Frangipani

Hi Magnetismchick, Good to hear from you and glad to hear you're doing well! I remember you. I know you don't post very often, but you definitely have a pretty unforgettable Avatar! Val, I struggle with night hunger too. I often find that if I ignore it long enough, it just goes away. If I need to, I will snack on something small such as applesauce, sugar free pudding, a few nuts, 1/4 cup of cottage cheese, or an Edy's frozen juice bar. Whenever possible however, I try not to snack at night as it always seems to slow my weight loss........ Crazy Ates February Exercise Challenge 12/28 Exercise Sessions Banded 8/07/07 Dr. Miguel Zapata, Monterrey Mexico

Hi Pizzi, Yeah, nothing to worry about IMHO. I eat like I normally do while traveling and have never had any problems at all. The only time I concern myself with this issue is when I go for fills. As a precaution, I try to schedule my fills for 24 hours (or so) after I have taken a flight. Crazy Ates February Exercise Challenge 12/28 Exercise Sessions Banded 8/07/07 Dr. Miguel Zapata, Monterrey Mexico

Still plugging away -- another hour of cardio down today. Tomorrow back to weight training. Mary, good job on getting your workout in today :cursing:! Sounds like you have a fun vacation planned -- where are you cruising to? Crazy Ates February Exercise Challenge 12/28 Exercise Sessions Banded 8/07/07 Dr. Miguel Zapata, Monterrey Mexico

Hi Pizzi, I fly pretty often and generally I do notice that flying tightens my band a bit, but never to the point of it being difficult or uncomfortable for me to eat. I have never once had any sort of problem with my band while traveling, and there have been times when flying seems to actually loosen my band -- so it is a very unpredictable thing. Overall I have to say that for me, the effect of airline travel on my band is so slight that it is basically a non-issue. Crazy Ates February Exercise Challenge 11/28 Exercise Sessions Banded 8/07/07 Dr. Miguel Zapata, Monterrey Mexico

Sandy, glad to see you had a productive weekend. Pizzi sounds like you did a good job too! Got my usual cardio in this evening. Being sick last week really put me behind. That said, I am determined to make my goal this month and there is just enough time to do it if I stick to my schedule. Have a great evening everyone! Crazy Ates February Exercise Challenge 11/28 Exercise Sessions Banded 8/07/07 Dr. Miguel Zapata, Monterrey Mexico

Hi Pammy, Congratulations! 86 pounds is amazing!!!! Crazy Ates February Exercise Challenge 10/28 Exercise Sessions Banded 8/07/07 Dr. Miguel Zapata, Monterrey Mexico

Hi PigsRFlying, You're doing great -- Congrats! :wink_smile::thumbup::wink2: Crazy Ates February Exercise Challenge 10/28 Exercise Sessions Banded 8/07/07 Dr. Miguel Zapata, Monterrey Mexico

1.5 hour hike today. Have a great night everyone! Crazy Ates February Exercise Challenge 10/28 Exercise Sessions Banded 8/07/07 Dr. Miguel Zapata, Monterrey Mexico

Hi Everyone! Thanks for the well wishes -- :eek: Today I am feeling much better, and I did manage to get my one hour of cardio in. Sandy, good for you. No excuses -- that's the way to do it!!!! Pizzi, have fun at the gym this weekend. Remember how excited you were when you signed up a few months ago? You know you belong to a great gym, so enjoy! Whoysa, just looking at your photo makes me shiver. On a positive note, we're halfway through February, so it won't be too much longer until Spring!!!! Salsa enjoy the play, and let us know how it was! Have a great night everyone!!! Crazy Ates February Exercise Challenge 9/28 Exercise Sessions Banded 8/07/07 Dr. Miguel Zapata, Monterrey Mexico

Hi All! I am so happy to be reading about all the wonderful things that are happening in everyone's lives!!!! Pizzicato and Becky a special congrats to you both!!!! Pizzi, I'll be sending good karma your way too, but I know you will get the job and will be LA bound soon!!!! Becky 90 pounds lost and already down to see the plastic surgeon???? You go girl!!! You've been working so hard and truly deserve all the success coming your way this year! I still have quite a ways to get to my goal, so I don't see plastic surgery in my immediate future, but I will certainly be following your journey very carefully -- please keep us posted. Crazy Ates February Exercise Challenge 8/28 Exercise Sessions Banded 8/07/07 Dr. Miguel Zapata, Monterrey Mexico

"Eliptokill," that's funny :mad: Hi Guys, I'm back. Wow!!! Was that ever awful! I'm not sure what I had, I assume the flu, but I was in bed sick for two solid days. Anyhow, I got an easy, gentle workout in today (nothing too strenuous Becky, per your advice) -- it felt good to get out there again. Happy Valentine's Day Everyone:heart::heart: Crazy Ates February Exercise Challenge 8/28 Exercise Sessions Banded 8/07/07 Dr. Miguel Zapata, Monterrey Mexico

Hi Guys, Everybody is doing a fabulous job this month!!! Congrats!!! I thought I would check in, I am SO sick right now. It started on Monday with a cough, which I didn't pay much attention to, but by Monday night I had chills and a fever. Yesterday I spent the entire day in bed, with barely a waking moment. I am feeling slightly better today, no more chills or fever, and I might try to get a very light workout in later, if I feel up to it (but right now I am not feeling very up to it, to be honest). Will check in later if I manage to get a workout in today. Have a great day everyone!!! Crazy Ates February Exercise Challenge 7/28 Exercise Sessions Banded 8/07/07 Dr. Miguel Zapata, Monterrey Mexico

Becky, thanks for thinking of me. I have been traveling since Wednesday and I just got home this evening. Keep up the good work! Yes, I do promise that you will start to see results from your weight training soon -- so stick with it and you will be very glad you did. Whosya 10K run? Wow!!! Way to go :thumbup:!!!! Val keep your spirits up. You are doing all the right things and the scale will start moving downward again very soon. I was on a plateau, and then I suddenly dropped 5 pounds in three days. I suspect that this is how it will go for you as well. I got two workouts in while I was away, a 45 minute walk on Thursday, and a 2 hour hike on Friday. Tomorrow, back to my normal routine. Have a great night everyone! It's good to be back in touch with my workout buddies! Crazy Ates February Exercise Challenge 7/28 Exercise Sessions Banded 8/07/07 Dr. Miguel Zapata, Monterrey Mexico

Sandy, you're getting a good start on your workouts this month -- keep up the good work! Salsa, I hope you are feeling better soon! I got two workouts in today, one hour of cardio and one hour of weightlifting with the trainer (arms/upper boday today). When I returned home from my cardio workout I was greeted by two huge iguanas flanking either side of my entrance so that I would have had to pass between them to get into the house. Most of the year, I enjoy these creatures and usually they scamper off with no problems, but their strange behavior today indicates to me that it must be mating season (when iguanas tend to act in strange, and unpredictable ways) -- because these bad boys weren't moving. They just sat there staring at me, probably saying in iguanese "Go ahead sweaty lady, make my day." Being the total wimp that I am, I didn't take up the challenge, so I just sat there, baking in the sun until one of them finally decided to slowly saunter off. The other one just sat there and continued to stare at me, and I thought I even detected a lascivious glint in his eye (you know, being the mating season and all), but I can't be certain of this....... Crazy Ates February Exercise Challenge 5/28 Exercise Sessions Banded 8/07/07 Dr. Miguel Zapata, Monterrey Mexico

Hi, Jachut and Chickie, you two are a real inspiration! I have been reading your posts faithfully since I joined this board, just before my surgery. Thus far, following your example of good old, "nose to the grindstone" hard work has been successful for me as well. Thanks to both of you! Shortgal, my goal weight is approximately 20 pounds heavier than I was in college, so I feel it is realistic. The way I set my goal was based on the average weight of ladies who are in my age group, my height, and who look the way I want to look. When I started this band journey, I too felt a bit overwhelmed by the length of the path in front of me, but now being just past the halfway point, I really feel that my goal is firmly within my grasp. The only real question mark for me at this point, is how much longer it might take to reach my goal. I am shooting for one year "bandiversary," but I don't consider my rate of weight loss to be entirely within my control, therfore I am prepared to reevaluate this goal as needed. Have a great day eveyone! Crazy Ates February Exercise Challenge 3/28 Exercise Sessions Banded 8/07/07 Dr. Miguel Zapata, Monterrey Mexico

Whosyadaddy Welcome! We're glad your joining us, but you are being far too modest. For those who haven't seen this post, look at what Whosya did yesterday...... Wow, talk about taking this to the next level! Perhaps you should think about starting a Whosyadaddy bootcamp! Becky, I am SO happy that you started weight training!!!! Good for you!!! You'll be amazed at how quickly the muscles respond to resistance training, especially upper body -- and you will start to see the results of your efforts within just a few short weeks, I promise. To answer your question, one hour of lower body is torture and it's funny you mention it because I was just talking to my trainer about this. Lower body is my problem area, as I tend to carry the majority of my weight there. The trainer was telling me that, for most people, working a "problem area" is usually the most difficult and challenging -- which makes sense, right? Have a great night everyone! Crazy Ates February Exercise Challenge 3/28 Exercise Sessions Banded 8/07/07 Dr. Miguel Zapata, Monterrey Mexico

Shea you look really stunning -- Congrats! I had a problem with thinning hair until late December when I started using a special dietary supplement by Solaray called "Hair Nutrients." It has several different types of Vitamins and minerals, and I have seen a noticeable since I started using this product. In fact, I recently saw my hairdresser who told me that she noticed a difference too. You can purchase this product at a Health food store, or you can purchase it online. I just happened to come across it by accident one day and decided to give it a try. Thus far, I have been very pleased with this product and plan to continue using it. Have a great night! Crazy Ates February Exercise Challenge 3/28 Exercise Sessions Banded 8/07/07 Dr. Miguel Zapata, Monterrey Mexico

Val good job for getting to your early morning pilates class after such a late night -- High Five! I got a one hour weight workout in this evening -- legs lower body. Have a great night everyone! Crazy Ates February Exercise Challenge 3/28 Exercise Sessions Banded 8/07/07 Dr. Miguel Zapata, Monterrey Mexico

Happy Super Bowl Sunday Everyone! I hope your team wins, but only of course, if your team is the Patriots ! I just returned from a nice, 2 hour, sunset hike. Have a great evening! Crazy Ates February Exercise Challenge 2/28 Exercise Sessions Banded 8/07/07 Dr. Miguel Zapata, Monterrey Mexico

Regarding plateaus, Congrats Pizzicato and Salsa for moving past yours! I know Val had one too that I commented on in the exercise thread -- Congrats again Val!!! (I hope I haven't left anyone out.) I find it interesting that a number of us are all hitting plateaus at approximately the same time. I wonder what that's all about, if anything.............. Anyhow, I have pushed past my 21 day long plateau as well with the scale moving down three pounds in less than 48 hours. Prior to this plateau I was losing weight steadily with the scale moving down a pound every few days like clockwork. I wonder how the weight loss will continue from here on in............ Crazy Ates February Exercise Challenge 1/28 Exercise Sessions Banded 8/07/07 Dr. Miguel Zapata, Monterrey Mexico

Thanks Val ! And congrats on your weight loss as well!!! I got my first February workout in -- one hour of cardio. Have a great night everyone! Crazy Ates February Exercise Challenge 1/28 Exercise Sessions Banded 8/07/07 Dr. Miguel Zapata, Monterrey Mexico

Well, I don't have any workouts in yet, but will later today. However, I couldn't wait to announce that I finally broke through my 21 day long plateau!!! In retrospect, I am glad that it happened because unlike the past, I didn't allow myself to get sidetracked by it. I just kept plugging along with the faith that, sooner or later, the scale would start moving again. This plateau also helped me break my addiction to the scale and really made me understand that sometimes the number on the scale, as Becky said, just doesn't tell the whole story. I love my band -- it gives me so much motivation and absolute confidence that with a little patience and perseverance, my efforts will pay off in the end. Will check in later -- have a great day everyone!!! Crazy Ates February Exercise Challenge 0/28 Exercise Sessions Banded 8/07/07 Dr. Miguel Zapata, Monterrey Mexico

Hi Becky, We were posting at the same time I guess. I'm thrilled that you have decided to add some resistance training to your workout schedule, and I look forward to have a "cyber buddy" to weight train with!!! I like the way you have formatted your challenge too. I will do the same once I sit down and figure out my exact workout schedule for the month. Absolutely nothing to be intimidated about with the weight training. Just start slowly and you'll be fine. Once you get a few workouts under your belt, you will be amazed at the effect weight training has on your cardio endurance as well. Back in the days when I was a heavy-duty hiker (which I hope I am moving toward once again), weight training was absolutely essential to my ability to do long treks. Happy anniversary!!! Crazy Ates February Exercise Challenge 0/28 Exercise Sessions Banded 8/07/07 Dr. Miguel Zapata, Monterrey Mexico

Hi Mary1094, Welcome! We're glad that you're joining us! All you need to do is set an exercise goal for yourself that can be measured however you want, and your goal does not need to correspond to the number of days in the month. Some people count days, and some sessions. I count sessions because I have been doing three types of workouts, cardio, weight training, and yoga -- so some days I do more than one workout. Last month I set a pretty ambitious goal for myself, but this month I am cutting back a little bit because I'll be traveling (and because February is a shorter month despite the fact that it is a leap year). Each time you do a workout simply list the specific activity you did and the duration. If you look at some of the posts from our previous month's exercise challenges, you will see examples of how we do it. We look forward to your participation! With warm regards, Frangi Crazy Ates February Exercise Challenge 0/28 Exercise Sessions Banded 8/07/07 Dr. Miguel Zapata, Monterrey Mexico

Happy January 31 everyone! Tomorrow is a new month, which means a whole fresh new start for all of us. I did another "Triple Header" today -- one hour of weightlifting with the trainer (arms/upper body), a 30 minute abdominals class, and a one hour yoga class. By the time I finished this routine I was fatigued and hungry, but the three activities compliment each other well. Becky, I am glad to hear that your Mom is doing better. My paternal grandmother had severe osteoporosis and suffered many broken bones as the disease progressed, so I know first hand what a debilitating disease it can be. I am sorry to hear that she (and you) are having to go through all of this. One of the major reasons I felt it was important to add weight training to my workout regime is because I have read over and over again that resistance training is one of the very best ways to prevent the loss of bone mass as we age. I would therefore like to encourage you to add some sort of resistance training to your weekly routine as well. Doing so is especially important for both of us, since be both have a family history of this disease. You can start out slowly and build up -- and it doesn't have to be a time consuming thing at all. In fact, I read the other day that doing just one set of each exercise to failure (i.e., until the muscle is so fatigued that you are unable to do another rep), can be just as effective as doing multiple sets. What this means is that you can get a significant weight training workout in as little as 20 minutes per session. Here is a link from the Mayo Clinic website that discusses this. Weight training for busy people: 5 timesaving tips - MayoClinic.com Anyhow, congrats again on making your goal -- which is really a tremendous accomplishment considering all of the challenges you had this month :frown: Have a great night everyone! Crazy Ates JANUARY Exercise Challenge 34/30 Exercise Sessions Banded 8/07/07 Dr. Miguel Zapata, Monterrey Mexico