300+ Club - 300+ and Getting Fit after 40 #230

This thread is a sub-set of the 300+ thread.

This group is for those dealing with the challenges of having a significant amount of weight to lose and being fit which becomes harder after age 40. If you're an old or new friend and not over 40 and feel this is the place to post, jump right in.

Morning! I had a great, rejuvenating weekend away, but am in the thick of things today. Lots of challenges ahead, but I'm feeling prepared to meet them.

I skimmed posts this weekend, but haven't really caught up. Hope you're all doing well!

wow we are in for a fall like day here.I am so ready for the crispness in the air.
I plan on getting outside and enjoying it.
food was ok over the weekend.I came in perfect with calories even though all my choices werent the best.
This week I plan on getting alot acomplished on my house and yard.

Hi ladies,

I'm back. Gosh, can't believe its been so long.

Work has gotten extremely busy with a new, huge project that will take more than a year. Job security for another year! I dodged a trip to Chicago for three days. I was able to "attend" by sitting in a conference room and listening via phone and watching via webcast.

I've been sick. I've had an upper respiratory infection type of thing going on now for maybe three weeks. I'm still not 100% and I've been to the doc and she said to ride it out. Rather annoying though. I lost my voice for a few days and hasn't been the same since.

We just got back from vacation. DH and I took my mom out to Arizona to see her sister. Her youngest sister lives in Sierra Vista. We stayed there a couple of days and then drove up to the Sedona area. That area is so gorgeous. DH and I took a day to drive on up to the Grand Canyon. I haven't been there since I was a kid. OMG, it is just breathtaking. Then we were back to Sierra Vista for another couple of days before driving home. That was a long two-day drive.

I've got a couple of days off before going back to work. Looks like we're going to have good weather so I want to finish up the summer work and be done with a few projects.

One of the things I want to get back to and that is the fitness center. I plan on going each of these two days. And back to healthier eating. I have to admit that our food wasn't all that good. Not only not healthy, but just plain not good. We spent a lot of money on eating evening meals for them to be mediocre. I think we will rethink that for our next trip. There were microwaves in each room that we stayed in. We discussed how much happier we would have been with frozen dinners. Not like we couldn't have found a grocery store at each of the towns we stayed at. We have both gotten so dissatisfied with eating out; sure makes traveling a challenge. But, I think we shall learn from this.

We are supposed to go to Columbus Ohio next week for the Quarter Horse Congress (horse shows). However, that is a 12 hour drive each way. I'm not too sure either of us is excited about getting back into the truck for that kind of drive. We may cancel and just enjoy the time at home. But we'll wait until the weekend to decide.

Another thing I have to get back to is pilates. My body is so tight and inflexible, it is pretty pathetic. The drive was very hard on my lower back.

I better get this posted and me up to working on my list of things to do.

:wave: to all!

Terri -- Good to see you posting!!

It was warm for Sept. this morning. A cold front blew through and now the fan's off and it's getting chilly.

I've had a super day. Still have too many WW points left so I'm going to have a snack later.

Vacation's over for 2 weeks. I love Fall so I always take Columbus Day week. Sometimes there's even Fall color left on some trees. Might try to get the carpets cleaned before Winter arrives as well.

Terri: Hi! Hope you'll just feel better and better. Arizona sounded wonderful. I blew off our Pointer national specialty last week. It was out side of St Louis but I couldn't face the 20 hr drive so we went to local shows instead.

Off to just veg out for the evening.

Terri - what a trip - I'd want to be home for awhile too! So great to see you. Did you get to the fitness center?

Fall is in the air here too - felt good to put on a jacket for the walk to my workout. Good 70 minute workout - gonna have to push to make my 1500 exercise goal for the month.

I'm fully ready to get the scale moving in the right direction (I know you've heard it before). I'm setting a goal to be in the 250s by the end of October - I'm afraid to look to see how long I've been in the 60s.

Hugs to all,
Carol

hey ladies,

I did make it to the fitness center yesterday. But not today. So I'm watching Biggest Loser and getting up and doing exercise during the commercials - stability ball, hand weights, medicine ball, stretches, planks, ab work, etc. :D

It's all about choices!

Good morning all - fall is here! I'm sleeping all the way up to the alarm now that it has cooled off.

Food and exercise has been great (2 days). I'm sure there will be a few more things that come up but with the wedding behind us I'm feeling in a "no excuses" mode - I had 2 bad days over the weekend and the scale jumped 5 pounds - slowly making its way back down.

An update on my gym friend who is working with Dr. Oz - she has lost 13 pounds but really struggling with the emotional side. She is 24 and thought this was all about food. Bob Harper is coming next week - keep your fingers crossed that I get to work out with him too!

Let's all make sure to get plenty of water in today!

Hugs,
Carol

bad day yesterday...got into a jar of dry roasted peanuts...
Today is a new day!! I will exercise!! I will not snack unless its in my plan. I will drink all my water!

Carol -- Wow, Bob Harper!!!! I'd be jealous and expecting pictures!!!!

I'm staying on track, too. I feel like I have my head in a good place and am seeing challenges instead of obstacles. Amazing how mindset matters!!!

Hi everyone,

Just checking in to say hi. I've been lurking but haven't had anything to say. I'm here and thinking about all of you.

So far, so good for me too. I'm still on program and it's been almost two weeks!

Hurray for our ladies who are not struggling too much, and hugs and good "get back on track" vibes to those who need some extra support to fight the evil cravings!!!

Hello!
Hope you have all had a great week!
Last week was crappy for me. Life actually slowed down abit for me and then I was to relazed to make good food choices or exercise. But this week has been better. I will get on the scale Friday morning!
Can you all do me a fave? If you dont see me posting can you PM me with a but kicking?

Hi girls! I'm a lurky-loo too. Not much to say either (yes, I too am surprised at that). Guess it's all been going to my blog.

Running off to bass guitar lessons now...

OK - I seem to not have much to say either. I'm hoping that means we're all doing well - I am. I did fall 19 minutes short of my 1500 min exercise goal for the month.

Carol -- I'm doing okay, but fell well short of my goal. I'm okay with it -- it's a higher goal than I was thinking of setting, and I'm keeping it there for next month, too.

HI ...
Im excited about OCT and weight loss! I think the weather change is affecting everyone.I am counting every bite of food and not allowing any extra bites to cross my lips.I am so bad at mindless eating!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I didnt get to my exercise goal either but I can say its more than I have gotten all summer.
Hope everyone has a great day.

Bummer! I've got to remember "No Chinese the night before WI". I was within my points when I ate it for dinner last night but I'm thinking I retained water 'cause I gained 1.5 lbs. :o I did use my extra points last week but I was very conscious of what ever passed my lips.

Oh well ...... Hopefully next week will show a loss. I am definately not letting this get to me.

Judy - stay the course - you know how to do this - keep it basic.

Got it Carol.

I've a nice blank Weight Tracker for this week. I'm going to plan ahead and log every bite.

We recently booked a winter vacation (yay). My DH, who would and does do anything for me, really wants to do an excursion that includes a horseback ride through the jungle and then a change of equipment and then concludes with the horses swimming. The weight limit is 240 - OK - there have been many things that I haven't been able to do because of my weight - problem here is I'm scared of horses - I have zero experience, I'm afraid I'll fall off, hurt the horse, won't be able to climb on, etc. I'm working hard to meet the weight limit - how do I handle the other? Terri, Val - anybody else - please - I need suggestions.

It's a beautiful fall day - hoping to put on a sweatshirt and head out for a walk with the pups soon.

Carol, I have similar phobias about horses. On TV, it all looks so beautiful...and then there's me approaching the horse!

I have ridden in the past, just a few times. Once I got on a horse along with the ex, before we were engaged, at his grandparents' farm. It was against my better judgement. The horse waited until we got out into the middle of a patch of weeds full of stickers, shifted his rump and then dumped me. I tried to hang on to the boyfriend, who kept yelling, "Let go!" I eventually walked away angry, covered with painful stickers poking through my pants. The story of our marriage went along similar lines.

I've also had good experiences on horses, but I was under 240 lbs for all of them. I wouldn't even attempt to get on a horse now, at 305. But I have promised myself that once I get under 250 lbs, I plan to get over my misgivings. I just googled "how to get over a horse phobia" and there are a lot of resources on the Internet that address that. You've got a little time, and a lot of love for your husband. I really believe in you, that you can do this!

Go Carol!

Carol - First of all, how great for a winter trip. Second - what a great opportunity to do something you haven't been able to do. When is your trip? Check around the northland and see about finding a training stables for someone to give you lessons. Just a few to help with your fear and for you to get comfortable. Preferably someone that will get you outside of the barn so you have an idea what it feels like. Things to find out about the excursion is what type of saddle they use, do they provide mounting blocks, do they require/provide helmets? What kind of horses do they provide? What size of horses?

Also, tell your trainer what you plan on doing so she can help you develop strength in your legs, abs and back so you won't be so sore afterwards.

Okay, as far as "hurting the horse", I have the same feelings. DH gets mad when I voice that. A horse is about 1200 pounds unless you're going to be riding a pony! The last episode of Ruby had her riding a horse for the first time and she was about 330 pounds. They brought out a big horse named Moose! If she can do this, so can you!

I've noticed too that a lot of people have to use mounting assistance. Especially over 40 and not all that chubby either. There is a lot of horse talk about how using a mounting block, no matter your size, is better for the horse anyway. So don't feel funny about asking. I say that I have a weak left hip and don't take the chance of hurting myself. Not a total lie! :D

Maybe I can help somehow. I wouldn't want you to ride Spanky because he is still a young horse and might do something silly. You want a good, lesson horse. But you can come down and be around my guys if that would help.

I was disappointed to find the weight limits when I checked into riding in Arizona. More disappointed that I hadn't done anything to help myself be able to ride out there. I will not be disappointed next year on our return trip. One place in particular had restrictions that you had to be able to get on the horse by yourself. That was because they stopped at the mid-point had a lunch and then rode back. Guess there were no big rocks to stand on! Definitely something to understand about your potential trip.

OOOH, I am so excited for you. Keep me posted!

:dancer:

Georgia and Terri - thanks for believing in me (more than I do myself). Also thanks so much for the tips. Between the Dr. Oz challenge (as if the camera is following me rather than my gym mate) and this trip my motivation is running high. I even ventured to the gym without my trainer today and did a great workout without machines - a first for me. I ran into my trainer as I was leaving - I wasn't the only one surprised at myself.

hi all! It was a long week at work and I came home and fell asleep -- hard -- for over an hour. The phone even rang and I didn't hear it! Wow.

My exercise is down, but food is okay. Not great, but not bad. And I'll take it now.

Carol - I talked to my trainer today about your upcoming trip. If you can't find someone up near you, she said she'd be glad to help you prepare for the horseback riding. Let me know if you're interested.

I went shopping today! Two new jackets for fall and a wrap dress that I can also wear over pants. I shopped at Macy's and Nordstrom's and I'm happy to report that I can fit into a lot of their 3x or size 24 fashions!

My sister and I played a game. We grabbed a ton of outfits and then got side-by-side dressing rooms, then came out to see each other in every outfit, whether we loved it or hated it. We found an awesome pair of jeans for her, Ralph Lauren brown jeans that fit her perfectly, but they were $95 and she wouldn't buy them. I'm sure I wouldn't have spent the money either, but she looked so good in them! I was mad that they cost so much.

Who spends that much money on jeans?

The jackets I bought will need to be tailored down, but I can do that. One of the jackets was a lovely bright cerulean color. I have no idea what I'm going to wear it with. Possibly brown or black slacks. It might look nice with jeans. The other is a cotton sateen quilted jacket with a front zip. It'll be very cute with my heathered brown knit slacks from JJill.

I need new shoes!

We went to the yardsales yesterday. Great exercise and some good deals also. NOt alot of adult clothing out there this year.I did get some great things for my grandchildren.
We ate mexican for lunch and even after only getting a half order my hands are puffy this morning from the sodium. WATER WATER WATER today!!
Got to get moving today and get something accomplished.

Semi-busy weekend for me. I did a lot of running around town yesterday and ended up with way too many points to try to use up last night. I'm paying for it today. Cravings are nasty :p but I'm not giving in. I know what I'm planning on having and won't budge. Just have to keep my mind and hands busy.

Tomorrow will be better.

Hope everyone is enjoying their weekends. Back to the weekday grind tomorrow.

Terri - thank you so much for the offer and advice. DH reminded me - after I had read the posts by you and Georgia to him - that our vet's wife (who I worked with while we were in college) has a horse therapy program - I will give her a call since she's in Liberty. If it doesn't work out - I will take you up on it.

It is rare that I ever read anything here to DH - he was amazed at the support - little does he know!

Since the 60 day challenge started we've call Sunday as "do something nice for yourself" and I've done just that. I took the pups for a long walk (enough that they are snoozing on my feet), made rockinrobins tomatoe cabbage barley soup, and made horseradish turkey burgers so lunch for my workweek is ready. Will do my nails in a bit.

Last night DH and I had a date - I did not make good choices. I am so much happier eating at home.

Have a wonderful Sunday - remember - do something nice for yourself!

Hubby and I took a lovely drive to our favorite apple orchard this morning. I had one apple cider donut and a glass of hot cider, but otherwise was good. And we came back with lots of apples and some pumpkins.

Tomorrow is my official weigh in, and it's possible the scale will dip (again) back into Onederland.

Tomorrow is my official weigh in, and it's possible the scale will dip (again) back into Onederland.

That's a BIG ONE one Heather.
:crossed: for you tomorrow!
Then there will be another BIG ONE just a few lbs. later.

Be very proud of your accomplishments.

HEY! What are you doing here? There's a new thread to read!