DeltaDawn

Hi Guys, Julie, the apartment sounds great!!! Wow is all I can say. Guysis you are exercising so much these days and that is great. kat... can you cut down wood for me too?? Well, it was COLD here this weekend- Iknow the Arctic is January what would you expect, but I mean COLD. It was -31 F (putting in the F for you guys in the States) and with the windchill that made is -42!!!! But, because I am crazy I went for my run, but i did it in the afternoon instead of the morning. I was warm enough, except for my feet. I just can't run in boots, so my new balances were it. I had to soak my toes in warm (not hot) water when I got home, but I was proud of me! So... let's hope it warms up a little. Have a great Monday everyone!!!! p.s. a great nsv... sliding with my kids and being able to get my backside up the hill over and over again!! Dawn Banded April 4th, 2006 Montreal

I too found the optifast, liquid diet tough... but I made it through and way happy to challenge myself in a defined way. Best of luck to you Terry Dawn Banded a[pril 4, 2006 Montreal

Congrats Weetsin!!!!! DAwn Banded April 4th, 2006 MTL 358/209/179

Hi prbrooksie, I can imagine that it must be frustrating to be not losing at the pace you were hoping to lose. One thing I can say, is that I had a lot to lose and it comes off easier when you have so much to lose. My weight loss has been slowing down, the less I weigh, so that may be a big factor for you. As well, when I hit 250, I needed to really kick in the exercise to maintain a weight loss. I started slow, but now I run, walk or step (depending on the weather- yep I stepped this morning -29 C, with a windchill of -37 C kept in me inside!!) for at least 30 mintues 6 times a week. So... I don't think you have madea bad choice. I too was self pay- so I know what that is like. Best of luck to you!!!! Dawn banded April, 4, 2006 Montreal 358/209/179

Here is the updated weight loss... I hope I did this okay Dawn

PeaCje, I just wanted to send you good luck thoughts on your surgery. We had the same starting weight!!! Let us know how it goes! Dawn Banded in Montreal April 4th, 2006 358/209/179

Hi guys, As far as running goes, I am enjoying it, but I also know that I need to take it a little easy and not rack my body. So, I am alternating stepping with running- every other day- and so far so good. My heart rate is just as high with the stepping and I can do it on cold and windy days (which of course happens here). Julie- congrats on being such a good poker player, and still going to the gym!! I know what you mean about a little more attention- someone tried to pick me up at a meeting the other day. I was so surprised I call my husband!!!! You guys are all so great and on the ball and encouraging!!! Exercise this month... 7 times to date Dawn Banded April 4, 2006 Montreal 358/211/179

Well Julie, I decided about 20 lbs ago to start buying clothes I really like, and to heck with them costing too much and me not getting value from it. At my size now I figure that I will get quite a bit of wear out of clothes. My dh bought me a sigrid olsen sweater for Christmas... I think I am in love with him and the sweater!!! I too worry that as I approach goal it will get harder and how am I going to cope with that?? So far this month- I have worked out 6 times and all is well. Happy Wednesday everyone!!! Dawn Banded April 4th, 2006 Montreal 385/211/179

I woked out inside this morning... -20 celcius with a windchill of -35 kept me in ... I wonder why??? So I did my 2 min and 1.5 minutes interval using a step. It worked well and I felt good. I ordered on interval watch from running room. I just wanted to tell you how much you all inspire me everyday... to keep going. I am hoping to hit onderland before Easter.... realistic goals are the thing to me these days. I can't get my ticker to work today Dawn Banded April 4th, 2006 Montreal 358/ 211/ 179

My goal for January is 205, which means 6 lbs as of today. As well, I want to keep up running at least 4 times a weak. Good luck to you all!!!!! Dawn Banded April 4th, 2006 Montreal

Congrats Kat!!!!! It sounds like those inches are just going!!! Dawn Banded April 4th, 2006 MTL

Hi guys, I am back. I have just read all your posts and needless to say I am impressed with you all. I am happy that I kept training all Christmas and ended up losing 3 pounds over the holidays. This was better than I thought I would do (I just wanted not to gain). I am now really getting into running- I got new shoes in MTL. I had a beautiful run this a.m. Minus 8 celcius and no wind at 6a.m.... you can't beat that!!! Glad to be back!!! Dawn Banded April 4th, 2006 MTL

Thanks for all the positive comments guys. It has been quite a journey and I am enjoying so many NSV's these days... airplane washroom no problem, seat belts just fine thank you and my latest... size 8 medium running shoes - no more need for wide widths!! For me, I think I have had a combination of luck and hard work. The weight loss has been steady and although it is slowing down it is still around 1.5 to 2 lbs a week. I know I will most likely hit a wall soon, so I am trying to mentally prepare for it. I have never had liquids with meals and I haven't really cheated ... an extra bite hear or there but never really more than that. Although Christmas was hard. Julie NYC turned me onto running and now I run 4 to 5 times a week. I am doing intervals to build my endurance and now run for 2 minutes and walk for 1.5 minutes. I do this for 30 minutes and then walk out the last 10 minutes. I also do strength training 3 x a week. I am loving how I feel about me and for the first time in my life my new years resolution is not about losing weight... it is about getting fitter and feeling good. Good luck to you all. BTW Ibrahem... you were banded on my birthday... must be a good luck charm! Dawn Banded April 4th, 2006 Montreal

Hi Lala, I hope you have a great band experience. I had a very high bmi 59.6 to start with and now, 9 months later my bmi is 35.3! So for me it has been fast- aboout 100 lbs in the first 5 months and 46 lbs in the last 4 months. Still going steady, but slowing down too. I needed to add in exercise at 5 months to keep the weight loss going. Good luck. Dawn Banded April 4th, 2006 Montreal 358/ 211/179

I am in MTL right now... on work until I start vacation tonight when my family flies in!!!! No snow here!!! But if you want a white Christmas go to the Arctic. I was snowshoeing on the weekend!!1 Merry Chrismtas you guys!!!! Dawn Banded April 4th, 2006 Montreal

Well, I will be with my husbands family for Christmas, which I find stressful... I have to be really perfect... or so Ithink. As well, I just had news that my brother in law will be there to, for part of the time. Now you have to understand that he really hates me and makes it know. This summer he came to see us so we could talk about this issue (I have been married to my awesome guy for 16 years). I took the high road (it is important to my husband), but this jerk told me I was cold, controlling and harsh. Yeah I am feeling the love!!!!!! So... it is going to be a hard one for me. I know it is his problem and that he is just sad and lonely and can't handle an assertive woman, but it will be tough. Wish me the best of luck and to stay in control- my anger will just reward his stupidity. Merry Christmas to you all!!!!!!!! Dawn Banded April 4th, 2006 Montreal

I think this year...maybe for the first time ever, my resolution will not be about weight. I know I am on the right track and I feel (reasonably) confident that I will be at goal by next year... my b-dy is December 23rd and I want to be at goal for that ... next year (I will turn 40 in 2007). So... I have 2 main resolutions for 2007 1. To enjoy my kids more and worry less about how clean the house is and how organized my life is... relax and enjoy it girl!!!! They are sooo great!! 2. To keep running and be ready to do a 5k by year end (am hoping to do the family disney run in January 2008). So... that's it for me!! Dawn Banded April 4th, 2006 Montreal

Boo, We are literally worlds apart, but our exercises certainly both seemed glorious. Just to have that strength to do it is sooooo amazing. Have fun in the rockies!!!! Dawn Banded April 4th, 2006 Montreal

Becca, I started exercising about 3 months after the band. For me I really needed to lose some weight first and then I was able to get moving. I did do yoga even before the band... just to get some mobility going. Now I am on a couch potato to 5km program - I'm on week 2 and so far so good. As well I now do weight training 3 or 4 times a week. So... it started slowly, but yesterday I said to my husband... boy that run felt good... and then I went.... did I just say that? Good luck to you Becca!!!! Dawn Banded April 4th, 2006 Montreal

Sunshine 2, Thanks for your nice comments. Best of luck on your banding!! It really is one of the best decisions I ever made!! After years and years of yo-yoing!!! Dawn Banded April 4, 2006 Montreal

Thanks for all the great words of encouragement everyone. What would I do without you! Dawn Banded April 4th, 2006 Montreal

Hey Julie, You are only 36 lbs from goal... we are both gonna rock!! And of course, we started at the same place... wow!!!!! Best of luck with it all!! Dawn Banded April 4th, 2006 Montreal

Thanks for the kind words Julie! Yep.... 35 lbs to goal sounds amazing to me too. But, I also know it will get harder and once I a there... I may want to lose more. I tried to set a goal that was really realistic... so we'll see. Dawn Banded April 4th, 2006 Montreal

Have a great time in Mexico Lila!!!! and Merry Christmas Dawn Banded April 4th, 2006 Montreal

Hi, I have big news... I made it to my Chrismtas goal and then 1!! Thanks for all your support everyone!!! You guys are so great. As well, I snow shoed with my gang yesterday which was wonderful... something I could not have done at 358!!! I hope you all have a great holiday. p.s. I noticed my ticker was wierd from an earlier post... like it changed to my new reading... anyone know about this?? Dawn Banded April 4th, 2006 Montreal