Motivation

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!

Bonton, arthritis was a problem for me in my 40's, till I met a Chinese doctor in Taiwan who told me to stop taking anti-inflammatory pills, and who treated my stomach instead. He said many times bone problems come from an irritated/too acidic stomach, that is only made worse by the drugs we take for arthritis in the West. I was so desperate at that time that I just gave it a go in spite of my skepticism, only to be rid of all my problems in just a few weeks. I haven't had any other pain in my bones since, and whenever I feel the heartburn return, I drink lemon juice for a while and it just goes away. Lemon juice cures a too acidic stomach and lowers blood acidity, in spite of appearances!

One, do you like berries? One of my favorite snacks/desserts (and my son's) is plain yogurt (the Greek type if available) with fresh raspberries and blueberries. I eat it without sugar, but if it's too sour for you, you can add some sugar - it crunches and that adds a little something to your snack  =) - or a teaspoon of honey.

I understand your plight about eating or not eating before bed. I find that I don't sleep well on an empty stomach, or on a too full stomach either. I tend to have a small snack about one hour before bed, a fruit yogurt, or some jell-o, or some custard. Starches make me wake up feeling still half full and bloated, and fresh fruit are too hard to digest before bed. My Mom drinks a cup of lukewarm milk to help her sleep and avoid feeling hungry. It gives me heartburn, but Mom also eats fried eggs with melted gorgonzola for dinner at 83. Apparently I didn't inherit my digestive track from her side of the family!!!

Robbie, I read what you wrote about your stint in NY and started sweating thinking of my trip to Switzerland, Italy, Canada and the US in the next three months... How I hate what travels do to my diet!!! It is so difficult to control what you eat when you have no control on who is cooking!... Well, Europe is a bit easier than the US I guess, as we don't have so many ready-made dishes and snacks and tend to eat a bit healthier in general. But still... No more computer, no more scale, no more CC, no more friends, aaaaaaargh!!!

Don't worry about the shi-tzu. It's not you or your training, it's the shi-tzu. All shi-tzu owners I met in Taipei, Bangkok, Canada and other places claimed theirs was a basket case. Some breeds are messed up. Smaller breeds tend to be nervous wrecks in general, but shi-tzus seem to be the champions... I love dogs. I always had dogs. I have two dogs that are 14 and going strong in spite of all the traveling we forced on them. But I wouldn't touch a shi-tzu with a ten foot pole. Except if I found one abandoned. Can't resist an abandoned dog... LOL

And I laughed at your insisting for a helmet. Helmets have been compulsory in Europe (and everywhere else, EVEN Vietnam) for many years. In fact they are compulsory on bicycles too now. I remember our surprise when we first met bikers WITHOUT a helmet in the US!!! LOL Your idea of a raised seat to see the road is a great one!!!

I am going to bed. Hubby is in Hanoi - again - and son in Nha Trang, I am all alone tonight with my two elderly dogs. Might as well turn in early, as I asked the driver to come at 7:00am tomorrow.

Have a great day all!

Helene, in Saigon, who was shocked out of her socks when she collected her brand new US visa today: it's for TEN years! Will outlast my poor old passport by 4 years...

 

 

Helene, asleep in Saigon:

You wrote, "Robbie, I read what you wrote about your stint in NY and started sweating thinking of my trip to Switzerland, Italy, Canada and the US in the next three months... How I hate what travels do to my diet!!! It is so difficult to control what you eat when you have no control on who is cooking!... Well, Europe is a bit easier than the US I guess, as we don't have so many ready-made dishes and snacks and tend to eat a bit healthier in general. But still... No more computer, no more scale, no more CC, no more friends, aaaaaaargh!!!" Don't forget, you will be traveling for pleasure, which offers a bit more control of your time and options. But, it is harder when traveling. You will find the US has improved a bit on healthy options, though we have a ways to go. And, I bet you'll find access to internet if you want to check in here---but you'll probably be having so much fun, you won't bother.

Thanks for the encouragement on the Shi Tzu; I feel less culpable knowing it isn't me. As for the helmet, I wish it were mandatory--can't seem to talk husband into one, and he's hard enough to deal with even without brain damage. ;-)

Hope you're having a good rest.

schaufel  Please tell more about the lemon juice - do you dilute it or what??... I have arthritis in my L knee and acid reflux. Maybe it would help me! My acid reflux started after I started taking medicine for my knee. Now I have to take Prilosec for my stomach.

One - I like Greek yogurt with strawberries, banana, walnuts and a drizzle of honey- it's really yummy tastes like a sundae! I also have to snack at bedtime usually hungry because I have trouble eating big meals -I know not good for my reflux - but I usually have a small glass of skim milk and a zone perfect snack size bar or some low fat animal crackers.

robbie - Don't get alarmed about the scale - give it 3-4 days - excess carbs make you retain fluid and it takes about 3 days to lose it. It is hard when you have no control over what you are served. I'm such a small eater and VERY picky, that I fare better when that happens but for ppl with larger appetites it is harder.

As for "riders" LOL my parents got me a motorcycle for my HS graduation!! I ran around with mostly guys and they all had them it was all that I wanted so my Dad gave in and bought me a Yamaha 125!!! LOL.  I would never have bought my daughters one and really wouldn't have been happy if they were riding. My husband is a Harley want-to-be - but nowadays I think I would be afraid to ride - too many crazy drivers out there. As I've gotten older, I take way less risks than when I was younger!  Anyway, my father sold MY motorcycle after my Mother decided she would ride it and wrecked!! Now how fair is that??!!

I had all my co-workers for a luncheon today - posted a pic in my gallery - just putting in what I ate - this will probably not be good! LOL But we ate lunch so I have  a chance to burn it off and I mowed the grass before they came - that's 90 minutes of mowing ! Had to burn a lot of calories as it is 90 and humid here! We had to eat indoors because it was unbearable outside on the deck. My hubby spent half a day yesterday cleaning it - I felt bad not using it but it was just too hot!

ohio  Maybe you will lose weight like schaufel from getting rid of excess things! Keep up the good work - only 8.8 to go you can do it!!

BTW My hubby won first place in our flight and I won second in that mulligan tournament we played in!

123.4 today 8.4 to go!

schaufel, thank god that fondue went good.  :D  omg!!!  that could've been soooooo many calories!  lol  no dessert?!  bummer...  you should have made room for dessert...  no wine?!  you are awesome.  :D  i couldn't do that...  well, hubby would keep me under control.

OMG!!!  you walked for 2 hours?  cool  :D  oh yeah!  it's hard leaving one house for another.

bonton, i like cherries!  :D

one, i would eat later.  it really doesn't matter.  it will show up on the scale if you weigh in the morning, but you are still digesting.  that's all.  no biggie!

i dunno though...  i have no idea.  i'm thinking if there are only a few pounds to lose, it might work different, but i have NO idea.  i think moving is awesome  LOL  because you toss lots of crap!

southern, you are doing great!!!  :D  keep it up!!!

robbie, i ride!  :D  it's awesome!!!  it's hard not being able to see...  we need helmets here.  it's the law.  LOL  i love the big belly trip!!!  :D  it happens to all of us...  who cares...  this is not a diet.  it's a lifestyle change.  no big deal.

 

Yes schaufel - you are good! I drank wine at our luncheon! and I had dessert - peanut butter pie BUT  I took a really small piece! LOL

Snow - They changed the law in PA - now you aren't required to wear a helmet but you are required to wear a seatbelt - makes NO sense!

Was going to clean out the garage today but went shopping instead - that alone gave me alomost 6,000 steps! LOL Got some new shorts for my hubby and a top and pair of capris for myself - found the top and capris at  a discount store - top was  $8.99 my kind of sale ! LOL and the capris were Liz originally $69 I got them for $18.99!!

Where is everyone????

Oh! Robbie! I am so glad to think it will be easier to find healthy food in the US. Last time I was there (2004) we really had to look hard to find things that didn't contain corn syrup. Even the dried MEAT had some... We have dried meat in Switzerland, but it's just... dried! They add a bit of salt to make sure it keeps long, but no sugar. Who wants sweet meat???

 

And I wish I were just traveling for pleasure (sounds of moaning...). I will have pleasure, because that's what I do, but I am going to Italy to help my Mom renovate her house (mine now) that is in dire need of a lot of work after years of neglect. And I'll have to supervise the renovation of our house in Switzerland, as the last tenants will have left end of June, and rented houses have to be pristine before they are rented out again - that's the law. Then it will be time to go to Canada, to help my son get settled in his new life away from us. THEN I get to the two-weeks pocket of pleasure, with my visit to my friend in Washington state... Oh! And where do I fit that move I have to make??? Sigh... If being busy made you slim, I would be a skeleton by the end of this "vacation"... LOL

Bonton and Snow, not drinking wine wasn't such a big sacrifice as it was very hot that day! It's amazing what a hot temperature can do to your ability to resist wine. LOL I love wine, but I have inherited from my mother a stupid allergy that makes me turn very red in the face when I drink some. Some wines are worse than others. So I tend to stop drinking much before I'd get tipsy. One of the reasons why I have never been drunk in my life!!! Call it luck, then...

Beth, cheese is my weakness. I could become a vegetarian any day but NEVER a vegan. I love milk, cheese, cream, yogurt, all dairies in any form, shape and flavor. My ancestors colonized the Alps, so I guess it has been my family's staple food for countless generations... I have trouble finishing a large glass of water, but never a glass of milk. LOL

Bonton, you just drink the juice of a freshly squeezed lemon. If you are not used to it, you can start with half a lemon and increase from that. Do not add sugar,sweeteners or honey, as they are all acidic. If it's too sour for you, dilute it with water (but not too much).

I followed a cure that started with one lemon, then 2,3 etc... till you reach 10 lemons at one go - that's almost 2 large glasses - increasing by 1 lemon a day. Then you stop for a week and decrease by one lemon a day, starting with 9. When you reach one lemon again, your stomach should be fixed. Mine was.

It sounds impossible to think such large amounts of acidic stuff can actually cure the acidity in your stomach but it does (lemon becomes alkaline when digested). One word of caution though: DO NOT use the pre-squeezed lemon juice that comes in bottles. It's important you drink the fresh juice of a real lemon. The commercial juice has citric acid added to stabilize it, and that's a no no for you.

You don't have to do the increasing dosage, I think. I found out that having the juice of half a lemon every morning before breakfast was just as effective in curing heartburn (but that was after I had cured it, when it was trying to come back, so maybe I am wrong).

Try also to avoid starchy foods, sweets and dairy products, as they cause acidity. Try to cure your heartburn first, and see what happens to your arthritis. In my case, curing my stomach was enough to heal the bones. But I also had the help of a Chinese herbalist, so maybe it won't suffice for you. But you can at least try...

Have nice day everyone!

Helene, in Saigon, who is going back to packing boxes...

Helene,

I'm going to suggest the lemon idea to some of my clients who suffer from pregnancy related heart burn. I'll let you know if it works. I know the lemon won't hurt them and it might just help.

But Pregnancy related heartburn is not just caused by too much acid in the stomach. It's also caused by a softened valve in the esophagus that lets the juices escape too easily. But if the stomach is not as acidic it should help anyway.

Papaya also can help because of its enzymes that aide digestion. I've been suggesting it for years. Eat it about 30 minutes before a meal or snack on small pieces throughout the day.

~ Beth

Original Post by schaufel:

Oh! Robbie! I am so glad to think it will be easier to find healthy food in the US. Last time I was there (2004) we really had to look hard to find things that didn't contain corn syrup. Even the dried MEAT had some... We have dried meat in Switzerland, but it's just... dried! They add a bit of salt to make sure it keeps long, but no sugar. Who wants sweet meat???

Oops, I forgot about the corn syrup issue. Yes, that's still a problem. I know because my best friend is super allergic. She always asks at every restaurant what's in her food, and reads labels carefully. I will ask her how she protects herself when eating out, but I know that most groceries here now carry an organic/health food section with "no preservative or additives" items. And, Whole Foods grocery is everywhere, including Wash State, I'm sure.

Original Post by earth_mom:

I'm SO HAPPY to have found you at last. I can't claim to have read all the posts, but I can claim to be so tired of this weight and ill health. I'm just starting on CC, but I love the tools. I had no idea I was eating so much, or that simple planning would be my first key to losing.

I spent my life at a more or less normal weight until one day the grieving process took the form a stopping at a convenience store for a snickers. and again, and again, and suddenly I didn't care what I ate. That was 20 years ago and I was devastated when, coming out of the hard times, I didn't just shed the pounds. I didn't. I walked, I ate salads, and all I did was gain gain gain. Plus of course I developed a yen for bad candy, donuts, cake for every office birthday, on and on. I didn't want to deprive myself.

So now I have deprived myself of good health, the ability to get around, and my basic (inner/outer) attractiveness,. I tried a gym, but overdid it, got sick and quit. I can't walk any distance anymore nor stand up for long, so I got a stationary bike. I have spent at least ten years trying to add new habits, slowly--biking for just 5 minutes, drinking tons of water, learning to love leafy green veggies again. I love summer fruit!

The analysis and planning tools on this site are such fun to use, and so enlightening! I'm looking forward to the warm support I have read in all these forums. I weigh once a week. my SW is 260, CW 254 and GW 147 (2+ years from now). One thing that does go faster for me is the years! I'm in for the long haul.

I have some success with non-food rewards (although the very idea seems wrong). I have never before treated myself to music I love, to movies I enjoy, and I do love pedicures, waxing, and trinkets. I hope to work on "closet cleaning" activities and reward myself with room for hobbies like sewing and painting.

ciao! (no, not "chow", uh, how about : see you in the wind!)

Hi Earth_mom,

May I suggest that you add this information to your Bio(?)

Good luck with your goal; think I'm about to bust my plateau.

mischiefdm: Your accomplishments are so impressive. Gotta love a 35 pound weight loss, and significant reduction in bmi. Good for you! And good luck on that plateau. I've been frustrated in the short run, but if I look big picture, trend is in the right direction, just like you.

mischiefdm - Congrats on the great loss! 35 pounds is amazing! At 138-140 and 5'6" I'd say you are at a healthy weight! Maybe just continue trying to lower body fat.

 I seem to be stuck again - lost 5 pounds now seem stuck at this weight. Was hoping all the summer exercise would help - I only want ot lose 8 pounds but would be happy with 6! Haven't been as good on my plan the past couple of days - never go over calories but percentages seem to matter and they have been off - MUST get back on track.

Walked 9 holes and rode 9 holes at golf today - shot an 89!! YEAH Then came home and cleaned my deck. Tomorrow I will mow , clean the front porch and cook dinner. My hubby and I both end up eating out on our golf league nights - not good for my plan. Could play tomorrow as the ladies are going out in the am but I need to get some work done here. Tomorrow is our granddaughters 7th Birthday.

I'm celebrating! Lost 2.2 lbs last week. So I must be doing this right. Of course, I SHOULD be working instead of CC+, but gee whiz, this is more fun.

this sucks...  i'm having a hard time getting started lately.  i think i just need to spend less time on here.

i'll be around, but i need to try to break away for now.

take care everyone!  i'll probably just be peeking in now & then at least  :D

Original Post by robbie615:

mischiefdm: Your accomplishments are so impressive. Gotta love a 35 pound weight loss, and significant reduction in bmi. Good for you! And good luck on that plateau. I've been frustrated in the short run, but if I look big picture, trend is in the right direction, just like you.

Thanks. I've now learned that my plateau was enhanced by increasing calories to avoid starvation diet. I should have stayed at the same calories for at least a month before changing/reacting to weight increase at low cal.

Might be considered a maintenance break like Mollymouser is on now at http://caloriecount.about.com/forums/post/984 65.html

Hope we both trend downward.

Original Post by bonton71:

mischiefdm - Congrats on the great loss! 35 pounds is amazing! At 138-140 and 5'6" I'd say you are at a healthy weight! Maybe just continue trying to lower body fat.

Thanks and yes, I am at a healthy weight and acceptable BMI with Happy Weight being 138 but #'s are concentrated between hips and thighs.  So far, all the exercise has not removed that fat so I want to get down to an acceptable weight that gives reasonable hips, if possible.

When getting Body Fat % measured the other day, the trainer said that I was retaining salt and water in lymph nodes, which were bumps in my arms that he had to avoid when using calipers to measure fat.  He suggested drinking distilled water which is supposed to remove the salts.  Also suggested 2000mg chlorophyll  intake.  Tasteless water for the next month.

Sounds like you've got a good handle on things.  Good luck.

snow: I will miss your smiley faces ;D and cheerful encouragement.

earth_mom: I'm so happy for you. 2.2 in a week is dramatic!

mischiefdm  We have a water cooler in our kitchen - all we drink is distilled water - I don't like the taste of "spring water". Guess it's all what you get used to. I got on that Happy Weight website it said my happy weight was 125 - NOT - LOL , my happy weight is 118! And I know what you mean about the #'s being concentrated on hips and thighs! I swear it's gravity! LOL No good trainer at my gym - I would love to go somewhere and get my body fat measured. 2000mg chlorophyll??? what's that ??   How many calories are you eating? You do have to be careful to eat enough calories. I'm eating 1200 - 1400 depending on exercise -  have a deficit of 400 - 1000 everyday - and not really losing at this point. I've never been a big eater so I think that my body has just adapted to 1200 calories and it's not healthy to go lower so I have to exercise like a fiend to lose anything.

robbieI did much better yesterday with getting protein! I mowed the grass, trimmed the rhododendron, scrubbed my front porch - WHY did we get spindles in our new railing??so hard to scrub!  -  cooked dinner and played 9 holes of golf - now wouldn't you think all that exercise would have been worth more than a 0.2 pound loss???!!! LOL Getting enough exercise is NOT an issue LOL

EDIT: I had to stop in at work and weighed myself on the certified scales - my digital scale was wrong - I'm down to 123!!! WHOOOPPEEE

frost, moon, one, ohio - Where have you been??

Helene  - getting lemons at the store today! I am going to try the juice of 1/2 lemon daily ..I don't think I could handle increasing to 10! LOL but we'll see if a little bit helps.

Going to get some flowers for my flower bed - had  a section of lillies in my garden but the rabbits took care of all but 2 of them so now there is a hole where there is nothing! Need to get groceries today - having a brunch for Father's Day.

Hi guys! I haven't checked in lately because I've been VERY tired and not getting enough sleep for various reasons. Bonton, WhooHoo on getting to 123!! And thanks for noticing my arms in the hiking photos - I have been working hard on my arms and it's nice to finally see some definition. I'm not trying to bodybuild, but just get stronger and leaner. The trainer I work with designs the exercises so I don't need any special equipment to do them at home, except for a few hand weights, resistance band and an exercise ball. I have been working on my pushups (finally got to ten - yay!) and strengthening my core. My back feels so much better than a year ago.

Snowfence, get it together and come back soon! I know how you feel about spending too much time on-line. It is easy to let computer time eat into exercise time.

Micheifdm, please let us know if the distilled water and chlorophyll makes a difference.

Hi to everyone else! I'll be back soon!

Alice

bonton71:  I'm currently eating 1350, which is where I started in Jan at a plateau, but went up gradually to 1800s because of all the talk about 'starvation diet'. Observed fat loss and muscle gain even at 1700 but fat gain at 1800 so decreased drastically this last month.  I was exercising heavy but have cut down to 1-2x a week at the gym or when I have to make a trip to town.

Most paid membership gyms give free Body Fat % caliper measurement but you can calculate it for following a trend from tape measurements if you take those routinely, which you may already know. My calculated is 5% higher than the caliper method.

Chlorophyll is the green color substance broccoli, lettuce, grass, etc.; I'm taking alfalfa tabs.  Someone told me it has a cleansing effect but I haven't read that scientifically anywhere.

moonduster:  I'm not sure but what the distilled water may be working already as I lost 2.2# in 3 days which seems unreal and may have been water retention. 

Got my Body Fat % measured on Tuesday, 6/10, which decreased by 1.5% in a month; fat went down 2.12 #; muscle up 2.32; lost 1.625 inches around the waist; 2" from hips but weight was still the same. Three days later, after distilled water, the scale moved according or coincidentally!

 

HEY, I made my short term goal: below 130 (129.5) before my 55th birthday tomorrow. I'm so excited! Hooray for me!