Wagon Gang Read this.

The following people are in the gang to date:

cmillington
ilisa
raehn
lost_artist
leinad
hybrids05
sadiya79
rude_girl
songchild
syalvar
poohb
shaye1984
healthyhtide
ninav
bmqb33
lanicita
kittykatz
kscout
mspriff
kishiro
nomoreexcuses
futuremrshaifley
dharma_bum
weissa
laurdie11
xpreciousroyx
tiegurl
digdig
susankaye
shill
qtrhrse15
jjdhtp
retrovert
tinav
cyoung2110
gert109
changling
jm101dm
tlwerner2001
gvaughn
amj1616
sarrinwood
jag0666

Everyone on the list please report in. (and even if you are not)

Most importantly, how are you feeling:

Are you having problems in anything:

Are you motivated to reach your goals?
if not, explain why:

Are you having problems in certain areas of exercise?
If so , list them and I can try to do some research for you to help.

Give me one thing that you have learnt in 2006 that has and will inspire you throught 2007? (no joking around on this one, wanna here the honest truth)

*I can barely move, I worked out my legs so hard last night.. boy it's a joyfull pain though....  heading to gym to bust out the weights again!!..see you in a few hours*

Your friend and brother,

Chris

Feeling motivated to lose 20 pounds!

Yeah, I hate exercise - that's a big problem.  I go to Curves 3-5 times a week and that's about it.  Can you suggest something fun for exercise? *be nice*

I learned that I can lose weight slowly and not lose hope.  In fact, slow weight loss is encouraging me that I can do this, because its not as painful as crash dieting.

Hope you kick butt at gym tonight!

In 2006 I learned many things.. I have slowly changed my attitude from all or nothing to making better choices the next time around and to get back on the Wagon.  To eat the things you want in moderation, and not to beat yourself up about it.   So far for 2006 I have had a weight loss of 65lbs.  I have struggled with a regular exercise routine and quite honestly have not been very good with routine until lately. So I agree with United on focusing on one major thing at a time.  My focus for 2007 is getting a good exercise routine and maintaining good eating habits  to help me lose the last 29 - 39 lbs. Then it is not over... it will be on to maintanence.

Right now in all honesty... I am having a tough time with the motivation because I have been plateauing for almost 2 months.  For some reason I keep going but lately I've been frustrated.    Don't get me wrong... there is something inside me that won't let me quit.... and I think that has to do with belonging to this community and wanting to live a long and happy life with my Husband.

I feel that I have over-indulged at Christmas and I am sick right so I'm not feeling that great.

My current weight is 143.5lbs (post-Xmas)

My weight before Xmas was 138.5

My first goal is 133lbs.

Eventually I would like to get down to a fit 125lbs.

I have a muscular build, enjoy and have always enjoyed exercise.

I would like to work on getting to my first goal by April 2007 and continue to exercise. I love running.

My problems include: despite losing 54lbs 5 years ago, and maintaining, at the very least, 26lbs of that weight loss, I can't seem to get motivated to get back down to my goal weight of 133lbs. Major obstacles include: hypothyroid, take a medication that causes mega weight gain (it's a miracle I haven't gained 200+lbs) and my career, a grad student, is spent sitting on my a** in front of a computer the majority of the time.

Also, I would like to stop having the occaisional cigarette.

leinad checking in sir!!

Almost back to weight, 1.5 to go to get back to pre Christmas weight.

feeling good, little sore from heavy lifting session, ave. 33 miles a day on bike so far this week.

thing i've learned is i can screw up, and still get myself back with a little effort.  That we all fail from time to time. 

HEY!

I'll wave down the wagon and climb on any minute now. Just let me help my kids get rid of the DAMN TEN POUND BAR OF CHOCOLATE they bought themselves at Trader Joes.

Sometimes I don't appreciate my family.

I did walk two miles today. . . .Maybe I'll go lift some milk jugs for a while. 8 lbs each.

sigh.

One thing I learned in 2006-- Drink that water.

Two things--portion size is much smaller than you think but it's really gonna be enough.

I'm feeling pretty good about myself today.  Now that Christmas is over, I'm feeling motivated to start the losing track again.  After 53 pounds gone, I hit a plateau, both mentally and physically.  Exercise is going well, I love my time in the gym lifting weights and doing the treadmill climbing programs.  Even though the weight loss has slowed, the inches are still coming off.  In 2006, I learned that even when it looks like progress has slowed to a crawl, changes are still taking place - again, both physically and mentally.  I am working on looking in the mirror and focusing on the things I like about my body, not all the things I think could be changed about my body -- more self-acceptance.

i was really gung-ho c-c until about sept and slowly kind of descended back into my old habits.  i remember how much better i felt and am REALLY looking forward to getting healthy. 

i think the one thing i need to remember this year is that even if i have an "off day," that doesn't matter in the grand scheme of things and does not blow all of my other healthy eating if it's only once in a while (hellooooo binge eating haha)

thanks!

how are you feeling: Today I am feeling good about my decision to loose this weight but a little anxious about my weigh-in tomorrow. Scales scare me. What if I have done all this and put weight on. (Irrational thinking)

Are you having problems in anything: Eating the amount of calories I am suppose to,  therein lies my anxiety. I understand you can put weight on if you don't eat enough.

Are you motivated to reach your goals?
if not, explain why: I am sooooooo motivated, I even started an exercise regime. The first in my life. Finding C-C and all the support here has been a miracle.

Give me one thing that you have learnt in 2006 that has and will inspire you throught 2007? (no joking around on this one, wanna here the honest truth):  I have started having problems with my legs and a lot of it is due to the weight I have carried for so long. If I don't change this I could be in a wheelchair.

You people have made me proud, I couldn't ask for a better way to end the year, thank you all...

"Everyone thinks of changing the world, but no one thinks of changing himself."

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mspriff - keep up the good work, everyone hates exercising, but remember that one day when you looked into the mirror and wow'd yourself???!!  keep that image in your head... 24/7!!

      "Yesterday is but a dream, and tomorrow is only a vision, but today well lived makes every yesterday a dream of happiness and every tomorrow a vision of hope."

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united2gether - I always am missing you!! you are a great person, you were one of the members that jumped right in to help me in the begining, thank you....

"Every step you take, is a step away from where you used to be."
 - Brian Chargualaf

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kittykatz try to pin point what is fustrating you? were you hoping to see faster results? Stop, clear your mind, think of what you aiming for JUST for the day, even for the next few hours of your day, then visual yourself meeting these goals, then proceed with baby steps. Remember think before you act, visualize and keep your head up. I know you have heard it before, nothing in life is easy, stop thinking that way, you can accomplish everything yuo want, you have to tell yourself that, look in the mirror, and say it.

"Be master of mind rather than mastered by mind? - ZEN
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dharma_bum - Smoking in Women with Hypothyroidism
Smoking is generally regarded as an unhealthy habit for many reasons, and in women with hypothyroidism, it should likewise be avoided. In a study reported in The New England Journal of Medicine, women with subclinical hypothyroidism who also smoked had higher total LDL cholesterol levels than nonsmokers. Women with hypothyroidism who smoked also had higher serum cholesterol concentrations and more muscle problems than those who did not smoke.6 It was concluded that smoking impairs both thyroid hormone secretion and thyroid hormone action. Therefore, your smoking status needs to be considered when hypothyroidism is suspected or being medically managed. STOP SMOKING, please...

?The pain of the mind is worse than the pain of the body? - Publilius Syrus

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leinad - I envy you my friend, you have the energy and drive that could feed 100 people! give me some!! LOL..
"One person with a belief is equal to a force of 99 who have only interests." - John Stuart Mill

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katier - you have accomplished a lot just by being a parent, not easy to take care of children, you are a true soldier, cause you can't show weekness for you have eyes watching you and using your energy to get them through there days.

"If you have never been hated by your child you have never been a parent." -Bette Davis


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kscout - "I am working on looking in the mirror and focusing on the things I like about my body, not all the things I think could be changed about my body -- more self-acceptance."  You are starting to learn how to control the most powerful thing about you, your mind. Great job.

"?To establish true self-esteem we must concentrate on our successes and forget about the failures and the negatives in our lives.? - Denis Waitley

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weissa - remember tomorrow does exsist, but it is you who must learn from the past.

?Victorious warriors win first and then go to war, while defeated warriors go to war first and then seek to win.?- Sun Tzu

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sarrinwood have you tried or looked into rehabilitation for your legs? easy very low impact exercises? the thing that you have to be careful with is if you are standing and doing upper body workouts, make sure you pay attention to how your stance is, remember FORM comes first.

"We have not inherited the earth from our ancestors, we have only borrowed it from our children. ."   - Ancient Proverb

In 2007 the wagon will be demolished as we will gain the strentgh to ride along side of each other.

Your friend and brother,

Chris

 

I had a great workout today, my nephew of 7 months is very ill, is having problems breathing, crying a lot, bad cough.. we all stay in the same house, my family.. I can't walk around my legs are killing me... i had a looong day but was great when I came back and saw your responses...  thanks.

Awww {{hugs, Chris}}

Sick babies are hard to be around... poor little mites. What's he got?

chris not  only am i back on the wagon, i never got off.  I LOST 1.5 lbs. YEAH BABY

htide

how are you feeling: I'm feeling okay today.  I'm excited about going back to the gym with my gym buddy next week.  I'm trying to get amped up and really dive into this, but truth be told, I'm a little sad about the lack of progress that I had through the holidays.  So, I'm trying to push past all that.  No sense on crying over spilled milk....

Are you having problems in anything: That junk food in my house has got to go!!  I'm gonna go home tonight and throw out everything that doesn't belong there and restock my pantry with good-for-me foods.  I've really missed grapes.

Are you motivated to reach your goals?
if not, explain why: I am motivated!  I'm just ready already to lose that last thirty and get this obsessive mokey off my back (and my hips!).  I'm ready to be healthy again.  I'm ready to wear my sexy jeans with heels and feel really good about it!  I really want to wear a swimsuit this season.  And shorts!!!  OMG... I can't wait to wear a cute pair of shorts instead of capris or jeans.

Give me one thing that you have learnt in 2006 that has and will inspire you throught 2007? (no joking around on this one, wanna here the honest truth):  I have learned that it's a minute-by-minute battle.  I've learned that it's a slow going process, and that if I don't get the weight off by said time, or if I'm not seeing progress in a week that it's not the end of it, and that I shouldn't give up.  I've learned that both to give and receive support does wonders for motivation.  I've also learned that I don't have to be in shape before you start going to a gym, and that nobody there is looking at me.  2007 is going to be my year.  I'm going to get back to my fighting weight.  As with the new WW commercials... I'm going to be an after.  I'll finally be able to dance again.

Funny - writing all of this down has changed my response to the initial question.  I'm now feeling on fire and motivated to get this process under way.....  :)  Thank you, Chris for helping all of us.  I do hope your nephew is feeling better... *hugs*(for the wee one) and *high fives* (for the new-found motivation!)

how are you feeling: Mostly I feel dead tired.  A lot of this has as much to do with my life situation as it does my struggle to lose weight.  I haven't been sleeping well for the last couple of weeks - either having very vivid weird dreams (& feeling out of sorts after) or waking up at 1 am and not falling asleep again until 3 or 4 am. Then not wanting to wake up at 6. 

Are you having problems in anything: I have been skipping lunch. I know that this is a problem.  And today, I'm not going to do it because for the last three days I have overeaten at dinner because I didn't have lunch.  I'm not going over my daily calories, but eating too much at dinner makes me feel awful - overstuffed - and blah and totally not wanting to exercise, which I should. Which I want to want to do. 

Are you motivated to reach your goals?
if not, explain why: I don't know if I'm motivated exactly, at least not in terms of enthusiasm because I don't feel like I have much. But I'm definitely not going to stop eating my veggies, fruits or lean protein - or whole grains for that matter.  Those choices are ingrained in me now.  I really don't want candy and can't make myself choke down potato chips anymore, which is pretty amazing since they used to be one of my most favorite foods.  I need more motivation to exercise. 

Give me one thing that you have learnt in 2006 that has and will inspire you throught 2007? (no joking around on this one, wanna here the honest truth):  I actually can do vigorous exercise.  I have made enough gradual improvements with my ankle and knees that I can now do the Billy Blanks workouts.  I would never have thought I could do something that vigorous (I had been doing only walking and water aerobics before that).  But I did the fat blasting aerobic video which was pretty darn intense and I did it! It was too hard for me, because I got completely out of breath, but I did it.  And I've gotten a slightly less intense BB video that I can do a bit better.  Now I just need to get excited about doing it!

I know I missed the first wagon post, but hopefully I can join up now :)

Most importantly, how are you feeling: A little tired, a little worn out, but super excited for the weekend!

Are you having problems in anything: Eating junk when I'm not hungry, just because it is there.  Something to do with being home that just makes me want to eat whatever is around... mostly food I'm too cheap to buy when I'm at school :)

Are you motivated to reach your goals? Yes, I think so, I just have to stay on track

Are you having problems in certain areas of exercise?  Ummm, mostly just general laziness from being at home and not at the gym.  I have a yoga and pilates tape I've been trying to do in my room, but I just keep skipping it :-P

Give me one thing that you have learnt in 2006 that has and will inspire you throught 2007? (no joking around on this one, wanna here the honest truth)  That you can do anything or eat anything in moderation, and that being healthy truly does make me feel better about myself.  What you put in your body is important, how you treat your body is important, and making sure it is healthy is the most important of all. 

Thanks for that info, didn't know about hyopthyroid and smoking link.

I haven't smoked since the 18th when I came home for Xmas and I don't want to start again.

As I said, I only have one once or twice a week, often when I'm up late doing work, but I don't want to fall back on that. Apparently, though, they say even minor-moderate smoking is cause for concern.

If I don't have that cigarette, though, sometimes I'll eat something that I shouldn't-have to work on that.

I don't like smoking, it's the habit that I find soothing.

Are you having problems in anything:
I haven't weighted since getting back on the wagon.  I sahll wait until Wednesday, as I have just joined the 2nd biggest loser competition & that is the weigh in day.  I'm nervous, but I feel good & my cheek bones show more shadow.  :D  Does that sound odd?  Sorry.

Since I have joined this thread I have:

1-stayed in my cal range each day (3)
2-done stretching & toning - even last night when I got into bed at 2:30 am I didn't want to totally miss a day
3-been aware of my pie chart, though some days are better than others

Are you having problems in anything:
I  always have trouble getting in cardio. 

Are you motivated to reach your goals?
Right now I am, yes.

Give me one thing that you have learnt in 2006 that has and will inspire you throught 2007?
I've got nothing deep or inspiring to say on this one! 

I've learned that the right way to lose weight is not to eat very little but to watch your deficit & make sure it's between 500 & 750 (more for more overweight pple, but not more for me).  I've learned that eating a ton of rice cakes or whole wheat puffs can also put me over my cals - it's all in portion control.  I've learned that without watching I tend to ingest very little fiber, and I now love my Fiber One cereal.  And egg white omelettes are great to have for dinner when you eat too much during the day & don't wanna lose it.

Hmm, that's all.

how are you feeling:  sometimes great...and sometimes not so great... my moods have really been fluctuating.  Some personal feelings re my relationship with my boyfriend have a lot to do with it.  But as far as weight loss is concerned, I'm generally feeling healthy...I'm at a "healthy weight" but still want to lose the remaining 5 lbs.

Are you having problems in anything: I've been binging a bit the last 2 weeks... too many goodies and way too much sugar...

Are you motivated to reach your goals?
if not, explain why: I'm motivated to reach goal, but I'm also sort of doing it haphazardly... since I'm so close and my petite size 8's fit well, I look good and feel healthy - so it's harder to say no to certain behaviors.

Are you having problems in certain areas of exercise? Just trying to figure out a way to exercise in the morning before I get ready for work.  I'll have to get up at 5:00 a.m. to exercise...too dark to run outside.  I'm going to try to workout in my livingroom to a pilates tape and will have to keep it on the quiet side since my daughter's room is below the livingroom. 

Give me one thing that you have learnt in 2006 that has and will inspire you throught 2007?  I plan on indulging in 2007... and by "indulging" I mean that I will treat my body to healthy delicious foods.  Food that helps me lose weight is the true indulgence, not that fatty piece of cheesecake!

how are you feeling:  Great!  I am so excited to live life everyday, and it is extra fun to feel my sore leg muscles and my flattening stomach and to know that I am being good to myself. 
Are you having problems in anything: Nothing that a healthy and happy attitude can't overcome.

Are you motivated to reach your goals?  Yes, I am skiing my first ever cross country ski marathon at the end of February, and the very thought of that is enough to put the fear of God in me.

Are you having problems in certain areas of exercise? I love to excercise, which is funny because I am a very lazy person naturally.  But, I always feel SO much better when I am really active, so I almost always make the right choice.  I don't like to excercise indoors, I find it boring and a bit demoralizing, so even when it is terrible weather outside, I bundle up and go for a run or jump on my bike. 

Give me one thing that you have learnt in 2006 that has and will inspire you throught 2007? I don't know really, but I guess I would say that it is fun to suffer physically through exercise, much more fun than suffering emotionally through feeling inadequate and fat.  Life is very beautiful and there is no reason not to feel it to the fullest all of the time.