Fabulous at Fifty+ .... A home for those of us 50 and older on IP! VOLUME 9

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  • I love this board. Thanks for the inspiration. I'll be back. Have been on the program for one month and have lost a little over 13 pounds. I want February to be as successful.
  • Quote: Love love love Lands End. I have bought a lot of clothes from them. If you live near a Sears, you can return them there. My only complaint is the bathing suits run short. (And I am short to begin with.)

    I have two coats (about 10yrs old but in excellent condition) that are too big and I would love to sell them.

    AND I just bought a present for myself, COWBOY BOOTS!!! I got them through Amazon.com so I used a $100 GC I had gotten for my B-day. So excited.


    I hope the pic isn't too big!
    I Love the boots! What a great present!

    I have decided I'm going to upcycle some boots as a reward for myself. I've been scouring the thrift stores to find just the right boots. Sort of like these...I know they look junky but for some reason, I love them! http://www.etsy.com/listing/10612132..._type=handmade
  • Those boots are wild, girl!!!
  • sorry i have been awol lovely friends...i'm struggling with an issue of losing more weight vs maintaining for awhile. it has nothing to do about NOT wanting to lose more weight. it has more to do with dealing with the excess skin that is now becoming loose. i am researching how losing so much weight in a short amount of time effects the long term loose skin and last week i phased off and had a 7 pound gain and am freaking out a bit. i do know a gain is normal, still i am struggling with that and now not sure what to do.

    i am horrified about gaining weight back but horrified about losing more and dealing with ugly loose skin.

    i have NO health insurance and there is no way i could afford any surgery and even if i could am not sure i would be brave enought to do that anyway.

    so i feel "stuck"....i feel like if i lose MORE weight right now, i will be devastated with the ugly loose flabby skin but if i gain i will be even more devastated.

    so i am trying a different approach. i am "thinking" about a process i read about....when someone has as much to lose as i do, to lose 50% and them maintain 1 year, (but i would try 6 months) then lose 25% more, maintain again for 1 year, then lose the last 25%. during the maintaining period to add weight training and try not to lose or gain, and this will allow my body to heal and help with SOME of the loose skin issues.

    lets face it, age is against me as is the amount needed to lose in total, as well as the length of time i have been overweight, so its an issue that i will have to come to terms with but for now i am struggling.

    i am sorry i have not been posting.

    i am not giving in nor am i giving up.

    much love to you all
    hugs
    susan
  • Quote: sorry i have been awol lovely friends...i'm struggling with an issue of losing more weight vs maintaining for awhile. it has nothing to do about NOT wanting to lose more weight. it has more to do with dealing with the excess skin that is now becoming loose. i am researching how losing so much weight in a short amount of time effects the long term loose skin and last week i phased off and had a 7 pound gain and am freaking out a bit. i do know a gain is normal, still i am struggling with that and now not sure what to do.

    i am horrified about gaining weight back but horrified about losing more and dealing with ugly loose skin.

    i have NO health insurance and there is no way i could afford any surgery and even if i could am not sure i would be brave enought to do that anyway.

    so i feel "stuck"....i feel like if i lose MORE weight right now, i will be devastated with the ugly loose flabby skin but if i gain i will be even more devastated.

    so i am trying a different approach. i am "thinking" about a process i read about....when someone has as much to lose as i do, to lose 50% and them maintain 1 year, (but i would try 6 months) then lose 25% more, maintain again for 1 year, then lose the last 25%. during the maintaining period to add weight training and try not to lose or gain, and this will allow my body to heal and help with SOME of the loose skin issues.

    lets face it, age is against me as is the amount needed to lose in total, as well as the length of time i have been overweight, so its an issue that i will have to come to terms with but for now i am struggling.

    i am sorry i have not been posting.

    i am not giving in nor am i giving up.

    much love to you all
    hugs
    susan
    Welcome back, you know we love you and we're here to support you with whatever. There are prices to pay with getting healthy, unfortunately. You raise some thinking points. I've been fortunate. My only loose skin is on my face and it's not too bad. probably a "good" by-product of my edema, everything stays puffy.

    Molly
  • So glad to see you dropping by Susan, I was worried about you. Please keep on coming in no matter what you decide to do and it does that a lot of though.
    I didn't have as much to lose, at goal it is 70 pounds gone. I did get to goal but regained some and working on that again. But at goal I had an awful fold of loose skin around my belly which made it so hard to find pants that fit correctly.

    So think carefully what you ned to do. The maintaining plan may work well if you incorporate exercise as well.

    Good luck and don't be a stranger!
    Pat
  • Quote: sorry i have been awol lovely friends...i'm struggling with an issue of losing more weight vs maintaining for awhile. it has nothing to do about NOT wanting to lose more weight. it has more to do with dealing with the excess skin that is now becoming loose. i am researching how losing so much weight in a short amount of time effects the long term loose skin and last week i phased off and had a 7 pound gain and am freaking out a bit. i do know a gain is normal, still i am struggling with that and now not sure what to do.

    i am horrified about gaining weight back but horrified about losing more and dealing with ugly loose skin.

    i have NO health insurance and there is no way i could afford any surgery and even if i could am not sure i would be brave enought to do that anyway.

    so i feel "stuck"....i feel like if i lose MORE weight right now, i will be devastated with the ugly loose flabby skin but if i gain i will be even more devastated.

    so i am trying a different approach. i am "thinking" about a process i read about....when someone has as much to lose as i do, to lose 50% and them maintain 1 year, (but i would try 6 months) then lose 25% more, maintain again for 1 year, then lose the last 25%. during the maintaining period to add weight training and try not to lose or gain, and this will allow my body to heal and help with SOME of the loose skin issues.

    lets face it, age is against me as is the amount needed to lose in total, as well as the length of time i have been overweight, so its an issue that i will have to come to terms with but for now i am struggling.

    i am sorry i have not been posting.

    i am not giving in nor am i giving up.

    much love to you all
    hugs
    susan
    Rainbow, I hate to see you go off IP. You have done so well. The weight loss is more important, I think than our saggy skin. I have plenty of loose skin too but it hides under my clothes. I can not afford any surgery either. I am eatibg rhubarb jello to help! Best wishes with whatever you decide to do. You're a beautiful lady, inside and out. Take care, Becky
  • Hello!

    Susan, I truly hear you on the loose skin issue. I have a lot of that too. You do what is right for you! This is your journey, we're on the same path, but we each have to do what is right for us. My goodness, look how far you have come - no matter what you decide you are already a success. I know you are not leaving or giving up We need to keep supporting one another - I'm counting on you. If you stay with maintenance well you can have it figured out for when I get there

    Ninjanurse - your new boots are awesome! In fact you inspired me to go looking for boots today too after work. However my calves are too big still for the kind of boots I'm looking for. I'm not going to settle for ankle highs so no boots for me yet. They will wait till I'm down some more lbs.

    I did find some shoes I love. Italian leather - yes they were a true splurge that I didn't intend to do. I'm still trying to justify buying them.
    only in a reddish/brown color. Nordstrom Rack is a discount store where they sell close outs, returns, or other. I didn't see any others like them, so I'm guessing they were a return. Anyway, I'm very happy. They will be going to GA on my trip! I tried on a couple dresses but decided I wouldn't get my monies worth out of them with my weight loss going on still. So I just had fun trying them on. I figure shoes will fit now even when I'm at goal, I've gone down a size already, and they aren't that much bigger than what I wore in high school.
  • On loose skin - I have been told by one of the top obesity specialists in the country, Dr. Arthur Frank, that you need to lose the weight you need to/want to, then wait six months - at that point your body will have absorbed whatever excess skin it can - and then deal with it. There are sites online that say that you really need to wait even longer than that. My problem areas are my upper arms, thigh area, tummy tuck area and of course, chest. I'm figuring for the tummy tuck area and boobs, it is going to be a job for Spanx/a good bra. For the thighs and underarms, I am going to consult with my dermatologist. My dermatologist happens to be the same guy (no lie) who reattached John Bobbit's penis! I figure if he can do that, my problems are MINOR, lol!! I think I have heard that for things like skin tightening under arms and so forth they have a laser procedure that can tighten things up somewhat without actual surgery. I think that I could live with a small improvement in those areas, since it is not like I run around in booty shorts and tank tops anyway!

    Anyway, Rainbow, big hugs to you and I encourage you to stay with it! We will all get through this together!
  • Quote: sorry i have been awol lovely friends...i'm struggling with an issue of losing more weight vs maintaining for awhile. it has nothing to do about NOT wanting to lose more weight. it has more to do with dealing with the excess skin that is now becoming loose. i am researching how losing so much weight in a short amount of time effects the long term loose skin and last week i phased off and had a 7 pound gain and am freaking out a bit. i do know a gain is normal, still i am struggling with that and now not sure what to do.

    i am horrified about gaining weight back but horrified about losing more and dealing with ugly loose skin.

    i have NO health insurance and there is no way i could afford any surgery and even if i could am not sure i would be brave enought to do that anyway.

    so i feel "stuck"....i feel like if i lose MORE weight right now, i will be devastated with the ugly loose flabby skin but if i gain i will be even more devastated.

    so i am trying a different approach. i am "thinking" about a process i read about....when someone has as much to lose as i do, to lose 50% and them maintain 1 year, (but i would try 6 months) then lose 25% more, maintain again for 1 year, then lose the last 25%. during the maintaining period to add weight training and try not to lose or gain, and this will allow my body to heal and help with SOME of the loose skin issues.

    lets face it, age is against me as is the amount needed to lose in total, as well as the length of time i have been overweight, so its an issue that i will have to come to terms with but for now i am struggling.

    i am sorry i have not been posting.

    i am not giving in nor am i giving up.

    much love to you all
    hugs
    susan
    Good to hear from you, Susan! You are the only one who can decide what's right for you and I'm sure we will all support your choice.

    A lot of good discussion on the maintainers thread lately, if you want to check that out. Hope you'll join us over there!
  • Quote: Hello!

    Susan, I truly hear you on the loose skin issue. I have a lot of that too. You do what is right for you! This is your journey, we're on the same path, but we each have to do what is right for us. My goodness, look how far you have come - no matter what you decide you are already a success. I know you are not leaving or giving up We need to keep supporting one another - I'm counting on you. If you stay with maintenance well you can have it figured out for when I get there

    Ninjanurse - your new boots are awesome! In fact you inspired me to go looking for boots today too after work. However my calves are too big still for the kind of boots I'm looking for. I'm not going to settle for ankle highs so no boots for me yet. They will wait till I'm down some more lbs.

    I did find some shoes I love. Italian leather - yes they were a true splurge that I didn't intend to do. I'm still trying to justify buying them.
    only in a reddish/brown color. Nordstrom Rack is a discount store where they sell close outs, returns, or other. I didn't see any others like them, so I'm guessing they were a return. Anyway, I'm very happy. They will be going to GA on my trip! I tried on a couple dresses but decided I wouldn't get my monies worth out of them with my weight loss going on still. So I just had fun trying them on. I figure shoes will fit now even when I'm at goal, I've gone down a size already, and they aren't that much bigger than what I wore in high school.
    Love the shoes! They look stylish and comfy!

    I also like the cowboy boots, but this is more my style- something I would wear regularly.
  • Quote: Love love love Lands End. I have bought a lot of clothes from them. If you live near a Sears, you can return them there. My only complaint is the bathing suits run short. (And I am short to begin with.)

    I have two coats (about 10yrs old but in excellent condition) that are too big and I would love to sell them.

    AND I just bought a present for myself, COWBOY BOOTS!!! I got them through Amazon.com so I used a $100 GC I had gotten for my B-day. So excited.



    I hope the pic isn't too big!
    Very nice. Spiffy.

    Quote: Hi everyone,

    Just wanted to pop on and say "Hi!"" Somehow almost a week got away from me! Still 100% and doing great with the program, plus we moved our move out west (from the northeast to the southwest) up a month, so it will be the first week of March instead This is all good just lots to do because we need to schedule my husband's dialysis every 2-3 days along the way, so it will stretch things out a bit!

    So wanted to say Hi and I will get back to posting more regularly. to everyone and have a great evening
    'Hi!' to you too! don't be a stranger.

    Quote: sorry i have been awol lovely friends...i'm struggling with an issue of losing more weight vs maintaining for awhile. it has nothing to do about NOT wanting to lose more weight. it has more to do with dealing with the excess skin that is now becoming loose. i am researching how losing so much weight in a short amount of time effects the long term loose skin and last week i phased off and had a 7 pound gain and am freaking out a bit. i do know a gain is normal, still i am struggling with that and now not sure what to do.

    i am horrified about gaining weight back but horrified about losing more and dealing with ugly loose skin.

    i have NO health insurance and there is no way i could afford any surgery and even if i could am not sure i would be brave enought to do that anyway.

    so i feel "stuck"....i feel like if i lose MORE weight right now, i will be devastated with the ugly loose flabby skin but if i gain i will be even more devastated.

    so i am trying a different approach. i am "thinking" about a process i read about....when someone has as much to lose as i do, to lose 50% and them maintain 1 year, (but i would try 6 months) then lose 25% more, maintain again for 1 year, then lose the last 25%. during the maintaining period to add weight training and try not to lose or gain, and this will allow my body to heal and help with SOME of the loose skin issues.

    lets face it, age is against me as is the amount needed to lose in total, as well as the length of time i have been overweight, so its an issue that i will have to come to terms with but for now i am struggling.

    i am sorry i have not been posting.

    i am not giving in nor am i giving up.

    much love to you all
    hugs
    susan
    Rainbow - so glad to hear from you. I can well understand your wanting to take some time and thoroughly explore your options about this. But you don't need to stay away while you do it! We're all here for you.

    Quote: Hello!

    Susan, I truly hear you on the loose skin issue. I have a lot of that too. You do what is right for you! This is your journey, we're on the same path, but we each have to do what is right for us. My goodness, look how far you have come - no matter what you decide you are already a success. I know you are not leaving or giving up We need to keep supporting one another - I'm counting on you. If you stay with maintenance well you can have it figured out for when I get there

    Ninjanurse - your new boots are awesome! In fact you inspired me to go looking for boots today too after work. However my calves are too big still for the kind of boots I'm looking for. I'm not going to settle for ankle highs so no boots for me yet. They will wait till I'm down some more lbs.

    I did find some shoes I love. Italian leather - yes they were a true splurge that I didn't intend to do. I'm still trying to justify buying them.
    only in a reddish/brown color. Nordstrom Rack is a discount store where they sell close outs, returns, or other. I didn't see any others like them, so I'm guessing they were a return. Anyway, I'm very happy. They will be going to GA on my trip! I tried on a couple dresses but decided I wouldn't get my monies worth out of them with my weight loss going on still. So I just had fun trying them on. I figure shoes will fit now even when I'm at goal, I've gone down a size already, and they aren't that much bigger than what I wore in high school.
    Very cute.

    ----------------

    Good day everyone. I'm just trying to get brave enough to go take a walk to the supermarket in the current -16 degree C windchill temps. Thankfully it's not that far away. I could use the fresh air and exercise, but I'm not finding the prospect too tempting. LOL.

    Hope you all have a good day.
  • Quote: For any of you wonderful ladies who don't venture to other threads, take a look at my stats!
    -2 today
    Onderland!
    And my lbs lost is MORE than my lbs left to go
    All in all, a great day

    Rainbow, if you are lurking, come back! We love you!
    WTG Lisa! Fantastic job!

    [QUOTE=Fishette;4616317
    I had a routine eye exam today to get a renewal on my contact lenses. Yikes, she is sending me to the specialist for maculars - something is screwy with mine, it has "crinkles". I think the main thing to do for maculars is Omega 3, which I have a leg-up on now thanks to IP. BTW, she is going to be on the same flight I'm on to Cancun on Valentines Day. How funny is that? I'll have to think of a good joke to play on her, maybe get the flight attendants to help me. Hmmm...what to do to tease an eye doctor...[/QUOTE]
    Love your sense of humor...let us know what you come up with! And hope the crinkles aren't anything serious.

    Quote: Just had to share:
    I had bought an XL Lands End raincoat several months before I started IP. I spent just under $200 on it so it kind of made me sick thinking about it. I ended up reading that they had a return policy of 100% satisfaction guaranteed or return at any time for any reason for an exchange or refund. I returned my XL raincoat for a Small.
    Lands End now has a customer for life!
    Hi Mama! That is great customer service! Hope things are going well for you

    Quote: Hope you all are staying warm - it was -15F windchill when I walked the dog this morning. Eeek!
    Lizzy - kudos to you on walking your pooch in these sub-zero temps...not sure I would be as dedicated. Does your dog wear a coat & boots?

    Quote: AND I just bought a present for myself, COWBOY BOOTS!!! I got them through Amazon.com so I used a $100 GC I had gotten for my B-day. So excited.



    I hope the pic isn't too big!
    I Like! Congrats! I have a pair somewhere I should dig out.

    Quote: I love this board. Thanks for the inspiration. I'll be back. Have been on the program for one month and have lost a little over 13 pounds. I want February to be as successful.
    Great job! You're doing great!

    Quote: sorry i have been awol lovely friends...i'm struggling with an issue of losing more weight vs maintaining for awhile. it has nothing to do about NOT wanting to lose more weight. it has more to do with dealing with the excess skin that is now becoming loose. i am researching how losing so much weight in a short amount of time effects the long term loose skin and last week i phased off and had a 7 pound gain and am freaking out a bit. i do know a gain is normal, still i am struggling with that and now not sure what to do.

    i am horrified about gaining weight back but horrified about losing more and dealing with ugly loose skin.

    i have NO health insurance and there is no way i could afford any surgery and even if i could am not sure i would be brave enought to do that anyway.

    so i feel "stuck"....i feel like if i lose MORE weight right now, i will be devastated with the ugly loose flabby skin but if i gain i will be even more devastated.

    so i am trying a different approach. i am "thinking" about a process i read about....when someone has as much to lose as i do, to lose 50% and them maintain 1 year, (but i would try 6 months) then lose 25% more, maintain again for 1 year, then lose the last 25%. during the maintaining period to add weight training and try not to lose or gain, and this will allow my body to heal and help with SOME of the loose skin issues.

    lets face it, age is against me as is the amount needed to lose in total, as well as the length of time i have been overweight, so its an issue that i will have to come to terms with but for now i am struggling.

    i am sorry i have not been posting.

    i am not giving in nor am i giving up.

    much love to you all
    hugs
    susan
    Hugs right back to you dear lady. Am so sorry to hear you're struggling.

    Quote: I did find some shoes I love. Italian leather - yes they were a true splurge that I didn't intend to do. I'm still trying to justify buying them.
    only in a reddish/brown color. Nordstrom Rack is a discount store where they sell close outs, returns, or other. I didn't see any others like them, so I'm guessing they were a return. Anyway, I'm very happy. They will be going to GA on my trip! I tried on a couple dresses but decided I wouldn't get my monies worth out of them with my weight loss going on still. So I just had fun trying them on. I figure shoes will fit now even when I'm at goal, I've gone down a size already, and they aren't that much bigger than what I wore in high school.
    Cute shoes!
  • SUSAN[/B] love u and support you whatever your decision! You are an inspiration!
    GREENIRIS thrilled that you don't have to have surgery!! Take is slowly and PT is wonderful! I love my PT peeps!
    HALFAGAINgreat shoes! Nice to be able to wear shoes without having kankles isnt it?!
    NINJANURSE OMG! Im getting a pair very similar when I hit Onederland!!! Mine have a little more turquoise to them! Headed to the country western boot store in town in a few minutes to boost my motivation!!! I am only 9lbs from those boots!!!!!! PSYCHED!!!
    Have a great day all! It is a BEAUTIFUL weekend in Baton Rouge today and I plan on spending as much of it outside as I can. I really appreciate a healthy body these days especially when I can walk without too much aching in my new knee! ya think my recovery was helped by losing 55 lbs???HAHAHA
  • Allison - lol about your doc and his great skill.

    I do think it takes longer at our age for the loose skin to get better and some of it never will. Even woman that were always skinny have loose skin. I have heard that some insurance companies have paid for skin removal after weight loss but that was probably in the 80s. Also remember women on IP talking about rubbing/massaging cocoa butter or any lotion on.
    I did make it through last night on plan!!