[Beholden]

Well I have a good story:

On Monday I had my first appt with a personal trainer to help me with preventing my pre-diabetes from becoming diabetes! I've also started taking a nutrition class which is on Mondays. So when I finish the nutrition class, I go to see the trainer.

Okay. I'm a 62 year old female who has thought that my physical condition is poor. SURPRISE!

He, 'R', had me do 6 evalution tests, a Fitness Profile.

1 Cardiovascular
2 Flexibility
3 Muscular Strength-Bench Press
4 Muscular Strength-Leg Press
5 Muscular Endurance-Sit-ups/Curl-ups
6 Muscular Endurance-Push-ups

I scored High Superior in both flexibility and Leg Press! I leg pressed 300 pounds! That means I have the strength in my legs of a 20 year old female of my weight, 146!!!!! And the flexibility of a 20 year old blah, blah, blah!

For the sit-ups, I scored a Mid Excellent, if I'd done just 5 more, I'd have been in the Superior group. What I did was as many sit-up as I could in 1 minute. I concentrated on my form the first few more than speed, so I think I really could have done the extra five.

But at Mid Excellent, that is where females of age 25-(I think) score.... The other areas I still scored in the Mid Good scale.

I did good.

Now, R and I will work up an exercise plan/routine for me on Monday next week.

I have filled out a short term (2-4 months) and a long term (5-12 months) goal form. One of my short term goals is to look HOT for an up-coming family wedding I have to go to in late June. I haven't seen my family since 1997, so this is really special for me.

At my present weight of 146 I'm still about 25 pounds over weight. I'm small, or used to be anyway, and my BMI is still in the obess column.

I don't know why I'm so surprised that I have more strength that I "thought", but it makes me feel so good to know I'm not weak. Although I did fail on the push-ups, I didn't even complete one! So I have something to work on now, and I like it.

It is a lot of our thinking that gets us into trouble when we are depressed or anxious. I know, I've been there and back a few times.

For me I know I do my 'work' better if I have someone to be accountable to besides myself. Not in a bad way, but I lack the motivation a lot. Going to the nutrition class for 12 weeks, and a personal trainer and I joined a 6 week (or 12 sessions) of an aerobics class - where I'm with other people, I hope to gain the will power to go it alone when I need to.

I'm not working and have tons of time on my hands. I don't have to pay anything for the once a week nutrition class or the personal trainer. That is provided to me because my husband is retired military and it is something that the base here has going on right now.

They know that medical costs go down when people are fit, healthy, active. It is wonderful to know about such support groups that are available. The aerobics did cost, but not out of my reach. And I have met a wonderful group of women of all ages at the community based aerobics class.

Being connected is what is going to keep me working onmy own fitness and health.

[shezbut]

Hi Beholden

I think that the aerobics group is a great idea. Exercising with others can definitely provide motivation to go. Positive motivation ~ to see others and have fun. Negative motivation ~ to prove to others that you are healthy (keeping up with the Jones').

I'd recommend focusing on the positive motivation being your reason. That way, when your goal weight has been reached, you will be more likely to continue enjoying the regular exercise. When you enjoy exercising, you will be more open to different styles. Cycling, power-walking, pilates, and yoga are all great physical and emotional boosts. You can do each of them alone or with other people.

Congratulations for being stronger than you thought. That is good ! Btw, push ups aren't real easy for a lot of us. Even people who are underweight have a tough time with that! You can do it!

[Beholden]

Thank you for offering your insights on the Positive Motivation and the opposite idea: Keeping up with the Jones' thing. I hadn't thought of that.

I do kayak in the warmer seasons 1 to 3 times a week, and am with other fun people, and that really lifts me as well.

Push ups are going to become my friend! When I had to do physical therapy for my shoulder injury last year, they showed me how to do the kind againist the wall. I thought they were pertty hokey, easy, you know?

But then one time when I mentioned it, he had me do the ones where you brace your feet againist a solid object and lean into the wall, so you are at a sharper angle, but not down on the floor completeyl horizontal....and I could only do one! So it was back to the wall type. LOL

Thanks for you support shezbut. The class was fun tonight. I've met some really nice gals. One was just dx with breast cancer and I used to work at a cancer center. So I recommended an oncologist to her that is tops in the field. There is a reason for every thing we do in life I think. I was directed to that group for a good reason.

[paddym22]

Have you thought of Zumba lessons, I do them and they are a marvellous way to keep fit.

[Beholden]

Originally Posted by paddym22

Have you thought of Zumba lessons, I do them and they are a marvellous way to keep fit.

paddym22,

Yes, but no. Zumba sounds like fun, and they do have a very inexpensive Zumba class I know of, but I'm a 'klutz'. I keep moving in the aerobics class for the hour....but I'm not doing the same moves as the rest of the group - most of the time
That's one of the things I love about this class. The leader told me I fit in right away, which made me feel welcome and not so much a klutz, but also that I could do what ever I wanted to to get a work out! It is a real laid back group.

Maybe I'll try Zumba after I get my legs and arms doing the jumping jacks in the right order! Well, I can do the jjs alright, but not some of the clap my hands over my head while moving my feet forward and kicking my right buttcheek with with my left heel and then ..........

Thank you for suggesting that.

Hi, Beholden,

I am also pre-diabetic; have been for years. while I do have a bit of a weight problem, my real issue is heart disease because I have high triglycerides. unfortunately, i am not able to tolerate statins to lower them. (statins poisoned my muscles.) so, i walk to work and home again everyday; about 3 miles a day, weather permitting. i've tried cutting down on bread and cake and rice and pasta and potatoes but it's really hard. i also suffer from IBS and am not able to tolerate very high fiber foods like oatmeal. one MD told me to eat only simply-prepared, lean meats and all the leafy green veggies I wanted. and nothing else. maybe we can work on our eating habits together? lemme know. by the way, i'm watching Project Runway as i write this!

Best,
UG

[Beholden]

Originally Posted by unhappyguy

Hi, Beholden,

I am also pre-diabetic; have been for years. while I do have a bit of a weight problem, my real issue is heart disease because I have high triglycerides. unfortunately, i am not able to tolerate statins to lower them. (statins poisoned my muscles.) so, i walk to work and home again everyday; about 3 miles a day, weather permitting. i've tried cutting down on bread and cake and rice and pasta and potatoes but it's really hard. i also suffer from IBS and am not able to tolerate very high fiber foods like oatmeal. one MD told me to eat only simply-prepared, lean meats and all the leafy green veggies I wanted. and nothing else. maybe we can work on our eating habits together? lemme know. by the way, i'm watching Project Runway as i write this!

Best,
UG

Oh, darn, I forgot to watch it tonight. I haven't watched this season but once. Is it any good this time around?

As for the eating habits, I'd love to work on some with you. I'm actually doing really well with staying with fresh - not pre-made foods. Mostly produce and a lot of chicken and some tuna.....canned tuna. I've never tried fresh tuna and I'm not thrilled with salmon, wish I liked it.

I'm cusious about your not tolerating oatmeal. Is it due to the IBS? Keep me posted as to how you are doing. Do you want to PM or start a new thread?

[amante]

I think it's highly commendable that you have taken the bull by the horns and have jumped in with two feet to get fit and healthy. You should be very proud of yourself.

hi, beholden,

thanks for your posting. i received my annual physical results last week. my MD was shocked. on no statins, merely by taking long walks almost daily, cutting down on bad foods and increasing intake of healthy foods, and by putting uncooked extra-virgin olive oil on foods instead of butter or other oils, i lowered by cholesterol to 209, lowered my triglycerides to 136 and increased my HDL to 45. perfect numbers - no. but, considering my genetic disposition and age, and again - with no meds - these numbers are shockingly good. my MD said to keep doing whatever it is that i'm doing! i remember when my HDL was in the single digits. now, i have to lose about 10-15 lbs. i guess that means more exercise.

how are you doing? feel free to PM me any time. is your exercise regimen going well? like you, i need to stop eating prepared foods and start making everything from scratch. it is much healthier. and helps with portion control too.

yes! i'm still watching project runway. i am enjoying it - this season is much better than the last. i took a walk this week and found Mood fabric store on west 37th street. i still haven't gone inside. i think that emilio deserves to win and was saddended that one of the contestants quit - she was so talented. seth aaron is also very talented but his taste is questionable. mila hasn't done anything good in weeks. next week is the final elimination before they go to bryant park.

[Beholden]

I've been so busy with real life that I don't post often here.

Great to see your "numbers" are so healthy. That is a great thing to have happen!

My exercise stuff is going okay....mostly I'm walking/stretching and hitting the gym only 1 or 2 times a week. But when I walk, I walk! Today it was 2.4 miles with my dog.

I'mve really missed Project runway this season. Who quit? what happened? I'll have to try to watch the re runs. Yes, we can PM anythime, I'd like that a lot. That way it comes to my email as well and when I check my e mails, I'll hopefully get back with you.

Oh, it's just after 8 and time for American Idol and I've been on the computer for about 20 or 30 minutes too long already tonight.

hi, beholden,

you are so modest! you walked almost 2.5 miles and are hitting the gym 1-2x a week! that's great!!

it's thursday and i am watching a rerun of last week's project runway in preparation for tonight's new episode. there's a contestant named Anthony who reminds me of Chris March from season 4. plus, he was eliminated but returned when the young girl - she was only 21 - decided to leave the program.

all the best,
ug

[Beholden]

Originally Posted by unhappyguy

hi, beholden,

you are so modest! you walked almost 2.5 miles and are hitting the gym 1-2x a week! that's great!!

it's thursday and i am watching a rerun of last week's project runway in preparation for tonight's new episode. there's a contestant named Anthony who reminds me of Chris March from season 4. plus, he was eliminated but returned when the young girl - she was only 21 - decided to leave the program.

all the best,
ug

I got to catch an episode last night. It was "so much pressure" where thay had 2 winners! I think Anthony was one of the guys...he is so funny. I don't know the young girl you say decided to leave, that must have been early on in the season that I didn't see. I have only watched one other one about the contestants designing their own fabric. I didn't really like the things they designed on that show or the fabrics. Next time you go walking please take a look into MOOD for me. and then tell me all about the fabrics! Right now my big fashion statement is to get some T-shirts printed up with our kayak club logo for this coming season. We start with our first kayak day in May! That will be fun. I've really looked on-line to find wicking fabric to make my own shirts but don't really know if I am comfortable buying fabric without being able to touch it irl. Just knowing the fabric content isn't the same.

I have my week 7 class on nutrition/weight loss on Monday this coming week. It will be interesting to see if I can stay on track over the week end with my family, adult daughter, s-i-l and their 3 children, visiting me until next week Friday!

So far so good.

I'm planning to walk today before 5pm with my doggie. She loves to walk and walk and walk. Although when I did my 2.4 mile walk last time, I thought I'd have to either walk into the highschool we go by to get her a drink of water, or pick her up and carry her home (Ha fat chance of that one happening). It got up to 80 or 81 degrees that day! I didn't think to grab a water from the house before I left.

Today I noticed I have the faintest of tan lines on my legs! Of course we have only 50 degrees with wind today!

I actually miss going to do a weight training session this week. I've just been busy with other things. MAYBE I can talk my husband into goint there tonight after we eat.

The 'family' is at an all day convention and won't be back here until 10 or 11pm.

I've done nothing but sleep and eat today after I got up with them at 5am. All of them left the house by 6:30 and I crashed on the couch....I need to DO SOMETHING.

Well, does one load of laundry count? Yeah, sure.

All towels from having the 5 of my family and an adult couple/friends of my daughters and 1 extra teenage friend of my oldest grandaughter all need showers! .... we use a basket full of towels each day!

Well, take care and I'll catch up with you and Project Runway soon.

[Beholden]

Originally Posted by amante

I think it's highly commendable that you have taken the bull by the horns and have jumped in with two feet to get fit and healthy. You should be very proud of yourself.

Thanks Amanda,

"jumped in with two LEFT feet", you didn't know did you? Ha Ha Ha



I am proud of myself. But I'll take all the encouragement I can find. The greatest thing is I can actually manufacture some of (a lot of) my own motivation. Maybe that's like some people say of addicts, "you have to hit bottom" before you take action.

I really want to be and feel and look healthy. And have more energy and fit into nicer cloths and not have diabetes, and not let my kidney disease progress any further and love life and choice to be happy about who and what I am, not what I want to be. I'm really loving myself where I am right now!

Often I have people say, but you look good, you aren't overweight. You look good to me.

Or there is one lady who is in the nutrition class with me who said to me more than once:

"My therapist told me--- You have to think that you are older now and that you will never have the body you had when you were ____age."

Well, I know what my age is and that it will not be as it once was but I know I can and will be in a healthier state of 'body fat' after I have gained some muscle and increased my cardio and respiration rate to have better engery....etc. Besides, like my little granddaughter said once, "You aren't the boss of me"....and that female isn't the boss of me either.....ha so there.....

She is the sort of people I avoid (have decided to not take seriously) as much as I can because they will de-motivate me if I let them. Besides, like my little granddaughter said once, "You aren't the boss of me"....and that female isn't the boss of me either.....ha so there.....My body may be 62 but my mind doesn't have to think "old". not anymore.

Well, the ones who are truley my friend who may say something similar, aren't trying to sabbotoge me, or they aren't trying to make themselves feel better by trying to dis-encourage me.

I can now tell the difference between such people and their underlying statements. In the end, I'm the one I have to live with, so I don't need to do people pleasing so much as I used to.

Besides, I really haven't like her much from the first meeting! Not I guess my gut instincts about her were right on. One more sign I'm going to reach a good health status. Yeah, you go Crazy Chick (that's me) As in chicken, I eat a lot of chicken these days!

hi, beholden,

sounds like you have a full house! don't worry too much if, because of taking care of guests, you miss a walk or gym session. the important thing is that you resume your health regimine as soon as they move on. and, yes, housework is a form of exercise. (one that i need to practice more!)

i took a long walk yesterday (saturday). had my eyes examined and then walked to midtown. i've been trying to work some spirituality into my life. it is not easy with my numerous issues. i walked so much that i got a slight sunburn even though i had put on suntan lotion. it was a very long day. eye exam, gift shopping, stopping for tea and a light lunch, stopping by a church in midtown, buying some spiritual bric-a-brac for positive home reinforcement (or is it just a shopping addiction?), stopping by a free wine tasting (didn't buy any!), stopping for a cheapo dinner, going to church where i serve as a hospitality minister and then volunteering as an usher at a dance event. i left home at 9:40 AM and got home at 10:30 PM! like i said, it was a long day. and, i got through it even though i had a bad IBS reaction to some food i'd eaten the day before.

i am glad to hear that you are eating more healthfully. it is so important. with my IBS problem I try to watch what i eat but sometimes even healthy foods are problematic. in the past two weeks i've had very bad reactions from chicory (which was cooked to ease digestion!), soy milk (can't tolerate it at all) and lentils (a fave food of mine). some nights, i hardly ate dinner. i was tired from working late (worked until 9:30 PM one night) and did not feel like cooking. a while back i was living on a mainly rice and beans diet. i was fine and am thinking of going back to it.

time to do the weekly laundry. i think the project runway final is really between seth aaron and emilio. emilio should win - his taste is much better but he has to be original in his designs. the runoff between mila and jay - i don't care for either of their designs much though they are excellent tailors - could be interesting. the contestant who quit was maya. she was very nice and made a BIG mistake by leaving the show. she was the clear number 3 and it would have been a great growing experience as a designer. good luck with your t-shirts! i tried kayaking once while on vacation in the caribbean and flipped over! it sounds like fun and good exercise.

hey, beholden,

how's it going? haven't heard from you. let us know!

best,
ug

[Beholden]

Thanks for asking!

This week has been busy with having my 3 grandchildren (16, 13, 11) with me plus one of their friends, also 16.... so I gotto the gym on Monday only.

But we have been doing a lot of walking....16 year old girls love to shop...

Today we are about to go to the park for the kids to practice their taekwondo..... their parents come back tonight from a nice get a way/business trip and they all leave inthe morning.....

Then back to normal gym days!

How are you doing, still walking? Have you managed to get into MOOD? I wish I could shop there. I would think that I had died and gone to Heaven to shop in New York City!

Bye for now.

hi, beholden,

just finished watching project runway. there was a runoff between mila and jay. it was a good show. in case you haven't seen it, i won't say who won tonight. next week is the finale.

i still haven't gone into Mood. it's in the fashion district and is not on the street level. there are fabric stores all over in that area. most are small. some feature clothing designs in their windows. it's not a new part of nyc, so the buildings are "mature." i tried the indian restaurant across the street from Mood. it has an all you can eat lunch buffet for $10.

3 grandkids! congrats!! hey, walking in a mall is exercise. keeping up with 3 teens has to burn calories. i am hanging in there but had a tough day today. my mood has not been good. i need a vacation and am tired but just started a new job. i can take vacation in october! can't wait. it's going to be a long summer. i continue to walk everyday but need some upper body conditioning. and, i am gaining weight because i eat at night. i tried reducing my caloric intake but find it tough going. i can't think and get physically cold when i have not had enough to eat. like i said, i'm hanging in there.

ug

[Beholden]

HANG IN THERE UG!

You really had a full day from early until late! What sort of new job did you start? With a new job, it is hard to wait until you can take a vacation, isn't it? For several years my husband and I each started new jobs, and were at bad places in the calendar year to be able to get time off together! Now, I don't work, and in fact, I'll get my first social security check this coming week! I started to collect it 4 years early, due to the fact I can't find a job. Better to have some money coming in even though it isn't the 'full amount' that I would have be able to collect at age 66 or when ever it would have been. There may even be a job waiting out there for me, who knows?

Sorry you have so many food issues! That's got to be the pits. IBS can really be awful from what I know about it. I've worked in different doctor's offices before where they had patients with it.

Are you also sensitive to 'chemical' stuff in foods too? So many people do have problems with non organic foods.

The family left last night, instead of waiting until this morning. They wanted to have all day Friday at their home - to get caught up with their stuff. They got bac home at 2am!

The house was so quiet today, that after I wokr up, I just got up (before 5:00am). I ate with hubby, he went to work, then I fell asleep at around 8:00am, slept on the couch until 10:45!

Thunder storms are in the forecast?/forcast? for today. I managed to get 1 hours worth of weeding done in the yard; instead of a walk. Didn't keep the car today, so didn't get to the gym.

Maybe I'll try to talk hubby into going tonight after dinner. FAT CHANCE of that actually happening though!

Mostly, between rain drops and having lunch, I've been on the computer, catching up on my 'research' that I couldn't do while family was here. I'm looking for the best variety of apple tree to grow here. In a container. And also for plans to build a composter out of a 55 gal plastic barrel.

I did see the Project Runway where Mila and the 2 guys, Seth Aaron and Jay were chosen....anthony went home...I like Seth Aaron and Jay's work too. Not too crazy about Mila though, don't really know what it is about her that sets me to not caring for her, she almost always looks like she has a frown on her face, maybe that is it????? Now that I can get to the TV, and watch what I like, hope I don't forget to watch the final. I'm totally tired of Cartoon Network and Little House on the Pairie. The kids don't watch very much TV and are not allowed to watch much of anything anyway...very strick parents about that sort of thing. They are great kids though, so maybe there is something to their parenting style!

Keep searching your Spiritual Life...it is so important to complete you.

hi beholden,

just got back from a 50th wedding anniversary party yesterday. it was nice seeing my dad's family. (he's been dead now over 35 years.) i almost didn't go because my IBS was acting up but i took some immodium and ran out the door and was fine. the fatigue from the IBS is a constant issue.

it must be so nice having a yard and being able to work in it. being close to nature - EVEN WEEDS! - has got to have therapeutic value. dont' know much about apple trees but i am sure the tree would be happier in the ground than in a bucket. my dad used to compost the lawn trimmings. we just used to pile them up in a dark corrner of the yard where they were not very noticable. maybe you could get a bicycle and ride that to the gym when the car is not available? i am hoping to get a cycle soon myself.

i am looking forward to the finale of project runway next week. i never worry if i miss it because it's re-broadcast @ 11:30 PM on thursday nights and again between 9 and 11 PM on friday nights. often, i watch it more than once. i thought mila's clothes were nicer than jay's. it's a pity that maya dropped out because that third spot should have been hers. anthony had a lot of character and i was sorry to see him go but, a polyester evening dress in the regular season finale! Oy vey!!

i am still dealing with spiritual issues. they trouble me deeply. i don't know if an answer / solution exists but accepting that situation does not seem to help either.

time to do chores. please keep up your physical activity. spring is here and it's a great time to take walks.

[Beholden]

Hi unhappyguy,

Thanks once again for your post and inspiration.

Oy vey!! right on with the polyester dress of Anthony's...it really was not his best work. I've made myself a few blouses, and after they were made, just didn't seem to care for the fit/drape/something....well, the two I am thinking about right now are ....you guessed it. Poly!

Seeing your Oy Vey, are you Jewish? (imagin that...someone living in NYC who is Jewish LOL)



Growing up in the midwest in a city that was mostly Catholic or Lutheran, I didn't even know anything about the Jewish faith, let alone Jewish people until long after I was in my teens. My 'cents' of humor just had to take me to something about NYC and Jewish men down at the 'diamond district'....sorry if that is in poor taste... and I wish I knew how to make these photos smaller in size....

Spiritual issues can really be very troubling, I do understand your having issues in that area. I'll keep you in my prayers that you find the answer/solution to this area.

Weeding really does have a therapeutic effect. Relaxing, even with the sort back or knees or lately, it is my big toe joints from having my toes all curled up as I crawl along the ground digging with my little hand trowel! Yesterday I was out there for 3 and a half hours. I loved every minute of it. Worms and all.

We do have bikes, but hubby isn't interested in riding right now and my friend who might like to, well, I'm not sure she would ... I'll have to ask her. We are going shopping tomorrow for new shoes for me. My gym/walking/everyday shoes died in the washer last night. The only thing I am not crazy about with me riding by myself is all the hills in my immediate area. Just to get out my drive way and down my little street is a steep grade. No problems getting going, but the coming back home is a killer just walking somedays!

Well, with that thought, I'd best get off the computer, I have my gym bag to pack so it is ready on Thursday when I have a dental appt. and have the car again this week. I skipped the gym today since I was running late today and didn't even have the time to throw my stuff in the bag...but I walked 3 times today. The last time was for 2.6 miles with the dog. I even jogged a bit with that one!

Hope your flare of IBS is getting better.

yo, beholden!

you crack me up!! actually, i am catholic. BUT - i look jewish. or, so i'm told. no kidding! everywhere i go, people think i am jewish. a lot of my friends are jewish and meeting people is a real problem because i look so jewish. one person yelled at me, "you look more jewish than i do!" seriously. once, walking down the street, a man approached me and asked if i could help him form a minyon (a jewish prayer group of 10 men). imagine, 12 years of parochial education and i was never taught what a minyon was!! there is one exception - egyptians. they tell me that i am egyptian (i think because of my eyes). but, i am really a mutt - italian, irish and czech.

glad to hear that you are walking. it's always smart to buy a home on a hill - no flooding! but, it is an impediment to biking. and trying to ride uphill when you're tired can be dangerous. so, i withdraw my suggestion to bike to and from the gym.

my middle brother is a gardener. i think there's such a thing as a weeding bench that makes it easier on the knees and other body parts. and, i don't think they are very expensive. see if home depot or lowe's has them.

i bought some probiotics today. hoping they help my insides settle down. i am looking forward to project runway on thursday night. i can't miss it as i'm doing volunteer work on friday night.

[Beholden]

You're a Muttitalian! Great new word ug! At least that is the way I first read your words! LOL

What sort of volunteer work do you do?

Do you volunteer to weed gardens? I haven't ever tried one of those garden benches. I just love getting down into the dirt! So far I've been willing to take the pain! I'm hoping to get the flower beds into a retaining wall/raised bed sort of thing this year. Right now it is just rolling hills and a very sloping lot...sharp ravine into a creek and wooded all around.

Biking to the gym would be a big problem for me even without "my big hill" on the way back up my street, as it is WAY across town. 24 miles by highway (can't really go that way) and only about 17 miles by way of inner-city streets. That would be some rather interesting areas of town.

I wonder how the security guards check biker people at the gates at the Air Base? (where the gym is located). I know some of the airman ride their bikes to work, so they must just ride on in along with all the cars?????

Funny, I went to a parochial school for 4 years... part of grade school only... and then religion classes later on when I was in high school. I always wondered what the nuns heads looked like shaved. Crazy what you think as a kid isn't it?

I got caught giggling one time with my girl friend in 3rd or 5th grade inside the church before school started. Oh I remember how afraid I was about what was going to happen to me! "Off with my head".....Oy vey!!

Well, I'm finally getting tired at 1 flipping something in the morning. Talk with you later. Only Tuesday and Wednesday to wait and then Thursday Project Runway!!!