Frangipani

Congratulations Boo Boo Kitty! You look so beautiful!!!! You are a real inspiration -- especially since you and I share the same Band month (except I was banded one year later). I can tell from your posts that you are an incredibly sweet person and I wish you all the very best!!! Fondly, Frangi Crazy Ates JANUARY Exercise Challenge 3/30 Exercise Sessions Banded 8/07/07 Dr. Miguel Zapata, Monterrey Mexico

Okay Dave, I have to agree with you there -- 36 degrees is cold, and especially for Florida. You have finally earned a little sympathy.......... I got another workout session in today, and Jody (LadyBugRed) I am borrowing your exercise icon for the rest of this month because I think it is adorable!!! Have a great evening everyone! Crazy Ates JANUARY Exercise Challenge 3/30 Exercise Sessions Banded 8/07/07 Dr. Miguel Zapata, Monterrey Mexico

By the way Candle, with the amount of weight you have lost, I would say that you could teach us a few things about motivation!!! :clap2::clap2::clap2:

I have found this Band to be a self-motivating tool. I am a professional dieter. Basically, I have gone on a major diet every year since my drastic weight gain about 12 years ago. I have managed to lose countless number of pounds over the years, and have dieted myself down to as low as a size 4. Unfortunately every time I dieted, all the weight would go back on plus more. In 2006 I became so discouraged that I just gave up, and in 2007 my weight reached an all-time high. All I was really missing was a tool that would guarantee me long-term success. Once it became apparent to me that this Band was actually going to work (which was after my first fill), I became highly motivated and have stayed that way ever since. As far as the exercise, well... I really can't explain it, but I absolutely love it now. I have no idea what caused this or how it happened, but I am totally hooked on working out, so motivation is not much of an issue for me at this point in time. A rather simple story, but there it is................... Crazy Ates January Exercise Challenge 2/30 Exercise Sessions Banded 8/07/07 Dr. Miguel Zapata, Monterrey Mexico

Goodness Salsa -- you are not only exercising, you are turning into a regular jock! What next? Super Bowl Sunday? ;):woot: My workout this morning was considerably less ambitious, but still a good workout nonetheless. Have a great day everyone!!!! Crazy Ates January Exercise Challenge 2/30 Exercise Sessions Banded 8/07/07 Dr. Miguel Zapata, Monterrey Mexico

Ahhh....... My first full day back in the sunshine and warmth -- my frozen bones needed that! The indoor machines have kept me in good shape for the past two weeks -- my outdoor workout with "real" hills was not the challenge that I thought it would be. Crazy Ates January Exercise Challenge 1/30 Exercise Sessions Banded 8/07/07 Dr. Miguel Zapata, Monterrey Mexico

Hi Salsa, I like your idea of counting exercise "sessions" as opposed to days. So I think I will change mine as well. This month I will be completely overhauling my fitness regime. In addition to the cardio, I will be doing weight training and yoga for strength, stability and flexibility. Obviously I will not be doing all these things at once, so it makes sense to count sessions as opposed to days. Crazy Ates January Exercise Challenge 0/30 Sessions of Exercise Banded 8/07/07 Dr. Miguel Zapata, Monterrey Mexico

Hi Everyone I thought I would start a December exercise challenge thread -- until Band Chick is able to put a new one up. Good luck and Happy Holidays to all!!! Mexico

Whew! I made it. On Friday I came down with a very nasty cold (flu?). Thanks to the customer service staff at US Airways (who were so helpful and nice), I was able to change my return home by one day. Last night I got to bed early, which made all the difference, and today I felt well enough to get that one last workout in. Happy New Year to all you wonderful "Crazy Ates", and thank you very much for all of your support and inspiration -- you are the best!!!! Crazy Ates DECEMBER Exercise Challenge 18/18 Days of Exercise Banded 8/07/07 Dr. Miguel Zapata, Monterrey Mexico

Hi Jody, I just want to say that I am really happy for you. You really seem to be on a roll now:clap2::clap2::clap2:!!! Crazy Ates DECEMBER Exercise Challenge 17/18 Days of Exercise Banded 8/07/07 Dr. Miguel Zapata, Monterrey Mexico

I weigh myself every day -- absolutely. I think it helps tremendously to keep me on track. I too, look at trends and averages and use the weight loss ticker website to chart my progress. Crazy Ates DECEMBER Exercise Challenge 17/18 Days of Exercise Banded 8/07/07 Dr. Miguel Zapata, Monterrey Mexico

Got another workout in this morning. I will make goal this month, but just barely............. Crazy Ates DECEMBER Exercise Challenge 17/18 Days of Exercise Banded 8/07/07 Dr. Miguel Zapata, Monterrey Mexico

Becky -- you have done an excellent job these past several months and have set the bar pretty high for yourself. I would say that you have outdone yourself in 2007 overall, so relax and enjoy your time at the beach!!! I agree with you regarding how well we have all been doing with the exercise during the holidays. We rock -- don't we??!!! Got another hotel gym workout in today. Doing the machines can get to be pretty tedious and boring, but I have found that I can survive a whole hour if I rotate machines and do four, 15 minute circuits. It is snowing, and cold, and foggy, and just YUCK here. I love seeing the family, but am looking forward to heading back to the island on Monday. Crazy Ates DECEMBER Exercise Challenge 16/18 Days of Exercise Banded 8/07/07 Dr. Miguel Zapata, Monterrey Mexico

Hi Pizzacato, Congratulations!!! Lifetime Fitness has excellent workout facilities. I used to belong to Lifetime when I lived in the States. I loved so many things about it -- the amenities, the classes, the pools, the fact that it was open 24 hours. I really miss it a lot............. Enjoy! Crazy Ates DECEMBER Exercise Challenge 16/18 Days of Exercise Banded 8/07/07 Dr. Miguel Zapata, Monterrey Mexico

Merry Christmas everyone!!!! Somehow I knew we would all be here -- even on Christmas! Have a great evening! Crazy Ates DECEMBER Exercise Challenge 15/18 Days of Exercise Banded 8/07/07 Dr. Miguel Zapata, Monterrey Mexico

Dave congratulations on your incredible weight loss!!!! You are doing a wonderful job with the exercise, but be careful out there -- it just doesn't seem very safe to be out walking in the middle of the night. I am going to splurge just a little bit tonight and tomorrow and have a few of my favorite Christmas treats, like praline pecans and shortbread. That said, with the help of this band, I trust my ability to have and enjoy a reasonable portion of these foods -- unlike years gone by............. BTW, I weighed myself this morning and I did make my Christmas goal of 60 Lbs lost -- Woo Hoo!!!! :rose::bananapartyhat::rose: Crazy Ates DECEMBER Exercise Challenge 14/18 Days of Exercise Banded 8/07/07 Dr. Miguel Zapata, Monterrey Mexico

Well, the workout schedule is not going as planned, but that's okay it's time to Celebrate and have fun after all the hard work we've done -- right? I did manage to get a workout in today, which might be my last one until Wednesday. I hope everyone has a wonderful and very Merry Christmas!!!! Crazy Ates DECEMBER Exercise Challenge 14/18 Days of Exercise Banded 8/07/07 Dr. Miguel Zapata, Monterrey Mexico

Thanks Dave! I am too. OMG I am having so much fun now! I had a great day and I am full swing into the holiday spirit! And here's the best news, I have lost another two pounds, which puts me just one pound away from my Christmas goal of 60 pounds!!! I am going to work extra hard to get that one last pound off by Monday. Talk to you tomorrow, have a good night everyone!!! Crazy Ates DECEMBER Exercise Challenge 13/18 Days of Exercise Banded 8/07/07 Dr. Miguel Zapata, Monterrey Mexico

Good Morning Friends! Hope everyone is enjoying their Holiday season!!!! Thank you for sending good Karma my way -- the airline (or perhaps Santa's elves) dropped my luggage off at the front desk in the middle of the night, and life is good once again! I didn't work out last night as planned. I was so distressed over my missing luggage that I decided I needed a little "retail therapy" last night -- so off to the mall I went! LadyBugRed -- I am so glad that things are continuing to go well with your weight loss. Becky have a wonderful party! Sounds like a lot of fun. I am sure you are a fabulous hostess and it will be a terrific event. I worked out this morning, but am only counting it as 1/2 of a workout because I did only 30 minutes of my usual hour. I simply cannot bring myself to stay on an indoor treadmill for a whole hour -- it is just way too boring. So, I will do part two of my workout this evening after I return from visiting with the family. Even though I am freezing, and I have not seen the sun since I left the Caribbean, I must say that it still feels really good to be home for the holidays................... Crazy Ates DECEMBER Exercise Challenge 12.5/18 Days of Exercise Banded 8/07/07 Dr. Miguel Zapata, Monterrey Mexico

Greetings from the North Pole! Well, I made it here very late last night. Unfortunately my luggage did not. My coats, closed-toed shoes, gloves -- the works -- are all in my suitcase (wherever that may be). I had to stand outside waiting for the rental car shuttle in 30 degree temperatures, wearing nothing but sandals, capris and a 3/4 sleeve tunic. I am currently lounging luxuriously, and feeling so très chic in my brand new, genuine velour track suit that was purchased last night at the 24 hour grocery store. Anyhow, I have surveyed the workout equipment at my hotel -- nothing special, but will try to get a workout in later IF they manage to find my luggage. Keep your fingers crossed for me! Will check in later. Crazy Ates DECEMBER Exercise Challenge 12/18 Days of Exercise Banded 8/07/07 Dr. Miguel Zapata, Monterrey Mexico

LOL Gometros!!! That was a good one! And that's right Dave -- you get no sympathy whatsoever from those of us who are (or who are soon to be) freezing our buns off in the frigid North!!!! Complaining about the cold in Florida...... You lightweight!!!! Crazy Ates DECEMBER Exercise Challenge 12/18 Days of Exercise Banded 8/07/07 Dr. Miguel Zapata, Monterrey Mexico

Pizzicato, that's my goal too -- 60 lbs by Christmas. You are so close and definitely will make it. Congratulations!!! I will be darn close, but might not make it with Christmas being only 7 days away. I am a little disappointed about this, but the scale seems to be slowing down considerably for me lately. This despite the fact that I have been doing long, hard cardio workouts and following my diet very carefully. Oh well, it will come off sooner or later. The good news is that I am much farther along than I had expected to be. Crazy Ates DECEMBER Exercise Challenge 12/18 Days of Exercise Banded 8/07/07 Dr. Miguel Zapata, Monterrey Mexico

Hi Everyone! Yes, I was lucky the dog was friendly and yes indeed LadyBugRed, the dog was a mix, but looked to have a whole lot of Golden Retriever in its blood. Becky, sounds like you are thoroughly enjoying yourself this Holiday season. Good for you!!! You have been working very hard and you deserve it girlfriend!!!! LadyBugRed now that you have had your first fill, your weight loss has increased at an amazing rate. Five pounds in less than two weeks is awesome -- Congratulations !!! Salsa, thanks for the detailed info on the DVD. I am going to try to get my hands on a copy once I get to the States. Well, today was my last workout until Thursday. Tomorrow I fly to back to the cold, northern climes for two weeks -- brrrrrr. I am originally from the Northern US and have suffered through many a miserable winter, but my body is now completely acclimatized to the tropics -- so I am not looking forward to dealing with frigid temps and snow. Does shivering continuously count as a workout? Crazy Ates DECEMBER Exercise Challenge 12/18 Days of Exercise Banded 8/07/07 Dr. Miguel Zapata, Monterrey Mexico

Hi Donna, Here is a link regarding Byetta. You are doing a wonderful job with your weight loss BTW! Byetta: Effective diabetes and weight-loss drug? - MayoClinic.com Ron and Amaara, I would run this past your doctors and see what they think. However once you get your bands and are properly adjusted, you might find that you have no need for Byetta anymore. Good luck with your upcoming surgeries. I am really really happy with my band and am so glad that I had this surgery. Happy Holidays Everyone! Crazy Ates DECEMBER Exercise Challenge 12/18 Days of Exercise Banded 8/07/07 Dr. Miguel Zapata, Monterrey Mexico

Ciao Amici! I decided to do an evening walk today, but didn't time it properly and got caught in the dark, then it started raining and then a huge dog came out of nowhere and started jumping all over me with its muddy paws!!!!! The dog was just being friendly, so I wasn't worried, but good grief!!! That was not an easy slog at the end there. By the time I got home I looked downright scary -- drenched, sweaty, and covered in muddy paw prints.......... Crazy Ates DECEMBER Exercise Challenge 11/18 Days of Exercise Banded 8/07/07 Dr. Miguel Zapata, Monterrey Mexico