Wagon Jumpers - September 13 - 19, 2009 (Closed, 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. If you are interested in spot 4 please read below and contact 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. 

Google Group

We have recently added a google group as an option for members, past members, and members on the waiting list. If you would like access to the google group (and are in one of the above categories) send a message to beaglesmuggler (at) roger.com with your username and e-mail address and I will add you to the google group.

Wagon Jumpers Participants

Year 1 - Week 19 Riders:

Supersized  (myself)

Year 1 - Week 15 Riders:

Msmeg1984

Year 1 - Week 14 Riders:

Defrog3 - Maternity Leave to October 31, 2009

Year 1 - Week 11 Riders:

Wenchie58

Year 1 - Week 9 Riders:

Raven21 

Year 1 - Week 4 Riders - Congratulations on 1 Year & 1 Month!:

Kyashiis

Week 50 Riders:

Nannygabber - Vacation September 9 - 20, 2009

Week 43 Riders:

Cawilder

Week 41 Riders:

Carryonandon

Figurethefat

Week 38 Riders:

Germaica

Week 16 Riders - Congratulations on 4 Months!:

Dovelette - Vacation September 12 - 21, 2009

Week 13 Riders:

Merimeriqcontrary

Week 8 Riders - Congratulations on 2 Months!:

Laura42

Week 7 Riders:

Peera

Week 6 Riders:

Bleedtoblue

The_Vitamin_Dominatrix 

Week 4 Riders: Congratulations on 1 Month!

White_Sakura

Opanci

Week 2 Riders:

Vcruicky

Austiemg

Week 1 Riders:

Ncurlee

NEW:

Raerae1707

Missing In Action:

Zora

Missing In Action - 1 Week:

Missing In Action - 2 Weeks:

Jessicaanne2001

Current Membership: 24

Current Waiting List: 3

BigBitty

Lam7

Rspefley

Outstanding Wait List Invites: 0

12 Week CONSISTENCY GOALS

(as set w/o June 28th, 2009)

By September 19th, I will be...

Msmeg1984 - NEW: eating a weekly average of 2,000 cal/day and, MAINTENANCE: exercising 3x/week for at least 9 of the 12 weeks.

Dovelette - NEW: NROLFW 3x week for 9 out of 12 weeks.

Merimeriqcontrary - NEW: 3 times/week exercise for at least 9 out of the 12 weeks.

Wenchie58 - NEW: Logging my food intake of <1500 cals per day at least 5 days per week.

Figurethefat - NEW: to run/walk a minimum of six 5ks per month. MAINTENANCE:to continue doing a minimum of 1,500 exercise minutes per month.

Kyashiis - NEW: Run a minimum of 3 kilos 12 times over the 12-week period. MAINTENANCE:I will zig-zag on my food intake consistently throughout each week and end up with an average daily calorie count of 1,100 cals.

Raven21 - NEW: Eat all my yummy, healthy meals (3) and snacks (2) before 9pm for 12 weeks, with no more than 12 days missed. MAINTENANCE:Exercise at least 3 times a week

Supersized - NEW: Go to gym 3x/week for 6 of 12 weeks. MAINTENANCE: Log all food for 9 of 12 weeks.

Cawilder - NEW: Log my food 85% of the time. MAINTENANCE: Running at least 5 hrs/week and lifting 2x/week.

Nannygabber - MAINTENANCE: Strength training 3x/week for 9 of 12 weeks. Macronutrient ratio of 40/30/30 (carb/fat/protein) for 9 of 12 weeks.

Germaica - NEW: Exercise at least 3x/week for at least 30 min for 9 of 12 weeks. MAINTENANCE: Continue to eat 1 portion of high iron food at least 4 times per week.

Jessicaanne2001 - NEW: Keep calories under 2,000 checking by logging food 4x/week. MAINTENANCE: workout at the gym 4x/week

Carryonandon - NEW: Exercise 3x weekly MAINTENANCE: 300-500 calorie deficit daily.

Previous Threads:

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

Wagon Jumpers - April 19 - 25th, 2009

Wagon Jumpers - April 12 - 18th, 2009

Wagon Jumpers - April 5 - April 11th, 2009

Wagon Jumpers - March 29 - April 4th, 2009

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

THIS WEEK'S TOPIC: GOAL CHECK-IN & GOAL QUESTIONS

GOAL CHECK-IN

On June 28, 2009 19 Wagon Jumpers set out to achieve some consistency goals towards making their lives healthier. Today 14 of those members are ready to declare how far they have come towards achieving those goals.

First I would like to say that it is a big achievement in and of itself to still be thinking about these goals 12 week later, so give yourself a pat on the back for that. Discover how far you have come and figure out how to do better (or if you got 100% continue the success) next time. 

By September 19th, I will be...

Msmeg1984 - 87.5%
NEW: eating a weekly average of 2,000 cal/day and, MAINTENANCE: exercising 3x/week for at least 9 of the 12 weeks.

Dovelette - %
NEW: NROLFW 3x week for 9 out of 12 weeks.

Merimeriqcontrary - 80%
NEW: 3 times/week exercise for at least 9 out of the 12 weeks.

Wenchie58 - 30%
NEW: Logging my food intake of <1500 cals per day at least 5 days per week.

Figurethefat - 100%
NEW: to run/walk a minimum of six 5ks per month. MAINTENANCE:to continue doing a minimum of 1,500 exercise minutes per month.

Kyashiis - %
NEW: Run a minimum of 3 kilos 12 times over the 12-week period. MAINTENANCE:I will zig-zag on my food intake consistently throughout each week and end up with an average daily calorie count of 1,100 cals.

Raven21 - 75%
NEW: Eat all my yummy, healthy meals (3) and snacks (2) before 9pm for 12 weeks, with no more than 12 days missed. MAINTENANCE:Exercise at least 3 times a week

Supersized - 25%
NEW: Go to gym 3x/week for 6 of 12 weeks. MAINTENANCE: Log all food for 9 of 12 weeks.

Cawilder - %
NEW: Log my food 85% of the time. MAINTENANCE: Running at least 5 hrs/week and lifting 2x/week.

Nannygabber - %
MAINTENANCE: Strength training 3x/week for 9 of 12 weeks. Macronutrient ratio of 40/30/30 (carb/fat/protein) for 9 of 12 weeks.

Germaica - %
NEW: Exercise at least 3x/week for at least 30 min for 9 of 12 weeks. MAINTENANCE: Continue to eat 1 portion of high iron food at least 4 times per week.

Jessicaanne2001 - %
NEW: Keep calories under 2,000 checking by logging food 4x/week. MAINTENANCE: workout at the gym 4x/week

Carryonandon - 100%
NEW: Exercise 3x weekly MAINTENANCE: 300-500 calorie deficit daily.

Constanza - Left Group This Week
NEW: For the next 12 weeks, less twelve days I will follow this meal plan: 3 meals, 1 snack and 1 dessert per day, no more than 7 alcoholic drinks per week. MAINTENANCE: exercise an average of 2x/week.

GOAL QUESTIONS

We will be setting new 12-week goals next week. Participation is optional. If you plan to participate please read the rules below. This is the week to ask questions about the goals you are planning to set. Note any goals posted on this week's thread are for discussion only. All goals must be posted on next week's thread.

The Rules

1. Goal Setting is Optional

Goal setting is a motivational part of this group, if it does not work for you as a motivational tool, please feel free to be a cheerleader for those who do set goals.

2. Goals must be posted on the September 20 - 26, 2009 thread

No exceptions. Editing the goals into the main thread is a time commitment for me, so I ask that anyone who wants to participate makes sure that the goals are up on the thread between September 20 - 26, 2009... goals posted earlier or later will not be in the introduction thread, although do feel free to update the group on your progress as we go along.

3. Consistency Based Goals Only

While we all have goals that read: I want to be X lbs or Y size... these are not things that you directly control, they are results of your consistent work to lead a healthier lifestyle. Tell us what you are going to DO to improve your health, are you going to eat better, exercise, drink more water, take walks, run, bike, climb, do yoga, meditate, breath....

4. Measurable Goals

At the end of 12 weeks you will need a quantifiable way to say if you succeeded or not... Saying you are going to "eat better" is a broad objective, and depending on your mood on the 12th week you may be overly optimistic or pessamistic about your success. On the other hand if you say you are going to "eat 1 fruit and 1 vegetable every day" or "eat at an aveage of 2,000 cal/day" or "limit myself to no more than 1 serving of red meat each week" these goals you can measure success against objectively.

5. One New Goal + One Maintenance Goal (only)

This is always the single most difficult rule for members, old members let new members know how helpful this has been in the long run. Wagon jumpers are notorious for making well formed elaborate plans that we inevitably can't or don't follow through on.

You are 100% free to have tens, hundreds or thousands of goals for yourself, however we will prioritize and limit here.

A maintenance goal must be something that you already have well in hand, that you are not currently struggling to incorporate into your daily life. A maintenance goal functions as a benchmark as you add a new goal to see if adding a new goal throws off your already established habits.

I HIGHLY recommend that new mebmers stick to 1 new goal and avoid the maintenance goal altogehter.

Make sure if you are submitting two goals that you highlight which is the maintenance goal so that I don't come back to you and ask you to pick one new goal only.

6. Keep it simple

A goal should be easily able to articulate in one shot sentence, if I need a calculator to figure out your goal or if it takes a paragraph to explain it's likely too complicated for you to follow for 12 weeks.

7. Questions?

Now is the time to ask, submit a draft goal, ask members for their advice and experiences on goals.

8. Have Fun!

And that's and order! Remember goal setting is supposed to be affirming and positive, not oppressive and punishing. Keep your goals simple and achievable, it's remarkably hard to keep even simple promises for 12 weeks, but intensely rewarding if you do.

My maintenance goal was 100%! However my new goal was 75% which is much higher than I've ever achieved in a goal setting session. My eating got out of control over the past few weeks, and i'm sure it was due to me not noticing any changes in my body, measurements etc.

I'm happy with that!

I'm probably going to try the same goals again. I really need to get my eating under control.  That's my biggest challenge.

I can say that I'm at 100% on both the new and maintenance goals - which is a first. Yay! I've been exercising 3x per week and have been sticking to the daily calorie deficit. It's nice to be able to eat more on the days I work out. To boot, I've also been increasing the nutritional value of the things I'm eating - it's fun to make progress there, too.

Since I've started weightlifting calorie watching will mean something a bit different from simply keeping a daily deficit, I'm going to adjust my goals for this next 12-week period to focus more on eating nutritious meals prepared at home. I have more trouble with dinners than breakfast or lunch so I'll focus on that as well as eating more fresh fruit and veggies (vs. canned or frozen):

Maintenance - workout 3x per week 

New - Follow this meal plan: Prepare homemade dinners (or eat leftovers) on weekdays (M-Th) and one weekend day (F-Sun). Have at least one fresh fruit or vegetable daily Mon - Fri.

It's a new week and as always I hope this'll be the big break for me. My weight has been fluctuating so much lately I don't know what to think. I woke up today 4 pounds fatter than yesterday.:-s

Anyway, I didn't do great on my goal, missed a week of exercise due to the rain (and that was not planned). It's just that rainy weather gets me unbelievably down and I get terrible headaches. However on the week I blew and on all the three other planned weeks of non-attainment I did workout at least 2 times out of three. So it wasn't such a terrible thing. I'll call 80% and be happy I did it at least.

My new goal has to do with my eating, and this I truly find challenging. I'm not sure how much I should increase my calories when I exercise, given that rollerblading counts as vigorous cardio and I usually do at least an hour, I have no idea if I should increase my intake or not. 1200-1300 is mostly what I should eat if I'm not active and this calculator says I should eat around 1400 if I do sports 2-4 times a week. Would this work? I don't know. What do you people feel?

My new goal would probably sound like this zig-zag my calories to average around 1200-1300 per week while keeping my nutrient ratio: 25% protein, 15% fat, 60% carbs or 30%protein, 15% fat, 55% carbs.

Is it too complicated?

Hi, everyone!!

Just checking in for the first time in weeks.  In the last month or so of my pregnancy I didn't even want to be on the computer--I fell behind on almost everything!  I'm not quite ready to commit to a weekly post yet, but thought I should give an update:

Abigail Marie was born on 9/4/09 (one week, one day late, of all the nerve!) by C-section.  She was 9 pounds, 10 ounces and 21 inches long.  Her head was too big to fit through my pelvis, so after a week of unproductive labor, I had a Cesarean section.  Baby is great and I'm recovering well, I've even lost 20 pounds so far--I had gained 30 pounds, which is a bit more than what I had wanted to put on, but I'm happy that its coming off quickly!

OK, baby is crying.  Will be back soon!!

Defrog, congratulations!  What a healthy size little girl :)  Glad you are having a speedy recovery from the c - section.  I had 2 and bounced right back after both!

Will update on goals a bit later in the week since I'm a bit behind at this point, but thing I can be 100% if I concentrate the next few days.

Good work with your goals everyone.  Even if you didn't so as well as you would have liked, you are in there fighting every day.  I am looking forward to setting some goals next week and trying to stay accountable.

Supersized PM'ed me and asked me to share my thoughts now that I have been a member of the group for 2 months.  I have been enjoying the comaraderie, encouragement and accountablility.  Kudos to supersized for starting and maintaining this great group, and to all members who struggle to attain their goals and help each other along the way.  I am still struggling with my biggest challenge, which is sabotaging my weekly hard work during the weekends.  Hopefully when I set some goals next week, I can work harder to break that bad habit.  Ultimately, Im the one who must make the changes no matter how many support groups I join.  I'm hoping I can do that!!!

Hi,

NEW: Log my food 85% of the time. MAINTENANCE: Running at least 5 hrs/week and lifting 2x/week.

My grading - Log food - 50% of the time and well, we know what happened to the running - 10% since my knee started being funny in early July.

For next time - I think I will still strive for:

NEW: Log my food 85% of the time. MAINTENANCE: Cardio at least 3 hrs/week and lifting 2x/week.

I know that this will be somewhat challenging since I will be going to school in a few weeks - this is gonna be hard, work 50-60 hrs/ week, study 15-20hr/week and then all the other family stuff.  I am more efficient the more that I  have to do.

Update on the knee - yep it was getting better and now well it is not. But before it hurting in very non-specific places and I could not touch it and make it hurt, well, now I can so back to the orthopedic surgeon. I think it is definitely a torn meniscus.  Let's hope that this is an in and out thing.

I think the derailment for me alot of time is stress. I am trying to deal with it but lately since I can't run it's been hard.

Take care.

defrog - congrats on your new baby!!

cawilder - good luck with starting school soon. It's definitely challenging to balance everything when you add that extra element in, but it feels great when you reach some of the goals you're working for.

Well here's the scoop on how the goals played out this time around:

Maintenance - 100%

New - maybe 50%, after things got particularly hectic at work I just stopped keeping track. I know that weekend eating and evening eating crept up again so I would say it could be lower than 50% for sure.

Good news - haven't notice any gain, Bad news - no loss either.

I'm thinking that I really need to just count calories and track my calories burned as well if I'm going to see any real progress, however unappealing that idea is. I really have no problem tracking breakfast, lunch and snacks, it's dinner that is the problem. Hubby and I eat together, I don't always plan out what we're going to have and then sometimes have to "guesstimate" how many calories, not the best way of going about things.

Meg - like you, exercise isn't much of a problem for me it's the eating, and it's sporadic, sometimes I'm awesome and other times it's like part of me just doesn't care. I have faith that this go round we'll both get it under control.

Carry - Congrats on 100%!

Meri - as far as how complicated your goal is I would say you need to make it something that is easy to track and easy to stick to. So I would ask yourself if keeping track of cals and ratios is something you can easily do? If so then it may not be too complicated for you. For me however I think it would

defrog - congrats on your baby girl! Friends of mine just had a baby girl last week and they named her Abigail Jean, calling her Abby though I believe.

Laura - Ah, another person with the weekend challenge. What do you find is the root of the weekend struggle? I find sometimes I'm bored and just end up eating. I also don't wake up at the same time, don't have the same kind of breakfast or lunch. Somtimes I end up eating breakfast at 11:00 so it sort of screws up the day. And what a true statement "Ultimately, Im the one who must make the changes no matter how many support groups I join."
I think Sara said something once about how Wagon Jumpers tend to be great planners etc, joining groups is the easy part, making the changes and making them stick, that's the hard part but it has a great reward.

Cawilder - looks like you're going to be really busy! Good luck with school, I wasn't disciplined enough to take on school while working and taking care of things at home. Ended up just wasting money on it. Next time I go back to school it's going to be full time, with maybe a less intensive part-time job. Good luck with your knee, hope the docs finally get it figured out for you. BTW, do you have any suggestions on a heart rate monitor? I want something not too complicated or expensive but would love to have not only heart rate count but also calorie count. Thought maybe you've had some experience with this being a runner.

Hi Raven,

I think heart rate monitors are a must for aerobic activity. It tells you how hard you are working and you can decide to adjust.

I have heard great things about Polar and the nice thing is that their heartstraps work with most gym aerobic equipment. I used Timex for a while and it broke after 6 months so I don't think it was very good. Things I think are useful are: 

• Heart Rate (nice and big display but can be minimized to just show time)
• Calories Burned based up on factors that you set up
• Timer - if you want to do fartlek or other speed work
• Time elapsed - how long

I also used a Forerunner 50 from Garmin for about 1 year and then the watch straap broke and I thought that wasn't good so I got my money back. It has a pedometer and can record your distance as well as time, calories. It does generate your calories by how far you have run and not by your heart rate. So, using it for your gym workouts that would be elliptical or such - it is not very hepful. But I liked it so I could use their software to compare my runs and see where I had gotten faster, etc.  If i were to buy another one I would buy the Forerunner 350 (it is the one that has the GPS, etc. ) but it is a BIG watch and expensive.

Now, I just use my Nike sports watch in the pool to time my laps as I run in suspended mode. It is sooo boring...

Good Luck, hope I helped.

alright, so i missed last week- I am sorry.  However, part of the reason i missed was because I went camping...while camping i had a sort of self discovery moment....

I love to waterski.  Summer is my favorite time, and hells canyon state park is my favorite place.  And yet this last weekend fell far short of all my expectations.  Why?  Because I am out of shape.  I know that for a lot a people that would not have such an inpact on their weekend, but for me it did.  My dad kept reminding me that I just had a baby, and that next year will be better- but that did not change the fact that I couldnt get up on MY waterski.  I have been sking for years, and I couldnt get up.  I literly could not hold on long enough, and when I did I could not muster up the strenght to stand up using one leg (which is how i would normally get up).  I did finally get up, but I had to use the ski that we call "the fat man ski" because it is SOOO big, wide, and thick.  Even that was a struggle.  But it did not end there.  I was swimming off the back of the boat and noticed that every time that I went to get out my whole body felt like I had lead weights attached to me.  And then I realized that it wasnt lead weights, but it WAS weight.  I guess I just never thought that 25 extra pounds would make such a HUGE difference in the things that I do.  When I got pregnant I weighted 142 pounds, and wanted to loose about 20 of that.  A week before I had my son I was at 195.  And surpise surprise, that weight did not just magically disappear with his birth!  So now I am at 170 (or something close to that) and while i know that to some that might not sound like a lot, to me it makes all the difference in the world.  Anyways, so by the time that I left the river I was SO depressed and upset about myself that I didnt even care anymore.  But now I am ready to get started (for reals) getting in shape for next summer.  Hopefully this will give me the motivation that I was missing in my life!

Aw, why am I still listed as MIA? =(  Does that happen even if I post late?

Anyway, I was wondering if I posted my goals that someone can give me feedback.  Anyway, one of my goals is to maintain a deficit 6/7 days a week.  And another is to burn 500 calories a day, regardless of what activity it is (I am pretty active anyway, so it's not too hard for me to do).  What do you guys think?

I also want to say congratulations, defrog3!  It must be exciting having a baby in the house =]

I missed the cutoff date to establish goals, but here's my check-in anyway.

This week has been full of really boring but healthy food for me.  My fiance and I made some budget cuts, so we're living off of oatmeal, rice, lentils, pasta, and canned tuna.  On the upside, though, there's a distinct lack of refined sugar and fatty foods available to us.  I'm still hoping I haven't lost too much weight for my wedding dress over the last month.

Report on goals ending September 19th:

I just finished off my 3rd 5k for September and I'm running one outside on the 19th in Hesperia :)  so yes, 100% on that.

And for maintenance, I did better than expected and cranked out 1750 minutes (and more) for June, July and August.  For September so far I've got 710 and will do another 50 minutes this afternoon on the bike, so I'm giving myself 100% for the maintenance goal as well. 

For the next goal setting period I'm thinking

NEW:  eat at least 5 servings of fruit and vegetables everyday (any combination is fine here).  MAINTENANCE:  do a minimum of 1750 exercise minutes a month.

I'm throwing in the eating thing because it's so doable and easy to keep track of.  I think if I can do it for 12 weeks it will become a habit.  And I'm kicking up the exercise minutes because it totally keeps me on track to rock those minutes every month :)  

I actually got a bit lazy the first part of this month -- not really lazy but I was out of my ordinary environment for several days and I didn't have my bike or treadmill at hand :/  

austiemg -- sorry you had such a crap-ass time over the weekend.  From your description and my own limited water ski experience I can feel your pain.  Actually my ex-bf was an excellent skier so I realise how much fun it is when everything clicks.  Your dad is right, next year will be great.  Good luck with setting some awesome goals!

... just a drive by thought

To shatter the downfall before it's being ascertained is to battle yet harder against my old foe complacency.

Healthgain to all,
~Julie

Update

I did not do well on my goal... I may have done better than I am crediting myself with since one of my main failures was tracking my goals. So the bad news is that on the gym I only made it for 2 of 6 weeks. Logging all my food was only 4 out of 9 weeks. I think the move had a really big impact on this.

The good news is that despite the not logging and the no gym I did make an effort to eat healthy and eat at home, I retained a nutritionist and I stared walking to work. This has resulted in 5 lbs lost and 7 cm lost. Which is great to say after 2 12-week periods of gain - one small, one large.

Now if I can set reasonable goals and follow them I think I can make steady progress.

I'm wary about failing yet again at goals (it's been twice now!) so I'm going back to one goal only.

NEW: Bike to work at least 3 times per week, and go to the gym at least 2 times a week for 9 of 12 weeks.

Meg Congratulations 87% that's great! I know you can get to 100% next round.

Carry - CONGRATULATIONS ON 100% Your plan sounds good, I'm glad the weight lifting is working out!

Meri I'm not the best person to give advice on this, definitely check in with Kayashii she is a similar body type to you (if I remember correctly). I do know that I had wild fluctuations in my weight for awhile because I'd eaten too little for too long and dieted poorly. In my case (and I'm 5'10") I had to fist concentrate on stabilizing my weight before I could loose, which meant eating at maintenance, some light exercise and not 'trying' to loose weight just trying to keep consistent for about 3 months. Once I did this I had much better success in loosing.

I do think your new goal may be too complicated if you have not done both of these before. If you are already familiar with zig-zagging your calories, then try the macronutrient ratio.

Denise Congratulations! What a beautiful Name! We'll hope to hear more from you later on when you are not stupified with tired.

Laura Thank you for your thoughts on the group, what you say is true, support groups can help but at the end it is our own actions that will get results.

Carol We both hit some big road blocks this round, we can do better next time. I know that stress has been an issue for you in the past and you're about to get a big dose of it with school + work. You may want to think about limiting yourself to your physical goals which you feel comfortable with and making sure that those don't slip during this new turn rather than chasing after the food goal which continues to be an issue for you.

Raven I'm with you on the "guesstimating" dinner and then it always creeps up on me. Having the nutritionist has helped in some ways in that I didn't track my calories but I did have a general guidelines on what to eat and what not to eat and ended up with my first positive (although small) results in months. If you can track breakfast and lunch maybe think of having a list of X+Y+Z = dinner where X is a veggie list Y is a fat list and Z is a protein list. It's helped me a fair bit.

Austie No problems on last week, if you ever need time off please feel free to send me a message and I'll post the away dates on the thread and make sure you don't end up MIA in that time.

I think you just found your motivation moment. We focused on this last week (check out the thread) but that will be a powerful image for you to hang onto to help you through the journey.

Sakura SORRY! You are right you did post on the thread last week and I totally missed it and put you on the MIA list. Additionally congratulations on your first milestone - 1 month!

I would strongly suggest if you are a new to the long term goal setting that you pick one of the two goals. The burn 500 calories seems like the best one to start with since you are already comfortable with that. Maintaining a deficit requires ou to track all your food, your exercise and then do the calculations. It's best to set goals around consistent food tracking and exercise before shooting for that one. One further suggestion is to build in some room for error. Twelve weeks is a long time, if you have a bad day in your first few weeks you don't want to use that as a self sabotage excuse to let yourself out of the goal. Maybe try you will burn an average of 500 calories a day across a week for 9 or 10 of 12 weeks. This lets you pick up the slack for days you miss by calculating on an average and if you have a week that you completely miss you haven't lost your goal.

Sarah I am sure you will be a beautiful bride, and it is always easier to through in some last minute stitches to tighten a dress rather than let it out! Have a great wedding!

Laura Congratulations on being our first member to get 100% on two challenges!

Thanks Sara for the congrats! Its the best i've done since i started here!

I've decided that I am going to tweak my goal to be a little more vague than doing NROLFW 3x a week...I think i'm going to start training for a half marathon, so that means i won't have the time fro NROLFW. Its something I've wanted to do for a long time and i think im finally ready to attempt it.

However, i'll still need to get in at least 3-4 workouts a week, which is easy for me, so whether im lifting or not, i'll still get in some sort of workout.

Congrats to Defrog3 on the baby!

So many of you are doing really well with your goals, that's very encouraging to me!

Cawilder, I had sugery last November for a torn meniscus, it was in and out, quick recovery, and I was back at the gym within two weeks. I have no knee pain now!

Checking in: I don't have goals established, but I continue to try and keep my calorie deficit steady and am seeing good results. I'm thinking about the goals I want to establish, limiting myself to two is trickier than I thought!

I hope everyone is having a great week.