Geriatric mm warriors (12/30/09)

[Wisteria1956]

A quick Hi to you all from Tucson! I could go on and on about the great time we are having. Our casita is so awesome; we have our own bedrooms, a big porch and a patio with awesome natural gardens. Birds everywhere. The views are breathtaking. Our best experience was at Karchner Caverns. It was truly a spiritual experience for all of us. One of the wonders of the world, as far as I am concerned. We didn't want to leave! We also had a really fun day hiking around the Saguaro forest. Today we went to the Tucson Sonora Desert Museum, which is really mostly outside. It was so much fun even though we got hit by a downpour and left before we were completely finished.
Hmmmm, food....Well, we've had Mexican food about 3 times. Big, late lunches with abandon as far as chips and guacamole go, but have come 'home' just wanting salads from Trader Joes for dinner. We stocked our fridge at Trader Joe's and have had healthy shakes, etc. so we're not doing too bad, all things considered. Have done a fair amount of walking. I'm thinking Step 1 might have to be the answer once we return, though. It was so good to see some of you that have been scarce lately. We really do need to stick together! See you next week! Lots of LOVE!

 

[Diane W.]

Lisa - Sounds like a great time! Enjoy!

 

[Simpleone]

I think I just found five minutes to sneak in a post! I'm here and still monitoring over coffee in the mornings. Diane, hubby and I laughed yesterday over your..Where is everybody? I've had two of my grandkids daily since Wednesday and they are wearing me out!! Love them to death but the stress level (even when they're fully behaved and getting along) just wipes me out. I can't form a clear enough thought to post! ..if that's not a sign of aging, I don't know what is!

I'm still spot on with Step I and am so glad for it. Lisa, your vacation sounds just wonderful, I'm sure you're enjoying it so much. I hope if you return to step I when you get home, you find it as easy as I have this go round. Piece of cake for me this time and am still wondering why that is...maybe I had a long enough break from it?

I've decided to join Curves this weekend. I hadn't realized that their program (sheesh, why does no one tell them these things) is centered around a circuit program...and just what my body needs! So I'm very excited and happy about this move. Three months until party time in Mexico and I want to be firmly planted into my new size 10's!

Rains are due in here this afternoon and are to continue for the next four days, bummer! I guess spring has returned once again!

Robin, how's things going sweetie?

The rest of you, yes you know who you are! come check in and let us know how you're doing, please?

Diane if you want, yell at me anytime and I'll be right here to respond to you. This is supposed to be my last day with the kids for a while and will be able to post mornings, once again.

Everyone have a terrific weekend!

 

[Diane W.]

Pam - Curves and step 1? Yay! I see your size 10's fitting beautifully! We don't have a Curves around here. There was one down by where I used to work and 2 of the parishioners I know went. They had such great results. One of them had trouble going up and down stairs (because of her weight) and 2 months later she had me come to the door to watch her go up and down one foot at a time. She was so proud of herself - it was great! It's also a nice social environment, from what they told me.

 

[Simpleone]

Hi Diane! I think of our town as being fairly small, we have four or five Curves very close to us. I really thought the place was a bunch of machines that tried to do the work for us, kind of like what was around when I was young. lol My middle DD has been bugging me forever to go to her gym and her trainer and brought it up again the other night. She goes to one downtown here, and it's a bunch of 'wealthy suits' that go there...just not something I'd be comfortable with. When I refused, she suggested Curves because of the circuit routine they offer. WHAT!?! If I'd had know that's what it was about I'd have been there at least a year ago! I had suggested to Robin at one point that all my research points to that kind of training for belly fat reduction and I soooo wanted to get to a gym to target that for myself. And here it's been a five minute drive from me this entire time! Grr! But I know now!

I'm so glad you're reinforcing the idea for me, gives me that extra boost of confidence I need to check it out. Thanks!!

Kids are gone, house is quiet...shusssssh, lol, tension headache almost gone lol

 

[Seabreezes]

Hi,

I'm here, just not spending a lot of time on the computer. The weather has finally warmend up here so am back to swimming and being outside more. Hopefully this will help the inches to just fall off!! I seem to be in a stall - not bad, but not where I want to be.

We had dinner at PF Chang's last night - really yummy, but know the salt content was high. Tonight we are off to one of our favorite restaurants and know I will not be on plan, but Sunday is a new week!! Right??

Have you all seen Diane's Facebook page where she is answering questions?

I'm trying to watch carbs and sugar as that seems to be the best for me.

Your vacation sounds lovely, Lisa. Are all the flowers blooming? I have always loved the desert in the Spring.

Hugs to EVERYONE

 

[Wisteria1956]

We're home and it's good to be home, but we did have a fabulous time! Bonnie's very tired from Aunt Cynthia's farm where she made a few new friends.

Pam: I'm really excited to hear about your Curves experience. I'm thinking I need some strength training and guidance to achieve it so I'm going to be looking for a gym, too.

Jocelyn: The desert was gorgeous! Some of the cacti were blooming and those that weren't were covered in buds. The Saguaro were just starting when we left. There was one near us that reminded me of a bride with her bouquet of white flowers and a wreath on her head.

We really were not nearly as disciplined as we have been on trips on MM in the past. The chips and salsa and beans were a major downfall - yikes! However, I didn't gain a pound and Tom lost 4! I guess it was all the walking or it hasn't caught up with us yet. We didn't eat out 3 times a day and I think that made a big difference too. Mostly let ourselves be free about one meal a day and kept to our senses the rest of the time. Only had dessert once for Tom's birthday, which he and I have celebrated a few times, lol! Together and then with J-P.

We've all been really interested in Jamie Oliver's work in school lunch programs. Tom read an article in his men's workout magazine that said there is research that chemicals in food can make you fat. They influence insulin and other systems in the body. We're making a renewed vow to stay away from processed food, which we had begun to incorporate because of MM. Cheeses were one area where we don't feel good about the choices we made on MM.

We're going to try to keep with what we know works while also challenging ourselves to keep the content as healthy as possible.

I'm trying another experiment by giving up my bioidentical hormones for a bit. Just want to see if I'm over the hump, so to speak, with the craziness of menopause. If you hear of an outbreak of a serial killer in my area you might want to inform the authorities, lol! Tom has been duly warned. I lost weight when I went off the pill decades ago, so maybe I will again.

As you can imagine, there is a lot to do with laundry and work so I'll sign off and wish you all a lovely start to the week!

 

[gettinhealthy]

Good morning everyone!! It is cloudy and rainy here, but it's almost 60* out. Not much going on here with me. Still way off plan. Need to get my butt in gear before those pounds start creeping back on. I just have the bloat right now My own doing, I know.
Bailey and Tyson have been keeping us pretty busy with walks and what not. She is thriving here with us, and has managed to gain about 3# in the 3 weeks we've had her. Trying to get the weight gain slowly on her so she doesn't get fat. Boxers are to have the "belly" of a greyhound.
I'll check back in later toward evening to catch up with you all.

Lisa, so glad you had a good time. I knew you would. Can't wait to hear more about it!!

 

[Wisteria1956]

Back on the treadmill in earnest today with no pain at a higher speed so I'm very encouraged that I'm nearly 'all better' from the injuries. I sure wish I had been able to ramp up before shorts weather! It's gorgeous here today, but rain is coming again tomorrow. I'm anxious to get back to my gardening. Thinking I'll try to go out for a bit each evening in the shade til I'm finished with the lasering. My face is healing really well and it's very smooth. I'm quite pleased. We're going to treat ourselves to a new grill so we can get back to cooking outdoors. Fish and grilled veggies sound fantastic. We're really getting into greens lately. Had one of the best dinners of my life in Tucson with Mahi Mahi, ginger butter and fresh spinach. OMG! Worth the plane ticket. I got a couple of new clients so out showing more houses tonight. I'll stop in to see how you all are doing tomorrow. Love to all!

P.S. We caved and ate sandwiches from Mr. Pickle yesterday since we had no groceries yet. Huge mistake! I got dreadful acid reflux from the roll. I know my flax bread works for me and MM! Back on board today.

 

[Wisteria1956]

Wondering where everyone went??? I never thought this would happen to us...

 

[Diane W.]

Hi Lisa, I know. I keep checking in to find no one had posted. I stopped coming on daily because, to tell you the truth, it was sad for me. I think the nice weather has people out and about. I'm going to make a point to post, even if it's just one line to say 'Hi'.
Hi! Stop by and let us know how you're doing!

 

[Seabreezes]

Hi.................

Just had some low carb pasta sauce with sautéed zucchini and yellow squash - quite tasty.

I had fun shopping today. Macy's had something I liked at 40% off and then another 25% on top of that. I got a few good bargains for some more summery clothes.

I have been going through my CD's and putting the ones I like on my computer and then onto my Ipod. I need to make a bit more storage area so can pack away the ones I have recorded. We'll see how all of this works. Hubby got a new Iphone so he was asking how to get music on it. That started my project!!! Projects always seem to grow into something more major for me!!

I assume you have all seen Diane's Facebook page where she is answering questions. I'm still intrigued with Belly Fat Cure as I like some of the recipes and the foods you can eat. It certainly was an eye opener when it came to sugars.

I saw your pictures on Facebook, Lisa. It looks like you had a lovely spot to be in and that you all had a great time. Did you get a lot of hail yesterday? Our manager was stuck in her car for a while in Jackson yesterday while the storm passed. This is the end of April - time for spring!!! We actually had another rainy day here today with a lot of wind - not really normal for this time of year.

3 months until a trip that I want to weigh less for and 5 months until my high school reunion. I put a picture on the side of the refrigerator to remind me not to open the door anymore often than necessary!!

I did make some low carb peanut butter cookies for hubby and some chocolate chip ones for me. I find one is just fine to have in the evening. I used Dana Carpender’s recipes and they are quite good. I keep reading all the bad things about Splenda now, too. I guess giving up sweets all together would be the thing to do. I did get some Stevia packets at Trader Joe’s when we were in CA and they are not too bad, but I haven’t tried cooking with them yet.

Hugs to ALL

 

[Virginiaponygirl]

Hi guys, I am so sorry to be out of touch so long, its just been nuts between busy at work, trying to hang out with Rick every night after work for a couple hours, etc etc...he is having a hard time adjusting to the empty house...OMG I fell off the wagon for 3 weeks during Dennis's passing...just grabbing junk or what have you when we had a free second, and I remembered REALLY FAST why my MM body hates carbs! Felt like crap as a result, and although I havent gained anything, my sugar was not happy and I felt terrible...but what could I do, it wasnt like we were cooking or anything, and my available choices were limited...ok ok no excuses! I am back on track this week, and feel a bit better already to tell you the truth! Im sort of doing a mix of step 2 and Jorge...mostly just adding beans brown rice and whole grains so I am sure to get in the recommended fiber...I think I might bite the darn bullet and make an appt with an endo so I can have a full adrenal workup and see whats up with my thyroid...seems insurance will pay aslong as I get the nod from my primary doc first, so she said no problem...now finding time to fit in the appointment!

Hope you are all well, and it is extremely disappointing to see that so many have disappeared...guess Im going to have to send out another missing mm's e-mail! Love you all

 

[Seabreezes]

HI

Hello Robin - good to see you. I keep opening Jorge's book and reading discussions on Facebook and some seem to be doing really well. I am definitely trying to get in the fiber as one of the Blogs really said she was doing much better after adding the fiber.

I made a mixture of golden flax and almond meal, baking powder and a little salt and cinnamon - the Muffin in a minute recipe and take out a quarter cup of the mixture, one egg mixed up and a heaping tablespoon of sour cream. I mix that all together and cook it for the minute and 30 secs. I then put a bit of sugar free syrup and some nuts on top. Really good and I don't get hungry for quite a while. I also get quite a bit of fiber in the process.

The weight is slowly going down from the trip - thank goodness. It didn't take me long to add 5 pounds - why so long to take it off????

We are going to a 75th birthday party tomorrow evening. It is at a Chinese restaurant so know the food will have a lot of sodium. Hopefully I can pick and choose as there will be a lot of people and no one will notice what I eat or don't eat!!!

Hope everyone has a nice weekend.

Hugs to ALL

 

[Diane W.]

Hi everyone!
Jocelyn - I love bargains at Macy's! I have the 25% off coupon and plan to go there on Sunday afternoon.

Robin - I'm glad you posted! I know you've had a difficult time of it and I'm happy things are settling down for you a little bit.

Lisa - What the heck is Mr. Pickle? I'm guessing it's fattening stuff? (aka really good stuff!!)

I've been going to Stony Kill environmental center to walk on the trails. They say one of the loops is .5 miles. Yesterday I walked it with a pedometer on. Everytime I went around I put a stone on a log and when I had 14 stones I thought I walked 7 miles and then it's a 1/2 mile to the car. So I figured it was 8 miles total. When I got to the car I looked at my pedometer and it said 4 miles! I was disappointed because I was so proud of myself. I went to the track and walked once around and the pedometer said .20 instead of .25, so it's a little off. But not by 1/2. The loop of that trail is only 1/4 mile - not 1/2 mile like they say on the map. Crap. Tomorrow I'm joining a hike with the local Adirondack Mt. club. It's 7 miles in the local Fahnestock State Park. It seems like something I can do, since it's rated a "B" hike - which is moderate. I've never hiked with strangers and I'm a little nervous. My son is encouraging me. I was thinking of backing out, but he talked me back into it. The only thing is it's supposed to be hot tomorrow. We're meeting at 9 am, bringing lunch and may to to Stonecrop Gardens when we're done. If it's too hot after lunch I can just go home and skip the Gardens. I'll let you know how it goes!

Enjoy the rest of the night! Talk to you tomorrow!

 

[Wisteria1956]

Diane: 4 miles is a good long way! You did great even if it was mismarked! Mr. Pickle is a sandwich shop with rolls and a killer garlic spread. Not too awful, but not low carb bread. My only one since last summer and not worth it!

Good to see the rest of the lovelies chimming in today. I just got home from work at 9 pm. I am dead to the world right now so I'll catch up over the weekend. Toodles!

 

[gettinhealthy]

Hi guys. I am still here too. I do pop in each day, but don't post. I'll do as Diane is and at least say hey, I was here LOL.
Still off plan, and having a bit of sugar. I have been talking with a nutritionist on the adrenal fatigue forum on FB. She said about the Splenda being really bad too. The truvia really doesn't agree with me. But I now know to not have ANY sugar because I got the worst yeast infection I've had in a long time. I asked the doctor for some Diflucan and he was hesitant to give it to me. I was like what the hell? I'm not asking for a narcotic or anything like that! I have a friggin yeast infection!
Needless to say, I got the script. I am taking a full 14 day course of it. I noticed CVS has holistic stuff to keep yeast at bay so to say. I got some of the gel to try for the itching, etc. Seems to work good. They have douches, suppositories, and these pills you can take daily to keep it at bay. I am going to try the pills I think. I have always gotten yeast infections rather easily. I was thinking back to when I started MM and I never had one at all in all those months! So, back to low carb, sugar free.
I also am very interested in Jorge's book. I still haven't gotten it, but I did join the forum on FB. Figured I'd get as much free information as I can LOL.

Diane, I think you did great with your walk. Even if it wasn't as far as you originally thought, it was still good!!
Tyson and Bailey have been keeping me busy with walks, playing and what not. She is such a sweetie and I am so glad we got her. She is such a snuggle bunny LOL. We thought about Bunny for a name for her since we got her so close to Easter. But I always liked the name Bailey. That was what I wanted to name Tyson, but Mike wouldn't let me. He said it sounded like Beetle Bailey. I told him it wasn't. It was Bailey's Irish Cream LOL.

I feel as though I'm rambling. I'm sitting outside with the dogs. It has really clouded up, as we have severe storms coming our way this evening into tomorrow.
I can now access the internet through my phone. My plan was up and I needed an upgrade, so I got a Blackberry. I absolutely love it so far!! So many things on it I need to figure out though LOL.

I'll stop in later this evening or tomorrow morning.

 

[Diane W.]

Hi Kathy! I hope you feel better and that it clears up quickly. You're so lucky to have 2 dogs! I wish I could have one, but I rent and it's 'no pets'. My phone is eligible for an upgrade next month. My son got a Droid and really loves it. I'm going to get something at least with a QWERTY keyboard this time.

My hike today was great! There were six other people. They were sooo nice and friendly. At first I thought uh-oh as we started to climb up the first part of the trail at a rather quick pace. But then it flattened out and the pace slowed a bit. It was a push at times, but nothing too bad. One of the men was about 75 yrs. old! His name was Al. He and one of the women were the plant experts. It was very interesting. We stopped to eat lunch by a lake- it was perfect. The heat of the day (87*) started to affect me towards the last hour and I was looking forward to the A/C in my car. In total it was 7 miles and we were there for 5 hours. I got a little sunburn on my face. I put sunscreen on when I left the house, but I have to pack some next time to reapply.

 

[Cindycin]

Hi Ladies - I've been so busy between just getting back from vacation and work being so busy. I haven't lost any more weight but haven't gained either and really haven't been exercising so I can't complain. Holding at 165. I've been back and forth for a year at this weight but pretty constant here. Wish I could lose the 10 more I was at before I had Parker.

Diane - your hike sounds amazing, I'm so glad you found group to have a little interaction with! That's awesome!!

Lisa - Sounds like you had a great vacation. Glad to hear you are almost completely recovered from your fall.

Kathy - sorry to hear about your yeast infection. They suck!

Any way, just wanted to say hello to everyone and let y'all know I'm still alive and kicking.

Miss you all!

Cin

 

[Wisteria1956]

Diane: You are such an inspriation! I love the stories of all of your hikes!

Kathy: Get some AZO yeast and take one every morning. It's holisitc and works great.

I have pulled bucketloads of weeds without bending my knee. At least I am not wearing polka-dotted bloomers like that lawn ornament lady! I'm only out back near the wetlands. Feels great to be back in my yard. Gotta take a shower and go show a property this afternoon. We're also going to buy a new grill today. Yum!