Wagon Jumpers - June 14 - 20th, 2009 (Closed, Waiting List Available)

Welcome 

(If you are interested in being on the waiting list, please read below and e-mail me. We currently have 1 person on the waiting list.)

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 6 Riders:

Supersized  (myself)

Year 1 - Week 2 Riders:

Msmeg1984

Defrog3

Week 50 Riders:

Wenchie58 - extended sick leave

Week 48 Riders:

Raven21 

Week 47 Riders:

Tiegurl

Week 44 Riders - Congratulations on 11 Months!:

Kyashiis

Week 38 Riders:

Nannygabber

Unlimitedana

Week 34 Riders:

Lam7

Week 30 Riders:

Cawilder

Week 29 Riders:

Figurethefat

Week 28 Riders - Congratulations on 7 Months!:

Carryonandon

Week 27 Riders:

Constanza

Week 26 Riders:

Germaica

Week 23 Riders:

Pelkeyjm

Week 22 Riders:

Jessicaanne2001

Week 5 Riders:

Dovelette

Week 3 Riders:

Jnielsen006

Week 2 Riders:

Merimeriqcontrary

NEW:

Declanphenias

Missing In Action:

Missing In Action - 1 Week:

Missing In Action - 2 Weeks:

Current Membership: 21

Current Waiting List: 2

Outstanding Wait List Invites: 0

12 Week CONSISTENCY GOALS

(as set w/o April 5th, 2009)

By June 27th, I will be...

Msmeg1984 - Maintenance: I will continue to eat less than 1800 cals/day on average New: Exercise at least 3x a week at least 9 of the 12 weeks.

Defrog3 - To continue eating healthfully for me and my little fetus, which means I need to stick to 2,000 balanced calories/day. My NEW goal is to start exercising regularly, meaning moving my butt in some fashion for 30 minutes, 3 days a week.

Cawilder - NEW: Attain a 30 / 30 / 40 food combo 80% of the time. MAINTENANCE: Running @ least 5 hours / week and 2X weight lifting. 

Unlimitedana - Maintenance goal: Eat 1550-1650 cals a day. New Goal Achieve the 40-40-20 at least two days per week.

Raven21 - 1. Exercise at least 3 x a week (maintenance) 2. Average daily calorie intake of 1450-1650 (new)

Figurethefat - For maintenance:  I will continue to complete a minimum of 1,500 exercise minutes per month.  New goal:  I will drink at least 1.5 litres of water per day.

Supersized - MAINTENANCE: Continue to eat at or below 2,000 cal/day average for at least 6 of 12 weeks, and never over 2,500 cal/day average. NEW: start going to the gym (again), and achieve at least 4 weeks where I attend the gym 3x/week. 

Lam7 - NEW GOAL:  Participate in our Navan Walking Club 10 Week Program (Tuesdays) starting April 21-June 26; as well as attend 6 "Spring into Spring" Interval Classes which will run on Thursday evenings starting April 9th, 2009. 

Constanza - (new) Eat an average of 1700 calories/day. (maintenance) Exercise at least twice weekly (calculated by average)

Kyashiis - Maintenance goal:Exercise for a minimum of 20 minutes a day 5 days a week. New goal: I will zig-zag on my food intake consistently throughout the week and end up with an average daily calorie count of 1,200 cals. 

Nannygabber - Maintenance goal of doing NROLFW 3x per week with an allowance of two weeks slack for this 12-week session.

Pelkeyjm - Maintenance: Exercise a minimum of 30 minutes at least 3x per week. New Goal: Log ALL food on calorie count.

Previous Threads:

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

Wagon Jumpers - February 22 - 28th, 2009

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

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

Weekly Topic: Exercise

The last four weeks of exercise topics I'm going to try to focus on a standard exercise type: cardio, weights, HIIT and flexibility... lets find out what we all know about each of these types of exercise and how we use them.

This week: Cardio

Do you do cardio in your exercise routine? Why? Why not? What do you like / loathe about cardio? Do you have any questions for the group about cardio?

Motivational Guru

Reminder: we have two weeks left in June don't forget the member who gets nominated the most times for sending polite and positive reminders to members who are about to be MIA or go who MIA gets a prize at the end of the month.

I'm going to be early in posting for a change...

Check-In

I'm happy to say that I'm feeling somewhat better about my healthgain journey... I've learned that I'm a slow and steady person, I can't load on too much at once or I have a spectatular fall...

I did well last year, and although at that time I was not using a scale I can say that I went from a size 20 to a size 14... my weight at X-mas at size 14 was about 210 lbs...which if I use the 10 lbs / size I suppose puts me somewhere in the area of 250 lbs when I began this journey... likely the heaviest I have ever been. I was very happy that I did not put on more weight during X-mas, and I have this group to thank for being the first year since I've been struggling with weight that I did not yo-yo diet my way up another 5 or 10 lbs during the year, ending with a net loss.

Then I fell off the wagon after X-mas and have been struggling to get back on for quite some time. I started using a scale this year, and between getting the calories under control an getting exercise back in my life I had a slow climb back up to just under 225 lbs...

I just couldn't seem to get it in control for awhile, my clothes were getting a bit snugger and I was loosing motivation. But as usual having the group here, helped. I'm happy to say I've been on a steady slow loss for the past 4 weeks, I'm now back under 220 lbs and heading for 215.... clothes are fitting better already.

This Week's Topic

I actually love cardio, but I hate running. I like cardio machines. I like the all over workout feel they give me, how I can feel my body warming up, the sweat that makes me feel like I am accomplishing something.

Unfortunately, I've figured out that cardio is one of the least effective ways for me to loose weight, I'm not sure if it's becaue my body has adjusted to it, or simply because in the past I was ignoring weights entirely.

This year I've started on a weights program (NROLFW that many of us are familiar with) and seen some great success in weight, measurements and overall strength.

I do still need some cardio in my life, as it's exercise that I can count on myself to do, so I took up rowing. I love it as a sport and it's a good cardio workout. Having a team that I am accountable to also makes sure that I don't flake on it.

Although I do "cardio" type activities like biking and walking I don't think I get anywhere near where my target heart rate should be.  Inspired by several CC friends I've decided to take up running in the form of doing 5k on the treadmill.  5k is 3.11 miles so it's a nice little stretch to cover.   So far I've done two and managed to get my time down to just over 43 minutes.  Eventually I'd like to be able to jog the whole distance.  But even then it would be a fairly easy pace of probably less than 5 mph so my heart still probably would not be operating in the optimum cardio mode.  And I have a hard time counting beats anyway even if it's just for 6 seconds.

So bottom line for me with cardio is I'll do it, I like it, but I'm not getting technical about the heart rate etc :)

Weekly check in:  I had a few too many over indulgences the past week, but yesterday was very good.  I had temptations, managed to say no, still had some great food, and felt good about it afterwards :)

I'm getting back on track this week so I am going to get back in the habbit of posting on Sunday.  Its just makes it so much easier and its when I dont that I tend to not post or wait till the last minute.  That being said let me get on with it.  I finally trained with my trainer on Friday but because she heard me cough(I have been battling a virus and then bronchitis)as she came in the gym she refused to let me do a full workout and once again gave me quite the lecture.  I feel much better now and am rarely coughing.  I finally purchased a heart rate monitor and calorie counter and have been surprised at how little calories I burn throughout the day.  I was def. over estimating and that is prob. why I have made slow progress.  I do like doing cardio but only in the form of a class such as cycling or dance.  Just doing cardio on a machine really bores me and I have to switch it up.  I have never been much of a runner but would love to start.  Has anyone here done the couch to 5K program?  What were the pros and cons that you found while doing it?  Is there a website dedicated to finding 5k's?  I hope everyone has a fabulous week!

I hate cardio.  I try to do it as infrequently as possible and would probably rather do anything else in this world besides cardio.  I'm so happy in Stage 1 of NROLFW  because it's not written in; I'm dreading Stage 2 when we add intervals in.  Blech.

I don't know why to be honest.  I like lifting a lot, I feel strong and powerful, but every time I start a new cardio routine or whatever it just doesn't stick and I end up hating it again.  Even if it's just a 20 minute workout - hate it.  The only thing I've ever liked cardio wise is kickboxing, and I also like dancing in general but those stupid workout videos that incorporate dance aren't really dancing ya know?  I mean I really like to salsa dance, as in at a club etc, NOT in my living room where I "March it out" in the middle. 

Of course the problem with this is that my hubby has two left feet when it comes to any sort of partner dancing.  At a club, to electronic music, we'll bounce around for hours til I'm pouring sweat and I love it, but there's no hope for his two left feet or inability to count lol.

I feel extrodinarily slow this morning. I did manage to do all my grocery shopping on Sunday (this is a big transition from being a daily grocery shopper to a weekly one) but I forgot to cook my breakfasts / lunches for the week so I had to buy them this morning. I'm glad I'm the first one in the office this morning, because I feel like I'm moving in slow motion, I hope I catch up to regular speed by the time most people roll in.

Have a good day all.

Hi Gals,

Last week was a rough week for me. My good friend/mentor was in the hospital and she passed away yesterday morning.  I had meetings upon meetings and this week looks the same.  I'm still getting in exercise 3x a week (to keep myself sane!) but my eating is just sort of there. I'm trying to not let my emotions guide my eating habits this week, but its very hard.

Cardio and I have an on again off again relationship. I like doing the short intervals in NROLFW, so i'm looking forward to that. I like taking walks with my puppy and sometimes running is a  nice change of pace. 

I hate that cardio is boring... So thats one of the reasons that i love lifting so much. Also, i don't get results from cardio, it turns me "skinny fat." I like having that muscle tone more than anything. :)

Well - i've got to get to the office and get some work done...

Hey msmeg - sorry to hear about your loss. Great job on keeping up on the exercise during your super busy season.

super - that's a Monday thing in my experience. Also probably has something to do with you being off schedule with breakfasts/lunches etc. You'll get back into the swing of things.

dovelette - it's all about finding something you really enjoy with cardio. And sometimes the things you hated when you were younger are now things that inspire you. Having a goal in mind (besides weightloss) is also helpful. For instance, I have taken up running again this past year which is something I really didn't think I would ever enjoy. I mean I always wanted to be someone you would call a "runner" but being overweight I just didn't think I had it in me. Well I ran my first 5K 2 weekends ago and it was great. I am looking for more races in my area for the summer and aiming for longer races this time next year.

Jess - yes I have done the Couch to 5 K and I believe there are others in the group that have as well. I definitely recommend it. If you go to this link http://www.ullreys.com/robert/Podcasts/page4/ page4.html there are podcasts you can download, with music and he tells you when to run and when to walk so you don't have to be looking at your watch all the time. I found it really really helped.

figure - I have often wondered if I would be way off on the calorie burn if I had a heart rate monitor. I think I'm going to ask for one for Christmas, especially when training for races etc I want to be working in the optimal heart rate zone etc.

As for me, I think I might have answered it already but I love running, biking is something I want to get back into and swimming (my first love really, Mom said I must have been born with gills lol). Problem in my area is we only have an outdoor pool which is open from June until Sept AND adult swims are 3 evenings a week at 8pm only. Kind of sucks but I still will probably try to take advantage of it. The other cardio that I REALLY have gotten into is boxing. It's both cardio and strength training for your arms and core. I am starting classes the first tuesday in July, really pumped about it since the only other real experience I had with it is a couple classes months ago and the wii

Well that's it for me. Have a great week everyone!

Carrie

raven -- you could do triathlons!

meg -- good for you for keeping your eating and emotions separate.  So sorry about your friend.

dovelette -- If I set out to actually do "cardio" I don't think I'd like it, but it can be as simple as walking at first, then getting your pace up a bit.  

I forgot to mention that I love that awesome feeling I get when the sweat starts flying off me -- that's what I like about pushing myself a bit harder with the running.  I do want to be careful of injuries though :)

jessica -- here's a link to the website talking about couch to 5k.  

super -- you're so fortunate to be able to row and with a team too!  I envy you.

This topic: Yes, I do cardio. I do lots of it. I probably do it more than I do strength training. Although I do have enough strength training in my routine. I do cardio because it's a way to burn calories and get the heart pumping and it does what strength training can't. While strength training builds muscles and burn fat more efficiently, cardio burns fat differently then strength training. Plus its easier to fit in to my schedule then weight training. I think it's easier then strength training and just plan fun. Plus there is a lot of flexibility with cardio then there is with strength training.

super-good job with getting back on the wagon and getting things under control again.

msmeg-sorry for your lost

Hi,

This week: Cardio

Do you do cardio in your exercise routine? As most of you guys know I am a runner - like long distances - I run a minimum of 6 miles at one session and I try to run 15 miles or so once per week.  I used to use a Garmin Forerunner 50 system - heart rate, distance, calories, etc. It broke and now I am running with just a watch, but I like the Forerunner 50 because it was conservative on my calories burned since it was from distance and not heart rate. For the same run, my Timex heart strap/watch said 3200 cals/burned and my Garmin said 1800 cals/burned.

Why? Running for me is meditative but I honestly run on forest trails and for me it calms me down and centers me. I do sometimes stop, take off my hat, and I look up and I am all alone and I am centered. I think it is not completely steady state aerobics as I run lots of hills. My heart rate goes between 132 to 156bpm.  I have worked pretty hard on watching my heart rate and maintaining at some rate. I also have worked hard at not exhausting myself early in the runs. I go out slower than I feel and I can always speed up during my run.

I do do intervals on the stairmaster but this is a quick 30 minutes.  It is pure drudgery for me so it is solely for fat burn...

What do you like / loathe about cardio? I don't like - I have to clear out time to do my running - it takes anywhere from 10 to 20 minutes to get to the trail. 5 mins to get ready to run, then the run and then commute back. It is hard on my family sometimes but my husband understand it so he handles things.  I like: I can just go run and forget stuff or think about stuff and be alone.

Do you have any questions for the group about cardio?
In NROLFW steady aerobics si considered "bad". I have tried to mix intervals and steady state. Honestly, I think my aerobics reduces my stress which reduces my cortisol and thus I lose weight.

I am continuing to work on my diet this week. I have lost about 5lbs of my weigth gain of 10lbs. I am continuing trying to reign in my "emotional eating". It is NOT easy.  Recently, it is hardest since my best friend is my husband and I can't confide in him all my food issues. He just wigs out.

I am working on the Beck Diet Solution Workbook - somethings are sticking - eat slowly, etc. some things are not - only eating when eating (I tend to do work, read, talk, etc.) and stand up eating.  I have been kind of searching for a "formal" diet but either they are too restrictive and I have to cook specific meals or their are foods that I really don't like. Or they are so non-specific that I can not figure out the "rules".  I have started to up my protein by using a non-fat milk + vanilla whey powder shaken together - it is 183 calories.  I also have to find a diet coach...  

MsMeg - I am sorry about your friend. Having recently lost my mom I totally understand.

Hey all!

Msmeg - Sorry to hear about your loss. You will be in my thoughts.

Sara - I find that doing bi-weekly food shopping works best for me. 1 big trip and a smaller 2nd one in case I forgot some stuff. And I usually do.

Jessicaann - I have started the C25K, I'm doing it with the podcast that Carrie (Raven - thanks!) recommended. It's great and encouraging. Especially at the end when you want to quit.

Weekly topic - I love to walk! It's almost meditative for me and centers me, kinda like the running for Carol. I have a nature park about 7 mins walk from my home. It's a great way to get away form my stress. I have gotten better with my endurance thanks to the walks I take. And my husband likes to come along with me, so it's even better.

I hope running will become as important to me as walking. I did the first week of C25k, but did not do the last run. It felt like I had cement feet, they where so heavy. Plus I don't think I was running much faster than walking. But I'm not discouraged, I will build up strenght, endurance and speed with time. It feels like a great workout, I hurt all over, I feel muscles I don't usually notice and I was sweating! Lol!

I used to do a lot of aerobic dancing when I was a teenager. I loved the music and the dancing. But I realize now that I was not pushing myself enough during the workout. I stayed in the easy zone, I didn't bend my knees deeply or did the full range of motion required. I also don't have enough room right now to do some DVDs at home (I used to do the Jane Fonda tape). I might look into an aerobics class though, but I like being outside in the summer. Maybe for winter or late fall.

I have a mini stepper that I used during the winter. I only like it because it's convenient and I can watch TV while I do it. Otherwise it would be too boring. That's why I don't really like the gym, it's dull for me.

Have a great week Wagon Jumpers!

Thank you everyone for the thoughts and prayers. I really appreciate it. I am so incredibly lucky to have such a strong support system.

2.5 more weeks and my life will finally return to a normal pace :)

Germaica & Sara - I also do the bi-weekly food shopping!  Not only does it save me time, it has literally cut our grocery bill in half!  I guess because we have less opportunities to buy junk or to throw things in the cart that are not on our list :) I wish i could make it just once a month and then get little things like fruit and milk as needed.

Yeah, I know I need to find something I enjoy or change the mindset about not "doing cardio" but I tried c25k last year, ran a 5k, hated every single second of it.  Even hoped the whole "being a runner" mindset would sink BACK in and tried to pick it up again - nope.  Walking, hiking, biking...I just don't like any of them.  I cannot get into a 'zone' that so many people talk about where I magically leave this place and go to a happy one.  I just watch the timer/clock/whatever desperately hoping for it to end. 

But like I said, I do like dancing.  I had some luck with belly dancing but don't feel I got my heart rate up enough.  Let me loose in a club and I will burn some serious calories (which I will promptly replace with booze lol).  I used to like swimming as well, but it makes me very very nervous to swim "laps" or to really swim at all in the ocean (there are lots of very unsafe areas around the islands, and since Cape Verdeans for the most part are afraid of water and don't swim, and there are no lifeguards here...I dont' know how/where I'd do it).  And kickboxing, but it has to be a class - the videos make me roll my eyes.

Maybe just turning up the music and dancing will get me back "moving" in a cardio way.

OH!  OMG how did I forget!  I used to hoop dance!  Crap Im staring right at my hoops as we speak, er, type!  Huh, why did I stop doing that in the first place? Hrm...

Cawilder (and all you other runners) you have no idea how much I envy you.  I really REALLY hoped when I did c25k last year that it would click and I would all of a sudden get the whole running thing. 

My head never did clear yesterday, and I used it as an excuse not to go to the gym. Forutnatley it has cleared today and I feel like I have much more energy. I really don't understand why there is such a big difference from one day to the next. I don't feel like going out and being social this week, probably due to my over sociability last week. The plan is to make it through this last 1.25 hours at work, joyfully run for the streetcar, get out of this pseudo-monkey suit, hit the gym and grab a video on the way home.

I had forgot about swimming as cardio, I LOVE swimming, like Carrie I practically learned how to swim before walk. I've two issues with regular swimming, first is lack of a pool, I need to be a bit more organized than I am to make it out during the 1 hr swim at the community centre, the other is that I'm still not comfortable in a swim suit... I know, who is?

Like Dove, I wish I could get into the zone as a runner, I can do it on a cardio machine for awhile, but running outdoors seems to be more zen (not to mention free)... but, again, I'm a bit too self conscious, and I never do actually feel liberated when I'm running, I feel floppy and fat... maybe once I get closer to my healthy weight range my body will change it's mind...

I just wanted to say hello and that I am excited about joining this group.

On the cardio topic, right now that is all I am doing. I fell in love with belly dance about a year ago and haven't stopped. I recently started Bhangra dancing love it even more. It will definitely get your heart up. I am moving towards strength training, but dragging my feet on it.

Welcome Declanphineas! If you have any questions please ask away!

Hey Everyone:

Time seems to be just rushing past me. I don't know how it got to be Tuesday already!

I finally got my furniture this week, and its gorgeous.

CHECKIN: I am on track still. Making it to the gym, doing NROLFW, and Zumba. NEWS: I am considering going to take training to become a Zumba instructor. I will know more in July.

TOPIC: Cardio... cardio. I do it. I never did like it much before, but now that I am in shape, I love it. I don't do much more than the 20 minutes of HIIT at the end of a NROLFW workout, and twice per week Zumba. Dove, if there is any chance you can find a Zumba class, I think it would strike a chord in ya! There's no "marching it out" ever. LOL! If you can't find one, I am pretty sure you can get videos from their website, or maybe even on youtube?

What I like about cardio... the sweating. It makes me feel as if I have accomplished what I set out to do. What I LOVE about cardio, is that after about 8 minutes on a machine, I get into my groove. There is a zone where my heartrate reduces, and my breathing is paced, yet I am still running the same pace. This is of course when I am doing steady cardio, and not the intervals. What I used to dislike about it? Well, I hated getting started. That "ugh, I really don't want to move today" feeling... But I have found that if it is done after stretching out good, then doing the NROLFW routine, i am loose, warmed up, and pumped up ready to get to it. I totally dig the challenge of trying to get my heartrate past 155. It has become really TOUGH to do that!

I am a firm believer that music speeds you along. There is nothing like listening to some really loud, really rockin' music on my iPod and hitting it as hard as I can in the intervals... its an amazing feeling, and I'm finished before I know it.

Sara - I am happy for you that you found your mojo. Keep saying positive things to yourself! It's great that you're losing, I am so proud of ya!

Germaica - You inspire me to keep after it. I love the fact that you are staying encouraged and looking past the initial soreness. Together we can be a testament that "if you build it, they will come"...

Meg - I am so sorry for your loss. Stay strong, and stick to what you know, it can be an anchor in a time of difficulty.

Figure - There isn't any reason you should "have" to get really technical. You really have to start with what is right for you anyway!

Raven - Swimming! ... something I really love also, but just don't make time for. I suppose that's ok, since I make time for so much else. But I do miss the water.

Jessica - what kind of heart rate monitor did you get?

Tiegurl - Are you doing C25K?

Carol - I am so happy to hear you are losing! That emotional eating will getcha though, watch out for it, and nix it! Just focus on what is most important. (Tasting something sweet (for example) or losing the next pound...??) If you read the article I posted week before last called "Toxic Vocabulary" - I believe the sum total of it said its all about diversion. Taking your attention off the "not having" and telling yourself what you "can have". IE: Rather than telling myself I can't have ice cream for dessert, I tell myself I am having a yummy mango. I don't think about the ice cream, I think about the mango. And I actually look forward to it! Another example: Rather than telling myself "I can't watch TV tonight... " I tell myself: "I am going to the gym for Zumba!" And I have come to believe myself! Not just believe IN myself... but I actually believe what I say! LOL! I don't even think twice about the TV. Another example: Rather than say: "I can't spend this money, I have to save it." I say: "I will wait until I have another $50 to put with this, and then get that (insert item)!"

Sorry, got on a roll there... hehe... not intended to blast you in particular, Carol! Its more selftalk to ME!... and anyone else who will listen.

Declanphineas - I extend you a warm Healthgain WELCOME to our group!

Will catch up with you guys later, need to head out for Zumba!

~Julie

Julie no not there yet. Lol. Still working on completing a 5k.

Welcome Declanphineas

Hi all!  

This month is a crazy one - I'm heading to my college reunion this weekend, followed by a week of family vacation.  Am hoping I (and my diet and exercise regime) survive!  The plan is to take along a notebook for food log and my running shoes.

Which feeds right into this week's topic!  I've always like sports, of the cardio type, like volleyball, tennis or ultimate frisbee, but never liked straight up cardio, like running.  I'm two weeks into a beginning running program (second try, first try was last year.  It got derailed after a vacation when I fell of the wagon and then forgot the wagon existed.)  I seriously think I have the makings of a star runner.  This is at least slightly hilarious given the hijinks I pulled on high school sports coaches to avoid the running part of warm-up routines.  But I love being outside by myself, I like the feeling I get when I realize I've hit my groove, and I feel great and accomplished at the end.  So I'm trying to stick with this program until I get past the part where it's physically hard, so I can enjoy the other parts.  At the end of week two I don't feel as broken up the next day, and while it's still very challenging (partly because the intervals keep getting longer), I feel stronger.  I run with a pedometer that gives me distance as well as time spent, and claims to be able to check heart rate too.  It helps that I'm doing an 8 week program - it sounds short enough to do.  :)  For anyone interested, I found it on runnersworld.com

So for the time being my routine is cardio-cardio-cardio.  Previously it was strength- strength-'cardio'.  I have no trouble getting my heartrate up - when I'm at the gym the machines are constantly telling me my heartrate is high.  It hangs out between 160 and 170, which I'd be concerned about except that I feel fine at those points, not out of breath, not struggling or anything, and also my resting heartrate is usually fairly low.  I'm trying to work up to being able to do 45 minutes straight running (right now I'm at half an hour with 5 1-minute walk-breaks), then I'll get my pilates back in, maybe some yoga and other strength training as well.  

Sara: Hooray for teams and social pressure leading to good things!  The self-consciousness issue is a hard one to get around.  When I tried running the first time I definitely only went out at night because I was uncomfortable with looking obviously - inexpert, shall we say - particularly here in SoCal where everybody is all sculpted and manicured.  One thing that's helped me - and this may be my own weird negative motivation - is knowing that I have to start somewhere, so there'll never be a time better than now to put the suit/spandex pants on and go.  Also, when I see people out exercising, regardless of how inexpert they may look, I'm always thinking 'good for you!  stick it out!  maybe that'll help me stick it out too!'  I've gotten to the point where I don't even think about it..  Probably more of a reaction than you were expecting - I guess that hit a nerve!

JessicaAnn: If you can handle a ridiculous number of banner ads, the runnersworld website is great - if you sign up for a free account you can log your workouts online, log miles, join support groups, and all kinds of cool things.  They also have example running programs, like the beginner one I'm doing, 5ks, 10ks, and more intense stuff.  

Dove: sounds like you're due for a reacquaintance with your hoop!

Carrie: Boxing sounds faaaabulous - tell us how it goes!

Carol: I've also dallied with 'Volumetrics', the idea of which is to make meals filling in terms of volume but still healthy and low-cal.  There's a bunch of solid tweaks you can make to food you might eat anyway, which was helpful for me.  

Germaica: way to go on starting running too!  I like having company - hope it keeps going well (and gets easier) :)

Declanphineas: Welcome!

Julie: How exciting - you should def be a Zumba instructor!

MsMeg: I'm so sorry about your loss.  It's a hard thing, but you'll pull through..