Wagon Jumpers - October 25 - 31, 2009 (closed)
Welcome
(I keep the waiting list capped at 4 people as it can be a 16 week wait with that length. We currently have 5 people on the waiting and are not taking any more names. Please check back later as spots do open up regularly)
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.
Wagon Jumpers Participants
Year 1 - Week 25 Riders:
Supersized 
(myself)
Year 1 - Week 21 Riders:
Year 1 - Week 20 Riders - Congratulations on 1 Year & 5 Months!:
Defrog3 - Maternity Leave to October 31, 2009
Year 1 - Week 15 Riders:
Year 1 - Week 14 Riders:
Year 1 - Week 9 Riders:
Year 1 - Week 4 Riders - Congratulations on 1 Year & 1 Month!:
Week 49 Riders:
Week 47 Riders:
Week 42 Riders:
Week 22 Riders:
Week 17 Riders:
Week 14 Riders:
Week 12 Riders - Congratulations on 3 Months!:
Week 11 Riders:
Week 10 Riders:
Week 7 Riders:
Week 6 Riders:
Week 4 Riders - Congratulations on 1 Month!:
Week 3 Riders:
Week 2 Riders:
Week 1 Riders:
Missing In Action:
Missing In Action - 1 Week:
Missing In Action - 2 Weeks:
Current Membership: 25
Current Waiting List: 5
Outstanding Wait List Invites: 0
12 Week CONSISTENCY GOALS
(as set w/o September 20, 2009)
By December 12th, I will be...
Supersized - NEW: Go to the Gym and or Walk/Bike to work at least 3 days a week for 9 of 12 weeks.
Laura42 - NEW:Stay on nutrition plan 3 out of 4 weekends each month. MAINTENANCE:Lift weights three times a week.
Figurethefat - NEW:Eat 5 serves of fruit or vegetables everyday. MAINTENANCE:1500 exercise minutes a month
Merimeriqcontrary - NEW:Hover around 1200 calories(non-workout days) and around 1400-1500 calories on workout days, 6 days/week. (at least 9 out of 12 weeks). MAINTENANCE:Work out at least 4 times/week for at least 10 out of the 12 weeks.
Carryonandon - NEW:Follow this meal plan: Prepare homemade dinners (or eat leftovers) 5 out of 7 days per week. Have at least one fresh fruit or vegetable daily Mon - Fri. MAINTENANCE:workout 3x per week
Msmeg1984 - MAINTENANCE:Excercise at least 3 days a week for 9 of 12 weeks and average calorie intake of 2,000 cals per week.
White_Sakura - NEW:maintain any deficit for 5/7 days of the week. MAINTENANCE:to burn 2500 calories a week.
Raven21 - NEW: Eat 5 servings of fruit and/or vegetables daily. MAINTENANCE:run 4 days a week minimum, increasing speed and distance over the course of the 12 weeks.
BigBitty - NEW: to log my calories from the day I have the baby. MAINTENANCE: to continue drinking 2.5 litres of water per day.
Ncurlee - NEW:To achieve a 500 caloric deficit (or 500 calories below your burn rate) 5 of 7 days a week.
Cawilder - NEW:80% of the time I will seat sitting down and put down my fork/spoon/food in between bites. MAINTENANCE:Do, 5 hours of cardio / week + 2 weight lifting sessions / week
Bleedtoblue - NEW: to log my calories at least five days a week for the next twelve weeks.
Austiemg - NEW:to work out for at least 30 min (cardio) three (or more) times a week.
The_Vitamin_Dominatrix - NEW:I will record all my calories at least six days every week. MAINTENANCE:I will continue to drink at least 2+ liters of water each day.
Opanci - NEW:By December 12th, I will be accurately logging all my intake 6 of 7 days. MAINTENANCE:Get outside 6 of 7 days.
Kyashiis - NEW:log my calories daily by midnight 6 days a week. MAINTENANCE:run a minimum of 3 kilos 12 times over the 12-week period.
Nannygabber - MAINTENANCE:Exercise: Cardio 3x/wk MAINTENANCE:Eating: 150 grams of protein 5 days per week
Wenchie58 - NEW:With my new pedometer to walk 10,000 steps at least 4 days a week for 10 out of the 12 weeks. MAINTENANCE:To continue to eat between 1400-1500 calories a day.
Dovelette - NEW:NROLFW or NROL minimum of 2x/week for 8 out of 12 weeks.
Vcruicky - NEW: To eat completely vegetarian meals 4 days a week.
Previous Threads:
Wagon Jumpers - October 18 - 24, 2009
Wagon Jumpers - October 11 - 17, 2009
Wagon Jumpers - October 4 - 10, 2009
Wagon Jumpers - September 27 - October 3, 2009
Wagon Jumpers - September 20 - 26, 2009
Wagon Jumpers - September 13 - 19, 2009
Wagon Jumpers - September 6 - 12, 2009
Wagon Jumpers - August 30 - September 5, 2009
Wagon Jumpers - August 23 - 29, 2009
Wagon Jumpers - August 15 - 22, 2009
Wagon Jumpers - August 9 - 15, 2009
Wagon Jumpers - August 2 - 8, 2009
Wagon Jumpers - July 26 - Aug 1, 2009
Wagon Jumpers - July 19 - 25, 2009
Wagon Jumpers - July 12 - 18th, 2009
Wagon Jumpers - July 5 - 11th, 2009
Wagon Jumpers - June 28 - July 4, 2009
Wagon Jumpers - June 21 - 27th, 2009
Wagon Jumper - June 14 - 20th, 2009
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
As always all members are encouraged to tag this thread so that it is easy to find.
Weekly Topic: I CAAANNNN'TTT, IT's HHHAAARRRDDD!!!!!! (finding positive speak)
Oh, the excuses!
I’m sick
I had the flu
I have a cold
I feel yucky
Exercise hurts my joints
I don’t like to sweat, how can I exercise without sweating?
I’m alway so out of breath when I run, it really hurts
I twisted my ankle
I got busy
Work is hectic
I have kids and no time
It’s the holiday’s
I’m too busy to make one meal for me and another for my family.
It just takes too much time
I don’t have any energy
These are just some of the excuses for not getting in shape that I have read online, heard from family and friends, or (and, yes I’m ashamed to admit it) used myself.
What is an excuse? The most common definition is something that removes responsibility or obligation. If you are likely not swimming the butterfly stroke, but it doesn't mean you can't learn to swim.
So the challenge this week is to find 3 excuses that you have been making to yourself, post them and then turn them into positive speak.
Weekly Topic: I CAAANNNN'TTT, IT's HHHAAARRRDDD!!!!!! (finding positive speak)
Yes, I have definitely used some of those...
1. I don't have time
Recently I have found time - I feed my daughter (she's 9) as soon as I get home @ 6PM or so. I pack my gym bag while she is eating and without stopping I pack us into the car for the pool. We are fortunate in that we have a pool facility with 3 pools so she can play in the small pools while I do my pool running. I pool run for 1 hour - BORING but I have found that I look at it meditatively and use my Buddhist meditation it is alot easier.. Then we take showers and she is ready to go to bed.
If I had to go to the gym then I have thought I woudl plunk her down in the gym with her homework and work out and she can come and ask me questions while I work out.
I have FOUND TIME...
2. I am tired - no sleep
This is a Carol special. I used it yesterday... So I fake myself out. I put on my exercise gear, I say to myself well you can make it 15 minutes - right? yeah, you can... then I push it to 20 minutes (what is only 5 minutes more..., right? ) and i just have this running dialogue until I am done. I do feel better afterwards.
3. My knee hurts
This was has been hard - so I just got around it through identifiying what i could do. I could swim, i could do upper body exercises, I can do some yoga, rather than what I could not do.
Weekly Check In
Got to 4 hours of exercise this week and I was mindfully eating about 60% of the time. So I am improving. Although I am up one size which upsets me to no end. However, honestly, I am just gonna torture my self and not go back into my larger clothes at this point so that I can feel my progress.
I am considering going on a menu plan diet - you know it tells you exactly what to eat - for a month so that I can kick start my weight loss. Any one have any good ones that are 40-30-30.
Thanks.
Carol
Hi everyone,
I have used all the above excuses, and will try not to use any to explain why I have taken so long to post.
1. My life is so complicated -
I am a carer for my husband who is having a really bad week with his Parkinson's , and needs a lot more attention. My daughter depression has spiratlled and am fighting with the local primary care trust to get her a mental health worker. My son and his partner have their little 11 year old girl with cerebral palsy in hopspital, as on Thurdsay she had 9 hours prep for surgery to break both her legs, and I have been their support and they have used my car so I have had no transport to get anywhere or do anything all week. I live with no buses or shops for miles.
To turn this into a positive.
I understand that my husband needs my help 24/7, so as I am at home I have more time to cook from scratch and eat my vegetarian options.
2. I am too busy taking care of my family -
Turning into a positive.
My daughter, will get help in time, and I can only do what is humanly possible, minor miracles are not in my pervue. I am supportive of her 24/7, I do all she needs at the moment until she is able to funciton as a human being again, and that is enough. Therfore, when I take time out for my self that is my right and is something I should do on a more regular basis. If I was a stranger, I would tell me that I deserved 'me time', and not feel bad about it.
3. I don't have a car on any means of transport this week -
My son and his partner have their little 11 year old girl with cerebral palsy in hopspital, as on Thurdsay she had 9 hours prep for surgery to break both her legs, as she is walking on her inturned ankles, and I have been their support and they have used my car, as they do not have one at the moment. So I have had no transport to get anywhere or do anything all week. I live with no buses or shops for miles.I have given my son and his parner all the support I can.
Turn into a positive.
I do not need to feel guilty about taking time out for my needs, and learning how to say I have things that need taking care of.
Recurring theme: I am a wife and mother who is trying to do everything for everyone except my self. My excuses are my family, and I should not use them as an excuse.
I need to be proactive for myself, not reactive to family and situations.
Thanks sorry for being MIA - I will try and put - no - I will put myself first for at least some of week.
thanks Vera
Carol Good job! I use the tired one a lot too, and also do the same thing.. one thing at a time, get the clothes on, convince myself that I can do 10 min of cardio and then have the running dialogue.
Pain is also hard for me and I think you have the exact right approach. Don't make it about what you can't do, find what you can do.
Vera Again, great job on turning into positive speech. A lot of people would give you every reason in the world to give up on your own goals. You have so much on your plate that so many of us will never have to deal with it feels easy to say "take a pass". And, that's exactly what I did when I was caregiver for my mum and I gained 50lbs, sunk into a depression, and was damned lucky there was respite workers. Funny enough I should have known better having a few years earlier worked with Community Living - who has a major respite program here in Canada.
Your family depends on you, but that means they need a sane, happy and healthy you. The only way you can be that person for them is to take some time for you. It's very difficult to do when so many people are depending on you so much and it really is life and death scenarios. But, take the time, use the respite programs where you can and find a way to make sure you are making yourself the best you that you can be so that you can bring your best face forward for your family. You will all be better off for it.
Check In
I made it to the gym 3 times this past week (YAY!!!) On track to meet my goal.
However I gained a full pound in the week too (Boooo!!!), but I have to tell myself to suck it up. Despite the gym I let myself have a lot of extras this week (obviously a pound worth of extras)... so if I want that work to pay off at the gym I have to start focusing on my food as well. Which means keep working on my gym goal - that is my primary - and as I've given myself 12 weeks off of food goals I should start practicing a food goal so that I can do gym and food next time.
Ooh, only three excuses are almost too easy! :)
1) Focusing on eating healthy and exercising is taking away from my time with my family.
Cooking healthy seems to take so much more time to prepare and cook than ordering a pizza or making mac n cheese. I'm walking through the door at 5:45, immediately start cooking, we eat and before I know it, it's my daughter's bedtime at 7:30 with little to no quality time with her in there. And my son goes to bed not too much later than that so I don’t feel like I see them at all.
Turn this positive - I can possibly have my kids help me cook. It may take longer but it's getting some quality time in there. It's pretty dark and cold now after 7:30 but maybe my son and I can take walks before his bedtime.
2) I don't have time to exercise / I'm exhausted when I do have time.
From the time I wake up in the morning, it’s getting my food together for the rest of the day and rushing the kids into eating their breakfast and getting everyone dressed. Then I work 9 hours, come home, cook dinner, get the kids into bed, rest for an hour or so, go to bed, then get up and do it all over again. I don’t want to exercise and it shows because I self sabotage my efforts.
Positive – I know the key is to find something I like to do but I haven’t found it yet. I’m working very hard (and doing pretty well) on changing the food side of my lifestyle and I know that exercise will still be a very important part but I haven’t found my motivation yet.
3) It’s too hard to be long term.
I have that little voice in the back of my head saying “C’mon, you know you are going to gain all of this back eventually. You were meant to be “big” so why work so hard to fight nature?” I’ve been on too many diets where I’ve lost some weight but they’ve been so restrictive that I eventually give up and gain it all back. I’ve only been trying this calorie counting thing for a couple of months so I worry that it too will be a passing fancy and will fall off the wagon eventually. I tend to be an all or nothing type of personality.
Positive – I’m trying to make reasonable, sustainable changes. I’m not going crazy with low daily calories and not kicking myself (too much) if I go over occasionally. I really want this to be lifestyle changes but ones that fit with me and my needs, not me trying to change myself and my lifestyle just for the “diet”.
:-) I've definitely used a lot of these excuses - different ones for different times in my life - and some of it is cyclical if I've fallen off the exercise wagon. It used to be all about how uncomfortable I felt moving in front of others, how busy I was during school or when I used to work 2 jobs years ago, or how my shoes used to create huuuge blisters on my heels while running. Oh, I'm a master at coming up with an excuse for exercise avoidance.
Lately, the big three are:
1) I just don't want to/don't feel like it.
This happens when I get home from doing something else and I sit down on the couch instead of immediately going to the gym. I'm suddenly in happy couch land watching hgtv, making a pot of tea and letting the afternoon sun put me in a sleepy mood. Other times, I just want to put off deciding on a course of action.
Turning it Positive: What do I really want? I want to be more healthy and attractive, and I have set eating and exercise goals to help me achieve that. This helps me avoid the couch in the first place. If I do begin to let my feelings immobilize me, I already know that the answer is to just go to the gym. I tell myself that "Yes, I *do* too want to go to the gym if it will help me reach my goals." Sometimes, this even helps me feel like wanting to go. :-)
2) Exercising is boring
This is a big one for me. The idea of spending almost an hour on an exercise machine with nothing to occupy my mind seems a little unbearable. Sometimes, I really like sitting alone with my thoughts, but not while I'm doing something that requires a lot of physical effort. I'm just not that in touch with my zen place - haha.
Turning it Positive: I can distract myself from focusing too much on the mild pain caused during the course of normal exercise. I watch TV at the gym (as long as it's not ESPN which makes me think about all the physical effort all the more.) If that fails, there are always magazines, books and music.
3) Fresh fruits and veggies are too expensive
I tend to feel really, really guilty about buying produce because it is so expensive and sometimes I don't eat what I buy (out of laziness, forgetfulness or because I got the wrong variety of apples or something).
Turning it Positive: If I can remember that I hate golden delicious apples, but love gala ones :-), it usually works to put the produce on top of my baking canisters that sit on the counter top. This way they are in sight - removing the excuse of forgetfulness. Telling myself that cutting up the apple really only takes 2 minutes and that it helps me reach my goals battles the laziness thing. Then, when I'm eating everything like I should be, I don't feel so guilty about the price of the produce. Plus, hellooooo, it tastes good and it's a lot better than splurging on pizza or burgers or ice cream (which, of course, I wouldn't feel nearly as guilty about).
CHECKIN -
Well, I've got canister tops full of golden delicious apples that I feel bad about not eating. haha. Though I did have a bell pepper this week, which is at least a step in the right direction on the daily fruit/veg goal.
Exercising is going just fine and so is eating at home. Starting tomorrow, I'm adding the weightlifting back in to my regimen after my week off from it.
Good topic Sara. I've really been using excuses lately so it's perfect timing to list them and turn things around.
1. I haven't got time to ride my bike to work with all the driving I'm doing now that school has started. -- this is total BS because I could still ride my bike, there's plenty of time in the a.m. before work or school.
2. I can't run because I hurt my leg muscle. -- yes true, but running isn't everything. It would be fine to walk, and there's plenty of time to do that and the weather is beautiful.
3. I can't use the treadmill because it's upstairs and Penny is confined downstairs and will start barking as soon as she hears it. -- this is true, but it would only take maybe 6 times of getting off the tm and telling her no and she would get the message and understand the situation.
This month I have totally dropped off logging my exercise minutes and as a consequence I've been eating more. For me when I'm getting my proper amount of physical activity the diet just falls into place. When I'm not exercising I start eating more and of the worst foods too: ice cream, pasta, cheese! Yikes. Time to get back on track.
It's actually pretty hard for me to come up for excuses to exercise, since I love to do it so much. Actually, I have to make excuses to stop exercising, because I need break days. But here are a few excuses I use in my eating habits:
1) Too lazy to prepare food
As a college student, I'm really impatient when it comes to food when I'm hungry. Instead of fixing a proper meal in less than 15 minutes, I like to just take readily-prepared foods, bring them to my laptop, and eat them. Or I do prepare foods, but they're easy to make and unbalanced, and I don't bother to balance it out by cooking something else.
Positive: I need to prepare foods to fully appreciate it. And giving thanks to the Lord for a proper meal is much better than just taking food to my computer to eat it mindlessly!
2) I need to eat my daily amount of fat
At meals I tend to fall behind on fats because I like to eat my fats instead of just using oil on everything (I feel that if I eat a food, it'll have more nutrients than using oil in cooking). As a result I tend to snack on fatty foods a lot at my laptop (including nuts, seeds, and chocolate).
Positive: I should incorporate these nuts and seeds into my food. Instead of snacking on them, they should be part of my meal, so that I am fully satisfied at my laptop.
3) I'm not full
I'm not hungry either; just bored-hungry.
Positive: I need to try some warm drink to fill up the void and make myself think less about food. If anything, I should just brush up!
Anyway, I'm putting my goal on hold, but my maintenance is going just fine!
My main excuses this week have been that my son has been sick so I couldn't get to the gym, and I am sick of counting calories and I just want to eat!!!
Turn it into positives:
I have workout equipment in my basement and I can get a workout done if I really want to. It's not the same as going to the gym, but doing something is better than doing nothing. I am lucky that I am not working this year and my schedule is flexible enough to stay home with my sick son and work out at home if I have to.
I am sick of counting calories, but I have not put on weight. I can continue to eat healthy and maintain without counting. If I see the scale going up, I can start counting again, or when I am ready to cut more fat, I can get serious with counting again.
Quick update:
Rode my bike to work and back (of course) and it worked fine. So I work 15 to 30 minutes less -- no big deal and if the boss doesn't like it he can fire me ;)
Also went on the treadmill for 45 minutes and didn't hear a peep out of Penny. I was sure she would fuss if I was upstairs using it.
I think I'll sleep well tonight.
Mine are more internalized. They tend to affect the whole.
1. My boyfriend works away, and I only see him every 2 weeks now, I miss him so much, it's depressing me.
2. My income has been reduced due to general economy downturn. (I need to find a new job.) I can't afford my gym membership (much less a few other things), and I hate working out alone.
3. I won't gain weight. I'll watch what I eat, and it won't matter if I skip exercise for .... 2 months.
Turn to positives:
1. He cares how I look no matter how often I see him. I care too!
2. Work harder. Apply the principles you have learned the past year, and make your work a success again so you can get back to the gym!
3. To self: "Of all the things you have learned, you know that exercise is non-negotiable."
My first excuse started as thus: "I don't want to do this homework, everyone will know I've lost my mojo, and I don't want to be embarassed." I turned it to positive: "You really need to do this homework, it is going to help you, and keep you accountable for your actions, or lack thereof!"
Sara, Thank you for the very positive and encouraging note for making it one year and one month. I still don't believe that I made it THAT long!
Guys, I just can't find it. My objectives are seared, and somehow I have an "I don't care" attitude that just won't go away. WHAT HAPPENED? Any shrinks in the group? LOL!
Don't get me wrong, I am not eating crazy. I still stick to my general rules of high protein, quality carbs, less fat. Well ok, confession, while the foods I ate qualified by the rules, I ate way tooo much at least three times this weekend while I was with BF. So much that I was reminded why I do NOT enjoy over-eating. I was miserable. But generally, when I am here at home, and cooking just for me, I eat exactly how I should. Except for those brownies last week. Oh, and the birthday ice cream for my daughter. But other than that, I ate perfectly.
Do you see what I did in that last paragraph? I am lying to myself. I still want to be the way I was, and want to pretend that I am, while I am allowing myself to over indulge on a couple different levels. Including, just being lazy. While most of the time I do eat "by the rules", I have been allowing too many slip-ups. And with that, and lack of exercise.... even though I have not gained any weight, I can see it happening soon. And I don't want it to happen.
I just have to decide how much I don't want it to happen.
Be back later. Hopefully with an answer.
~Julie
PS It just struck me how much I like what Carol wrote about focusing on what I CAN do, not what I can't do........................................... .............................. ...
Hi,
Thanks Julie.
I guess I know so many people who are struggling right now with so much - job (or lack there of), finances, relationships, etc. As pollyannish as it is - the only way to really get through it is to find something that you have that is good.
Whenever I used to get into my anxiety attacks they taught me to project and what could happen if - you ultimately come down to that for most things you can find something positive.
I know that through my weight loss / gain / loss / gain, etc. that I am learning things about myself and how I am getting stronger. It does not always feel that way in the midst, but I am. Once I reflect I feel grateful about what I have learned.
It sucks having to learn it this way sometimes but other times perhaps it is the only way that I will learn.
Lately my lessons have been:
Be proud of where you were - I have gained 15lbs recently - I now know that I can get there again. I know what my body is capable of and how much better I felt. When I was 15lbs less I was hoping to be less than that... I should have savored what I had.
Your most important commodity is time... I have been finding myself squandering it and after my Mom's death - I have thought alot about time as a commodity and something to be spent like money. How do I want to spend it? Where do I want to spend it? Who do I want to spend it on? If I could choose...
This may seem hokey and I am sorry if it does - I thought perhaps I could share..
Good night, all.
Another difficult to address assignment here, Sara...
First check-in: Boy am I on a role. I am 100% on target and maybe even a little ahead for this go-round. YAYYY... I'm getting my 3 kilometer runs and more in regularly. And, I have been logging all my food at least 6 days of the week. It is nice to turn that around so I can see how much I am actually eating. On the running, I guess it helps to aim low and be able to over achieve the goal.
I think my biggest problem in life in general is procrastinating. Here are my top three in order of annoying frequency:
A double-punch (as they say in Japan) is "I don't have time" coupled with "I'll do it later." Of course, we know how far off "later" can end up being. If it is taking care of myself, I can put it on the back burner indefinitely. If it is work related, I can put it off until it can't be put off any longer.
This is so ingrained, it's hard to think of some way to turn this into a positive thing.
Thinking
, thinking 
... (reading back through other ideas...)
Positive: I have the same amount of time as anybody else - only 24 hours a day wherever you are, so I will use my time wisely like a precious commodity. I can set aside a little block of time to whittle down the backlog of things to do. I will not take on anything new until I am confident I can use time more wisely.
"Why bother, it's hopeless." The "poor me" syndrome. It seems like no matter how hard I try, I haven't been able to lose the weight to below the "obese" level of fat. I know I am really making efforts, too.
Positive: I learning all kinds of things about my body and how it works. I know a lot about what keeps me on track, what makes me feel physically better, what foods to eat, how to exercise. I may still be obese, but I am actually much healthier and a lot slimmer than when I started a year and three months ago.
"My husband will get mad if I (supply the reason)." When I started jogging, I hid the fact that I bought shoes and was sneaking out to jog because he would say things like, "You don't have time for that." "You can't do that." "You need to do (...) first." I would not eat some meals because I knew he would want to go out later after work finished and would expect to eat and have a drink. I would think, "DH will get mad if I refuse to go," because it's more fun if we go together. There are quite a few things that make him irritated about my efforts to get healthier if it impinges on his lifestyle choices.
Positive: Despite the challenges I face in learning to integrate a new, healthy lifestyle into my home life, I will never give up even after I reach my goal. I will approach each challenge with the attitude of "how can I enjoy this AND meet my health goals."
Having said that, DH has a job until the end of next March, and is out of the house for the first time in nine years. I feel it is a gift of time from the Gods to boost my efforts to get into good health. I am taking advantage of having a more flexible schedule.
Weekly Topic: Argh, I've been making lots of excuses the last month.
I've been too sick to go to the gym. Unfortunately this one is true and has been for about two months. I've had breathing difficulties that were hard to get under control. The good news is that I was able to go back to the gym last week and also walked outdoors.
It's hard to diet when traveling. The truth is I love to eat at restaurants and it's a handy excuse to eat whatever I want. I know that if I make smart choices when eating out I can have great food and not blow my diet. AND I don't have to cook or clean up. Unfortunately I gained weight when I traveled this month and have yet to lose it.
It's difficult to log food when eating out. This is the corallary to not dieting when traveling. CC really makes it fairly easy to figure out calories and to log food. I just need to do it.
Goals: I have not consistenly logged my eating, I suspect because I didn't want to know how much I was eating. Although the days I did log it I was pleased to find I really wasn't eating as much as I thought. But I didn't maintain my calorie deficet.
Three Months: I've been a member of WJ for three months! I find that it encourages me to know that other people overcome their difficulties and stick with their goals even if they slip up now and then. So, now I need to get back on the wagon, log my intake, and maintian a calorie deficit. Oh, and keep going to the gym!
First, let me say I am proud of all of you, your honesty, your determination, your guts, and your hard work...and it is hard work!!!
Check in - I am doing well logging my food and creating a 500 call deficit at least 5 days a week. As of today I am at 219 lbs. I still have a long way to go but I haven't been below 220 in probably 15 years, so that's a nice marker.
Top 3 excuses:
1. I work hard and I deserve it! I deserve to eat delicious, fatty foods! &nbs p;
Positive spin - I can still have the things I love, on occasion, in smaller portions, just not all I want every single day! And I feel so much better with the weight off. What is more important!?
2. My knees hurt and I have tendonitis in my left achilles and working out only makes it worse. I'm tired of hobbling around.
Positive spin - They hurt less than they used to when I weighed more and I have hope they will quit hurting altogether as I lose more weight. And when I exercise I feel better about myself and just feel better!
3. I have so much weight to lose it will take sooooo long to get to my goal.
Positive spin - yes, it may take me 2-3 years to get there, but I am getting closer every day. I have already been on this path for a year and I never thought that would happen! One year down already! Yahoo!
1. I'm too stressed
doing the RIGHT THING will decrease my stress
2. I already messed up anyway, a little more wont matter
Every little bit counts
3. I'm too far gone
Its never too late to improve
I have been doing great as far as my 2 goals logging 100% and drinking lenty, didnt make the drinking goal yesterday, i was sick and didnt pull it off but i hope to correct that today!
im really happy about making it one month, time flew by!
Hello everyone,
A little late this week, but I had such a nasty cold that I couldn't get myself in front of the computer for more than logging.
Check in:
100% on eating goal. 75% percent on workout goal. (Flu + weather = never a good combination)
Focused on healthy food this week and it was great. I didn't go over my calories per se. Last week too. I had a crazy sick day, fever and all and I would just eat and be delirious. It was freaky. [I'm still wondering if it's the swine flu]
I don't mind that I'm not always perfectly on track with my exercise goal because I always exercise at least three times a week and that feels great.
I've been on a tea diet without wanting to, but the colder the weather, the bigger the teapot, this is my motto.
Assignment:
1. I don't have the money to go to the gym. That's a true problem for me, however in the summer I can do my usual outdoors stuff, biking and rollerblading and in the winter I'll go to a cheaper, less fancy gym and hit it with a student pass. Also the small community pool at my local medschool is great.
2. I'm too busy to eat healthy, everything needs to be done on the run and fast. This one was tricky to get around, but thanks to my three days at home translating, I also have some cooking time to prepare meals for the three days I'm away for the day.
3. It's too expensive to buy veggies and fruit. In my house if I want to buy more healthy stuff, I do it out of my own money. I don't have a big income and that can be difficult sometimes. But over the last year, I've managed to convince my parents to buy more vegetables on their Sunday market run. It can be a bit boring to eat more of the same thing every week, but with a bit of imagination and the right basic ingredients, it can be done! :P (Btw, the Mediterranean Lentil Soup was divine, I slightly modified it and made it hotter [long live chili], but all in all it was great]
4. I can't exercise because of the bad weather. See above - number 1
5. I'm too depressed to cook or go out and exercise. This used to happen a lot. And by a lot I mean every few days. It's better now, really because whenever I do exercise, my depression seems to melt away like magic (endorphines, serotonin)
6. I haven't done my share of translating, therefore I cannot exercise. I have to ask myself if procrastinating or well-being comes first for me. Sometimes I have the feeling it's procrastinating. But I must make it well-being.
Yesterday I found myself wearing a coat whose last button wouldn't button right before and my belly (which is not monumental, really) would stick out unpleasantly. But yesterday it wasn't so bad. It did close, I did button up ok. (not perfect mind you, but ok)
Happy Hump Day!
What a good assignment Sara, really getting everyone thinking. Also, it's nice to see that a lot of us face the same challenges and excuses when it comes to our weightloss goals.
So what are my top excuses.....
1. I'll just have a little taste of (chocolate, sweets etc), which then turns into more than a little bit most of the time, and then I say "Well I already screwed up, I'll start again tomorrow".
Positive - I know that individual packets don't work for me, it's not that hard to open a 2nd packet you see So I just won't bring the sweets and chocolate into the house and then if I'm at a special occasion or something like that and there are sweets served I can choose to have a small taste (or not) and leave it at that. I don't have as much of an issue when there are other people around for some reason.
2. I'm too tired, sick or PMSy to work out, I'll do it tomorrow.
Positive - once I start exercising I'm no longer tired, it actually gives me a boost of energy. Am I really sick or am I just in need of some exercise to get my blood pumping? Haven't I learned yet that exercise actually HELPS pms?
3. Well he, she they are eating it, so I can to.
Positive - this one is particularly hard for me. I need to remember that everyone is different and I don't know what else they have eaten today or what their activity level is like etc. I used to think if my husband was eating it then I should be able to as well. As we all know, this isn't the case. He's BMR and metabolism is different then me. He works at the physical job and I don't etc.
As for my goals, I'm off on the running goals but doing pretty good on the fruits/veggies goal. I'm getting about 3 runs in a week, which is probably what I should have shot for instead of 4 but oh well.
I'm heading to NY city the week after next and I'm hoping the hotel I stay at will have a gym, if not maybe I can brave the city and go for a run outside???
Have a great week everyone and thanks for sharing!
Carrie
I'm too tired
If I exercise I won't be so tired.
Meal planning is hard and time consuming
If I keep doing it consistently then it becomes as routine as by bad-habit meal planning and cooking.
I don't have time
Well, it's a matter of priorities. I can choose to work more, volunteer more, read more, watch more TV, spend more time with family... these are all choices. It comes down to how much do I really want to loose the weight. If it's a priority then I have to de-prioritize something else.
Marcekd Not only will cooking with your kids give you some quality time, it will give them good eating habits and valuable skills they will know for the rest of their lives.
One of the excuses I cannot use is that I don't know how to prepare healthy meal or don't know how to cook. Thanks to my mum I'm a great cook, and I do know how to eat healthy. I just need to do that instead of popping something in the microwave and lounging on the couch. Also some of my best memories are cooking with mum.
Carry I find exercising after work (or anything) hard. It's much easier to talk myself out of going to the gym and let myself curl up on the couch. One thing I've done to combat that (since I can no longer go to the gym in the morning) is to put my gym bag in the car. I take transit to and from work, but this way, even before I go inside I go to the car, get in the car, go to the gym and avoid the couch entirely until I am home from the gym.
Laura Two really great ones in there. I think the first is to recognize while there may be legitimate physical limitations to exercise there are almost always ways around them. Unless you are in a coma, there is little excuse not to try some form of exercise.
I also relate to the dog one, the other reason I put my gym bag in the car (see above) is that if I go home, the dogs get excited and then I have trouble leaving - guilt, worried about them howling, peeing... But this is about training and making sure that I create routines and normalacy for me and them.
Sakura On the preparing of food, while I think you have a good outlook another way to look at it as a student is that there are a huge amount of studies out there that show the benefits of taking short breaks from studying. Look at the 15 minutes it will take you to prepare a balanced meal as a "refresh" time for your mind from studying and at the same time you are preparing your body to be more alert and focused.
Laura I think you have seen a way through the exercise excuse but it sounds like you are still putting off the eating portion. If you are sick of calorie counting what about trying to put together a meal plan or a nutrition plan that you can follow.
Julie I think we all go through these cycles. I've been in this down cycle since about.. oh... March 2009!!! Ack! I'm just starting to come out of it. I had a great first year in 2008, dropped nearly 50 lbs.. gained 10 back... and just lost it. Exercise, cooking right... all too much work. I just slowed down... felt tired... nothing perked me up..
I wish I could give you a great plan, but I can't.
What I can say is that I stuck with the group and I'm finding my motivation again. It's coming down to want.. as I saw those 10 lbs slowly creep on this year and as we're coming up to the holidays knowing I can gain a lot more... I had to ask myself. Is this important to me? Then what am I willing to do for it? And also take a hard realistic look at how much I had been slacking off this past year.
It's not been easy. As the group moderator or whatever I call myself I feel like I should be modeling success, and I certainly haven't been able to do that in the last year... but watch out for 2010, here I come again, and I'll drag you with me if I have to.
Carol I agree with the time as a commodity and it is far too easy to squander. Now that we have free cable in our building I've spent too much time in front of the TV and not doing what I want to do. This is stopping beginning this past week. Yay!
Kathy I think the other way I look at time is a matter of priorities. When I am saying "I don't have time for this" I'm saying "I don't think this is as important as _______"... so what I really have to ask myself is how do I want to spend those precious 24 hours. Work, family and fun are all important, but where do I fall in those priorities and don't I deserve some of that time.
Continued later...
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