Hello all - I am over 50 & have been trying SO hard to lose weight. Want to be around 140 or so and now am at 182. I have tried SBD and did ok, but then fell off the wagon and got pretty sad about it. Now all I am trying is to go healthier with a little of all plans. Mainly to keep away from sugar and "white" foods.

Mon-Fri I will have:
breakfast - 1 c cereal w/ whole milk, 1 Fit & Trim yogurt,
snack - 6 pieces cooked shrimp & FF string cheese
lunch - 1 c basmati rice, mushrooms & 2 slices sirloin OR chicken breast
dinner -1 glass red wine & probably a Smart Ones for dinner or just yogurt.

ANYway, since 1/5/2008 I have been forcing myself to walk 2 - 2 1/2 miles every day and doing pretty good. I even jog 100 steps twice each round. I put up a good walk and my heartrate figures out to about 130-134 beats which is a good range for me. Comes out to about 5200 steps.

Now for the past week my knees are stiff and on fire. It is difficult for me to walk so I take an Aleve pill and it eases it a little but not enough. It is so hard for me to begin the walks but I do anyway. I cannot even attempt to do my jogging steps - it buckles my legs now. I walk a little like Walter Brennan - remember him? Boy I AM old!

Is it ok to walk through the pain or should I be doing something different?

Thank you for any & all suggestions in advance..........

Ya know, forget this whole post. I was so worried about this I did not look at other postings first.

The Sticky "My knees I feel so old.." gives me some options.

I'm gonna look for some vitamins containing glucosomine & start them & see if they help.

I am SO sorry if I wasted anyone's time.

It's not a waste of time to ask questions. That's what everyone is here for.

And by the way

Thank you very much for the WW.

2old2quit, I'm glad you found what you were looking for. I hope it helps.
And welcome to 3FC!
Please keep posting... you'll "meet" some wonderful people here.

2old2quit -- Silly girl, it is NEVER a waste of time to ask questions, that's how we all learn... Secondly you are NOT old at over 50, I am over 50 also, so welcome to the club... Thirdly, CONGRATS on your weightloss so far ...

Glucosamine has helped me and DH tremendously ... If it doesn't go away withing a few weeks check with your doctor... I would also recommend that you do some weight training this would help the muscles and ligaments holding your joints feel better. When I went to see my foot doctor he was surprised that I didn't have sore knees from running "at my age" until he found out that I weight train... Then he said: "Your bones are only as strong as your muscles and ligaments holding the joints" ... That made me feel better, specially after the "at your age" comment

May I critique your eating plan ? Without upsetting you ....

I would starve to death on so little food honestly, you need more REAL food... Lots of veggies, 2-3 fruits/day, skim milk instead of whole milk, oatmeal for breakfast or another high fiber cereal, to kick start your metabolism for the day... basmati rice, as far as I know is a white rice, brown or wild rice would be a better option and only have a half cup at a sitting... The glass of wine is fine but the Smart ones, is that like a Lean Cuisine, if it is, it is loaded with sodium, a chicken breast roasted with veggies and half a cup of wild rice or a small sweet potato would be much healthier...

Just my 2 cents I hope you don't mind...

Hi,
As a walker I can't tell you how much the right shoes can help. I'm training to walk a marathon and the first time I tried I didn't have good shoes and ended up with lots of pain and having to go through physical therapy. I went to a running store and was fitted for the right shoes for my feet and it's a world of difference. The padding and support of a great pair of shoes can't be beat.
Bette

Thank you ALL for your suggestions & I will take them seriously. I have begun taking the Schiff Move Free Advanced Glucosamine tabs & with 4 days of rest I am doing pretty good. My ankles need to be strengthened a bit but my sneakers fit well. I am taking this walking S L O W L Y - not jumping in like a jack rabbit as I did before.

So, for 2 weeks I will walk 1 1/4 miles - then I will bump it up by 1/2 mile every 2 weeks. I enjoy this daily regimen (don't have to make supper cuz I get home later - hee hee)

Ilene - I am taking your suggestions to heart. My basic foods now are:

B - yogurt, cottage cheese & pear or orange or grapefruit
S - 1 c Heart Smart cereal w/ low fat milk & piece of fruit
L - salad with either London Broil or chicken breast & 1/2 WW pita bread
S - some almonds & HB egg
Sup - lean meat w/ brussel sprouts, green beans, mushrooms, etc.
S - Sometimes a skinny cow or WW ice cream bar

Thank you to ALL who have helped me. I feel so much better knowing you guys are here for me. This morning I weighed 178 so s l o w l y goes this train.

Have a happy happy day!

Yoga helps some people I do it myself.Also Taichi and Qi Gong however you spell them. Anything that works on flexibility. Your muscles may be over tight and sometimes results in both muscle and joint pain. My husband is in his 50's and he has very little trouble, and I've noticed a big improvement. I've banged up my body too much in the past. (being thrown off wild horses, karate jumping off roofs ect. )

VERY good idea, Spirit. My DH works with an old David Carradine (Kung Fu guy) VHS tape which teaches slow movement exercises. He "works" with that tape every Sat & Sun.

I think I will join him!

Much, much better

Oh, just to add, speaking of Yoga... I have gone back to doing some Yoga after going to a fitness seminar and realized how UNflexible I have become... I feel soooo much better ....

Forgot the most important item - I easily drink 2 gallons of water a day. I love it. Also, 2 cups of coffee in the morning & MAYBE some soy milk with dinner.

Thank you thank you ALL! Here's to us for a HEALTHY path!