Wagon Jumpers - February 22 - 28th, 2009 (Closed, Waiting List Available)

Welcome

(We are currently transitioning to 20 members (from 30). If you are interested in being on the waiting list, knowing that it will be a longer than usual list, please read below and e-mail 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 capped at 30 participants. 

A medium sized group means that we have an active thread that produces between 40 - 60 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. 

Wagon Jumpers Participants

Week 42 Riders:

Supersized (myself)

Week 38 Riders:

Msmeg1984

Defrog3 - Away to March 7

Week 33 Riders:

Wenchie58

Week 32 Riders - Congratulations on 8 Months!:

Raven21

Tiegurl

Week 28 Riders - Congratulations on 7 Months!:

Unlimitedana

The_Vitamin_Dominatrix

Week 27 Riders:

Kyashiis

Week 25 Riders:

Rpete144057

Letsgetitstarted

Week 22 Riders:

Nannygabber

Week 18 Riders:

Lam7

Week 16 Riders - Congratulations on 4 Months!:

Maureenz - Holiday to March 23rd, 2009

Week 14 Riders:

Cawilder

Week 13 Riders:

Carryonandon

Figurethefat

Pelkeyjm

Week 12 Riders - Congratulations on 3 Months!:

Constanza

Week 10 Riders:

Germaica

Jessicaanne2001

Missing In Action:

Bigbitty

Missing In Action - 1 Week:

Amber1l

Missing In Action - 2 Weeks:

Sjenn23231

Current Membership: 24

Current Waiting List: 5

Outstanding Wait List Invites: 0

12 Week CONSISTENCY GOALS

(as set w/o January 11th, 2009)

By April 4th, I will be...

Letsgetitstarted - consuming an average of 1,500 cal/day and 3 times a week for a minimum 30 minutes. 

Rpete144057 - logging my food daily and exercising 5 days a week for at least 30 minutes.

Jessicaanne2001 - exercising 5 days a week for at least 30 minutes, and logging my food daily. 

Supersized - logging all of my daily calories and eating in a calorie range of no more than 2,000 cal/day and no less than 1,500 cal/day (calculated by weekly averages). 

Figurethefat - exercising a minimum of 1,500 minutes each month, and I will restrict using the scale to two weigh-ins per week on Monday and Friday. 

Unlimitedana - eating between 1,500 - 1,600 cal/day and exercising three time a week. 

Cawilder - maintaining a 500 - 1,000 calorie deficit on a daily basis measured by my food log and, working out 5 to 6X per week combo of cardio and lifting. 

Carryonandon - maintaining 300 - 500 calorie deficit daily and, exercising 3x per week. 

Raven21 - drinking a minimum of 4 bottles (2L) of water daily and, exercising a minimum of 3X per week. 

Nannygabber - doing the NROLFW program 3 times per week, and I will establish a 40/30/30 (Carb/Fat/Protein) macronutrient pattern on a weekly average for a minimum of 5 weeks of the next 12. 

Germaica - exercising 3 times a week and logging my food for at least 4 days per week. 

Pelkeyjm - logging my food daily and exercising at least 3x per week for at least 30 minutes. 

The_Vitamin_Dominatrix - logging my caloric intake on calorie count at least six days every week and, exercising in the gym at least 3 days each week. 

Tiegurl - eating 1,500 - 2,000 calories and exercising 5x a week. 

Kyashiis - running 20 kilometers a week and making progress on the number of repetitions in my calisthenic exercises (starting at: 20 push ups, 30 sit ups, 0 chin ups, 2x 30 sec plank, 20-30 jump rope)

Lam7 - Logging all daily calories at least 6 times a week and, exercising minimum 40 minutes 3x per week. 

Sjenn23231 - consuming and average of 1,500 cal/day and, doing SEAL team type workout 3 times a week.

Msmeg1984 - Following the 40-30-30 diet guidelines in NROLFW and working out 3 a week NROLFW plan. 

Constanza - using the CC food log every day and, exercising an average of 4 times per week across the 12 weeks. 

Defrog3 - eating with improved nutritional quality of food, specifically ensuring that I am getting enough daily protein and carbs and, walking six miles a week weather permitting. 

Amber1l - working out 6 days a week for one and a half hours. 

Wenchie58 - keeping my calorie intake between 1,400 - 1,500 a day and, drinking at least 2 liters of water daily. 

Bigbitty - logging my calories daily and continue to drink at least 2 liters of water per day. 

Previous Threads:

Wagon Jumpers - February 15 - 21st, 2009

Wagon Jumpers - February 8 - 14th, 2009

Wagon Jumpers - February 1 - 7th, 2009

Wagon Jumpers - January 25 - 31st, 2009

Wagon Jumpers - January 18 - 24th, 2009

Wagon Jumpers - January 11 - 17th, 2009

Wagon Jumpers - January 4 - 10th, 2009

Wagon Jumpers - December 28 - January 3rd, 2009

Wagon Jumpers - December 21 - 27th, 2008

Wagon Jumpers - December 14 - 20th, 2008

Wagon Jumpers - December 7 - 13th, 2008

Wagon Jumpers - November 30 - December 6th, 2008

Wagon Jumpers - November 23 - 29th, 2008

Wagon Jumpers - November 15 - 22nd, 2008

Wagon Jumpers - November 9 - 15th, 2008

Wagon Jumpers - November 2 - 8th, 2008

Wagon Jumpers - October 26 - November 1st, 2008

Wagon Jumpers - October 19 - 25th, 2008

Wagon Jumpers - October 12 - 18th, 2008

Wagon Jumpers - October 5 - 11th, 2008

Wagon Jumpers - September 28 - October 4th, 2008

Wagon Jumpers - September 21 - 27th, 2008

Wagon Jumpers September 14-20th, 2008

Wagon Jumpers September 7-13th, 2008

As always all members are encouraged to tag this thread so that it is easy to find.

THIS WEEK'S TOPIC: GOAL CHECK-IN, HALF WAY

We are half way through the time period for our 12 week goals. How are you doing? Are you half way finished your goal? On track? Have some catch up to do? What is your strategy to stay on track or catch up for the remaining 6 weeks?

Motivation for MIA's 

Sorry I haven't been around much last week, I got the horrid cold / flu thing that's been going around and spent three days in bed. For the first time in about 12 weeks we have a full MIA list. Don't forget that while the first rule of the group is that you must post once a week, the second rule of the group is to reach out to those who don't post during the week and encourage them to stay on track with their goals and involved in the group. This added accountability over and above many other forums is what, I believe, makes this group stick. Try to reach out to those on MIA.

Weekly Check In / Goal check In

This past week was a write off, and a good example of why to have buffer weeks in my goals. I have no idea if I was on-cal, I suspect I was well under. I have no idea because I was too sick to log anything and I put myself on bed rest until I was better. I'm feeling quite a bit better now, not yet 100%, but also not a fever ridden mess. 

Aside from this past week my goals are going well, I'm repeating my 2,400 cal/day week this week. That gives me 6 weeks to make it to the 2,000 and under range which I'm confident I can do. I've cooked a lot more in the week leading up to being sick and I'm looking forward to cooking again as part of getting myself healthy. I have logged every single thing that I ate in the weeks I was logging so that habit seems to be on track. 

I don't expect any weight loss in this 12 weeks at this point. I'm still going up and down in my 3 lb range, but I'm still finding that remarkable since I've been doing a maintenance dance from 3,200 cal/day down to 2,400 cal /day. I'm assuming if I ate at these rates regularly with not exercise it would all be upwards I'm chalking the maintenance up to the slow decline in calories. 

I know I'm only half way through, but I'm sure I'll meet my goals this time, and I'm looking forward to setting the next goals and seeing if success this round will help me first set goals I can achieve next round and then achieve them. 

Sara.

Hi all!  

I have a quick minute so I'm writing couple lines.  Travel was a P-A-I-N this weekend, but we made it, so hooray!  Quite a few folks seemed to be in a motivation / eating funk at the end of last week, so thought I'd share news of a book I'm just starting on volumetric eating.  Pretty simple ways to feel full and happy with your meals but keep to reduced calorie goals, but it has a workbook aspect and other things that I've found helpful in the past.  Nice way to mix up the routine while staying motivated and on plan.  Maybe check it out if it sounds appealing: 

http://www.amazon.com/Volumetrics-Eating-Plan -Techniques-Calories/dp/0060737298

http://www.webmd.com/diet/volumetrics-what-it -is

Chin up folks!  Don't phone this in!

I have some catching up to do. I'm holding myself more responsible. Lately, I have just have been eating right or exercising and blaming it on different things such as my menstrual cycle, being busy, etc. I have cooked my meals for the weeks and have gotten others things I needed to keep my on track on food. I have enlisted a mini reward system. It is not a big but whenever I exercise and eat right I give myself a sticker. The stickers are to reassure myself that I'm doing a good job.

Good Morning All..

Weekly Check in and 1/2 way point... on track!  logging is second nature and weirdly so is the exercise...I can stay on the treadmill LOADS longer than the bike though...poor thing is on it's last legs..I am hoping it goes pretty soon then I am going shopping for an Eliptical!! 

I found myself slipping back into not exactly measuring everything..portion control, portion control, portion control!!!!  I need to stop shoveling the food in mindlessly..I am going to be trying some hints I found on the webmd site..like eating with my non dominant hand, or even chopsticks if I have to...It is pretty shocking how quickly I can bolt down the grub!  oh well I knew this was a journey when I started...one step in front of the other...

Have a great day!!

Robin

Constanza Interesting clip, it seems to be on the general theme of if you eat healthy foods, you can eat more of them and you will feel full. That's an over simplification, but I generally find it's true. I have to eat much more junk food to feel full than I do healthy food. Also the smaller portion of healthy food is generally more filling than an similar portion of junk food. Makes me wonder why I eat junk food at all. 

Tiegurl I like the small rewards, I need to think up a new one for myself. I'm also too familiar with the letting life get in the way. 

Robin Congratulations! Great job on the exercise. I know I'm not always as diligent about the food scale as I should be, I need to work on that. However, I am logging everything now. 

Have a good day!

Sara.

Wow, 8 months already. I would love to say that I've attained all my goals for weight loss and fitness but it's simply not true. However, I am on track to meet my goals in this 12 week challenge. I am exercising over target and water is also on or over every day.

1 thing I have learned from this group is that consistency is key AND exercise alone will not make the weight come off, neither will dieting (not for the long haul that is), you need both. So...to that end I am making a more concerted effort to pay attention to what I am eating. I am also upping my exercise to include the Power90 videos I bought a couple years ago, AND my husband says he's going to do the videos with me this time. Hopefully we can keep each other on track. 90 days from today will be May 22nd, 1 day after my 29th birthday. I would LOVE to be able to complete this workout program this time around. Last time I only made it until day 38, not even 1/2 way. 

Well that's about it from here.

Sara - glad to hear you're feeling better.

Constanza - I'm going to check out the link, I hate feeling hungry (sometimes makes me nauseous) so being full on good food for longer is definitely attractive. I had organic quick oats with raisens this morning for breakfast, yum!)

Tiegurl - congrats on 8 months! I also need to think up mini rewards, not sure what to pick yet......

Robin - congrats! I have an elliptical, it's great but I got bored so I've borrowed my parents treadmill which was becoming a coat rack in their house since Dad started biking instead :)

Have a great day everyone!

Raven

Hello Everyone,

CHECKIN: All is on target for success thus far. I am logging and tracking my macronutrients down to the smallest detail. Exercise is right on, I haven't missed or skipped for anything! I am still determined, and since I have added the Complexes for Fatloss, it looks as if I have lost about 4 lbs. That's two lbs per week. I can live with that pace, and also at the pace I am going (working out, eating) - so long as the lbs keep dropping... heheh.

My strategy to stay on track is the same... just do it. I have managed to not make excuses, and I don't give myself options. The schedule is the schedule.

I do have some good news, which may give me additional motivation. I was asked by a friend if I'd work out with her on a regular basis! That to me, is exciting... I mean, I talk to people at the gym, and try to be friendly, but it is really hard not knowing ANYone. Especially when most seem to already have their "buddy" to hang out with. SO... I hope she shows up, and hangs in there!

Sara - SO GLAD you are feeling better!

Hope you all are thinking healthgain!
~Julie

Check-in:  I haven't scratched the surface of achieving  any of my goals this last weeek.  It was a rough week in terms of work.  Also, one of my family members was hospitalized.  We don't know what will happen there, and I don't have any idea how my schedule for anything will work out this week.  BUT  --> --> -->

I will make efforts to get up to the 50% mark of achieving my goals this week. And, in truth, making that effort helps to keep me focused in other areas of my life.  That's pretty important right now.

Raven I'm sure you will be coming at the Power90 from a different perspective this time which should help you do much more to be able to finish it off. Let us know how it goes.

Julie It sounds like the complexes are really working for you. Don't just 'live' with a rate of 2 lbs/week.... celebrate it... and monitor it, healthy and sustainable weight loss is supposed to be from 0.5 - 2lbs/wk, anything more and you are likely not in a sustainable range. Of course you will likely see variance but 2lbs/wk is not something to sneeze at. 

My fingers are crossed for you and your buddy. I have a girlfriend who I talk with regularly about our efforts but we don't live close enough in the city to share the same gym. 

Kyashiis Let us know if you need a break. Or if this is a little escape for a moment let us be that too. While I don't regret time I spent caring for my mother I do wish I had taken a bit more care of myself in that time, the occasional break likely would have made me a better caregiver. Wishing you strength and health for you and your family as you care for your loved one. 

Sara.

Thanks. Congrats on 8 months Raven. In a few more months it will be a year. Think of all we would have accomplished.

Hi there,

I'm eating very well, but on the exercise, not so much.  I've been walking to/from public transportation for work, though, which is something, but I really wanted to get in walks around my local park on the weekends.  The weather here has been too cold for me, though, and I've been so tired with this pregnancy state, that I haven't done it.  I need to be better on that.  I hope that spring gets here soon!

But, on the eating side of things, I'm doing quite well!  I've been living on lots of fruit, water, and veggies.  Not too many real "cravings," but I've had a jonesing for pizza a few times!

I think that I'm losing body fat, although the scale says that I've gained 5 pounds since I got preggers.  My neck is thinner (weird spot to notice it, right?), and I think my face is, too.  My thighs are also slimmer than they were a few weeks ago.  I'm liking it! :D  Too bad that my waistline is expanding at an alarming rate (its all OK, I've only had to move up one pant size).

We had a second ultrasound done last week.  The kid is now 3 inches long, and based on the outcome of the test that was done, it is highly unlikely that it has Down's Syndrome or Trisomy 18, despite my "advanced maternal age" of 36.  Good news!

Next week (Sunday 3/1 through Saturday 3/6) I'm going to be in Los Angeles for work, so I don't know about my ability to check in.  I'll try to log on, though!

Hi everyone,

Weekly check-in: haven't done so good lately. I only exercised once and logged my calories for 3 days. I'm falling short. This is the slippery slope I've been afraid of. Like many WJ, once I start slipping, it's really hard to get back the momentum. I realize that I'm stressed and winter is wearing me down. This often leads to over eating, junk food binges and constant vegging in front of the TV. This is my pattern. I started recording "The Biggest Loser" TV show, and watching it only when I'm exercising. I hope this will get me more motivated. I've also pulled out some of my weight loss/health gain books, I hope that reading them will keep my mind on my goals.

Weekly topic: Overall I'm proud of myself, I haven't given up on my goals. I'm just having a set back. I have missing 4 weeks since the beginning, but I did calculate 3 weeks of wiggle room. So I have just missed 1 week, according to my rules. I am happy that I'm still trying to develop a healthy lifestyle.

Have a great week all!

Germaica - Spring is right around the corner. I saw a croakus peeking out two weekends ago! Listen... I have read Sara say this before... being on track 50% of the time equals maintenance. If you can manage those emotions and get them chanelled into positive and creative fun things for yourself, you can whip this thing. EVEN if you can only do that 50% of the time, you will at least not be losing ground until you can break free into the fresh spring air! You see?

I learned also in my own experiences through this... that consistency creates stability. Stability is what we need. Strive for stability by keeping on keeping on. One step at a time, with positive energy. If you can build stability, you become stronger. See how that works? Consistency leads to stability, stability leads to strength. ... LOL, I just realized, that's like weight lifting.... heheh.... keep going at it until you train the "small muscles" to hold you in place, and the strength will come! YAY... I think I just philosophized that all by myself... lol

Sweetie, you and I are too much alike on the inside. But somehow, someway, I don't really know where it came from, but I just made up my mind that I wanted to get out of the ditch and stay out, and I moved on from it! And... thanks to people here in this group, and an utter determination... I have managed to still be keeping on. DON'T let the munchies win! Take control, it feels good to be in control... *insert evil laughter*... of something. I get the winter blahs also, but lets look ahead to spring together!

You know there is an actual sunlight deprivation disorder, called SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder). Have you thought about going to the tanning salon? It really helps me when I find that I have the blues, and am longing for poolside. If you can't do that, bundle up and take that walk and get some sunshine no matter how cold it is.... let nothing stand in your way of success. Not even old man winter.

Leash up those emotions, and tether them to make them do what you want them to!

I dunno if this helps, just my two cents.... chin up girl.... you are stronger and more beautiful than you know, and you are worth the effort!

~Julie

Half way mark already!#%$*  I am sorry to say that I am going backwards this time.  Exercise does not seem to be a problem, but I must be honest to say that it is not structured.  It is that I just never stop.  Caring for my Mom and now my Dad who needs much needed rest after our scare with him last week is very time consuming.  I am just grateful that their in-law is part of our house, because travel to their place again like last year, just would not work.  Just trying to keep up with their wash and cleaning of their suite is a full time job.

I have been better this week with food/calorie consumption, but not diligent at all with the logging of those calories.

I NEED to get back to routine, as I am starting to sense strong negative emotions about my last 6 weeks.  My physical appearance is the biggest worry.  My clothes just don't seem to feel right anymore, and I despise looking in the mirror.

Guess I am just venting...and I am sorry for that.   I will focus on finishing this week on a positive note.

Thanks for the continued support!

Lee-Anne

Hi, 

Well, did not log my food at all this week. Did watch it but honestly - not too closely. 

I was able to get in 3 runs - 1 to 1 1/2 hours each and 1 lifting session. Disappointing but I did travel back to the East Coast with my family so that cut in alot. 

OK, so now I am ready to buckle down and get back on track (hmmmmm... how many times have we all heard that... or said that...) 

Lee-Anne - I am so lucky that I have brothers back East that are looking after my mom or else I would be having alot of issues. The rehab / long term care facility is excellent but they know that she is not going to make it / not recover so they just keep everything status quo. 

So, next week things will also get back to normal on the home front as my husband will start going back to work full time. After a full year of underemployment this is very welcome! 

All in all since I am an emotional eater I think that some things are positive and will start to take stress off.

I am also giving up chocolate for Lent.  I generally don't give things up for Lent but I guess I am feeling a bit spiritual / ascetic (mildly so..). 

I am starting to really question my diet -- I think I have to start cutting carbs and see if it has me losing weight.   I have not figured out how to do this quite yet but I think that is where I am headed. 

C'ya.

Carol

Lee-Ann - Taking those few minutes each day for yourself will help you stay grounded. If you have time for nothing else, just meditate. Find a quiet place, and just clear your mind of all the goings on... make yourself think of fields of daisies or something... LOL! I know that is an oversimplification, but I am sure you are aware that a 30 minute brisk walk, or an hour at the gym certainly has its benefits, mentally, physically, emotionally... put it to work.

Carol - CONGRATS on hubby going back to work, that is EXCELLENT news! And... I know truly, you are already feeling better about life because of it, I can "hear" it in your words.

I have only one suggestion for you on the carb cutting. Focus on protein. Thats how I did it, and it does seem to be working. In fact, I ran across an old menu plan which I used a couple years ago... not that I am "on a diet" - but its actually a good one, that is similar to how I eat anyhow, but lends just a little guidance. It's the menu plan from "The Firm". I'd be happy to share it with you, or anyone else, if interested. The macronutrients and calories fall exactly in line with my goals, and... I have already logged the entire week, and shopped last weekend, so my week is going extremely well with regard to food. In fact, I don't even have to think about it, which is wonderful!

As for your running... I don't know why, but I worry about you. I apologize if I seem pretentious, but have you re-read Lou's words in NROLFW on page 230-235? I am worried that you are over training... he says it can be counter productive, and "the best you can hope for is that you make no improvements in strength or muscle size. The worst is that you lose strength and muscle size. You may also find yourself battling...." etc etc... All I'm sayin' is... Please take care of yourself, and pace yourself so that you are reaping the rewards and benefits of your hard work.

LENT:

I am a basically religious person, not fanatical, but a believer, and consider myself to be spiritually "in touch". I've never given up anything for Lent before, and I want to do it this time. It begins today, and I still don't know what to give up! I know I could never give up chocolate... that's really my only vice. Well, coffee maybe. But I quit smoking 3 months ago, I don't eat junk food or sugar (refined) or pork any more. I have pretty much cleaned up my life in regards to health... I need ideas! Is there anyone else making a sacrifice this year? Care to share with us what you are giving up? Pretty please?

Just my two cents, Have a healthgain day everyone!
~Julie

Denise Actually the neck is a great place to gage weight loss. I remember reading once that if you really wanted to get an accurate measurement of how your fitness (shape) was progressing you should be sure to measure your joints including your neck, the recommendation was neck, wrists and ankles. If you lost in these places then you were loosing. It could make sense with being pregnant as well, your body needs more energy and warmth storage around your belly so it may be bringing energy supplies there from other locations in your body.

Germaica I think Julie said it, and yes I have said this a lot.... Wagon Jumpers tend to operating on the "all or nothing" mentality. We think we have to do our plans to 100%.... and if we don't get 100% then why bother trying? I mean, we just screwed up anyways. May as well have a little fun, a tub of ice cream, skip the gym and watch the video..... we'll make a new plan, next week, but for now I'll order some chinese.... well that's me at least. 

Maybe six months ago it hit me that this is the reason I was gaining weight. I was doing great for 2-3 months, eating low cal (or super low cal) exercising and then I got busy, stressed or just distracted and my eating habits and exercising habits fell off and I figured.... well that plan didn't work.... let's take a break and try a new one later. That break, which for me lasted anywhere from a month to 6 - 9 months typically saw me gain back any weight I had lost and then some. 

So over all I was simply loosing one lb and gaining 2 lbs.... Okay, so what if instead of giving up entirely I just struggled through with the limited amount I was doing... would I loose 1lb gain 1lb.... loose 1lb gain 0.5 lbs.... loose 1lb gain 0 lbs? It finally hit me that even if I'm not doing everything I can possibly do to loose the weight I still can think in terms of not eroding the progress that I had gained. So I can't make it to the gym this week, that doesn't mean that I have to order the chicken balls!

That perspective helps me get it back on track, I start taking the little steps and then the big ones become easier.

Lee-Anne You do have very ambitious goals for someone with your time commitments. Like I said to Germaica, maybe think of the small steps you can take to keep yourself and your health in mind. I really wish someone had impressed upon me, as I was caring for my mother in hospital, that I could have been a more capable care giver if I had taken better care of myself. Instead I let poor eating habits (there's not really healthy food at Canadian hospitals for guests) and no exercise sap my energy levels and leave me in a downward spiral where I ultimately felt lost and incapable and it took me a year to crawl out of. See what you can do towards your goals in the next 6 weeks, and set your new goals accordingly from what you have learned about your time commitments and yourself when we get to the next 12.

Carol Have to agree with Julie there, sure cut the carbs, but instead of focusing on 'taking away' focus on 'putting in' and eating more protein... the ratios are great for this. And, even when I simply focus on a protein heavy breakfast I'm amazed how much more energy I have in simple short days.

Julie With the exception of Quebec I think Canada is a much more secular country than the US.... we here, in Canada, always gawk at the role that religion plays in US politics.... here, it would be odd, likely considered socially awkward for a Prime Minister to reference God in any speech, while in the states for a President not to do so is almost political suicide. All this to say while I don't speak of religion I was raised with it, and while we here don't often use terms like believer I am comfortable with the notion of spirituality. 

Lent, in our tradition, was/is less about purging something from our lives, than about the experience of controlling our excesses. What do I mean by that? Like dieting, and successful weight loss.... it wasn't about giving up chocolate, but learning to appreciate chocolate in moderation through an experience of controlling....

An example: My brother (who now has a degree in philosophy.... should have seen that coming considering this story).... once read a poem that said something like "Drink only plain water for a month, then after the month is over drink a single glass with one single leaf of sage and note the sensation of taste"... so he did this for lent one year. It wasn't about eliminating other beverages it was about better appreciating subtle tastes. 

My yearly lent involves looking for something that I could consider that I enjoy to excess, it may be some form of entertainment, a food, a spending habit.... anything really... rather focusing on my withdrawing from it I focus on how rich my life still is without it and then when I return it to my life I try to do so with a better appreciation not only for it, but for how I should make it special by not over-indulging in it. Part of this last practice is spending the course of lent finding other things to fill that experiential gap that I will want to retain in the future. 

Hope that makes some relative sense.

Sara.

1/2 way through the 12 week goal period already!  I'm pretty much sticking with it and will hit 1,500 exercise minutes today so another successful month on that.  I have been sticking with the weigh ins two times a week, but was away one Friday a few weeks back and weighed in on Thursday instead.  So I would say about 95% fulfillment :)  

Weight loss wise I'm not doing as well, but I am maintaining.  I'm logging consistently but I've had a few days where I've had too many calories so no deficit, no deficit equals no change in the scale when it comes time to weigh in!  I've been pretty much the same weight for the past two weeks.  So I've got to step up my activity level!  

No denying I fell off the wagon on Sunday and ate way more than I should of!  Lots of cheese and crackers, binge-type food, but I logged everything in the next day.  Had I logged in sooner...  Well next time.  I'm firmly back on the wagon now.  

Good to read everyone's posts.  I'm glad you're feeling better Sara.  

Hi Jules,

On my running - I just need it. It keeps me from being completely stressed out. I like the solitary runs where even if I am running on the roads it is just me.  I find it can take me a good 20 minutes before I am in a stride that is comfortable.  There are points in certain runs that I do stop, take off my headphones and marvel at the woods and I soak it in. 

I do go to the gym but being wtih all the people does not give me the destress time that I need. 

I guess I am with people all day long which creates this reaction.

On Lent - I was raised Catholic - and Lent was a time of sacrifice at least that is how we were taught. I am going to try to live chocolate free for 40 days. Now, according to the way I was taught - you are let go from your Lent sacrifice on Sundays BUT I think I am gonna try to do it all the way through.