A little more than a year ago, I stepped on the scale for the first time in a long time. After I recovered from the shock, I vowed to do something about my weight. No more putting it off. I had to take charge...next week maybe.
That evening at dinner, I listened to a TV sports reporter announce a boxer's pre-fight weight. My fork went clattering to my plate as I wailed, "I weigh the same as the Middleweight Boxing Champion of the World!"
Okay, something had to be done THIS WEEK! And off I went to join the organization that encourages food portion control, keeping a food log, and attending weekly meetings that include weighing in.
No foods were taboo on this program, as long as I recorded the portion points in my weekly log. I soon learned, though, that I didn't want to waste my points on dense-in-calorie foods, like French fries and potato chips, that soon left me feeling hungry again. What I needed were foods that I could eat plenty of and still stay within my points allotment.
Veggie soups, salads, fruits, and grains filled the bill. I found that there are a great variety of satisfying foods that don't pack the pounds on, as well as lots of recipes for modifying meal favorites. A year later and 40 lbs. lighter, I had learned to eat healthier and stay within my weight goal.
Today, I feel wonderful...and I don't even miss French fries and potato chips!
Saturday, October 13, 2007
Friday, October 12, 2007
A Child's Pop-up Book
While shopping recently at a merchandise liquidation store, I came upon a most wonderfully intricate pop-up book, illustrated by Robert Sabuda. The book, "Alice's Adventures in Wonderland," is one of many that this very talented artist has designed.
I bought several of the bargain-priced "Alice" books...one to keep as a coffee table edition for my own enjoyment, and others to give to family members with young children.
The child in me will not be able to resist looking for more of this artist's pop-up books to add to my library.
I bought several of the bargain-priced "Alice" books...one to keep as a coffee table edition for my own enjoyment, and others to give to family members with young children.
The child in me will not be able to resist looking for more of this artist's pop-up books to add to my library.
Sister Mary, Where Are You?
Just when I think I can't be further appalled by the fashions of young people, along comes a new body-baring fad. Currently, it's a who-can-bare-the-most-bosom rage. 1950's Sister Mary would be stunned to sainthood.
I was a late-comer to the Catholic school where she taught in that era (I entered in the ninth grade), so I was naive about clothing taboos. But not for long. On my first day at school, Sister Mary sent me to see Sister Margaret, the wizened principal.
Sister Margaret, through my young eyes, looked about 110 years old. She frowned and pursed her lips at the sight of my blatantly sexy attire...a blouse with sleeves cut just above the elbows, and a circle skirt, poofed out with crinolines, that reached to just above my bare ankles. "Young lady," she said, authoritatively, "you must wear blouses with sleeves that reach past your elbows, and, for heaven's sake, wear socks with your shoes!" Did I want to give the boys ideas with my elbows and ankles on display like that?
Later, at home, I stood before a mirror. I saw my slender-to-the-point-of-skinny self, with pimples, drab brown hair that oozed oil onto my forehead no matter how much I washed it, arms that seemed too long, sharp, pointy elbows, and knobby-boney ankles.
I marvel that I wasn't swarmed by the boys that day.
I was a late-comer to the Catholic school where she taught in that era (I entered in the ninth grade), so I was naive about clothing taboos. But not for long. On my first day at school, Sister Mary sent me to see Sister Margaret, the wizened principal.
Sister Margaret, through my young eyes, looked about 110 years old. She frowned and pursed her lips at the sight of my blatantly sexy attire...a blouse with sleeves cut just above the elbows, and a circle skirt, poofed out with crinolines, that reached to just above my bare ankles. "Young lady," she said, authoritatively, "you must wear blouses with sleeves that reach past your elbows, and, for heaven's sake, wear socks with your shoes!" Did I want to give the boys ideas with my elbows and ankles on display like that?
Later, at home, I stood before a mirror. I saw my slender-to-the-point-of-skinny self, with pimples, drab brown hair that oozed oil onto my forehead no matter how much I washed it, arms that seemed too long, sharp, pointy elbows, and knobby-boney ankles.
I marvel that I wasn't swarmed by the boys that day.
Thursday, October 11, 2007
Token Male
My husband is the Token Male on our local Extension Homemakers Council advisory board. Now, most of the time, being a "token" participant of any sort is rather offensive. It intimates that the person is not really wanted, or is regarded as not truly qualified for the position, but is appointed simply to fill some arbitrary quota.
Hubby doesn't mind. He's glad to be the Token in exchange for the free catfish and hushpuppies lunch.
Hubby doesn't mind. He's glad to be the Token in exchange for the free catfish and hushpuppies lunch.
Wednesday, October 10, 2007
For vigor and vim, go for a swim
I always look forward to Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, because those are Arthritis Foundation sponsored water aerobic class days. A group of 20 to sometimes up to 30 of us - mostly women - gather at 8:30 a.m. on those days to enjoy 45 minutes of moderate aerobics. Many of us arrive early - some as early as 7 a.m. - to swim in the deep end of the college pool, as a warm-up to the aerobics session.
Today, the pool was a bit chilly at 82 degrees. We are older women, many of us in our 60s and 70s, with a few younger ones, and at least one lady who is in her mid-8os. Most of us have physical complaints, ranging from arthritis to hip and knee problems. Several who have had hip and knee replacements are using the aerobics class as therapy, at the recommendations of their doctors. Others of us are plagued by such maladies as fibromyalgia and hypothyroidism. So a lot of us get chilled easily.
We ladies prefer an 84 degree pool...and we're in heaven when its 86 degrees! That doesn't happen often, though, because the athletic swimmers who use the pool very early in the morning would suffer in water that warm. So the maintenance folks try to compromise by keeping the water at 83 or 84 degrees.
Whatever the water temp, after I'm in it, I feel like a kid again. I love swimming, and I love how invigorated I feel afterward. It energizes me for the whole day!
Today, the pool was a bit chilly at 82 degrees. We are older women, many of us in our 60s and 70s, with a few younger ones, and at least one lady who is in her mid-8os. Most of us have physical complaints, ranging from arthritis to hip and knee problems. Several who have had hip and knee replacements are using the aerobics class as therapy, at the recommendations of their doctors. Others of us are plagued by such maladies as fibromyalgia and hypothyroidism. So a lot of us get chilled easily.
We ladies prefer an 84 degree pool...and we're in heaven when its 86 degrees! That doesn't happen often, though, because the athletic swimmers who use the pool very early in the morning would suffer in water that warm. So the maintenance folks try to compromise by keeping the water at 83 or 84 degrees.
Whatever the water temp, after I'm in it, I feel like a kid again. I love swimming, and I love how invigorated I feel afterward. It energizes me for the whole day!
Tuesday, October 9, 2007
New Kid on the Blog
Greetings from the New Kid on the Blog.
Sis, if you're reading this, thanks for getting me started.
Sis is my "baby" sister - only middle-aged - and a whiz at computers and other electronics. I'm ten years older than Sis, and a computer dunce by comparison. So from time-to-time, she's called upon to take me by the hand and lead me (or shove me, as the case may be) through a new cyberspace exercise. This time, it was getting set up to Blog.
But that's the way it is with some of us Sixty-Somethings. It's harder to get us out of our comfort zones. For instance, we hate it when, just as we've mastered the VCR, DVD players take over the world. And we no sooner settle into that electronic advance, than along come DVRs. I have to admit, though, I love our DVR...same advantages of the VCR, but easier to program.
But I approached the DVR just as I have every other new electronic device - with fingernail-biting trepidation. Never mind that a new gadget might well make life easier and more fun, I'm always on edge about learning to use it. I wish I could be more like Sis, who embraces every new advance like it has been invented solely for her pleasure.
Well, one thing Sis impressed upon me about Blogging is that I should keep it short. So I'll end this one, but I'll be back with other ramblings later.
Sis, if you're reading this, thanks for getting me started.
Sis is my "baby" sister - only middle-aged - and a whiz at computers and other electronics. I'm ten years older than Sis, and a computer dunce by comparison. So from time-to-time, she's called upon to take me by the hand and lead me (or shove me, as the case may be) through a new cyberspace exercise. This time, it was getting set up to Blog.
But that's the way it is with some of us Sixty-Somethings. It's harder to get us out of our comfort zones. For instance, we hate it when, just as we've mastered the VCR, DVD players take over the world. And we no sooner settle into that electronic advance, than along come DVRs. I have to admit, though, I love our DVR...same advantages of the VCR, but easier to program.
But I approached the DVR just as I have every other new electronic device - with fingernail-biting trepidation. Never mind that a new gadget might well make life easier and more fun, I'm always on edge about learning to use it. I wish I could be more like Sis, who embraces every new advance like it has been invented solely for her pleasure.
Well, one thing Sis impressed upon me about Blogging is that I should keep it short. So I'll end this one, but I'll be back with other ramblings later.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)