Wagon Jumpers: May 7 - 13, 2012
Welcome to the Wagon Jumpers weekly thread! We are a group of CC members who have identified that one of our main challenges with achieving our weight loss, maintenance or general health goals is consistency.
This thread is designed to encourage long term commitment to our goals by publicly declaring them and asking the other members of this thread to hold us accountable. The primary focus of Wagon Jumpers is not how much weight you have lost, or need to lose, but what you need to do on a daily basis to meet your long term goals.
The idea of Wagon Jumpers was to create a close community where participants could get to know each other, creating a virtual support network as they attempt long term weight management.
This is impossible with an 'always open' group as there would be too many people coming and going. For this reason we have capped group membership numbers to 20 participants.
If you would like to be a member of this group please contact our wait list manager: Sarah_ann_artist
There are two rules for Wagon Jumpers:
1. All members must post once per week between Monday and Sunday.
2. All members must check the thread for members who have not posted by Saturday (a short list is posted at the end of the week) or are on the MIA list on Sunday and send them a polite and positive message to stay involved in the group and on track with their goals.
Wagon Jumpers Participants: 20
12 Week CONSISTENCY GOALS - April 2 - June 25:
- beccaanic - Not participating in this round of goals.
- Bleedtoblue (Blue) - Maintenance: Exercise 3/week for 9 of 12 weeks.
- Claire314 (Claire, Co-Moderator) - New: Log food 4/7 days a week. Maintenance: Exercise 1000 mins/month.
- crazigerl (Lorea) - Not participating in this round.
- Defrog3 (Denise) - Maintenance: Get to my trainer 2x/week, and go to the gym 1x/week on my own. Working out 3x/week will also be success.
- ezrod - Not participating in this round.
- Feljones (Debbie) - Maintenance: Log a calorie deficit 4 days/week. New: Eat an all-veggie dinner 3 times/week.
- Figurethefat (Laura) - Not participating in this round of goals.
- hoggy509 (Cindy) - Not participating in this round of goals.
- Islandscribe (Val, Co-Moderator) - Maintenance: Exercising the equivalent of 5 days/week - catch up or double-up days count towards goal. Maintenance: Log meals 4 days/week.
- kenright1008 (Kathy) - Not participating in this round of goals.
- Kyashiis (Kathy) - New: Log a deficit of 2,500 calories a week for 11 of 12 weeks. Maintenance: Do 10 - 30 minutes of yoga four days a week for 12 weeks.
- mhNYC (Mari) - Maintenance: Complete all of my Calorie Camp goals for 12 weeks.
- nekko_cat (Linda) - New: Keep a food log four days/week for 9 of 12 weeks. Maintenance: Exercise 750 minutes/month for 12 weeks.
- Ranchobernardo (John) - Not participating in this round of goals.
- Sarah_ann_artist (Sarah, Co-Moderator) - Maintenance: Workout 1000 minutes/month for the next 12 weeks. New: Log 4 days/week for 12 weeks.
- the_dragon (Hilary, Co-Moderator) - Maintenance: Log food 5 days/week. New: Exercise five minutes three times/week for 12 weeks.
- tiegurl (Tierra) - Not participating in this round of goals.
- travs_girl (Ashley) - New: Jog six miles/week for 12 weeks.
- twindaze (Jenny) - Not participating in this round of goals.
MIA one week:
- None
MIA two weeks:
- twindaze (Jenny)
MIA three weeks:
- None
Missing in action three weeks & will be removed from the list if there is no contact by the end of this week:
Wagon Jumpers on Hiatus:
Waiting List:
Wagon Jumper threads now have a separate host for each week, as listed below:
- 1st Sunday in month: Sarah_Ann_Artist (Sarah)
- 2nd Monday in month: Sarah_Ann_Artist (Sarah)
- 3rd Monday in month: Claire314
- 4th Monday in month: Islandscribe (Val)
- 5th Monday in month: the_dragon (Hilary)
- Mid-Week Reminders: Claire314
- Waitlist Management: Sarah_Ann_Artist
- Thread Issues: If there are any issues with a thread, first contact should be the thread host for that week.
Previous Threads
Hello Wagon Jumpers!
Weekly Topic: Tell Us About Yourself
It has been a while since we've done this and since we have some new members I think it's time. I will also be sending out an invite to ezrod today, so hopefully he will respond and we'll have another newbie.
Unfortunately, marmlac has not responded after three weeks so she has lost her WJ spot. We wish her well.
So, tell us a little bit or a lot about yourself. Whatever you feel like sharing.
Oooh I am never very good at these things but here goes!
I am disabled, live in the UK (Cambridge) with my husband (also on calorie count but he doesn't use the forums) and our Cairn Terrier (who possibly should use calorie count as well 
), I'm 47, no kids (part of the disability is a triple break to the pelvis and trying to carry a child to term would mean either 5 months in hospital and/or dying!), I have lost over 30 pounds but still have *mumble* pounds to go!
Hi! I'm Blue. I am currently a graduate student getting my masters in counseling. I have two or three semesters to go, depending on the kind of internship I get. I have three sons, only one lives at home now while he is finishing college. My husband travels a lot for his job. I live in Southeast Michigan and am enjoying the spring weather. I like to read, knit, and garden in my spare time, which I have very little of these days. School keeps me busy!
I'm really behind on my exercise goals. I had finals, a trip to NYC and Texas and now I have a nasty chest cold/virus thing going on. Exercising makes me cough and that's not good. I hope to get back to the gym next week, but summer school is starting and I'm not sure how busy that will keep me.
My doctor finally has my thyroid problems straightened out and it's made it much easier to lose weight. I know if I exercised it would be even better!
I hope everyone has a great week. It will be nice to get to know a bit about all of you.
Thank you for the invite, I am a 54 yr old grandfather, started cc at 305 currently at 275. trying to get rid of a plateau that has been plaguing me. Married for 34 years. 2 grown kids Live in Central Arkansas. starting my new life as a grandparent to a 2 yr old grandson with another one on the way. Look forward to meeting everyone. Anything you want to know just ask.
Sarah: Thanks for getting the post up so quickly.
I have been on CC for almost 4 years now—I lost 64 lbs, kept it all off for almost 2 years, and I've allowed 12 pounds to creep back on! I hate this extra weight, and am determined (now that my high-stress season is over) to take it all back off. I'm a professor at a small private college, and suffer all of the joys and stresses associated with the position. Pay is crap, but my summers are free and every once in a while the students rise up and do amazing, beautiful work. I've just survived a massive political battle (that's been going on for about 3 years) with a colleague who is truly crazy. She's nuts. And dangerous. I've not only survived, but may well be on my way to "winning". Here's the thing, I've been exploring Zen Buddhism, first as a way to cope with the stress. I am definitely calmer. The teachings are all about quiet, consistent practice. If I understand it (and I may not), a central vow is to cut through delusions. Another is to care for all sentient beings. I've interpreted this as simply removing myself from the fray, concentrating on my students and not participating in the political mess (that I had to confront while I was the central target. I'm not any more). My self-removal is driving crazy lady even crazier. I'm not engaging, and boy is she trying to engage me. The calmer I get, the crazier she gets.
Now, it's not very Zen to enjoy this (schadenfreude is not in the Zen vocabulary), but I am enjoying it immensely. Which means I need to mediate some more. Or something.
Welcome aboard, Ezrod!
Welcome all the new members to the group. Sorry, I haven't been responsive in the thread lately. Hello, everyone. I am Tierra. I am from Baltimore. I am 24 years old. I have been on my weightloss journey since 2006. I did well from 2006-2008. I got off track after an injury and have been trying to get back on track. One thing that I am using to get back on track is preparing for a 5k. I recently added it to my Bucket List and I am hoping it's the first thing I get to cross off this year.
Welcome, Erzrod!
Mari, I've found that not engaging is sometimes the best route to take. I don't envy your position, and hope that your crazy person issue is resolved soon! I'm sure you'll be able to get rid of those pesky 12 pounds!
To comment on something from the end of last week: Becca, I am with you on the TOM and wanting to eat junk. I've changed my diet in the last few months, though, and have found that when I resist the urge for a salty or sweet snack and grab a protein shake, it really helps! And like, Claire, I'm also a big believer of: "eat crap, feel like crap." We are what we eat, right?
About me:
I've been on WJ for about 4 years, CC for 6 years. About 10 years ago I was running 16 miles/week and doing about 9 hours of yoga/week. Then I got a very stressful job (with long, sedentary hours) and gained 65 pounds over a 6 year period. I was laid off from the job, lost 20 pounds, then got a new job (not so stressful, but still very sedentary), got pregnant, had the baby, and then needed knee surgery. Was mostly successful at maintaining the initial 20 pound weight loss through the various troubles, but never moved beyond it.
Until this year, when I got another new job (with a 30 minute daily commute, versus 3 hours), and I'm using part of the increased salary to pay for a personal trainer to do the exercise thinking for me. It has been really paying off--by following his dietary advice and exercise routines (for only 2 hours/week), I've gone from 35% body fat to 23% body fat, and am down another 20 pounds. At this rate, I'm pretty excited in that I'm starting to see some muscle cuts in my arms and legs, and that my clothes are fitting better!
Although I've become a bit frustrated by the number on the scale (which hasn't moved all that much in the past 6 weeks), I'm encouraged by the fact that last month, I lost 2 pounds of fat while gaining 2 pounds of muscle. I have to keep reminding myself that a major part of my goal is to become more lean, not just to weigh less!
Original Post by ezrod:
Thank you for the invite, I am a 54 yr old grandfather, started cc at 305 currently at 275. trying to get rid of a plateau that has been plaguing me. Married for 34 years. 2 grown kids Live in Central Arkansas. starting my new life as a grandparent to a 2 yr old grandson with another one on the way. Look forward to meeting everyone. Anything you want to know just ask.
Welcome aboard. I think we have a few things in common.
Both in our 50's.
Both granddad's.
Both started CC @ 3-something and are currently 2-something.
Both frustrated by plateaus.
Both married with 2 grown kids.
Both have a 2 year old grandson and another grandchild on the way ... although I also have 16, 14, and 12 year old grandkids. (Daughter has the 4 kids and Son has his first one on the way).
John
I found CC in March of 2010 and have been an active member since. Joined Wagon Jumpers a few months or so after I joined CC. Although I have continually struggled to get my weight off I have learned a lot about getting healthy from CC and this group. The support is great.
I am a visual artist, focusing on painting. I have an opening reception for a solo exhibition on Friday, actually. I am an adjunct professor at a state run university. I usually teach Painting I, Drawing Foundations, and 2D Design & Color Theory. I love it. Being an adjunct is part time and that is great so I can still be the primary care giver for my 3 1/2 YO daughter.
My hubby and I have been together over 10 years and he is #1 on my list of supporters to get healthy. We have thought of having another kid, but I decided that I need work on losing more weight, changing my lifestyle before we do anything crazy like get preggers :) It was rough being over 200 lbs and pregnant last time, oof da!
I was born with a green thumb and a garden hoe in my hands (parents were veggie farmers for years), and I am for the first time in a long while growing a HUGE garden this growing season. Here in MN it is barely just beginning. I have a 20' x 30' organic plot in the local community garden. It is part of a living history foundation on the oldest farmstead in the Red River Valley. It has the original housing & structures on the land and other cool stuff. I am growing tons of stuff (tomatoes, cucumbers, winter squash, onions, carrots, beets, jalapeños, red & green peppers, eggplant, green beans, lettuce, spinach, and more). I'll post pics as my food grows :)
Anyway, enough about me :)
Hilary - They say slow & steady wins the race. I know that is what I am counting on :) Hopefully, as the weight comes off it'll be easier for you to get around with your injuries.
Blue - Life is so awesome being out of grad school! :) My three years flew by, and hopefully your last couple or so semesters will too! I am fighting a virus now too, and cough from just breathing too much. It sucks. Get well soon.
Ezrod - Welcome to the group!! Great job so far!
Mari - Glad you are removing yourself from the drama. She sounds like a piece of work. My hubby is the most patient, non-confrontational person I have EVER known and it has rubbed off on me over the years. I have had friends, classmates, & co-workers like yours, and I loved that I was able to keep myself out of the drama. It's just so much easier to be content than stressed out over stupid crap. Hopefully, with summer on, and getting the stress out of your life those 12 lbs will go away :)
Tierra - Have you signed up for a 5K yet? I actually am doing my first on May 17. Signed up months ago. Unfortunately I will likely be walking the whole thing, but it is a walk or run 5K, so I won't be the only one. BUT, I will do it! :) Next goal is to actually finish the C25K training and run one!
Denise - That's amazing you used to be so active! You are doing so fantastic in getting yourself back to a healthy state. Congrats and keep it up!!
John - Didn't realize you were over 300 lbs at one time. Good job on changing your lifestyle! Great for you and your grandkids.
Hi I'm Lorea, 51 year old Grandma of two angels. They are only angels when they are with their Nana as they give my daughter a run for her money. She is the best mother I know. They are very lucky children. My youngest daughter just got married in New Zealand last year and is currently
in medical school.
My hubby and I have been married 25
years, a little adjustment when all the kids left but I’m keeping him. We love
travelling and that’s about all we have in common for hobbies. I love gardening
and crafting although I haven’t done much of either with all the weddings and
babies in the last few years. My weeds are worthy of being named.
I have always been overweight, even when
I did tons of sports I always carried some chunk. I currently am doing tons of
research on what works for me. I’ve done all the diets and am now just shooting
for good nutrition stats at the end of the day. Got rid of most of the sweets
except for 70% chocolate and an unhealthy grain bar they sell in the cafeteria
where I work which is my fall back comfort food. However, I just promised Claire
I would cut those down so will try real hard.
Welcome Ezrod. Good luck on your journey.
Sarah, Great topic! Thanks! Dragon/Hilary: You've been on this thread a long time and I had no idea that you lived in the UK! (An example of why this topic is such a good idea!) ... Blue: Again, no idea where you lived and what you do. Glad to know... Ezrod: Welcome! Although WJ is made up of a jumble of ages, nationalities, perspectives, one that we are perpetually light on is men. I look forward to your contributions to our group... mhnyc/Mari: What a great outlook on how to handle difficult people! I have recently disengaged with a combative, nasty person in my life and it feels great! (and, as you describe, it's making him even more crazy, which is oddly satisfying)... Tiegurl/Tierra: speaking of different perspectives, it's great to have you on WJ... The group skews older and I think we scare some of our younger members away. Or maybe bore them to death with our talk of kids and grandkids and other middle-aged concerns... Congrats on using the 5K to get back on track...very inspirational! When will it take place? Let us virtually cheer you on! ... defrog/Denise: VERY inspirational story! I wish I could afford a personal trainer. If I ever get a full-time job (see my saga below), that is the very first thing I'll spend money for... Rancho/John: We all hate plateaus! But congrats on moving from the 3's to the 2's! I'm envious about the relative ease that men have about dropping weight compared to women. It may not be fast enough for you, but it sure looks good to me! (All my husband has to do to lose weight is cut out desserts. GRRR.)... Sarah: I gained 50 pounds when I got pregnant, and my life-long struggle to lose weight went from a 25 pound challenge to 70 pounds. Decided not to have another child until I lost the weight. (A wise idea, but consequences were we ended up a one-child family) ...Would love to see your work. If any of it is online, can you post a link? ... Crazigerl/Lorea: We have much in common, except no grandkids for me for a while (I'm craving a puppy as a stopgap but that's not feasible). I'm dealing with an empty nest and a husband who, while wonderful in many ways, shares few of my interests/hobbies. And I'll bet my weeds could challenge yours in a duel 
About me: I'm 57 years old. Like Tierra, I live in Baltimore, Maryland. Live in a 1926 bungalow with lots of charm and plenty of problems. Married 22 years, my only child is away at college. I'm an under-employed writer and graphic designer with too much time on my hands. I love to travel but don't do enough. Also garden & do crafts, particularly sewing/fiber arts. Enjoy attending theater/dance/lectures. I fill my free time with volunteer work, including work at the fabulous Walters Art Museum. I'm very active at my Quaker meeting (what you would call a church), particularly with the high school youth group, which keeps me near the energy and youthful optimism that I miss so much since Ben is out of the house.
I've lost hundreds of pounds in my life, in increments of 20 - 65 pounds, but have been unsuccessful at keeping it off for more than a few years. A long time Weight Watchers person, but eventually it just stopped working for me. My last success was when I discovered CC and online logging, in 2009. Unfortunately, even the ease and novelty of logging online didn't stick and I have regained 16 pounds of the 28 I lost. At right around 165 pounds --where I am right now-- my knees start to hurt, sleep apnea gets worse & the urgency to lose weight gets more urgent. I suffer from anxiety, and tend to use food to self-medicate.
My current challenges: I really miss Ben, who for the first time will not live at home this summer (he's staying in Boston, a 10 hr drive away). I'm anxious about money -- I have been working part time for the past 10 years while seeking a full time job. Have applied for nearly 100 jobs but even when I get an interview (or two) the jobs go to someone half my age. It's frustrating and depressing.
After having lost my father to Alzheimer's in Dec, I'm watching my mother rapidly deteriorating into dementia and I'm scared to death that I'm showing signs of dementia in myself with some extreme memory lapses -- like doing something at work twice because I forgot that I already did it the week before.
It's a struggle to keep a positive attitude and keep up my motivation to eat healthy, cut back calories, and exercise. I know from past experience that if I don't get it under control soon, I'll be back at 195 pounds in no time.
WJ really helps me. I know I'd be much worse off if I dropped out. So thanks, everyone!
Welcome, ezrod.
My name is Linda and I started with CC a month after Sarah. I'm 51 and have been married for 28 years. I do not have any children. I've been living near Phoenix, AZ for about 4 years with hubby and 4 cats. I am a medical laboratory scientist and specialize in Molecular diagnostics and Virology.
I have been struggling to live a healthier life, so sharing with everyone on WJers does help. Life will be a little chaotic for awhile. My husband is getting his left hip replaced next Monday. Hopefully, he'll have a quick convalescence and be able to walk without pain soon.
An Off-Topic post:
As I stated above, I changed my diet in January. Prior to that, I had thought I was eating properly: whole grains, fruit, vegetables, not too much meat. While I was following conventional wisdom for what healthy eating was supposed to be, I struggled to lose any further weight.
For lack of a better description, in January I changed my paradigm to follow a "paleo" type diet. My husband has also been on board with this, and so my family has been transitioning to eating in this manner (my 2.5 year old doesn't get a vote!). While he isn't overweight, my husband does believe that eating in this way is more healthful.
My husband sent me this link yesterday, and I thought that my fellow WJs would find it interesting. It reminds me of the old saying, "Those who forget history are destined to repeat it":
http://www.thedailybeast.com/newsweek/2012/05 /06/why-the-campaign-to-stop-america-s-obesit y-crisis-keeps-failing.html
I am finding that for me, there is a link between even eating "healthy" grains and weight gain/retention, and my rosacea symptoms (they are significantly reduced when I eliminate them, I get flare ups when I include them!). I've replaced most of my grain eating with either protein or vegetables, and I'm seeing results in an improved body composition and I feel great!
I have posted the following link before, since its a site that I've used to gather information and for motivation, I thought it would be helpful to post again:
Enjoy!
Sarah, I have not signed up for one. I was going to sign up for one in May but didn't because came March I got serious with MCAT studying. I stop at 5 weeks in the beginning of March. I didn't do anything in April. I just started back at week 1 this month. I really want to run one at the end of August beginning of September. In order for me to cross it off my Bucket List I have to run the whole thing.
Debbie I do not have a set day. I know I want to run it at the end of August or beginning of September. Thank you. I like hearing all you guys stories.
Lorea - I think WJ member figurethefat (Laura) is temporary living in New Zealand. Is she in med school over there, or did she just get married there? I have been overweight my whole adult life but was normal up until my last year of high school. I am a comfort eater too :(
Debbie - This is a consequence I have accepted. I don't expect to reach my goal weight before we try, but I want to get under 200 lbs. before we try. I turn 36 on Saturday, so while there is still time it is dwindling away. My website address is www.sarah-stone.net since you asked. That is great that you are an artist, too. Do you have some of your fiber arts online?
I cannot imagine watching your parents deteriorate. It happened to my great grandma, and that was hard enough. I hope your own memory lapses are only stress related. Have you gone in to get it checked out and researching ways to slow down or prevent it? I am glad that this group is helping you.
Linda - I hope all goes well with your hubby's surgery! Yeah, we were both part of the "need to lose over 100 lbs" group, and have been supporters of each other since shortly after we joined. I am really glad that you found WJ and joined.
Denise - Interesting articles.
Nice work Sarah! Thanks for sharing.
My craft work is just a hobby, and it's not online. But you can see my writing/ graphic design/communications work at www.feldmanjones.com.
I can't believe I missed 2 weeks, I knew about one, I last posted on 4/27, that's 11 days. Anyway, about myself. I'm Jenny, in my 40's, 4 kids, lost 81 lbs over the past 13 months, I'm kind of stuck, although I did have a deficit today. I keep recommitting to logging, and not logging, I have no idea why. Well, it's partly that I've been depressed. I did start taking Wellbutrin again, it's helping some, but not enough yet. Lots of stress in my life. I'm a student getting my master's in communication disorders, planning to be a speech pathologist, I'm about 1/2 way through and got my first non-A (it was an A minus) which kind of ticks me off, but does take off the pressure to maintain a 4.0 since I can now never get it back.
Wow, I learned a lot about all of you! Welcome to the new members!
Hello...my name is Cindy and I live in Northern California. I'm 35 years old, married for almost 3 (5/17/12 will be 3) and have two children. A girl, age 9 and boy, age 15 months. I work full time for a non-profit agency that operates preschool programs.
I've lots what seems like the same 100 or so pounds over and over again in life. In 2003 I had weight loss surgery and lost just over 100 pounds. After 2nd marriage and 2nd pregnancy some pounds have crept back on. I'm struggling to lose them and hoped that joining cc would help me gain a little control, have some accountability and strive for a healthier lifestyle. For those that may be thinking, oh it must be easy for her to lose weight since she's had surgery, obviously hasn't had surgery. I still struggle, just like everyone else. So, hopefully this won't change the support I received.
Aside from that...we have a pit bull/english bull dog mix 2 year old female named Chopper, two cats (Princess and Sam) and a leopard Gecko named Sally. Its a busy house!
Thank you everybody for the welcome, I look forward to getting to know you. A little more about me. I have multiple jobs, First I work for a small business, a distribution company, been there for 28 years, Kinda of a trouble shooter. I tell everyone my job is to put out the fires that show up daily. My second job is rehabbing homes with a friend. We do that nights and weekends. I had a third job a small business we closed it this year. (I do not miss it)
I have a couple of acres in the country, I live in one of the homes we rehabbed. Was working on it and liked the setting so much that we just moved there. Have three dogs, 14 chickens (12 hens, 2 roosters). 21 baby chickens and 5 baby turkeys. Kinda of a small farm thing going. I call it LMA Acres. (lost my *** acres).lol
You will find that I tend to look at the lighter side of most things. My cups 1/2 full most of the time. I do have my bouts with depression but i work my way through it without meds.
My reason for starting cc was my diabetes, was having complications, with my eyes, feet, and everything else. I was up to 6 pills a day. threatened to put me on insulin. with the loss of 30 pounds and daily exercise I have quit 2 and working on the third pill. I have done pretty well for the first 4 months, but have plateaued the last month. Doctor says if I get to 200 he will take me off all pills. Including blood pressure. I do have some anxiety issues occasionally. Claustrophobia is the culprit.
Thank you for letting me in this group and I look forward to the support and to support all of you. It's amazing hearing every ones story and the diversity that is here. I will chime in more as things go on. Been a long day today.
ezrod
