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Sara,
I hope your partial week goes quickly - you lucky thing!
Blessings to you and Noah,
Rob
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Carol,
I was just looking back and noticed a couple of your posts, and I think you may not understand who we are. We are a group of women over 50, who have NEVER had children.
I just read one of your posts about empty nest syndrome, and realized that you may not know that.
Best wishes,
Robin
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JALEPENOANN
11/19/06 10:11 P
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Funny how getting out for a run can improve one's disposition. Nasty day though. We got half way through our run when the wind and rain hit with a vengence. At least I wasn't wading through knee deep water on the trails like last week. LOL Of course, the dogs were disappointed that they didn't get to swim down the middle of the trails today. When we hit the last part of the run, the wind really picked up. We were getting pelted in the face with raindrops that felt like BBs. At least we got most of the run done before the weather turned really ugly. We ran for just over 1 1/2 hours, so got in around 10 miles.
J~~ I've spent several Thanksgivings and a few Christmases alone. I have also been ok with it. Loved your idea of spending time with the animals. Both of our border collies are resuce dogs and the youngest one especially is just SO greatful for everything we've given her. She came from an abusive background and we've had many challenges with her. In less than a year though, she is becoming a very confident loving little dog. Funny how our furry family is there for us when so often our human family isn't.
Cathi~~ Yeah, my job is pretty physical, but very boring as well. I keep my sanity with my little radio tucked inside my pocket though. I get 6 weeks vacation a year too, so that makes it easier to take. You are so right about being alone doesn't always mean being lonely. I learned in my first marriage that the worst kind of loneliness was the kind you feel while with a partner that you have nothing in common with and never should've been together in the first place.
Robin~~ We met on a site called Udate. I'm not even sure if it's around any more. It took me till I was 48 years old to realize how good it could be between 2 people. Really funny thing about this is my dad hates everything to do with computers. He thinks the internet is the downfall of society. He still has no idea that the son-in-law that he adores was met over the evil intenet. LOL
Great post on loving ourselves and living our dreams. It took me a lot of counselling to finally like the person I saw in the mirror. I got to live my dream a few years later. I started running just over 20 years ago. I had always dreamt of running in the Boston Marathon, but I was never fast enough to qualify. After many attempts, I finally qualified for Boston in the Seattle marathon....also placed 3rd in my division. I still get goose bumps when I remember standing at the starting line of the Boston Marathon. One of the best experiences of my life. Now I just have to find another goal.
Nancy~~ We were some of the only people in our area that didn't lose power during that storm last week. I think some of them were without power for over 2 days.
Lyn~~ Sounds like a few Canadians on this board.
OK, dogs need to go out for a last pee before I veg out. I have to try to stay awake till Desperate Housewives is on tonight. Sometimes, it's tough getting up at 5a.m.
G'night
Ann
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Hi Everyone,
Well, I meant to read through the posts (and I see on a quick skim through the posts that we have some new people, too). Welcome!!! I'm fairly new here also. I'm single, 54, and childless like everyone else here, too. And I live in Florida (but am originally from Iowa). Also, I have a little betta fish named Noah. He's the only pet I can have in my apartment. He's so cute... and seems to be doing well so far. He has the cutest little personality. I think I've had him all of two or three weeks now.
Hope you've all had a good weekend. It went too fast as usual. I can honestly say I get very down in the dumps this time of year (Thanksgiving through New Year's). It's a effort to get through it, but I smile and nobody knows. Since I don't live around family, I don't see them during the holidays. Sometimes I go and visit them, but not this year. And they never come to visit me. I am always expected to go and see them. Sigh...
Well, I work Monday and Tuesday and then I'm off for the rest of the week. I'm looking forward to it. It will be a nice long break from work.
Okay, I promise soon to get caught up on all the posts. I'm really not a slacker... but I have no excuse. I guess because I'm on a computer all the time at work, I don't want to be on one here at home all the time. But then, being single, my computer is sort of like a friend, too, because it connects me with so many wonderful people, like all of you.
Hope you all have a wonderful Monday!!!!!!!!!!
Sara
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HAPPYCAROL
11/19/06 8:13 P
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2007 is approaching very quickly. Are we ready.
Carol
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Ladies,
Okay, there's a new moon tomorrow. Great time for beginning something new. Here's some info that came to me yesterday:
Mon, Nov 20, 5:19pm EST
This New Moon in Scorpio is a magnificent bridge between past disappointment and future fulfillment. Its conjunction with expansive Jupiter late in the sign of elimination helps us let go of unhealthy habits. Scorpio's sharp eye for resources reveals opportunities in the midst of loss or conflict. Emotions may be extreme now, but the force you feel is the awakening giant of potential, one that can deepen relationships, nurture undeveloped talent and increase income.
Robin
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pam,
no, I didn't read the article. I did have bloodwork done yesterday, so we'll see what my dr has to say. I'll go back and see if I can find that article. Thanks!
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Ahhh, so while I commented, half in gentle jest, that it felt like therapy on this thread, turns out. . . .it really is??? I might be a little new for going deep, but thanks for the thought-provoking discussion. Sounds interesting.
J
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HAPPYCAROL
11/19/06 5:41 P
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I'm another one. Manitoba.
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Pam and friends,
Okay then, I'm going to repost weeks 1 and 2, and then this week is below it.
As before, continue to do the previous week. I really have been doing a little more dreaming than I have in years! Okay, here goes:
When you’re finished with week one, move on to week two. During week two, continue to do the exercise from week one. They build on each other.
Week One: Love yourself exactly where you are. Okay, I know it’s tough. You look in the mirror and your inner critic starts in. But trust me, that critic won’t help you. You really truly have to love yourself—even if you hate how you look. It’s a paradox. But true love—loving yourself for everything you consider unlovable about yourself—that is the key to permanent weight loss. Trust me. I know. When you catch yourself putting yourself down in any way, stop. Then say, “I love myself for feeling __________.” (Fill in the blank with whatever is true.) Remember that what we resist persists. But when we release resistance, our deepest insights can bubble up to the surface. And this frees all kinds of energy that we may have been pushing down with food.
Week Two: Imagine living your dreams. Women who tend to hold onto pounds also tend to hold onto dreams. In fact, one of my medical doctor friends, who used to weigh over 300 pounds and then lost the weight and has kept it off for years, said to me, “Fat is dreams in storage.”
Have you always wanted to learn how to dance, but felt that you couldn’t until you got down to a size 10? Forget it. Sign up for those classes now. Get yourself to a venue that teaches country line dancing on Saturday nights! Or at least rent a video and practice in your living room. If you’ve always wanted to travel to Greece, then start collecting travel brochures. You get the idea.
Week Three: Make a “Desire and Pleasure” list. Make a list of everything pleasurable that you imagine yourself doing once you’ve reached your ideal weight. Write those things down in exquisite detail. For example, maybe you’d love to get a professional massage once per week. Imagine how great that would feel. Experience those dreams with your senses, and savor them. Notice if your inner pessimist tries to discourage you. Love yourself for having that voice, and thank it. But know you have every right to have whatever you desire. Review your desire list once a day or more. Have fun imagining yourself as the new person you’re becoming.
Your "Desire and Pleasure List" is your blueprint for releasing fat—those “dreams in storage.” Spend two minutes a day imagining yourself doing and having the things on that list. Do a few of the easy ones. Start simple.
Good luck everyone!
Robin
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Robin, did you read the article today on a healthy heart on the sparkpage? You will notice that a drink a day, especially wine, is good for your heart and the good cholesterol. So see your doctor is wrong. Go ahead and enjoy your wine. I don't drink anymore, mostly because of meds that Iuse to take so I got out of the habit, or I would join you in that glass of wine. As a matter of fact, I just remembered that when I was having trouble getting my good cholesterol up my doctor told me to drink a glass of red wine everyday. I was so afraid of gaining my weight back I told her no way. There that is my 2 cents worth for the day. Enjoy!
Pam
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Hello everybody and welcome to the new people. I think I still have the title of being the oldest one here (57) so if I forget who is who for awhile I don't mean to but at least I have an excuse.
Lyn I am doing OK. It has been a strange weekend. I started coming out of my depression and then on Friday evening we went to my staff Christmas party and that started the depression all over again. It's too long of a story to explain why. I went to the Y on Saturday to swim and that helped a lot but I just couldn't get it together for the rest of the day. I tried studying my cooking class agenda and couldn't really concentrate. Got turned down by the local TV station and that bummed me some more. Saturday night we went to our local Playcrafters and say Our Town. Now that was good. This morning we had brunch with my day & his wife and some very old family friends whom I enjoy immensely. That was great until my dad's wife started talking about what they are going to do for Christmas. For crying out loud we haven't even gotten through Thanksgiving. She always bums me out. Anyway, seeing the old family friends was terrific. Actually they are my dad's friends from grade school and high school. But the two women were always like my surrogate mother's after mine walked out on my dad and my brother and me. OK enough of that.
Yes Robin it is time for week three, although I am still trying hard to master week one. So far that is the hardest part for me. I start to think good and then the insecurities creep back in. But I am working on it.
Now I can't even remember who all has joined us this weekend. It may take me awhile to get this all straight in my head. I'm sure that Mari has just been busy over the weekend and we will hear from her shortly and that Sara is taking care of Noah.
Even though it is just a few days before Thanksgiving I have decided that enough is enough and it's time to incorporate all those good eating habits that I learned and to not let other people and situations control me. That is what I have been doing and now it is time to stop. I went shopping and have filled my kitchen with all the good things that I use to eat when I first started losing weight. Hopefully this will help me to get back on track. At least I am going to give it my best shot.
Pam
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ROADTOFREEDOM
11/19/06 3:25 P
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I forgot Mari...how did I manage that??...my brain is a frazzled one...
How's it going?
Lyn
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Oh Mari,
I don't think we've heard from you in a couple of days. What's up?
R
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Lyn,
Oops, is tomorrow the start of week 3? If so, I need to post something. Could it be another week already? Somebody let me know bc I can't remember.
Yes, it's a coed gym. It's called Planet Fitness. They call it a "judgement free zone". Very reasonably priced, basic gym with lots of machines.
Catch you later,
R
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Cathi,
I called my local target and they had no idea what I was talking about. Let me know if you were able to get the bulbs there.
Enjoy the day!
Robin
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ROADTOFREEDOM
11/19/06 3:01 P
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Welcome Ann and welcome back J!
More Canadians...It's nice to meet you! :-)
I'm in Alberta, not too far from Edmonton.
I like the image of sitting around the table and had to laugh at the group therapy reference.
Over the past two weeks we've been discussing the psychological aspects of our weight loss and fitness goals. We've been working on Christiane Northrup's eating program that Robin has been sharing with us. Week 1...love yourself. Week 2...dreams and awareness of what we want.
It's so great to have this group to share with.
And for me, this discussion lead me further down the introspective path.
Robin, I'm glad to hear that you've been enjoying the gym. Is it a co-ed one?
Cathi, Have a good time on those errands. Talking about SAD and light bulbs, we bought some "Sunshine" lamps at Costco, but now have a devil of a time finding the bulbs. I saw some on eBay but the seller isn't returning my messages about shipping costs. Yesterday we were in the city and we went to this lighting place and they wanted $50 for the replacement bulb! Yikes. I have one of the lamps on my computer station, shining down on me when I'm at the desktop.
Pam, I hope that things are OK and that you are feeling better.
Sara, How are you and Noah this weekend?
Sue, Are you still around?
Lyn 
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HAPPYCAROL
11/19/06 2:20 P
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| Road to Freedom would be a good name for a team.
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ROADTOFREEDOM
11/19/06 12:16 P
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"Do or do not. There is no try."
~~YODA
Lyn
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LILMSMUFFIN
11/19/06 11:30 A
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Good for you Robin. And it sounds like it did you a world of good. 45 minutes on a bike - did you have something to read or watch 'cause that's a long time to sit and peddle. When I do the treadmill or elipital I listed to a cd. And you stretched too. Aren't you the go-getter today!
Have fun today. I'm off on some errards - didn't get them all done yesterday. I'm going to look for the light bulbs at Target. I'm dreading the crowds this time of year but I take my time and don't stress too much over it. The only bad part is the bus only runs hourly on the weekends.
Cathi
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LIKE1976
11/19/06 11:27 A
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Morning all!!! Yep, Ann, it is raining yet again here and it's windy!!! Hope the power stays on.
Robin, I have been married 21 years! I actually met my husband at work. We were both teachers, me at elementary school and he at middle school. He was the band teacher who came to my school. We knew each other 6 years before dating for two and finally getting married. We are both retired now but have part time jobs on Sundays-Tuesdays. He works at the local Harley Davidson store and I am a receptionist at a local retirement/assisted living community. We have Wed - Sat to play...and we do!! Life is good for us. Our five furry babies(cats) keep us laughing, especially our 10 week old one eyed monster, Monty. He is in to everything!! The other cats are 9, 7, and two are 6.
Well, better go get somebreakfast and get ready for work. I work until 7 so I may not get back today but will try! If work is quiet I can!
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HERBLADI
11/19/06 10:18 A
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Cathi,
Yes, I liked it too. Guess what, I went to the gym today. Yipee!
I did the eliptical for ten minutes and the bike for thirty five. I stretched and now I'm jumping in the shower and going to some singles thingy.
Catch you guys later!
Robin
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HERBLADI
11/19/06 10:16 A
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J,
I used to spend the day with other people's families, and frankly, for me it was easier bc I didn't have all the dysfunction of my own family - or at least, I wasn't a part of the dysfunction. But the older I get, the more I enjoy my alone time. With the furbabies, of course. :-)
R
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HERBLADI
11/19/06 10:15 A
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Ann,
Wow, he came to visit with his cat! I don't blame you for keeping them.
Great story. Did you meet on match?
R
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LILMSMUFFIN
11/19/06 10:02 A
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Hi J, it is good to see you back here again! I hope you enjoyed your walk with your furry boy. I don’t think the image of us all around your dining table with a pot of good coffee is negative at all. Hey, good coffee, interesting women, intelligent conversation, what’s wrong with that? You didn’t mention Danish or cheesecake so I think it’s a good image. You nourish more than your body at your dining table, at least if you are lucky, you do.
Robin, I loved the “Daily Guru” you posted yesterday just before noon. How can I keep good thoughts like this in mind when I get busy? Sitting here reading these, they sound so sane and helpful but then I get busy and my thinking usually reverts to the usual and more negative.
Carol, what a great, up-beat attitude! I hope it is catching.
Ann, welcome! Your job sounds hard so I bet you do look forward to retirement. My job (in finance) isn’t physically taxing but can be very stressful and boring, which in itself is stressful. I am 51 and don’t know when, or if, I’ll ever get to retire. "Sigh." I’m happy for all of you who can and are healthy and able to enjoy it.
J, I think I understand about not wanting to be a guest at someone else’s holiday meal. I had an uncle who never married and we would invite him over for Thanksgiving or Christmas, especially as he grew older. He stopped accepting and as a teenager I figured it was because he felt the odd man out, for tack of being able to come up with a better term. It would have been different if he had been a frequent guest. But to only be included at the occasional holiday probably was uncomfortable for him. Last year we were asked to come for a holiday meal by a woman I worked with. We would have known only her – the rest were all related or well known to each other. I was touched by the invitation but much more comfortable at home – just the two of us.
It isn't always lonely to be alone. I enjoy my own company and I enjoy the quiet. I'm from a big family but they are over a thousand miles (and hundreds of dollars) away. Perhaps another year I will make it home for the wonderful choas but this year will be special in it's own way.
Mari, Sara, Pam, Lyn, we miss you!
Enjoy your day everyone,
Cathi
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Robin, For what it's worth, I'm single, also.
Regarding Thanksgiving, the suggestion I liked best was tending to the animals. It always overwhelms me how, without words, they can express such tremendous gratitude for the least bit of attention. I used to go to the shelter occasionally and spend an hour or so walking as many as I could. I'm sure there were many days when many of them never got out of those horrible pens. Unfortunately, I doubt the shelters are open on Thanksgiving Day so that's probably a non-starter.
I'll be spending Thanksgiving alone, as well. I'm not unhappy about it - I've already turned down 2 invites for dinner. While I sometimes miss the big raucous dinner table of youth, I prefer solitude to being the outside guest of someone else's family. And I DO have my furry family.
J
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JALEPENOANN
11/19/06 9:19 A
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Morning everyone. Thanks for the big welcome. I think we're in for another water logged day today, but Charlie and I are heading out for a run in about an hour.
Nancy~~ I've been on Spark for almost 5 months now and really love it. I also go to Weight Watcher's but was having trouble getting back to my goal. It was my leader that sent me the link to Spark. I guess you guys in Seattle are getting hit with as much rain as we are?
Robin~~ Hi there. I met my husband through an online dating service. I knew when he brought his cat over to visit that neither one of them were going home. LOL We met just over 5 years ago and got married September of last year.
Carol~~ What part of BC did you live in?
Better finish my breakfast and get ready for the run. Our 2 border collies run with us on the trails, so they are getting very eager.
Have a good day.
Ann
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HAPPYCAROL
11/19/06 8:24 A
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