bluehill

Great news about your new training opportunity, Julie! Your commitment to your running goals is truly inspirational. Regarding the Challenges for February, March, and April: I find the commitment to the number of days much more challenging than the time per session. Once I get motivated to exercise, it hardly makes a difference whether it's 40 or 45 minutes. For that reason alone, I would like to take the number of days in increments of 1. That is, 18 days in February, 19 days in March, 20 days in April. And then to celebrate our joint one-year bandiversary, we can make April extra special by increasing from 40 to 45 minutes. I know, I know, I've already exceeded January's Challenge, but I had a rough time in December due to holiday-related stuff and missed the goal by one day. April 2006 Bandits January Challenge: 21 days of exercise completed

This is FABULOUS NEWS, Julie!!!! Congratulations on this significant milestone in your weight-loss journey! And I note that you have also dipped into the "teens"! At this rate, you'll be in Onederland in no time, and surely meet your TT deadline. I'm so proud of you! Just think where you have come from. Can you believe you were in the mid-300s just last April?!! April 2006 Bandits January Challenge: 21 days of exercise completed

Oh good, Roberta, your belly is feeling a bit better, at least good enough to go to a belly dancing class! Have you moved into your new home, Julie? How exciting to own an apartment in Manhattan! (My East Village pied-a-terre is just a rental.) Love the colors you picked. Have a blast in Palm Springs, Betty! And best of luck in the Mah Jongg tournament! I finally broke down and bought some new exercise pants this afternoon, since the ones I've been wearing are waaay to big (22/24). I tried on a pair of 18/20, and they were still too big, so I settled on 14/16. I don't know what NSV means, but is this one? April 2006 Bandits January Challenge: TWENTY days of exercise completed

Oh Roberta, you don't want to lose weight that way! With flu, that is. Kat, the story of your brother's life is indeed sobering. And you are a saint. Hope he enjoys the party! April 2006 Bandits January Challenge: NINETEEN days of exercise completed

Wow, that's pretty shocking news, Roberta. I'm so very very sorry to hear that you now have to deal with this serious new health issue. Please keep us informed and involved in your treatment. And thanks for the heads-up on the possible ramifications for all of us with regard to bone loss. April 2006 Bandits January Challenge: EIGHTEEN days of exercise completed

I met the January challenge today, and there are still ten more days in the month. HOORAY ME! My weight slipped briefly into a new decade yesterday (229), briefly that is, until I found myself inexplicably munching down on crackers & cheese last evening. So back to 230.2 today. Sigh. A good example of how I always manage to sabotage myself immediately after a success (down 100 lbs). Does anyone have an insight on why this happens? On the other hand, Susan, I see that you have now moved into that same decade and have posted a legitimate 229. That's wonderful news! You've set the mark, now I just need to keep up with it. Thanks for the inspiration. And in fact to all, Thank You for the inspiration this week. Here's an inspirational Thought for the Day, which was read at my yoga class this morning. It's a quote from Junko Tabei, the first woman to climb Mt. Everest. Technique and ability alone do not get you to the top -- it is the willpower that is most important. This willpower you cannot buy with money or be given by others -- it rises from your heart. April 2006 Bandits January Challenge: SEVENTEEN days of exercise completed

What she said!

I'm so excited, I finally hit 100 lb down!!! Hooray me!!! I couldn't have done it without the band, and I wouldn't have done it without you gals cheering me on! Had another fill yesterday. My doctor gave me a high five and presented me with an official 100 lb pin! Boo, I don't recognize "borderline" -- but "normal" is awesome! Congratulations! I believe you are the first of us to achieve "normal" weight. Betty, I'm not surprised that you lost 5 lbs this week with all the NIA classes and a walk in the snow. Have you scooted past DH with this loss? Roberta, you are so close to Onederland! (I'm envious, heh) Julie, enjoy your weekend away from NYC! I'm sure you'll manage to get in some exercise as well. Dawn, the fact that you have passed the 150 lbs lost mark is, well, astonishing. Way to go, girl! April 2006 Bandits January Challenge: SIXTEEN days of exercise completed

It's a banner day for me, I hit 100 lbs! Hooray!!! 4-3: JenRN - 263/257/223/150 - 40 total 4-3: jenn28 - 282/265/229/165 - 53 total 4-3: Picardy3 - 298/300/257.5/150 - 42.5 total 4-3: tipper - 300/290/259/165 - 41 total 4-4: Sugar1 - 311/289/231/150 - 80 total 4-4: DeltaDawn - 358/209/179 - 149 total 4-4: Dak – 255/251/205/150 – 50 total 4-4: Angels - 264/255/235/? - 29 total 4-4: Harpseal Al - 327/295/220 - 34 total 4-5: Boo - 208/203/169/132 - 39 total 4-5: siestaqh - 180+/177/128/110 - 52 total 4-6: Disneynut - 290/287/260/125 - 27 total 4-7: Guysis - 234/180.5/134 - 53.5 total 4-10: JulieNYC - 358/227/180 - 131 total 4-11: Vickie1177 - 320/297/267/137 - 53 total 4-11: tellymelly - 240/235/152/140 - 88 total 4-11: Fel0816 - 307/284/265/to get under 200 - 42 total 4-11: dsrjrr - 231/230/210/130 - 21 total 4:11: truckinmama - 262/234/160 - 28 total 4-13: Nursekathy2u - 358/356/335/175 - 23 total 4-13: NJgirl - 248/230/206/140 - 42 total 4-13: Miper70 - 217.5/187/145 - 30 Total 4-17: Amourette - 22.5 total 4-17: Jeepergurrl - 242/192/140 - 50 total 4-17: MelAnne - 245/207/150 - 38 total 4-18: KAYBEE-284/198/180 -86 total 4-18: Danaclark2 - 270/260.5/245/150 - 25 total 4-20: TrustUfirst - 210/205/177/135 - 32 Total 4-20: Omamoon - 220/211.5/179/130 - 41 total 4-20: KimInMD - 288/288/228/156 - 60 total 4-21: Yoda - 273/257/212/150 - 61 total 4-21: kristielynn - 310/302/237/150 - 73 total 4-22: alisonb - 286/270/176 - 16 total 4-24: Eficka - 125/117/98/69 - 27 kgs/59.4 lbs. total 4-24: Ceparano- 255/270.5/205/170 - 65.5 lbs. total 4-24: Kat - 289/281/210.5/165 - 78.5 total 4-24: hlj25950 - 262/257/206/160 - 56 total 4-25: momof2boys - 270/266/237/145 - 33 total 4-26: Bostongurl - 264/244/189/150 - 75 total 4-27: tinaj - 226/221/210/150 - 15 total 4-27: lookingout - 185/178/165/101 - 20 total 4-27: flowergoddesstn - 214/204/190/130 - 24 total 4-27: Dimples0323 - 284/284/241/145 - 43 total 4-28: Susan4794 - 283/267/237.0/140 - 46 total 4-28: bluehill - 333/233/145 - 100 total 4-28: Irish Girl - 225/214/158/135 - 67 total 4-29: Momofsixkids - 238/188/140 - 50 pounds total

I DID IT!!! I DID IT!!! I DID IT!!! I LOST 100 LBS!!! I'M SO EXCITED, AND NOW I'M IN THE CLUB!!! HOORAY!!!

You runners are amazing. And special kudos to Dawn for running in extreme sub-zero temps. Have to say, that's not something I would do. But then, I don't even like running. Swimming is more my thing. But I passed on it this morning because all the wannabe skiers on a holiday weekend with no snow (only rain, freezing rain, sleet) had made their way to the pool. And the lanes set aside for lap swim were already doubled up. Oh I hate it when that happens! So I did my stretch class and came home. January doldrums indeed! Picked up an extra yoga class yesterday, so I'm pretty much on track (heh) with exercise this month. April 2006 Bandits January Challenge: TWELVE days of exercise completed

Do you see the icon in the bottom right corner of each and every post that says Quote? Click on it.

What a lovely idea, Kat, to have an artist paint a castle scene onto the wall of your granddaughter's bedroom. Without doubt, your gift will be a cherished memory of childhood that she will have all her life.

re BMI 34: Obviously a typo for BMI 54 re eval to determine need, vs. eval to determine qualification: What is the difference?

Glad you have joined us on this journey, Chris. BEST OF LUCK on your upcoming surgery. Hope all goes well and the procedure is uneventful.

That's very funny, Betty! Six hours of finger exercise, that's gotta count for something, right? Your Mah Jongg group sounds like a hoot! I love that all six of you take off to Palm Springs for a tournament! I wanna do that! Roberta, I'm so sorry to hear that your asthma has started up again. All these roadblocks keep placing themselves in front of us! It's good that we have one another to bolster us when things get discouraging. And I hear you on the subject of sabotaging one's own progress. It's a phenomenon I want to get a handle on so I can come up with some strategies. Kat, please be careful with those weights! Almost dropping a dumbbell on your head, well that's just dumb! heh. Isn't the body weird? Now that I'm exercising daily and much more in touch with my body -- funny how movement makes you more connected -- it always amazes me how much goes on inside that I am just becoming aware of. And how the energy, the strengths, the weaknesses change from day to day. I'm learning things about my body that are new to me. In my yoga practice I have been focusing on mindfulness and intention, enabling me over time to do postures that I never imagined myself capable of. Julie, I was very interested in your insightful remarks on the kind of jealousy that says: "I wish I could be there too." Maybe envy is a better word, because it denotes a longing to possess something achieved by another (whereas jealousy carries with it a feeling of resentment). But this can be a positive, useful, productive feeling because it provides goals and inspires excellence -- "wanting to be the one losing the fastest and doing the most" (to quote Kat). And then DOING it! April 2006 Bandits January Challenge: EIGHT days of exercise completed

omigod, your description of a "numbing shot" is so graphic that if I were needle-phobic, I would be terrified to go for a first fill. I have never heard of a numbing shot, and I can't imagine why any doctor would use it since a fill doesn't hurt anyway. Your experience sounds like an anomaly.

It doesn't hurt! If you were having blood drawn for a blood test, the needle would be inserted into a vein. But for a fill, the needle just *pricks* the skin and then it's in the port, where it doesn't hurt at all. Really! And if the size bothers you, don't look.

MourningFuneral, you need to get a handle on exactly what you ARE eating. I second Teresita's recommendation that you start journaling your food. And I mean every last thing you put in your mouth, including the precise amount. Get yourself a food scale and use it. Research the nutrient breakdown so that you can see how you're doing with calories, protein, fats, carbs (especially sugars). If you do this carefully for a few weeks, you will find yourself making much better food choices!

Thanks, Kat. I'm going to make a record of my measurements, starting now.

Good to see you back in town, DeltaDawn! In fact, you're one of our STARS!!! I note that on the thread for super-sized bandsters, starting BMI over 50, people were jumping all over you for advice when you posted a loss of 146 lbs in nine months. Congratulations on getting through the holidays with a drop in weight rather than a gain. Whenever I get discouraged, I think of you and Julie for inspiration. Julie, I just *knew* your scale would be in the 220s today, but a three-pound drop??!!!! WOW!!! Kat, I have heated my house with wood for years, but I have never once cut and split it myself -- I'm much too fearful of chainsaws, and an axe? Forget it! Let's just say I'm a klutz with tools -- so I applaud your courage and gumption in tackling such a job. Although I do admit to getting some exercise benefit from all the wood stacking and shlepping I do. When you say you've lost more than 51 inches, please tell me what you're measuring to get that number. I'm an idiot, I never bothered to take any measurements when I started my weight loss, other than weight that is. And thank you for the very sweet compliment on my writing. I've been a wordsmith all my life, a classicist by training and an editor by profession, so yep, words are most definitely my thing! It's fun having my daughter home on semester break. She's very excited about the fact that I am now able to do a lot more physically demanding activities with her, like hiking and skating. She came to my stretch class this a.m., and she'll try my yoga class tomorrow. April 2006 Bandits January Challenge: SIX days of exercise completed

Hooray, Julie! The 220s, that's a good decade, doncha think? Can't wait to be there myself. And signing up for a four-mile race, that's particularly noteworthy! You go fast, girl. All the lifestyle changes reported here are so impressive, so inspirational, they make me weep with joy for all the healthy lives we're creating. HOORAY, US! April 2006 Bandits January Challenge: FIVE days of exercise completed

Wahoo! I was able to access the Yahoo site and see your pictures, Julie. You are one great-looking lady! The transformation from one year ago is absolutely amazing. You look stunning already, and you're nowhere near your goal. Wow, keep up the good work.

Jeez, I spent 20 minutes trying to access Yahoo to see your picture, Julie, went through the whole procedure to register, blah blah blah, with what result? nada. access denied. I give up, I'm going to bed.

Gosh, a lot of physical maladies going on! I'm praying for improved health all around. Susan, what a bummer that you're suffering the pain of a pinched nerve. I hope that physical therapy will speed your recovery and that you'll be back on the exercise track shortly. In the meantime, please stay here and keep us company! And Kat, I'm hoping that the dental fix on your crown has solved your tooth/jaw pain. My non-weight-related New Year's resolution is to be more patient and even-tempered in the face of perceived stupidity. Perhaps it's my yoga practice, but I would like to feel more serene and dispassionate. Sorry that you are not feeling well today, Julie. Hopefully your cold and cough will be better tomorrow, because I know how important it is to you not to miss a day of exercise. Dear dear Roberta, a belly dancing class no less! Do tell! I wanted to mention, vis-a-vis the offending pecan tart story, that I often fall victim to the worst slip-ups immediately after a weight-loss victory. And I can't for the life of me figure out the psychology of that. What would make me sabotage myself just when I'm doing so well? Jeez, it's like you can NEVER let down your guard! Betty, I also have renewed my commitment to "band rules," primarily portion control. I'm back to weighing everything on my Salter electronic scale, which has proved to be my most valuable tool (other than the band, of course). APRIL BANDITS JANUARY CHALLENGE: FOUR DAYS OF EXERCISE COMPLETED!