Wagon Jumpers - May 24 - 30th, 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 2 people 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 3 Riders:

Supersized  (myself)

Week 51 Riders:

Msmeg1984

Defrog3

Week 47 Riders:

Wenchie58 - extended sick leave

Week 45 Riders:

Raven21 

Week 44 Riders - Congratulations on 11 Months!:

Tiegurl

Week 41 Riders:

Kyashiis

Week 38 Riders:

Unlimitedana

Week 35 Riders:

Nannygabber

Week 31 Riders:

Lam7

Week 27 Riders:

Cawilder

Week 26 Riders:

Figurethefat

Week 25 Riders:

Carryonandon

Week 24 Riders - Congratulations on 6 Months!:

Constanza

Week 23 Riders:

Germaica

Week 22 Riders:

Pelkeyjm

Week 21 Riders:

Jessicaanne2001

Week 2 Riders:

Dovelette

Missing In Action:

Thesilverstar121

Missing In Action - 1 Week:

Missing In Action - 2 Weeks:

The_Vitamin_Dominatrix

Current Membership: 20

Current Waiting List: 2

Outstanding Wait List Invites: 1

jnielsen006

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 - 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

Wagon Jumpers - January 11 - 17th, 2009

Wagon Jumpers - January 4 - 10th, 2009

Wagon Jumpers - December 28 - January 3rd, 2009

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

THIS WEEK'S TOPIC: THE RECIPE EXCHANGE

It's summer, time for BBQ's, your friends are having a party, they will supply the burgers, buns & condiments... everyone is asked to bring a side dish. You want to bring something that will be healthy and enjoyed by most. What do you bring?

Don't forget to use the recipe tool to input the recipe, please place your dish in the thread as a link, so that everyone can click on it, tag it and use it. Recipes typed out in threads rarely get re-used.

I say bring a favorite but make it low fat or fat free if possible. Just make it as healthy as possible.There is always a healthy alternative to whatever you want to bring and most people can't tell the difference. I've been learning that a lot lately. If you talk to people who have been eating the more healthier version of things, they will often tell that can't tell the difference between the healthy stuff and the fattening stuff including myself. I can't taste the difference between whole wheat, whole grain, organic. etc. Maybe my taste buds are insensitive. As long as they don't know then they won't complain. I feel like if they people who don't generally eat healthy food know what they are eating is healthy then they reject it but if they don't know then they eat willingly.

So update on me: I officially have a Bachelor's degree . I made it. I think I'm heading to Worcester, MA in the fall. It is definite but I will find out in the next week or two. Right now, I have to find a job. I will be job searching in person on Tuesday and have to start filling out stuff on line.

Congratulations Tiegurl...  It's a big deal to graduate.  Good luck with the job hunting. 

I'm actually hosting a BBQ on the 31st.  Two of them.  From 3 to 5 pm is for kids, and from 5 pm to whenever is for adults. 

I always make Alaskan style barbecued salmon.  It's a little hard to be specific about the ingredients as I vary them, but try the recipe once and change it to suit yourself.  The marinade works for steaks, too, but marinating too long does not improve the end result, so beware...

Check-in...

I haven't been as good this last week as I was doing before.  Changes in my work schedule and maybe tiredness lingering from the trek three weeks ago (though no muscle aches) are contributing to laxness on my part.  I need to become more motivated this week.

I've got a bajillion and five recipes that I've modified over the months/years, but I think my favorite for this type of situation would either be Southwestern Coleslaw or Mexican Bean Salad.  I used to make them a lot; now not quite as much but I still love them!

Check in - lifting is going well, eating is going well...went away this weekend and found it suprisingly easy  though I did indulge probably a little too much on the mojitos and fruit caiparinhas at this new place we found.  Any mixed drink with fresh kiwi in it is ok in my book!

Tiegurl: CONGRATULATION ON GRADUATING!!!!!! Big changes now, I find it really hard to believe that it's been 5 years since I graduated from my MA, it seems like it was yesterday. What is your degree in?

Kathy I alwasy love your recipes with fish, although I did a double take and then realized the recipe served 12 people, I'll pair it down for 4 and try it later this summer.

Dove I like the Mexica Bean Salad, I'm a big fan of bean salads in general. I'm so jealous of the fresh kiwi, there is no such thing in Canada, something about out climate. :)

Checking In

I survived my first day at work, unscathed on the calorie front. I think that overeating at work will not be an issue, it's definitely not the most food-friendly office. Worked a really long first day 11 hrs, between actual work and a surprise conference on video production that I volunteered to go to.

Off to bed now.

omg mojitos and capirinhas and bbqd salmon... summer yumminess!  Wait - what's the topic again?

:)

I'll have a look at my recipes online and elsewhere and post my best.  Last week was a stunner week for logging and exercise - joining the university gym was a big boost!  This week the challenge is to keep it up.  But when is that not the challenge?

Congrats on finishing your degree, Tiegurl!  That's a big deal!

... and here's my recipe.  It's a slight cheat because it's one I use for the holiday season, but it's veeeery yummy and very easy, and manages to be pretty healthy even though it has pancetta!  (Substitute lean bacon for ease of shopping, the values shouldn't be much different).  Enjoy!  Link: Brussel sprouts with garlic and pancetta.

Thanks everyone. I appreciate it and my degree is in Writing Seminars but I'm planning to go to medical school in 4 yrs. I have to do a post bacc program and I plan on doing Peace Corps

tiegurl -- I want to add my congratulations, and sounds like a great plan, the Peace Corps is a wonderful choice.

Everyone's recipes look so delicious, maybe I'm really hungry this morning.  I made up this bean recipe a few years ago at 4th of July.  It takes a while, but it's pretty decent and very low fat.  I love beans and dovelette's Mexican Bean Salad sounds so good.

The past few weeks I've increased my calories consistently, and boohoo but my weight was up 1/2 a lb. as of last Friday (weigh in day).  This week I'm not sure how it's tracking.  I've finally gotten to the point where I'm very comfortable weighing in only once a week, and Friday is a good day because weekends I'm a bit more liberal, then Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday I'm more diligent about eating and activity. 

Sara, good luck with the new job, sounds like lots of hours, new jobs always have a learning curve no matter how much experience you have :)  Fitting into a new environment, etc.  

Kathy, I can imagine still being tired from the trek.  What a great thing to accomplish.

Hope everyone enjoys the short work week!!

tiegurl, congrats on graduating, and if you want any info on Peace Corps, let me know - I'm here serving in Cape Verde right now with Peace Corps!!!

Thanks.

Dovelette-that's awesome. I think I'll be going to South America because that's where they placed me the first time. I withdrew my application and will reactivate it come April 2010 so I can hopefully leave May 2011. I know so many people who have gone to the Peace Corps. One of my recent classmated are going to Africa, I think Ghana come this summer via Peace Corps/

Super busy this week... So just a quick post.

I love, love, love Oriental Cole Slaw! There are tons of different recipes out there, but i usually go by this one:

Oriental Cole Slaw

I love broccoli slaw and this one is really good on calories 80 / serving.

Broccoli Slaw

The week has been good. Completed a 12.3 miles race in 2:15 - it was a trail run. Not the fastest but not the slowest. I knew the course very well.

TieGurl, as I pm'd you - i grew up in Worcester so that just kills me. It is a very doable city. Also, it is possible to pop into Boston. Though be prepared for really crazy aggressive drivers.

Congrats on graduating, Tiegurl! Good luck on the job hung - doing the same myself.

Recipe: I'm really not that experienced at cooking, so this is probably a repeat recipe - but it's really good: Black Bean Salsa

This week hasn't really been that great for me in terms of eating, but exercise is better. Someday, I'll get the right balance haha.

Hey everyone!

Congratulations Tiegurl on graduating! That is a great accomplishment, it's something that no one can ever take away from you.

Here is my recipe. It's for a full meal and not a side. I love making it thru out the summer, it's my favorite. It's even better the next day. I had some trouble with the ingredients so you may have to look some up. Crab Flavored Pollock and Rice Salad.

Not much time, I will have to post more later.

Take care all!

Quick pop in today. Thanks for all the recipes, we may have to put a moratorium on bean salads (even though they are my fav) I know my homework is waiting, but I'm tired.

I do however want to give myself a pat on the back for going to the gym after work today on my 2nd day. I figured if I didn't pluck up the energy on the first week then I'd use the new job as an excuse to fall off the wagon. 

Hi, I need to go through my recipes and will share one that I like most later in the week.  

TIEGURL:  Congratulations on graduating!  Very happy for you.  Your plan sounds very cool--sending you good wishes!

SARA: Good work on getting to the gym during your first week at the new job! 

CONSTANZA:  Your recipe is one of my favorites for the holiday season--its always a crowd pleaser!!

My update:  belly is getting huge, kid is kicking like crazy.  I'm tired a lot, don't want to do anything but sleep...  But we spent the holiday weekend at the beach, and I did a lot of walking on the boardwalk, so that was exciting.   Got sunburned though, even though I had SPF 30 on--there's something about being preggers and sun sensitivity, so I'm going to have to be VERY careful this summer!

Happy Wednesday Everyone!

So I was going to list my most favorite bean salad but.....just kidding, here is a great potato salad (http://caloriecount.about.com/new-potato-sala d-recipe-r224867) For some reason I can't get the link option to work. Maybe I'm doing something wrong????

Tiegurl - ditto, congrats on graduating and good luck with the job search.

Sara - great job getting to the gym! I hope you're enjoying your new job.

Constanza - I always HATED brussell sprouts, I mean hated them. Of course the only way I had ever eaten them was boiled and of course they were forced on a child that could only see them as "those stinky little cabbages" lol However I made a soup this past winter that had brussell sprouts and sweet potato, was it ever good. I think I just always had it cooked in a way I really didn't like them. So I might try your recipe later this summer if I can find any pancetta in my local area, hard to find a lot of things in my small town.

dovelette - I think it's awesome that you're in the peacecorps, sounds very interesting.  I love coleslaw, my father has an awesome recipe and always is asked to bring to family dinners etc, maybe I'll have to make your southwestern coleslaw to revival his lol

Kathy - I love love salmon, I'm going to have to give this one a try sometime. Normally we just season with pepper and lemon.

figurethefat - I would love to be at maintenance now but alas I'm still on the weightloss road. Congrats on finding a balance, 1/2 a pound isn't anything to get excited about, could even be water.

cawilder - you are my hero when it comes to running. I've been taking my dog the last few mornings (we used to walk 5K each morning, now I'm making him run lol), My best friend is now up to 12K, in about 1.5 hours and she's probably coming home this summer so I'm trying to increase my distance so I'll be able to handle at least 10K by the time she gets home. I also want to run in a few races in the fall or next spring summer, I'm sticking with this running thing. It was actually quite funny this morning, I kept saying "Good boy Dexter, keep on going, you can do it", not sure if I was encouraging him or myself! He would just look up at me and smile, never runs ahead of me though, until we get by the house with the big yellow lab that barks and him and runs towards the road, stopped only by his shock collar.

Carrie- I hear you on balance. I can work my butt off in the gym and then a few hours later will want to get a chocolate bar etc. Someday we'll both get the balance idea.

Germaica - That sounds yummy. Too bad I can't make it, my husband is allergic to shellfish :( It's actually something that he's only had a problem with for the last 8 years (coincidentally roughly how long we've been together) he LOVES it and growing up and living in the lobster capital of Canada it's hard on him at times. We eat as much fish as possible though, haddock and salmon, mackerl sometimes.

defrog -  yes be careful with the sun for sure. I hear you on the kicking, my boss is due on the 18th of June and she tells us how the baby keeps kicking the crap out of her lol. Just reminding you that he/she is in there! Weekend at the beach sounds heavenly, hope to get a vacation in September to Prince Edward Island, beautiful red sand beaches.

Well I don't think I missed anyone, sorry if I did. Things here are good and I'm enjoying my morning runs. I have also JUST started the P90X program. I did Core Synergisitics last night and boy oh boy, what a work out. I was dripping in sweat by the time I was done. Great workout though and looking forward to the next 89 days

Have a great week!

Carrie

Quick check-in, busy as we finally sold our other house (only after 5 months).  We still have some last minute packing to do and will be meeting the lawyer today.  Woot woot. 

Tiegirl - Congrats on your recent achievement!  You should be so proud of yourself!  Thanks for sharing such wonderful news, and I am wishing you much success as you move toward your next goal.

Sara - Happy to hear that the first week's hurdle is over and done with!

Exercise is still progressing as per plan.  Really sad that my interval class ends this Thursday as I really enjoyed it.  As mentioned previously, I will be heading back to an Aquafit class with two of my friends to fill that void.  Our pool is also up and running and despite the cold temperatures we have been experiencing, the pool heater compensates for that...just not looking forward to seeing that first heating bill.......

I also wrote my Real Estate exam this past Saturday, and am sitting on the fence, as I am not sure how I did.  I really really hope that I passed. 

Will have to get back to you regarding recipe, as in looking at those I currently have on CC, they are moreso for the fall.  The salads I have listed, I have already shared.

Have a great remainder of the week everyone!!!

Lee-Anne

Hi,

Carrie, thanks for the compliment - I do my running out of need for peace and sanity. My husband is always saying to me that I could road run or treadmill run but now I just need to be out on the trails.

I am interesting in P90X - i have heard it is quite a work out - can you keep us apprised to the progress. Do you need alot of area to do it? What exercise equipment do you need to have in your house to be able to do it?

Thanks.

Carol