Wagon Jumpers - May 3 - May 9th, 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 a waiting list of 5 people.)

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. 

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

Week 52 Riders - 1 YEAR!!!:

Supersized  (myself)

Week 48 Riders:

Msmeg1984

Defrog3

Week 44 Riders - Congratulations on 11 Months!:

Wenchie58 - away May 9th, 2009

Week 42 Riders:

Raven21 

Week 41 Riders:

Tiegurl

Week 37 Riders:

Kyashiis

Week 35 Riders:

Unlimitedana

Week 35 Riders:

The_Vitamin_Dominatrix

Week 32 Riders - Congratulations on 8 Months!:

Nannygabber

Week 28 Riders - Congratulations on 7 Months!:

Lam7

Week 25 Riders:

Maureenz

Week 24 Riders - Congratulations on 6 Months!:

Cawilder

Week 23 Riders:

Figurethefat

Week 22 Riders:

Carryonandon

Week 21 Riders:

Constanza

Week 20 Riders - Congratulations on 5 Months!:

Germaica

Week 18 Riders:

Jessicaanne2001

Week 5 Riders:

Thesilverstar121

Missing In Action:

Pelkeyjm

Missing In Action - 1 Week:

Missing In Action - 2 Weeks:

Current Membership: 20

Current Waiting List: 5

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)

Thesilverstar121 - Excercising at least 3x a week.

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.

The_Vitamin_Dominatrix - Maintenance goal - I will continue to eat 1400-1500 calories daily with a ratio of 15% fat, 25% protein, 60% carbohydrates. New goal - Gym or no gym, I will workout 3 to 4 times a week.

Previous Threads:

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

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

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

I feel like I have been posting, posting, posting this week but I HAVE TO SHARE THIS!

I made these mushroom's stuffed with feta cheese tonight and they were awesome!  Check out the recipe at http://caloriecount.about.com/stuffed-mushroo ms-recipe-r217480

Enjoy!

Jessica--YUM, but how can you eat just one??  I'd want all 4, personally...

Popping in to fess up that I haven't figured out how to schedule in the gym yet this week. I'm in my wrap up week from work and it's not that I'm not motivated to go to the gym but the guilt of leaving when they haven't found a replacement yet (despite me giving them 6 weeks notice) has me running around like a crazy chicken concentrating on their needs and not my own. 

Grrrrr

Hey, Sara, I know that you can find the time to go to the gym this week.  There's no need for you to feel guilt b/c you're moving on to greener pastures.  If they haven't found a replacement for you yet, that's management's problem, NOT YOURS.  That's why they get paid the big buckaroos!

Good luck,

D

Jessica - Mmmmm - that looks like something I could honestly make a meal of... Say... about 10 of em!

Sara - ... priorities, Sister!!

CHECKIN:

The week is going well. Monday I sorta went over on calories, but made up for it yesterday. I've been to the gym twice and heading out again this eve. Yesterday was a Zumba party!! Two whole hours of it. With refreshments in the middle, which I did avoid. I don't need all that red fruity punch and stuff. I just went for my water bottle instead, primarily due to the fact it was hot, and I was sweaty! The interval style that this class offers is awesome.

I am beginning Stage 4 in NROLFW today. It is a repeat of Stage 2. As it turns out Stage 2 and 3 are repeated in Stages 4 and 5, which makes sense to me. They continue with the theory of confusing the routine so your body doesn't become "immune". I am excited because the amount of weight lifted goes up, and I'm looking forward to adding some more muscle.

Hope you all are keepin' it Healthgain!
~Julie

Sara, not having found a replacement is not your issue, you did right in giving them proper notice and working your butt off until your last day, transitioning...now it is time to move on, and one of your to do things is to get to the gym.  You will only feel better as a result!  Take the time for you!!!!

As for this week's topic, I have come to realize that my motivation is group activities.  I just love my interval classes, and wish they could go on forever!  The class is inexpensive and very effective.  My not so motivational time is during the winter months, but this year, if you all remember, I kicked myself in he butt and was outside often, sliding with my youngest.  This year we are planning on building a skating rink on our front lawn, to keep us all active.  remaining young at heart and playing with the kids is wonderful!

I remain on track, and as a result, each week I am inspired to do more.  I believe the nice weather does play a role.  Have been out biking, roller blading, walking, and just can't wait ...  the pool is almost ready...to be swimming my butt off...(wouldn't that be nice!!!)?

Have a great week everyone!

Oh, and with regards to the number of members...I am okay with your suggestion, as the numbers do drop during the summer months.  What is important though, is that it does not impact any of your time Sara, as you do dedicate much of your time for us here.  It is always, always, always, very much appreciated!

Lee-Anne

You know balancing the roles in my life is what does set me off track - wife, mother, worker, sister, friend, athlete-wannabe, etc.

Yesterday I did an 8 mile trail run - it was bliss! Pure exalted bliss! Nobody around cuz it was raining - heck this is Oregon! So, I get back to the car @ 5PM and there are 3 calls from my husband - where are you? blah blah blah. He told me to go running so I did and now he feels I am shirking my mom duties as his child is driving him crazy.

And you know the thing that suffers most in my life is not seeing my girlfriends - they have stopped calling because I am so busy.

Balance I think also keeps you on track and motivated, but otherwise it is very difficult.

Carol - trying to balance my life usually sets me off track too. Except i have all these things i want to be doing - cleaning, cooking, scrapbooking, running, weightlifting, learning guitar, playing with puppy... and I don't have time for all of them!

I've done good with exercise this week. Already have 2 days in, my legs hurt today though, so i'm taking a day off and i have a 5k to run in on Saturday.

I'm slowly getting on track with the food again. I wish i could stop having weeks where i completely abandon any cares of what i put in my mouth, but thats the pattern i'm in.  Need to look into that some more. Its always triggered when i go about 2 months without any loss... so hmph.

Starting up NROLFW again next week and I am so excited!

A lot of Americans think they're eating a healthy diet these days. But it's easy to be fooled by our assumptions and the ways that food manufacturers play on them.

Take chicken. The average American eats about 90 pounds of it a year, more than twice as much as in the 1970s, part of the switch to lower-fat, lower-cholesterol meat proteins. But roughly one-third of the fresh chicken sold in the U.S. is "plumped" with water, salt and sometimes a seaweed extract called carrageenan that helps it retain the added water. The U.S. Department of Agriculture says chicken processed this way can still be labeled "all natural" or "100% natural" because those are all natural ingredients, even though they aren't naturally found in chicken.

Producers must mention the added ingredients on the package -- but the lettering can be small: just one-third the size of the largest letter in the product's name. If you're trying to watch your sodium to cut your risk of high blood pressure, heart attack and stroke, it pays to check the Nutrition Facts label. Untreated chicken has about 45 to 60 mgs of sodium per four-ounce serving. So-called enhanced or "plumped" chicken has between 200 and 400 mgs of sodium per serving, almost as much as a serving of fast-food french fries.

Adding salt water became widespread when big discount stores began selling groceries and wanted to sell chicken at uniform weights and prices. Plumping packaged chicken helps even out the weight. But that means consumers are paying for added salt water at chicken prices -- an estimated $2 billion worth every year, according to the Truthful Labeling Coalition, a group of chicken producers that don't enhance their products.

Makers of enhanced chicken, including some of the biggest U.S. producers, say many consumers prefer it in blind taste tests and that it stays moister. Ray Atkinson, a spokesman for Pilgrim's Pride, says the company sells both enhanced and unenhanced chicken because consumers ask for it. He also notes that even at 330 mg of sodium, the enhanced chicken qualifies for the American Heart Association's mark of approval.

A survey released this week from Foster Farms, a member of the Truthful Labeling Coalition, found that 63% of consumers are unaware of the practice, and 82% believe that salt-water-injected chicken shouldn't carry the all-natural label. The telephone survey polled 1,000 consumers on the West Coast.

Here are some other foods that may not be as healthy as they appear.

Salt substitutes. If you're trying to cut down on salt, check with your doctor before you start using a salt substitute. Most contain potassium chloride, which can exacerbate kidney problems and interact badly with some heart and liver medications.

Artificial Sweeteners. Sugar-free gum, mint and candy have fewer calories and are better for your teeth. But they frequently contain sorbitol, a plant extract that isn't completely absorbed by the body and works as a natural laxative. Consuming a single pack of gum or mints can cause bloating, flatulence, stomach pains and diarrhea in people who are sensitive to it. Some diabetics find that such sugar alcohols, which are sweet but have few calories, can raise their blood sugar. Others include maltitol and xylitol.

Trans fat. There's been a remarkable reduction in these artery-cloggers in processed foods recently. But manufacturers are allowed to round down: Products labeled zero grams of trans fat can have up to 0.49 gram of fat per serving. You could still be consuming significant amounts of trans fat, "especially when the serving size is unrealistic," says Bonnie Taub-Dix, a nutritionist and spokeswoman for the American Dietetic Association, a nonprofit professional organization. If the ingredients include partially hydrogenated oil, hydrogenated oil or shortening, a product isn't completely trans-fat free. And it may have considerable saturated fat as well.

The same rounding principle applies to zero calories, fat and carbohydrates. Walden Farms, which advertises a line of dips, spreads and dressings as "Fat Free, Sugar Free and Calorie Free," says its products do have trace calories and up to 0.49 gram of fat and carbohydrates per serving.

"Wheat bread." This is a meaningless term, since almost all bread is made with wheat. Some manufacturers add to the illusion by using a brown wrapper or darkening bread with brown sugar or molasses. The more healthful stuff is whole wheat, which includes the outer bran and the wheat germ inside, good sources of nutrients and fiber. Check the ingredients. If the first one listed is "enriched wheat flour," you aren't getting much whole grain.

A few bread makers are still displaying the USDA's old Food Pyramid on their packages -- the one that recommended six to 11 servings of bread or pasta a day. That's been replaced by a more individualized pyramid that recommends only six carbohydrate servings, three of which should be whole grains.

Fiber. Companies are adding fiber to all kinds of products -- including yogurt, ice cream and beverages. In many cases, the added fiber comes from purified powders, not the kind of fiber found in whole grains, beans, vegetables and fruits. The latter have been shown to lower cholesterol, reduce the risk of diabetes and heart disease and may cut the risk of colon cancer. But there isn't much evidence that "isolated" fibers like inulin, maltodextrin, oat fiber and polydextrose have the same effect, according to the Center for Science in the Public Interest, a nonprofit consumer-advocacy group. The Nutrition Facts label doesn't differentiate between the kind of fiber counted, so check the ingredients.

"The added fiber is probably better than nothing, but it's not as good as fiber from natural sources like fruits, vegetables and whole grains," says CSPI Executive Director Michael Jacobson.

Yogurt. The yogurt aisle is dizzy these days with products that promise to reduce your cholesterol, control your blood pressure, protect your digestive health or boost your immune system. In many cases, it's a single ingredient that provides the benefit, and you can find much more of it in other sources. For example, Promise activ SuperShots say they "Help Control Blood Pressure" thanks to 350 mgs of potassium. There's much more potassium in a banana, a cup of spinach or a baked potato. DanActive probiotic dairy drink's immunity-boosting claims stem from its L. casei Immunitas active culture. There's lots of research interest in such probiotics, but for now, the marketing is ahead of the science. The friendly bacteria in DanActive has mainly been shown to fight diarrhea in people taking antibiotics.

Super water. The Center for Science in the Public Interest sued Coca-Cola Co. earlier this year over claims on its VitaminWater beverages. The center argued that the drinks -- with names like "defense," "rescue," "energy" and "endurance" -- are mainly sugar water with 125 calories per bottle. Coke called the lawsuit "frivolous" and said its VitaminWater brands are properly labeled. "Consumers today are savvy, they are educated and they are looking for more from their beverages than simply hydration," said Coke spokesman Scott Williamson.

Government surveys show that most Americans aren't deficient in many of the vitamins supplied in these drinks. If you consume more than you need, the excess gets excreted.

Omega 3. Many foods are adding these essential fatty acids, said to cut the risk of heart disease, cancer and arthritis and help promote brain health. But you can get a lot more from natural foods. You'd need to drink 45 eight-ounce glasses of milk that is fortified with 32 mgs of omega 3 to get as much of these fatty acids as you get in a three-ounce serving of salmon.

Will any of the products mentioned here hurt you? No, but they may not help you as much as manufacturers would like you to think. "Try to buy foods as close to their natural state as possible," says Ms. Taub-Dix.

D - Thanks for posting! I am all about dispelling marketing myths, very interesting indeed....

~Julie

Thanks, tiegurl! And congrats to you, too!! Now we just have to cross our fingers and hope the (inter)national job situation improves. Hopefully,  you're already set, though.

defrog - thanks for posting that. Despite going into business, these types of things really bug me - especially since not all marketing is bad, but this kind of stuff means we all have to be wary. "Consumer beware" is part of the whole consumerist/capitalist game I guess. The Walden Farms products mentioned in the article are also not even very good tasting - well, at least the calorie-free alfredo sauce isn't. blech.

I'm always checking the number of ounces of food in any bag/package to see if it's the same amount for the same price, etc., as the last time I bought it - or compared to competing products at the store. I'll do that for a lot of things if I'm not brand-loyal to something. For instance, I have to buy a certain brand of feminine products, deodorant and also choose to buy a specific brand of cottage cheese, margerine, cheese and even bread (Aunt Millie's deli rye for that one).  But I'm price/quantity-sensitive to most things.

Hello all!

Check-in

Well, it's been a crazy start to the week - we've got a gnarly fire raging above town, it's HOTHOTHOT, and I feel like I haven't got any energy at all at all.  That said, I have managed to get out to exercise a couple times already, and am vaguely keeping close to logging properly even though my calorie goal is still not under control. 

Topic

Motivation is a big issue, of course.  I definitely do much better when I've got other people involved in whatever it is (I hear you, Jessica!)  This weekend, incidentally, I went to a volleyball game on the beach.  We may have nasty fires, but the upside of living in Santa Barbara is bronzed gods and goddesses on the beach playing volleyball.  And, in keeping with the discussion of superficial preoccupations with looks, I have to admit that I always enjoy being around good-looking people.  So there's my motivation to go play!  Yes, please!  lol!

I'm hitting my regular wall with exercising by myself, even though I'm still enjoying the walks in the reserve near my house it's becoming more of a struggle to get out on the trail.  So I'm going to make an effort to mix things up to help me stay interested and in the game.  Hopefully volleyball can be a part of that   Tiegurl and Carol, I'm definitely going to try to do some of the things you do.  I've recently decided to work on how I think about exercise - I can't let it feel/seem optional, it's got to be a no-choice, have-to-do-it thing, I think.  Whenever I have wiggle room I wiggle out!  So I liked the 'just do it' strategy, as well as the 'little steps' one. 

The other thing that's been great for me is my spreadsheet, for two reasons.  First, because my goal is an average, when I have little falls off the wagon they don't seem as disastrous; and it's clear what I have to do to fix them and get closer to my goals.  Second, it reinforces that I need to constantly work on planning my meals and being mindful of my food choices.  Bad decisions show instantly in my little goal-progress estimate. 

I definitely think looking good is a big motivator - for instance, when I don't have a mirror prominent in the house, things kind of get out of control.  But I don't want to be super skinny, I want to be ridiculously lean and fit.  Like those bronzed gods and goddesses in the adjacent beach volleyball courts!  Or some of the people at my yoga studio.  I see people looking like that, and I think 'good lord, that's hot!  If I keep coming to yoga will I look like that too?'  So maybe I can use that to motivate me more too...  See?  good things can come of superficial thoughts!  Besides, I think it's been pretty well proven that the reason we as humans like looking at people/things that look pretty (read 'fit', or whatever), is because we associate them with health and benefit.  It's a natural and pretty sensible tendency - we shouldn't have to apologize for it!

Other notes

Congrats on 6 months, Defrog!!  And good luck as the little tyke keeps growing!  And ps, what's PITA??

MsMeg, good luck on your 5K!  It's super awesome that you're doing it - give yourself props for that!

I'm okay with whatever decision reigns re. group size.  Increments sound like a sensible way to proceed.

The Fine Print: What's Really in a Lot of 'Healthy' Foods

Hi all,

What motivates me, this is actually something that I have been reflecting on lately. If I say health, it seems to vague, too abstract for me. If I say vanity, it's not enough. It won't get me off the couch, or stop me from eating that bag of chips that's calling my name. So what motivates me, feeling motivates me, that's concrete, in my body and my brain. I was sick for a couple of years (anemia on and off among other similar conditions). I felt like I was 80 years old, I had so little oxygen going to my brain and muscles because of my low iron. I could only manage one activity a day, IE shopping or dinner with my mom, but not both. So my friends, family, husband and personal activities suffered. I had to chose between them.

My anemia is clearing up and I'm feeling like my age, 34. So what motivates me is feeling more energy, being able to do more activities than before. I can now get up early on Saturday, do some chores, take an hour long brisk walk, do some shopping and go out with my husband and friends in the evening. To me this is great motivation. I'm feeling better emotionally and psychologically. The lack of iron also made me feel a little depressed. And now a smile a lot and laugh more. Of course it could also be because I'm newly married, lol!

 I'm now conscientious that every choice I make either adds to this or takes away from it. I'm so happy now with my health and I want to add to it. So I take a walk, or make a salad. Of course I still eat a Big Mac with fries, let's be real here. And I'm still vain, I dream of of looking thin like I once did.

Everyone's posts have made me think, there is so much to learn and understand and YES that orange monster from weight watchers lives in me too!!! And not only for food, in many other areas of my life. I guess loosing weight and gaining health is for many reasons and all of these motivate me. I try and keep a mental running tab. To remind myself why I make these efforts. Maybe I should wright them down and read them occasionally.

And to those still waiting for the guy to pop the question: I waited 8 years and it was worth it. But I told him in the first 3 months of dating that marriage was a must.

Sara if you feel ready to grow the group, go ahead it would be great during the slow summer months. But do it in stages until you find the right balance.

Hope my ramblings are coherent and can help.

Have a great week all!

OK, so this will be kind of corny but I thought it was nice. I generally don't watch network TV... So I don't even know what are teh shows or things being done. I do however watch hulu.com (this is NOT a commercial plug!)  and they had an episode of the Biggest Loser on - it was where it was their last week at "the ranch" and this woman Tara won it but it was very nice what she said - she said that she did not care if she "won" teh biggest loser because she had gotten her life back - she went in 17 weeks from 192 to 169 (I think...)  She said it with tears in her eyes and I think back on what we have all written and I think that is pretty much the gist of it.. 

Thanks Defrog for that great article. I knew about the chicken being pumped full of salt water (in the province of Quebec, label must say seasoned if they add salt water) but not the rest. Very interesting about the yogurt...Hmm pay more for not much.

Carol, that's why I watch the Biggest Loser. You are totaly right. It is about life, that's the best motivation.

Thanks Denise for the article, I've been reading health blogs excessively for the last year and feel I am much better prepared nutritionally now.

I did manage to honour a commitment to a friend last night to go over and learn how to make seitan from scratch. Which was good because it's really high in protein, and I have a lot of recipes for it but I usually can't be bothered to go half way across town to get it. Also because like Carol I need to watch how busy I am and that I don't put friends off too much. 

Thanks Julie & Lee Anne & Denise for reminding me I need to include me in my priorities. I'm still doing a poor job at it. Today is my last full day at my "old" job without having errands to do or an event to run - 3 more days in total. So they've dropped a temp on me, or more accurately they asked me to get a temp in which I've done and now I need to train this poor person. So, I think I've failed at the going to the gym this week, but this is why there are slack weeks. Next week I start my two weeks between jobs to "re-set" and I better be in there pretty much everyday so that I can fall back to 3 days once I'm working again. 

TWO DAY REMINDERS

It's that time in the week again, here are our folks who have not yet checked in. Please watch for them to post today or tomorrow. If they have not posted by Saturday please send them a polite and positive reminder to stay on track with their goal and involved in the group.

The_Vitamin_Dominatrix

Thesilverstar121

Missing In Action:

Pelkeyjm

Missing Member

Also, for those of you who have been in the group awhile, Wenchie/Vicki has been in and out of hospital post-transplant for the last 5-6 weeks. I'll be checking in with her this week to see how things are going. I'm keeping her place in the group indefinitely until she is feeling better and also has some time to catch up in her day to day. I'm sure she'd appreciate hearing from others as well. No pressure for her to come back here until she is ready, just that we haven't forgotten about her. 

I agree with Raven, Wagon Jumpers feeds my motivation. Seeing all of you succeed and also fail helps put my journey in a better perspective. I'm changing my life. It took 34 years to get here, so there is some work to do. Hopefully it won't take 34 years to get the bad stuff undone, lol!

Thanks Defrog for the article.

Thanks Carryonandon. I'm going to school perhaps in three weeks. I don't know yet. The one school I want is waiting on my final transcript. I graduate the 21st. My final paper is due the 15th. I have to send them a transcript in between that time. Then if I get in, I only have a week to prepare to move since I would have to leave by June 3rd. Granted, I live in Baltimore and the school I want to go to is in California. Big changes, so little time. It is going to be hectic.

Constanza, the just do it attitude works great especially when you just want to get out doing things. There have been plenty of times where I'm like rolling over in bed trying to avoid exercising and I just get out bed and do it.