DH is also much better then I at throwing meals together. Some people have a talent for being able to do that. I am jealous :-). I have gotten two separate gift certificates to Cook’s warehouse where I took classes. I think there’s a message in that 
Well, once when “Worst Cook in America” came on both of my kids said “hey mom!”
Weight Loss For Dummies certainly implies that people or a poster wanted to learn something to help them with a challenge. It’s a great thread and has COUNTLESS bits of advice, things to try, healthy recipes, etc.
I personally do see lots of excuses on this thread. Excuses we have all probably made at some time in our life. As we get older, the opportunities and sometimes motivation for making change can diminish. It can also have a true implication on our health as we age. I know that some see that as more important than others.
As a participant on this thread from the beginning I have delighted in seeing some people make good, solid changes in their lifestyle. I have become frustrated when I have seen people come back time after time in those 6000 posts ready to try again - I want them to succeed! Maybe more than they do!! (my nature is to try and rescue - sorry for that!)
So, I wish everyone visiting the thread lots of luck. But most of all lots of confidence and lots of effort. To feel better about your health and self is one of the greatest things in the world! After all, if you don’t have your health…right?
This thread was my life saver. The ideas and support helped me lose almost 50 pounds over a couple of years. About half of that came back, especially after my broken ankle, but I’ve always been delighted to see the thread get revived. I don’t think it’s excuses per se on this thread but rather people understanding their own road blocks. It helps to know others have faced them too, and sometimes can give useful suggestions. Rather than saying “this might work better for you,” we say “this worked better for me.”
This was my one year anniversary report:
Hmm, now I’m depressed because I’ve slipped so much! I’d better take my own advice and see what happens.
Anyway, aren’t there enough “tough love” threads on CC? No harm in keeping this positive!
Great post, Marilyn!! Couldn’t agree more! Your suggestions are spot on.
Most of us know what to do-- its just the “oomph”, the support and encouragemet needed to do it , and the “A” for effort, that feels good and helps most of us to get back on track and hopefully stay on track.
Please proceed as normal. I just wanted/needed to share why I make the comments I have on this thread - to me, that absolutely ARE positive - but I see that others don’t see it that way! Please, carry on.
Marilyn, don’t be depressed. Look at what you did!! You can do it again, of course. A broken ankle would hinder many people, I’m pretty sure.
Excuses maybe…I am not athletic, have never been athletic and desire to simply be stronger and have more stamina in my later years. Even as a child, I could never run any distances at all. I become severely winded. Therefore, it is not enjoyable, heck, it isn’t even possible. Currently, I see a trainer once a week, take Zumba classes 2 or 3 times a week (those are hard!!). Here at home I have a real simple upper body workout w/ dumbells that I enjoy.
I also am working to ward off diabetes as my fasting blood sugar and A1-C crept up a bit last year. I have lost 20 pounds since June. That is how slow it goes with me. But I’ll take it!! 
I’m 64, I just want to be a bit stronger and a lot healthier.
Congrats, VaBluebird! 20 lbs is fabulous!! And Zumba classes 2-3x/week. Very impressive! And Marilyn, don’t beat yourself up for what has happened. Be proud that you are here, acknowledging the challenge, and getting back on board.
Your post describes me to a T about exercising, VaBluebird. I am not, and do not have a desire to be athletic. That said, the one sport I am passionate about is skiing, and I needed to kickstart myself into getting in shape for the slopes, and shedding some weight, as it’s simply easier to move with less weight. I have long accepted that my pattern of getting in shape for skiing is cyclic, because I do not maintain the level of activity after skiing that I build up to before. But I readily admit I don’t really like going to the gym, I don’t like going to the trainer (though I’ve been going to 2 different trainers for quite some time and maybe I’ll look for a new one) and I have knee issues that cause pain after working out. Regardless of what trainers tell me to do to build up the muscles around them ( and yes they know about my knee and shoulder issues and recommend specific exercises) and despite using knee supports or braces, I still have arthritis and condramalacia patella, that fortunately, despite being told 40 years ago would require surgery within a few years, has not yet happened. I don’t want surgery. I will avoid it if at all possible.
I count my blessings that I am healthy, all my labs are and always have been, entirely within normal limits, no problems with cholesterol, blood pressure, glucose levels, etc. Do I let my weight vacillate by 10, and sometimes, eek, sometimes as much as 20 lbs? Yes. Is my BMI in the normal range? Just barely, thanks to the weight I’ve lost thus far. Have I lost it fast, probably too fast. Sure. But I wanted to get some off before our ski trip. Is this the best way to do it? No. Do I know that? Yes. But it got me kickstarted, and got my head in the game. If this sounds like an excuse, so be it.
Today I went to the gym for over an hour, stopped at Sprouts and got some more fruits and vegetables, and went to the party we were invited to, where I ate pretty sensibly. Perfect, no. But reasonable, yes.
So welcome back, ladies. ITs a new year. Lets do this together!
@jym626 – if you’re willing to get into shape for skiing, because you love skiing, my question is whether there’s another activity that you enjoy nearly as much as you enjoy skiing? I started running to keep my dog fit for dog agility, which is a sport I love–and as I’ve lost weight, I’ve found that running is almost as enjoyable as dog agility. I don’t “exercise” and I hate going to gyms, but I love a good walk and a good bike ride. (And I’ve been swimming lately too because two different good friends enjoy swimming and we go to breakfast or lunch afterwards and that makes it worthwhile for me–and because I enjoy swimming too. But I don’t “workout”.)
Hi dmd. I do walk, with friends and with DH. Usually anywhere for 1.5-3 mi. I used to run but it hurts my knees. That said, when DH and I walk, we sometimes add some running into it, whether we are on the trail or the track near our house. I have bike pedals under my desk so sometimes do that, and then there is the new elliptical the DS’s bought us, but that is not a piece of equipment I find enjoyable.
So, short answer, walking is the other activity that I do.
jym, have fun skiing! In my opinion you are pretty darned athletic if you can ski!
@jym626 – so all you really need to do to stay in shape instead of being cyclic is to increase the intensity of your walking… Maybe a longer walk, with some power walking thrown in, once a Week?
That could work, dmd. I prefer to walk with company. Trying to get that organized, which I do my best to do with several different folks, can be a challenge sometimes. Will do with DH today when it warms up a bit.
Good afternoon everyone. How are you doing today? I am at the gym with DH. He suggested a walk outside but it’s cold and damp out there, so I am back in the gym.
Wore up with a sore throat, body aches and cough. It’s nice here and I had plans to walk today as well as my normal Sunday yoga class. Not happening.
On a brighter note, I slept until 9:15 (unheard of for me) and FitBit congratulated me for making me sleep goal.
LOL! Way to make lemonade out of lemons!! Feel better, Fallgirl!
I went to the gym and was on the treadmill for about a mile when DH suggested we go outside for a walk. Have on yoga pants, a wicking shirt and the jacket that goes with the yoga pants, but it was cold (40ish) and damp. Yuk. So went back in to use the equipment. Wanted to use the rowing machine (the second one was broken) and had to wait a very long time for it. I finally politely asked the guy how much longer he would be (DH said he’d been on it for about an hour) and the guy said another 15 minutes! I wish the staff would put up a polite reminder, especially at the beginning of the year when the gym is crowded, that their policy is to limit time on a machine to 20 min total when others are waiting. But, I didn’t say a word. Just used other stuff and waited. But now I am cranky.
This popped up in my newsfeed. Its a few links from webmd on how to lose 5 lbs and a few related articles and such. http://view.messages.webmd.com/?j=feca1d757465007c&m=fe9f13707564027c77&ls=fe31167076630479731173&l=ff921178&s=fe5e1073706d057e7316&jb=ff2d11707363&ju=fe65157374670778741d&r=0
Jym, I agree that if you can get in shape to ski, then make this the year that you endeavor to stay in shape with other activities. I hope you come to enjoy the gym. What a great feeling when you’ve done it, right? I know it is for me. Once I get going a bit, I find I actually look forward to it.
I was down another pound this morning. Love that feeling, LOL! And, it does inspire me to look forward to continued success. I am feeling stronger which is my goal.
Congrats on losing that pound, VaBluebird!! That’s great!
It would be great if I actually ever looked forward to going to the gym, and while yes, its nice to feel a sense of accomplishment, its still a matter of really having to push myself to go. I just don’t look forward to it. I used to go more when I was younger, and my knees hurt less then. DH is very encouraging, without being pushy, which is helpful. I enjoy, when the weather permits, to going walking on a beautiful river trail with friends or with DH, and wish the people who say they will meet to walk will stick to their commitment and not cancel! That gets frustrating, but it is what is.
One of the trainers that I’d used for a while (the kids got some sessions as a birthday present) was actually easy on the eyeballs and it was sorta fun to go to see him, but there are several reasons why I wont resign up there for more lessons. We’ve gone elsewhere for the past year and may look to make another change after skiing.
I think certain goals are great because they are meaningful for the person. I couldn’t even lose 20 lb in 6 months when I was a healthy 48 YO - it took me 26 months to lose 30 lb to my goal weight, but I stupidly stopped the morning exercise because I was getting no positive feedback from my H and DDs. Now I am on Tamoxifen (which does fatigue me), am 9 - 11 years older; have to eat a lot less and be a lot more calorie/fat conscious. My goal is to eventually get back to my original goal weight and be able to do any kind of Pilates/yoga including some of those delightful contortions! I also am working at getting back in the job market - I have 3 applications to submit today for a company that is of high interest to me. My exercise will need to adjust to the lifestyle as my time will change when I go back to paid work.
I did get on the scale since beginning my dieting Dec 28, and I have lost several lbs. That is encouraging. I am loading up a lot on ‘free’ veggies; eating my oatmeal or grits in the morning, etc. Really cut back on fat, calories, and carbs as possible. Haven’t stepped up exercise because for me the dieting has to be in place and I will gradually add the exercise as I feel the vibe. Was active cleaning out my older Buick yesterday (vacuum and shampoo carpet, leather seats conditioned, etc) as I swapped out with DD1 who wrecked the front end of my Highlander - I get the body shop stuff going on it tomorrow - thankful her accident wasn’t worse.
I have made all three of the ‘light fare’ recipes I posted. DD and H loved the potato soup and ate it for lunch Saturday. I really enjoy both soups - I served myself the Chicken Quesadilla Soup with added diced tomatoes and added chicken broth to lower the caloric intake while helping me feel full.
I find this thread has a lot of ‘like minds’ with mine!