AUDREY HEPBURN STYLE – FASHION OVER 50
If nothing changes, then nothing changes. I am all the time saying that when it comes to working on the blog or at work at the lumber company. However, this time I am going to apply it to my life and more specifically, my diet. I can see the eye roll that you are giving me because I have said this since the first post. I am sure a lot of you can sympathize with me and understand my constant struggle. Every week I seem to pick a new day to get started on a healthier eating plan but for some reason, that day always seems to be, “tomorrow.”
I was looking back at (this post) last Friday and that was the last straw. How in the world did I let the pounds creep back on, this is ridiculous. I am not asking for recipes because I won’t use them. I am just having to cut back my portion size and eat more things that are good for you but taste like crap. If I am eating something that is good then I will overeat. Lol! My new diet is called, “eat everything you want as long as it tastes like cardboard.” I did look into the Air Fryers but then decided not to buy one. I don’t think I need another gadget on my counter that I won’t use in 3 months. I am trying to go back to the basics and just cut back. I also need to start eating more often because my metabolism is crazy slow. They say that you need to eat something small every 3 to 4 hours so I have some measured portions to take to work with me daily. I NEED these pounds to melt away, remember, I have a Cancun trip in April!!! 
Since Valentine’s Day is this week I have decided to wear red somewhere in each outfit. Red has so many different shades from the orange/red like this sweater to the blue/reds that I will have on later in the week. Each shade looks different against my skin so keep searching and trying on different shade until you find the color that works for you. My sweater is older and I have owned it for at least 2 or 3 years if not longer. It is a classic crewneck design but the different textured material on the sleeves gives it some uniqueness. This is from Old Navy a store that I can find lots of sweaters from. Whenever I wear a sweater like this I think of Audrey Hepburn when she was young. I have linked to sweaters from Talbots since they are having such a great sale, no reason to pay more than you have to.
I bought this necklace ages ago but I have never worn it. It is strung on leather and there is a knot between each pearl. The Claire necklace is 62″ long and it can be doubled or even tripled. I chose the Shaila pearl studs earrings to wear with the necklace. These studs are a nice large pearl and they are only 8.00. My two gold bracelets are the Dixie and the Celine. The Dixie is the arrow bracelet that is on an elastic cord and the Celine is the link bracelet with a monogram charm that dangles. Go to www.plunderdesign.com/taniastephens and pick a party with my name in it to place an order. From now until Valentine’s Day you will receive a free gift with every order.
I wanted to wear a shirt under my sweater because it is still cold but also because it looks more “preppy.” I don’t own a ton of button-up shirts so I had to really search my closet for one that I wanted to wear. I didn’t want to wear a plain white one and I was trying to steer away from a denim one. I have a couple stripped ones so I picked the one with the smallest stripes. There was no particular reason that I wanted the one with the smallest stripes, it was the material that ended up being the deciding reason. This shirt is softer then the others I had so it won out. Most of the button-up shirts I own are from Van Heusen and they hold up really nicely to laundering.
I am interested in hearing if you have an air fryer what you think. Will it be another gadget that collects dust on my counter or is this something worth looking into?
The reason I decided to become a Rodan + Fields consultant is because of the Reverse regimen. I had tried many other products, some that were cheaper and some that were pretty expensive. I hated having “age” spots on my face. In my mind, nothing said that I was getting older than those stupid spots. I saw the spots starting to fade in about 2 weeks and by the 3rd month, I was ready to sign up. Everyone’s results will vary, but if you are consistent and give them a chance then I believe that these products will work for you too. I am going to be gifting a free Essentials product to everyone who places an order as a Preferred Customer. Go to www.tstephens5.myrandf.com to look at the products.
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Appreciating the time and energy you put into your blog and detailed article, Tania! I know your pain with struggling with the weight, wish you good luck!!
First off, I just started following you and girl, you look good and if you want to lose weight after 38 or kids you HAVE to exercise. No matter how much you don’t eat or eat food that taste like cardboard your body won’t change. You need to do what me and my friends do and it is the ONLY thing that has worked for me. First off, I HATE going to gym or exercise classes for an hour – who has that time. Do HIIT which is high intensity interval training with all body weight. Look up HIIT on Pinterest and you will get loads of workouts you can do at home in 25 to 30 minutes. Yes it is tough but the pounds melt away bc you are raising your core body temperature and you burn calories for 18 hours after your work out. Orangetheory fitness is based on this principal of workout. Running or any other workout burns calories at a constant level for 10 hours but HIIT keeps on burning calories on an incline for up to 18 hours. I can even send you my workouts from my group. I have had some medical issues and have not been able to work out but start again next week – and really am looking forward to it and really not. You can starve the pounds off when your metabolism sucks- there i said it:). Hope this helps – we also call it “Orange is the New Black” workout bc it is all body weight and it is what prisoners do to get in shape:) no offense to anyone honestly
Meant you CAN”T starve the pounds off when your metabolism sucks:)
I feel your pain. We can be so hard on ourselves when extra weight is put on. Why so easy to add but a real chore to remove? Yikes.
I have decided for Lent to faithfully follow the Weight Watcher program. I know it works, having lost a lot but been very bad this past year so need to dust it back off.
As I write this, I am eating a Cheryl’s frosted cookie my dear (thin) sister sent me – a whole box. So good but I vow to put the rest in the freezer at midnight!
Love your posts. They are a delight and great way to start each morning.
Oh Tania I can so relate! This is the heaviest I’ve been and not be carrying a baby. I can barely stand it. I did the duken diet and lost 8 pounds but it was quickly regained. I keep tellling myself I won’t look or weigh what I did at 20, 30 or 50 but it’s tough to learn to love your body and be content with just being. You are probably doing the best approach with portion control and mindful eating! Hang in there Best… Kathy
I’ve been eating mostly plant-based foods for the past 40 years, primarily due to digestive issues and have dairy and eggs only when there are no other options. My mindset of “good food first before bad food” has helped to keep me from gaining more than 5 lbs., with the exception of 2 pregnancies. I also weigh myself every day to keep myself in check and to immediately reduce my calorie intake until I get back down to my comfortable weight. At the age of 60, I can eat the same foods as always but in less quantities, probably due to a slower metabolism. If I’m still hungry, I try to fill up on vegetables,salad, popcorn, my favorite seasonal fruit and decaf coffee. For me, exercise like cardio, light weights and power walking have helped get me a little more toned but have never done anything with regard to my weight. It seems to be all about calories. By the way, I love the air fryer and use it just about every day. I like it better than the toaster/convection oven.
The struggle is real, I have the same problem. I didn’t realize the weight was creeping up and up and up. My Mom died and I’m caregiver for my Dad and I have gained about 30 pounds in the last 3 years. But, I have lost ten pounds. I told my husband I am tired of being fat, so we went right before Christmas and got a membership to the YMCA. I go about every other day. I “run” 2 miles on the treadmill and am up to 9 miles on the stationery bike. I come home and do different kinds of leg lifts, sit ups and some hand weights. I have changed the way I eat. Our grocery store has these already prepared salads and I stock up so that I can eat one at lunch time every day. I drink more water and I eat a smaller portion at dinner and I try not to snack, but if I feel hungry, I eat yogurt, nuts, fruit, etc. I also have not gone crazy, if I want to eat a cookie or something else, I just limit myself to a small portion and only one. I do have an air fryer and used it like crazy at first. I need to get it back out. Chicken is so easy and good in it. My Dad’s doctor used to tell him, “if it tastes good, spit it out because it isn’t good for you.” That might be true, but some of the salads aren’t bad, and cutting back helps. Good luck Tania. I always think you look great!