<p>Yikes, 3b, half the posts on this thread are from people on the other thread who have come here and offered encouragement. I think you misunderstood. The other thread has plenty of activity, with or without folks here participating there. So, best to you and everyone else who has been posting.</p>
<p>Then why come here and try to conivince us otherwise?</p>
<p>Some people try to create harmony. Some people try to create discord. Read my original post, I didn’t tell anyone where they should post. And from what I saw, others offered <em>encouragement</em>. If you’re looking for a fight you’ve chosen the wrong person 'cause I’m not interested. Have a nice day.</p>
<p>I’m one to find ANY excuse not to exercise.
Belonged to a gym 3 miles from home but decided it was ‘too far’ and gave up on it.
Two months ago, right before the Christmas cookie barrage, I joined a new gym 1.5 ish miles away that is subsidized by my employer so costs me $10/month out of pocket.</p>
<p>So far, so good. 4-5 times/week, quick and easy. I go directly from work then head home to shower. Still have time for family and house stuff. I am cautiously optimistic.</p>
<p>There is no one size fits all so I am happy that there are multiple threads to learn from. Thanks for this one, morrismm.</p>
<p>I’ve read this entire thread and can’t for the life of me see any posts that are critical or negative of CCer’s at various fitness levels…I see oodles of support and encouragement all around.
Hope that everyone does have a nice day!</p>
<p>Does anyone else have trouble getting a good night’s sleep and do you feel that makes it harder to stick to healthy eating and exercising? I find if I have one of those nights when I only really fall asleep at 4:30 am and have to get up 2 hours later, I drag through out the day propped up by coffee and non-healthy stuff. And I definitely don’t want to go to the gym (whereas the boost is probably just what I need).</p>
<p>Sleep has been an issue for me for the last few years.
Mostly, it is my brain that won’t fall asleep, replaying stuff from work, etc.</p>
<p>DH bought me a ‘white noise’ machine for Christmas. It is lovely and has definitely helped.</p>
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<p>MyLB, for me it’s coffee, but other than that I think we’re related. ;)</p>
<p>The only exercise I truly enjoy is walking, although I do some yoga/back exercises a few times a week to keep everything limber. I know I should do more to get my heart rate up, but I hate to perspire (and do enough of it anyway with hot flashes!).</p>
<p>After pretty consistently doing physical therapy for back issues for a few months and noticing a difference I joined a gym.</p>
<p>I’ve been doing 30 minutes of cardio 3 days a week and strength training twice a week. I definitely feel much better and find myself really enjoying my gym days.</p>
<p>I always fall asleep listening to a book on tape (actually, on my cell phone or CD player). The library has lots of downloadable audiobooks. It’s very relaxing and I usually fall asleep within 5 minutes. Of course, I have to listen to that part over again when I’m awake, but that’s fine because I listen while doing housework or cooking. </p>
<p>I feel much better when I cut out most white carbs, but boy do I love them. Pretzels and crackers are my favorite foods.</p>
<p>For those who haven’t read the exercise thread I’ll include the link here too: Leonard Lopate talks to the author of The first 20 minutes about how to exercise smarter: [The</a> Leonard Lopate Show: Please Explain: How to Exercise Smarter - WNYC](<a href=“http://www.wnyc.org/shows/lopate/2013/jan/25/please-explain-how-exercise-smarter/?utm_source=local&utm_media=treatment&utm_campaign=daMost&utm_content=damostcommented]The”>http://www.wnyc.org/shows/lopate/2013/jan/25/please-explain-how-exercise-smarter/?utm_source=local&utm_media=treatment&utm_campaign=daMost&utm_content=damostcommented) And yes, for promoting health, the first 20 minutes are the most important.</p>
<p>Sleep issues were a HUGE problem for me a few years ago. Racing thoughts, waking in the middle of the night, hot flashes…ugh. If menopause is involved it can be really horrible and I DO think it effects weight loss. Sleep loss creates stress on the body and low level, chronic stress creates weight gain.<br>
A friend of mine who is from Cuba gave me a box of tea (I think it is the one I linked here). I found it very helpful and soothing. For me, this sleeplessness went away when menopause was over (thank God).</p>
<p>[Badia</a> Linden Tea 10 Bags](<a href=“http://www.cubanfoodmarket.com/mm5/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=CFM&Product_Code=COC00211&Category_Code=10204]Badia”>http://www.cubanfoodmarket.com/mm5/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=CFM&Product_Code=COC00211&Category_Code=10204)</p>
<p>Also just want to say, as the OP of the Dummies thread, that there is room for everyone on whatever thread or threads are helpful to them.</p>
<p>We have had the Dummies thread for over a year and half and I have to disagree with mathmom on the issue of fad diets. That is NOT what the thread is about. None of us advocate for that route and each of us has found what works best for us. There is no one right answer for anyone. </p>
<p>I will add that I have successfully lost weight in the past but it wasn’t until menopause hit that I had a really hard time getting the weight off that had crept back on. Your body changes! And it ain’t pretty!</p>
<p>Not over 50 and but would love to feel like 30 again. Motivation is my downfall. I would be much better accomplishing goals with a partner. I need to be held accountable. I make sporadic attempts at exercise and calorie restriction but I talk myself out of consistency frequently (“I can do it tomorrow”). Plenty of excuses to validate my lack of success. </p>
<p>@eastcoastcrazy-after reading your post and the attitude you take regarding your regimen, I am going to adjust my way of thinking. No longer will I be exercising. I will be seeking adventure in the great outdoors/great indoors (mall)-striving for weight loss and not a lighter wallet. I vow to leave behind the treadmill and its miserable view of the cinderblock wall and regenerating laundry. I now have a renewed sense of urgency.</p>
<p>At 50, I went for a DEXA scan, and when I got on the scale, I almost choked. It was a turning point. I started watching what I ate, not giving up anything, just controlling the amount, and I started walking. I was, and am still, too cheap to join a gym. At first, I could hardly get around one lap on the high school track. But I kept at it. I am now 59 (ouch!) and I weigh 60 pounds less. I walk a 10K every day. I am at the very low end of my ideal weight. I still watch what I eat, but I have found that my tastes have changed, so it isn’t much of a burden. My regret is that now that I have the body for skinny jeans, I am too old to wear them!</p>
<p>^^Wow fafnir (great screen name!)–you really walk six miles a day? That’s wonderful! How long does it take you? See back about a year ago I thought starting to walk daily would do it (I actually went to college and <em>lost</em> weight because I was walking everywhere). But who knew that fluctuating-hormone-old-ladies’ bodies don’t quite respond the same way as teenagers?</p>
<p>I’m a fairly healthy person who is somewhat overweight and very frustrated, despite knowing better. My blood pressure, blood sugar, and cholesterol are all fine. I get a decent amount of excercise–more in the warm weather than in cold months, I’ll admit, because like some others, I don’t go to a gym. In warm weather, and even when it’s not too cold, I walk long distances, bike, and/or kayak several times a week. I do a decent amount of walking all year long (aim for 10000 steps). I do a modest hand and leg weight routine twice a week. I eat basically healthy–few white carbs, lots of veggies, overall awareness of calories; very few fried foods, not much meat and mostly lean–chicken and fish. And, and,…I almost never lose weight. If I stint on any of this, for even a week, I can put on five pounds immediately. It would take months of the strictest regime to lose those five pounds again.</p>
<p>This week I decided to ramp things up to summer levels by uncovering my Nordiktrak and have been on it faithfully. Result–gained two pounds!</p>
<p>Almost all my excess weight is in my legs, and my primary thinks I might have mild chronic lymphedema. Which might be why I sometimes gain after excercising–more fluid retention.</p>
<p>Anyway, this is all by way of saying, I’m so envious of people who change their eating habits, start moving, and lose 20 pounds! I think I’d have to run a marathon every day and stop eating to do that. So frustrating!</p>
<p>It’s an homage to my beloved dachshund, who is long gone! I do walk that 6.2, and it takes me 95 minutes. I take the same route every day, ipod-in-ears, but I don’t go in the rain. (What’s the point!)</p>
<p>3bm- Maybe get up on the other side of the bed so you won’t be such a butt! I don’t recall any competitive runners telling anyone how many miles they should run. There aren’t many competitive runners at our age that run 10 miles a day! Don’t get your panties in a wad. All the threads are to share ideas and offer encouragement. We all can get off track and that can include OVERdoing both exercise and calorie restriction. The goal is to be healthy and avoid injury/illness. Geez.</p>
<p>abasket and Deborah T- I did it! I finished out week 5 and ran 20 minutes (well, not certain if ran is the right verb…). I went out this morning before the ice/sleet storm hit and felt really good. The 20 minute section wasn’t as hard as some of the earlier stuff. I must be getting in shape, even if it is slow in coming. Yippee!</p>
<p>MoWC: well, that was sweet thanks. All I was trying to say was that I see no reason to say that this thread shouldn’t have been started. Morrismom has every right to her opinion and I see no reason you guys should object. If you see no reason for this thread then feel free to ignore it and let those of us who appreciate it continue. It’s not my panties in a wad. I was enjoying this thread and prefer it to the other one. I don’t understand why you object so strenously. Sorry I upset you.</p>
<p>If for no other reason, it might be nice to have a choice of threads, simply because the older thread has a great deal of history which a new reader is not most likely going to wade through. So a lot of the conversation will be somewhat opaque to a reader who hasn’t been a part of it. So that’s a reason to start anew for some people. I did participate over there a few times and found it a thoroughly welcoming and accepting place, but I’ve lost the thread of it, so to speak. </p>
<p>OTOH, whenever anyone says, on any thread “it’s simply a matter of calories in and calories out” I want to scream, because frankly, and thankfully nutrition science knows this, it’s just simply not that simple (see my post above.)</p>