Hi Rosette

I want to make two points from your post.

1) You don't mention your height or what you weighed 15 years ago. I can still wear the same clothes but I weight AT LEAST 1.5 stone more. We are being conned (or is it soothed) by clothing manufacturers. I actually think they are as bad as fast food outlets in terms of encouraging weight gain.

Of course, conversely, we all sigh at the concept of size 6/8. But by the same token, 30 years ago when I left school that would have been a very acceptable fit looking size 10/12!

2) Now the big one. I am sure you are aware that if you wish to quit smoking it woulod be the single best thing you could possibly do for your health and that of your son. And you may find it incredibly hard to diet seriously at the same time. Do the BIG ONE first, then (even if you gain weight) tackle the diet/weight later.

Of course if you can plan to instill really good eating habits and a routine for activity ( a stress relieving walk (with yur son?) after school all at the same time, hats off to you. But ALL doctors I ahve ever heard speak oin the subject say deal with smoking first.

If you want to watch your weight diet I can strongly advise a really honest daily food diary for a few weeks. Everything written down: ALL meals (including quantities and condiments - use spoonfuls not cals if tricky), all snacks (good and bad), all drinks: tea.coffee, squash, water etc and sugars/milk; all alcohol based on 125 ml wine glasses or SINGLE spirit measures, add the type and quantitity of exercise taken -include walk to shops, stenuous housework/gardening) and also perhaps amount/quality sleep.

All of these help focus on your habits/lifestyle and things that can be changed incrementally.

You may find staff room snacks a weakness, or take aways or instant meals that have hidden ooh nasties. Doesn't make changing any easier but can help focus mind on what's good, what's needed and what's just habit or bad habit.

All the very best of luck for your challenge.

Hi, I'm also going to be 50 this year - I feel very, very sad really if I'm honest....anyway trying to be positive and achieve some of the ambitions I had when I was 20 but have never got round to. Plus, I want to be the weight I was then... so 6 stone to lose but I'm breaking it down, my first goal being to be overweight - not obese.

Hi Arlene

If I could send BIG HUGS on this forum I would. You know it is never too late to achieve a dream. I recall someone recently suggesting that you set an achievable challenge every year. So, leaving aside the weight (another matter) things like: going to hear fave band play live, ballet/opera for first time, learn about wine, a foreign language (NOT to degree level - just conversational, danicng, play piano, groe own veg etc.

I do however think it's best we do not try to get back to any of the dreams and schems or weights/looks of when we were 20. Most of the dreams we dreamed at 20 wwere impossible even then. Even with major surgery (face and body) none of us will have that again - but I would rather a few wrinkles than zits!)

Never lose sight of WHO you ARE. Much more important than what you are or what you look like. But still take pride in your appearance. We are all here because we need to makemlifestyle changes (for health, appearance etc) but despite being all lumpy and bumpy, we can still look glamorous. A good haircut that suits face, colours that work on you, walking as tall as possible and head held high.

Remenber everything you have achieved and decide that your achieving days are far from over. Look to what you can achieve NOW - smaller things maybe but with wisdom and experience, no less important.

I keep a gratitude journal. Evry day I MUST find at least 5 things to be grateful for. Sometimes it is that the car started, my back didn't ache, the cheque WAS in the post.....

Then on grey days look back and laugh. I am pleased by simple things.

I hope you can look forward, especially with your sensible targetting for weight loss. It is never easy, harder as we get to this stage of life but there is great support here.

Do you have a plan to act on?

Good luck. Keep smiling. It really does keep the doctors away.

Carol

more like menopausal and approaching 60! started perimenopausal symptoms about ten years ago, this combined with the courses of oral steroids that I was taking at the time for an unrelated health problem really piled on the pounds - and I was no sylph to start off with! In the last six months I have finally seen a reduction in hot flashes, night sweats etc. and have felt ready to tackle the weight. Nine pounds lost so far!

I stopped smoking in January and slowly but very surely the weight crept up. I had a total hysterectomy in June. I am 52 years old. Once I got on my feet I decided if I don't take control now I'll be really fat so I started following the GI diet 6 weeks ago and have lost 1 stone! Yipee! I don't eat any processed food nor do I eat rubbish anymore. The diet isa bit bland but I feel full and don't have the cravings. It's been a hell of a year but here I am a stone lighter, through surgery and I don't smoke! On the down side I am suffering really stiff joints and one of my knees is really bad. I am waiting on results of tests expecting to be diagnosed with rhumatoid arthritus. CAn't excercise because of the stiff and painful joints so would welcome any help there. I have a dangerously high cholesterol level which I'm hoping falls with the diet.
Mainstay of my diet is porridge with a dollop of fat free yogurt, fish, steamed veg, lots of bean based dishes and vegetable curries and that's it really. Don't take HRT but had to give in to anti inflam's for joint pain. Still hoping not to have to take them or anything else too often. Here's the thing, I need a diet that doesn't aggravate the artritus, doesn't raise the cholestrol and the pounds drop off without excercise....tall order. Finally, the good news is I look good in spite of it all. I am dating a good looking 34 year old who knows nothing about all these troubles! So there girls take heart! Sometimes I laugh my head off when in the morning he offers me a glass of juice ( can't take it , bad for the pains) thinks my scar is from a tumor I had removed which is true but didn't tell him everything else went too and he thinks I'm the coolest and best lover he's ever had. I might write a play about it one day!

Martha
All I can say is wow! Well done you and a toy boy too! You must be looking fab. Can you walk as that is a good start. But best get the knee checked out or swim? That might be the thing. I have all menopause to come as am only 47. Any chance of you posting a pic as you would be an inspiration to us all.

... never mind that Pippa - we want a pic of the toy boy

Really dubious about putting my picture here. I manage a big team in an office of young people who live on the net. Would be worried they'd see me. Keep my personal business to myself. As for the pic of the toy boy lol....well same thing and why would I want to disillusion him! Mind you I think he doesn't really care we are seeing each other because we enjoy each other's company. It's not serious. I have 5 adorable grandchildren who all love and idolize me so I will be available to them for as long as I'm around. He knows nothing about them and they know nothing about him. We have managed to have this great relationship for about 2 years now and it's the best 50th birthday present a woman could have!
Strangely enough, I've never felt as good about myself as I do now. I think that's what comes with age.....you just don't care about a whole lot of things that you used to fret about.Values and priorities change fast and frankly I'd be very worried if I didn't change over the years.
Yeah I was thinking about swimming. May give that a go. Does anyone know what excercises are safe for someone with Arthritus and possibly oesteoporosis?? Will have difinitive diagnosis next week but these 2 are top of the list.
Anyway, thanks for the comments and yea I decided to write because it really is all about getting the right attitude. I may be falling apart but it aint over yet!

I would consider Pilates Martha, but talk to your GP first. Good luck! I'm 46 so am approaching the Menopause too! Have just had a coil fitted - wish I'd had it done earlier! I've got so much more energy now I'm not suffereing from appallingly heavy periods and low iron levels.

Sue
I agree with you re energy. I had to stop giving blood as I had poor iron levels but at least I did give 15 pints.