07DAD

There are a couple of books that have helped me try to understand how to work to maintain muscle mass on only veg protein. I do not binge on cardio. I do resistance and some lifting.

I have to say that several people I have talked to who have tried it eventually added back in some non-veg protein. My wife and I recently met a woman who is in her early to mid 40s who has done the vegan/body workout since in her early teens. Her hair condition and skin and general muscle tone is that of someone 10++ years younger.

I must admit that starting in your 50s has been a challange, but the change has been nothing short of unbelieveable. And, at least now you have an easier time finding the items you need and even truly vegan restaurants.

I look at it this way. It sure beats paying for doctor bills, prescription medicine, the shrink and divorce lawyers. And, being able to white water raft, hang-glide and boogie board with my college S as I quickly approach 60 is "priceless."

I helped both the trainer and the woman who does my massage set up their businesses so I have a sort of "grandfathered" rate. FYI--when I joined the big chain gym back in 2002 to have access to a pool for laps and the racketball courts, you could lock-in a low rate by pre-paying the first 3 years. I now pay $50 a year to maintain the membership. In the present economy I have heard you can get a pretty good deal.

07DAD

hmom5--mine was deciding whether to drive to a "bigman" store to buy my first size 44 pants at age 52 or drive to a gym. I'm glad I chose the gym.

VeryHappy

Good choice, 07DAD. You've done very well!!!

hmom5

Congrats 07Dad. I'm sure you'll agree that it's hard to explain to others how great you feel. I wasn't overweight, but I was a major consumer of junk food. Traveled constantly and ate whatever.

Have you considered just adding fish? DH and I eat very little meat now but do eat fish 3 or so times each week.

MiamiDAP

I have always remembered that I am a person too with kids / grandkids at home or without them. I cannot imagine only serving other's needs all day long. Well, if it makes you happy, why not? it does make me happy, but I have to spend few hours every day doing what I love that has nothing to do with others. My family has been very nice about it. When we got empty nest, I just add another activity, call it hobby to fill the day after work. And I love it.

morrismm

I don't get it. About 1 1/2 years ago I drastically changed my diet. I completely cut out as much saturated fat as possible. Rarely eat red meat or pork. Maybe eat chicken (w/o skin) once or so a week or fish (such as salmon). Many or most days are vegetarian or vegen. I only eat no or low fat dairy products, egg whites and no desserts. I do drink red wine several nights a week.

I lost 20 lbs. (This was a side affect. ) Also, I exercise 5 days a week.

EVERYONE says I look great. (After they ask if my health is ok!)

The point is, I DO NOT FEEL DIFFERENT I do like my body thiner for clothes, although I don't think I look much different. But I honestly do not feel younger.

So I suppose I am healthier. I'll take your word for it. But I do not reallly feel, as a person in her 50's, different.

BodaciousG

Love this thread. Today my mother babysat for my D. I treated myself to a manicure. Then I spent the rest of the day on my deck in the sun, curled up in a chair, reading my new hardcover, while sipping a flavored iced tea. Back to the grind tomorrow LOL.

avoidingwork

I canceled cable tv and subscribed to netflix and the daily ny times

catbird

My big treat to myself is joining Ravelry. I'm an avid knitter, but with a job and three high-needs teenagers, I tend to retreat to solitude for my yarn therapy. I'm finally making time to scan projects and upload them. It's soooooo rewarding!

Any Ravelers here? Let's pm each other to exchange ID's and admire each others projects.

JustaMom5465

Timely, go to Zumba.com and click on "Find a class". that's a good place to start. Many classes are NOT on the Zumba website but a lot of them are. I know mine are!

Edit to add: Lilmom, good for you! I'm glad you had fun! With the right instructor and music you can't help it!!

MiamiDAP

catbird,
I understand you completely. I do my pottery for exactly the same reason, because the process makes me feel happy. I have no idea what I will do with all these pieces. I am giving them away as much as possible.

lilmom

miamiDAP, my DH does pottery. He has a stressful office job and sometimes looks forward to taking it out on the clay...
Do you have a kiln? or do you send it out to be fired? I feel bad that I discouraged him from buying a used kiln a few months ago. Turns out that its the one he wanted (after more research) and it was so much cheaper.

sunnyflorida

Now that I have stuck to it long enough that it is a new habit, I am happy to report that I joined Planet Fitness and have returned to exercising on a regular basis. I had changed my diet awhile back, but I also did not "feel" that much better. I always hated to exercise--not sure why. I never felt that endorphin rush. But now I really needed to. I was not getting any younger. I visited gyms. They were too expensive or too overwhelming, or filled with body builders who were not afraid to put their body on display. I entered a PF, one that I pass every day on the way home from my office. The sheer number and variety of cardio equipment (treadmill, elliptical, arc, cycles) was impressive, as was the bank of 12 very large flat screen TV's mounted to watch while running/spinning etc. And it was filled with everyday folks like me. For $10 a month. I joined, and now I GET the endorphins, and I watch the news...or deadliest catch....or cash cab while plugged in with my headphones. And it goes by faster. And I feel so much better.

HImom

For folks w/o a kiln, you might see if your neighborhood parks & rec community center or school has a kiln & schedule for firing so you can perhaps pay a nominal fee for having your pieces included. That would save you having your own kiln that takes up space. Just a thought, as they often teach neighborhood ceramics classes as well as classes at schools.

lilmom

HImom, that's worth a try. I know the local cc here offers qute a few ceramics classes.
Thanks for the tip.