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!

Hi Everyone!

I delivered my "over due" baby and I'm back! The birth went really well. She had a 7 lb 6 oz boy which by my standards isn't a big baby. But for her it was. She is Polish and her prepregnant weight was only 87 lbs! In fact, she is so tiny that she couldn' t find maternity clothes to fit her because she always has to wear children clothes.  This was her second baby. Her first was only 5 lbs 13 oz and that labor took only 7 hours (30 min of pushing). This one was much harder for her but still only took 4 hours (30 min of pushing). She did great! Oh, she didn't have to take the caster oil. All I did was strip her membranes but she was already warming up I think because she was already 4 cm when I did that.

Well after a birth I get really messed up on my daily routines. It's almost 3 pm and I just had my "breakfast" for the day. I got in from the birth at 7 am. I weighed myself and was 173 which thrilled me because I had snacked some at my client's house while she was in labor. So that wasn't a true fasting weigh in.

I went to bed and decided to weight myself again when I woke up at 1pm. I was 171.4! Now, I figure I might be slightly dehydrated because of working the long hours and I know I wasn't drinking as much as I should. I'm hoping my "true" weight is somewhere between 173 and 171.4 and that's great because it's still a loss for the week.

bonton - I guess I answered your question about delivering babies. Congrats on being back down to 121. You will be out of those 120's before you know it.

As for that woman at the golf course, I think you did the right thing to decide not to play with her. What ever her problem is it won't be solved by continueing to abuse people. That doesn't mean she can't turn things around if she wants. But it looks like the only thing that might get her attention is if she runs out of people to play with. And it doesn't sound like you should have to appologize for anything. Sorry to hear about how your game turned out.

snow - Boy, you guys have a lot of parties! Maybe you should throw an "eat healthy" party - Just keep logging as best you can and I know you will do fine. You have done it before, you can do it again. But I sure wish you had better support from everyone. But don't give up.

phox- "maintaining" isn't bad. I think it's probably good to have a break from the loosing once in a while. So you will probably do yourself some good to not count for a week or so. Just eat sensibly and then set a date to come back at it and keep that date. You'll be ready then to hit it all fresh. The dancing studio sounds like a lot of fun. Learning to dance is still one of my goals. I haven't started working on it yet but I still want to learn someday.

clharr - Your dog and cat sound so funny the way you described them. I would love to see that. We have a dog and two cats but the dog is outside and the cats inside. So they don't interact much.

rebbex - Glad to hear your vacation went so well. Those outlet malls are great! That's funny about your shoes! You must be able to wear heals. I'd probably have that many shoes if I felt comfortable in heals but I don't. Being 6 foot tall with a 5'10" husband I'm more comfortable in flats and there just aren't that many flat shoes out there that are cute. But it's funny you mention my looking for new ones to go with my black dress because I was just thinking about that. I haven't tried the dress on again yet. I might this Sunday but I might just give it one more week to be sure. I will post a pic when it fits good again.

I hope everyone else is doing well, too.  Have a great weekend.

~ Beth

 

I feel like I've been gone forever, between trip home to Dallas, a week out of the office with the DNC and then the cabin followed by work trip to St. Louis. I haven't really been able to log or lose, but I felt OK about staying about the same. I am at 124.5, having only once seen 123 and watching it disappear during my travels. So now it's back to the program. I wish I could get down to the 120 area again, but I recognize it's unrealistic to expect these last pounds to drop as fast as the earlier ones.

Peg: How did the closing go? Did the whiny buyers settle down? Bonnie: I know you'll be nervous about those trips to Bulgaria, but my friends have wonderful memories of adoption trips to Kazakhstan, and two great teens to show for it. So, try not to worry. I, too,  had a renegade TOM after I thought I was done, but then I really was done. Wishing same for you. Beth: Wow, you are the weight loss success story these days! Sounds like you're coming out of a busy time, like me. Isn't it great to relax a bit after so much intense focus? In my case this last week (an environmental clean up case), the plaintiff started the mediation by demanding that the mining company shut the mine and put itself out of business.  As you can imagine, that wasn't much of a rapport builder, and I spent the next few days in shuttle diplomacy trying to reopen communications. Today I feel enormous relief to have no tasks to accomplish. Joanna: Have you seen my twin at the Y again? I just got  a cut and color, so maybe she did too? And, I'm sure you realize that in fact I am much younger and taller than my photos  suggest. Carol: Congrats on your weight loss achievement, and I think you should let boot camp use your photos! Glad to hear husband did well with surgery. Tom also has a hernia that needs attention, but between his hip replacement and bicep reconstruction earlier this year, he's reluctant to jump back in the OR.  We have a 12 year old German Shepherd as well, but she's a sweetheart. How did the cat survive the visit? Dare I ask what makes your husband rant in the political arena? Snow, welcome home, Grandma! What a treat Landon sounds like! I agree with Beth; you've resisted lack of family support before, and I know you will again. Phox: How goes the Oriental dance? I like the welcoming attitude. I always feel a bit of an outcast when I go to an existing class and know no one. Renee: How's your son doing these days? Bex: Good for you working off the vacation weight with clever shopping exercise! Sounds like Tupper was a good add. And, I'm agreeing with your advice re Bonnie's nemesis!

Later this evening, my husband is going to a birthday party of his coworker to which I wasn't invited, and I'm trying not to be a beeyotch (as Bex says) about it.  I just think it would have been nice for him to have asked that I be included. I'm probably more distressed that it's about an hour away and he's going  on the motorcycle and will almost certainly have a drink. But, I can't do anything about it, so I guess I need to do some praying instead of fretting.

Have a good weekend, everybody!

hey one!  it's good to see you popping in.  :D

bonton, 121?!  awesome!  :D  OMG!  that crazy lady was yelling & screaming at you?!  LOL  and she left?!  that must have sucked, but i'm sure everyone could tell it was HER problem & not yours.  i don't suppose she would ever apologize...  and nobody would want to play with her anyway...

yeah, it's been kinda quiet in here, but that's ok.  it's usually hard to keep up!  like, you're adopting a little girl?  congrats!!!  :D  i see it's gonna take a long time though.

clharr, it's good to hear the surgery went well.  that cat & dog sound really cute! 

rebbex, wow!  you maintained on vacation?  how come everyone seems to be able to do that except for me?  never mind...  LOL  i know why.  i just plain eat too much & go out too much.

tupper?  how cute!  :D

me & hubby are going to vegas in november for our 26th anniversary.  i have alot of planning to do still, but i booked the room.

southern, you are really doing great!  congrats on the delivery!  if i threw an eat healthy party, nobody would show up...  or they would all be mad & order pizza.  :D  i'm doing good.  hanging in there at 139 & probably 138 tomorrow.  i'm excited to see what it will be in the morning, but i am every morning.

yeah phox, maintaining is good.  it's kind of practice for later on when you really need to maintain.  geez...  you would think i've had enough practice by now...  i can't dance at all!  i look like an idiot!  and there's a family wedding on the 26th.

robbie, that's awesome!  LOL  even you can go on vacation & not gain.  what the heck?!  i'm sure you'll be 123 soon.  i wish you could go to that party.  :(  that sucks.

ahhh.  It's so nice to settle down and leisurely read posts about everyone's lives.  I really enjoy them and the routine of doing this  is familiar and comforting.  I love the name Tupper for the pup.

Nothing political about this but did any of you see Palins 7 yr old, lick her hand, then smooth down the baby's hair.  It was cute.  She licked her entire palm.  On the news they said she must have seen someone else do this.......but I assume an adult didn't lick their whole hand just to smooth a babys hair.

My new job is too hard for me, but I get this Irish stubborness and determination to learn, or at least give it my best shot...........time will tell  :)

Went to an outlet mall today and had a very relaxing time.  There's a pond and ducks in the middle and women with cute kids watching the ducks and I sat for an hr, on the phone with one of my kids, while watching the ducks and the toddlers.

There are some great sales now!  I got a golf skirt and bright tops for biking.   When am I going to have time again to bike or run and wear these new clothes?

ohio What is your new job if you don't mind my asking? Don't know what you do. I'm SURE though that you can master it whatever it is. Sounds relaxing sitting and watching ppl and ducks and talking to one of your kids! I haven't taken time to go shopping for a while - I always wait for a rainy day and we haven't had any for a while! LOL

robbie  sounds like your schedule has been very hectic - great job maintaining!! You're almost catching me again LOL I seem to be stuck at 121.4 I would have been upset too about the party - why didn't the co-worker include you - that was rude of them.

beth - you're doing GREAT!! congrats on the 171-173 - you've really been losing steadily - keep it up! Glad everything went well with your babies.

phox I'll be interested to hear about the dancing! I wish that there were classes of different things here but alas there are not. When it turns cold I'll be back at our little gym

snow139 sounds great - maybe 138-139 is a better maintenance weight than  134?? Anyways you'll get to where you want to be - I know you will. Baby pics are just too cute! It's so great being a grandma!

That "beeyotch" called and left me a message at work - telling me she appreciated ALL the work I do for the league and the "others" do not appreciate it but that I didn't have to stand up for "them" and she had to be able to say what she wanted ...etc  WELL she can say whatever she wants - it just won't be with me because I am done playing with her. I play golf to have fun and relax which you cannot do with someone b..ching and complaining for 9 holes and she started on the first tee. At one point I looked at her and said " Can we just play golf?" didn't help. She's always saying how she's a teacher and so knowledgeable - well didn't she learn sportsmanship??? or golf etiquette???

Yesterday hubby and I played 18 holes then went out to dinner. It was a nice day and my meal was delicious. I got veal medallions with scallops and a white wine peppercorn sauce. Skipped eating the potatoes - saved those calories so we could split a piece of chocolate cake. It was a really nice and relaxing day.

To ALL Have a great day it's back to work tomorrow! I do so enjoy reading updates from everyone. This has become a big part of my daily routine so "later" to all of my cyber friends!

yeah, it's pretty cool keeping up on here.  :D  LOL  no, i didn't see that!  a 7 yr old licked her entire palm & smoothed the baby's hair?  that's too funny...

i hope your new job works out, ohio.  that mall with the pond sounds really nice & relaxing.  lol  you'll have time to golf & ride.  don't worry!

i don't need to maintain at 138, which i am today.  i just need alot less days of eating out & buffets & parties.  i'm a sucker for eating!  i did great again yesterday with walking & with food.  i should put up more pics of landon.  i'm just too lazy...

lol  i guess that was HER way of apologizing.  LMAO  your golf, dinner & cake sound awesome.  :D

edited:  i put up some new pics of landon.  :D  that's a real dog by him, too, not a stuffed one.

Hello! I am still alive, but barely... LOL I have just replied to a very old message left in my box by Bonton (thank you!) and she can give you all the details if she wishes to. I just felt a great nostalgia for you all and wanted to tell you that I will definitely resume my messages to this wonderful group when I return home. I am still extremely busy right now, but once I am back in Vietnam, I will take the time to read the 30 odd pages of messages I missed during the summer, to see how you are all faring.

I hope you are all well and slimmer  - or at least happy! This summer was a real ordeal for me and I have had very little time to think of myself, let alone concentrate on my diet. But the stress meant there were very few treats or occasions to splurge foodwise, in spite of some very nice and delicious meals with my family. Europe is great for food, really, and French Nouvelle Cuisine amazing...

Yesterday night I said goodbye to my two older children with a family dinner on the side of the lake of Geneva. The weather was gorgeous, the sunset amazing and the food just great. I'll be in Canada from Wednesday till next Monday, then in the States for 2 weeks, and back in Saigon on the 1st of October. Give me two more days and I'll then be able to tell you everything of my trials and tribulations - and adventures! - of last summer.

I miss you all. Glad the group is still going strong, and hope all is well for everyone.

Helene

we missed you helene!  :D  glad to see you're coming back!

Helene - It is so good to hear from you again. Your travels sound just wonderful!

snow - I love the new picture of Landon! That dog is so cute next to him.

Bonton - You date with your hubby sounds like a fun one and the food yummy. I'm glad you have some peace of mind about how you are dealing with that woman. Don't let her get to you. I hope she backs off soon for your sake. 

Ohio - It's nice to hear from you. I hope your job eases up some. But your trip to the mall did sound fun. I  missed Palin's 7 year old. That must have been cute. Kids can be so cute. My mom used to give me "spit baths" when I had stuff on my face. I still remember that.

Phox - How's the dancing going?

Well, I've changed my weekly weight loss goal to 1.5 lbs a week instead of 2. I read that it's safest to not loose more than 1% of your current body weight each week. The last month I've lost an average of 1.8 a week and that seems to track pretty close to 1% of my body weight during that time. So, I figure a healthier goal from  here on out is 1.75 to 1.5 a week. The interesting thing is that loosing 1.5 a week would have me reach my goal of 150 by Christmas week. That sure would be a nice Christmas present to myself.

I think I'm going to start doing some decluttering around my house. I've been needing to do that for a while. I wonder how many calories decluttering will burn?

Have a great day everyone,

Beth

I made it thru my first day alone.  Every pc of office equipment that could have a glitch, had one today.  My head got these sharp pains going thru it and I never get headaches.  Finally in late afternoon I settled down enjoying the portions of paperwork I'm familiar with.

bonton:  I'm property manager for a HUD complex.

I had written to Helene quite some time ago - was glad to hear from her - here is what she wrote until she returns!

"I miss you all too. I have been stuck in Switzerland till now waiting for my son's student visa to be released by the Canadian Embassy. Being Swiss citizens we couldn't request the visa in Vietnam, and it took all this time to convince the Canadians that although my son had been living his whole life in Asia, he wasn't carrying aids, tb, hepatitis or suffer any crippling highly contagious disease... His visa has finally been granted last Friday and I have been frantic since then re-booking all my flights, hotel rooms and various appointments across the continents. I have never spent so much time online or on the phone than these past few weeks. I must say that if I liked Internet before, I have definitely fallen in love with it now, for I really do not know how I would have done all this without it... Having to constantly communicate on a real time basis between Vietnam, Paris and Canada from Switzerland without the Internet would just be impossible.

But it's all done now. I will go to Zurich by train tomorrow morning, to fly to Frankfurt, Vancouver and Prince George, BC, on the next day, Wednesday. I'll stay 4 days there, then fly back to Wenatchee, WA, on the 15th, through Vancouver and Seattle. I'll spend 2 weeks with my very good friend in Ephrata, WA, chatting, unwinding, and hopefully doing some quilting with her, before returning to Vietnam through Seattle, San Francisco and Hong Kong on the 30th of September.

I have had no time to concentrate on my weightloss efforts, but at least I haven't gained any weight through these gruesome weeks of toil and stress. Spending some time in your beautiful country with my friend will be a treat.

My husband has already moved into our new house. He was a bit sad to leave the old one as he liked it a lot, but when he returned there at the beginning of August to do the move, there was no tap water and the house was surrounded by a big lake (it was the start of the real rainy season that lasts till the end of October). There had been big storms that fried the two pumps that were supposed to expel the water from the garden, as well as the water pump on our roof. He was quite relieved to move out!

Since then he has fallen in love with our new house, as he can go play tennis and exercise every day if he wishes. The dogs and the rabbit are also happy with the move, so I guess all is well.

I thank you for your message and can assure you I will definitely resume my participation in the group at my return in Saigon. Hope everyone is fine. Please say hi to the rest of the group for me."

So nice to hear from her.

Beth- according to Helene every time she cleaned and got rid of things she lost weight ! - Hope the same holds true for you. If you go way back in our posts you could read about it! LOL

Bought a new pedometer that has computer software to track my steps - 12,000 steps yesterday! Still need to download the computer disk so I can track them. I hope it helps me keep off what I lost this summer and maybe help me to get below 120 which is starting to seem impossible

Everyone - have a great day!

Thought you all might enjoy this today since fall is approaching and everyone's lives seem to kick up a gear. We all need to take a page from Ohio's book and watch the ducks.

THE MAYONNAISE JAR AND 2 CUPS OF COFFEE

When things in your life seem almost too much to handle,

When 24 hours in a day is not enough,

Remember the mayonnaise jar and 2 cups of coffee.

A professor stood before his philosophy class with several items in the desk in front of him.

When class began, wordlessly he picked up a very large mayonnaise jar and proceeded to fill it with golf balls. 

He then asked the students if the jar was full, and they agreed it was. 

The professor picked up a box of pebbles sand and poured them into the jar. He shook it lightly and the pebbles rolled into the open spaces between the golf balls.

He then asked the students if they agreed the jar was full. And they did.

The professor next picked up a box of sand and poured it into the jar. Of course, the sand filled up everything else. He asked the class again if the jar was full. 

The students responded with a unanimous "yes!".

The professor then produced 2 cups of coffee from under the desk and poured the entire contents into the jar, effectively filling the empty space between the sand. 

The students laughed.

"Now", said the professor as the laughter subsided, "I want you to recognize that this jar represents your life. The golf balls are the important things: faith, family, children, health, friends, and favorite passions; things that if everything else was lost and only they remained, your life would still be full."

"The pebbles are the other things that matter like your job, your house, your car."

"The sand is everything else: the small stuff."

"If you put the sand into the jar first," he continued, "there is no room for the pebbles or the golf balls. The same goes for life."

"If you spend all your time and energy on the small stuff you will never have room for the things that are important to you."

So...

Pay attention to the things that are critical to your happiness. Play with your children. Take time to get medical check ups. Take your partner out to dinner. Play another 18.

There will always be time to clean the house and fix the disposal.

Take care of the golf balls first - the things that really matter. The rest is just sand.

One of the students raised her hand and asked what the coffee represented. 

The professor smiled. "I'm glad you asked."

"It just goes to show you that no matter how full your life may seem, there's always time for a couple of cups of coffee with a friend."

Hope you all have a wonderful day.

-Bex

 

 

Bex  Loved your mayonnaise and coffee story - I copied it, printed and added a picture of 2 ladies drinking coffee - plan to put it at everyone's place setting at our final golf dinner! Good thoughts for all to think about! Probably won't help our one trouble maker but the rest will enjoy it. I was struggling with who to put her with for our final 3 person scramble - there are so many who won't play with her, now including me - then I had 1 lady volunteer LOL she won't take any sh.. from her

OK - off to walk I am very step deficient today - was too busy at my desk to get a lot of steps. I have about an hour before it gets dark. Hubby is golfing in his league but I had to get groceries tonight. Bummed a fresh garden tomato from my neighbors, topped it with mozzarella and olive oil/balsamic vinaigrette dressing YUMMY! Will probably need a snack later but so far I have an A for the day!

Hello all,

I just thought I would drop in to say "hi" and ask for your thoughts and prayers over the next few days.

First, today is my 54th birthday! Yeah! But it looks like I will spend the day doing hurricane preparations. We are watching 'Ike' very closely. It looks like he is headed our way. Landfall is expected sometime on Friday. So far it looks like he will go just north of us but it's still too soon to know for sure. If he does hit exactly where predicted right now, he will hit right where my former apprentice lives. And she lives in a really bad storm surge area. I'm hoping she will pack up and leave but she hasn't decided yet. The last storm threat she spent days on the road and couldn't find a hotel. And the storm didn't even hit us. It was a miserable experience. So she doesn't want to make that mistake again. I don't blame her for waiting a bit longer to decide but I do want her to be wise and not stay if the storm is coming.

Fortunately, Larry and I don't live in a storm surge area even though we live only 3 blocks from the water. Our house has also proven itself to be strong through many hurricanes (since 1936). We are on high ground and would not be affected by even a Catagory 5 storm surge. Since storm surge is the biggest killer in hurricanes this makes me feel much better. But we do still have to consider the high winds in a direct hit.

Unfortunately it looks like I won't be staying in my own home if the storm hits.  I will be going to a client's home if the hurricane is coming because I think she is going to have her baby any day. She lives in a Catagory 5 storm surge area which means we should be fine for this hurricane because it's only expected to be a category 2 or 3 when it makes landfall. But I would still rather be in my own home. And before you ask, my client can't come to my home. That would be illegal for me to deliver her baby at my house. I can only deliver at her home.If I were to deliver at my home they could say I was opperating a birthing center without a license.

I went walking this morning. But it looks like I will be getting a real workout boarding up our home. I HATE boarding up. Well, actually what I hate most is taking it all down later when it's hot and the mosquittos are out! But you do what you gotta do.

Anyway, I'll let you all know how it's going as I can. But I wanted to ask for your prayers, in the mean time.

~Beth

Beth:

Happy 54th, kiddo. I can say that since I'm all of 55! Ike is a heck of a birthday present. You have all our thoughts and best wishes.

As an Andrew survivor, I can give you one silver lining. Those of us who boarded up instead of using electric shutters were at least able to take the boards down  when we had no electricity for several weeks. Many were stuck in giant black boxes with no lights or breeze! It's good that your house is resistant and you have Larry to support you.

I'm going to send slow down thoughts to your client and to Ike!

 

Warmest wishes,

Robbie

Beth- welcome to Club 54! Have a wonderful birthday if you can, in light of what you are facing from Ike. What a pain in the neck he is! We are all hoping things turn out well for everybody in his path and we will keep you in our thoughts until we hear you are all safe and sound. How's that black dress doing? I am on the way down again so am happy about that. Still off my regular routine due to puppy boy's presence, but that will all correct itself in time.

Bon - good luck at the golf dinner. Hope you don't come home with a headache, and that "Miss B" behaves herself. Spike her coffee or something. Maybe she'll do a table dance and embarrass the hell out of herself.

Glad to see Helene will be rejoining us again in a few weeks. Always look forward to her tales from the orient. I sometimes wonder what happened to the ones that drop in on us for a day here and there but never come back. Don't you?

 

 

Beth: Thinking of you and all you neighbors. Hope all of you have an easy time with Ike. Let’s hope he slows down over the Gulf. And Happy Birthday!

I signed up for the oriental dance (aka belly dancing) and love it. Finally, I need to embrace my jiggle. If the belly isn’t jiggling, you’re not shimmying right. My second week of not logging is going okay. I’m trying not to obsess and not gain either. Not so easy.

southern, Happy Birthday!!! 

good luck with that storm & stay safe!!!

that puppy's name is scruffy & her brother is stinky.  LOL  we always picked on my daughter for naming them that, but now...  it's cute!  their names kind of fit.  decluttering the house will burn lots of calories!!!  or at least at my house it would.

ohio, yeah, it's alot easier if the office equipment works!  :(

bonton, thanks for the letter from helene.  that was awesome.  have fun with that new pedometer.  :D  i just pulled my old one out.  the batteries were dead though.  i don't know if i want to replace them or not.  i'm gonna have to find out how much it will cost first.  it tells the calories burned too!

wow!  you got a volunteer to play with that lady?!  i wonder if that will even last for one game...  keep on getting them A's!  :D

rebbex, thanks for the story!  that was cool.

phox, congrats on the new dance!  congrats on not counting & not gaining too!  i wish i could do that.

Happy birthday Beth!!  I will also welcome you to 'Club 54'.  That is both our age and the year of our birth.  Must have been a good year

I have been watching Ike and thinking of you.  I hope things go well.  It looks like it is picking up speed, so be careful.  Delivering a baby during a hurricane.  That sounds tough.

Good morning everyone,

I just thougth I would check in and give you the latest news. It looks like Ike will go more north from where first predicted. If so, we will be spared. My daughter lives in Sugar Land, TX which is about 35-45 miles inland from where it is expected to hit. They are boarding up and preparing to ride out the storm. There is a storm canal behind their home. The house is really high up from the bottom of that canal and it isn't expected to overflow but I can't help but be concerned a bit. I know they are taking precautions. So I will just have to trust their judgment and pray for them and hope all goes well.

My client still hasn't had her baby although there are many signs it will be soon. She thinks Saturday for some reason. So we will see.

Yesterday I splurged and ate fried shrimp, lots of chips and crab and artichoke/spinach dip at lunch for my birthday. I didn't even worry about the calories. I was still full by supper time. So I ate really light for supper. So, imagine my shock to see the scale down another pound this morning! I'm 170.2. My husband said if my body had any thought that I might be starving it, yesterday's lunch took care of that.

I'm not sure what to do today. We still don't know if we are going to board up or not but probably not. We just have to keep watching the predictions on TV.

Ya'll have a blessed day,

Beth