eating habits that hopefully will get me into my 50's without too much more weight gain.  I've had life long weight/food and body image issues, and I'm doing this - for once - in a healthy and balanced way.

Thanks for starting this thread.  It feels good to be in the company of similar-aged women who can relate to some of my struggles and life experiences. 

Hey bjben!  I can definitely relate.  The first place I started losing was right on my lower belly - yay! - where it had really piled on in just the last few years.

Lots of studies these days are talking about how the weight around our middles is the most dangerous kind, so it's great that you're working on that.  We may hate our "saddlebags" but it won't hurt our health in the long run like that belly will.

I agree that we can't look like we did at 24, but it's amazing how much better even just a few pounds makes one feel!  It's great that you're going for the healthy track - we can do this and make it a lifestyle instead of just another diet.

Welcome!

Valerie

Hi All,

I am new to this whole thing and started my diet last week after gaining 7 lbs in 1 week after quiting smoking. Have been a nonsmoker for 1 month and lost 5 lbs in first week on cc juts 17 more to go. Let's see what happens from here. I am glad to find a thread with 40 somethings as I am trying to figure out if my 3 pm mood swing is related to dieting, hormones or not smoking.Looking forward to chatting with y'all.

db 

Hi all - new too!  Hoping to stay on top of this middle age bulge & really lose it this spring/summer.  We just bought a house with a hot tub & a pool - both require bathing suits AHHH! 

I like that idea of a little TV specifically for the treadmill - I think it would definitely help with the boredom on the treadmill.

Anyone want to share ideas of snacks/ and or vitamins to keep the middle aged woman on her game?

-look forward to losing with all of you!

Hi everyone 

I would love to share healthy snacks and vitamins. I find the hardest time for me to keep myself on track with eating is at work. I try so hard. But my days start very early. I am at work usually by 5:30 am and I end up eating breakfast at work because it too early to eat at home. By lunch time I am starving. I don't even make it to lunch. I end up eating something between my so called breakfast and lunch. And lunch usually isn't till around 1 or later. 

Any ideas on what I can do or eat that is filling but won't put me over on calories.

And Bjben, I too have had poor body/image issue's my entire life time.

 With my 25th yr reunion coming up in October I have set myself a realistic goal that I truly believe I can achieve.  

Hey Cheryl,and everyone

Just wanted to say hello, I too am in the 40ish group.  Actually thats one thing that made me join this website just this week and try to get serious with my weight loss.  I will be 40 this summer and I just got married in January (remarried) well, I of course hated seeing myself in the pictures ( I need to lose 40 pounds also) so here I am.  I wish you success and I will keep you posted on my journey.  I decided I want to be that fourty and fabulous that you hear about!!

 

Original Post by lastditcheffort:

Hi everyone 

Any ideas on what I can do or eat that is filling but won't put me over on calories.

 Fiber, Fiber, Fiber!  I eat a high-fiber breakfast that is really filling... and, depending on your calories, can be adjusted for your breakfast calorie budget.

• one cup Fiber One cereal (120 calories / 29 g fiber)
• one half cup unsweetened vanilla Almond Breeze (20 calories)
• one toasted Thomas' light multigrain english muffin (100 calories / 8 g fiber)
• two tablespoons roasted red pepper hummus (32 calories)

AND (if you have the calories available)  150 calories of lean protein. (I find that low fat cottage cheese, hard boiled egg whites, turkey or tuna work well.)

With the added protein ... 420 calories. Without 270 calories.

Great filling snacks ...

• one medium cucumber, sliced (24 calories)
• one cup of sliced radishes (19 calories)
• one cup of cherry tomatoes (27 calories)
• dill pickle spears (5 calories each)
• hard boiled egg white (16 calories)
• Laughing Cow Light Gourmet Cheese Bites (7 calories per cube)
• low sodium bouillon (5 calories)
• sugar free jello (10 calories)
• sugar free popsicles (15 calories)
• sugar free pudding (60 calories)
• 18 All Bran Garlic Herb Crackers (120 calories / 5g fiber)
• 10 Quaker Quakes Mini Rice Cakes (70 calories)
• 30 pistachios (100 calories)
• 15 almonds (100 calories)
• Smart Pop mini bags of popcorn (100 calories)
• one whole can of Progresso Light Soup (120 calories)
• one medium apple (72 calories)

MOLLY

Way to go db! I quit that habit when my daughter was 4 months old. She is 9 now! Way to go and you are so smart to start getting hold of your weight now. I put on most of my weight after quitting and never really lost it after baby #4 her younger bro. I'm proud of you for going a month! Keep it up you are doing great. You really will be so glad you quit. I can remember feeling like a part of me was all wrapped up in that and I didn't want to let go but now I can't even imagine! I tried quitting many times with the patch and everything. Cold turkey was the final method...and alot of prayer!

Now I am approximately overweight by about 20-25lbs but 6 weeks ago I had an additional 12 to loose! So I'm headed in the right direction and you are so smart to stay on top of it now. Even if I never loose the extra pounds I am so happy I quit that habit. I would rather be chubby than smell like an ashtry and cough. I'm sorry if there are any smokers reading this who are offended by that but it's the truth. Please don't be offended.

Last ditch- I work at home too  and part of my job is feeding my 4 kids- breakfast, snack,  lunch  and then preparing dinner. It seems like I'm handling food all day. So I get on cc at night and plan my 'rations' the night before as best I can. That way it's all thought out ahead. It also makes me feel like this is what I can have vs. what I can't have.

I don't know what kinds of things you like but my favorite snacks are a celery stalk w/ a Tabl. of peanutbutter or a cup of low cal yogurt w/  1/4 c. of granola(love this!)

I turned 40 in Dec. and really want to achieve my fitness goals this year and stick with them. I hope to do some 40-100 mi. bike rides this year. My exercise buddy and I did a ride 2 summers ago that was 70 mi. in one day! I need to do that again. Setting those goals helps me to stay faithful in my workouts

Got to ride today-55 and sunny! It was nice. What did you all do to burn calories and better yet- FAT ?

Hello everyone!!!

My name is Molly, and I just turned 43 years old.  I have Type 2 diabetes as well as hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid), plus asthma and some other issues.  I am now in my eighth month here at CC, and I never cease to be amazed by the wonderful, supportive, friendly, helpful people that I've met on here.

Starting Weight: 372 pounds

Current Weight: 279.8 pounds

Weight Loss to Date: 92.2 pounds

In addition to having lost 92.2 pounds, my diabetes has come under much better control and I am now OFF insulin (yay!) My cholesterol is now normal (yay!) and my blood pressure is now normal (yay!)  And, as you might expect, I've dropped a few clothing sizes, too.  My weight loss was much faster in the beginning, and has now slowed considerably.  About a week ago I actually INCREASED my calories because my increased exercise had thrown my body into "starvation mode" (metabolic slow down.)

Anyway, that's me. Oh, I'm married (my wonderful DH is active duty military) ... and I've been a happy stay at home wife for the past 2.5 years (work was just stressing me out!)

* waves *

MOLLY

Hi Cheryl! Hi Everyone!  I was wondering if I could join in your group here.  I am turning 41 on Sat. and haven't been able to get rid of the "baby" weight after my last child.  I am the mom to 4 boys, 15, 14, 10 and 3 1/2.  I work from home and also work part time some nights and weekends so my schedule is never consistent and all over the place.  Add in travel out of town pretty much every weekend over the summer due to my oldest three playing rep baseball and well you get the idea.

I started here about 170 last year.  I've yo yo'd a bit and now am sitting at about 146/148.  I doesn't seem like much buy despite a large frame I am only 5'1" tall so that amount is too much for me.  My doc says I should be around 125 max.  Easy for him to say arrggghhh!!!

For most of my years any extra weight I carried on my lower half but over the last few years I've noticed it's all in my middle.  Something totally different for me to deal with.

I can't afford a gym but I've been working out at home with 10lbs dumbells, a stability ball and my kitchen stool (lol).  I step up and down while I watch tv. 

I'm off to Cuba for the week on Sun. for a wedding with about 40-50 people.  I'm going to try and be good but....well... I'm going to try.

It will be nice to escape this cold Canadian spring we are having though.  Still cold here.

Karen :-)

 

 

Morning everyone!

Thought I'd pop in here and tell you all about my "Health Fair" experience this morning.  My work place does this every year and it was interesting to see some of the results after having been dieting, working out and trying to eat right for the last couple of months.

The downsides were that their scale says I'm heavier than mine does.  :(   And their little body fat machine says my body fat is way higher than the online calculator using measurements does.  :(

The upsides were that my blood pressure was very good, and my cholesterol was much better than it was last year when I did this.  And their waist measurement for me was quite a bit better than what I measured for myself.  :)

My blood glucose was high this time, which was new and different.  Now I have something new to research and find out what I'm doing wrong!

Overall, I'm okay with the results.  Still have a lot of work to do, but it's good to see that some of it is paying off! 

Hope everyone is having a good Thursday.  Weekend is almost here. Yay!

Valerie