Active Folks Over 50 -- #8
 

Hey! :wave:

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. ;)

- 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, lively discussions of weight related issues, etc.

Join in!
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hijude, Dance Dance Revolution (DDR) is a game where you have a pad on the floor and a screen, and different "games" at different levels. The idea, as I understand it, is that you try to match the steps shown on the screen. It was devised as a way to get kids to be physically active while playing an arcade-type game. But it now has many more fans than just kids. Go here:

http://www.ddrgame.com/

There is a TV Game--you don't have to have a PlayStation or XBox or computer. The TV Game comes with a pad that goes on the floor and connectors that attach to the TV. It isn't very expensive. I haven't used it myself--I bought one for my sister, but I haven't heard her opinion of it. I think it sounds fun and I want to get one myself.

The shopping was a mixed bag. I did find some nice suits that fit me--I currently wear a petite 14. But the suits did not have any pockets. None. This won't do. I am not a woman who carries a handbag. So, I didn't buy anything. Instead I came home, armed with my correct size, and ordered some clothes online from a company I've bought from before. These suits have pockets, lots of pockets.

I wasn't impressed with Macy's selection and quality, I have to say. But it could be that I was reacting to current styles.

What are you all up to?

Jay

:wave:

Wow . . . things are hectic right now . . . hopefully I'll be able to chat more later. :yes:

BTW -- where did you get the Dance Dance Revolution -- might it be available at Walmart for instance? I've had trouble ordering from US suppliers in the past (i.e. duties and additional fees, etcetera, and the DDR website even mentions that those things are possible when ordering directly from them).

They must think Canada is a foreign country.:lol:

I don't care much for Macy's either, and they seem to be just about the only major department store left in business. I am thinking I need to visit my son in Ventura where there is a Macy's and a Lassen's and a Trader Joe's. A shopper's paradise! Lassen's is a health food sort of place - very much like Whole Foods or Wild Oats.

I want a Nordstrom...

meowee, they do carry DDR in Wal-Mart, but I'm not sure how much of a selection they have.

Here's a YouTube video of a 5-year-old boy who is a real prodigy at DDR! You can see how the screen scrolls and how he matches his steps with the arrows on the screen. This is a pretty advanced one... :faint:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Jzcq...eature=related

Jay

P.S. Here's another video of two teenagers in an arcade doing a DDR workout together:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0gh6hzs_7Kc&NR=1

I dunno, do you think it's aerobic? :stress:

Jay

Hi all! Just back from the technology conference :) The weather was awful, but we made good time anyway (thank heaven for lots of experience driving in Northern Michigan :lol:)

We spent a fortune at Trader Joes, thanks for all of the suggestions. We picked up several of your recommendations and I can't wait to incorporate them into my planning for the next couple of weeks :)

Jay - thanks for the info on DDR. It always sounded so fun, but since we don't have a gaming system, I didn't think much about it. I had no idea you could get is separately. I will have to check the connectors and see if it will hook to the data projector or DVD or VCR (since I don't have a real tv).

I agree with the Macy's verdict. I have never found anything there that I liked. I'm still figuring out where to buy clothes in "normal" sizes. It has been so long since I shopped anywhere except a plus size store. And - I'm still buying everything at second hand stores for now.
One of my co-workers is a real clothes horse. She was thrilled when we went to Dillards while attending a wedding in Florida. She came home with 5 suits!

My boss just scheduled a speaking engagement in Chicago for us in March. I'm thinking a new suit is in my future.

NSV for me today. Final day of the conference and the first thing I see on the dining table is a massive piece of 3 layer chocolate brownie cake type thing. swirled with chocolate sauce and chocolate candy also on the plate of course. Well, I ate all of my broccoli, all of the zucchini in the penne pasta dish, half of the pasta, and one bite of the dessert. I then sat there listening to the speaker for the next hour and 15 minutes while that cake stared at me. It kept jumping up and demanding my attention (really - it seemed to) but I wasn't even tempted to eat another bite.

Spiny! Great to read your post! I just love your sense of humor - you are such a blessing around here :)

Pam - sorry to hear about your mom. I will continue to keep your family in my prayers!

I Sweet Fang! Let me know if you do get a DDR. I'm interested in ANYTHING that gets me moving and shaking more (LOL - I"m sounding like Linda!)

Hope you all have a wonderful weekend!

Well I think we should all meet at the arcade and do that dancing. It looks great. Loved watching the two teens. Not sure if it is here in Canada yet. I will have to ask the kids.

Interesting to hear about your shopping. I so would like to get out of the plus size clothes. I am short and I feel like everything looks awful. Part of the reason I never go shopping.
I envy both you ladies that are into regular sizes. Maybe that will help keep me on track.
The best place that I ever shopped was in Montreal. Fabulous fashions there. The French influence I guess.:twirly:

I will look forward to that. I am on the west coast and so the fashion here is very beachy. But we do have much better shopping than in the past.

Hope everyone has a good weekend. I have such a challenge with the weekends so here is hoping I do better.
take care everyone......Jude:corn: may get to the movies.

Just a quick :wave: -- Having an ugly ice storm right now and the lights are flickering periodically. Our groundhog had best stay in his burrow or he'll end up frozen to the ground before he even gets a chance to look for his shadow.

Stay safe and warm and dry Linda!

Glad you had fun at Trader Joe's, CountingDown! I just love that place.

How do I get re-motived to exercise?I went 5 days a week to Curves and exercised on weekends @ home.Now I'm 51 (since Aug.11 of 2007) and as of the 1st of Jan.2008 I haven't exercised or had the desire too! What is up with that?Nothing has changed at home so not sure if @ 51, you go thru another phase in your life or just have a real bad case of the flop-butt.HELP!

I just love your blocks for weight loss.Did that come from ticker-factory?

IlerJo - for me, exercise is something I just schedule. If I wait until I feel like it - well, I'm a pretty sorry case sometimes! Today DH and I decided we would go skiing after church. Usually we take a nap. The pull of that warm couch was very intense. My body KNEW it was nap time. It is Sunday - a day of rest after all :lol: But, once we got on the trail, it felt pretty good. And it felt GREAT when we finished.

I do the same thing every day. I don't allow myself to decide IF I will exercise - I allow myself the flexibility to choose how and when I will exercise. Weights, skiing, walk, DVD, pilates, yoga, Gazelle, whatever.

And - thank you for the comment on my avatar & ticker. They are a couple of clipart images put together in Photoshop. :D

Yesterday was busy, busy, busy . . . some good stuff; some not so good stuff.

Today . . . I'm awake much too early and just may have to go lie down for a little while. Other than that, I'm hoping for a calmer day -- really need to get this week's laundry finished. :lol:

Hey meowee, you're sure an early bird today. :yawn:

IlerJo, :welcome:

I don't think there's anything about 51 in particular that would make one not want to exercise--unless it's a belief about age! But if you're hoping you'll "want" to exercise one of these days... well... don't wait too long. I agree with CountingDown--it just has to be on the schedule so it gets done, whether one feels like it or not. I'm struggling with this myself right now--but I at least get my walk in every day.

So what's up? Where are our other posters? Hijude, BillBlueEyes, SpinyMouse, gailr42... don't get lost now! :wave:

Jay

Homemade Pizza of the Weekend

dough purchased from favorite local Italian Restaurant

marinara sauce
mushrooms
kale
fennel
radish
onion
cauliflower
carrot
edamame
zucchini
ginger
goat cheese
soy based "sausage"
cooked mushed up eggplant with garlic
jalapeno
mozzarella
parmesan



Before baking. Vegetable toppings are under the cheese so it's hard to see them all.
My pizzas are not greasy or salty. I go light on the cheese. Not every bite needs to be full of cheese.

p.s. a slice for breakfast keeps the hyenas away.

Jo - that is an AWESOME pizza! I might have to try making it myself. After I go shopping for some of the ingredients however - I have never had mashed eggplant on a pizza. You are lucky to be able to purchase the dough. I have to make my own - thankfully the breadmaker does a decent job :) - particularly with a ww crust, which is hard for me to knead sufficiently.

Good day for me today. My Tae Bo videos came. I tried "The Power Within" tonight. It was a good workout. A bit more calisthenics than I expected, but a good workout just the same.

Your Right JayEll!
 

I went for my walk/run today and felt so much better.I had sat around and forgot just how good it feels to exercise.:carrot:

Countingdown,I didn't do the pizza.I do want to give it a try too.

Hi everyone. Well I had not the greatest food weekend. Did ok on Sat but then my daughter came over for dinner for her birthday on Sunday. Too many temptations. Plus she is not always so delightful to be around.:tantrum:
Oh well another week. I have been going to the infa red sauna to detox and sweat out the small stuff. :flame:
It is supposed to burn off 600 calories in 30 mins. It feels like it when you get out. When I get to the gym I do so much better.

I too am feeling really lazy. But everyone is right. I really like your attitude Counting and it sure has been successful for you. Great role model and I can use one. Thanks.:exercise:

I will have to start planning the gym on my calender. I even saved a calender just so I could write my exercise on it to be in plain view.
Have a good day tomorrow everyone and welcome Ilerjo. :welcome3:

Later Jude

Hey Spiny, good to see you! I don't think your pizza is for me, though... Just personal taste. ;)

IlerJo, yes, getting out and moving around is a good thing! I went for a walk yesterday in the sun and felt so happy. It was around 80 out there. I hope you keep going!

hijude, not sure about that sauna--I do like dry saunas, but the kind with heated rocks. And 600 calories? Hmm... ;)

CountingDown, is this a recent Tae Bo video? I have old ones--I'll have to go check it out. I really like Tae Bo.

Jay

You are all early birds!
 

I should come here first but I end up responding to the new posts then South Beach and before I know it the morning is mostly gone.

My mom is stable but the effects of the stroke she had are some tough hurdles she will have to overcome. We decided to allow yet another surgery to find out why her feeding tube is leaking. In her weakened state, she could die but we felt it was worth the risk. Thanks for all the support. Much appreciated.

I love to exercise so I can't say why a person doesn't. I just think there are some people who like it better than others. With my bad knees I can't be as active as I used to be in my 30s and 40s. That makes me sad. I do what I can. More frequent but shorter times on the treadmill, lifting some free weights and doing Pilates. Once the outer layer of fat goes I know I will see a firm body underneath.

Have you shopped online? I have found several catalogs for Plus Size women which are really fashionable and affordable. Chadwick's, Jessica London, Bedford Fair, Willow Ridge to name a few of my favorites.

Hope everyone is staying as warm as they can in the north. I do remember.... I do.;)

:wave:

What a pizza!!!! Love the picture. In fact, I love food pictures in general. I make little pizzas on whole wheat pita bread. That way, I get to eat about three of them at a time.:lol:

Not 80°F here! Cool and sunny. I need a couple of layers and long sleeves, but no heavy jacket.

I have an assortment of small weights that I have been working with. I seem to enjoy the weights quite a bit more than the aerobic exercise. Probably because I can see results from using the weights. My shoulders are already looking toned, and my waist is getting smaller from doing the crunches. In fact, I can wear most of my size medium pants now. W00t!

Gail - I know what you mean about the weights. I faithfully used our weight machine 3 times a week for 5 months. I got burned out on it I think. I am now substituting the stretchie band workouts and my resistance band "Pumping Rubber" DVD in their place. I feel that the change has been good. My muscles are starting to show - especially in my legs :) You are getting so close to your goal - WOW!

Pam - I will continue to keep your mom and your family in my prayers! Stay strong - it is so hard to go through!

Jay - The Tae Bo video is from 2003. DH did it today and his report was that it was a good workout - not too intense (this from someone who does 100 crunches and 50 push-ups twice a day in addition to his other exercise) I also ordered the Kickbox Bootcamp from the 10 minute solution series. I plan to give it a try tomorrow. I think I need an intervention - I am just a bit obsessed with collecting new workout videos. But then again, I AM using them, which is more than I can say for some of my craft supplies that I have collected over the years :lol:

A good OP day for me. Meijer had the veggie steamer bags on sale this week and I stocked the freezer. Consequently, I have been craving steamed vegetables. OMG - I think a pig DID just fly by http://us.i1.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/i/...oticons/36.gif

I've been drooling over that pizza too, JO -- must try it.

Wow, COUNTING -- when you start craving healthy foods, you have really 'arrived' Chickie.

Got my :crossed: for your Mother, PAM.

Ilerjo, Hi - sorry it has taken me so long to greet you. I'm Jo too so that's why CD said "Jo"
My iphone thinks when I type Jo I mean to type Up. Silly gizmo.
I am one of those anti exercise people but I do like the weight machines and jumping around to music. I think I may have invented Folkaerobics.

Hi to everyone;)

I started the sauna with a friend that wanted to go. She has fibermyagia. So I decided to go just for the detox effects. I have had trouble with my skin on my arms and back since I started menopause. An itchy mess I am afraid but this seems to be helping. It is a deep heat and you really sweat. Which is the idea. Normally I like a steam better.

There is no easy means to the end.
Counting I love reading your comments. You so encourage me. Wonderfull that your DH is doing this with you. Great for you guys.

Jayel - it is 80? How lovely. We had snow and wind last night. Time for a move I think.

My daughter is thinking of moving in with me. Needs the help etc. So any suggestions on being successful even with the stress that will bring.

I know I could say no. Still have no decided. I am trying to make my life about me for a change. This is not helping.

thanks for listening......Jude:(

hijude, if the daughter is an adult, then the answer is NO. Practice saying that. "Needs the help," lessee, does that mean you take care of her kid(s)? No. Say it again.

But we don't want to get into too much complaining about children here... ;)

I'm still hanging out at the free fitness center, but I'm about to join Anytime Fitness down the road. I need better equipment. First, I'm getting new shoes. That hasn't been happening for one reason and another, but today is the day. (gailr42, I know you'll be happy to hear that! :lol: )

See ya!

:lol: Shoes again. And flying pigs.

I ordered a Leslie Sansone WATP video from the library. I haven't gotten it yet, but I am going to check out a few different ones. If I think I might use one, then I can buy it.

Speaking of shoes, I got a pair of red and white polka dot open toed canvas shoes at Mervyn's yesterday for $4.00. High "cuteness" factor, here.

Hi again . . . another yucky day . . . OMG, I am getting so tired of this Winter. Think I've got a bit of SAD induced depression going on here -- but it will pass -- nothing keeps me down for toooooo long. :lol:

Hope everybody else is having a great, great day. :carrot:

Hi Pals,
Happy Ash Wednesday. Happy Lent.
Happy New Moon - Solar Eclipse.
Happy New Year - of the Rat.

Well if this isn't just a whole bunch of stuff all at once indicating a pardon-the-expression New Beginning (isn't that redundant?) then I'm a llama's spleen.
As hard as it is right now, I signed up several weeks ago for that challenge at the gym, paid my money, and now the time is here and I've got to do it. Met with my trainer this morning and I'm supposed to call him every day and let him know what I did that day for exercise.
I'll let you all know too.

This thread is a scream! I'm trying to not blurt out a big ole laugh here at work!

Counting Down, where did you get that rofl thing in the other thread? It is not on the ones here. I want one!

I think I'm going to have to make this one of my regular stops after the 17th.

Hey cbmare! :welcome2:

gailr42, you're killin' me with this shoe thing! Now you're buying $4 shoes at Mervyn's? :faint:

Happy Losar, everyone! That's Tibetan New Year--biggest celebration of the Tibetan year. Same idea as Chinese New Year--lunar calendar and all.

Spiny, it's the year of the Earth Mouse in Tibetan.

"New Beginning" seems redundant, but it's probably one of those emphatic phrases--just to make sure we really really get it.

I went swimming today! I wore my new swimsuit! The pool was lovely! We also have a hot tub with jets, and I spent some time there, too, then back to the pool. Ahhhhh it was nice!

hijude, I don't like a steam sauna--makes me feel like I can't breathe. Give me a nice dry sauna with eucalyptus oil. Yum...

meowee, I sure hope you get some sunshine soon!

Jay

Jay - SWIMMING! I am so jealous!

Mare - I use Firefox as my browser. There is a plug in called Smiley Xtra which has links to smileys on the net.

Spiny - you GO girl! You are gonna nail the challenge. You have so much focus when you are determined to do something. And we are here cheering you on :cheer:

Folkaerobics - http://img245.imageshack.us/img245/3316/tfr612ix4.gif I love it!

Linda - I have a SAD light in my office. I go to work when it is dark, I come home when it is dark, and one of my two offices has no windows :(

Gail - those shoes sound wonderful! I NEED to go shoe shopping. In fact I need to go shopping. I have avoided apparel stores since I want to buy stuff - and I am trying to wait until I hit goal. (and then I moved my goal downward - what WAS I thinkin')

Jude - thank you for your kind words. I agree with Jay - no is a valuable word in the English language. We need to practice saying it more (I'm preaching to myself here as I deal with our youngest)!

I think we NEED to make life about us right now. I know I got to where I was by NOT putting myself first enough. I ignored my needs and what was best for me and put everyone and everything else first. It wasn't wise. It wasn't healthy. It needed to change.

Well Kickbox Bootcamp kicked my backside! I did 3 of the five routines and they were quite good. The "bootcamp" routine started with squat thrusts. I had flashbacks from high school gym class and it went downhill from there. I will be skipping that routine on the video in the future.

Wishing everyone a POP day :) You are in my thoughts, and that keeps me smilin'

Hey! Hellllooooooo!

Anyone out there?

I went swimming again yesterday... lovely! I'm so glad I can do it. And also, I got new running shoes (gailr47, take note! ;) ) yesterday, so I'm rarin' to go. I don't run, but I do walk a lot, and my shoes were worn out--starting to bother my knees, etc.

Jay

Hi Jay - I love to get new shoes. I read that we need to replace our running/walking shoes every 6 months. I'm not quite there yet, but it does make sense. I'm still jealous. Swimming! We are supposed to get below 0 degrees again this weekend. The only swimming I will be doing is in my bathtub. They DID have a fundraiser for United Way last weekend - the "Polar Dip". They cut a hole in the ice and all went swimming in the lake. Not my idea of a fun weekend! :lol:

I hope everyone has a wonderful weekend!

CountingDown, wow, you are so encouraging!!

Those polar dip people are insane. I need a wetsuit just to go in the pool at the fitness center. 81 degree water is frigid to me.

I like the year of the Earth Mouse. I like a second chance at a line of demarcation for a new year. Especially since the Jan 1 New year has sucked so far. So I'm wiggling my whiskers and trying to hold my tail up in hope for things to get better.
Today - 15 mins of dancing around and 30 mins of Nautilus machines.
Now I have an appointment with a pineapple martini.

Hey! CountingDown, it was too cool for the pool today--and will be the same most of the weekend. Darn. But, as time goes on, more pool will be had. We also have a hot tub--with jets. I LOVE that! :love: I no longer have a bathtub in my house, so the hot tub is a real plus.

I went and joined up at the Anytime Fitness Center today. Whew! All-new machines! Lots better than the old worn-out, half-working ones at our free center here. They are OK for maintenance, but not much else. Also, the new machines seem to give the correct readings for calories burned with exercise--really low... urk... But I think reality is a good thing.

Spinymouse, good work with the dancing and Nautilus before the, um, pineapple martini...

See y'all tomorrow!

Jay

Jo - :lol: More folkaerobics! I think I need to try some myself :) I've never had a martini - let alone a pineapple one. Though I did have an excellent glass of Shiraz last night :D

Jay - :woohoo: New gym membership! I know you have been wanting to do that for a while now. Congrats - you deserve it. Enjoy.

I have an attachment that I use in my tub that does the whirlpool/massage thing. I love using it. Many people around here have hot tubs on their back decks. It puzzles me. We have about 15 minutes of warm weather in the summer. I guess I'm like spiny - There is no way I'm putting an my swimsuit or any other suit and going out in the cold to jump into a tub full of hot water. The parts of me that weren't in the water would freeze. Add to that the expense and maintenance - I could probably get a gym membership for the same price. To each their own I guess.

Weigh in day today - down 2 lbs. this week :) Only 19 to go :D - then the real work (maintenance) begins.

Hope you all have a wonderful weekend!