An Old Lady's Quest

[tyler43836]

I've never been much for journaling, but maybe this is what I need to do to keep myself accountable and track progress.

I'm 50 years old and determined to make the most of my life and really live it for a change!

Sooo....some changes I know I need to make. Excercise, quit smoking, cut back on caffeine, take better care of my skin and overall health, improve my mental outlook, continue the quest for a youthful appearance and outlook on life.

So far today....I've had 3 cups of coffee, 4 cigarettes, have racoon eyes from mascara not washed off before bed last night, and a bad case of Monday blahs. What better time to start putting this into words and stop putting it off. (I'm the QUEEN of procrastination)

Here I go! Hiding the smokes, turning off the coffee pot, washing my face and heading for the gym! Well, maybe just one more cup of coffee.....

[tyler43836]

I'll probably end up posting too often here in the beginning...at least til I get a handle on it and some life control.
I made it to the gym in spite of it being 46 degrees out and just wanting to crawl back into bed. There's a grocery store nearby, so I stopped in and picked up the ingredients to make crockpot pepperoncinni roast beef. It's in the pot now! This prompted me to address another one of my issues. Housework!

I've never been Susie homemaker...far from it. It's been even worse since moving to this butt ugly run down tiny apartment in Queens....so, the prompting came from the realization that I haven't cleaned out my fridge in forever...probably some stellar science projects in there!...thus where the heck am I going to put the leftovers. It's a 5lb roast!

I decided to get my surroundings in place as well. I'm going to tackle one 'project' a day. May even post pictures. Today is cleaning the fridge!

I hate this apartment so much. Even when spotless (which isn't often) it still looks dingy and disgusting. It wasn't so bad when I was working out of the home 15-18 hours a day, but now that I work from home, it has become a sore spot and VERY depressing. A little cleaning and fixing up might improve my mood drastically.

[lowcarbette]

Hi Tyler: I've been following your posts because you are such an inspiration. I'm with you, take it one day at a time and you'll have that apt looking (and feeling) better in no time. It's amazing how our outlook on life improves when our surroundings are cleaner and less cluttered! Keep up the great work and keep on posting ... people are reading!

[tyler43836]

Originally Posted by lowcarbette

Hi Tyler: I've been following your posts because you are such an inspiration. I'm with you, take it one day at a time and you'll have that apt looking (and feeling) better in no time. It's amazing how our outlook on life improves when our surroundings are cleaner and less cluttered! Keep up the great work and keep on posting ... people are reading!

Hey! Thanks so much for posting and letting me know you're here! I'm glad if I have helped or inspired anyone! That makes me feel good. I'm feeling pretty challenged right now...just old

One day at a time, right?

[tyler43836]

Okay...so clearly I was in a pissy mood this morning. I took the afternoon off, went to an outdoor cafe for a caesar salad and engaged in my favorite sport...people watching.

Here's what I learned:

#1 Orange is rarely ever flattering on ANYone.

#2 Middle school children waiting at a bus stop behave in ways that their parents would NEVER approve of (and at a much higher decibal level than humanly possible).

#3 If you have horribly unflattering outfits in your wardrobe that you wear 'just to run out for a minute'...toss them. Even if you don't suffer the embarrassment of someone you know seeing you....many people that you DON'T know....do. How much more work does it take to put on a pair of pants that fit, than one's that make you look like a sausage when you really don't?

#4 whether you are fat or thin, tall or short, pretty or plain, 8 or 80...the most beautiful thing you can do for yourself and for others is SMILE....

I feel better now....

[tyler43836]

Okay...so let me be accountable for today.

Food:
B: SS shake (coffee/hazelnut flavored)

L: Caesar salad and a 4oz glass white zinfindel

D: (will be) Peperrocini roast beef and a side of broccolli...maybe cheese on that

4 one liter bottles of water...hoping to get 2 more in before bed.

Excercise:
60 minutes on the treadmill (high incline, brisk pace)
Yumana Body rolling (planned for after dinner) 20 minutes.

Projects:...yeah, I blew off the fridge in favor of going out for lunch...but I still have about 4 hours before I need a place to put that leftover roast, so it's not over yet!

[tyler43836]

The roast has a place of honor in a 'mostly' clean fridge. Wasn't much left in there when I finished clearing it out. tomorrow I'll scrub it down and restock!

Time for bed. I haven't been sleeping well and it's taking it's toll. Maybe that's part of the reason I've been so grumpy and depressed the past few days.

[tyler43836]

I love getting up early. I feel as though I have so much time to get everything accomplished. I like going to the gym around 7:30 after the Manhattan commuters have come and gone-it's fairly empty about that time. I'm putting some more 'gymspirational' music on my Ipod this morning.

Got my food planned for the day: Aside from the shakes, I have the roast beef I made yesteday....and a tasty treat, I also made a Pumkin Pudding in the crock pot last night. A stop at the store after the gym for some salad fixin's and I'm good to go. Planning on making chayote fried 'apples' today too.

I mixed my coffee this morning-half caf, half decaf. Reducing the caffeine a bit at a time, maybe I won't notice...now I just have to not double the amount I drink!

And my projects for today...finish the fridge (this morning before the gym) and clean the cabinet under my kitchen sink! That I'll do tonight. Lot's of work to do today. Due to my funky mood, I took the day off yesterday. Back in gear today!

oh...one more thing on my agenda- a little online shopping. I hate my dishes. It's probably the last vestige I have left from my horrid marriage that ended 7 years ago. I'm going to buy new ones! I shopping...even online!

[GetFitMom]

Originally Posted by tyler43836

I'm feeling pretty challenged right now...just old

You know what? I was suprised to see that this was your journal. Especially when you said you were 50! Total shocker. I really thought you were younger than that. So stop saying you are old.

Either way keep up the good work towards making healthy lifetime changes.

[tyler43836]

Originally Posted by GetFitMom

You know what? I was suprised to see that this was your journal. Especially when you said you were 50! Total shocker. I really thought you were younger than that. So stop saying you are old.

Either way keep up the good work towards making healthy lifetime changes.

Thanks, GetFitMom! I don't FEEL old...but I have to respect the chronology...no matter how young my brain feels, I have to take much better care of the body-cause it's not making that connection readily
Thanks for posting and for the encouragement!

[reserrano]

I love reading your posts. You have a great personality and I am also shocked to learn that you're 50.
I have your roast in the crock pot right now--can't wait till it's done--

[tyler43836]

Originally Posted by reserrano

I love reading your posts. You have a great personality and I am also shocked to learn that you're 50.
I have your roast in the crock pot right now--can't wait till it's done--

Oh Let me know how you like it. I thought it had a great flavor. I can't remember who it was that posted it on the Crockpot sticky, but I'll have to find it and thank them. It was so easy and tasty! ...and I'm ALL about the easy

[tyler43836]

I posted this elsewhere, but felt the need to put it here as a reminder!

This morning was Day three at the gym. I thought I'd share some lessons I learned today.

#1 If you carelessly tossed your sneakers within 5 feet of a litter box, always check for far flung clay bits prior to leaving for the gym.

#2 If you drink enough water during each day to empty a small pond, visit the facilities prior to setting the 60 minute timer on the treadmill.

#3 Never attempt to remove a pullover sweatshirt halfway through your workout without reducing speed and incline. You will avoid looking like a dutch windmill emerging from a turtle shell and omit the likelihood of sudden shrieking that will shock others next to you into amazingly similar gyrations.

#4 The notorious slimstyles 'sailor' burps that sound so dainty to you when you have your headphones blaring heavy metal at full volume do not sound quite as dainty to those on the next treadmill with no headphones. (I did get a big grin and thumbs up, though)

Lessons I learned from being on the back row of treadmills with 3 rows of booty in front of me:

#1 Always wear thongs with skin tight stretch pants.

#2 Never wear tight white stretch pants if you experience butt sweating.

#3 And for the guys- make sure your shorts fit snug at the waist...hiking up your shorts every 4 steps may burn additonal calories, but it is not attractive to those behind you.

And one more thing...

That myth that we hold so dear? That women don't sweat, they glow?
Totally false.


And more.......

#1 Never use a treadmill next to a jogging man who sweats profusely unless you're intimate.
#2 Drinking from a 1 liter water bottle while on the treadmill without balancing yourself with one hand can lead to drowning.
#3 It takes twice as long to walk home from the gym as it does to get there.


And another lesson from this morning:

If you drop one shoulder, list to one side and take a longer stride on the non offending leg...you look like you have an ATTITUDE, rather than having a fragile old hip that's screaming for mercy!!!

[tyler43836]

so...had my SS shake early this morning before the gym. Held me just fine until a few minutes ago. So for lunch, I shredded the pepperocini beef into an LC tortilla, added mayo and cheddar/jack shredded cheese. I guess I was quite hungry, cause I filled it a little full...and didn't even sit down! Took a big bite right there at the kitchen counter...
Promptly dumped the contents out the bottom and onto the kitchen floor! Before I could get the 2 feet to the paper towels, my cats had zeroed in on it and began to feast!
I guess that's one way to cut calories.

[Chantel]

Hey, I am reading your journal...you crack me up. I have a cousin named Vickie that I adored and you remind me of her so I am naturally drawn to your posts. That sounded wierd I think.

Keep writing

[Chantel]

Originally Posted by tyler43836

If you drop one shoulder, list to one side and take a longer stride on the non offending leg...you look like you have an ATTITUDE, rather than having a fragile old hip that's screaming for mercy!!!

My left hip is sore. Feels like bone on bone - especially when I sleep so I just started taking calcium and glucosamine(s?) faithfully this week and it does help. I feel a lot better. So perhaps start taking some supplements if you arent yet? ...lol

Pain s-u-c-k-s.

[tyler43836]

Originally Posted by Chantel

My left hip is sore. Feels like bone on bone - especially when I sleep so I just started taking calcium and glucosamine(s?) faithfully this week and it does help. I feel a lot better. So perhaps start taking some supplements if you arent yet? ...lol

Pain s-u-c-k-s.

Thanks Chantel...I'm glad you're reading along!
My hip feels the same way! I can't take calcium, aluminum, zinc,...um and some other stuff I can't remember right now. I'm on periostat (doxycycline) right now as perscribed by the dentist and I'm not supposed to take those ...I'll check on the glucosamine! I say my hip hurts, but it's more like my 'socket'...but that doesn't sound very cool to say in public

oh...I've found vicodin helps too

[tyler43836]

Originally Posted by Chantel

Hey, I am reading your journal...you crack me up. I have a cousin named Vickie that I adored and you remind me of her so I am naturally drawn to your posts. That sounded wierd I think.

Keep writing

Not weird. Who knows I used to live in California-we could be long lost cousins!

[Chantel]

yeah, the socket. Like bone on bone? Its deep inside.

Cousins would be cool!

Check and see if you can take the glucosamine.

PS: I bought some Slimstyles. I am going to incorprate it into my own plan I do ( Lean for Life). Its ok, not bad. I use a blender. So today is the first day on it. I just ate lunch and then I will do a shake for dinner and see how the old appetite does.

Ok, off to power walk and grab the kiddo.

[tyler43836]

Originally Posted by Chantel

yeah, the socket. Like bone on bone? Its deep inside.

Cousins would be cool!

Check and see if you can take the glucosamine.

PS: I bought some Slimstyles. I am going to incorprate it into my own plan I do ( Lean for Life). Its ok, not bad. I use a blender. So today is the first day on it. I just ate lunch and then I will do a shake for dinner and see how the old appetite does.

Ok, off to power walk and grab the kiddo.

yeah, it's deep inside, definately not a muscle ache. Then I over compensate for it and if feels like it runs inside my leg down to my the back of my knee!

I'll check on the glucosamine!

On it's on it's okay...but mixing it with various SF syrups and extracts really makes a difference. I love the stuff. It keeps my hunger TOTALLY in control and I've managed to drop that horrid final 10. I'm still using it to maintain and I'm noticing body shape changes..which is SO cool!

[tyler43836]

This is the only thing it mentions (reduces the absorbtion of the doxycycline)
Aluminium, calcium, magnesium (antacids) and iron chelate
So I'm going to give it a try!

[tyler43836]

Work is done. No more. Staring at the computer all day long makes me At least I can check in with LCF with a mere keystroke! Preserves my sanity a bit.

Today's food:...not much, thank you very much cats! SS shake and a bite of beef! I'm ready for beef (how long will I have to eat this now??) and some pumpkin pudding for dinner. Since I'm eating early, I'll probably do a half serving of shake later on to stave off nighttime munchies.

Did an hour on the treadmill today...in spite of the acting up hip joint. and will hit the Yamuna ball tonight. This stretches and relaxes my body, so doing it at night doesn't have a bad effect (affect? never get that right) .

Still have yet to clean that cabinet under the sink...I just don't wanna

oh...and I picked up the Olay microdermabrasion/chemical peel kit today after the gym. I'm going to do that tonight too. Hoping it will peel off the wrinkles and I'll wake up looking 20...too much, ya think?

[tyler43836]

Well, I didn't wake up with no wrinkles, but I like the stuff...skin is very smooth and soft, texture is better, tone more even. Was it worth $30 bucks?...we'll see!

Another thing to add to my self improvement list....SLEEP. I can't seem to sleep through the night. No matter what time I go to bed, I end up waking up 5 or 6 times during the night. Sometimes I can get back to sleep, sometimes I'm awake for hours! This makes Tyler a very grumpy girl

[tyler43836]

Went to the gym-almost didn't make it through 60 minutes. My hip was REALLY hurting. So I hobbled over to the drug store next door, looking for relief...Ben Gay, Tigerbalm...something! ANYthing!
I found this stuff called Blue-Emu...reading the box it said "with Emu Oil, Aloe, MSM & Glucosamine" ding,ding,ding. I remember Chantel saying that glucosamine was helping. So I got it. $19.99 in NYC...probably $2.99 anywhere else. Let me tell you. My @$$ is on FIRE right now! and I smell like an old man. But it's helping! I know it's temporary and it's treating the sypmtom and not the problem...but what a relief I'm feeling now. I can walk across the room without limping! Maybe I can stand long enough to get my dishes done! Woo-hoo I'm a happy camper
...and hungry. food before dishes