Wagon Jumpers - October 5 - 11th, 2008 (Closed, Waiting List Available)
Welcome
(We are currently at 30 members. If you are interested in being the first name 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 22 Riders:
Supersized (myself)
Week 21 Riders:
Week 20 riders:
Week 19 Riders:
Week 18 Riders:
Week 16 Riders - Congratulations on 4 Months!:
Week 15 Riders:
Week 14 Riders:
Week 12 Riders - Congratulations on 3 Months!:
Week 10 Riders:
Week 7 Riders:
Week 6 Riders:
Week 5 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: 30
Current Waiting List: 1
Outstanding Wait List Invites: 0
12 WEEK CONSISTENCY GOALS
(as set w/o July 27th, 2008)
By October 19th, I will be...
2/3 of the way through phase II of my plan. That is have 4 weeks left until I can say that I have been eating at 1500 cal & exercising 4x/week at 2hrs/day for 12 consecutive weeks.
Drinking 100oz fluid daily, at least 3 trips a week to the gym and 2 trips will include strength training!
Running 3 times a week consistently. I will also be drinking 4 500ml bottles of water every day in 12 weeks.
Or be on course to meet each of my monthly biking goals (August 240 miles, September 350 miles, and October 280 miles), and I will have done the 60 mile course of the NYC MS Bike Tour on 10/5/08, despite the nasty 2 mile hill that's right in the middle of the course!
Going to the gym for 1 1/2 hours 5x per week. Cardio for 45 min and strength training for 45 min.
I plan to have made going to the gym 3 times a week a habit.
I will be working out 3 evenings a week.
Working out 5 days a week.
Journaling my food intake daily and drinking a quart of water a day.
I will update my logs accurately and consistently, and exercise regularly; cardio 3x/week and strength training 3x/week
Working out 5x week. These exercise will include biking, running, dance lessons, weights, etc. I will be eating 24 grams of fiber consistent 1500-2000.
Previous Threads:
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
12 Week Goal Status
For those members who set goals on July 27th, we are now 3/4 of the way through the 12 weeks. How are you doing?
Holiday Strategy
It's coming: Canadian Thanksgiving (October 13th), Hallowe'en, American Thanksgiving, Winter Celebrations of all kinds...
Feats, pies, cookies, cakes, desert bars, office parties, family dinners, cookie circles, mini-chocolate bars, candy canes, puff pastry, champagne, and seasons of 'more, more, more'
What is your Holiday Strategy? How are you going to navigate all the tasty treats on offer, enjoy the holidays and meet your goals?
Weekly Check-In
I struggled with weather or not to count this week as a success. On the hard crunchy number I'm 15 calories over my daily average of 1500 cal/day. I'm usually a numbers 'nazi' to myself so a lot of my conscious mind is saying if I let the 15 calories slide then what will be next, 25 calories, 50, 100, 1,000!!! Stop the insanity here! Discipline yourself!
Then there is the other part that is saying that I've done the 4 workouts, the calories are averaged and I am diligent about logging EVERYTHING, I ate out a lot this week because of election stuff. Oh, yeah, and I'm in the middle of an election campaign, while job hunting, while getting interviewed for a co-op, while trying to pull together a national policy convention in less than 2 months, and re-drafting a provincial communications strategy in less than 2 weeks... in short. This is good progress with only 15 caloires, and many of the foods I ate out this week were averages and I did log everything.
So I'm going to say I'm okay, this week, because of the amount of guesstimating, and how hard it has been to stay on track to count this week as a success and say that I've met week 3 of 12's obligation. This is also supported by doing better in my other goals this week.
This week also finishes of my 2nd quarter since I began tracking success on a life balance scale:
Quarter 1: April 2008 - June 2008
Overall: 55%
Household: 75%
Health & Beauty: 62%
Finance: 46%
Career: 36%
Entertainment: 53%
Quarter 2: July 2008 - September 2008
Overall: 45%
Household: 63%
Health & Beauty: 55%
Finance: 34%
Career: 30%
Entertainment: 41%
Quarter 1 was better than Quarter 2, but I can now have my high and low point and try in Quarter 3 to do at least better than Quarter 2.
Goal Check-in
I think as I mentioned when I hit the half way mark for the goal, I am off track. I will not be able to be 8 weeks into my plan by October 19th. It sucks missing a goal like that, and it's de-motivating. But, I decided then to recommit myself and prepare myself for my next goal so that I will hopefully have finished phase II of my plan once we reach the end of the next 12-week goal.
Holiday Strategy
I need one.
I am going to try to attend 1 family and 1 friend function per holiday. Hoping they are a week apart. I will do most of the cooking for my family who are primarily vegetarian and will be happy with healthy alternatives. I will eat treats, but in moderation. I will not have sweet treats before the meal, or salty treats after the meal. I will have VERY good teas. I will not buy excessive amounts of chocolate as stocking stuffers.
These are the beginning of a strategy, they are more along the lines of tactics right now, hopefully by the end of the week I'll have worked out a strategic rather than a tactical approach as I find that tactics without strategy is often a recipe for failure.
Holidays are hard. But i'm sure i can handle them this year!
No haloween candy for me 90% of the time, if i have room in my day for it, i will only eat a few pieces. I am not buying haloween candy this year (unless i will be home to hand it out, and in that case - i'll hand out the prepackaged cookies we have here in the house - oreos and rice crispie treats.)
As for the meals, i did very good at easter this year of just eating a small amount at each event - We usually have at least 2-3 places to go. Sometimes on the same day, sometimes spread out. I will make the effort to not eat if i am not hungry. Basically - I'm not going to deprive myself enjoying a little bit of food, but i will certainly not stuff it in my face if i am already full. That just makes me miserable anyway.
Moderation is the key, and I know I can handle it.
Weekly Checkin:
I weighed this morning and lost another 1 lb. So thats 2.5lbs in 2 weeks! Yay. I am spot on the gym portion of my goal. I make it at least 3x a week and each time i do my NROLFW workout. Drinking the 100oz though is much harder. I work outside this time of year and i am not close to the bathroom - so i can't be getting in the truck and driving over there every 10 minutes. I'm still getting at least 64oz though. So that is a healthy level for me at least. I'm definately not dehydrated.
Weekly Check in:
The first half of the week was terrible food-wise, but I did very well the last few days. I walked a lot this week (I was in New York City for a few days) but I didn't do any strength training. Somehow I still managed to lose 1.5 pounds this week, which is the lowest I have been so far in my new lifestyle (I have fluctuated a lot recently). I thought I was in a plateau for about 6 weeks, but if that was so, I am now out of it :). I think I got out of it by trying to eat less processed foods.
Holiday Strategy:
I definitely need one too. When there is a lot of good food around, I am known for attacking it. I don't really eat candy so Halloween won't be a problem. But for Thanksgiving, I'm going to be away with my family for a few days and I will need to not overload my plate at dinner. I will also make sure not to starve myself during the day before the big dinner to keep myself from overeating at dinner. I guess I have already started saving room for Thanksgiving, as I have decreased my calories slightly, which I'm not sure is such a good idea.
I am very impulsive and I can hold off being tempted by food for a long time, but I usually end up giving in in the end. I hope to try to stay in control and remind myself that holding off for a while and giving in later is just as bad as giving in right away.
My goal for Thanksgiving will be to stop eating once I'm full and not waste my calories on average food that I can eat all the time; I'll save them for the good food!
MsMeg Great job on meeting your fitness goals. Water is certainly the hardest component for me. I have to admit a lot of it has to do with running to the washroom all the time if I am drinking enough. I wonder if anyone has a solution for that one (and no, a diaper is not a solution - ewwww!)
Sarah Congratulations on breaking your plateau. I do believe as we reach our goals it's not just about less food but about better foods. I'm still trying to suss out my own holiday strategy.
Supersized- the only thought I have about those 15 calories, can you see a trend in when you go over your target? Is it the evening after a hard workout or the morning after? If so, let those 15 slide. When you're working harder, you need to eat more. Period. If the 15 is from iindulgences that have nothing to do with working out, then be the number nazi if you know that's what you need.
Holidays.... I used to cringe at the thought of them coming. The excess of it all...food...I mean. But now, when else can you almost guarantee that there will be fresh roast turkey breast in everyone's home. One of my favorite healthy foods now. And usually there is one, but only one, fresh veggie not creamed, buttered, or covered in other calories. For us, fresh garden green beans, steamed broccoli, roasted corn on the cob....I use those to "fill" my plate and then a side of turkey and yes, I have to have some stuffing but the amount is so small (1/4 - 1/2c.) that I don't even worry about it.
I keep in my thoughts that the holidays are a time for friends, family and fun.... not food. "Food is for life no enjoyment" is what I still have to remember often.
Hope everyone is off to great start to a great week!
-Susan
I ate much, much, MUCH too much yesterday going somewhat over double what my daily calories are supposed to be. I was exhausted yesterday and let the bf order take-away and then just munched mindlessly on crappy food. I feel physically low today.
I'm thinking of allowing myself a fast day after that. I don't believe in fasts, not as weight loss tactics. Mainly because they are short term, they promote starvation, they actually stunt weight loss. I do however believe in them to flush out the system. Using high hydration, lots of water and tea, and doing them for no longer than dawn till dusk.
I have a low activity day today, and if I get my exercise in, in the early afternoon. I should be okay although if I do feel faint I will of course eat.
I'm still struggling with what a holiday eating strategy could be. I know I need something more than the theory that I will eat in moderation. I think I have Thanksgiving figured out in that our election is the day after the Canadian Thanksgiving weekend so I don't think any of my politically involved family will be celebrating Thanksgiving. Halloween I don't buy candy since we are in an apartment building the kids don't come around. Which just leaves the 3 weeks of Christmas party madness in my industry and among my circle of friends and family to navigate.
Week In Focus:
This is my second full week as a Wagon Jumper member, and I am feeling ok with how things are developing for me. I am on the wagon, so to speak, and no thoughts of taking a dive off it. Resolved to stay on.
Last week was sketchy for me as far as realizing I had actually reached my goals. It does make sense that if you over acheive, you actually reached your goal. I was feeling guilty because I had done more than what I had planned.
I also had some mini-goals set for myself that did not make sense. Why would I require myself to do something for one week that I would not wish to continue on a regular basis for the rest of my life.
But all in all, I reached my own expectations, and graduated myself to the next level. Thanks to everyone here for your support and encouragement. And thank you Sara for being willing to take time out of your day to keep the group going.
Goals for this week:
Nutrition - average 1800 calories
Exercise - walk two times, pilates two times with serious stretching before and pushups.
Mental/Emotional: Log all foods, think positive, encourage my friends in some way this week, and reward myself if I stay on goal with a golf outing this weekend.
Word of the Week: Portions
Action of the Week: Sit at the table every time I eat something.
Plan: I need a more defined plan with more specific goals and strategies. I think I understand now that my tactics are merely just that, and that a strategy is necessary. I believe that the goals are pretty clear cut, but I also want to be more specific there as well.
The nutrition part is fairly easy for me, as I've previously mentioned.
The Exercise department, I have some decisions to make, whether to join a gym, get some more home videos, read certain books, purchase my own (heavier) weights, try to organize some local friends as exercise partners, how much cardio/lifting, joining the 100 pushups group, etc etc.
In the area of Mental/Emotional: This is where I need help. I need all the input I can get from all of you. I believe I have some tactics for a basic beginning, but I have no idea how to strategize this.
HOLIDAYS
Every once in a while (every two months or so), even in the summer, I make a nice Sunday dinner with turkey and all the fixins. Of course I include mashed potatoes and gravy! This is the type of meal my family prepares both for Thanksgiving and Christmas. I think I may do my own here in the next few weeks so I don't have to feel so hungry for it when the actual holiday meals arrive. I will just be thinking more about moderation and portions than I previously have.
As far as treats, alcohol, desserts... this is why I am already practicing in my mind, what moderation means, and what a portion really equals. I want to be well trained in my psyche so I have the ammunition to thwart the callings of those ornery trickeries. LOL! I will probably start practicing some things to myself like "just do it" (walk away), and "just say no", it can't hurt.
Hey, did you know its ok to throw food away? Why should I be a member of the clean plate club if my body doesn't require it? Why should I have to eat the things my kids leave, so it's not "wasted", obviously there is a reason they didn't eat it. Their body didnt need it! Also, I don't go ahead and give it all to the dog either, I don't need a dog who is overweight. I guess what I am saying is, if I take a bite of something, and I dont like it, or want it, or find that I am too full to finish it, I am going to watch it fall right into the trash!
When it comes to holiday foods, I resolve: I will spend those calories only on the things that are utterly worth it. And when I do, I won't feel guilty, and I won't fall off the wagon. I will, after the holidays, just as before and during, continue on my adventure for healthgain, and enjoy my progress!
Kiss fear in the face, we are strong women with determination, and we should not fear that we will not succeed, we can and will do this.
Happy Healthgain everyone,
~Julie
PS
I have had some difficulty deciding whether to post this, because I don't want to come across as being a "miss know it all". Because I really don't know it all, in fact probably less than most. BUT I just wanted to say this because I would hope someone would also say it to me.
Sara - Even though I don't know you personally, I consider us friends, and friends are honest with one another even when it isn't what we want to say or even hear. I promised myself ages ago, and you and the group when I started that I would be honest with you, and not sugar coat or patronize. So I apologize up front if I sound hard. Its because I care.
I realize you are having a very busy phase of your life right now. I know from reading many of your posts from the past that this is one of your triggers. I want to encourage you. I know you had a day of it yesterday, and that is OK! We all do it. There is nothing wrong with a short fast, as you said, but please be careful with it, as that can also be a trigger to the yo-yo-ing that I am all too familiar with... If you have a bad day, so what. No need to go obsessive in the other direction. I would for myself (at this point) consider cutting back 100 calories for a day or two, and exercising just a little more in your next session to try and compensate, but babe, so what. You didn't commit a crime! No need to send yourself to prison. So you had a small setback, stand up, brush off the dust, smile, wave, and carry on as you were. It will all balance out in the end. We want you here on the wagon, and aren't going to let you get crazy. I truly truly appreciate all you do for us!
Hello!
I have been trying not to think of the holidays coming up, being that I am such a carb hound..I usually have the stuffing bowl at my right elbow during Thanksgiving daring anyone to try and get some from me! ...but since we are accountable and doing so well..this is just another day that needs to be planned and executed...I have read many many times to eat a small meal right before a party this way you are not panting and foaming at the mouth once you get to a party...now personally I think that is a bit silly for me...everything that I WANT to eat is at the party...I don't want to munch on a carrot stick at home...our family is so food orientated...kitchen dining room table is where we connect...so it is going to be very difficult for me..so I need a plan too..
smaller plates maybe? to fake myself out that I am full...even though part of my problem is I am no slave to hunger pangs...don't need them to eat.
I am going to enlist the help of my DH on this one..he eats like a bird..and will help me if I ask him to (as long as I remember I asked him to help and not snarl at me if he whispers in my ear to get my face out of the pumpkin pie plate)
My family is not so helpful..they are all overweight..they are glad that the new healthy lifestyle is working for me, but this is a holiday and they want to enjoy their food choices not have to be "careful" around me. this is going to be a huge test for my new way of thinking. Thank goodness there still is a bit of time before the actual moment of truth..
I did better last week, I lost the 2lbs I gained the week before plus 1..so the exercise is working!! I don't hate it as much as I first did...I don't enjoy it by anymeans until I am done..so my thinking on that has changed...if that can changed anything can..
Sara- I really respect all that you have on your plate...and I agree that I am sure you must feel low..but you recognized what was wrong..don't be too hard on yourself....I have never had to deal with anorexia so I am not sure of the triggers..one day will not spoil all of your hard work. I so appreciate your hard work with Wagon jumpers...Thank you!
Julie- I was able to join the local ymca through my insurance carrier and I think the use of their many machines have helped me with the weight loss that I have experienced..I have rented many exercise tapes from my library but I find if I have to do the routine here at the house with just me, I usually don't. I don't mean I want to join a class of ladies who have never been overweight in their life and look down at me cause I still jiggle once I stop jumping around! lol but it would be nice to have a couple friends who were interested in working out with me.. maybe taking turns hosting..but unfortunately it is just me..
Fasting
I thought I should talk a bit more about this. I struggled a lot with the decision to engage in a fast today. I wasn't sure if I was doing it as a punishment for my overindulgence of yesterday, or to reset, or to flush.
I am also very aware that I do have a anorexic tendency from years gone by to go for days on end with only water or very little calories and then dive off the deep end into awful food. So I am / was / am conscious of this tendency and am trying to monitor if that is happening. Specifically this tendency is why I'm posting this little experiment here to be accountable for my actions and behaviours.
Some Background:
I have never ever done a 'fast'. I've starved myself. But I don't consider that fasting. I think starvation has specific goals and a very specific psychology around it. When I was starving myself I had a sort of sick pride, a david vs. Goliath mentality that I was 'winning' a battle against food. That sort of shows the sick mentality I can have around food sometimes that it's a me vs. it... no healthy.
I think fasting is something else. For the longest time 'fasting' has been a four letter word in my vocabulary. I couldn't go anywhere near it for fear that I would slip back into starvation. Then I started wondering about it. There are a lots of health experts that recommend fasting for various reasons usually to do with flushing the body. I've been dismissing them as crack-pots for the better part of the last four years.
Then there is the religious community. Most organized religions have some point in the year when they engage in either a day or a series of days of fasting. There is much spirituality around taking time out from the bodily needs and thereby becoming more in touch with the body and the spirit.
Finally, me being the little techno-geek that I am, I started reading this blog:
IF stands for Intermittent Fasting. Mike O'Donnell is yet another personal trainer, and he writes The IF Life. What is interesting to me about this site is that it is geared to body-building men who want to 'bulk up'. Not to women who want to loose weight. This immediately made the idea of Intermittent Fasting seem counter intuitive to me.
I'm still not sure if I buy in completely, but what really got me was his idea around 're-setting' the body. That we get into certain physical and food routines, our cravings become habit. That by engaging in a short fast 18-19 hours is his recommendation (less than a day) we can re-set what our bodies are craving and go back to natural food choices.
The second point that got me is that he attacks the idea of humans "having" to eat 6-8 small meals a day. While he agrees that we can do better as grazers he does not believe this is the only genetic pre-disposition for us. He argues that especially in winter when tribes were dependent on hunting and were traveling more it would have made sense that in times of scarcity of food and fuel that meals would have been one or two large meals per day with the rest of the day on hydration. He's got some good evidence to back this up.
Anyways as I said, I'm not sure if I'm convinced, but I thought I'd give it a whirl.
On a side note he's got a good article about Are Diet Sodas Making You Gain Weight?
The Experiment Thus Far
Taking a fast has so far been a positive experience. I have not really felt VERY hungry yet. I'm making a bit of tea now, and I'm within 3 hours of my bed time. I have every intention of eating tomorrow.
I have not felt dizzy. My work out actually gave me energy instead of making me very tired which I expected it to do on an empty stomach.
I don't think I have had enough water, if I ever do this again I need a better water plan.
I don't have any headaches or nausea, something I remember from my starvation days and I'm glad that they are not present.
I feel surprisingly positive. This feels odd since I feel so crappy and low after eating a lot of junk food.
I'm craving cucumbers, which I think is a good positive sign for wanting to eat healthy tomorrow.
So, I'm not sure what this will teach me. I certainly won't do this again for awhile. I need to work out the psychology around this and see how I react tomorrow. If I binge then it's part of a negative cycle. If I don't and the week goes smoothly then maybe there is something to this 're-setting' business.
Experiment Over
Well I don't know if my system is 're-set' but I woke up and grabbed a bowl of Kashi. I also woke up later than I would have liked. Not sure if that was the fast or me being exhausted from the election. I am going to try to fit in a mid-afternoon work out today.
Hi Everyone....just checking in. So i finially weighed myself after a month and i completely depressed. I gained 6lbs!?!?!?! I know i had a few slip ups but come on...6lbs??? I am so down on myself right now about this. But i'm not going to let it ruin anything. I just know that i really need to try harder. And mainly i need to get back to working out. So i plan on starting my workouts tomorrow (today i can't, my schedule is way to full - i won't be working out til right before bedtime then). I'm going to try and get up before work and get my workout in. If that doesn't work then i will definitely work out when i get home plus still take the dogs for their walk. I also need to be drinking more water...i think that's been one of my huge issues lately. I definitely am not getting enough water anymore. I was doing so good before.
Holidays
I definitely need to come up with a holiday strategy. I'm a total sucker for christmas cookies and the appetizers that are out. I need to limit myself. I won't completely deprive myself but i will watch how much i eat. I'm not so concerned about Halloween or even thanksgiving. Christmas is the worst for me with food. I need to get myself in control now and i think it will help when christmas comes around.
Jumping in on the Fasting topic. . .
I too have utilized a fast for a day in order to clear my system and reset it. I physically would get to the point of being drained and worn down and just a general "full" and bloated feeling. Of course, this usually followed a series of days of unhealthy choices.
For me, fast meant any liquids.... so soup (chicken broth) was included. I can't begin to tell you the difference it made. In the way I felt and the way I could just make that U turn and get back on track.
For the TMI part, it does help to clear your system. After a day of fasting, the next day my system would self-purge and flush out. Talk about difference. My energy would return, my skin would be healthier, and I was ready to conquer the world.
Sara - I'm glad to hear your fast turned out well. Sounds like you were prepared going in and knew the limits. And were well prepared upon exiting. I'm not for fasting for weight loss. However, fasting to clear your system has worked for me in the past. I can see how those will some tendencies might not be able to define the lines so clearly and fasting could lead to further problems. And as always, you should be generally healthy before ever attempting and if possible, consult your doctor.
--Susan
Hi all,
Checking in and doing fair. Went to the orthodontist yesterday and they replaced some of the brackets, changed and tightened wires and essentially filed down some of the teeth to make them more symmetric. I am miserable today and unable to bite/chew anything. I have been taking Motrin and that helps but I don't like to take it without eating too much. Been doing the puddings and applesauce but even having a spoon in my mouth is not comfortable. I realized I did not baby my kids nearly enough when they had their braces adjusted.
Regarding the holidays... I think having a little of the things that you don't have routinely is a great way to go. I make nut roll only once a year because it takes two days to complete and I know I will have it and other treats that my family and friends only make for the holidays. I think portion control is the way to go in order to get enjoyment out of life without the guilt afterwards. Also planning for social events is a must. I love wine and have to really watch and plan so I don't fall off into a ditch.
Fasting would not be the way for me to go but I have heard people who did well doing this to regain their sense of control. Regarding the primitive man example - we have evolved so much since that time in history that our bodies have probably lost this through the evolution process also.
I feel a body should eat in moderation and live life in moderation. That being said, I need a food scale to tell me what moderation is. I remain a work in progress :)
Jen
WEEKLY CHECK-IN
Well last week I certainly failed on keeping eating healthy but instead hovered around my maintainace calorie number. I just needed a break both to motivate myself to stick to healthy eating for the next few weeks. I'm feeling better, maybe not slimmer, but more determined and enthusiastic about eating the healthy way.
Holiday Strategy
I love to cook, so my strategy is if it's not healthy, turn it! Now I know cakes are eatable even if you use diet coke (in the case of the instant mix) or apple sauce instead of butter. I'm researching recipes from old cookbooks, even considering doing a pasta free vegan lasagna for thanksgiving and save the turkey for christmas. I'm usually in charge of doing the dessert for the traditional (major and event of the year) family reunion on christmas eve so I'm already thinking on what I'm baking. ;)
Good Humpday Ladies!
Found another recipe I've adapted to a healthier version. I've put in the instructions and hopefully the recipe will be updated soon. Check out the Chicken and Wild Rice Soup....with the coming cold weather, it'll be a great comfort food. I made it last night for this evening's lunch & dinner. But tasted it and it tasted sinfully rich to be so calorie conscience. Figured I'd pair it with a nice salad and have a well rounded meal.
--Susan
Hi
sjenn: I tagged the soup and intend to make it this weekend, looks very delicious, but am wondering..Is a serving size 1 cup? I looked and didn't see other than gram weight.
Hi. I am not doing so well on my twelve week plan. I am just going to have to be careful during the holiday. I will allow myself to indulge but I don't want to overkill. I might have to bring a journal with me to keep track of my food.
hello everyone! sorry that i've been mia this past week! I was sick and then work was just crazy. ugh even my logging calories lagged :( but I'm determined to get back on track. Still haven't weighed myself because I don't want to be all excited about the weight I know I lost simply because I did nothing but lay around for a week straight and really didn't eat that much and so it's not really weight loss. What I'm amazed about is how much harder my strength training is now that I've been out of the gym for only 6 days! I was dying after 10 minutes of training with my personal trainer :( I felt sad and just ehhhh. I'm slowly getting back in the groove of things but I'm off to Chicago on Friday for the weekend and that derails me yet again. I'm looking forward to being able to have the rest of October/November with no big commitments so I can just get back into my groove of exercising. Its weird how much I now miss it! But I'm trying not to be hard on myself and keep thinking that its not like I failed, I just got a little derailed (haha it rhymes) for a couple days and I'm getting right back on that horse. :) I've got to run but I'll be back later to answer the weekly question! Just wanted to give a quick update on my break! Thanks for everyone for the motivating messages :)
Best of Luck,
Christine
RPete .. Actually, its slightly more than 1 1/4 cups... not quite 1 1/2. so I would say around 1 1/3. Luckily my scale does grams, but sorry about that. One note about the soup.....ate it for lunch........its more filling than you think. Start out with a cup... Very thick. You could even start with a 1 1/4 c. and add another 1/4c of water..... Another note....I cooked a bunch of chicken on the grill and used a rub with seasonings low in sodium....added tons of flavor. I'm sure baked chicken is good but I really liked the "flame kissed" taste.
Tiegurl.. I always take my journal with me when I know I'm going to be the weakest. Having the accountability to someone or something keeps me on track better! Keep high spirits. You can do this!
--Susan
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