Wagon Jumpers - August 2 - 8, 2009 (1 spot on waiting list available)
Welcome
(I keep the waiting list capped at 4 people as it can be a 16 week wait with that length, if you are interested in spot 4, read below and contact me.)
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 loose, but what you need to do on a daily basis to meet your long term goals.
There are two rules for Wagon Jumpers:
1. All members must post once per week between Sunday and Friday.
2. All members must check the thread for members who have not posted by Saturday (a short list is posted on Thursday) 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.
If you would like to be a member of this thread please see the guidelines below and send me a PM if you are still interested (there may be a waiting list).
Medium Size Group = Some Time Commitment
The original idea of Wagon Jumpers was to create a close community where participants could get to know each other and hopefully form virtual-life and perhaps even physical-life bonds to create a support network as they attempted long term weight loss.
We quickly discovered that this was impossible with an 'always open' group as there were too many people coming and going. For this reason the group is finding its optimum level is between 20 and 25 participants.
A medium sized group means that we have an active thread that produces between 30 - 45 posts per week. Members do not need to read / respond to every post every week. I do notice that those who respond regularly do tend to keep their goals top of mind, and have a better chance to achieve them. I estimate the average time spent by an active member on Wagon Jumpers to be between 1-2 hours per week.
If you are looking for an always open group on CC there are several that operate by different weight criteria, similar motivational patterns etc... There are also many small groups that cap their numbers between 4-10 people to keep the group more intimate, and easier for members to keep up with.
Interested in Joining?
General Guidelines for Joining
1. Are you a wagon jumper?
Do you know how to loose weight, you often have success but then you find yourself loosing interest in your plan, or sabotaging your plan. It's not the "how" to loose weight that is the problem, it's the "how" to stay motivated.
2. Do you have a long way to go?
This group is designed so that members can get to know each other and support each other. Ideally you are planning to be a CC member and part of this forum for at least 6 months or more to achieve your goals and hopefully stay in motivation for a further 6 months or more.
Yes. This is, a long term plan.
3. Do you have the time?
This is a medium sized group, the thread does move fairly quickly each week. If you do not have regular internet access this is likely not the group for you.
Still interested?
Send Supersized a PM. (Please do not reply on the thread)
An overview will be sent to you, you will have a chance to ask questions and an invitation will be sent to you once a spot is open.
Google Group
We have recently added a google group as an option for members, past members, and members on the waiting list. If you would like access to the google group (and are in one of the above categories) send a message to beaglesmuggler (at) roger.com with your username and e-mail address and I will add you to the google group.
Wagon Jumpers Participants
Year 1 - Week 13 Riders:
Supersized 
(myself)
Year 1 - Week 9 Riders:
Defrog3 - Maternity Leave to October 31, 2009
Year 1 - Week 5 Riders:
Year 1 - Week 3 Riders:
Raven21 - Vacation Aug 5 - 9, 2009
Week 50 Riders:
Week 45 Riders:
Week 41 Riders:
Lam7 - Vacation Aug 2 - 8, 1009
Week 37 Riders:
Week 35 Riders:
Week 33 Riders:
Week 12 Riders - Congratulations on 3 Months!:
Dovelette - vacation July 30 - Aug 11
Week 8 Riders:
Week 2 Riders:
NEW:
Missing In Action:
Missing In Action - 1 Week:
Missing In Action - 2 Weeks:
Current Membership: 22
Current Waiting List: 3
Outstanding Wait List Invites: 0
12 Week CONSISTENCY GOALS
(as set w/o June 28th, 2009)
By September 19th, I will be...
Msmeg1984 - NEW: eating a weekly average of 2,000 cal/day and, MAINTENANCE: exercising 3x/week for at least 9 of the 12 weeks.
Dovelette - NEW: NROLFW 3x week for 9 out of 12 weeks.
Merimeriqcontrary - NEW: 3 times/week exercise for at least 9 out of the 12 weeks.
Wenchie58 - NEW: Logging my food intake of <1500 cals per day at least 5 days per week.
Figurethefat - NEW: to run/walk a minimum of six 5ks per month. MAINTENANCE:to continue doing a minimum of 1,500 exercise minutes per month.
Kyashiis - NEW: Run a minimum of 3 kilos 12 times over the 12-week period. MAINTENANCE:I will zig-zag on my food intake consistently throughout each week and end up with an average daily calorie count of 1,100 cals.
Raven21 - NEW: Eat all my yummy, healthy meals (3) and snacks (2) before 9pm for 12 weeks, with no more than 12 days missed. MAINTENANCE:Exercise at least 3 times a week
Supersized - NEW: Go to gym 3x/week for 6 of 12 weeks. MAINTENANCE: Log all food for 9 of 12 weeks.
Cawilder - NEW: Log my food 85% of the time. MAINTENANCE: Running at least 5 hrs/week and lifting 2x/week.
Lam7 - NEW: Consistently log all calories 5 of 7 days a week. MAINTENANCE: Exercise at least once a week.
Nannygabber - MAINTENANCE: Strength training 3x/week for 9 of 12 weeks. Macronutrient ratio of 40/30/30 (carb/fat/protein) for 9 of 12 weeks.
Germaica - NEW: Exercise at least 3x/week for at least 30 min for 9 of 12 weeks. MAINTENANCE: Continue to eat 1 portion of high iron food at least 4 times per week.
Jessicaanne2001 - NEW: Keep calories under 2,000 checking by logging food 4x/week. MAINTENANCE: workout at the gym 4x/week
Carryonandon - NEW: Exercise 3x weekly MAINTENANCE: 300-500 calorie deficit daily.
Constanza - NEW: For the next 12 weeks, less twelve days I will follow this meal plan: 3 meals, 1 snack and 1 dessert per day, no more than 7 alcoholic drinks per week. MAINTENANCE: exercise an average of 2x/week.
Jnielsen006 - NEW: exercise at least 2 days a week for 45 minutes at least 9 of 12 weeks.
Previous Threads:
Wagon Jumpers - July 26 - Aug 1, 2009
Wagon Jumpers - July 19 - 25, 2009
Wagon Jumpers - July 12 - 18th, 2009
Wagon Jumpers - July 5 - 11th, 2009
Wagon Jumpers - June 28 - July 4, 2009
Wagon Jumpers - June 21 - 27th, 2009
Wagon Jumper - June 14 - 20th, 2009
Wagon Jumpers - June 7 - 13th, 2009
Wagon Jumpers May 31 - June 6th, 2009
Wagon Jumpers May 24 - 30th, 2009
Wagon Jumpers - May 17 - 23rd, 2009
Wagon Jumpers - May 10 - 16th, 2009
Wagon Jumpers - May 3 - 9th, 2009
Wagon Jumpers - April 26 - May 2nd, 2009
Wagon Jumpers - April 19 - 25th, 2009
Wagon Jumpers - April 12 - 18th, 2009
Wagon Jumpers - April 5 - April 11th, 2009
Wagon Jumpers - March 29 - April 4th, 2009
Wagon Jumpers - March 22 - 28th, 2009
Wagon Jumpers - March 15 - 21st, 2009
Wagon Jumpers - March 8 - 14th, 2009
Wagon Jumpers - March 1 - 7th, 2009
As always all members are encouraged to tag this thread so that it is easy to find.
Weekly Topic: Getting To Know You
This is a great exercise to do as we are brining on new members. Pick a member in the group, send them a private e-mail and let them know you would like to write about them for this week's "getting to kow you" exercise. You can ask them some direct questions, or simply ask them to tell you a few interesting facts that you can post. Then come back to the forum here and give the group an introduction of the person you chose.
Members who were here last time we did this exercise, try to pick someone you didn't choose last time.
Motivational Guru Winner: Julie/Nannygabber
It was a tie between Julie (Nannygabber) and Carrie (Raven) this month, a prize IS coming to the girls in the states, I just need to find something that is valuable across the boarder, turns our my promo iTunes cards are only good here in Canada.
Want to get a prize? Send positive and polite messages to our MIA members and those falling behind. If someone posts your name on the thread crediting you with helping them or if they come back from the MIA list I will ask them, then the person at the end of the month with the most credits gets a prize (eventually!).
Vacation / Moving / Having a Baby?
Need some time off from the group, send me a quick private e-mail, include the dates you will be away from and to, and I will put a note by your name. This will make sure that we don't send you a bunch of reminder e-mails or drop you on the MIA list while you are away.
Hello! I'm looking forward to being a member here. At the moment I have house guests and am slightly preoccupied, also temporarily suspending strict dieting, but will be back on track by the weekend.
I ate a little too much today, but i burned over 1,000 calories on my hike yesterday!
Back at it tomorrow!
Thanks so much for the reminder Sara. I had looked at last week's posting, but never had time to get back. Though, I did email one person of the group. Time sure flies!
I also was a bit depressed at my once a month weigh in. I gained two kilos over the month. I have had so many occasions that called for eating sit-down dinners. It's hard to avoid eating so much. I haven't gone over my maintenance calories of 1460 calories though.
I'll just have to make more efforts to exercise. I think that is the problem... not enough activity to keep my lousy metabolism in high gear.
Welcome bleedtoblue. We are looking forward to getting to know you and reaching our goals too...
Checking In: i worked hard the last 3 days and knocked off the 3 lbs. that had been creeping on. I'm doing well on the 12 weeks challenge, 100% so far.
Weekly Topic: Sorry but I'm not feeling very social these days. Going through some family issues and really just hanging on keeping things together...
Whoo hooo!! Tangible goods... LOL! Thanks Sara, I am flattered.
CHECKIN:
Getting a little frustrated. Summer is usually the easiest time for me to focus on health because I can get outside. Somehow the summer is half gone, and I find myself into a 6 week plateau. I suppose the good news is, I've not gained. And learning to maintain is a good thing.
Yet, I am still not where I want to be. I am only about half way there. In the past when I have gotten to these points, I kinda just threw in the towel, and said "oh well, I almost made it....", or "at least I made SOME progress..."
I don't want to be that girl again this time. While I am a little miffed with my situation, I can't be upset with me really. I have done nothing to sabotage what I have accomplished. I am still eating well, exercising, and aside from my lack of logging (which I committed to as a goal, and have miserably failed), I do not feel I am off track.
It's not like I am sitting down eating ice cream or binging on pastas or candy. I am still not even having "fries with that." (There's a country song there somewhere...) In fact, I dont even eat out, except for a choice meal out with BF when we finally get together.
I don't know what's wrong really, why I have levelled off here, other than to succumb to the old notion that "my body has been happy here before".... I intend to do some research on this. I will post my findings!
I think, Sara, that this weeks topic is going to be fun!! Thanks for thinking of it again.
I do have a busy week ahead, a busy month in fact... but will stay dedicated here as much as is possible. I'll even let you all in on a little secret... I am designing a website where we will be selling licensed T-shirts of all sorts. We hope to launch this weekend, and I am hoping for an opportunity to offer a shameless plug for it here in CC!!
Looking forward to getting to know each of you a little better! Catch you guys real soon, keep up the healthgain!
~Julie
Hi,
OK, so I torqued the knee again and I am kind of back where I started. My cousin swears by a naturopath who someone can "realign" people. My cousin is an MD so if she says it happens then I tend to believe it. So I have an appointment this week. I mean taking 16 - 24 ibuprofen a day is probably not healthy.
But, I have discovered spinning... It is not as good as running for me because it is not outdoors and it varies given the instructor - we had this guy this morning who had us down in the saddle for 15 minutes and then off the saddle for 20 minutes (yes, like 2-0!) and then doing some funky stuff. It was terrible. But there were others who are really into intervals. I liked it.
My eating is still having its good days and not so good days. But I am trying to log. It really does make it way easier not to over eat later on in the day. So, I think I am losing weight again. But the number means less to me than the size.
Well, take care all.
I'm really really sorry I missed the thread last week. I totally forgot to send an email to Sara and tell her that I was on vacation. I'm terribly terribly ashamed. I'll check right in sometime tonight (GMT +2).
Missed you guys a lot, my vacation was amazing (camping on a deserted beach with twenty people really is the thing for me!)
Hi All,
I think this week's topic is great as well but unfortunately I'm going to have to pass as I'm off on vacation starting today at 5pm! WhooHoo! Can't wait, going to see ACDC in Moncton!
As far as a check in, eating hasn't been great the last 3 days, exercise is still on track though. I need to get back on track and I really need to start logging calories since I think that's the only way I'm going to see progress even though I HATE doing it since it's soooo time consuming and annoying. I think I'll take Carol's advice and plan meals in advance, figure out the calories in advance and then I don't have to be figuring it out daily, just weekly probably.
Carol, sorry to hear about your knee but glad you've found another form of exercise, that's awesome! Good luck with the naturopath, I have found them invaluable in the past and hope you have the same experience.
figure - great job on knocking off 3 lbs! hope your family issues sort themselves out soon I know how stressful that can be.
bleedtoblue - Welcome to the group! Hope you enjoy it as much as the rest of us.
kyashiis - I hear you on the lousy metabolism. I think I'm going to start incorporating yoga into my regular schedule since it's a great all around exercise for mind and body and I could use something like that with work and family lately.
meg - wow that must have been some hike! Did you take Harley with you? I know my dog (Dexter) loves hiking, we took him last year on vacation with us in October, some of the cliffs where a little too high for him but he's little so was easy to just pick him up (he's only about 25-30 pounds).
Julie - I think everyone hits plateaus, I'm sitting on one at the moment but I'm pretty sure my problem is inconsistency with my food. Maybe you need to shake up your workout routine, could be your body is getting used to Zumba and NROLFW?? Just a thought I really don't have any idea why this happens.
Meri - that sounds like an awesome vacation! I would love to go to a deserted beach with 20 friends. Where abouts did you go?
Well that's it for me this week. Sara I'll send you a message as a reminder that I'll be away for the rest of this week.
Good luck everyone and I'm keeping my fingers crossed (please do so for me as well) that I'll have the will power to avoid over eating while on vacation (I might even try to get a run or 2 in while I'm at the camp ground).
Carrie (Raven)
Well, hike was very memorable, but didn't go exactly as we had planned. Lots of kinks....Its a long story! I wrote a blog about it though and posted some of my pictures here! It really was a fun trip (plus I got to eat a little more!)
Check in: Having a hard time of it lately. Last week was on the beach and fell back into all my old poor eating habits. This week I am in California and while I put in a great hike yesterday, I am dining out every night, making bad choices and not drinking enough water. Hopefully by Monday when I am home I can get back into my healthy routine. I miss my weight training and my lean turkey breast lunches!
Bleedtoblue WELCOME TO THE GROUP! Enjoy your guests, we'll hear more from you later.
MsMeg Well the hike likely worked a lot of that off.
Kathy I know how you feel, I have a lot of social engagements, especially in the summer that make controlling portions difficult. Trying to learn to put my napkin over my food half way through, but this is usually rude at tasting courses.
Laura Hang in there! I know its difficult to keep you and your goals as a priority when there are family needs and pressures. Do try to take some time for yourself.
Julie Sounds like an exciting business. You're probably right on needing to do some research on the plateau. There is a lot of conversational wisdom on changing patterns when you hit a plateau, and plateaus ocurring because of the body's set points. How much of that is true, and how much is useful to breaking the plateau is certainly something I've not found an answer to yet.
Carol I find spinning is overall easier on the joints. I'm a pretty big believer in chiropractors, and I've had some success with naturopaths, especially when traditional doctors are only throwing pills at me. I want the issue resovled not the symptoms masked!
Meri No problem, don't worry about it, happens to all of us. I hope you had a great vacations, sounds like you really realy did. Where abouts were you?
Carrie Have a wonderful vacation!
Laura42 Staying on track while not at home seems to be one of the hardest things for all of us. Pre-planning works for some, some of us just take the time off, I personally need to worry about the fall out afterwards.
Checking-In Well I think I'm through the worst of the move, we've got almost everything unpacked, and are down to the nic-nacs which we have too many of. I'm a bit worried about them, since most of them are from my partners sister and she's going to be offended no matter what when we get rid of some of them.
I've been off for 2 weeks from the gym. That is the week prior the move and the week following. I have been lugging myself up and down stairs for the whole two weeks though, so I did knock some weight off.
Today I packed my gym bag and it's waiting for me after work. Can't use moving as an excuse anymore.
Go Sara, Go Sara, Go Sara!
Hello all,
My name finally came up! I'm looking forward to meeting you all & reading about your trials and tribulations.
A bit on me: I had started with weightloss for the umpteenth time along about March, then ran into a series of physical challenges. But even in this state, while I wait for a specialist who will accept me and for the insurance to OK the MRI, there are bound to be goals I can set and hopefully, with a little help, can keep up the motivation.
Terry
Check in: Looks like it's all blunders and late-arrivals this week for me.
I had a wonderful time, I live in Romania and there are plenty of untouched, unexplored patches of land here especially in the region close to the Danube Delta (live pelicans and trillions of other rare species, baby weasles, dolphins in the sea nearby, a bounty of fish...) Can't even begin to describe the beauty of the place and being there with a big bunch of friends through storm and shine (we caught quite a vicious one on one night) and warm clear water, kite-surfing... the works really. Also very cheap.
The downside: I didn't relax much. I'm the uncrowned queen bee of my group so I was mostly organizing fires, putting dinner together, erecting tents and pavilions. (I'm not saying I don't love doing all this, but after the vacation I feel that I need another one).
At least I had planned to count last week as a flop week anyway so now I feel on track exercising 2X until now. I'm leaving tomorrow to organize a kids creativity camp for a week and shall be back next week (on Thursday - this time I shall email.)
The food has been not so good on vacation because being in the middle of nowhere we had to buy for the majority and car trips to the nearest village were not so frequent. I tried, but obviously failed. (I'm not getting onto the scale, I'll just wait another week or so).
Anyway, Sara congrats on the new home, I wish I could send you a housewarming gift over the ocean. (Alas credit cards are not so popular around here). I see you are also a fan of camping :P
Raven, cute as always :p Don't get me started on calorie counting and consistency. I get so embarrassed when I eat a big meal that I just can't psychologically log. That's my next goal however. Now I need to concentrate on an exercise routine because I want it in my blood.
MsMeg: Hiking trips hooray!
I hear you Kathy on parties and social events... Especially since I've been educated that being rude is one of the worst sins.
Carol My grandma is a naturopath and a homeopath, and I swear she works slow but effective miracles. (worked, well, now she's bedridden and has been for quite some time...old age...)
Welcome to all our new members, I hope you join in the lovely times. :) Trust me, it was worth the wait.
Anyway, I'll be off to sending said email assignment and wish me luck next week: being surrounded by 25 kids round the clock who spatter you with paint and modelling clay and playing flag twister and teaching them English and improv should be fun, and exhausting.
This week's assignment!
I'd like to introduce you all to Julie (aka nannygabber) She was born and raised way out in the country (where they raised all their own food!) about 30 miles from Buckhannon, WV.
She was so ready for "the real world" by the age of 18 that she then moved straight to the WV capital of Charleston. There she met her former husband, and she spent 15 years raising 4 children in Washington DC . She eventually went back home to her parents, but now, once again, lives in the Capitol City of Charleston, WV, where her children also live.
Julie works online for a national freight brokerage. (I am so jealous!) She is able to work from home, and sometimes in pajamas!
Julie lives with her BF, who travels a lot for work. His job keeps him out for weeks and months even but travels to see him most weekends. She's mom of 4 and Grandma of one beautiful baby boy. She has two cats, Cosmo (white with one blue eye, and one yellow eye) and Niles (black, named after Niles on Frasier because he is kinda snotty like that.... LOL!
Like me, Julie loves to grill in the summer time. She marinates and then grills up a whole bunch of chicken breasts at one time. THen she eats a little for dinner with say steamed broccoli, or sauteed asparagus, and the rest goes in the fridge to use as needed.
One of the questions Julie and I asked each other was "Shed some light on your healthgain quest" and here it is, in her own words: I hit rock bottom in September of last year (08). http://caloriecount.about.com/dont-cryin-ft11 5595 I have been up and down with my weight my entire life. I can almost bet you I have lost over 500 lbs during my lifetime. Rather amazing if I think about it. The yo-yo / roller coaster was my theme in life... I had fat clothes and skinny clothes... people actually would say to me when I hadn't seen them in a while... so are you going up or down right now?
Being so tired of all that, I sat and literally cried. I had done that before, but this time, I knew I had to get serious. I have been a part of this group pretty much ever since that, and without it, I am 100% certain I would not be where I am now. I recently plateaued, and am working on my mindset, and gearing up to do some research on it. (LOL - "gearing up" translates as... trying to find time!) I will get past it, I am sure of it. I am still doing my NROLFW, I am in Stage 6. I hurt my good shoulder about to sessions back, and have been taking it easy for a few days. Still doing cardio, and all lifting not pertaining to shoulder use.
Julie shared with me one great truth that she has learned from all of this, which is very inspiring to me: A legitimate obstacle is usually just in your mind.
And there you have it Ladies! A little introduction of our good friend Julie!
Hi, all,
Sara, thanks for the reminder last week. I've been away from the computer these past few days, just trying to stay comfortable. Still no baby, 3 weeks left and no signs of going early, and much to my chagrin, I stopped working last week, too (I had intended to work up until my due date). Unfortunately, I have a separation in my pelvic bone that is very painful. :(
Still eating healthfully, and I've made it to the town's pool to walk a few laps back and forth a few times. My weight gain has stabilized, and doctor thinks the kid is healthy, which is good.
But I think I'm going to drop out of WJ for a few weeks at this point. I'm just too focused on other things!
Wishing everyone a wonderful remainder to the summer,
Denise
Hello and Welcome to the new members!
My husband and I just completed our move to SC and we're getting settled in. Everything went very smoothly - including my eating. Even thoughwe ate out a couple of times, all the calories we used carting boxes and unpacking things evened it out and gave me my 3x of exercise! So, this week I made my goal.
Gotta run. Still busy getting everything in its place.
Is there a safe diet pill for teens?
Orlistat, marketed as Xenical by prescription and over-the-counter Alli, is the only drug approved by the FDA for teens ages 12 to 16... Read more