""I want this to be life style change rather than a diet as like you I have tried loads of them only to regain the weight plus a little extra as well.""

Wulfcwen,
That has become my new moto in life.
I believe when we learn that... we will all do great

Supposed to be sunny and 75 degrees today!!
I will be out side most of today!!

have a sunny day girls
back later.

Good Morning!
I'm going to make this short, the Church bells will be ringing soon.
Ella...

Quote:
off to have the muffler fixed. I can't complain. I put @ 600 miles a week on that puppy what with my commute and all...and she's three years old. This is the first repair I've had to do. Now, DH will be talking about trading her in before the mileage gets WAY too high, and as usual, I won't want to. (I have a hard time with change... I get attached to my cars and know all their little quirks and ideosyncrasies - just like they know mine - and giving them up is painful.)

I had a beautiful Navy Blue Jeep wrangler for 14 years, it had turned over 100,000 miles, not a dent in it and ran like a top. I cried for a week after we sold it, no kidding! It was very dangerous to drive on icy roads and I'd lost control 4 times in it over the years. (Spun around on the roads) I can relate!
Cheryl... We have red and black raspberries together in one plot with no ill affects, never heard we couldn't. Good advice about measuring with tape.
Theresa... I've shrunk with age too, my drivers license states me at 5'4" and I know I'm not that tall anymore. That brings up a good question, should I change it? I'm not into lying about my age on my license, I should probably change it. See how good I am about answering my own questions
Paula... I always weighed myself once a day in the mornings. It inspired me to work harder if the scale didn't cooperate and made my day if it went down. Go for it!
Karen... I have a friend who has two Yorkies that she puts in the basket on her motor skooter, they love it. I'd personally be afraid of doing that but she's never had a problem.
JayJay... What kind of dog do you have?
Hi to everyone else, gotta get ready for Church.
Bobbi

Theresa- I agree with your moto. You have to find something you can live with. Eliminating a food group or eating only Cabbage Soup won't work for life. You have to learn to eat smaller portions and to move a little everyday. No if only I could remember this lesson once I get back to my goal weight.

Hi everyone, I too agree with the smaller plate, smaller portions and exercise.

I lost 3.5 lbs. this week by following those rules. Now if I can just keep it up, I need to lose at least 40 lbs. (again). But a life style change and not a diet I think for me is the key.

My dh decided to make PANCAKES this morning....he never does that, maybe once a year....he was soooo proud of himself! But oh, I just kept thinking calories, I ate 2 of them with lite syrup and praised him a bunch and he didn't notice how little I ate. They were excellent and he even cleaned up his mess!

Beautiful sunny day here in Flordia, I'll get out and walk Rusty (our Doberman) later today. Now I'm off to do my 1 mile dvd.

Going to Walmart today to look for the flatbread!!!

Have a good one.....Phyllis

Heeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeyyyyyyyyyyy!!!! Heeeere's Ella, sliding into 3FC on her brandy-new mountain bike!!!!! Wheeeeeeee!!!!!!

Okay, I hope you're all suitably impressed because I am half dead! I just finished a thirty-minute bike ride (DH complained about his knees being stiff and turned around and headed home after about 15 minutes...he's going to keep on riding, he says, but in smaller increments until he can build up his stamina. Tsk! ) I was DETERMINED to get 30 minutes in, and when I make up my mind to something, I HAVE to do it, I swear. We got padded seats for the bikes - they LOOKED real padded, but whoa! My butt is sore, and that's the truth! Feeling some soreness in the backs of my legs, too, but not too bad. Just enough to remind me that I haven't been bike-riding in about 20 years! It's true tho, that you never forget, because I thought I'd have trouble balancing, but didn't. It was pretty "kewl"... We went out yesterday after noon for a little bit, too, but not very long because we had to get to my daughter's for dinner. That was nice.

I have to say, though, that yesterday was a BAD day for my "healthy eating plan". I didn't take time for breakfast because we had to drop my car off to be fixed, and then we went grocery shopping, and then out to find the bikes (we got some pretty decent ones for @ $150, Jay - we figured that's good enough for just casual riding through the neighborhood. I know your DS would laugh at us ). Oh, and JAY....I caved in and <gulp> WEIGHED myself yesterday. Down a pound. More would be nice - I'm a little jealous of these three-pound losers - but down is better than up, of course. Anyway, after we got the bikes, we had to go for a ride on them - like two KIDS, doncha know; just couldn't wait. THEN it was @ 2:00, and we were due at my DD's at 4:00, so we didn't want to eat lunch then, because we knew she'd have lots and lots of food, and we didn't want to seem ungrateful by only picking, yanno? Dumb decision. We decided to take a ride over to Pier One, because they were having a 75% off sale, and I always seem to find something for the house when I go there, so we did that (I found some stuff - some GREAT buys) and THEN we went to DD's. I was STARVING at that point, and ate way too much. Nothing really off plan....I made myself a wrap with shrimp and tossed salad greens in it, and then, foolishly, made myself one with chicken, too. The wraps were low cal, high fiber, and of course both shrimp & chicken are fine, but I really stuffed those wraps FULL, and practically inhaled them. Then, I gave in and ate a small piece of birthday cake, as well.
It was just too much at once, and too much on an empty stomach. By the time we got home, I had a miserable stomach ache and ended up taking Gas-X and then Tylenol PM. Couldn't get to sleep until somewhere around midnight. Ack! I won't do that again!

It's absolutely beautiful today. Just gorgeous, and about 73 degrees! Spring is finally here!

Hope everyone is enjoying the weather (Hope everyone HAS good weather!)

I think I'll relax - maybe do some reading after I take a nice long bath.

Welcome, Moxie! Nice to meet you!

I can't clean up that back garden mess today, Bobbi...but I sure am glad that you're taking care of yours!!!

Hiya Karen, Sharon, Theresa, Wulf, Cheryl, Paula, Phyllis, Lynn, Mary Ann, and Openheart!!! If I've overlooked anyone, you KNOW I didn't mean to!!!!

Take good care,

Ella

Wow! It's not a good idea to stay away from this thread for a couple of days. I come back and there are 3 additional pages and a new site!

For everyone in the Northeast - YEA SUN!!!!!

Paula, yes, I think you are right. Your grandson looks like my great-grandson, Charlie.

I'm getting ready to go downstairs to exercise - yes, I have a small gym downstairs in my condo - that I have never used.

Today I cut out all carbs except veggies and berries. I'll see how this does with weight and blood sugar.

Phyllis - 3.5 lbs!!!!!!!! Woo-Hoo

OK, everyone, somewhere along the way I missed out on "Wulfcwen" - what does it mean?

Lynn

Hello All you Beautiful Golden Girls!!!

I have had a real nice day here today.. I didn't do any walking but I did work out in the yard for over 2 hours so that should do something! We had kind of a yucky, cloudy day yesterday but today was really beautiful. But it will be short lived since they are saying more bad weather tomorrow through Wednesday. But at least I got the dead gras all raked up and the yard cleaned up from all the Winter stuff. It really looks pretty nice right now. And I thought that Since I have been walking 6 miles each day that I wouldn't be real tired after working out there--- WRONG!!! I was pooped!!

Theresa-- I have been doing the 3 miles back to back each day.. Usually after the first 3 miles I go in and get me a drink of water and then start the DVD all over again. I like to get it done and out of the way so then I don't have to worry about doing it the rest of the day.. But today I didn't do that. But after I cleaned up the yard I did come in and relax a bit then decided to try and do some walking on the treadmill. I figured I would do 30 minutes on that-- well after about 5 minutes I was just to tired. That really surprised me! So later I jumped on the mini trampoline for about 15 minutes and that was kind of fun. Ginger wants to get on there with me so it is hard to jump much and not bounce her right off!! Crazy Pom!! Sissy will just beside it and watch.

Y'all were talking about problem areas-- I too agree that the belly is my worst enemy!! I think if I can get that under control everything else will follow. I hope!!

Hello Wanna b thin-- I may check in to the red hat deal later, right now I am concentrating mostly on my weight and trying to get that under control before I take on anything else. I don't think I would feel real comfortable being out with a group until I can get some more of this weight off. Right now up here in the mountains I only have to worry about the deer watching me!!!

Cheryl, Wolfcwen, Paula, ---- I Hope you all have had a real good weekend. It sounds like most everyone was outside enjoying the weather today.

Hi Bobbi, Gosh you all sound like me with your vehicles!! I have a 2000 S10 Blazer that only has 38,000 miles on it. And I've taken it back to MO. three times!! I love it and the dogs carseats fit in the backseat fine. It is also 4wd so if I have to go somewhere in the snow I just push the button and away I go! But I hate driving in the snow so I don't go much!! I KNOW~~~ so why do I live in the mountains???? Guess that is where hubby likes to be!

Phyllis, Congrats on the 3.5 pounds lost!!

Ella--- It sounds like you are having a great time with your new bike!! It will really make a difference being able to do something that you really like doing.. AND don't worry about having a bad food day yesterday--- it was your birthday celebration and that is just part of the plan. You can't give up everything!! Just get back on track tomorrow and you'll be fine.

Hi Lynn---- Good to hear from you again.

Well, Ladies--- I'm going to go and sit with DH and watch some TV tonight. Have a good evening and anybody I might have missed--- I'll try to catch you on the next post!!! Karen

I just found this thread and it sounds like a fun group. I used to post on the TOPS thread, but see it has been closed.
I think age wise, I would be the oldest one posting. I turned 73 in March. But my Mother always said 'age is a state of mind'
I have been married to my one and only blind date for 52 years. We had two children, son died in 1982 and daughter who lives about 45 minutes away. We have two grandsons, both will be Jr.s next year, one in college and one in high school.
We live in north central TX and are both retired. My husband was military for 24 years and had to retire because of health problems. Had an artificial mitrol valve placed in his heart in 1974! Since then we both have done several things!!! I finally retired for the third time, and I think I have figured out what retirement is, . I sold real estate, am a paralegal, then my friend talked me into doing some substitute teaching at middle school level. I did that for 9 years and they talked me into working in special Ed. That was my calling...less money, but more rewards! I loved it, but we needed to care for my mother in law who had just been diagonised with Alzheimers. She is now in a nursing facility and will be 100 in Oct.!
I have been fighting weight gain for about 15 years. I was always thin...but gained too much. I joined TOPS in 1985, put on some more weight! Then I reached my goal and stayed there for several years. Last year, I had some health issues and medication caused weight gain, and I must admit, I ate too much of the wrong food. This Jan. I was put on steroids again, and again I blossomed! I am now almost at my goal again. I am watching calories and exercising.
It is time for bed...1:44AM hope to hear from you all. We all need support on this journey, and I will be here to support you all.
Have a good night...
Mickey

Good Morning Ladies- I decided to go for my walk this morning instead of waiting until later in the day. You just never know what the weather's going to do.
As always my weight is up after the weekend so I'm going to have to work extra hard today to try and get it back off. I think I'll go to the library and see if they have the WATP tapes.
OK, I have to get my shower and then start on the laundry. You know what they say "A woman's work is never done". I'm having our Red Hat meeting here on Thursday so I also have to clean the house better than I usually do.

Phyllis- : Super job on the 3.5 loss.
How nice of your hubby to make breakfast for you. I hope he did the dishes too. Pancakes aren't that bad. At least you used the lit syrup. Next time tell him to throw some blueberries in the batter. That way you'll get your fruit in and the berries will take up more room and you have less pancake to eat!

Ella- Are you able to walk today after your ride? I hope you didn't over do it the first day out.
: Another pound gone! Good for you.

Lynn- I'll have to get a better photo of Brendan. How old is your G-GS? Brendan is 11. He'll be 12 in August.

Karen- You weather sounds like our in Ohio. It was beautiful all weekend. We had 78 degrees her yesterday. It's nice out there now, but the rain is moving in and it's suppose to rain and be cooler the rest of the week. It was nice while it lasted.
I love your doggie seats. Where did you get them? My daughter needs something like that for the cats.

Mickey- Nice to meet you. I agree with you mother. Age is a state of mind. How nice that you met the love of your life on a blind date. Strange how things happen.

Bobbi- I used to name my cars. There names were Nellie & Suzy Q. My daughters name their cars too.

Hi Mickey!

Welcome to our group! I'm a night owl, too, so it's nice to have some company on that!!

I married my first love, too! We've been married for 30 years and known one another since we were ten. A BLIND DATE, huh? Wow! That must have been SOME date to spark such a long time together!

I am very sorry to hear that your son passed away in 1982. I can't imagine how difficult that must have been and how hard it must continue to be. Please accept my sympathy.

Nice to hear that your daughter is well and that you have two grandsons! My youngest son is a senior in high school this year.

It must be difficult having a relative with Alzheimer's. We watched one of our alums slowly leave us month by month. The saddest thing was the meeting when we were talking about our families and she took out all of her family pictures in a huge accordian-type holder. She said, "These are all my family. I can't remember their names, but you can look at them anyway." Wow, that was SOOOOO hard!

I've been fighting my own weight gain -for thirty years! It sure feels good not to be lugging ariound all those pounds! Congratulations for being almost at goal!

SO glad to have you join us! Hope to hear from you often!

Cheryl

Good Morning!!

Mickey!! It's nice to meet you and we look forward to getting to know you better. My Mom used to tell me that everything after the age of 40 was maintenance!!

Paula, I bought those car seats at PetSmart. They really are handy and both Ginger and Sissy love that they can sit up and see out the window. And it's a lot safer than having them loose in the car!

We had a busy day yesterday and got lots accomplished outside. This morning it is nice and sunny but think that is going to be short lived and we will get the cold back this afternoon. Right now they are talking about rain but up here we'll probably end up with some more snow!! One good thing at this time of year it doesn't stay long!

Guess I'd better get busy and get some things done around here. I'll be back to check and see what is going on with all you Great Golden Girls later this afternoon. Take care. Karen

Hello again ladies, Wrote once before and subscribed to thread but I must be challenged because I did not get any response so been floundering. Hope you don't mind if I jump in with you. I can sure use the support. I am the heaviest of all of you.....
A recap I am 54 a retired teacher. Happily married for 35 years will be in Aug.
Mother of two girls who each have a daughter.
I love reading what you ladies have to say. You have given me motivation to plant a garden.....

Hi Everyone,

I went to the gym this morning, then to the dentist, & then came home & collapsed. I got only 4 hours of sleep last night (this happens to me about once a week).

This evening, I need to grade my students first assignments. I'm searching the internet for somewhere near me where I can take horseback riding lessons.

Take care everyone,

Lynn

Hi to all you Golden Girls, had a so so weekend eating wise -- nothing too bad but nothing too good. Sadly this is becoming an all too familiar theme that I have to break through. Got a lot of walking in thanks to my "loaner dog" I am actually thinking about joining a one month intense training clinic -- but I have to see how much running they do -- that is one exercise I do NOT get along with no matter what!!!!

Bobbi - I had a gorgeous golden retriever that I lost to cancer last year. I love dogs but will not replace her, I am taking care of a friend's dog for two weeks and as lovely as she is (7 year old Sheltie) I will be more than happy to send her home on Friday. I guess its like grandchildren - fun but always nice when the parents come to get them.

Phyllis - on 3.5 gone!!!

Ella - 35 minutes on the bike is 35 more than I have done yet LOL. And this weekend isn't looking much better -- ok maybe when I take Friday off that might be a good time. And $150 is great -- my DS laughs at me too but he is just thrilled that I bought one. Isn't it great that over eating by not too much causes us so much discomfort (I know funny thing to be happy about LOL). It really doesn't take much for me to feel full and queasy so I do all I can to avoid it now. Geesh in my past life I could put away two whole dinner plates of food after eating a ton of appetizers and still have room for dessert - no wonder I topped out at 275 pounds.

Lynn - congrats on using the gym -- I have used the pool a couple of times at my mom's condo -- I should do it more often she is close enough.

Karen - using different muscles is good for us -- I do the three different classes to mix up my exercise -- right now I am sort of stalled so like I said earlier time to step it up a notch.

Mickey - to the GOLDEN GIRLS

Paula - have fun with your meeting this week. My mom is a Red Hat and they have so much fun - I know I am old enough to join I am just not ready yet LOL

Hi to Cheryl, Theresa and any one else I may have missed.

Omigawd!!!!!!!! Here we were, freezing to death, cold & miserable last week, and now it must be close to 90 degrees out there! They haven't activated the AC here at my office yet, and I have the windows open, but seems like I'm just getting a nice, warm breeze. Ack!!! I guess you just can't please some people, and that would be me...

Karen, Jeesh! I know you have to celebrate birthdays and all, but having an upset stomach was SO not optimum!!! I didn't even eat that MUCH - just more than usual, and hadn't eaten all day. I've really developed a good routine for myself - even have Fiber One cereal with skim milk and a banana or berries in it for breakfast every morning, and I never was a "breakfast person" before. But, I eat like five or six SMALL meals - don't just sit down and eat a big meal all at once anymore, and I think that's why I felt so awful after eating at my daughter's.

Hey Paula - Yep, I'm still walking, and not even sore. I guess a few more times out on that bike and my bum will be used to it. That's what everybody tells me, anyway. And they'd better be right....<grumble>

Hi Mickey & Luflic! Please DO join in! The more the merrier! And this IS a teriffic group!

Hiya Cheryl!!!

Horseback riding lessons? Wow, Lynn. You're really getting into this whole lifestyle change thing, eh? I taught riding when I was in college - grew up around horses, actually, but haven't ridden in ten or more years. Used to ski, too, and haven't done that. Reading that you were looking to take riding lessons made me feel a little nostalgic for the "good ole' days". But I'm not about to get back in the saddle now. It is now officially in my "been there, done that, got the T-shirt" category.

Jay!!! Get on that bike of yours, girl! Your butt will be sore at first, but like I said, they tell me it goes away pretty quick. If it doesn't, you'll be hearing me kvetching and complaining all the way up in BC!!!

Oh, jeeze...I know I am missing people. Please forgive me - I'm at work and trying to hurry.

Hi Phyllis!

Hi Bobbi!!!! I'm so glad you (and Karen) are like me about cars! Now I feel totally justified in hanging on to mine if I want to.

TTFN,

Ella