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, ladies! I think the worst of my term is over and I should be posting here more -- I need the support to lose the 5-7 pounds I've gained this spring!
I'm off for two days. I'm headed out to spend today and tomorrow with mom. I haven't seen her since Christmas.
We had a very good weekend. And my back is telling me so today!
Saturday was spent outside almost all day. My niece came out to help. The place is looking good. The garden is looking good too. Lots of things coming up now.
Yesterday, I went to ride horses with a friend. She is the gal that we bought Ginger from almost eight years ago. We've ridden together several times over the years but kind of lost touch about three years ago - except for the annual Christmas cards. She lives near where I used to board the horses that is right across from the big equesterian park. I rode one of her horses and we rode for almost three hours.
When we met, she was married to this strange guy. Very moody and just strange. I learned out on the trail years ago that he used to be a counselor for his mother's rehab physcility but then the mother died and they sold it. After it was sold, he didn't work anymore but was just at their place all the time. Then three years ago, she bought the place where she lives now and moved without him. She said that he wanted to separate. Then she got busy with a new place and all the work that comes with it and we didn't ride much. Then he decided to sell his place and moved back in with her. Then we moved down here and other than the Christmas card, no contact. A couple of weeks ago, she called out of the blue but I was gone somewhere. DH said it sounded like she wanted to talk. I finally got in touch with her on Saturday. When I left her a message, her phone just said her name so I figured that he was no longer in the picture. So we're riding out her driveway and she says, "You know I lost him, don't you". I started to say yeah, I suspected...no wait, Lost?? She said, he committed suicid a year ago. I almost fell off her horse. He had gone to the equine park there and left his truck where she would drive by on the way home from work and see it. He had then walked back into the park and shot himself. When she saw his truck, she knew immediately what he had done. He had threatened suicide a few times over the years they had been together. He did this 24 hours after their divorce was final. There are no words I could think of to say except when she said its her fault that it was his final decision not hers. However, I think she knows at some level that he had dealt with bipolar and depression for years and this was his way out. His mother had been bipolar and killed herself too. HOLY COW! Things like that are a reminder that the problems we dealing with are monumental, maybe aren't quite so bad as we think.
On that note, I better get around and get on the road pretty soon.
See ya'll on Wednesday!
Last edited by Terri in MO; 05-19-2008 at 08:21 AM.
Looking to be a busy day and week here. Just heard my first hearing of the day arrived in-person. Without prior notice of course. We do about 90% of hearings by phone here, so when they show it's always a pain really, but it's the job. Wouldn't be so bad if we expected it.
We had a busy weekend too. Saturday we did a medieval demo for the cub scouts. Those are always fun, even if they do take most of the day. Sunday I should have gone to the office. I intended to really, but it was so nice I did gardening instead. Bought some big planters and got the tomatoes in, put the peppers and cilantro in the garden, put up some windchimes that I hope will keep the deer out of my beans and built a planter box and planted some scarlet runner beans out in the yard. They are my sacrificial veggies for the deer. If they eat those, maybe they'll be full and leave the blue lake alone! We had some company for dinner. That was a nice change of pace. Grilled some steaks and potatoes and just kind of relaxed.
Terri, I feel for your friend. My ex also committed suicide. He was - well, not a good guy - not mean or violent, but always a screw-up. After our divorce he got in legal trouble and was on the run from the law for a couple years. That was when my DH adopted DS, when the ex was nowhere to be found and we hadn't heard from him in over a year. They caught him and I had told him I would NEVER accept a collect phone call from him. He called from the county jail and I wouldn't accept it. That night he hung himself. The guilt you feel is unbelievable. DS was only 7 and I've never told him how his biological father died. I still wonder what I'll say if he ever finds out. I truly feel suicide is the most selfish thing a person can do. I guess they are so wrapped up in their our feelings they don't think of what it will do to the ones they leave behind.
Well, that was a ray of sunshine to start the day, huh? I have to go now, times up and I have work to do.
Hi everyone,
I've been out of the picture for a while. Nothing serious - just too damn busy. I thought retirement meant I didn't have to work, but between part timing it and getting ready for camp, I haven't had much time for anything else. All my computer time has been used to get my English newsletter finished and published out to my English teacher friends and on the web. Next weekend I'm taking a ton of stuff down to camp and then coming back. With gas prices up I hope to make it in two trips, not 3, but we'll see.
My new car is getting good gas mileage, at last compared to my last car. My old car ended up being used for the school's mock accident! LOL What a way to go. Still teaching right up to the end.
I hope to focus on losing some weight when I get to camp. There won't be as many temptations there - at least until camp starts up the end of June. Until then, I'll be working around getting my cabin and the art room set up.
If anyone wants to see what my camp looks like, check out www.campstrawderman.com It's beautiful.
Take care.
I'll be checking in more often now .
Bearcub
Hey Bearcub! Good to see you again. That camp looks wonderful - reminds me of the "rich girls" camp from the movie The Parent Trap! What a great way to spend the summer!
Just a quick pop-in today. Much to do and, as usually, 8 hours won't be enough!
Wow. Some heavy chat today. I'm so sorry for both you ladies, that such a sad & horrible thing has been so personally close. I had a spell 16-17 years ago that was so devastating that I briefly considered escaping. Even had the gun in my hand, but thought of my dad. I couldn't begin to bare the thought of putting him through that, and when I walked away from it I was stronger and knew I'd never even consider it again. I'm lucky, because although I was deeply grieving, I don't suffer from depression. I think it must be an incredible struggle for those that do, but life is just SO worth living.
And on the topic of buying back my life & health - I woke up early this morning before the alarm, and I actually got up and went and worked out! Amazing. Between being so sick last month and so busy since then, and just plain tired all the time, I haven't worked out in a month or more. It felt good.
I have a friend and her 6 year old that have started coming out to ride Steega. She has a horse, but he's super-green, and she just doesn't know what to do with him. She's sending him out to a trainer for a month so he'll get daily consistant work (a VERY wise decision) but she wants to learn to ride in the meantime so she'll know better when he comes home. She rode 'the old man' bareback last night and was thrilled with herself. It's so cool to see people enjoying themselves. The 6yo has some serious behavior issues, but when she's riding she listens and gets such a great sense of pride and accomplishment. She's a totally different kid.
Gabriel was an absolute ROCKET on Sunday when I rode. He was feeling frisky between no riding for almost a week and rain that kept him inside. He only bucked once or twice - little ones cuz I pull him up sharply when he does that - and I let him really trot out to work off some steam. He was pretty much flying around the arena and the girls were watching with big eyes. Then all of a sudden I kissed to urge him on, and he hit a gear I hardly knew existed and certainly have never ridden before. He stayed in trot, but when his turbo kicked in his rear end dropped and his head came up a little more and ZOWIE! MY eyes were popping. Cool thing was, I wasn't even scared. I was just totally wowed. It wasn't a sustainable power surge, especially given the small size of the ring we were in, but holy cow, it was awesome!!! I didn't get to ride last night, but I brought barn duds with me and am heading straight to the barn after work.
Gosh, I wish I had insurance. I'm dying to ride outside of the arenas, but I don't wanna die doing it. ya know?
Nice, cool day today for a change. It was about 60 when I got up so I threw open all the windows and doors while it stays cool. This should last a few more days at least.
I loved your message re your riding, Valerie. I wish I had a passion like that. I haven't been on a horse since I was about 18 years old and now it would take a plowhorse to carry me. Being a city gal, the only pet I have is my 8-month old Cavalier King Charles spaniel. And he is so small, the only thing he can carry is a load of fleas. It is so special for someone to teach kids with problems how to ride and learn to take care of horses. There is a program around here somewhere, where they let disadvantaged kids spend their summer with horses - learn to take care of them and ride. It helps to make them better kids and keeps them out of drugs and gangs. So important.
I spent most of yesterday downloading and sorting out my cruise pictures - I was on a 15-day cruise in the Caribbean in November so have lots of pictures. I have the names of people I met somewhere but can't remember where, and now the names are starting to fade. So, I have to finish this and get everything labeled. No one sees them but me, but I really enjoyed refreshing my memories of that cruise.
Yesterday, I decided I have to cut out most of the carbs I have been eating - crackers, etc., as I am putting some of my weight back on. So I have put myself back on Phase I of the SBD to get my appetite, etc., back under control. And stay off the scale more than once a week. Too depressing when I see the weight climb back up. I did very well yesterday and I think I feel a little better today.
Today is a good day to clean house and get rid of dog hairs. My pup is shedding like mad and my blue carpet is a mess.
Valerie, I'd so LOVE to see you zooming around on Gabe! I bet it's a wonderful feeling. I had horses a few times as a kid, but never really learned to ride. Mom and Dad got me a beautiful quarter horse/appalosa mix when I was about 13, but he was very green and I could never get him to behave, so they sold him again. I took English lessons for a bit in law school, but I freaked the first time I went over a jump. (Just those crossed bars on the ground, what a wimp. ) That was when I found out for the first time I have a fear of heights too - up on the horse was even more height than I was comfortable with. So I guess it's not for me, but that doesn't mean I don't envy you guys.
Had a meeting yesterday about our renfaire we put on each year last night. It's barely a month away and we are so unprepared this year! I'm headed to the St. Louis Renaissance Festival on Monday to scout for some more acts for our little one-day faire. It should be fun. The woman I'm going with has been a faire actor in the past and she wants to go in costume. Luckily I still had a bodice from years back - I had to take it in FOUR inches! I still have to make a skirt, because renfaire is different than real medieval reinactment, which is what all my current garb is for, but I have time and it's always fun to play dress-up! And while there will be faire food and drink, there will also be a ton of walking and a bodice tight enough to keep me from overeating!
I so totally pigged out last night though. It was late when we got out of the meeting and we were starved and went out to one of my favorite restaurants and I didn't hold back to anything remotely healthy. I ordered the linguini and livers, which sounds awful but tastes great. Pasta with garlic cream sauce, sauted chicken livers and mushrooms. I only ate 1/2, but that's still a bizzillion calories! Then we got this HUGE chunk of chocolate cake too! How can food that tastes so good in your mouth feel so bad in your stomach?
I'll try really hard to be "better" today. Not like I can get it back out of my system now that it's in there.
KATHLEEN – OMG! i LOVE those spaniels! I’ve only met a couple, but they’re SO sweet and SO beautiful! Do you have pics posted??? As for needing a plow horse, me too. Gabe is a friesian, and he’s a pretty big guy – massive bone and muscle, but just a little too lively for me at this age and roundness. Just can’t part with him tho. I loved SBD, too. It’s been the only thing that’s really worked for me, but I have trouble sticking to it enough. Laziness – I need to plan ahead more and quit eating out so much.
LILION! SO cool that you had to take that bodice in FOUR INCHES! YEAH! I understand that accuracy in dress in important with real medieval reenactment, but I’m surprised that anyone would notice at a renfaire. We have them around here, and my sister worked one once, but I haven’t been in years. It’s so much fun. HEY! Maybe I’ll find it and take the 4-Hers this year! Thanks for the idea!
Hope you had a nice visit with your mom, TERRI. Tomorrow is my planting night. I’m still trying to think of things I can can. I’ve bought a load of mason jars already.
Well, once again I didn’t actually get on the horse last night. One of my little girls came out, so we grazed the horses, getting their digestive systems used to real grass again gradually. Then we ended up washing their tails. Stephanie has been BEGGING to wash tails for months! She was ecstatic that we finally got to it. Gabe even stood like a prince while his was done, and I know he really doesn’t care for having his rear end used as my Barbie doll. His tough luck tho – lol!
Tonight I have stalls to clean again, but I’m determined to climb up on him if only for a short ride.
RUTH, BEARCUB, HEATHER, & EVERYONE! Have a splendid day!
Hello and Happy Thursday! It's raining and dark and I wish I were in bed! Zzzzzzz!
Valerie, What I meant is that Renfaire garb is totally NOT accurate for the most part - which is the fun part of it. I just can't get over how much I've regained in my weight, but at least I'm not where I was when that bodice was made!
Terri, Hope you had a nice visit!
Heather - Hey, it was a post, albeit a tiny one!
Sorry I can't do more today, but I'm rushed!!! Gotta run!
Nice cool day today. We had a big windstorm yesterday - I rarely get wind where I live but it came through all afternoon - trees down in some places, but the only problem I had was the mess from the trees. I had just vacuumed so between the winds and the dog, my place is as messy as before. So, I have some work cut out to do today.
I went shopping at Trader Joes yesterday - got my almonds, lettuce and some dog food among other things. They also had ths cute little purple hydrangea so I grabbed it. Now to get it planted somewhere.
After I brought everything in, I let the dog out of his cage - I keep him either caged or penned in when I leave as he has to get into everything and I don't want to come home to a mess. I went on the computer and then called him to come in from the patio - no pup. I thought he was just being stubborn so kept on writing. All of a sudden, I hear a woman calling my name, so I went out and she had my dog in her arms. I had forgotten to close the gate when I brought the groceries in, and he went exploring and ended up in her yard, thank goodness. First time I've done that since I got him. Don't want to lose him - he's my best friend right now.
I decided not to weigh myself more than once a week, but to just watch what I eat and see what happens. It gets too discouraging when the numbers go up and I tend to eat when I am depressed, happy, sad, lonely, excited, etc., etc. I just have to make sure I feel good and it'll happen.
Nothing much going on until Saturday. Then I go to Huntington Beach to watch my granddaughter play soccer. Should be fun - it usually is.
Except, it's not diet or exercise related. I went to not one, but two garden centers and stocked up. And it's really not that warm out, and it's going to be a little too cold tonight to plant much, if anything. I did clear space in the garage though, and my new purchases (somewhere just about 8 flats worth) are sitting in the garage.
Tomorrow is to warm up, and I wanted to get as much done tomorrow / Sat / Sun as possible. I didn't want to spend the morning tomorrow out buying plants. I may plant the tomatoes and peppers today as they're going in where it's possible to cover them overnight. Well, I might plant them if the rain stops.
Other than that things are quiet here. Today is technically my rest day and I was kind of hoping to spend it planting. Why can the weather not co-operate? Oh well, I suppose it could be worse.
300+ and Getting Fit after 40 #159
What a way to go. Still teaching right up to the end. 
What a great way to spend the summer! 
) That was when I found out for the first time I have a fear of heights too - up on the horse was even more height than I was comfortable with. So I guess it's not for me, but that doesn't mean I don't envy you guys. 
I only ate 1/2, but that's still a bizzillion calories! Then we got this HUGE chunk of chocolate cake too! 
How can food that tastes so good in your mouth feel so bad in your stomach? 
Not like I can get it back out of my system now that it's in there. 
I just can't get over how much I've regained in my weight, but at least I'm not where I was when that bodice was made! 
