It has been COLD the last few days -- so it's definitely a soup and warm beverage kind of weekend! I made a pot of soup yesterday and will likely make another tomorrow so I have options for the week. I think tomorrow's will be a vegetarian soup-- maybe mushroom & wild rice.

I am still struggling with drinking water but I have been enjoying hot tea -- I suppose that sorta counts as water? I will continue because I have been enjoying it and it is closer to water than my coffee with cream (or worse-- fresca and ginger ale).

I haven't walked (we had heavy rain yesterday) but I am planning to get out later this afternoon after some yard cleanup and very overdue chores in the house.

Overall, I am pleased with my progress but I won't hit my admittedly aggressive goal of losing an additional 20 lb by the end of the year. I am going to keep pushing towards it so not going to adjust the goal.

How are you all doing? Do you have any goals for the coming months?

Have a great day and make it a great week!

As long as it’s decaf, I do believe it counts as water. This is the time of year when I like to try new teas, mostly decaf/herbal, not only to add to my water consumption but to use as a substitute for a snack or that ”something sweet” I always crave after a meal. I had a chocolatey tea that I really liked at a friend’s house last winter but it had caffeine. I’d like to find a decaf substitute.

I would also like to try making my own sugar free hot cocoa…I might try this one.

https://simple-nourished-living.com/the-best-homemade-sugar-free-hot-chocolate-mix-recipe/

Wasn't the best week for me - started out strong but eating was not great this weekend. Trying to concentrate on having meals with protein, healthy fat, fiber. Which works great if I do it, but seems like a lot of work other times :) Especially for breakfast, where some mornings it just doesn't seem appetizing. I'm going to try chia pudding and see how that goes. I tried protein powder in oatmeal today, but I could only taste the powder. DH thought it tasted like no bake cookies, so he ate it instead.

Getting colder here too, so less pickleball. I'll need to switch to more indoor exercise, which is harder for me. I did do two nice long strength training workouts. I am going to try to go with DH on the morning dog walks to get some extra steps in.

Did make a triple batch of taco chicken today and I have salad kits to put it over. I'm also going to make this chili and add chicken to it as necessary when I need more protein. So, at least I am a little prepared. I try to mix it up, but I just love "Mexican" type food and can eat it all the time, so why fight it?

Hello, everyone! It's cold here, too, and rather suddenly. This time of year, if feels like my body says, "Hey... time to fatten up for winter," as if I'm some sort of Medieval peasant who may need to survive a famine. I'm strongly craving comfort food, like soups and curries.

Legomom, Mexican spices are always so good this time of year, too. That recipe looks easy and delicious (and the suggestion to serve leftovers over a baked potato...).

I used a couple of online calculators to determine how much protein I need, based on age, gender and activity level. And it's about 50% more than what I'm getting now. Everywhere I research about women over 50, it's protein, protein, protein and strength training. Inspired by last week's thread, I'm going to re-activate the MyFitnessPal app on my phone and start tracking to see what's up. I'm not gaining weight, but I feel like I can better optimize what I'm eating.

I have been making good use of my new gym membership. Now that I've been consistently going the past few weeks, it's less intimidating. I've tried out a few machines, and no one has laughed at me, so I guess I'm doing it right. Mostly, I stick with free weights and the elliptical machine, which I really enjoy. It's a nice change from walking and biking.

Have a great week, all you beautiful people. :-)

Oh my-- I came to give an update and I could have written the very same first paragraph of Feathers' post! I have been hungry-- I was hungry when I went to bed last night and I am hungry this morning. I am never hungry in the morning-- well, "never except for now". I am sure it is the colder temps because i had plenty to eat yesterday. I am busy at work today so won't have time to make soup ... but I have a turkey meatloaf to cook so that will be my blast of protein today.

I really struggle with protein and whenever I try to increase it, I don't feel well and my weight goes up. For now, until I get to a healthier weight, I have decided not to stress it. I can't say that it is a wise decision but it is where I am going for the next few months.

Sorry, more thoughts but no more time. I just wanted to commiserate on the increased hunger and wishes for comfort food with these colder temps!

I listened to the following podcast yesterday on Apple podcast, so I couldn't actually see the people talking, which I like better. I prefer to listen to people talk, rather than watching them. But here's the episode on YouTube:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qd-41RNREi0

She talks about the importance of maintaining our skeletal muscle as we age. It's interesting, and I found many excellent points made that don't necessarily follow what I thought about diet and exercise before.

As a sidenote, I adore this podcast host. He is so gracious, and I've been listening to many of his podcasts lately.

Too funny! I came here to post the same podcast. She did have some interesting new insights. I agree- he’s my favorite podcaster right now.

I’m trying very hard to get my protein in, and I’m trying to be more consistent with my resistance training.

The program I’m participating in currently says being hungry in the morning is a sign of a healthy metabolism. It’s hard to know what’s what with all the contradicting advice out there!

This has shaped up to be a good week for me so far. The weather has been great, so I've gotten to play a lot of pickleball. I've gotten both of my resistance training sessions in, and planned my food well, although I just ran out at lunch,

My new program, whether it works or not for any weight loss, has been good for me so far. The other day they posted about things more important -to them- than losing some weight. And it certainly is personal - and I totally get that. My why has always been aging well and living as healthfully and actively as possible. What she said spoke to me - I am eating foods that I enjoy, I have the energy to work out and live life like I want, I can enjoy dinners out occasionally without getting off track, my skin is clear, my sleep is good, my mood is good, I'm working on building muscle. The foods I am eating fuel those things. I need food to do those things. I am choosing well. These are things that are just as important to me as wearing a size smaller pants. It was a good affirmation about a healthy lifestyle being about more than weight loss for me, keeping the big picture in mind and realizing I am succeeding.

On another note - I have really been hearing a lot about positive affirmations and brain plasticity, I am trying very hard to say nice things about myself every day. And especially at this point in time, to surround my thoughts with as much positivity as possible. I'm surprised how much difference it makes when I really think like this instead of always thinking the worst or being critical of myself. I want to learn more about it.

One thing that works for me, I guess not only for weight loss but also for brain health, is continuing to take classes in creative pursuits like arts & crafts. So at the moment I am taking an 8 week knitting class, and next week I am doing a 3-day workshop in printing and embroidery. Last night I took a one-night embroidery workshop too. Not only is it really hard to eat while knitting, I figure I am also doing good things for my brain, too, by learning new things.

And side note, last night in my class, one of the women looked sooo much like Funky that I was totally distracted! LOL.

Yesterday, using Peloton, I did a 15 min spin class, 15 min yoga, and 10 min lower body weight program. Later, I went on a 2 mile walk with DH. Then I did volunteer work in which I was on my feet packing boxes for 3 hours. If I were that active every day, I probably wouldn't have a weight issue. Today, I did a 2.5 mile walk with a friend. Tomorrow I expect to be lazy because I am getting flu/covid shots this afternoon, and I have felt flu-ish every time I've gotten them.

Oh and while I'm bragging on my current good habits, I'll share tonight's dinner -- a vegetarian meal in our pursuit of eating less meat. Stuffed peppers with a brown rice/quinoa mix, black beans, onions, salsa, and spices, topped with a bit of shredded cheddar. Will have that with a salad. Oldest DS is coming over for dinner and eats soooo much junk...not even sure if he'll eat what I'm serving but if not, he can make a sandwich!

PS but the other night I went out to dinner with a friend and had risotto and two aperol spritzes, so it's not all health-and-fitness this week!

LOL Sue.. i wish i was in your knitting class! What I was doing last night (work) was definitely not fun or even creative.

I also find that classes and creativity also helps me-- it is soooo great for my mental health and yes, it's a distraction from food. I have been talking about starting just a sketch a day ... no real investment of time but just to recharge that part of my brain. Could be 10 min-- could be 3 hr. Still, I haven't actually started it. I have been working such long days-- I just want to curl up in a chair when I am done. I need to find a class out my local art association-- that will force me to make the time.

And Sue, one of our local brewery/restaurants also has a knitting night once a week on their rooftop biergarten .. I don't drink beer OR knit but it sounds so lovely.

I belong to a ”knitting group” — basically like a book group except we knit. We have been meeting monthly for 12 years! But wine is also involved so I can only knit for about 20 min, then I just gab for the rest of the time. Some people can drink and knit; not me.

I consistently get 23 to 30 gm of protein per day, or 11 to 15% of my calories. When I have more than that I feel sluggish and bloated. I prefer carbs (veg and fruit) and try to think of meat as a condiment of sorts. I sleep better when I haven’t eaten a lot of protein and also when I haven’t eaten for about five or six hours.

Today I walked the dogs on several hikes in the rain, and moved some furniture for my mom. I was tired at the end of the day and am calling it my exercise du jour.

I stopped tracking this week-- not because i don't care but because work overtook life. I want to get back to it ... and it should be pretty easy because I am eating a lot of the same stuff day after day. I hate that-- but it actually tends to work out well calorically.

I just booked flights for a trip in Dec (pre-holiday).. so I am going to be extra focused on diet and exercise for the next 2 month!

Kswl, I know just what you mean about too much protein! Also not eating 5-6 hr before sleep. I haven't been doing very well with that lately.

I have plans tomorrow evening but all my other weekend plans have been postponed-- I am looking forward to a quiet weekend.. long walks and a simmering pot of soup!

What's on your calendar for the weekend?

For me the weekend will be crazy! We have five relatives coming in Monday for four days. They range in age from 70 to 85, so my challenge is to keep them engaged without tiring them out with sightseeing, and to feed them or organize meals for them each day. My mother, who they are primarily coming to see, has always been a very light eater and refers to meals as snacks— with good reason. Two of the evenings they’ll be here I have choral society rehearsals for our first concert so they will be eating sinner at the golf club one night and I am spending the weekend cooking a dinner for them to have at my mother’s the other night. We will have a fancy dinner here Wednesday night before they leave, and I have a lot to prep so I can devote the days to them. I’m making a pumpkin cheesecake with a pecan crust for Wednesday that needs to be made well in advance, and there are other things I can make ahead of time also—-the dough for Wednesday’s rolls, chocolate ganache to go over peppermint ice cream for my mom to serve them Monday night, salad dressing to make, etc. Our town also has a festival Saturday that I want to go to, and church Sunday, so I am going to be busy!

I have two dinners out this weekend so will need to be careful. One is at a friend’s house with 6 people so I can’t control the menu. I am bringing dessert so will be making a somewhat healthy apple crisp. On Sunday, we have dinner out before a concert so I can obviously order lighter options from the menu. Usually if I know we’re going out at night, I’ll eat light during the day but sometimes that backfires — I am starving when I walk into the restaurant. What helps me is to have a small handful of nuts within an hour of going out.

Got my flu and C vac yesterday so I am dragging this morning… ugh.

I am still on the low carb, IF routine. It is working well for both of us. We feel great and are both still losing weight. My weight loss has slowed down but my shape is changing. I bought a pair of Talbots jeans in a size too small at TJ Maxx for $14.99 in the summer. I wore those suckers yesterday!!!

It's just amazing how we all respond differently. We are eating a LOT of protein and sleeping great, our labs are much improved also. I get them drawn again in a few weeks, it will be interesting to see them then, We will have been eating this way for 10 months at that point.

Congrats, RNmom!! I love fitting into clothes I thought I'd never wear again! I have to start going through my winter clothes and see what I can add to my active rotation-- and what will go to the donation pile. I have a lot of oversized sweaters that I think aren't going to make the cut this year.

I have always struggled with eating protein-- well, meat specifically. I went vegetarian for a number of years because of it... and I have never done well on low carb plans for the same reason.

Sue, it is definitely harder when going out-- it looks like my afternoon/evening plans may fizzle out (and I dressed and put on makeup already!)... or at least by cut way back. I hate to say, I am kind of happy about it. I am just back on track and I don't want to be tempted. I am good when I am in a groove but I am not quite in the groove yet.

Kswl, you ARE going to have a busy weekend but your guests will feel like kings and queens!

Hi, everyone, had a busy week at school, but now we are on fall break! We did our bodpod lab, and it showed my body fat percent unchanged, which was a little disconcerting since I am feeling changes. I may need to check with my rep, but I think likely my changes are so small they are within the 1-2.7% error range. But I feel a difference in my arms and in my clothes. RNmom, that is fantastic!

In honor of all our talk about chili, we made chili with ground turkey this week.

We were at a concert last night so pretty tired today. However, she had some cancellations in the noon reformer class so I stayed for a double! Yikes. Oh well, I will rest up tonight. I got my c-boost this afternoon so I may be feeling out of it tomorrow, so might as well go for it today.

Saw this study that meeting the resistance training guidelines will lower body fat and abdominal fat in postmenopausal women, but doing more added to the health benefits with respect to glucose control and inflammation. So, this is 2-3 days per week vs. 5. So, this means ramp up the RT # of sets per week. Some is good but more is better, though we don't have enough people, especially women, doing the minimum.