Age 50+ - Active Folks Over Fifty -- #27

Hey! Did you all make it over? :lol:

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Active Folks Over 50 is a place to talk about fitness and healthy eating information as it relates to weight loss and/or maintenance--and also about any work, fun, hobby, or volunteer activites you're engaged in. In other words, the active part of your life!

Just a few guidelines for this thread:

- Raves about grandkids or ranting about your kids is out of bounds.

- Lengthy discussion of your illnesses, conditions, treatments, and medical procedures in general is also out of bounds on this thread. So is whining about old age!

- Positive stories of vacations taken, volunteer work, or achievements at work or elsewhere are highly encouraged! As are recommendations for books, movies, discussions of weight related issues, etc.

Join in!
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I hope more of our regulars check in again soon...

Is anyone here a Nevada Barr mystery fan? Her protagonist is a park ranger named Anna Pigeon.

See ya!
Jay

Hi all - Jay, I've not red Nevada Barr - I will check Audible for her books though - sounds interesting!

I just started a new Tess Gerritsen book today, so far - so good.

I'm beat - the week was a long one, and now I need to get started on the presentations for church on Sunday. DH is working all day tomorrow, so at least I can have some quiet time. Well, maybe not - I'm not sure if they are working on the roof tomorrow or not. They started on Tuesday, and are progressing nicely! But, it is a bit noisy.

I am very impressed with the crew. They are extremely polite and helpful. Not my usual experience with construction crews.

Anyone have any fun planned for the weekend? Mine is all work, I'm afraid. DH pulled the Michigan Waterfalls book out of my car, so maybe I willl spend some time picking a few to visit in October. Virtually all of MI falls are in the UP.

Gotta fly, the dryer is buzzing.

Laurie

Hi, folks! :wave:

CD, if you start with Nevada Barr, you might want to begin with her first one, Track of the Cat. But, you could also go with her second one, A Superior Death, which has to do with Isle Royale NP.

I hadn't heard of Tess Gerritsen, but I looked her up--sounds like the kind of mystery I would like!

I hope your roof is coming along. It sounds like you have a good company.

Well it's the kind of day here where more coffee seems like a necessity... I didn't sleep well the night before, but last night I was a log. Today looks like it will be cloudy and breezy--there's a tropical depression passing by 90 miles off the Gulf coast. We won't get much from it--but then, it rains every day.

I am trying to get back on track with eating. I'm having to ban certain foods again because once I start with them, I don't stop. Nuts for example. :yikes:

Our grocery store is having a big sale on honeydew melons, though! And I picked out a perfect one yesterday. :drool:

So, all you readers, are you gonna come on in and post? ;)

Jay

It is going to be a hot one today - already 81 degrees with 70% humitity - UGH! I'm glad I got most of my chores done yesterday.

Church went well this morning, and grocery shopping yielded some GREAT fruits and vegetables. I love buying local produce this time of year.

Meijer had 25% off their clearance stuff for today - and I picked up some great buys - a short sleeve sweater (black and white), a knit top (black, white, and brown), a belt (copper), a pair of wedge sandals (brown) and two pair of black tights. My treasures came to $17.00 :D The belt and sandals were much needed - my feet dropped a size when I dropped the weight. I got rid of all of my sandals. And, I didn't even own a belt at my high weight. Elastic waist pants and skirts don't require one. And I NEVER tucked anything in :o

I'm off to peruse fruit bar/crisp recipes since I went a little wild in the produce department.

Hope you all are having a GREAT Sunday!

Stay cool!

Laurie

Jay,

I know what you mean about certain foods. I also have certain ones that I can't eat at all as I can't quit. I do eat the Cocoa almonds though as they are a little more pricey, and so I can limit myself, knowing that I can't get anymore for 2 weeks, until payday.

CD,

The fruit crisp / bars sound yummy, do you have any good recipes you would like to share.

As far as reading, I am a quilter, so my books are usually quilt related. I have been reading Jennifer Chiavaretti lately, and I also do like a good mystery on occasion, so I will have to check these books out also.

Have a great day everyone.

Wilma

I am in the Unley Concert bnad , one of the best in South Australia (pushes out the chest, and falls over!) :carrot:

We are practising hard now for our contest day on 29th.
We are about 55 strong, and equally divided amonst sexes, with some excellent young people, who show us oldies how its done much of the time.

Will keep in touch.
Keeps my mind off food :devil:
Keep smiling! :hug:

slim n up, :welcome:

Yeah, Wilma, I wish the price of a food item worked for me as a deterrent to overeating, but alas... it does not. Better not to start with those foods at all. I do so much better if I just make them off limits for awhile.

Alan, cool about the band! I went to the website,

http://www.ucb.org.au/

And I think in the "photos" section I saw you--in one of the pictures at Digger Memorial? Are you on the back row, corner? And I think I also see you in the bottom picture, next to the guy in the suit?

CD, you really SCORED on all those clothes for $17! :cb: :broc: I need to do some clothes shopping--and we just discovered that we live really close to a "real" mall. Sometimes all one can find in Fla. are strip malls, but this is a big one, with a Sears, Penneys, Macy's, Dillards, and everything in between. I should be able to find SOMEthing.

How did it get to be Wednesday already? Jeeeeezz...

:wave:
Jay

Just wanted to pop in and say hi. I'm on the westcoast of BC and the sun is shining today. I'm off to get a new shorter haircut which should help with the hot sticky feeling on my neck. My exercise today is going to be lifting and moving boxes over at my daughter's place as they are getting ready to move and b/c of car accident injuries they can't do much lifting so hubby & I will help get things ready for the movers.

btw...I've read Tess Gerritsen and love her books. I love mysteries/thrillers/horror and contemporary romance and always have a book on the go.

Have a great day everyone!

Hi all! Too busy to post yesterday. DS2 went with us after work. We took a walk, went to the wine tasting at a favorite restaurant, and then had dinner. We finished the evening off with a fire on the patio. It was really, a beautiful summer evening - and a great stress reliever.

We saw lots of folk we knew at the restaurant - which isn't uncomon when you live in a small town :lol:

The guys are making good progress on the roof - thought the replacement window where the skylight used to be is quite a bit smaller. It is going to take some creative trimming to make it look OK. I need to do some idea research before I decide on what to do.

Hope you are all having a fun day!

Laurie

Hi I cleaned out my classroom yesterday after 23 years of teaching. There is no position for me this year. I officially joined the unemployed in MI. It doesn't look good for any kind of teaching job, so I'll look for something else. I've always believed that when God closes one door he opens another.
On a positive note, I'll now have lots of time to spend on the computer. I'm leaving for upstate NY to see my Dad for about a week. I'll catch everyone when I get back. Lori

Hi Everyone,

I'm bumming here was supposed to have a 4 day weekend, but do to circumstances beyond my control, I have to work tomorrow. Had to change my pacemaker/defribulator check appointment, and everything. O'well that is was happens when you are a supervisor.

DH has been painting the walls, and ceilings. They are starting to look really nice. I think my nephew is on his way home from Iraq, as I type this. I hope so, as I have been worried about him.

Have a great night everyone,

Wilma

Lori :hug: I DO believe that things WILL work out for you - you are in my prayers! Education in MI right now is a MESS! They are talking $225 per pupil cuts in the foundation allowance - and maybe even more. We already cut $2,000.000 from our budget - and now, maybe another 3/4 million will need to be cut.

It is really , really ugly - I am truly thankful to be employed - even with 19 years in the district.

Wilma - sorry about the change in work schedule! But, see above - there is a silver lining! Wonderful news about your nephew - prayers continue for ALL serving in our military!

Hi Jayell,

You sure did your homework, and I believe you might have picked me out from the crowd.
Anyway I am the one with the short beard, and if I am tall and carrying a trombone...that's me :smug:

I will keep you informed of the results when they arrive...we play in about 10 days on Saturday afternoon.

In the meantime I am still working on my blogsite, and practising blowing, and gardening and walking and....you know how it is when you are retired...your time just gets eaten away!
Oh yes, not forgettiing 3 FC :hug:
Keep smiling!

Alan

Oh Lori, I'm so sorry! :hug: It must have been a sad day clearing out your classroom. :cry: Listen to CD, she knows the territory better than we outsiders... Things will change, things will turn around.

bcgal00, welcome! Glad to see you posting! I hope you took it kinda easy on that lifting...

slim n up, crossed fingers for your nephew's safe return. :crossed: What kind of work do you do?

Well, about a month ago I had gone to the doctor complaining of feeling tired and having pain in my lower back. So as some of you know, I went through all these tests. Some posters here have been interested in my results, so, I'll give you the brief version. Basically I'm healthy as a horse. BP 104/60, fasting blood glucose 84 and A1C normal, cholesterol 192, HDL 59, LDL 121. And so on. The only problems are, vitamin D is a little low, and I have elevated thyroid antibody (but not by much). No anemia. Iron is fine, too. Muscle is fine, heart is fine.

The main issues are the arthritis in my spine and the osteoporosis in my lumbar spine. But, I show no fractures or anything severe. Also, my Rheumatoid Factor is normal. So... back pain requires OTC anti-inflammatory drugs. Need to take 1500 mg calcium per day and 1000 mg vitamin D.

I don't like the bisphosphonate drugs, e.g., Fosamax etc.

So I guess it's a matter of helping my back to stop hurting without giving up my exercise program! :dunno: Core exercises are a good thing, as long as they don't make things worse. I'm to consult with my chiropractor.

And that's it for the report!

Jay

Alan - I checked out the website for the band - very cool!

Jay - thanks for letting us know your results. I'm glad it is nothing worse.

FYI - when I started this journey, I had a lot of lower back issues. I found that doing a lot of my core work on the balance ball really did help. In fact, for core, pilates, even some yoga - I really like the DVDs that use a fitness ball. The curve of the ball, and the extra support really helped me.


Another good day here - a wonderful jazz concert in the park this evening. The weather was brisk, but at least the rain has passed. We are blessed that, while we got a lot of rain and wind this afternoon, we didn't get the severe storms that others in the Midwest did!

Hope you all have a FANTASTIC Friday!

Laurie

Laurie-thanks for your prayers and kind words. I've been frozen all summer with worry, and now I can move forward to figure out what I will do next.

Jay- thanks for your kind words too. I'm so glad your test results turned out well.

DH and I are with my Dad and sister in NY, and we're having a good visit. We've talked a lot about my Mom's death last Dec. a hard topic ,but important for my Dad to talk about. I really appreciate being able to spend this time with him. He'll go back to Florida in the fall and we'll visit him there.

I really need to get back OP

later...Lori

Lori - glad you are having a good visit. Do the best you can while visiting to stay OP. Bump up the fiber, water, and veggies as much as you can.

Prayers continuing, and I know that it is tough, but things will work out!

A good day here - work was very productive, and I'm glad the week is over. DH is working tomorrow, so I'm hoping to get some cleaning/organizing done. I really need to clean some closets. We have had rain here, so the roofers are hoping to work tomorrow. It will be noisy, but that means they are one day closer to being done.

Have a great weekend all!

Hey! :wave:

Laurie, I hope that roof goes quickly and smoothly!

We have been getting a lot of rain here, and I'm hoping that soon the drought restrictions will be lifted so I can finish pressure washing without the interference of the nosy neighbors.

We went to see Julie & Julia yesterday--very nice movie, and Meryl Streep was great as always. I got really hungry though--I didn't bring enough snacks, and I don't buy stuff at the theater. Better planning!

You know, I was looking at my test results again, and I realized that my total cholesterol has dropped even more. Two years ago, after I had lost most of my excess weight, the test gave 209, and now it's 192. My HDLs are up as well, almost to 60. And this is even with some weight regain. My body has really changed!

I'm still contemplating what to do about the arthritis pain in my back, though. I guess like anything else, consistency is going to be a big factor. I'm going to consult with my chiropractor tomorrow. (My MD is not opposed to chiropractic.) And yes, CD, core exercises are recommended by my MD as well. I had been doing some, but I think I was overdoing them, and then when the pain started I stopped completely. Time to ease back in...

Lori, I'm sure I've asked you where your dad stays in Fla.--am I right that it's near Ft. Myers?

Football pre-season has come at last... heh heh! :cheer2:

Where are all the rest of our posters? Don't tell me they all fell into a vat of chocolate somewhere... :eek:

Jay

Jay - :D I look how far you have come with your health and it IS a huge accomplishment. Particularly at our age, it really is HARD to make those numbers go in the right direction.

My cholesterol is down now too. I must have some genetic pre-disposition, since I was actually over 200 a year ago, and that doesn't make a lot of sense given my healthy diet (this was AFTER I lost my weight and changed my lifestyle) and my 26 years of being a vegetarian.

Stress can be a trigger though, so I worked this year on moving to reduced fat cheeses and stress management. It seems to have worked.

Today was busier than the usual Sunday. DH and I had to work both church services today, then shopping, then getting stuff done around here.

I have been craving lasagna all week, so I made a big pan of WW spinach, mushroom lasagna. It is GREAT!
DH wanted me to make cookies, and since the oven was already heated, I made walnut, pluot, WW and bran cookies (with Splenda). The recipe calls for extra NF milk powder and soy flour - and of course I substituted the okara (soy sludge left from making soy milk). Healthy little things, and quite tasty :D

I called my mom and chatted for two hours (normal for us).

Hope everyone comes back soon - we miss you!

Laurie

Hi everyone, just checking in! I've been out of town and then really busy with work, and the time just slips away.

DS#2 and and I visited family in Indiana for a week. I fell off of the diet wagon - HARD! I was almost 10 pounds over redline today and really have to get back on track. I have about 2 months to get back to optimal running weight for the fall and winter racing season. My first half marathon is in November! I just have to get back to basics. I know I'll lose it in a few weeks.(But I sure did enjoy those mid-western desserts)

School started back today, where did the summer go??

Hey MBN! I have no idea where the summer went. But they do start school a lot earlier now. I'm sorry about that for the kids--seems like their "free time" just gets more and more taken away. I think it's so great that you're a runner, MBN! I don't think I'll be running anytime soon--not until my back gets better. Besides, I need new shoes again.

CountingDown, thanks for the reminder that I have accomplished something good with my health. It's easy sometimes to look at the areas that maybe aren't so improved and to overlook the good things. How unfortunate that is!

My new computer is really great, but I've only got it about halfway set up. I keep having to actually do work, imagine that! But soon...

See ya!
Jay

Hi all - just a fly by. Not much new here - too much work, and a little bit of play leaves not much time to be online.

Have a great Thursday!

Laurie

:kickcan:

Jay

:rofl:

Here it is the last day of August already!

I'm trying to get a Time Capsule (Apple backup device) set up, but alas, it is giving me fits. Grrrrr! Sometimes I really hate network devices... This morning I'll give it another try. It has a terabyte of storage on it. Good grief. Things have sure changed since I first began with computers in the 1980s.

Anyone been to Mendocino? I haven't been there in over 20 years, but it's one of the side trips planned on our trip to California in October, which is getting closer!

Food has not been great, and I'm still struggling. Having difficulties with the evening munchies and not sure what to do about it. The gym stuff is still being adjusted because of my back difficulties. I'm feeling kind of frustrated! :?:

We're going to take a short trip to Tarpon Springs later this week--just an outing to see what's there--at one time it was a center for sponge harvest, before sponges were synthetic. I think they still do some small-scale sponge fishing.

Well, happy September!

Jay

Jay :hug: Maybe try some volumetrics tricks with your evening munchies. I snack on Fiber One cereal, broccoli slaw, etc. Lots of bulk and filling, without much damage to the calorie count. 100 cal bags of popcorn work well for me too.

I've never been to Mendocino, so I can't wait to hear about it when you return. Glad you are getting a trip this week too. It might be just the thing to get you back in the groove when you return.

Crazy busy week here - teachers are all "officially" back tomorrow - 3 days of training ahead. Which is usually exhausting! Thankfully, I'm caught up and spent the day preparing so it should go OK.

Laurie

Hi, new person here. My name is Joyce and I'm 53.
I'm a teacher too, going to do some shopping this morning and then bring it all to school. I can't afford to have food delivered (I'm a home Ec teacher) so I buy it and get it to school. With 12 blocks of Foods and Nutrition I do tend to spend a bit of time in the grocery store. Budget has been cut again, I have to be very creative in designing my course. Students are great though (grade 8-12) so I'm looking forward to the new year, Sept 8th is the first day.

Nice to meet you :)

Joyce :welcome: Glad to have you join us! Feel free to share recipes - we LOVE new recipes :D

We have the same problem with our school budget. VERY creative financing and scheduling going on right now!

I am new here, 53 years old, struggling to lose 50 pounds, I will be thrilled to be in one-derland even! (under 200)

Cindy - :welcome2: Glad you joined us! You absolutely CAN drop those pounds! I was 50 when I started my weight loss journey :D

Post often so we get to know you!

Greetings to AR4life and slimmercindy! Glad to see you on the board! I hope you post often.

Yeah, CD, volume might be part of the answer. I had popcorn last night--it was good. But sometimes, I don't know, I just want something sweet, and sometimes that turns into more. I'm better off if I just don't start with some foods. I have never been a big fan of chocolate--and yet lately if I have any, I can't stop with it. Must be that magic combination of sugar and fat, eh? :lol:

Anyway, I've also been having trouble since I had to cut down on exercise. I have to find a way to get more of it without going more strenuous--at least until my back issue resolves. I think I got a little too gung-ho earlier this year with the step class and trainer etc.

So, here's to a good day for all!

Jay

I also have back issues so I need to excersise and yet not throw my back out so I can still work. At the beginning it is hard not to go gung ho, I wish that feeling of gung ho would stay with me!

DH and I were talking, he said he'd rather have a little than none at all, I would rather have none than just a little, cuz just a little makes me eat more. Ice cream, cookies, white wine, doesn't matter what it is, I am better off staying completely away from it.

Hi all - just a quick fly-by I had to present a PowerPoint workshop after work tonight - I FINALLY made it home - what a LONG day.
I'm glad I walked, otherwise I wouldn't have gotten any exercise at all!

Stay OP everyone! WE CAN do this!

Oh I have been so busy. Went to the prairies for a 10 days and had a great time. Then came home for a couple of days and went to visit my DD in the interior of BC.
Hot hot hot everywhere I went. The good thing is that the heat makes me not want to eat. But I have been making up for it since I came home. :(

I am just back to work this week and I am dying here. This is a stressful job and we are all just getting too old to be working.

It was so nice to be off and to just relax. Plus the kitchen is just getting finished this week as it was all on hold for the month of August. Counter is done and sink and new taps in. The tiler has to come back tomorrow and do some silicone and then he is finished.

Now the floor is looking old but the money is gone for this year. I am so glad I did it. It looks fabulous.

I have been reading all the posts. Hi to all the newcomers, nice to hear from you. :welcome:

Laurie I get worn out reading your posts. Not sure how you do it. ;)

Jay I have the same lower back problems. I got some exercises from the physio and if you want to send me your fax number I will fax them to you. Very low key stretch type of exercise just for your back. Said to do them 2 x a day for the rest of my life. They do help when you do them. The pain goes away. You can do them on your bed in the morning. That easy. :exercise:

Lori so sorry to hear about you packing your classroom. That must have been very tough. Lots of memories. Good luck with the job hunt. xxx

I am at work but going home soon. Have not been to the gym in while but no excuses now the kitchen is done.

Have a great night everyone......:wave:

Hey folks! :wave:

Jude, I thought you'd disappeared! And... you did for awhile. Good to see you back! I'm so glad to hear that that kitchen is almost done... :faint:

Thanks for the thought about my back and the exercises. I do have the stretches--got them from my chiropractor. In the past, I had back pain mostly because of my weight, and with the combination of losing weight and getting fit, the pain went away.

But this new pain is something different from that, I think, and although stretching and exercising do help, the pain doesn't go away for long. My poor little vertebrae are just all upset. So, it's ice packs, sometimes hot packs, and over-the-counter anti-inflammatories for me.

Today we drove up to Tarpon Springs and visited the old sponge fishing docks. In the first half of the 20th century, this area was a major supplier of sponges, which were caught in the Gulf. A river connects the town to the Gulf. Tarpon Springs has the highest percentage of Greek-Americans of any city in the U.S.--their ancestors emigrated from Greece, where there was also a large sponge industry.

So the place is filled with Greek restaurants, and we went to one for lunch--Mama's, which is on Athens Street. I ordered the gyro platter, and they gave me enough meat to feed three people. So, that was lunch and dinner, and probably a meal tomorrow as well. Good, though! Oh, and we got a complementary dessert... baklava... only one of my most favorite things ever. :drool: It was heavenly, but oddly enough, a small square of baklava is not terribly high in calories. Only about 120.

So, I think it wasn't a low calorie day, but it could have been much worse if I didn't have some strategies now--like getting the takeout box!

We walked around after lunch, looked at shops, checked out the sponges--yes, they do still fish for sponges, although the synthetic sponges have just about eliminated the commercial fishing. They also have some boat tours along the Anclote River, which is an idea for next time.

Jay

Jude - SO glad to have you back! I'm feeling old this week too. Our district had a "buy out". I'm finding myself WISHING that I could retire (at least 3 years off), and envious of those that did.

With the budget situation, the tension level is almost at breaking point. While I enjoy challenges, it hasn't been much fun this summer or fall!

Jay - :cp: Spreading one restaurant meal into 2-3 has definitely been a huge success strategy for me Sounds like you made excellent choices all around.

I'm dragging today - yesterday was too much of everything, and when the cat jumped on me at 1:30 a.m. I could not get back to sleep. I finally dosed off as DH got up (4:45) and got a couple more hours of sleep.

Thus, I'm headed for bed soon. SO glad tomorrow is Friday!
I always quip that I really like my job excep the two weeks at then end of the year, and the two weeks at the beginning. One week down ...

Hope you are all having a great week!

Laurie

Hey! Did you all make it over? :lol:

-------------
Active Folks Over 50 is a place to talk about fitness and healthy eating information as it relates to weight loss and/or maintenance--and also about any work, fun, hobby, or volunteer activites you're engaged in. In other words, the active part of your life!

Just a few guidelines for this thread:

- Raves about grandkids or ranting about your kids is out of bounds.

- Lengthy discussion of your illnesses, conditions, treatments, and medical procedures in general is also out of bounds on this thread. So is whining about old age!

- Positive stories of vacations taken, volunteer work, or achievements at work or elsewhere are highly encouraged! As are recommendations for books, movies, discussions of weight related issues, etc.

Join in!
----------------------

I hope more of our regulars check in again soon...

Is anyone here a Nevada Barr mystery fan? Her protagonist is a park ranger named Anna Pigeon.

See ya!
Jay

:carrot:OH MY GOODNESS!!! I LOVE the Nevada Barr books! I have them all! My son was taking a class on mysteries and told me I would like her books. I did and the rest is history! I found them at the library and then one day yard saling I found someone who was selling her whole collection! I love her books! Nice to find someone else who does too!

Hope everyone has a wonderful and safe weekend!
Stay on plan!!!

I'm off to get some food prepped so we have convenient and OP choices all weekend!

Laurie

Hi all! I've been gone a while but have been OP for the last 2 months. Getting more and more into exercise so glad to find you!

I'm actually finding the food part easier the older I get - I don't know if it's all the practice I've had over the years or the lack of hormones!

For the evening munchies - I don't eat after 7 but I make sure to get very full before then: Veggies and salsa; a whole cucumber with spices; a large glass of V-8 is very filling!

Glad to meet you!

Kris - welcome back :) I love your signature - inch by inch is GREAT! And so true!!!!

Hope everyone is having a good weekend! We are just hanging around home trying to get some chores done. Winter will be here before I know it!

I did get quite a bit of cooking done today - I shouldn't have to do much else in the kitchen this week other than cook some vegetables and prepare a salad or two.

I'm off to spend time by the fire tonight - we need to take advantage of this glorious evening!

Hey Buttercup! Right now I'm reading Borderline by Nevada Barr. What's your favorite book? I really liked A Superior Death, just to name one.

Everyone doing their "farewell to summer" Labor Day gatherings today? ;) We seem to have plenty of summer weather left, although it's almost coolish in the mornings these days. (Temp must have dropped "a" degree.) We bought some all-beef hotdogs and buns and some Bush's Grillin' Beans, and that's going to be our Labor Day dinner.

I have been working all weekend trying to catch up on a project that has turned out to be bigger than anyone thought... a rather troubled textbook (for those who don't know, I'm an editor). It's a terrible way to spend a long weekend, but these things happen now and then. :book2:

Here's to showing restraint with the parties! :high:

Jay

No big party plans here. DH is working and DS2 is at a gaming party with his friends. I have a quiet day planned - a little shopping, cleaning, exercise, cooking, gardening and maybe even a nap :)

Enjoy your holiday, all!

Hi Everyone,

See my Halloween Challenge

http://t3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:cz8LbyGDjHHUoM:http://www.365halloween.com/wp-content/uploads/2006/09/halloween-candy-06.jpg

And here we are, with September marching along! :cb: :broc: :cb:

Finally dug my way out from under the weekend assignment. Whew!

CD, I'm glad you're enjoying the fires in the evening. How long will you be able to do that?

Last night celery was my "life saver" as far as the evening snacking. I also watched an episode of "Hoarders" about a food hoarder. That was enough to put you completely off eating! :p

Football season starts this week, which is a cheering thought for me! Sometimes when you spend your workday thinking really hard about highly technical stuff, it's nice to turn to something like sports viewing.

I went to the gym yesterday for a good workout! I realized that I had been letting my achey back cause me to cut my workouts short. No no! :no: The idea is supposed to be, an hour workout, but doing gentler movements and easier routines! So that's what I did.

See ya!
Jay

Jay - :cp: on the workout! I thought of you when I got home tonight. It was a typical first day of school - exhausting! We had a wine-tasting event to attend tonight, so it would have been easy to skp my workout. But, I thought of you and lifted weights for 25 minutes before we walked down to the event.

We can continue to sit out well into October, if we want to bundle up. Right now, the weather is still in the 60s and quite nice. Who knows how long these warm evenings will last. It has been a weird summer - very cold for us. We had frost a week ago :yikes:

Hope everyone had a nice start to the week!

Hi everyone. So the labor day weekend is done. It always feels like the end of summer for somr reason. Yet we are supposed to have great weather this weekend coming. I have booked Monday off to have another long weekend.
It is my birthday on Thursday and usually take that off. :celebrate:

But this year it was all taken. :(

I am having a heck of a time getting back OP. Funny that not eating enough can have just as bad as an effect as eating too much. Somewhere along the line I went into catch up. Today is a better day.

I tried to get to the gym but had a workman show up that I was not expecting. I finally paid off the counter people as they are finally finished. Asked if there was a discount for pain and suffering. He said I got a new sink. I answered I did not want one. Such is life. No discount.

But it looks fabulous and I love it.

So one day this week I will get to the gym even if it is only one day. That is my plan and I will stick to it. I hope to start going more on the weekends. There is alway time for an hour at the gym.

Laurie you sound like you had a relaxing weekend. Love the sound of your outside fire.
Jay take it slow on the back. I think you are right when you say you may have overdone it with the trainer.
There was a women in our newpaper from Ontario that at 67 years old she is a trainer. She started working out when she was 50. Now that is the person I would like to use. A 30 something male trainer has no idea how I feel.
To bad she was not from here. I would have gone.

Hope you are all having a great day. Time to get serious. Another season approaches.........Jude :flame:

Isn't it funny, CD? Seems like there is always a little time for a little workout, if we just get ourselves there. I didn't go to the gym yesterday, but I did a short routine with my 4 pound handweights while watching a little TV around dinnertime.

Jude, I tell ya, I am so happy your counter and sink are finally complete and look great. Wow, what a story, huh? I guess a lot of people have remodeling stories of that nature. :yikes:

I like the idea of a 67-year-old trainer, and I wish I had her, too. I think my back flare-up is a combination of the trainer showing me new moves, plus the step class on top of it, plus my regular workout days. I suppose I was a bit too optimistic! I'd like to get back to the step class again, though One of the reasons I changed gyms was to be able to take classes like this. But, the back has to settle down first. It's not doing too bad the last week :crossed:

I have been doing OK with food, but I could do better.

OK, I have to get to work now. :wave:

Jay

Hi Everyone,

Our current Halloween Challenge has a NEW and EXCITING addition. Points and a Virtual Award are being incorporated.

Here’s how it will work. Each challenger will post 3 goals – you pick.

For example, mine are
1) avoid sweets (candy, cookies, cake, ice cream);
2) exercise at least 60 minutes/day;
3) eat fewer than 1,200 calories/day.

Challengers will earn 1 point for each day they post + 1 point for each goal they meet on that day. Therefore, challengers can earn up to 4 points/day.
At the end of the challenge (November 14) the person with the most points will win our virtual award –

http://t0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:SEukNlpGixw8JM:http://www.pastrykicks.com/v5/wp-content/uploads/2009/06/winner.jpg

From the day of winning until the end of the next challenge, the winner will post our virtual award as part of her signature (or as her avatar if she prefers).

She will be known far and wide as the WINNER of the 50+ Challenge until there is a new winner to a new Challenge to take the trophy from her.

Our Points + Virtual Award addition will begin next Monday on September 14. This will give everyone a chance to join up & select their 3 goals.

So, if you have not already joined our Halloween Challenge, come on up to the Sticky Area, open up the Halloween Challenge thread, and set up your space!

Jude http://www.commentsxo.com/myspace-graphics/images/Happy_Birthday//prod_213_2723.gif (http://www.commentsxo.com)

So glad your kitchen is done. I bet it looks wonderful!


Jay - I hope your back is on the mend. It must be very frustrating for you! Hang in there with the food. It is hard sometimes!

My week is less stressful than I thought it would be. Things are going fairly well at work, and I'm thankful that I am seeming to balance the start of the year better than previous years. Still MAJOR personnel issues - but I'm wiser this time around - I am not going to stress about stuff that is out of my control.

Thus, I am staying OP without much difficulty. The stress eating is pretty much out of the picture http://fc06.deviantart.com/fs43/f/2009/110/6/c/Rainbow_8D_by_MyrthJ.gif

I splurged on an electric tea kettle this weekend - well after leaving the regular one on the burner too long for the second time this year :o. I decided it was worth the $$ to keep me from having a major kitchen accident. Not wearing my hearing aids on the weekend can be problematic :yikes:

I'm really liking it - so easy to use and it shuts itself off :D

Enjoy the day!

Laurie

Oh I have to laugh Laurie. I did the same thing and the second time the kettle almost melted into the stove. Scary thing. Love the new one with automatic off. I even got a coffee pot with auto off. Great thing.

I guess dealing with stress is on the burner for everyone. I have tried to remember when my life was not in chaos. It has just been this year that I have decided to quit trying to change it and just spend my life with people and things that are less chaotic.
Now if I could just figure out what to do about work. But I need to be thankful to have a job. I am retiring in 4 years. WooooHoooo!!

Then I will be looking for some entertainment. Food is a bit better today. I got flowers from my boss for my birthday and they are sitting on my desk. Very nice bouquet. Can not complain about that.

So the start of another year for me tomorrow. Getting old but getting wiser and hopefully a little calmer. Thanks to all of you for all your help the past year.
Cheers......Jude :0

Jude :bday2you:

I had another good evening thanks to celery. I'm glad I love celery!

Gosh, I guess chaos just comes and goes... from time to time I clear it out, but it always reappears. :dunno: But my life is probably less chaotic than many folks' lives.

This afternoon a friend is coming over, and the plan is to go to Panera later. I got blindsided at Panera a couple of years ago, so I'm going to do some research first, see what the better choices are. I love the asiago roast beef sandwich, but it is just loaded with calories... so, must assert myself!

I noticed ladyinweighting's challenge, and I wondered why one gets a point for eating under 1200 calories... hmmmm...

See ya!
Jay

Well, the plan changed, and the friend isn't coming over after all. But, we'll probably still go out to eat somewhere, if not Panera.

If I get a half asiago roast beef sandwich, it is "only" 360 calories, so that's a possibility.

Jay

I love Panera - I wish we had one closer (100 miles). I also love that their menu and nutritional info is online :)

The week is getting busier - I think I jinxed it by saying I had it under control :lol:

But, balance is important so one of the HS secretaries is having a wine-tasting party tonight. I have no idea what it entails, but I'm outta here shortly. I haven't done a "girls night out" in a long time.
DH can finish the roof in my absence :yes:

Have a great evening all!

Hey! :wave:

We have rain again, after four or five days of dryish weather.

My weight is down a bit this morning, which always is a good start. I keep thinking I should weigh only once a week, but it's so tempting every morning.

I'm determined not to work this weekend, having had to work Labor Day. And that's that! I have a few little projects around the house to spend some time on.

Oh, that lunch at Panera was good! Stayed with the half roast beef sandwich. But you know, even though the bread is good, it was really just a half roast beef sandwich. Not that much better than Subway, I thought. I took the cheese off of it--they use a smoky cheese that detracts from the sandwich, to my taste.

Well, for those of you who, like me, are football fans, have an exciting weekend! :cheer3: :cheer3: :cheer3:

Jay

Proud to say I've stayed OP for 28 days straight. It's amazing how much better I feel not feeling stuffed and having a more even temperament and energy all day.

After all these years, this is what works for me:

Rolling out of bed at the crack of dawn and exercising - gets it done and out of the way and I actually look forward to it now!

Getting control of my evening pig-outs - My hardest out-of-control eating time of the day is from 5 pm until bedtime. Now I might eat a pickle when I get home, maybe a sliced cucumber w/seasoning, probably a full glass of water. Then eat dinner of a big veggy salad with chicken and cheese or a big mostly vegetable omelet with cheese and ham and a tall glass of V-8. Evening is the only time I really limit by carbs except for veggies. I eat before 7 and then I brush my teeth. Nothing after 7 and nothing after clean teeth. I am so full I don't want anything else. I have not spiked my sugar levels with carbs where I just crave more carbs and I do not fall asleep in front of the tv.

Lastly, the times I want to pick up fast food on the way home or really eat everything in the kitchen when I get home, I stop and think: What is going on, what am I trying to fill? For me, it is boredom and loneliness. I've used food so as to not feel either emotion. But you're still bored, you're still lonely and you've spent too much money, feel too stuffed and fall asleep in front of the tv. Much better to pick up the phone or get online or take a walk or go visit a friend and actually address the real problem.

It's taken all these years to learn this but that's the really good part about being 50+.

kris - :woohoo: Great insight, and wonderful progress!
Controlling non-hunger eating is such a key. I found that exercising first thing in the morning really helped me as I was losing weight. It was such a positive start to the day!

Jay - :congrat: on the loss! And on staying OP at Panera! I hope you were able to stay away from work. I'm on a similar quest this weekend. This is the first time I turned on my computer all day and I am DETERMINED that I will not check my work email or computer until Monday.

A good day here - good balance. Cleaning, laundry, knitting, gardening, and a nice fire outside this evening.

Hope you all are having a balanced and OP weekend too!

Laurie

Thanks for your kind words Laurie! I am also looking for balance in my days - tend to be excessive with unactive pursuits like tv and eating and computer gazing. On the weekends balance it with a little yard work, some friend and family time, some exercise, a little housework, some reading and you've had a very productive, satisfying day!

Got caught yesterday too hungry, eating lunch at 2 pm at Chili's. Got a salad with dressing on the side - salad came with fried chicken on top! Oh no! Enjoyed that salad I must tell you! Came home, looked online and saw it was 1090 calories. With my yogurt that morning, I only had about 200 calories for the evening meal. Eggs and veggies to the rescue and all is well on the scale this morning. There's always a way back on track. :carrot:

Can anyone jump into this thread? I've been reading it and it seems like a good place to post my progress one week into my program.

Three pounds lost! I know that I will not continue to lose weight at this speed but that's okay...at least I know that what I'm doing is working!

I've been extremely on-track this first week - I exercised every single day and have stuck like glue to my program. According to MyFoodDiary.com I started out eating too much saturated fat each day, but I got that down to a good level and have had some good days where I had no frowny faces.

I also learned that one glass of wine is okay, but two is not. I had one night (Friday night) when I had that second glass of wine, and even though it was within my calorie limit my daily report told me that much wine might decrease my metabolism of fat and increase my appetite. So it's one glass of wine period. And I didn't have it every night; I've decided that I will limit it to 3 or 4 nights a week. I've never been a big drinker but I do love a nightly glass of wine!

Thanks for all the support provided here - I really like being here with the others my age, because we have struggles unique to us.

I have to give a great deal credit to 3FC for helping me to get focused and stay on track this first week.

And I can't wait until my 20 days are up and I can put up a tracker in my siggy!

Hi everyone!

kris2008, yeah, those little surprises at restaurants. :yikes: I have had a few of those. What I learned was to look up places ahead of time--and check calorie counts--and I carry a business card-sized list in my wallet of different places and the options. Chilis is one of them! Also TGIFridays. That way I don't get a 1000 cal surprise. :faint:

SouthernMaven, :congrat: on those 3 pounds! :cheer2: :cheer3: And of course you can jump on--you can do that with any thread in 3FC if the topic interests you. Glad to have you here!

Went for my walk this morning even though it is so humid... bleah! I have an appointment for a massage in half an hour, so I'd better get ready. Massage is the best thing! Talk about stress reduction. :D

Jay

Hi Everyone,

Is everyone ready for tomorrow? The BIG Day - 1st day of our Challenge! Check out the Halloween Challenge thread in the Sticky area.

Lynn

SouthernMaven :welcome: We are delighted to have you here :) :woohoo: on the loss!!!!

Jay - hope you enjoyed your massage. I've STILL never had one. I keep talking about it, but never seem to follow through.

A quiet day here - I plan to cook for the week again. School is still crazy and I have church meetings 3 nights this week. If I'm going to get any exercise at all, I won't be able to spend time cooking.

I should get my sweater finished today - I'm done with the knitting, I just need to assemble and put on the final touches.

Enjoy the rest of your weekend all!

Laurie

I turned 50 yesterday, so now I can "officially" be here! :D

Right now, I'm struggling to lose 5-10 pounds that suddenly attached themselves to my body since mid-August. Yes, I overindulged during a vacation in August, but all of the "normal" things I've done in the past to compensate just suddenly stopped working. I swear it's hormone wackiness at work. So THIS week, I'm upping the exercise and dropping the calories, and hoping for the best. I'll see if I can't get that doggone scale to move in the right direction.

I really need to get back to within my maintenance range for running season! My first half marathon is in November, and right now (with the extra weight and lingering Florida heat) I am slow, slow, slow. 10 pounds extra bloat makes a huge difference in my running speed and endurance. I'm still keeping my mileage up, did a 12 mile long run on Sunday, but it was ugly. But I figure it's the same calorie burn no matter how long it takes!

Hope you all have a great day!

Happy Birthday
MBN

Good luck with your marathon training.

http://www.commentsxo.com/myspace-graphics/images/Happy_Birthday//prod_213_2730.gif (http://www.commentsxo.com)
MBN!

Congrats on your running! I can WALK 12 miles, but I can't run down the block (bad knees) :lol: You are AWESOME!

Happy Birthday, MBN!!! :cheer2: You are really amazing!

We had a friend come and visit yesterday from our old neighborhood south of where we live now. It was fun to see her! We went to TGIFridays where I had the salmon (and didn't eat all the pasta). Later we stopped for homemade ice cream in town. I don't eat it often, but I sure enjoyed it.

I am SO EXCITED about seeing Susan Boyle on America's Got Talent tonight. I never watch America's Got Talent or any of those reality/talent scout shows, but I got caught up in Susan's story. She has a new song that's leaked out on YouTube and she's going to sing it on the show. I've listened to it, and all I can say is, Wow.

I'm off to the gym in a few minutes, so I'll catch you all later!
:lifter:

Jay

Well for heavens sake. Did I kill the thread? :lol:

Loved hearing Ms. Boyle sing!

Went for a walk today, later went to the gym and did the rowing machine followed by the exercise bike. Food is still doing OK, but I think I have to stop weighing every day for awhile. If the number goes down, I tend to sabotage myself. Sigh... it's hard, though.

Jay

Nope - not you.
I'm just crazy busy his week. I hear you about the scale - but I have to admit - I would have a tough time not visiting it every day.

That being said - you know what works best for you.

I didn't catch Susan - I plan to watch it this weekend - I'm sure it is out on the net somewhere.

I'm TRYING to get some balance - thus, I'm spending much less time online. HOPEFULLY work will slow down a bit soon - if not, at least we have a vacation planned in a couple weeks :D

I got some knitting done tonight, weight lifting, and organizing some of my music on my Zen.

Not terribly exciting - but at least it wasn't work or a meeting - which has dominated the last couple weeks!

Hi everyone. Have been crazy busy here at work. I am slowly getting back on plan and happy about that. Still having some struggles but they are diminishing.
Had some kind of appointment everyday this week. Dentist doctor etc. It is just that yearly thing. But all is good for now.

Laurie - what sort of sweater did you knit. Happy birthday to MBN and any running at all impresses the heck out of me.
Jay how is your back doing???

Check back asap......Jude

I've had a good week - on plan plus extra exercise. I'm seeing a little progress, but weekends are my downfall. I HAVE to stay on plan this weekend if I want to see any progress -- one out-of-control day can negate a whole week's good work! I've gone back to the strategy of planning out (and writing down) each day's eating plan ahead of time, rather than making it up as I go along. That seems to help. I've also been avoiding sweets and simple starches like the plague, since that seems to always set me off. I'm sitting right now at 5 lbs above red-line, and I'd like to lose down to the lower end of my range for running season. So - 8-9 pounds from here.

Our on-site fitness center is doing a first ever "Run@work" event. 2 laps around the building (which is 2 miles total) with hoopla, medals for finishers, etc. I think it will be fun, but am not looking forward to running at 11 am, when the temperature will be around 90 degrees! I never usually run later than 7 am!! I can't wait for this South FL heat to diminish .. come on Fall!

Now - time for more coffee! :coffee:

Hi all - so glad it is the weekend! I'm excited to report that our team (actually DH's pharmacy team at the hospital) took 3rd place in the "Let's Get Moving Northern Michigan" challenge. AND - DH took 3rd place overall - which netted him $250 :D

During the 4 month challenge you got "miles" for your exercise, and water, veggie, and fiber intake each day. I finished in the top 10 as well :D All those miles of walking to work really add up :woohoo:

I'm looking forward to a quiet weekend. Work is still a mess, and I need to let it go for a couple days.

Hope you all have something fun planned!

Laurie

I'm new to this forum. I started weight watchers one week ago, first weigh in is tomorrow. I've stayed on plan all week. I've been to the gym three times this week, riding the bike and lifting weights, and will go to a pilates class on Sunday. Been laid up for four months with a stress fracture but turning things around now. I feel great. What a positive forum this is.

Hey zippymoss1! :wel3fc:

Glad to see you here! Let us know how the weigh-in goes, if you want.

Jude, my back requires daily care, so that's what I've been giving it. No more of this hurting and hoping it will get better on its own. But, I am feeling better as a result.

MBN, I would never run at that hour in Fla.! :yikes: Have you noticed the vultures circling? :lol:

I've been doing logistic planning for the trip next month to the SF Bay Area. I am so excited to go back! So many places have been renovated and changed. I just found out about CityPass, so I'm ordering those... great savings if you want to do "touristy" things, which I do!

Time for me to eat breakfast here and get out for my walk... See ya!

Jay

zippy :welcome:
WOW - what a GREAT week you have had! You are off to an excellent start - keep it up and those 37 lbs. will be gone forever :)

Jude - I finished a "bolero" sweater last week, now I'm knitting a chunky cardigan with 3/4 length sleeves. It is knit with 3 strands. I'm using virgin wool, with two different shades of brown, and one of camel. I'll post a pic when I'm done.

MBN - planning is KEY. The run sounds like fun. Well - I would have to walk it, but the event sounds like fun ;)

Hi all, hope you are having a great start to the weekend. We are beginning prep for the trip in two weeks. I contacted a cousin I haven't seen in YEARS. We will be within a few miles of where she lives and it looks like we will be able to drop in for a visit.

This is GREAT news. Growing up there were 3 of us (cousins) that were all the same age and went to the same elementary school. It will be fun to see her again :)

You would think that living in the same state we would see each other more often - but the truth is that where she lives is about 350 miles from here. We haven't been up there in about 10 years.

I need to get out in the gardens today. There is lots of fall cleanup that needs to be done. It looks like it will be a beautiful day here in northern MI :)

Oh, and even with all the stress and crazyness - my weight is still the same. :woohoo:

Hope everyone has a POP day :)

Jay - plan enough time for each event on your City Pass. It is a GREAT (and relatively inexpensive) way to see the sights. We bundled a couple of the museums too close together, and I don't think I enjoyed it as much.

Also - take gloves and a hat or hood for the boat tour (if it is still part of the pass). It can get COLD on the bay. You may not need them, but compared to FL it will probably feel cold.

That way you can sit on the top deck and really enjoy the trip. DH and I were the only ones that had them (we toured in November) and everyone looked longingly at them.

You will have a GREAT time. I'm wishing I could go along already :yes: We won't get back there until after the first of the year. The kids are still settling into the new place, and with trying to juggle 3 families in one house - no room for parents right now :(

3.2 lbs towards my first goal. Yipee!

:congrat: Barb :D

Thanks. Having trouble changing my signature to show the loss. Hmmm. I'll check out technical problems.

Hey! :cheer2: :cheer2: :cheer2: Great job, Barb!!

Jay

Hi, I'm new to this forum, I usually post in the 100+ forum, and I'm also in the BL challenge, and last week I signed up for the Halloween Challenge here.

I will try to catch up and hope to get to meet all of you. :D

************

Institches, :welcome3:

We like to talk about all sorts of activities--volunteer, work, vacations, sports, etc. in this thread--thus the title!

CountingDown, thanks for the reminder about the gloves and hat. I do remember what it's like out on the bay. Years ago I took sailing lessons on San Francisco Bay--it was one of the highpoints!

Hope you've all been having a good weekend. I'm doing well just chuggin' along here. I went clothes shopping on Saturday, which I hate. I always have hated shopping, no matter my size. Right now I am at an in-between size, which means I can't find the right sizes in petite or regular at many stores.

But, I did get two pairs of nice new jeans at Lane Bryant--I'm going to need some long pants for SF. They have interesting new sizing in LB--at least, it's new to me. The smallest size is a 1, then 2, 3, 4, etc. It translates as 14, 16, 18, 20, etc. I needed 16 petite, and they fit great. They are the lower-rise style, but it turns out that's a good fit for me. Also, LB has this "right fit" tailoring, based on what body shape you have. My waist isn't that much different from my hip size, and in the past, I've often settled for men's levis.

(Probably most of you folks know this already, but I am so out of touch with shopping.)

Jay

Institches :welcome: Glad you joined us!

Jay - congrats on finding pants - they are the WORST for me. Jeans are particularly hard. I FINALLY found a brand and size I like - and I can now order them on ebay.

I spent much of the day cooking for the week. It will be another busy one - with a conference for work starting tomorrow.

Hope you all have a great Monday!

Laurie

Just in case you didn't see it -
A bit of sad news (http://www.3fatchicks.com/forum/diabetes-support/182218-meowee.html).

She will be missed by us all!

I just feel so sad to know Linda (Meowee) has gone! :cry:

For the new folks, Meowee was moderator on the Age 50+ forum and also some other forums.

Jay

I'm so sorry to hear of her passing, it so very hard on the ones left behind.


Thank you for the welcome. I also spent the day cooking, but did set aside an hr to get in some exercise, DH was hogging the TV, one football game after another.... could not do my TJ or Yoga DVD, and, since it was such, a beautiful day, I went for a long walk, just me and my ipod, wonderful.

Hope everyone has a great week!

Happy Monday everyone! For the first time in quite a while, I had an "on plan" weekend! Yay! I've been doing some extra workouts and being very diligent with my eating plan, and am finally starting to see some progress. I actually saw numbers under 120 for the first time in a while, which is very encouraging. My goal is to be back comfortably mid to low maintenance range in time for my first half marathon on Nov 15 (if not before!). :D

We had that run@work event on Friday and it was fun. There were as many walkers as runners, so it was very accessible. I did pretty good, considering, finishing the 2 mile run in a little under 18.5 minutes. It was certainly HOT! But, I was the winning female, how about that! There are DEFINITELY faster female runners at work, but I guess they just didn't come out that day. I think we're supposed to win something, but they haven't told us what yet. I'll just take the glory! :encore:

JayEll - Congrats on finding jeans that work, I think that's the hardest thing no matter what your size or shape! I'm really short, but curvy, and everything is either too low rise or gaps in the waist or something. I have exactly ONE pair of jeans that fit me perfectly from Coldwater Creek, and now they don't seem to make that particular fit anymore. <sigh>

I was very sorry to hear about Meowee's passing. My thoughts and prayers are with her family and friends.

Happy Equinox, everyone!

MBN, :bravo: on your run! My hat is off to you!

Institches21, I think you need a separate TV with a DVD player--so that your workout doesn't depend on football season! But going for a walk was excellent. I walk almost every day and I really enjoy it, and sometimes I think it does me as much good as anything else I do.

More work for me today... and trying to get trip plans firmed up. CD, yes, I want to avoid having too much in each day. I hate going on vacations and coming out feeling exhausted.

Jay

Institches - do you have a DVD player in your computer? I've been known to do a workout with my computer screen ;)
Exercisetv.tv has some free nline workouts too :)

MBN - :cp: AWESOME! You go girl!

Jay - Walking is my mainstay too. This time of year, a couple weight workouts and walking are all I can manage. I slid in 5 miles today - but it was only a mile or so at a time. Some days are like that!

Hope everyone got a great start to the week.

Laurie

Sorry to hear about Linda. Did know she was that sick.

Thanks JayEll and CountingDown for the great advice. Might need to move the extra, TV and DVD to my computer room, and never thought to use my computer to play my exercise DVD's.

JayEll, enjoy your vacation, and I'm with you, some trips you need a few days to recover, your plan sounds much better.

Well hope the week is going well for everyone-take care

Hi all - not much to report. Still working way too many hours. Thankfully, I'm walking to work, so I'm getting in a few miles every day. Otherwise :yikes:

I'm looking forward to hiking in the UP. It should be a welcome change from TECHNOLOGY.

One more day until the weekend:)

Hope your's is a great one!

Hi everybody! :wave:

I finally got through a very long chapter I was editing. :faint: Gosh, it was a hard one because of the length. But, it's as long as other chapters of similar books. :dunno:

This weekend I'm going to do a little more shopping in hopes of finding some more dressy pants, and maybe a top or two, if I can stand it.

I also have some yard work to do, but not anything too hard.

We found out that the standing water in our back yard wasn't just because of the rain. There was a leak in the main water pipe underneath! Plumbers fixed it a couple days ago--took about four hours and lots of digging. Fortunately the condo association pays for it since water is part of the monthly maintenance fee.

Anyway, things are drying out now... but the yard is a mess.

Jude, I didn't know Meowee was that sick, either. She had had a cough that wasn't going away, though. :-(

I hope you're all having an on-plan time of it! Hang in there!

Jay

Another 1.4 lbs down for a total of 4.6 I'm very happy about it. I've also kept up the exercising - gym three times a week and pilates once a week. Next week I hope to add an hour of yoga, which I've heard is offered at lunch time in the basement of my office. I feel really good and really motivated. Three cheers for -4.6!

Jay - good luck with the shopping. Dress pants are hard for me to find, unless I plan on tailoring (which I hate). I'm in process of changing my "seasons" in my closet. Thus, I need to develop a clothing management plan - which is a fancy way of saying that I need to STOP shopping ;)

Glad the chapter is done :woohoo:

Barb - :cp: FANTASTIC! You are making wonderful progress. Keep up what you are doing.

I worked for a few hours this morning - stuff that had to be done with everyone off the server. And, I got the usual Saturday chores done. DH is working and DS2 is off to a friend's wedding.

As soon as I finish the closet, I am headed downtown to the Fall Festival. Hopefully DH will be able to meet me. It should be a fun evening!

6 days to vacation - and counting down ;)

Laurie

This group was recommended to me by CountingDown (I think). Seems like a perfect fit for me. I am definitely over 50 and definitely active. Actually, "busy" might be a better word than active. I need to increase my physical activity and I will, I just don't have all my ducks in a row yet.

I work full time, love RV'ing, family activities, reading, and always seem to be volunteering to help out at my son's school or our church. I need to tweak my schedule so I have more time for me, but I love doing everything I'm doing, so that is part of the challenge. This was a typical weekend... Friday: worked all day, "customized" a t-shirt for granddaughter, attended son's HS football game; Today: Worked 6 hours for a Jambalaya fund raiser for the Wrestling team, then household chores, out to eat with hubby for a special anniversary; Sunday: church, help chaperone swim party, then back to church for Children's choir practice (I direct) followed by adult choir practice. I need to squeeze in some grocery shopping tomorrow too.

See what I mean? Busy, but not moving enough.

Looking forward to losing enough pounds so that I can be clothes shopping for smaller sizes like so many of you are doing!

So many of you have lost so much weight! It's inspiring!

PrincessGrandma :welcome: So glad you found us over here :)

You ARE active - I'm tired just reading your post :lol:

My schedule gets crazy too among work, family, and volunteer obligations. I have found that the easiest way to get in my workouts is to sneak in exercise whenever I can. I get up 15 minutes earlier and do some yoga or stretchie band exercises. I walk to work (or park a few blocks away if I need my car). I walk at lunch. I lift weights for 15 minutes after I get home from work. I take the stairs a few extra times each day - you get the picture.

I have several DVDS that are part of the 10 Minute Solution series. You can do 1,2,3,4, or 5 of the workouts - in any combination. That pretty much takes away my excuse that I am too busy. I can always find 10 minutes SOMETIME during the day ;)

Having a good day here - I finished my sweater, and wore it to church today. I just love chunky knit sweaters. And the ones in the store are that cheapie acrylic yarn. My virgin wool one just feels great :D

I'm off to cook for the week. Protein bars to make, and a few main dishes. Oh, and apples were on sale so a HEALTHY apple crisp is definitely on the menu :yes:

Hope you are all having a great start to the week!

5 days to vacation and counting down ;)

Seasons, what are seasons? Here, you know it's fall when the overnight temps drop below 78. :p

My running group is starting to ramp up marathon training. We did a hot and sweaty 12 miles yesterday morning, with 13 miles planned for next week. I don't go past 14 or 15 miles, though because I don't need to -- I only run half marathons! Full marathons are way too much like work ....

I stayed mostly-on-plan over the weekend. I always eat more on Sat-Sun to fuel the long runs, but my selections were mostly on plan foods. I did have one piece of leftover fried chicken on Saturday, but otherwise I did good. I'm always up a couple of pounds on Monday after my long run, but my high is still a couple of pounds less than last weeks', so making progress!

Hope you all have a great Monday!

Gosh, MBN, don't you like Florida? ;)

Welcome, PrincessGrandma! :welcome3: We're happy to have you join us!

Busy week here. CD, you're "counting down" and so are we! I can hardly wait to get to the Bay Area. I can't believe you're wearing sweaters already... but then, as MBN pointed out, we're still in summer here. But, we should have a "cold front" this week drop the nighttime temps into the high 60s!

I'll be taking the computer on my trip, but I won't have regular internet access--so, I'll be mostly missing in action from Oct. 9 - 19.

I didn't make it to the mall for any further clothes shopping on the weekend. Maybe this week... If I can gear up for it!

Jay

MBN - sounds like you are doing GREAT - honestly, I would keel over running in the heat (probably keel over running period :lol).

I've been to Florida once - in March - and got sun poisoning - while trying to stay OUT of the sun. I am so true to my northern European heritage - I get sicker than a dog in the heat and humidity. Even visiting my Mom in TN is difficult in spring.

Jay - I so wish I was going with you. I can't wait to get back to the bay area again. You are going to have a WONDERFUL time!!!! The City Pass should be fun - I have lots of pictures in my digital frame from the year we bought ours. :D

Yes, sweaters are necessary here right now. The wind chill is in the low 40s. It looks like it will be in the 40s and 50s in the UP, so I need to make sure I take some warm hiking gear.

Laurie

I really do love Florida, even though I will complain about the heat. The wonderful "winter" weather more than makes up for the summer! I joke that I grew up in the Midwest (Indiana) and moved to Florida on purpose. I take the boys to visit my folks every Christmas -- my native FL kids LOVE the snow and frigid weather, and I can't wait to get out of it! Flying back home in Jan to palm trees and balmy breezes just never gets old.

It's just that by this time of year, I'm MORE than ready for that subtle weather change that signals the onset of what we know as fall weather. Even when you are acclimated to the heat, it's still just - hot. Running and playing in the cooler fall and winter temps is just plain easier.

Jay -- what a fun trip you have planned! The Bay area is beautiful.

MBN--it's COOL this morning! :broc: :cb: :broc: :cb:

Jay

Yes, we got our first "cold front" ... the night-time low was all the way down to 77! :p

I've been working REALLY hard to lose those few stubborn pounds. Extra workouts, very strict eating, etc. Several weeks ago, I couldn't get the scale to move to save my life and the last week or two, I'm all of a sudden seeing a loss, even though I'm not doing anything differently. I was 115.8 this morning, less than a pound above red-line. I don't think it's physically possible for me to lose 4 pounds in like, 2 weeks, so I have to believe it's hormone wackiness at work. Whatever the reason, I'll take it!

Today is a long day for me ... busy at work with meetings until 6 pm, then off to church to practice a puppet ministry skit for Sunday worship, followed by choir practice until 9 pm. It will be quick leftovers for dinner, or the boys will just have to be on their own!! (Since the youngest is 15, I think they can handle it) :D

I can't believe it's October already!!

Hey! :wave: I guess it's time to close this thread and start a new one! So I'll do that after posting.

MBN, that's what's called a whoosh. When I was losing, I once went for three weeks without dropping at all--and then the fourth week... whoosh! Four pounds in one week. I was doing nothing differently.

My thought on this is that we really can't figure out what's going to happen day by day with weight because the body is too complex. I could have been losing fat all along during that month, but it could have been offset by increased water weight. Who knows? Whatever the reason, consistency over time seems to get results.

OK, see you all on the new thread!

Jay