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!

Hello Ladies!

My work report is so so. I worked an extra shift making it 4 twelve hour night shifts in a row. The first 3 went awesome. And then...quite frankly I don't know. Then I ate poorly...sigh....

My running on the other hand is doing great. I am now able to run for 70 minutes without stopping and am considering a goal of a half marathon at the end of the year. There are many in Colorado but I think it would be nice to travel somewhere else.

I know I have a tendency towards craving sugar but I think I am consuming too many carbs. Sounds like I need to lower my carbs and focus on more protein. lol...oh well, I am getting fitter and fitter...my weight has not changed.

You all are doing well....to anyone new who I have missed....WELCOME !!!!!!

hi guys!  :D  sorry i was gone for a bit...  we went to visit my daughter.  i'm gonna have to catch up here.  LOL

i think i am shrinking too!  i guess we all do when we start aging.

anyways, i missed you ALL.  i'll check back tomorrow.

frost - great job with the running ! I can't run at all - my knees ache if I do LOL But with all that running you'd think you'd be losing - I just don't know if that saying calories in vs calories out works for us ladies over 50

I didn't eat the best this weekend (BIG sigh) I've been doing so well. I probably won't like what the scale has to say in the morning. Didn't eat enough thru the day today - came home starving and ate half a turkey hoagie - could have been worse I guess ... I didn't eat chips with it but then i had a small serving of Bunny Tracks Oh brother NOT on the lower carb higher protein healthy eating plan Back to stricter eating tomorrow! I definitely know that not eating enough thru the day makes me pick the wrong things to eat! I still had a deficit according to my meters but... it will probably make me gain.

snow -oh please tell me I won''t shrink LOL I can't afford to get any shorter at 5'1" LOL I still need to grow 3" then i wouldn't need to lose wt

Robbie, I'm glad you didn't gain in NYC. Lots of great, tempting food there! I grew up there and rode the Staten Island ferry every day past the Statue of Liberty when I went to high school. A LONG time ago! The ferry was a nickel, and a slice of pizza was 20 cents!!

Bonton, I won't weigh myself until Thursday, but I'm feeling good about my motivation and self-control right now. The hiking club had a potluck today after the hike, and I did fine at it. I had very small portions of things, and totally avoided the unhealthy things like chips and brownies. And you didn't do that bad with your eating. Just hang in there.

Frostslave, I'm really impressed with your running! I have the same problem as Bonton with my knees, and I can't run without damaging them more. The elliptical machine seems okay so far, though, so I'll continue doing that a few times a week.

frost:  70 minutes of running?  wow!  i'll never be able to do that...  i've got it up over 2 minutes now.  :D  and with all that running, yeah, you need more protein.  i wouldn't worry about your weight at this point, because you are gaining muscle & toning up.

bonton:  LOL  at any age, calories in vs calories out won't work with all that running.  it's gonna reshape the body though & give it more definition.  i would think you'd even gain from that, because it's building new muscle, isn't it?

i had a bad weekend too.  just trying to make the family happy...  we ate at tgif AND ihop saturday!  sunday my daughter made breakfast & later we had wendys.  i wasn't too happy to get on the scale today, but i guess i was really happy that it wasn't MORE than that.  :D

when eating thru the day, i try to have carrots, celery, cucumber, tomatoes, salad, oranges, apples, grapes, & stuff like that.  well, on a normal day...  with nobody trying to make me eat.

LOL  i wish we wouldn't shrink...  i still want to measure myself again just to be sure.  i don't know if hubby did that right.  :D

I think I need to quit weighing myself daily. Too much fluxuation and it plays mind games with me.

Bonton: Maybe you are right about calories in vs calories out not being as effective at this age. But math is math no matter the age. It should work.  I don't know how much muscle it builds. Some in the legs I suppose. I like to run. I think through all sorts of things while I run. It's my peace of mind time. My knees hurt a little sometimes and I have to put ice on them. But the more I run it seems to be getting better. As long as I pre and post stretch and keep good shoes.

Robbie: I bet that was so much fun at the Ritz. NYC is such an amazing city. There really isn't anything like it. My brother is a retired professor at Westpoint and has built his home on the Hudson. I fly there as often as I can. I love NYC. I don't think I would want to live there. But its a thrilling city. I applaud you for staying on track while travelling. I think one of the greatest difficulties you must face with your weight journey is stress. You continue to look familar to me but I live closer to Colorado Springs so I don't see how.

Moon: Thankyou for the information about water retention after strenuous activity and the scale not often giving you the big picture. You are so smart! You and Bonton have given me an education.

Ohio: My advice to you is the same advice I have to chant to myself everyday. Stay positive and see all the good things about yourself and your life. I can get lost in the no weight loss, beat myself up mode in a wink. Go buy those golf clothes! You want a skirt...buy a skirt. I bet you will look perfect.

Snow: Everytime I think I am getting no where and this is hopeless, I pull up your gallery and look at all the pictures of you. I read your advice to everyone and like Robbie think you are a terrific cheerleader. You are a true source of inspiration to me.

In fact....all of you inspire me.

OK, for those of us looking for inspiration: go to my gallery. I am posting a picture of my sister 3 years ago and one taken recently. She's about 5'10" and has lost over 150 pounds on weight watchers. Slowly but steadily.

Cheers, Robbie

Well, I had a good weekend.  I rode both days and did reasonably good on eating.  The scale is down 1 pound from Friday, but still in the range I keep bouncing around in.  I won't celebrate until I get out of that range.

I did some shopping for "Mother of the Bride" dresses for my daughter's wedding in June.  Very discouraging.  They are either dowdy or show too much skin to look good on me.  Apparently boleros or shrugs are not in fashion this year.  The fact that it was over 100 degrees here and the malls were crazy didn't help.  I am going to have to slack off exercise to spend more quality time in malls this week.

Clharr: The perfect dress is out there. You will find it. Your daughter is getting married. I think that is so exciting. I have 2 sons. Age 22 and 27. Neither of them have anyone serious. I am glad they are taking their time sometimes I can hear my biological grandma clock ticking!! I want one bad.

Robbie: That is beyond inspiration. Your sister looks incredible!!!! How wonderful. She is amazing and beautiful. Thank you for sharing her story with us. I am inspired.

clharr: Aren't there any small boutique type local shops? I always have better luck when I find a place that give personal attention to my "unique" body build. Sometimes Nordstrom's has great stuff too, but it's pricey. Also, not that I get a commission, but Chico's has some beautiful loose fitting shrug type things for dress up.  Do we like the groom, by the way?

LOL  do we like the groom...  he better prove himself!  :D  your sis lost 150 lbs?!  that's awesome!!!  wow...  that's alot!!!

i wish i had lost weight for my daughter's wedding instead of after.  at least i have 2 more daughters to go.  :D

i don't feel like an inspiration.  especially not today.  oh well...  LOL  i guess it's good to see "real" people...  people with ups & downs.  :D  that'd be me!

hubby is going to the gym for the 3rd time!!!  i can't believe this!  :D  maybe i can quit counting now.  LOL  3 is more than ever in our 25 years of marriage.

I haven't been to this website in a long time.  I joined in 2005.  Then I broke my left humerus ended up with a frozen shoulder.  a couple of years of hard work to gain most of my mobility back.

So today is a new day.  I'm 5'2 and weigh 154-155 pounds. Diet isn't enough for me to lose weight.  Although I have lost 8 pounds since 2005.  I'm dealing with a foot injury at the moment.  Right after my daughter and I decided we were going to work ourselves up to walk a mini-marathon in the late fall - I develop plantar fascilities (sp?).  so frustrating.  I'm still going to walk that mini-marathon even if I have to put it off for a few months.

photomom- Welcome! we're glad you joined us. I had plantar fasciistis once - had it taped several times then ended up getting cortisone injection which was a miracle cure. Now I have neuromas (tiny cyst on nerve 4th toes because the bones are too close and rub the nerve) so I wear orthotics that orthopedic Dr made me so I can exercise without them hurting! LOL Had them both injected with cortisone too - I should be an info-mercial for cortisone manufacturer!Oh yeah I also had my elbow injected for chronic tendonitis LOL

clharr  I had the same trouble when my daughter and 2 stepdaughters got married. I ended up with bridesmaid dresses for 2 of them and the other dress - stepdaughter got married in Vegas - I got from Chadwicks. They make the mother of the bride dresses to look like the grandmother of the bride! LOL You will find that perfect dress though and robbie is right try a boutique. I got both of mine from a small wedding shop in a very small town - lots of attention and actually a quite nice selection.

robbie - WOW your sister looks fantastic! You all must be very proud of her accomplishment! My sister is doing SB and has lost 40 with at least 40 to go.  And the Ritz Carlton -how nice! I can't afford them but they sure are nice!

frost - I had to quit weighing myself everyday too. I'd let it ruin my whole day - how ridiculous - to let the scale dictate the day especially when we all fluctuate with water retention etc. and I only need to lose 8 pounds. I seem to stick to healthier eating and not get "bummed" as easily if I don't weigh daily.

ohio -I just bought 2 new pair of shorts for golf - found 2 pair at Penney's that actually have big enough pockets! The slim cut of the new styles isn't good for fitting in golf balls, tees, ball marker, divot fixer... LOL. You should just go buy a skort - I'm sure you'll look fine. I bought 2 last year and really like them - big enough pockets and they were long enough to go to my knee cause I don't like them too short either! Got to hide my semi chubby knees - which I swear I was born with - have  a pic of me at age 3 in a ballerina outfit with chubby knees.LOL I have those veins too I just don't care if they show! Once you get tan they're less noticeable.

moon - I use the eliptical too. It seems like it causes the least stress on my knees. When I do the treadmill I can only stay on for about 45 minutes then my knees ache. I burn more calories on the eliptical than I do walking on the treadmill.

smow -we all have those weekends - I just did too - the key is get right back on track which you and I are doing. Think of it this way - maybe we were boosting our metabolism by giving it a jolt - more calories than usual! LOL

I'm gald everyone is back - I do enjoy this thread and can't wait to see what you all have posted! I feel like we all have so much in common.

To anyone new - Welcome - and jump right in!

photomom - I had plantar facitis too up until a month ago.  I second Bonton on the cortisone.  I got a shot and it stopped hurting in a minute and I have had very little pain since.  Now I am working on streching the tendon and building up the muscles that I wasn't using because my foot hurt so much.  See a doctor, he can fix it.

Robbie:  We like the groom.  He is a really sweet guy and very good to my daughter.

I don't know of any local botiques.  I went to the big chain bridal shops, but they want 4 months to make the dress and I don't have that kind of time.  I didn't like what they had anyway.  I looked at Nordstroms, but didn't see what I wanted.  I will have to lower my standards and try again.  I will look at Chico's.  There is one nearby and I have never gone in there.

Welocme photomom!!!!!  Pull up a seat and I will give you and Bonton your cortisone injections for the day. LOL to your info-mercial. How funny.

I am done with daily weigh in Bonton. It does ruin my day. I would like to lose 15 pounds but even 10 would put me back in everything that is sitting in my closet. It is silly to let it ruin my day.

Clharr, I have no idea where to go to find a nice dress as my sons refuse to find nice girls and settle down and give me grandchildren like God intended. Are you sure you like the groom? hehehe...shall I send pictures of my son? LOL just kidding.

Snow, you will be back in the saddle all week.  Somewhere in the middle of this lifestyle you have to remember to live. Sounds like you had a good time with your daughter. Good job to your husband going back to the gym.

You guys are great. I was up a pound this morning, but you made me realize that if I'm in this for the long haul, daily fluctuations aren't worth worrying about. Of course, thinking that isn't the same as feeling it. I do let little ups and downs affect my self image. But I am too paranoid to not get on the scale, just in case I gain 6 or 7 pounds overnight. It's kinda damned if I do and the reverse.

Did anyone ever imagine that you be talking about your KIDS getting married? I look in the mirror these days and see my Mom (whom I love, but do not want to copy in the looks department). It's so weird and out of body to be this age. My oldest (the one in the picture) turns 23 the same day (June 15) I turn 55. Where did the time go?

Bonton and Frost: thanks on behalf of my sis.  Bonton: Is your sis older or younger?

frost - maybe you should send those pics my way LOL I still have one daughter not married. She's trying eHarmony for a month, has had 2 dates - 2 more scheduled this week. #1 she said was boring  - how does she know that after 1x??? LOL - #2 she said was better than #1. 3 & 4 are lunch dates this week. #2 was an electrical engineer - ok so I thought wow he has a brain and a job! LOL She did say she'd go out with him again. But I do have 3 grandchildren so I can't complain on that end of things.

clharr - maybe you could look online for a dress?? Talbots, Chicos, Nordstrom, Chadwicks - they do have some nice dresses at reasonable prices. How about any small bridal shops?

robbie  - My sister is 3 years younger. I come from a family of 6 - the oldest 3 girls (me included) are adopted - my mother was rH negative and that was in the days on no rhoGAM  so they adopted then along came rhoGAM and she had 3 more. So it was kind of neat when my daughter adopted her son - she has physical problems and can't have kids but her son is a true joy!! We were so blessed that someone who could not care for him gave him up so that he might have a better life and he couldn't be loved more! During the whole first year of his life I drove 65 miles one way once a week to be with him and even now I don't go over 2 weeks without seeing him - I can't stand being away from him!

Just finished water #4 vowed to drink all my water today and go to the gym. Having grilled chicken, veggies and salad for dinner.

Yes, the years do creep up on you.  I never thought I would anxiously waiting to be a grandmother.  In fact, I suspect that the first time someone calls me 'Grandma', I will be looking around for my mother.  I still can't believe I am that old.

And thanks everyone for the suggestions.  I was getting really frustrated, but now have all kinds of new places to look.  You can bet I will be checking them out.  This is a great group to belong to.

Hi everyone

I added pics to my profile if anyone is interested! Have pics of my grandkids but can't bring myself to put them of the web.

Finished all my 8 cups of water today!! that's a first in a while. I just hope the scale is not up tomorrow - all that water makes me feel bloated LOL

clharr - that's why I'm a Mimi - Grandma just sounded toooo old!