Age 50+ Bios

lucindaarrowspark · 01-10-2012, 06:51 AM

Hello Jinx 50! I am a vegan too. come see my blog and i will come to yours as well. I am headed over to january golden girls to do my daily forum post. seeyou there.

gardendiva · 01-10-2012, 08:52 AM

Hello, my name is Carol and I am at my wit's end. I just turned 50 in December 2011, and every year about this time I say to myself "I am the fattest I have ever been", and then another year goes by, my clothes get even a bit more snug, and I sink a little deeper into what feels like a pit I can't drag myself out of.

I am married, no kids, but 2 wonderful grown stepsons and 3 step grandchildren. I am a homemaker but keep very busy with volunteer work and trying to take good care of my loved ones.

I have always been gangly thin, and 2" taller than I am now. This weight gain, which started out gradually is now piling on despite my best efforts to do something about it. I try to get in 45 mins of cardio 5x/week, lift weights 2x, and take a yoga/Pilates class on Fridays. I try to focus on lean meats, lots of vegetables and whole grains, and watch portions somewhat. but despite what feels like trying really hard, clothes keep getting tighter and tighter, and I am becoming very discouraged. last night I was in tears while packing for an upcoming trip to Hawaii. it should be a happy time, but I am so upset about my weight I can hardly think of anything else.

I am feeling desperate, and have come here hoping to find people that can understand and maybe kick me in my a**. Thanks for reading this. Hopefully once I start to figure things out for myself I can be a good support for others as well. Thank you for reading all of this!

PS: I came here 2 years ago with the same hopes and aspirations and frustrations, but lost my focus and stopped coming, because I was ashamed at my lack of progress. I am ready to really focus and make it happen this time, no excuses.
Carol

glynne · 01-10-2012, 09:44 AM

Welcome Carol ~ come over to the Golden Girls thread and check it out. The ladies are awesome ~ kind, caring, supportive. Don't give up ~ keep coming back ~ it really helps. I have been coming here a long time ~ had ups and downs. I am feeling right now like I have maybe finally found the right combination of things and will finally make some progress. You can do this.

slmn11 · 01-10-2012, 09:45 AM

Carol, Happy Belated Birthday! Congratulations on turning 50! You are now eligible to join us in the January Golden Girls thread. It is a wonderful group of women who appreciate and understand the challenges of trying to lose weight as we age. We all have our own struggles, so we will help you all we can, and can probably learn a few things from you. Hope to see you there!

deelee10 · 01-12-2012, 05:15 PM

Hi -
My bio: I'm 57, married, 2 sons who have just grown up and gotten their dream jobs - one 900 mile away. Oh, and I've lost more weight than I thought was going to be possible at this age so I readjusted my goal. The empty nest thing has been hard for me and the elderly parents that are consuming a lot of my time and energy...well, I can't put that into words...it would take a book. But I have finally been successful losing weight. I never had a problem until my forties. Gained 20 ish pounds - up and down but continual up. When I was 49 my husband was diagnosed with a nasty cancer, (he was 55) told there was a 3 year life expectancy. I researched and we got him excellent treatment.That was almost 8 years ago and he's still here and pretty healthy. I, however, gained another 25 + pounds. I was pre diabetic. I tried very hard to lose weight. I had some luck with Jenny Craig but gained a lot back. I exercised a lot. It took so long to lose and came back on so quickly. I saw Ideal Protein mentioned on 3FC and a friend of mine lost 50 lbs with it. So I started it last January when I had rotator cuff surgery. I had cleared my social calendar for shoulder recovery and cleared the cabinets as well. It went very well. After I reached my first goal of 30 lbs lost I readjusted my goal. I haven't decided exactly what I should weigh now. But I consider myself maintaining. Gained 7 lbs - Drinking Margaritas and eating potato chips on family vacation - continued to eat bad stuff for a few days at home. I have lost 5 of those pounds. In the past few years I had medication for hypothyroid adjust, starting taking Metformin for the pre diabetes and started on bioidentical hormone replacement therapy. Treating all of these things contributed to the weight loss. I am not pushing Ideal Protein, I think everyone's body is different, needs different things. I think it's about finding a diet you can stick to and feel good on. I am not on the official Ideal Protein maintenance program. I'm more or less on my own South Beach kind of thing. But when I've gone up too much I try to get right back on IP to lose it quicklyl I guess I'm looking for support at this stage of life. And I think that I can offer support to others in this age group who think it's impossible to lose weight at this stage of life. If I did it - others can do it too. I know Ideal Protein is not the only thing out there. Any diet works - if you can stick to it! Look forward to getting to know you all.

Riemontana · 01-12-2012, 11:46 PM

Hello DeeLee!

Come on over and join us on the January Chat. It would be great to have you there.
Rie

chickhen · 01-21-2012, 03:19 PM

Hi everyone!

Many years ago I was on this site and lost 25 pounds! I'm now 51 and gained in the past few years about 20 pounds back. I really need to lose it not just becuase I want to look good in my jeans but because in my "genes" I have a family history of diabetes and other health issues related to weight.

I never had a weight issue until after I had my sons (they are now 16 and 13 years old) I am a stress eater and having two teenage boys has made me stress eat even more- my oldest just got a car!

I really need to be accountable and develop a rountine and lifestyle change. Hope to make some new weight loss buddies to help me on this journey!

Maggy · 01-21-2012, 09:55 PM

Hello everyone

I'm brand new to this site & figured I would join a few of the groups that I'd fit in with. I'm definitely over 50 so I'll start with this one.

I'm 61 yrs old & live alone in a very small town in the mountains of western Washington state. I have one cat, a mini dachshund & a min pin for pets. My son & his wife live in Seattle, not too far away, and they come up frequently & bring my 1.5 yr old granddaughter who of course is absolutely gorgeous! lol They're also expecting another baby mid-year so I'll be a grandma a second time!

I'm on disability but have worked many jobs in the past including cab driver, tugboat operator, grounds maintenance & logging crew laborer & EMT/ firefighter. My hobbies include computers, gardening, genealogy & reading. I love sci fi, fantasy, action movies & comedies but not into chick flicks.

I'm just starting a serious diet & exercise program today & gradually getting into it. I had let my weight climb over the last few years from a combination of depression, menopause, quitting smoking & just plain laziness & self-indulgence. I'm not set to do any particular diet program but will eat smaller portions, more fruits & vegetables, less breads, pastas, potatoes & sweets. I'll see how that goes & will make adjustments as needed.

For exercise I plan to use weight training since I've done that before & already have a full set of nice free weights & a good weight bench. I have a painful foot condition plus agorophobia so won't be walking until I can work on those things (one step at a time). I'll use the weights 6 days a week & cycle days working on particular body parts - bi/tri one day, chest & shoulders another, back & legs the next day. That should at least get me building some muscle & moving again.

My special hope is as simple as being able to fit into my old jeans again & being able to garden without getting tired before I start.

Riemontana · 01-22-2012, 12:28 PM

Hi Maggy!

to the Golden Girls!

This i a great group. It is a group of friends who enjoy talking about our lives, children, grandchildren, activities and even a little about dieting and exercise. So, grab a cup of coffee or tea and pull up a chair. Just jump right in to the conversation.

Rie

smarkey · 01-26-2012, 01:35 AM

PERSONAL INFORMATION: I'm 51, married for now, raising three great teens. We have animals ranging from a lizard to a horse. I love to read and cook and garden and hike and being a mom is the best.

DIET: Roughly South Beach with a vegetarian/no artificial sweetener angle. Would like to minimize the dairy, too.

EXERCISE REGIMEN: Trying to find time for yoga three times a week, otherwise, walking and working outside when weather permits.

HEIGHT AND WEIGHT: 5'2" and 160 lbs, give or take.

GOAL: Hope to lose 40 lbs - not in a hurry. 1-2 lbs a week would be great. Will trade fat for muscle and take the extra weight.

SPECIAL HOPES: I want to get back to being active, feeling fit and energetic. My goal is less about weight and more about doing the things I love. My real goal is hike in the mountains that could take five days.

CHALLENGES: Three teens who eat anything in site. The house is full of food of all kinds for good reason. I don't do all the cooking, but enough to test my resolve. My job can be stressful. Sitting at a desk all day is a trigger for snacking.

ACHEIVEMENTS: have lost about eight pounds, and have joined this forum.

Riemontana · 01-26-2012, 10:31 AM

Welcome Smarky! Come on over to the Golden Girls chat