Missou I was wondering if your knee hurts or swells up after walking? I went for a walk today for about 55 min. walked 2.5 miles would have liked to have went for 3 but my knee swelled up, so I didn't. I thought walking was good for your knees. I dont know it dosen't swell as bad when I workout on the cycle or ellipitcal. I guess I need to go see the doc. again .

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Unfortunatly my knee does hurt and swells up when I walk It does not hurt as badly when I go on the elliptical, but still, I need to rest it a lot these days. So no exercises for me. I don't want to try anythine because there is always a demand on the knee, even when you do sit-ups

Good morning everyone, it is the day after one of the fatal day in the year... Halloween!!!
I did not give out candies and my girls are too old to run around for trick or treat so I had no temptations. I was alone with hubby last night and we had a fondue

Even thought I am not doing any exercise, my weight is staying the same. I am carefull when I eat and I am able to stay within my calory count. I can't wait to do my exercises again!!!

Hello everyone. Hope you had a nice Halloween. We stayed home and a had a record 9 trick or treaters. I passed out quarters and received only a few funny looks. I probably spent less than a bag of candy costs and had no temptations around the house

It looks like today will be one of the last nice days for the year. I have a 3 mile walk planned for 11:30 this morning. Otherwise, I will be having a day of rest, relaxation and cleaning at home. I hope to start listening to Diana Gabaldon's newest book - An Echo in the Bone. I cant believe that Thanksgiving is only a few weeks away. I've started looking up low calorie options for my stuffing. Anyone have any ideas?

Extra exercise kept me within my calorie limits for the weekend. I have had a hard time staying motivated this week. I keep telling myself - this should be a habit by now and not so hard to keep going. I took time this morning to review my log of eating for the month of October - I made my water goals each day, noticed a steady decline for calories in over the month, I seem to eat more on weekends, and when I cook (vs box food) my salt levels are lower. Overall, I am happy with my progress. I just need to remember and keep repeating - that slowly off means it is more likely to stay off and that this is a lifestyle change not a diet.

I appreciate everyone's support. Thanks. Have a great, healthy week.

Missou - I feel for you not being able to exercise the way you want to... Take care of that knee

Hi ladies. I will 45 next month. I am the mother of three girls (28,26,24) and a boy (21) and the grandmother of two boys (9 & 7), and two girls (6 & 20 Mos). I have not had luck with other plans but one week with myfitnesspal and I have lost 5 lbs. My oldest daughter is getting remarried to a wonderful man next August and I don't want to look like an Oompah Loompah for her wedding, my youngest daughter is getting married the following year, which provides the motivation to keep it going.

I have trouble losng weight because of some medical issues but I think I may have finally found what is going to work for me with this tool and all of you.

I went to my sister-in-laws for Halloween. She gets so many Trick-or-treeters that I didn't have to worry about the candy, it didn't last long enough.




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I turned 49 last week. I have a hubby and two teens (17-year-old girl and 14-year-old boy). I've lost 13 pounds since August 17 by doing Slim in 6 and tracking my food here on MFP. My goal is to lose 11 more. I hope it stays as easy as it has been, but I'm also prepared for the last few to be a little more difficult. That's OK. I will do it, even if it takes a little longer. I WILL reach my goal, and more importantly, I will maintain it.

Happy November, everybody!

Jill

Is it too late to join?

Married 24 yrs.
5 kids ages 10-22

Started my weight-loss several years ago by first just giving up sugar. I am a very slow loser but I have learned to live with that.

I never liked exercising before but after a very stressful time I started and now I love it.

I am currently in bed with the flu! The hardest part is not being able to excercise!

I am staying under 1200 calories though. I stepped on the scale after a week in bed and found I have gained a pound.

You all seem awesome! I saw another thread with several people in the 40+ group but they are lightyears ahead of me, running marathons and P90X insanity etc.

Happy November 1st!

DD

Hi everyone!
I just found this site today and I love it already! I am 46 a mother of 2 boys (24 and 22). The 24 year old, Mat is in Iraq right now, on his second deployment. He got engaged just before he left Oct. 9th, so I have a wedding to help plan and a mother-of-the-groom dress to buy, so here I am! I started my diet, no, scratch that, my NEW LIFESTYLE, two weeks ago and have lost 8 pounds so far, but I used my new weight to start on here so "officially" I haven't lost anything yet...
Plus, I just had my yearly physical and was told that it looks like I may have had a small heart attack sometime in the last year since my last EKG. Talk about a wake up call! I have to go for a stress test (won't take long to get me stressed right now LOL) to find out if I really did have one or not, so that's just motivating me even more to get this weight off once and for all! I bet I have lost three or four complete people in my years of dieting, but they just won't stay lost! They keep coming back and bringing friends with them so this time I am not dieting, I am changing my life!!!!
Thanks for listening! I am here to do the same for all of you! Here's to the first day of the rest of our HEALTHY lives!!!!
Mommabee of the groom

Missou I talked to my husband last night, remember he's a truck driver he's in Memphis, he said he thinks the reason our knee's are swelling and hurts after walking is because we are putting more impact on it. Sounds likely cause we don't impact the floor with the machines.(except the tread mill) But I think I will be seeing my knee doc. sometime , and see what he has to say and offer. Anyway it sounds like we may both have the same problem. Maybe together we can figure out what it might be. .

Oh yea welcome to all newcomers .

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Hi everyone! I just found this forum and would like to join with other over 40's - I am 49 - mother of 2 beautiful girls (14 & 21). I am currently at my top weight and joined MFP about 1 week ago. It has been great to keep track of my meals. Having trouble fitting exercise in. I KNOW IT IS ESSENTIAL. I have been using the stairs at work and trying to walk as much as possible in the course of my day (parking further away, etc.) I already get up early (5:30 on class days, 4:30 on clinical days) so that is not the answer. My youngest daughter is very active, so my afternoons/evenings are mostly spent as a taxi driver. I have lost 6 lbs so far - but the dr. started me on a diuretic at the same time, so I know that is water wt. It helps to know that others are on the same road. My goal is to start my 50's much healthier than I am ending my 40's. I need all the support I can get!

DeeDeeLHF sweetie it's never to late. Good luck on your progress.

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Thanks for the welcome and a warm welcome to our new members to MFP, Phonzie and mommabee!

BTW. I love the Olive Garden and actually it is one of the easier restaurants to go to. You can order the soup and salad and ask for the low fat dressing. I was skeptical but it was really good. I will have that with one or two bowls of Minestrone soup. A lot of food for not a lot of calories.

. I have a hard time saying no, and I have to supplement with healthier things in order to stay true to my diet (no always possible...hello Olive Garden)

Are we dieting or are we changing to a healthier lifestyle??

Welcome to our newcomers! I hope you will find what you are looking for with us.

Boubou, I just looked at your dog and he looks like an alien Thanks for your thoughts about my knee. I agree that walking puts more impact on the knee than the Gazelle does. Hubby has studied my knee carefully yesterday and has found the exact painfull points. Part of my knee has been replaced and is mechanical and one of my miniscus has been replaced. So the pain is not miniscal. It is most probably caused by a ligament. Is it torned, I don't thing so since I am able to walk and there is only one movement that will cause it to give out. So Hubby will work on it every evening and I will keep on doing the rehabilitation.

Every Monday since April, I have been doing a weight-in and every first Monday of the month, I am taking my measurements. Today is Measuring Day and here is my data.

Weight
SW (Starting weight)...165 lbs
TW (Today's Weight)....162.5....161.4...159.2....161.4...162.8....160.8....161.8...163.2...164....161....163.8....161....161.6....160.6....159.2....158.6....159.2 lbs
GW (Goal Weight)....135 lbs
Weekly weight gained....0.6 lbs
Total Weight Lost...5.8 lbs
To Goal....24.8 lbs

Measurements
Neck......14 ....13.5....14....13.5....14....13 inches
Arms.......13,,,,12.5...12.5....13....12....12 inches
Bust....39...38.5...38.5....38.5....38....38 inches
Waist....34.....35...32.5....31.5....31.5....31 inches
Belly...On April 6th, 2009 ...40 ...On October 5th, 2009...37....37 inches
Hips.....40....40...39....39....39....38 inches
Thighs....22....21.5....20.5....21.5....21....20 inches
Calves...15.....15....14.5....15....14.5....14 inches
Inches lost this month......4 inches
Total inches lost since the beginning.....14 inches

I am so proud of myself when I look at my measurement table!! The weight may not be going down as quickly as I would like, but the inches are going down and I am feeling 100% better and so much younger than I was in the beginning!!

I love my new lifestyle!!!!

Dominique! Wow!!!! Your inches lost are impressive!!!

Stay the course!!!

When I thing about what the Gazelle did for me before, I can't wait to start using it again!!!

Greetings everyone! I just signed up for mfp today so I don't have any progress to share yet.

However, I want to say how much reading everyone else's posts has meant to me. I have been feeling so sore and achey - sometimes I feel like I can barely move. I was starting to suspect fibromyalgia or chronic fatigue syndrome, since I tend to get all over body pain and tend to feel ill a lot. However, now I'm wondering how much of this can be attributed to my excessive weight. I have been seeing a doctor, and although he hesitates to actually go so far as to recommend I lose weight, he has suggested that many of my symptoms could be aided by losing weight.

Anyway, I'm 46 years old and I have one daughter who is 8 years old. I'm a late-in-life first time parent. Sometimes I feel guilty because I can't run around with my daughter as much as I want to. Plus, I'd like to make sure I'm modeling healthy behaviours for her. So things are going to have to change.

I have about 50 pounds to lose, and I'm totally okay with losing it very slowly, as long as I'm moving in the right direction.

Thanks, and by the way, great idea for a thread!

Hello Ladies!
Welcome to all those that joined over the weekend. Well I made it through Halloween within my daily calorie count, but just barely. Plus no exercise over the weekend. ooh my. I really want to stay within the daily calories from now through the new year. Halloween was just the beginning of the extra temptations. Ah the holidays. I have been losing about 1.5 - 2 pounds a week. A pound a week would keep me happy. Slow is how I intend to make it permanent weight loss. Have a great day. Until next time...Bye

Hello everyone and welcome to the newest members,

With winter just around the corner, I dont want to get bored with my current DVD collection. Does anyone have any favorite exercise DVDs that you recommend? Low impact are preferred... I have the Shapely Girl Walking Video and the 4 mile walk by Leslie S.

How about favorite strength training videos? I have Denise Austin's Power Zone which uses elastic bands.

Can The Firm videos be done on a regular aerobics step? Have you tried and do you like The Firm videos. I have lots of step aerobic videos and prefer styles of Gin Miller and Kathy Smith.

Any other suggestions? I plan to try some Yoga and/or Pilates.

Hey everybody! missou, I love your measurements ( a little jealous of your thigh measurement, but I'll get there!) It seems you and i are very similar in size. Good news though, I've lost 4 lobs woo hoo! Finally! I don't get on the scale everyday because then I would be obsessing, and I am prone to do that. But the new exercise method is working just fine so far.

I've been wondering what in the world a Gazelle is, and this past weekend I found out my own mother has one. She doesn't use it right now, she broke her femur last Christmas and she is just now getting back on the treadmill for slow walking. Anyway I hope it works for everyone, it looks like fun. Thanks for the Olive Garden input. I'm italian and love all italian food, especially the pasta, so any help is greatly appreciated. Hopefully I will have willpower the next time I get to go.

I'm excited about my new. Found out we may be going to Florida for Thanksgiving. It would be nice to be able to wear shorts if it's warm enough and not be embarrassed.



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Motocaryschell, congrats to you on your weight loss, . Keep up the good work.

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Pinbotchick, I've never tried any videos so I couldn't help you out their. But maybe you can help me out. Any of those easy on the knees. I'm still trying to build up my knee after my surgerys on it. Anyway think about it an let me know. .

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Hi everyone!!

I step on my scale every morning to help me keep track of my progress and to make sure I don't lose control of my weight. To me, it is a valuable tool just like MFP or my other weight loss group on another board I go on. We have been together since mid-March 2009 and have a weight-in every Monday. We also put our measurments every first Monday of the month. That is were my table comes from.

We could start such a table here to. I can easily take care of it. If your are interested, just say the word. You could put your measurments now and we could start our own Pounds Ahoy table this week.

Here is a link to Tony Little's website, it is were I got my Gazelle http://www.tonylittlestore.com/exercise-equipment.html

Here are my DVDs collections

Mari Winsor Pilates full DVD collection, it is available on Amazon http://www.amazon.com/Winsor-Pilates-Basic-Workout-System/dp/B00077BD7A

Hip Hop Abs by Shaun T http://www.beachbody.com/product/fitness_programs/best_sellers/hip_hop_abs.do

Classical Streching http://www.classicalstretch.com/

Core Secrets http://www.amazon.com/Core-Secrets-with-DVD-Instruction/dp/B0002XK0IW

For now, I am resting my knee. Next week, I will do the Pilates videos. The week after, I will add the Gazelle until I come back from my cruise. Then I will do a week of Pilates, the Gazelle and after, I will gradually add the other DVDs. I will vary my training from day to day. I also have a treadmill that I can use.

I love the Hip Hop Abs and the Pilates videos, Shaun T and Mari are very stimulating!!! I use to do ballet and artistic gymnastics when I was young and the Classical Streching was conceived by a ballet teacher from Montreal. I love the approach. The Core Secrets DVDs are a little demanding on the knees so I never really tried them before my knee surgery. Now that I can use it again, I sure will try them!!

Well, I think that covers my training program. I was also an artistic gymnastic in my teens. If I can help anyone, feel free to ask.

Welcome to our group Little Sister!!

Booboo, the Pilates is very easy on the knee. With Mari Winsor's program, you mostly work lying or sitting down on a yoga mattress.

Here are a few exercises that are really good to strenghten the leg after a knee surgery.

Sitting down on a chair, you straighten your leg with your flexed foot. You do series with your foot rotated inward, outward and with no rotation.

Lying down on your stomach, raise your legs one at a time, with a flexed foot rotated the same ways as for the previous exercise.

Lying down on your side, you raise your upper leg in a neutral position, after with your knee turned outward. Bending the your upper leg in front of you, you raise your lower leg.

Standing up, you can do this exercise in the stairs, bend one knee keeping it next to the other. you can start this exercise lying down on your stomach, it will be easier.

For all the leg raises , try to keep your leg strait. This will work your muscles individualy, making them stronger. After doing all this training, remember to strech every muscles, your ankles and your toes. I could see a big difference after doing that training every day for a week or two. I kept on doing it for 5 or 6 months and know, I can go up the stairs quiclky without holding on to the rail.

Good luck!!!

Dominique,

Thanks for the knee excercises. I seem to also have problems with mine. If I stick to the eliptical it seems to be OK. Plus I wear knee braces that I purchased at a sporting goods store and they help tremendously.

Agreed that Winsor Pilates is gentle on the knees.

Do you have any tips for strengthening the muscles in the leg while weight training? I am afraid of some of the machines because it seems to put too much stress on the knee. any help would be appreciated.

Right now I am recovering from the flu and I am anxious to get back but this flu has affected my lungs and bronchi so I am coughing my head off. So for a bit I don't think I will be up to doing too much aerobic but it would be the perfect time to really focus on weight training.

Happy mid-week to all of you!

DD