TexasBecky

Hi Nana! Glad you're back too. It sounds like you've had a rough patch, but your weight loss has still been great! I think consistency is the key to building endurance. I started very slowly last summer and just kept walking a little more every day. I was surprised how quickly everything improved. Jody, I just added strength training last month. We're going to be slim and strong in no time! Salsa and Frangi, ya'll are off to a good start. Congrats on the 160's Salsa. Must be so exciting! Where are Dave & Whosya? Pizzi, I'm looking for you too. We want to hear about the job interview. I did an hour of cardio this morning. Crazy Ates March Exercise Challenge 2/20 Cardio Sessions 0/8 Strength Training Sessions

Jody, I've been thinking about you. Glad you're in the challenge this month. I'm sticking with 20 cardio sessions and 8 weight sessions for March. If I can do more I will, but 20/8 seems to be really realistic for me and it seems to be working!!! I just finished my first hour of cardio this morning. Have a great week everybody. Crazy Ates March Exercise Challenge 1/20 Cardio Sessions 0/8 Strength Training Sessions

Frangi, I'm on the fast track with you. As a matter of fact, my first PS consult is coming up in a couple of weeks. Like you, I'd love to be done with everything by my bandiversary. I don't know if its possible, but I'm going to do everything I can to make it happen.

I finished the month with another hour of cardio today and a weights session. Congrats to all for working so hard this month. I felt like this month was a turning point for me. The treadmill has allowed me to really intensify my workouts (yes running!) and the addition of weights has been very satisfying too. Ditto to everything Frangi & Whosya said about the creepy "Eve" image. Crazy Ates February Exercise Challenge 20/20 Cardio Sessions 8/8 Weight Sessions

I did another hour of cardio this morning and met my cardio goal for February. I just need to get in another weight session by Friday. Thanks Salsa. I think you've done great this month. 30 hours of exercise in a short month (or any month) is a really challenging goal. Crazy Ates February Exercise Challenge 20/20 Cardio Sessions 7/8 Weight Sessions

I did work in another 30 minutes of cardio and my 7th strength training session this afternoon. I haven't traveled to the Virgin Islands - yet. Maybe we should all come for a visit! We'll all stay at Frangi's house! LOL. I know it must be wonderful and its on my list of places I've got to go. My sister lives in Saint John, New Brunswick Canada and north of there is Saint John's, Newfoundland. They have the same problem with people mistaking one for the other, so much so that travelers often end up in the wrong city. Sis always corrects people in hopes of saving them from the confusion. I personally appreciate the geography lesson. How long have you lived there and is it now your permanent home Frangi? Hey Sandy, You had good intentions, you tried to workout. That should count for something. Oh well, there is always tomorrow. Crazy Ates February Exercise Challenge 19/20 Cardio Sessions 7/8 Weight Sessions

Thanks Whosya! I'm experimenting with posting pictures; trying to get the courage (and techical skill) to post before and during pics. I got in 30 minutes of cardio this morning and hope to get in another 30 and strength training later today. Crazy Ates February Exercise Challenge 19/20 Cardio Sessions 6/8 Weight Sessions

I did an hour of cardio today. I'm feeling really sore and tired. I think maybe my muscles are starting to feel the strength training. That or the flu. I really hope its the weights. Crazy Ates February Exercise Challenge 18/20 Cardio Sessions 6/8 Weight Sessions

Dave, welcome back! We had all been wondering where you'd gone. I had no idea you worked on a boat for a month at a time. Clearly you have done great while you've been away - 113 lbs - WooHoo! You're a rock star too. Glad you're back.

Hey Everybody, I see we're all still plugging away at the February challenge. For anyboy who doesn't quite make it this month, give yourself a break. How much exercise were you doing last February? We've all made great progress and we can't always be perfect. The important thing is that we're making exercise a regular part of our lives - finding ways to work it into the schedule. Now that's an achievement. Lessnless, so glad you're joining us. I see that you live in my neck of the woods. Your exercise routine looks great to me. It seems like you're covering all the bases. I've had a lifetime of failed attempts at making exercise a regular part of my routine, but I feel like things are so different this time. I'm actually getting addicted to the way it makes me feel. Hi Frangi, It sounds like you're feeling good again. I'm glad you had a quick recovery and are going strong again. I'm still getting comfortable with the strength training. I'm following a program called Strong Women Stay Young by Miriam E. Nelson, PhD. It is based on her research at Tufts. I think it is just what I need right now. I've been spending a lot of time at the rehab facility with my mom (yes, she's still there for a few more days) and that has definately further motivated me to want to get strong. Like mom, most of the patients are recovering from falls that resulted in broken bones. I don't want to grow frail as I age and I'm learning that it doesn't have to be that way. Thanks for the encouragement to add the weight training Frangi. I think its going to make a big difference. Valstar, I'm sorry that you've been having a rough time lately. You have such a busy life and I can only imagine how hard it is to lose your mother. I hope the journaling will help. I think that was a great suggestion that Pizzi made. We should probably all be journaling. This is a huge transition we are all going through right now. Anyway, keep exercising. You know it will make you feel better. Salsa & Whosya, you two are rock stars as usual! I did an hour of cardio today, an hour of yard work, and a session with the weights. Enjoy the rest of the weekend everybody. Crazy Ates February Exercise Challenge 17/20 Cardio Sessions 6/8 Weight Sessions

One hour of cardio again today. Doesn't it seem like February is flying by? Crazy Ates February Exercise Challenge 16/20 Cardio Sessions 5/8 Weight Sessions

I did my strength training today. Crazy Ates February Exercise Challenge 15/20 Cardio Sessions 5/8 Weight Sessions

Salsa, you are becoming a real jock! Congratulations on all the progress you're making. I did my hour of cardio first thing this morning - my favorite way to start the day. I never thought I'd hear myself saying something like that! Crazy Ates February Exercise Challenge 15/20 Cardio Sessions 4/8 Weight Sessions

I did an hour of cardio today and 30 minutes yesterday. Crazy Ates February Exercise Challenge 14/20 Cardio Sessions 4/8 Weight Sessions

Hi Pammy. I'm so glad to see that you're still doing great. Congrats on twoderville and the half way point. Those are great milestones to have met. Keep it up girl.

One hour of cardio this morning and strength training this evening. Crazy Ates February Exercise Challenge 12/20 Cardio Sessions 4/8 Weight Sessions

I love to log on and see everyone doing such a great job. Whosya, I'm impressed that anyone would get out to exercise in the kind of weather you're dealing with. I don't know how you do it. We had a cold front move in today dropping the temps to the 30s and I think I'm gonna die. Cold weather makes me want to curl up at home and eat! Those of you in the north deserve double credit for going to the gym! Gometros, you should be proud of yourself. Overcoming obstacles and getting to the gym makes you feel really good doesn't it? Keep it up and you'll start enjoying it more and more. Pizzi, glad you're going to the gym this weekend. You'll feel great after you do it and you want to be in top form when you go to LA. Salsa, you work so hard at work and at the gym. I hope you get President's Day off too. Hi Frangi, so glad you're getting your groove back. Don't push yourself too hard until you are sure you're fully recovered. I just managed to squeeze in 30 minutes of cardio today. Any exercise is good, right? I did go back to the dr. today to get my port checked under fluoroscopy. Everything is fine. Apparently the position has changed slighly due to my improving abdominal muscles (what???, i didn't think I had abdominal muscles). It is still properly sutured in place, right side up. What a relief. I did get another .25cc fill so I should be set for another couple of months. Crazy Ates February Exercise Challenge 11/20 Cardio Sessions 3/8 Weight Sessions

WooWhoo Pizzi!! Congrats on the upcoming trip to L.A. I'll be sending positive vibes in your direction. I hope you do get the job offer. What an exciting year you're having! I just returned from my 6 month check with the lapband Dr. I thought I'd get a little fill today but turns out my port has moved or flipped and it needs to be checked out under fluoroscopy. I'm waiting for them to call me to schedule it for tomorrow or possibly next week. I'm bummed, but they say there is no cause for concern. On the bright side, I had lost 18 more pounds since my last visit in December. They continue to say they think my goal weight is too low by at least 10 pounds. I hope they are right, but I find it hard to believe that I could really be getting that close to goal. We discussed plastic surgery and they said I was ready for a consult!!!! I've already called the dr. they recommended and have scheduled my consultation for March 11. I'm having a great year too!

Pizzi, keep moving. Push through all those excuses for not making it too the gym. You've come so far and you're getting so close to goal. Don't lose sight of that now. Even if you only go for 30 minutes, you will benefit tremendously. Be good to yourself. Whosya, I haven't had a candy bar since being banded. I'm afraid if I ever start I won't be able to stop. Moderation has not been my strong suit in the past. I wonder if I'll ever feel like I can trust myself with candy? Maybe its better if I don't. Frangi, I hope you did not workout today. You will get much more benefit from resting until you feel strong again. A couple of days off will not hurt you. Salsa, good job. You're going to be at goal in no time. I did my strength training today and 30 minutes on the treadmill. Crazy Ates February Exercise Challenge 10/20 Cardio Sessions 3/8 Weight Sessions

Plugging along here. I did an hour of cardio yesterday and today. Will lift weights tomorrow. Crazy Ates February Exercise Challenge 9/20 Cardio Sessions 2/8 Weight Sessions

Frangi, Val, Dave, Salsa, etc., where is everybody? I'll start worrying if you don't all check in soon. Whosya, did you dig out and get to the gym? I did my hour of cardio this a.m. Crazy Ates February Exercise Challenge 7/20 Cardio Sessions 2/8 Weight Sessions

Salsa, all I can say is WOW! You look fabulous. Your hard work has sure paid off. Congratulations.

I did an hour of cardio this morning. I skipped the last couple of days so it felt good to get in a vigorous workout today. Crazy Ates February Exercise Challenge 6/20 Cardio Sessions 2/8 Weight Sessions

Val, try not to be so down on yourself. You've done a fantastic job so far. We are going to have up and down days. So many factors influence our weight on a day to day basis. Like you said, too much sodium can really screw with you. Building muscle, which you certainly are doing, is a factor too. If you need to make a few adjustments to your diet, you can do it. Look what you've accomplished so far. Remember how fantastic you feel? Don't let a number on the scale mess with your mind. Just keep working your band and your body and you'll be at goal before you know it. I managed to get in an hour of cardio and 20 minutes of strength training today. Frangi, I hope you are right about quick results with the addition of weight training. I'm going to need some motivation to stay with it. Crazy Ates February Exercise Challenge 5/20 Cardio Sessions 2/8 Weight Sessions

Weigh to Go Salsa!! That is exciting news. I'd been thinking about that milestone recently too. I need to figure out when I'll be just plain old overweight. I can't wait to join you.