TexasBecky

Hey, thanks for the words of encouragement Dave. I am glad to have you all as my exercise buddies. It helps me to feel accountable to other like-minded individuals. Frangi, thanks for asking about my exercise class. It did start today - 8:00 am on Mon. & Wed. It is an actual class on a college campus. You know how they start out - no real exercise on the first day. We toured the facilities and went over the course outline. It's really very nice and well equipped; they have a cardio room, a weight room, pool, etc. Anyway, the reason I opted for this is because the instructor is an exercise physiologist who will help us each develop an individualized exercise program and I'll have complete use of all the facilities (not just during class time) for the entire semester. That's five months for less than $100. I just thought it sounded like an excellent way to expand my exercising horizons without making a long term commitment to a gym. I hope I can learn to like it (I've never cared much for weight lifting). We should start using the equipment on Wednesday. There will also be an assessment to determine my current fitness level. Yikes! I know it sure is alot better than it was 6 months ago. Pizzicato, glad to see you checking in. It sounds like you are staying plenty busy and getting a good variety of exercise. I admire all of you who get to the gym after working all day. If I don't get my exercise in early, I'm much more likely to blow it off. Today I did my usual 40 minute walk. Crazy Ates JANUARY Exercise Challenge 8/20 days of exercise

Well the Friendship Bridge and the hike to the beach are making my walk around the local park trail seem pretty boring. I know there are some great places to walk in my area too; I just need to seek them out and Dave and Frangi have inspired me to do just that. My exercise class starts Monday and I'm excited about that too. January seems to be going pretty good for everybody. Keep it up! My knee was feeling fine today so I got in my usual 40 minute walk. Crazy Ates JANUARY Exercise Challenge 7/20 days of exercise

Dave, you must be feeling like a million bucks. How far were you able to walk when you first started? Eight miles is awesome and so is your weight loss. Congrats on breaking 100. I hope I can get there in a couple more months. I only walked for about 30 minutes today. I was having a little trouble with my left knee and decided I better cut it short. Crazy Ates JANUARY Exercise Challenge 6/20 days of exercise

Walked for 40 minutes again today. Crazy Ates JANUARY Exercise Challenge 5/20 Days of Exercise

Hi Candle, We are still at about the same place in our weight loss and I definately hope to be consulting with a PS this spring. That is a big part of what keeps me motivated. I've decided that it is just going to be part of the process for me. I'm 50 and would probably be wanting some things lifted and tucked even if I hadn't lost all this weight. I'm looking at PS as a well earned reward when I achieve my goal.

I'm impressed with the intense workouts ya'll are all doing. Isn't it fabulous to actually be enjoying exercise? Keep it up and we will all be strong, fit, active, and thin! I just love the idea of being a part of that crowd. I'm feeling better about myself everyday and hope you all are too because we are doing great. I walked for 40 minutes today. Crazy Ates JANUARY Exercise Challenge 4/20 Days of Exercise

50 minute walk today for me. Welcome to the new exercisers. Ya'll are off to a great start and this is a wonderful place for accountability, support, and inspiration. Crazy Ates JANUARY Exercise Challenge 3/20 Days of Exercise __________________

I walked for an hour this morning. Beautiful weather here too. I think it hit 80 today. Crazy Ates JANUARY Exercise Challenge 2/20 Days of Exercise

Frangi, good for you. Your hard work is paying off. You and Salsa are becoming my exercise role models. Walking has served me well so far but I want to start doing some harder workouts now that I've lost quite a bit of weight. I dream of being able to run, but don't know if that makes sense at my age. Maybe on a treadmill.

Candle, I love your enthusiasm. You have had great results and I can totaly relate to feeling like you have a new lease on life. I've lost enough weight now that I am starting to feel like my old self. I had gotten so down on myself and didn't even want to see people because of how bad I felt I looked. I had become way too self conscious and it was a horrible feeling. I'm feeling positive and hopeful again thanks to my weight loss. As for 2008, I plan to get to my goal this year and maintain for the rest of my life. I feel like I really have a lot to look forward to.

I'm back, well rested, and ready to get serious about my exercise again. You all have done an amazing job of staying with your programs through the holidays and even stepping it up. It motivates me. My exercise class starts on Jan. 14 and I'm really looking forward to introducing some variety. Meanwhile, I'll be walking. Today I got in 40 minutes. Crazy Ates JANUARY Exercise Challenge 1/20 Days of Exercise

I just wanted to check in and wish everyone a Happy New Year. I'm off to the beach house this morning and don't know about internet access there, so I may be out of touch for a few days. I second Valstar's comment about how much you have all helped me these past few months. It feels good to know there is such a strong support system here and I really enjoy and appreciate you all. I am excited about the new year and the promise of continued weight loss and exercise success in 2008. This will be the first time in many years that I haven't started the new year with a sense of despair about my weight. I'll see you all on the January exercise thread!

Valstar, I'm cheering for you to make your goal. I think you will. You've been doing so good. I'm not going to make my exercise goal this month. I just got too busy and didn't give exercise the priority that it deserves. My oldest son left today and the youngest leaves tomorrow and then hubby and I are going away on Friday (we've rented a beach house) to finally relax and ring in the new year quietly. I had a wonderful Christmas, but I'm really exhausted from all the nonstop activity. A few days at the beach will work wonders. Sounds like everyone has done a great job of getting in some exercise in spite of the holidays. I bet none of use were exercising through Christmas last year. We should all be proud.

I just got back from a 40 minute walk. It is a beautiful day here so I just wanted to get some fresh air and sunshine. I hope everyone is having a great day. Crazy Ates DECEMBERExercise Challenge 11/20 Days of Exercise

I thought I'd check in and wish everyone a Merry Christmas! You all are hanging tough considering all the temptations that are around now. I got a small fill on December 13 and in the last few days I have somehow gotten a little tighter (don't understand why that happens) than I would like to be. Frangi, I had also planned on indulging in a few treats, but it is looking like my big treat is going to be hot chocolate. This is for sure going to be the first Christmas where I've lost weight. I've not had any formal exercise in a few days but I swear I'm right back at it after the holidays. Have fun everybody!

Julie, I'm so happy for you. I almost teared up when I read "The PS makes me feel normal and beautiful and FINISHED. And liberated." You have had an amazing journey and inspired so many people. You just don't know the impact you've had. I hope you're considering writing a book. Yours is a fabulous, triumphant story.

It continues to be crazy busy around here. My youngest son and his girlfriend have been here since Saturday and my oldest son & his girlfriend arrive tomorrow. On Saturday we're hosting a holiday open house for about 40 people at my house. What was I thinking when I sent out those invitations? Seriously, I am looking forward to it, but it is keeping me too busy. For today's exercise I did a little work in the yard. I raked and bagged leaves for about an hour. I'm definately counting it as exercise. My back is feeling it for sure. Frangi, sorry to hear that your holiday got off to a bad start, but I must admit I laughed out loud about your track suit from the all night grocery. Keep up the exercise everybody. You are all doing sooooo good. Hope everyone has some time off to relax over the holidays. Crazy Ates DECEMBERExercise Challenge 10/20 Days of Exercise

Salsa, I think the DVD sounds great. How long is it and where did you buy it? Aren't you a teacher? Why are you working such crazy long hours? Lady Bug, I too need to accept that exercise has to be a life long habit. I kind of keep wondering when I'm going to quit like all the times before. I've been walking since July, so this may be the longest I've ever been in a consistent routine. I guess self discipline (not my favorite thing) is the key. We have to do it whether we want to or not. Crazy Ates DECEMBERExercise Challenge 9/20 Days of Exercise

While all of you are working so hard I've been goofing off. I did get in a 40 minute walk today, but I just haven't made the time the last few days. Too many parties, too much wine drinking, too much shopping, cooking, decorating, wrapping presents, etc. Yesterday I made the conscious decision to take a bubble bath instead of going for a walk. I'm enjoying the holidays and have more energy and interest than I've had in several years, so I'm not going to be too hard on myself. I have not been overeating, so that means alot. This time of year is usually all about gaining weight for me, so it feels great to be in control. Lady Bug, I'm so glad you're feeling the benefits of exercising. I like getting it done early too. If I wait too long, I'm much less likely to fit it in to my day. Salsa, I can't wait to hear your full review of the new exercise video. Frangi, what an ordeal you had. I'm sure glad the dog was friendly! Dave, be careful walking so late at night. Look what happened to Frangi. You are doing a great job though. Nana, sounds like we are both having too much holiday fun! At least we are on the go! Hope everyone has a great week. Becky Crazy Ates DECEMBERExercise Challenge 8/20 Days of Exercise

mrscrash, I still enjoy cooking and entertaining as much as ever. Probably even more now because I don't have to worry about overeating. I just have a little of what ever I want and am satisfied. I no longer have to associate food with the negative result of over indulging. I get a real since of satisfaction out of making something delicious and eating a reasonable amount. Good luck to you.

OMG Salsa & Pammy! Ya'll look fantastic. Who would have thought there could be such dramatic results in such a short amount of time.

I've got the 10cc AP band. I don't know for sure what my total volume is. I just know that I get very small fills; .25cc each time and it amazes me that such a small amount of fluid has any affect at all. But it does for me. Everybody is different. I think my fill level might not even be noticeable to someone else or too tight for another person. It is just totally different from person to person.

Oh Lady Bug hang in there. Two teenage boys. That explains alot. I have two sons. Thankfully, they are 26 and 20 now. It does get better. Mine live several hundred miles away from each other and they are actually anxious to see each other at Christmas. I understand how draining it can be raising two boys. Just try to remember that you will be much better equiped to deal with them when you are taking care of yourself. As you lose the weight and continue exercising you'll have more mental and physical energy for all the challenges associated with raising kids. No matter how rattled they get you, keep working on yourself. I wish I'd taken my own advise ten years ago.

LadyBug, Valstar is right. It is just one day. We all have off days. I think Salsa's post about learning to eat normally is worth re-reading. Even thin people over do it on occassion. We just have to learn to be good most of the time! As for my success, I think it has alot to do with being properly restricted. I am on fill number four. Aren't you still on your first fill? I was lucky and got noticeable restriction on the very first fill. After my fill today I scheduled another appointment for 8 weeks from now. I also try to follow the basic band rules 95% of the time. I eat a wide variety of foods, but my total daily intake is probably at least a quarter of what it was before I was banded. As you know, I walk regularly too. As far as staying motivated, I turned 50 this year and it had a huge impact on me. I figure if I lose this weight once and for all, I have a much better chance of spending the next 50 years healthy, active, vibrant, and contributing to society. If I don't lose the weight I can go on being a miserable, unhealthy, sedentary old bag. Making the decision to have lap band surgery was a drastic measure and I'm determined to make it work. You are having weight loss success. Not as fast as you'd like but you have lost. I'm sure that after you get some more restriction things will begin to speed up for you. Don't get discouraged. You can do this.

I had a small fill today and have now officially lost 72 pounds! The physician's assistant said she thinks my goal of 165 is too low for my 5'9" height. I don't know about that. According to the BMI charts that is what it is going to take to have a "normal" BMI and that is what I based my goal on. Whatever the case, I am over half way to goal and feeling really good about my progress. I have three holiday parties to attend this weekend and I'm not even dreading them the way I usually do. Candle, I know what you mean about the plastic surgery fund. I'm going to need an extreme makeover, lol.