Wow! So good to know I'm not the only person insane enough to start a diet BEFORE New Year's :-) Imagine what a head start we're getting on our New Year's resolutions?
I'm 46, owned by 4 determined cats (KC (19 yo Abby), Pod (3 legged wonder), Smokie (loudest cat I've ever known), and Kleenex (trust me--don't name a cat after a cleaning product), and am once again climbing on the diet treadmill. This time is actually a bit different because I haven't hit a new "high", but instead find myself at the end of a year 25 pounds lighter than when I started. How the he** did that happen you ask? Well, a little surgery, an exploding cyst that really wipes out the appetite, and then shoot....I somehow managed to maintain the lower weight for 10 months.
I've recently chewed through any remaining fingernails waiting for annual physical results and have managed to dodge some big bullets--no high blood pressure (there was a scare but I (and my doctor) now know that I just have a solid case of white coat syndrome based on the year's earlier experiences), no diabetes, no high cholesterol. And, with middle age solidly sneaking in and absolutely NO desire to sweat out the results of tests that were absolutely called for given my heft, I've decided that I have GOT to make some serious changes.
Oh yeah, and did I mention the Half Dome hike? I have committed to one of my sisters and my niece that I will join them in August 2006 in Yosemite for a climb up Half Dome (if y'all don't know, that's a round trip of ~16 miles with 5,000 feet of climbing). Of the three of us, I'm the only one who HAS done it. But that was 2 decades ago and it kicked my patooty then. So...this time around, I want to be in shape for it. And, frankly, if I don't lose at LEAST 40-50 pounds by August, I'll probably be needing knee surgery. So....I'm diving in.
My goals for December are very modest--only 4-6 pounds. My real focus this month is to make the commitment and redevelop some positive habits including exercising regularly. I can up the intensity as I go into 2006. Jillian Michael's new book has been a big inspiration (I've been lurking and reading her posts). What I *do* know this time around is that this is a different game at 46 than it was at 26 or 36. I'm struggling with perimenopause and I know when--during the month--my weight fluctuates with weight gain. I found WW (meetings) incredibly depressing because it's pretty much guaranteed that 2 out of 4 weigh-ins in a cycle are going to be affected by hormonal changes affecting water retention. So....this time around I know which weigh-ins (at home) to brace myself for and that I have to focus on the BIG picture which may mean really looking at something like Day 8 in my cycle every 28 days to have a more realistic view of overall weight loss since the week-to-week view is going to fluctuate some.
Anyway....any other 40/50 somethings out there? I'm willing to chalk it up to a middle-aged moment, but have I missed a forum specifically for those of us that remember life without cell phones, the smell of a slightly damp, freshly mimeographed sheet, and cars that fit in parking spaces?
HI, No, I don't think you're crazy to start now! If not now, When? There is always some obstical, some event, some holiday. So there is no time like the present to start changing a life style and become the healthy, think people I know we can become.
I think you have some goals that will help you stay on tract. The hike sounds like fun, and starting now means you will be able to acomplish it and make it a fun time as well as a challenge.
I am post-mentopasal and girl, it doesn't get any easier. Seems like my body has just shut down. It's holding on to this weight with both hand and kicking and screaming!!!!! I'm at my highest ever. But, I won't give up and I won't give in. I am determined to lose the weight and keep it off! Congrats to you for keeping the weight off for as long as you have! That in it's self is a real accomplishment.
so, if you want a buddy to compare notes with, give encouragement, and maybe just complain about the whole process...... just send me a private message and I'll send you my e address
Welcome to 3FC NowOrNever! and congratulations on your weight loss so far! There is a great group of mainly 40 and 50 somethings in the McSkinney's Loozing Floozies forum...you're more than welcome to join us there!
[QUOTE=Anyway....any other 40/50 somethings out there? I'm willing to chalk it up to a middle-aged moment, but have I missed a forum specifically for those of us that remember life without cell phones, the smell of a slightly damp, freshly mimeographed sheet, and cars that fit in parking spaces?[/QUOTE]
I had to laugh at your mentioning of life wihtout cell phones, etc. I do remember those days! I am trying to start a diet during one of the most difficult months but almost every month has some kind of holiday we want to avoid....if I can just cut back a little and not gain, I'll be happy. Good luck to us all this month!!!
Hi y'all! Oh, so nice to have a couple of notes to read today!
Cyl53, I'm glad to have company in this insane December adventure! I probably hit a December that will be fairly easy compared to others: my company no longer has a Christmas party (boo!!), I'm not traveling to my family's gathering this year, and the friend whose household I'm joining for Christmas Day will probably be featuring only low/no fat options to ensure that her ailing parents (gall bladder issues for her dad) can partake of all options. So...I won't have to worry about a lot of temptations there. Oh yeah, AND there are two other ladies here at work who have just joined the same gym so we're egging each other on.
Slim Me--I hear ya on that one! My body has been doing some really serious hormonal swinging on me in the last year (I started having peri symptoms in my mid-late 30s so here at 46 I almost feel like an old hand) and I think the "NowOrNever" moniker came to me because I realized it just is NEVER going to get any easier--just harder over time.
McSkinney's it is!! I'll check out the group :-) I guess I should be glad it wasn't called something like the saggy, baggy, middled aged babes LOL
I guess I should be glad it wasn't called something like the saggy, baggy, middled aged babes LOL[/QUOTE]
No way on the negativity! I call myself fabulous, fit and 40! I have regained a bit of the weight I worked very hard to lose (I've been a WW Lifetime for 1 year, but had a gain in November). I am back on track and would love to be in this group. Definitely having hormonal wackiness...
Another Newbie! 40s/50s folks out there?
