Wagon Jumpers - October 18 - 24, 2009 (1 waiting list spot available)
Welcome
(I keep the waiting list capped at 4 people as it can be a 16 week wait with that length. We currently have 3 people on the waiting list if you are interested in the last spot please 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. 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 24 Riders - Congratulations on 1 Year & 6 Months!:
Supersized 
(myself)
Year 1 - Week 20 Riders - Congratulations on 1 Year & 5 Months!:
Year 1 - Week 19 Riders:
Defrog3 - Maternity Leave to October 31, 2009
Year 1 - Week 14 Riders:
Year 1 - Week 13 Riders:
Year 1 - Week 8 Riders - Congratulations on 1 Year & 2 Months!:
Year 1 - Week 3 Riders:
Week 48 Riders:
Week 46 Riders:
Week 41 Riders:
Week 21 Riders:
Week 16 Riders - Congratulations on 4 Months!:
Week 13 Riders:
Week 11 Riders:
Week 10 Riders:
Peera - Computer dead, check in Oct 24, 2009
Week 9 Riders:
Week 7 Riders:
Week 5 Riders:
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: 25
Current Waiting List: 3
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 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
Wagon Jumpers - April 26 - May 2nd, 2009
As always all members are encouraged to tag this thread so that it is easy to find.
This Week's Topic: Recipe Exchange
Use the Recipe Tool!
Last time we did the recipe exchange I noticed a lot of people ducked out of it with various excuses - which is fine because the weekly topics are optional. However since we have almost half of our group as new members I thought we should do an open recipe exchange - this can be anything, your most complicated souffle, or a peanut butter and jelly sandwich.
The point is to familiarize yourself with the recipe tool.
One of the largest challenges with dieting is keeping track of what you eat. For many of us the first sign that we are falling off the wagon is that we stop logging our foods, it is very time consuming and tedious. Creating a good recipe bank can be one way to make logging easier, it avoids having to log each individual item and reminds you about portion control (really, that stir fry was supposed to be 4 portions - not two?)...
So, complicated or simple:
1. Enter a recipe in the recipe tool.
2. Tag it.
3. Post it on the thread here (not as the recipe but as a link we can click on and that members can then tag in their own recipe bank).
Entering a recipe:
1. Go to "Food" tab
2. Go to "New Recipe" tab
3. Enter the information for your recipe
(Note: you can have another browser window open, and if you aren't sure of which item you are pulling from the database - i.e. rice - you can browse for that item and then behind the item you can enter the item number found at the end of the url e.g Rice [20089] = wild rice)
4. Click "Analyze Recipe" look to make sure all of your items have little green flags, if not correct the measurement or the item as needed until they are all green
5. Click "Save This Recipe" - blue link at the top of your screen between recipe nutrition card and your title bar on the cc site.
6. Enter the name, description and other information.
7. Click Save
8. Click Tag and then enter the tag as you would like it to appear in your tagged recipe items.
Now you can enter this dish at one click with any of your other foods!
Posting a Recipe on This Thread:
1. Go to your tagged items, recipe tab, find the recipe you created and click on it.
2. Copy the recipe address from your browser bar (just like you would copy something to cut and paste it into a document.
3. Come to the wagon jumpers thread and post your response as usual. When you decide to post your recipe type in the recipe name (or "click here" or whatever you want to use)
4. Highlight the text you want to use as your link.
5. At the top of your reply box you will see a chain link (and a broken one) light up as soon as you highlight text. Click on the chain link (not the broken one).
6. A box will pop up paste the url you copied into the "Link URL" field.
7. Hit "Insert"
8. Finish typing your response and click "post reply" as usual.
My Recipe: Arabian Lentils
Marcekd - Welcome to the Group! Sorry I didn't get a chance to get back to you last week. Great job on being half way through your weight loss goal!
For evening snacking some things that have helped me, and been discussed on this thread is making a pot of tea with an evening snack. Drinking the hot tea slowly with a small snack and having a second cup at night works the same way as water during the day. This lets you have the snack, but the snack must be accompanied by tea. The other thing is to switch to healthy snacks. Have an apple before bed. Tell yourself you will eat the apple and have some tea. If you are still hungry / snacky after that then you will consider something else. So, yes you can have the snack but you are going to start with apple and tea first.
There's lots of mummy's in the group so lets ask them to speak up about how they balance children, work, housework, husbands, cooking, cleaning and finding some time for themselves.
On a side note I will say I'm a total zombie first thing in the morning, but if I can get myself to the gym in the morning it makes all the difference in the world. My energy levels are better during the day and I don't have it hanging over me all day. I find my brain is too slow to make excuses in the morning not to go to the gym, but when I'm trying to go after work I can always find a reason not to go.
Check In
Following my usual routine of getting through a stressful period with grace (Canadian Thanksgiving) and then collapsing into wagon jumping disaster afterwards I completely dove off the wagon this past week. I didn't make it to the gym once, and I ate turkey dinner yummy goodness/badness all week.
So that's one slack week gone. Two more to go.
Planning to go to the gym Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday. Back up days are Friday and Saturday.
Yikes! I missed a whole week. Sorry folks...I've got to get organized! I am moving along well on my gaols for this period. I will admit to having a few late evening walks to get those 10,000 steps in on some days. Now that we have had the dreaded "first snow" in upstate NY I will have to get more organized with that...I HATE being cold!
Being inspired and educated by this group is the greatest part of being a member. In the past couple of weeks I have purchased "New Rules..." and am currently halfway through reading it...I am going to give it a shot. Got to check with those doctors and see if I am allowed to use whey protein! Also, I'm dragging my family into more activities. I signed my 8 year old granddaughter (who already has weight issues) up for cheer-leading for the junior football team at her school. Now, you want to talk pure comedic entertainment.....a clumsy 8 year old and a clumsier 50 year old in the middle of my living room trying to learn cheers!!! Hey....we laugh, we giggle and more importantly....we sweat and move!
Thanks for the gentle nudges in my message box. I really and truly appreciate all of you. You're great for my mood!!
Hi there! I'm so happy I came back to see the recipe exchange thread!! I love food (my problem) and new ideas on how to prepare healthy meals!
Sara, I like your recipe--just last week I made Mediterranean Lentils and Rice--they're very similar, although my recipe has a few more calories!
EDIT: And as a new "mummy" I'm still trying to adjust to life after baby. Abigail is now 6 weeks old: she's gained 2 pounds since birth and is doing very well. I love being a mom! When the weather has cooperated, I've been taking her for walks around the park (a 3 mile loop), but the past week or so it has been pretty awful outside, so we've been house bound. I'm using her as a weight for upper body workouts, though, and we do tummy time together. I also do a few bridge poses in the morning and sit her on my lower abdominal area while I do them. Hooray for breastfeeding, too--I only have 7 pounds left to lose to get to my pre-pregnancy weight, which makes me happy happy happy! (Especially because I gained 10 pounds in just the first trimester!)
Gotta' run now--but I'll try to become more regular/to check back later in the week for the recipes!!
Happy healthgain to all!
Denise
Hey, Denise, welcome back! :) We've truly missed you! I wish you all the best as a new mommy!
I've already posted last week about my failed self-control and exercise. I really feel like I am losing my marbles these days. Anyway, my recipe is something I found on Recipezaar.com and tried out to great results two weeks ago:
Chicken, Charred Tomato & Broccoli Salad - It's a more summerish recipe.
What I get by these days is Turkish Lentil Soup which is essentially boiled lentils, ham, an onion, pepper and olive oil pureed in a blender.
I've decided to check precisely on Sunday usually because I find it easier to keep track of my goals this way. (Another week, another try)
Keep your fingers crossed for me, as I shall start my new gym regimen on Wednesday, I'm so nervous about exercising in public again...
I hate late Romanian autumns, they're so chilly, rainy and overall depressing.
I'm off bowling now, have a joyous, fun week and may all your attempts be blessed.
4 Month on WJ have changed my approach to weightloss and made me realize that all of the motivational stuff needs to be a part of me 24/7, that there are so many adjustments you need to make to a goal in order to reach it and be fulfilled, that being an emotional and social eater is what makes me get out of control and I still have no idea what to do about weekend family meals or birthdays. (Today's main eating event meant pigging out)
Even if I have a non-logging day, I discover myself craving white bread and fatty cheese and... oh I truly go wild.
I've discovered that sports makes me control my eating habits better and make healthier choices and if I don't move, I fall prey to some form of depression or complacence. I often wonder how to change this complacence and lenience.
When I have meals where the ingredients vary because I'm just throwing stuff together from in the fridge, I enter the ingredient info, hit analyze and then add one serving to food log. I've found that saves me time from having to type instructions when it's pretty rare I will have the exact same quantity of ingredients again. I also found out recently that you can edit your own recipe entries if it usually stays the same but you modify it slightly.
I've been so sick the past couple of days with a head/chest cold that I'm finding myself ingesting more calories than I would want. My throat hurts so I want something hot to drink (hot cocoa) or cold to eat (ice cream). I'm trying tea (a variety of flavors) but bleh! I also find that when I'm eating more calories, I crave more calories. Good news is, I'm still staying under my maintenance level but not by much on some days. I'm justifying this by saying my body needs the extra calories to fight off the virus! Whether it's true or not . . .
I've been off of work the past week and going back tomorrow. It's always easier for me to regulate the amount of calories I'm eating when I'm distracted by everything that needs to get done but my calories burned goes down. I'm naturally more active when I'm getting stuff done at home.
Supersized - thanks for the snack ideas. I'm really trying the tea thing but I don't know how long that'll last. Even with agave nectar it's still not appealing and now with calories! I think I'll just stick with the ice cold water. But the apple idea is great, thanks!
OK, I am one of those lame recipe posters... I admit it. I need to go to wagon jumpers therapy for this one... but, ok this time - I have one.. It is NOT mine.. but one that you can modify to make it lower calorie - don't use cream or use non-fat condensed milk - don't use butter but instead use olive oil. However, it is really yummy and The Surreal Gourmet has some great ideas about cooking...
http://caloriecount.about.com/carrot-ginger-s oup-surreal-gourmet-recipe-r275359
Have fun!!!
hey everyone- sorry i have been gone so long. I have been struggling to be healthy, both in eating and in working out. As well as that I have been super busy with family occasions, my husband working at home (as opposed to on the road like normal), helping my father start his new business, and going back to work to pick up a few shifts. Its funny, I felt like I was doing SO good for a week- working out, eating good...i even lost 5lbs. But it ended just as soon as it started. But tomorrow morning is the beginning of a new week, and once again I am going to jump back onto the wagon. I cant keep putting off getting healthy or next years water skiing will be just as horrible as this years!
Marcekd- you should try all fruit Popsicles (the sugar free ones) to make you feel better, nice and cold but not as bad for you! feeling sick is horrible, hope you feel better soon!
Like marcekd, I often use the New Recipe function to enter in my stuff on the food log rather than enter each item separately -- it works great for salads where there are lots of simple ingredients and you don't have to follow through with instructions etc -- just add it to your food log.
I've put in many recipes over the past few years. Here's a nice one for fall: Pear-Oat Breakfast that helps me get the day off to a good start with a serve of fruit :)
Wow, figure I love that recipe of yours! Can't wait to try it this morning as I have everything handy. :P
Had the baby, and I am doing so well! I am counting my calories as planned, and I have been sticking to my water goal as well. I may not have time for this weeks recipe topic, but I thought I would check in, and share the news. ITS A GIRL! :D
Hi all,
Congrats to Denise, and to bigbitty on your babies! Nothing like a precious new little one to add joy to your life. Love on them lots, they do grow fast!
CHECKIN:
I am off the wagon gals. It's ok though. I am not so off that I have lost ground. I just cant seem to make myself do my goals this round. It all started after vacation. I got this mental block of sorts that is making me rebel against everything. All I want to do is sleep! I dont want to work, see anyone, or even cook. Much less... e x e r c i s e.
Its that time of year I suppose, when I feel overwhelmed because I know winter is coming, my business will suffer its seasonal down-turn, holidays will come up short on money, and the weather is cold. I think I'd like to be a bear, and just hibernate. I wish.
I am trying to psyche myself up. But even when I do write a list, or try to make myself focus, I still find myself staring off into nothing ness at times. I do just feel like crying.
Don't worry though, depression is very good for weight loss. LOL! I haven't gained an ounce. In fact, I dont feel like eating.
Anyway *SIGH* - I know you dont want to hear me babble on about how glum my life is. I will try to stay in the loop this week. And at least exercise, even if I don't log my foods. I know I have been getting the protein, I eat protein bars like meals. And I know that's not good. Its the excercise where I have fallen so short. The only exercise I did last week was one session of yoga, and that was on Friday because I was trying to get myself out of the mental spiral. Not sure it worked.
I dont know what happened to my "just do it" attitude. This all doesnt sound right for me. I know it doesnt. I just dont know what is wrong. Could it really be the weather?
Anyway, healthgain to all. Stay warm, and HUGS. I promise to check in at least twice more this week, and show a true interest in the group. It can only help to make myself stay accountable to SOMEthing.
Recipe to follow...
~Julie
I'm a picky eater, so many of my recipes are better versions of old favorites.
Sara, thanks for the congratulatory note on reaching 1 yr 5 months. This group had been the one constant in my life since i started dieting. Week in and week out i make sure i get my butt on here to check in. Thanks for everyone's support on this journey. I appreciate you all.
To keep my sanity, I'm ditching my calorie counting goal for this go-around on the goals. My relationship with food is becoming opressive and stressful. I need a break.
Running is going great. I got out and ran 5k on Saturday morning with my dog and walked another 1.25 mi to cool down. It felt great! Looking forward to another 3mi run this afternoon. Work is busy, so I don't have much time. But I hope to check back in later this week.
Thanks for the popcycle idea austiemg! I'm sure that'll help me feel better and still keep me down in calories! I'm back at work and not feeling any better. I know that no one wants me here but there's too much stuff to get done. I just ate my oatmeal and am still hungry. Maybe it will be more difficult to lower my calories now that I'm back to work.
Congrats bigbitty and Denise! For both the little girls and sticking to goals! It wasn't so long ago that I had my last one and I remember how exhausting it is. Get lots of sleep when you can and take care of yourself!
today did not start so good- chocolate cake for breakfast :( and no workout yet! But I will try to get a workout in at some point today, and I have a lot of housework to do- and since cleaning burns calories more then watching tv i guess i should be thankful! I have not been doing a good job with my goal of working out, but this week we are going to try and change that! After having Isaac I was losing the weight without doing anything, but it seems to have stopped- now i just bounce around between 162-167...I feel that if I could work out and eat better and get into the 150's I would finally be more motivated and feel like I was making progress.
My recipe.
Pumpkin Soup (use canned pumpkin)
An easy version to just whip up real fast, and have around for snacks or dessert.
Hope your day is Healthgain,
~Julie
Julie, now this may seem such a mean and selfish thing to say, but brace yourself: somehow seeing that other people get their trouble days and say "It's ok", makes me feel a bit more motivated to climb back on.
I've kept saying: It's just a phase and It'll pass this past week, but until I heard it live/online... from someone else, it never actually worked towards giving me hope. School often makes me lose what scanty grip on myself.
For me it's baby steps, today I was barely glad to go ride my sister's rundown bike for 45 minutes (in the drizzle), but I bet the weather and the Schwartz will let me do better tomorrow. Autumn slump is something I usually spend: downing soup and tea and gulping grilled cheese sandwiches. Must strike out the grilled cheese sandwiches (since no one can replace Gouda or Swiss Cheese, with healthier alternatives).
In other news: Bigbitty, congratulations on your baby! I wish she has a long and meaningful, beautiful, healthy and creative life! Enjoy her and her sister. (I know I did my two sisters growing up)
Marcekd, you could also try fruit jell-o when you are so inclined... I think the thing I miss the most about the states is the sugar-free, fat-free jell-o and the fruit trapped inside it. I know it's not particularly healthy, but I have my obsessions.
Carol, your carrot ginger soup sounds great! :) I love this week's recipe exchange since people come up with so many lovely soup ideas. 'Tis the season to get soupy! :P
Brrr, it's cold here... It almost snowed yesterday.
(Wow, am I hyper this week)
Have a great week and may all your goals go smoothly,
Meri
Bigbitty - congratulations!!!! Yay!
Checkin:
My parents were visiting this weekend and I managed to stick to maintenance calories. That is an improvement over my usual large weekend overindulgences. Now that their visit and my cycle is behind me, I can seriously concentrate on running a deficit for the next two weeks. Wish me luck.
I will post a recipe a little later. Right now I have to get dinner on the table for the kids.
Welcome back Denise and congrats to you and Bigbitty on your babies.
Marcekd and Sara, I hope you both feel better soon with your colds.
Here is my Carrot and Orange Soup, just in time for this weeks topic.
Thanks Sara on the 10 months congrats with WJ last week. This group has been really great for me. I've learned so much about health, realistic goals and what's important to me. I have developed a love of exercise, with the help of the members and their ideas I have found activities that I enjoy and look forward too. Thanks to all of you for your support and ideas. I have been internalizing all that I have learned and incorporating it into my life. And thanks most of all to Sara for starting this whole thing.
Vera my thoughts are with you. My husband suffers from bipolar disorder, and for 5 years we lived through hell. Now that he has been properly diagnosed and has found a good treatment, our lives have gotten back into balance. Find a support group, you need to keep your friends and family close. You can try writing your feelings in a journal for a few minutes a day, just to get the worst of it out of your system.
Take care all,
Caroline
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New journal post Day 14 by jenjud 01:18 |
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New forum message help me please, i know its a diff subject but im heart broken by melissa_2 01:13 |
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New forum message Appetite by sungirl111 01:09 |