This is a quiet bunch, eh? Today the weather is breaking in my neck of the woods. We've been showery for the last 4 days, and I've had to walk at the mall mostly. Luckily I work right across the street from it. Looking forward to getting back outside tomorrow. Today I'm headed to the pool for a swim. I love being weightless in the water!! We are going out to lunch (the office) after the swim, but at least it's somewhere where I can get a salad.


I hope everyone is doing well.

Beth

It's been about 2 weeks since the last post. Been doing well watching those calories and exercising at least 4-5 times per week.

Summer is coming and I will not be able to wear my cotton blouses if I don't lose at least 3-4 more pounds. It gets really hot and humid here in NY.....

Totally doable....just have to stick to my healthy habits.

How about you all?

Virginia

Hi All,

Walked yesterday (thank you for the motivation ....felt great).

Damp here in NY so I tried my husband's workout bike. I usually use the elliptical, but figured my body was in a rut and needed something different. Worked up a sweat and burnt off some calories. Feel good about it.

How about you all? How are you feeling about yourselves today?

Virginia

Whoo Hoo Virginia....Go Girl!!!!!


Stay Well, Stay Fit, Stay Focused

SW / 159 CW / 152 GW / 135

Hi All,

I see at least one common string: menopause

We need to exercise more, eat less and accept the fact that what used to come easier in the past will now be more difficult.

I'm feeling tired a lot which hampers my resolve to get more exercise in. However, just reading Sheila's post has given me a bit of motivation. The woman runs!

Pregnancy was my downfall...never got the weight off (and was never pushed to, either). If we only knew then what we know now....

A beautiful cool spring morning is calling me, so off to a walk I go.

Good Day to all!

Virginia

Hi Virginia

Have been away from home for a while...with little to no access to a puter....

To answer your questions...The Adidas Bounce are great!! and I am very very picky when it comes to shoes....what I mean is ...my feet are exceptionally particular about what they are happy in!

No this isn't the first time for battling the weight. After I had my first 2 kids I gained 70lbs...went from 127 to 199.5 and then after my cutie patootie doctor commented that I was overweight, I decided to woo him by losing weight...;-)...so I just monitored everything I put in my mouth and started doing floor exercises in my home. I weighed myself every day and went to his office across the road to weigh in once a week. He was amazed!!....I lost all my weight and more...and then got pregnant with my 3rd ..I swore I wouldn't put on an extra ounce and when I went into labour the staff questioned where the baby was...I was still a size 7...and that is where I had stayed until I moved up north into God's country.
I ended up only working part time and travelling 3.5 hours to work (we stayed down in the city when we were on shift) and then travelled 3.5 hours home. It is true ...when you are in the car longer than 30 minutes per day you will gain weight!!!
So after 6 years of doing that I went from 133 to 159...and now am damned and determined to get it back off and keep it off.
I am now 149.5 lbs and have been with CK since March. I started my walking program in late February and have gradually built up the distance. Now I am alternating walking and running. I bought the Polar f6 Heart monitor and it really does help to keep you on track and motivated.
I too find that the process is very slow now...comes with the aging process I suppose. Having said that slow is better than zero zilch stopped...
So I'll just keep on keeping on.
If you send a message and I don't respond right away..I'm not ignoring you ...just caught up in either doing my Glassic shows or my Jewellery shows, and or am away from home with either or both of those and or visiting my daughters and granddaughters.
Well my new friend....enough jammering for now...I will look forward to hearing from you soon..
by the way my email address is [email protected] should you wish to communicate that way.
Have a great day and from one Gardener to another.....Happy Gardening!!!

Sheila
Ontario Canada

Stay Well, Stay Fit, Stay Focused

SW / 159 CW / 152 GW / 135

We did South Beach Phase 1 for 1 week, then did Phase 2 for a 2 weeks. We gradually added more of the right carbs until we were almost on the maintenance phase and settled into our own eating plan.
I think South Beach is a good kick start program, but for a lifestyle we have chosen to count calories, carbs, fat, fiber, etc.

We take in a lot of fiber to counteract those carbs and our fats are healthy fats.

I think each person needs to figure out how many calories they need to maintain. I can eat about 1700 calories a day and maintain. If I want more calories I need to exercise and burn them off.

CK has me at 1500 cal a day to lose. I'll lose slowly, but I feel satisfied about what I eat and am not hungry. When I exercise it gives me about 300 extra calories to eat...or, sometimes, to be honest, I just don't eat any extra.

My weigh in day is tomorrow. I usually lose 3-4 pounds the 1st week I get strict about calories and exercise and anywhere from a pound or so a week after that. It is slow, but it really does tend to stay off. In addition, I reinforce healthy habits.

Is this the 1st time you have made an effort to lose weight?

I'm doing yard work today, so I too shall experience some soreness.

Virginia

Thanks :-) I am trying the better carbs thing for 2 weeks, with no fruit, etc. South Beaches, first phase. What I find is I get suddenly ravenous, doing this, but I dont feel bloated and gurgly like I did with the carbs. (Sorry for the explicit description :-) )

Thanks for the kind words, its the lack of muscle tone I suddenly notice - its awful!! And the little layer of fat on my stomach which I've read about.

I put on an extra 20lbs in the last few years cause I didnt know how my system was handling carbs.

I went bowling Saturday & am really sore, yeah :-))

Tell me, how many calories do you now need to maintain, and to to lose?

Thanks!

Carole

Hi Carol,
I'm 56, 5'7", been in menopause for 6+ years. I have noticed that I need less calories as I've gotten older.

I'm fairly active, exercise most days and watch what I eat. I think your body is happy where you are and it needs a "kick", either by increasing your activity or cutting calories or perhaps changing the quality of your carbs. All carbs are not created equal!

I don't imagine you have much to lose, not at that height. It does get harder to lose the closer you are to your goal weight.
Do you think you have plateaud?

I'll check in every once in a while to see how you are doing. Hang in there and try shaking things up a bit ~ do something different!

Virginia

Hello,

I've just joined this forum. Have been on CK some months, struggling as my weight doesnt seem to change much, stays in the 175-180 lb range (I'm 5'7" very energetic, do stairs, walk, bike) but as I am in the midst of menopause I seem to be struggling. I put on 20 lbs then read that our response to carbs is different. I had a huge sugar dependency. I'd like to find a meal plan and CK doesnt seem to be working ,as I do the diet, walk and still see no results, so it must be a carb thing?

Plus the online food categories are all messed up, and it never seems to get fixed. It doesnt seem to respond to my adjustment, or say what carbs I need to lose, during menopause....

Gotta run, as I'm at work. Would appreciate any input!

Carole in RI

Hi Sheila,

The 5 to 6 miles per day...running? Congrats on getting out there most days. I've looked into a better pair of shoes/sneakers for walking~the price sort of surprised me. My feet are a bit more demanding of comfort these days.

This is day 2 for me on CK. (Year 8 of my new lifestyle, however). Being able to interact with the software and be in touch with others in my situation (over 50 and needing to change or continue with lifestyle issues) is great. I've spent a bit more time than I planned on the computer, but better than in front of the TV eating.

I have lost a weight (still a bit to go) and sometimes get upset about the unexpected changes in my body (flab and loose skin and more wrinkles). At this age, the skin does not bounce back. I actually look a bit younger in the face with some added weight, but it's not worth my health. It's been a rough experience, realizing I'm at the point in my life where Mother Nature has the upper hand.

However, I'm learning to adapt and have purchased some nice cute tops with sleeves. Gone also, are the days of shorts, and let's not even talk about a bathing suit. I've decided to get back on track and when I lose some more weight I can buy something fashionable that can show off my curves, but still camouflage the loose skin. I’m not ready to be “old” quite yet.

Did you get a chance to use those new Adidas?

Virginia
CW 192
GW 159 (but would love to see 177)

Hello everyone...sorry I have been busy with travelling back and forth from home...I am doing shows with my Glass ware and I have just started up as an Independent Jeweller so I am busy trying toget that off the ground as well. Still getting in my 5 to 6 miles per day except for yesterday and today....will be back at it tomorrow after I go and buy another pair of shoes ...(I left my new runners at home...:-(.....

Will check back in soon...in the mean time

Bought another pair of my "Bounce" shoes from Adidas....a whopping big 135.00 again...I won't tell hubby unless he notices....and I couldn't get the exact same ones so he'll notice..these have 3 pink stripes on the sides....So he will definitely notice!....OH WELLL!!!


Stay Well, Stay Fit, Stay Focused

Sheila

SW / 159 CW / 152 GW / 135

Hi Beth,
I'm new to CK. Been using it for calories counts, etc. but just joined today. I'm 56, live in Brewster, NY (60 mi NE of NYC) and been fighting weight all my life. Can't say I'll write everyday, but saw your post and thought I'd respond. I've lost 80 lbs in 7 years (healthy eating and exercise, with ups and downs) and am currently strugglying with a 12 lb weight gain that I've been trying to reverse since Nov 07. I have good and bad days and am frustrated because I should know better! Saw some of your posts and see you have the same issues. So, you are not alone. Hope today was a good day for you.
Sincerely,
VirginiaB

check out your blog as I just wrote. Weather here is gorgeous. where are you? I am in a suburb of phila.susan

Hellooooooooo, anyone home? Sure is quiet in this group. But I thought I'd come by and post just to say I'm still here. It's a beautiful day here in NC. We should be in the low 80's with lots of sunshine. A good night to grill out. Pork tenderloin and some fresh grilled veggies are on our menu tonight. Hope eveyrone had a more than average day.Beth