Wagon Jumpers - November 16 - 22nd, 2008 (Closed, Waiting List available)
Welcome
(We are currently at 30 members. If you are interested in being on the waiting 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.
Each member on this thread (listed below) has agreed to check into the thread at least once per week. If any member does not check in by the end of the week, we ask all members to politely and positively PM that member and encourage them to make a post and stay on track (or get back on track).
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).
Why is the participation capped?
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.
Over the first few weeks we experimented with an "open to all" concept and found that the thread became too long and confusing and as a result no one got to know each other and it became too much work for many members.
With a mid sized group (30) I am hoping to maintain the community and supportive goals of the original thread, and have enough people that if we are not all daily posters (as the only requirement is a weekly post) that the thread is still motivational and has new content day to day.
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.
Still interested? Send Supersized a PM.
Wagon Jumpers Participants
Week 28 Riders - Congratulations on 7 Months!:
Supersized (myself)
Week 26 riders:
Week 25 Riders:
Week 24 Riders - Congratulations on 6 Months!:
Week 21 Riders:
Wenchie58 - recovery to December 6th, 2008
Week 20 Riders - Congratulations on 5 Months!:
Week 19 Riders:
Week 16 Riders - Congratulations on 4 Months!:
Week 13 Riders:
Week 12 Riders - Congratulations on 3 Months!:
Week 11 Riders:
Week 10 Riders:
Week 9 Riders:
Week 8 Riders - Congratulations on 2 Months!:
Nannygabber - Away to December 1st, 2008
Week 7 Riders:
Amber1l - away to November 22nd, 2008
Week 5 Riders:
Week 4 Riders - Congratulations on 1 Month!:
Week 3 Riders:
Week 2 Riders:
Week 1 Riders:
New:
Missing In Action:
Missing In Action - 1 Week:
Missing In Action - 2 Weeks:
Current Membership: 30
Current Waiting List: 0
Outstanding Wait List Invites: 0
12 Week CONSISTENCY GOALS
(as set w/o October 19th, 2008)
By January 11th, I will be...
At least 8 weeks successful on my 12-week consistency plan. That is 8 weeks at an average of 1500 cal/day (weekly avg) and gym 4x/week 2 hrs/session.
Working out 5x week. I will be eating 1500-2000 calories a day dependng on exercise.
Sticking with the NROL nutrition (40%-30%-30%) and working out 3x/week. This should have me almost complete with stage 4 of the program.
Consistently drinking 4 500 ml bottles of water per day and working out 3 times a week, this can include running, weights, etc...
Maintaining walking 10,000 - 12,000 steps a day and adding both Wii Fit exercise 2-3 times per week, while achieving a calorie deficit of 500 cal/day.
Exercising 5 days/week (cardio + strength) and eating 1500 calories on exercise days and 1200 on rest days.
Be eating 1450 cal/day, except on non-exercise days (1300) and exercising 6 days/week on a stationary bike, increasing the distance each week by 1/2 mile with a goal to reach 10 miles/session by the end of 12 weeks.
Journaling my food on CC everyday, and getting 30 min of exercise 2-3 times per week.
Adding interval training - Fartleks - to my running to reach a goal of running a 5K at 6 min/km. While maintaining a 600 cal/day deficit.
Eating 5-6 fruits and vegetables a day, and working out 5 days a week.
Drinking 2L of water everyday, and eating at a 500 calorie deficit everyday.
Eating at an average deficit of 500 cal/day 6-7 days/week, and exercising 5 times/week for at least 20 min/session.
Eat an average of 1700 cal/day and exercise 4x per week, according to my plan
Eating at 1600 cal/day and walking for 1 hour 3 days/week.
Drinking 2 mugs and 1 glass of water per day and logging my food everyday.
Exercising two times a week for 60 minutes at the gym or at home, and logging all of my food.
Exercising 2 times a week.
Maintaining a complete food log on the CC website daily to remain on track. Exercising 2x a week for minimum of 45 minutes.
Going to the gym 4 times per week (maintenance). Drinking ATLEAST 2 litres of water per day.
Exercising at least 30 min every day. Logging my calories on CC every day.
Exercising for 30 min 3 times per week. Eating vegetables with 2 meals per week.
Previous Threads:
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
Wagon Jumpers August 31 - September 6th, 2008
Wagon Jumpers August 24 - 30th, 2008
Wagon Jumpers August 17 - 23rd, 2008
Wagon Jumpers August 10 - 16th, 2008
Wagon Jumpers August 2 - 9th, 2008
Wagon Jumpers July 27 - August 2nd, 2008
Wagon Jumpers July 20 - 26th, 2008
Wagon Jumpers July 6 - July 21st, 2008 (another, two week special!)
Wagon Jumpers June 22 - July 5th, 2008 (two week special!)
Wagon Jumpers June 15-21, 2008
Wagon Jumpers May 25 - 31, 2008
Wagon Jumpers May 18 - 24, 2008
Wagon Jumpers Week 1 (May 4 - 10)
Wagon Jumpers - Anyone Need a Lift? (initial thread)
As always all members are encouraged to tag this thread so that it is easy to find.
THIS WEEK'S TOPIC
Okay folks, I've got homework for you! Yay! Homework! As you may be aware, or in denial of, the holiday season is coming up. There are family gatherings, hostings, friends to visit, meals to make, presents to buy, cards to send, work functions to attend, dresses to buy, oh - and some major blockbuster movies are out...
It's not a secret that the vast majority of people who will give up on their plans will give up between now and the new year. Making weight loss the single most common new year's resolution.
So! Under the mantra, that failing to plan is planning to fail... you're assignment:
Use your computer calendar, your wall caldendar, go buy a day planner.... whatever you need to do... and a pencil.... yes pencil, not pen.
Create a Holiday Schedule
It needs to be in pencil because you know it will change. Start planning shopping, card sending, meal planning, how many party visits, family visits, traveling you need to do... then ask yourself which days is it reasonable that you can fit in your exercise. Be VERY reasonable for this, you don't need another thing to stress you out over the holiday's so your exercise time needs to be quality you time, de-stressing time where you won't feel like you're not getting something done because you are taking time for you.
Good luck! Have Fun, keep the pencil handy for the next 6 weeks!
Hello all..
Very good idea Sara! I am taking a moment from "homework" to post this, I have made such great strides in this new lifestyle change..In my horrible funk last week ( and it was ugly to behold) I didn't ram my head face first into a tub of Haagen Daaz like I would have in my past, that doesn't mean that I wasn't hanging on by the fingertips but the only thing that gave way was the exercise...and that not by much..There is major personal upheaval going on here in Ohio..not sure how it is going to play out..but I know I need to be strong enough to think of the long term effects of any short term decisions I make.
I went to the department store yesterday and was absolutely amazed at being able to fit very very comfortably in a size 14!!!!YAHOO!!! I mean I was doing the happy dance all over that dressing room...and the shirt/blouse size is now large instead of XXLin blouses and 20W in pants/jeans when I began this journey..so after a flurry of buying that would make my old and new president smile...I left the store. I know I am not done with my journey ...I have my ultimate goal and then maintenence to go...neverending and always changing!!
I couldn't have done it without all the support and encouragement from this forum..
Have a great Healthgain day!!
Robin
Hi Sara and everyone else,
Sorry I missed out last week! It has been a crazy week again- all I wanted when I came home was to eat and sleep.. It has been impossible to feel motivated enough to do anything else.. I cannot wait for my vacation coming up in a month!! :D No holiday for me this long weekend.. :( and hence no celebrations either...I hope I dont feel too bad on the day! I wish all of you who will be celebrating a happy and healthy holiday! Do make the most of it and have fun!
The upcoming month is going to be super-duper busy for me. The good thing is that there will be a lot of stair climbing and running around :D..If I manage to eat healthy then I may actually get fitter. I will try to do my share of homework - buying healthy stuff in advance and stocking the fridge and things like that so I dont junk out when I come home at night. I have also told myself that I should be able to do a workout/ floor exercises every night so I will be a bit firmer-looking for my vacation starting in a month!!
Thank you for keeping me motivated!!
Hi all,
Sara - thank you so much for the congrats on my 6 month anniversary with wagon jumpers! I am so appreciative for all you do for us to help keep us motivated and to help us learn on this journey.
In the past 6 months, i have learned so much. I learned the to get fitter, you need more than just cardio - you have to hit the weights too. I learned that cutting my calories so low makes me miserable and though it helped me lose the first 20 lbs, it won't help me reach the second half of my goal.
This journey is all about being flexible. For me and maybe many of you, one size doesn't fit all. We have to adapt our plans as we get healthier and fitter. For me, that meant finding an exercise plan so i wasn't wandering around aimlessly at the gym. It also meant taking a brave step into the free weight section of the gym that i was previously staying away from like it was the plague.
I found something that not only is making me stronger, fitter and healthier, but my self confidence has skyrocketed. I feel amazing.
I definately will find time this week to do the homework! I don't want to miss any of my precious gym time!
Have a great week all - hopefully i will find time to check in more than once this week :)
Hi,
I am new here.
Start Weight with CC = 202
CW: 189
GW = 150 or less
My goals are to eat within 1500 calories except when I run over 10miles then it would be 1800.
Exercise Goals are to run 4X week; strength train 3X per week (New Rules of Lifing for Women)
I think this week will be a challeng due to travel - I am in Israel. I can run here no problem but I don't control my food as much I would like. I am going to try. It is rude though if you don't have dinners / lunches with your hosts.
I have gone from 270lbs to my 189lbs since 2004 so I am clearly committed to slower weight loss.
Thanks and look forward to being encouraged and encouraging others through this group.
Robin Looks like you and I are following a very similar weight loss path. I'm also down from a size 20 and XXL to a size 14! I've been coasting at a size 14 since late August, early September and I think I may finally be crawling into a size 12, but when I look back at the 20's WOW! What a difference! Great job on keeping a clear head during hard times, that is the most challenging. I also find that if I can hang onto my emotions and do some exercise and eat right through stressful times it often helps me get through them.
Carabo Well looks like this week's topic is right up your alley. I notice your post is full of "If" "may" "try" "should"... I know your top priority can't be health, fitness and weight loss right now. I guess that's the secret, none of us can make it our TOP priority for long. Between work, family, friends, volunteering, and everything else we do in our lives the secret to success is to find a plan so that you know that you will be able to fit your health and fitness goals into your daily priorities, and it won't be a matter of some abstract concept of "If I can" or "I should be able"... it will be "I'm really busy, and I know I can fit this small amount of my goal in on this day at this time"...Try the homework, I know it's one more thing to do, but, it sounds like you could really use a planner.
MsMeg If I could encourage members who are getting frustrated to do one thing it's to go back and read your posts for the last six months. I remember during the summer you were really close to giving up, the food limits were really bothering you and you were convinced you couldn't do this. Now, wow! Look at the difference. Eat more, move more, muscles help burn fat and give great tone, weights are our friends and flexible, flexible, flexible. Thanks for all that you have put into this group!
Cawilder Welcome to the group! MsMeg is also on the New Rules of Lifting for Women. FYI - please feel free to link back to these goals when we discuss goals. I only change goals once every 12-weeks otherwise I would be forever editing the introduction post. One of the first things I ask everyone setting goals is are they achievable. You have 2 fairly simple goals, the question then is how close are you to achieving them? Do you need to cut many calories to get to the 1500-1800 range? Are you already meeting your exercise goals or do you need to work your way up to them?
Looks like you have already done an AMAZING job with your health and fitness goals. It would be great to hear more about your journey. We often need to be reminded that slow weight loss is sustainable weight loss.
Sara.
Weekly Check-In
I think the 12 week goal was what I needed to get back on track. I pulled myself together and finished week 3 of 12 last week. I also did fairly well at my life balance goals keeping up with household and finance goals, although not doing as well as I would have liked on career and entertainment.
I'm particularly proud of myself for Saturday, we did dinner and a movie. I'm a popcorn junkie. In any case we had a fairly health dinner (Tibetan tofu stir-fry) and went to the movie. I'm not a big fan of the downtown movie theater on a Saturday night, it's a bit of a mad-house, I prefer to go mid-town where they have the VIP theaters, which just means you pay a bit more for a smaller theater with maybe 20 seats, no commercials and waitstaff... the best part is that it's an older crowd.... anyways we were downtown in the entertainment district with zillions of teenagers, made even worse by the fact that some pop-idol was at Much Music (Canada's version of MTV) so there were zillions of screaming teeny-boppers as well... this kind of stress..... great excuse for me to eat. So when my partner offered to go get snacks and I honestly answered that I wasn't hungry that was a good sign that I'm listening to my body and choosing when I am and am not hungry based on it's signals.
I also had my bookclub ladies this Sunday, I see them about once a month, and I had gotten some compliments a few months ago when I felt that I rather suddenly went from a size 20 to 14 (not that it didn't take a long time, it's just when the weight finally came off it seemed to do so quickly after months of effort). They say that I'm looking fitter again. This is backed up a bit by my jeans starting to fit a bit looser and a top that I wore which was almost skin tight when I bought it is now nicely fitted (not hanging off me), but nice.
This week has not begun as well. With the bookclub to host I didn't have time to go to the gym yesterday as I had wanted. And, today I just couldn't drag my bones out of bed in the morning. So, I did take evaluation of my day, and if I leave work around 3:30 - 4:00 I can get to the gym before my 7:00 pm meeting. This is the plan. The gym bag is packed.
This Week's Topic
I'll have to report back in on this later. I have to admit that I'm looking at this task like it's a big giant pain in my butt, and why should I do it... well I do know why. Once I'm into Holiday season... and we are very close, the Canadian Thanksgiving has already passed... there is no way I will keep my head without some sort of schedule and if I want to meet my 12-week goal, which is just the other side of the Holidays I best plan for that. I think the key will be not allowing myself to do what I did this morning and putting the gym off till later.
Have a good one everyone!
Sara.
Good Monday afternoon Ladies!
I had a FABULOUS weekend! Ran my first 8k (or any race for that fact) Saturday morning.
Good! Monday afternono Ladies! I had a FABULOUS weekend! --Ran my first 8k (or any race for that fact) Saturday morning. Had to wake up EARLY - 5am!--and I'm not a morning person, but the excitement had me up and ready to go in no time. My husband and I made it downtown in plenty of time to stand around and just gawk at all (18,000!) people running---marathon, half marathon, and 8k..... I definitely could feel the pack mentality and the charge in the air....
Ten minutes before start time, I located my corral (the slow runners) and worked my way in...Shortly thereafter I was waving goodbye to my husband and jogging down the road.....I had a number in my mind (1:15:00) and while I didn't meet it,
I did finish: 1:16:11…paced at 15:16min mile and I was hoping for a 15min mile so I’m ecstatic! Felt FABULOUS Saturday afternoon/evening…maybe too good…went to the mall and did some video boxing with my son at the arcade and pulled something? Late Saturday night, my quads were SCREAMING.
Sore yesterday in my butt (hip flexors)….soaked twice in the hot tub….mostly gone today but still a little stiff after sitting a bit. But I’m going to the Y for a mile run and weights tonite (Anyone want to come?)
It was a GREAT race……I want everyone to do one!!!! J . I ended up running the first 1.5 miles…alternate run/walk the next 2.5 and run the final mile….with a big sprint at the end….. My husband was there and I picked him out in the crowd as I came down the big hill towards the finish. I had my MP3 player on but could hear him yell for me as I crossed the finish line over my music……
The 8k is easily doable even walking it all. I’ve already told my kids they are going to do it with me and my husband next year and they are excited…they get to do the “real” race instead of the Kid Run. I truly encourage EVERYONE to get out and do a 5k or 8k....I believe the thrill of the accomplishment will motivate you on this journey!! I know I have "the bug" now! I've already mapped out next month and next year's events!
I’m feeling more proud of myself than I probably should. The route was gorgeous. The course was fabulous. The people were incredible. I know why they call Richmond the friendliest Marathon in the world…..the 8k was the same…… My husband and I are now training for the Toys for Tots 5k (3.11 miles) on December 14th in Innsbrook…..our goal is to jog the whole thing in 45 min. or less.
I wanted to congratulate everyone on their successes and even their short-comings.....but being aware and getting up and dusting off and doing everything again! All of you are an encouragement to me and my journey and I look forward each and every day to come online and read EVERY detail... the wins - because I WILL be there one day, and the bad days---because it's NOT just me who has those.
Keep up the GREAT work!
~Susan
Susan - Congratulations! After reading your post I am motivated again. Our gym at work was supposed to open this week and I thought I could start working on the C25K program but it's not opening until next week now (equipment is stuck in Seattle). However I do realize I need to get out and start doing something regardless of the gym status. I am going to take the dog for a run/walk tonight and get both of us some exercise!
Congrats on a job well done and for helping to motivate others!
Raven.
Thanks for the input Sara! I am actually feeling quite motivated today though it was a crappy day otherwise- the motivation comes and goes..
I'm planning to keep count of how many flights I climb up (over the course of the day)- and plan to reach a goal of 15/ day soon :D. Today I ran up 8 -10 (did not count exactly).. But will think up little goals like that for example.
Also, the upcoming vacation is a big motivator.. I hate looking flabby when on vacation..
Btw, thanks for the 1 month congratulatory message! I never got around to replying though it was on my mind..Thanks!!!
Thanks for the motivating post Susan! I miss my running after having read your post..You made it in wonderful time!!
Sara - Thanks for the 2 month congrats note! I want to turn that around and give you all you deserve as well for sticking to it with us! I am proud of myself for getting this far, and with out your support, I'd likely be in the same rut I started here in...
Susan - I am so happy for you! WHAT an accomplishment! You really are an inspiration!! I am definitely on the "road" to marathons... I hit the 22 minute run mark this evening... 30 doesn't seem so elusive any longer.
Question - I am out of reward ideas. I have a nice weekend planned in December if I reach the weekly goals, but it's one of the major ones... where I'll be 3 months into the plan. I am looking for the smaller ones... I have already used up all I could think of. IE: tanning package, yoga classes, running suit, gym membership, golf outing... help... LOL! Any and all ideas needed and wanted!!
Weekly Topic - I don't have ALL of the holiday schedule done, but I do have next week, and the week after. I plan to get in a couple of extra exercise sessions before I go on my trip to Mom's, and I am really hoping to get with my sister and go for a good run at least once, hopefully twice, while I am there for the week.
I am reducing my allowance by 100 calories this week. A difficult thought going into a holiday, but I intend to implement one rule. No eating after 7 pm. I think that will hinder a lot of those free-roaming naughty calories trying to corrupt me! Can I do it? I am sure I can. I'll just drink tea. (PRE Planning my attack! LOL!)
While I know I will want a plateful of turkey dinner, the plan is to eat light the day before and after. How does that sound? I am fairly certain I will be able to avoid any of those random snack attacks. I have gotten into such good habits here, I can't imagine wanting pumpkin pie loaded with whipped cream at 10 pm this year. I think I'd be ill. Just the thought of it kinda nauseates me. Also I have noticed, when I am full I really do stop eating these days. I hate feeling so full its uncomfortable. I may even be able to get through Thanksgiving Day with that thought in mind.
*******************
I have become pretty darned determined ever since last week, and revamping the plan, with my exercise schedule. I am telling myself now, that I don't WANT to get off track just because I am taking a trip. I wholeheartedly intend to pick up right where I left off when I get home. No questions. Just do it.... LOL!
Well, I hope everyone is having a great week. Awesome topic Sara, thanks for making us think!
Happy Healthgain to all,
~Julie
PS dont forget to post me some reward ideas! Thanks in advance...
Hi,
I will get the homework done - I usually look at my calendar (outlook) for the next week and then I put in my appointments there. If it is a run then I add in my husband so he knows that I am available to run and if it is a gym workout then I put it in.
Here is my weight loss story:
In August 2004 I was a size 20 moving quickly to a 22 and decided enough was enough. I started the South Beach Diet. I found it pretty easy actually and I lost about 40 lbs and went down to a 16 / 18 by January 2005. I held there until January 2006 and then decided it was time to go down - I tried South Beach again but it was not effective so I just started to nix certain foods and I upped my physical activity - walking then running and I lost another 25lbs and held there until I started this latest round with CC.
I look at it as an ultra marathon - it really does not matter how fast you are going as as long as you are putting one foot in front of the other and you are going forward.
Recently, I have been sliding back into the 190's. I know that I use food as a drug to make me feel better - golly coffee ice cream!!
Thanks.
Susan Your post is so motivating. I'm shy about running. I have to admit that I have never done it. I cycle, canoe, kayak, walk, and have even been know to skateboard now and then, but for some reason I always feel like a freak when I run. That being said, I do now know exactly how good it feels to accomplish a physical goal. And, my girlfriends are signed up for a 5K in April. I've been thinking about joining them. I do want to make sure that I go out there and try to run before that, which is a bit daunting with winter coming on, and well me being afraid of ice.
Raven Sucks about the gym, but I'm sure the puppy will enjoy the extra attention (FYI - all dogs = puppy to me) :)
Carabo Looks like you are planning to keep track of your activity, just make sure if you have a super busy month ahead to plan out when you have time for yourself, for your floor exercises and to think about your food in the next month.
Julie I sort of look at the reward like learning delayed gratification. It's good for me in two ways. First it teaches me a bit more financial responsibility and second, it focuses me to achieve the goal. You can try something as simple as saying that you won't get another manicure until you reach .... This is good for short term goals. I figure I don't want to be walking around with ugly nails for weeks (don't ask, me and nails.... ack!).... so I make sure I meet the goal. If that doesn't work go window shopping, find something you'd really like, you can have it when you meet the goal, could be a CD a piece of clothing, a body lotion. The trick with rewards is that they need to mean something to you. The big one for me is my plans. I'm not allowed to change my plan until I've followed through on it.
Carol Thank you for sharing. I think we had the same jumping off point, getting to a size 20 and upwards and deciding something must be done. My confession is that I'd reached that point at a size 14, 16 and 18. The only difference this time is that I've actually stuck with it for more than 3 months this time. One of the biggest challenges for many of us is getting rid of the yo-yo diet. It sounds like you have done very well at this, loosing weight, going through a maintenance period and then trying again. Care to share any secrets of the maintenance phases?
Sara.
Okay me.... repeat after me....
"I never EVER NEVER ever ever never ever... find time to go to the gym during the day on Monday's"
It just doesn't happen. Didn't happen yesterday. Too many e-mails come in over the weekend. Too much catch up to do. To tired and drained by the time I finish work. So I didn't make it to the gym yesterday.
That's okay though, well not really, it's at least manageable. I did for some strange reason wake up at 6:00 am this morning and got myself out of bed and to the gym. So one day down three to go this week. Thursday is going to be the challenge, I have a morning meeting. Morning meetings are often my excuse for skipping the gym in the morning. I assume I will wake up too late, the work out will run too long and I will miss or be late for my meeting so I don't go to the gym. If I get up at 6:00 - 6:30 then I can still go, and I will. Otherwise I still have Saturday to round out the week.
I'm also thinking of taking the boxing classes that my gym is offering.
Sara.
Good morning all!
Sara, thanks for much for sending me the 1 month congratulatory note! You are so sweet! Time does go by so quickly, and even though I have not been all that diligent on my calorie count logging (this is a good thing, because I have realized some things) as per my daily goal set, I know that my exercise has remained consistent. I had locked away my desire to exercise for many many many years..you know, always busy with children and their activities, that by end of day, was too tired for "me time" and ate instead. Well, the exercise goals are my focus, and I am certain, the calorie logging will pick up again too. As per my last week's post, I think I need to better understand food with regards to my satisfiers and disatisfiers. I also have come to realize that I need to back away from white wine. I have concluded that it triggers me to want no not want but to reach out for the junk food, out of control. Hence the no significant weight loss.
I have also done my homework and have my exercise plan booked, all other holiday activities and events, can work around those times. 
.
Great homework task you have given us, thanks for your continued support and dedication.
Have yourselves a great week everyone!!!!
Lee-Anne
Original Post by supersized:
Susan Your post is so motivating. I'm shy about running. I have to admit that I have never done it. I cycle, canoe, kayak, walk, and have even been know to skateboard now and then, but for some reason I always feel like a freak when I run. That being said, I do now know exactly how good it feels to accomplish a physical goal. And, my girlfriends are signed up for a 5K in April. I've been thinking about joining them. I do want to make sure that I go out there and try to run before that, which is a bit daunting with winter coming on, and well me being afraid of ice.
Raven Sucks about the gym, but I'm sure the puppy will enjoy the extra attention (FYI - all dogs = puppy to me) :)
Carabo Looks like you are planning to keep track of your activity, just make sure if you have a super busy month ahead to plan out when you have time for yourself, for your floor exercises and to think about your food in the next month.
Julie I sort of look at the reward like learning delayed gratification. It's good for me in two ways. First it teaches me a bit more financial responsibility and second, it focuses me to achieve the goal. You can try something as simple as saying that you won't get another manicure until you reach .... This is good for short term goals. I figure I don't want to be walking around with ugly nails for weeks (don't ask, me and nails.... ack!).... so I make sure I meet the goal. If that doesn't work go window shopping, find something you'd really like, you can have it when you meet the goal, could be a CD a piece of clothing, a body lotion. The trick with rewards is that they need to mean something to you. The big one for me is my plans. I'm not allowed to change my plan until I've followed through on it.
Carol Thank you for sharing. I think we had the same jumping off point, getting to a size 20 and upwards and deciding something must be done. My confession is that I'd reached that point at a size 14, 16 and 18. The only difference this time is that I've actually stuck with it for more than 3 months this time. One of the biggest challenges for many of us is getting rid of the yo-yo diet. It sounds like you have done very well at this, loosing weight, going through a maintenance period and then trying again. Care to share any secrets of the maintenance phases?
Sara.
Hi,
during my maintenance phases - I used my clothes as a gauge on whether I was ok or not. If I found myself getting bigger then I would drop bread, alcohol (which actually now I don't drink at all), I would take my food on my plate and then I would put 30% away or back in the pot.
I would fluctuate about +/- 5lbs, I think. but honestly I have a phobia of the scale so I am not so certain.
Mondays and exercise - Sara, I try to get it done first thing in the morning... It is difficult especially now in the winter as I trail run for 1 hour at a time but now I have had to turn to running on the roads. It is easier said than done though.
CHECKING IN:
On track for exercise and calorie averages so far this week. YEAH!!
Happy Healthgain Everyone,
~Julie
Lee-Anne Good job on the exercise. I'm not sure if you had a chance to see the goal check in last time. For most of us it ends up being about getting at least one of the two goals. People are very motivated at the beginning but the consistency catches up. Not that I want you to lower your expectations, keep aiming to get the logging done as well, but if you have the exercise going well don't sabotage that. One thing that really helped me was finding a cookbook that I really liked, I found it by buying one from a restaurant that I like. This means I can have foods that I like, I know the nutritional value and portion size and I don't have to eat a bunch of food I don't like because I think it fits calorie or nutritional requirements. Actually this helped a lot since the cookbook is a vegan cookbook, most of the recipes are super low cal and taste amazing. I found when I simply tried to do reduced cal versions of more mainstream foods (i.e. pizza, spaghetti & sauce) I simply was having portions that I found too small and didn't satisfy me.
Cawilder I'm on the no scale plan as well. I ditched it in February as I'm a bit of a numbers junkie and I've been using the clothes to give me an indication of how I'm doing. I'm planning on bringing the scale back in at the end of this 12-weeks so that I can get a weight + measurements analysis of if my plan is actually working for me on a less qualitative scale, but I have to admit not having the scale for the first while has really pushed me to try. I think this is because without it, I know I want to see results when I go back to it, and also I need to work harder and wait longer to see physical changes than minute changes on the scale.
Julie Good job being on track!
Sara.
I'm having a 'fat' day. It's likely due to being out at the pub yesterday, I didn't go over cal but I didn't eat well. So I'm at the gym this morning (hooray for that) and I'm feeling like my body is all puffy... probably is... massive amounts of salt. I know this will pass, I just hope it passes soon. In the mean time I need to keep dragging myself to the gym because diving into self pity food at this point is both counter-productive and completely irrational.
Sara.
Check-In:
So far so good, kept up my log all day yesterday, and ended the day with an extremely satisfying Aqua Turbo class (deep water - jogging, running, bicycling, cross country skiing), followed by a nice hot tub sit!
Sara...Funny you should mention vegan, are you one? I was a vegetarian for four years, back in 1992, and it was the healthiest time of my life. Never did I need to worry about my weight, never did I feel full after a meal, just satisfied. Then of course, Mom's cooking crept into the back of my mind, not to mention my husband who loved his meat, and I moved off my vegetarian menu. I must dust off those cookbooks and work in some of the delicious recipes again.
Talk to you soon everyone!
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