Welcome to the monthly challenge. August is here and Summer is still swinging! This challenge is a fun way to keep track of your monthly weight loss while gaining and giving support to other bandsters.

Copy and post the template below and fill in the information that you are comfortable sharing on Thursday August 1st then come back every Thursday on the 8th, 15th, 22nd, 29th and the LAST DAY OF THE MONTH --Saturday August 31st and post your updated weight. I will keep track of the weights to get a table listing everyone's results on the following weekend. Good luck to everyone and remember this isn't a contest it's a challenge and you are a winner no matter how much you lose.

The first three items are required all others are recommended, but the last one is the most fun. If you are new to our monthly challenge please leave a short introduction.

Name, real or screen~

Goal weight for August 31st~

Weight on August 1st~

Age~

City/State~

Dietary goal for August~

Exercise goal for August~

Personal goal for August~

Date banded~

Total weight loss since banding/pre op diet~ Favorite End of Summer Activity~

Name, real or screen~ Lisa

Goal weight for August 31st~ 185

Weight on August 1st~ 193

Age~ 39

City/State~ Romeoville, IL

Dietary goal for August~ Eat more protein

Exercise goal for August~gear up for my 3rd 5K in Sept

Personal goal for August~Pay bills down

Date banded~ 4/17/12

Total weight lost~ 46 lbs

Favorite End of Summer Activity~ we have a fest in Romeoville called RomeoFest with bands, carnival and fireworks.

Name, real or screen~ Hazelsbliss

Goal weight for August 31st~ 150

Weight on August 1st~ 154

Age~ 35

City/State~ Calgary, Canada (Formerly Larkspur, CO)

Dietary goal for August~ Stop drinking w/ meals (grrrr)

Exercise goal for August~ Start 20-30 min cardio daily

Personal goal for August~ Grow 2" j/k, get settled in after move and start horseback riding lessons

Date banded~ 11/3/09

Total weight loss since banding/pre op diet~ 99lb

Favorite End of Summer Activity~ last bbq's, final trips to amusement park and getting kids ready for school

Name, real or screen~ sommers4977. Goal weight for August 31st~ 230. Weight on August 1st~238 Age~ 35 City/State~ Ny. Dietary goal for August~ Up water. Exercise goal for August~ Join gym. Personal goal for August~ get mire motivated Date banded~ 10/3/2012. Total weight loss since banding/pre op diet~ 62. Favorite End of Summer Activity~ school shopping with kids

Name, real or screen~ sbb1222

Goal weight for August 31st~ 163

Weight on August 1st~ 170.2

Dietary goal for August~ Protein, Protein, Protein

Exercise goal for August~ tone up the arms

Personal goal for August~ Enjoy the sunshine

Date banded~ 9/27/12

Total weight loss since banding/pre op diet~ 71 pounds!

Favorite End of Summer Activity~ Evenings on the deck

Name, real or screen~ Christy

Goal weight for August 31st~ 192

Weight on August 1st~201.7

Age~ 33

City/State~ Clayton / nC

Date banded~ 4/3/13

Total weight loss since banding/pre op diet~ 71.3 LBs Favorite End of Summer Activity~ getting my daughter ready for back to school

Hello everyone. This is my first time entering the challenge. I am newly banded, and am adjusting to my new life. I am a 3rd grade teacher, and mother of two. Good luck to everyone.

Name, real or screen~ sdimango

Goal weight for August 31st~235

Weight on August 1st~ 245

Age~ 43

City/State~ Rio Rancho, NM

Dietary goal for August~ Drink more Water

Exercise goal for August~ Exercise at least 30 minutes 4 times a week.

Personal goal for August~ to be thankful each day.

Date banded~ 7/1/2013

Total weight loss since banding/pre op diet~ 22 lbs. Favorite End of Summer Activity~ getting ready to start a fresh new school year!

Name, real or screen~ Stephanie

Goal weight for August 31st~ 192

Weight on August 1st~ 196

Age~ 44

City/State~ Cincinnati, OH

Dietary goal for August~ Eat more veggies

Exercise goal for August~ Run a 5k

Personal goal for August~ Enjoy my new beginnings.

Date banded~ 1/11/13

Favorite End of Summer Activity~ Fall clothes shopping and girls weekend trips

Name, real or screen~ Taylor

Goal weight for August 31st~ 180

Weight on August 1st~ 186

Age~ 24

City/State~ Pasadena tx

Dietary goal for August~ More Protein less sugar

Exercise goal for August~get back in the gym..again got sick and stopped going now its time to start all over

Personal goal for August~Work in paying off loans for band and dentist --and actually remember to check in on here!

Date banded~ 5-7-13

Total weight lost~ since starting preop 57 pounds

Favorite End of Summer Activity~ reading and laying out by the pool with kiddo

Name, real or screen~ Maria

Goal weight for August 31st~ 175

Weight on August 1st~ 185.6 (7/31)

Age~ 42

City/State~ Miami, Florida

Dietary goal for August~ Cut carbs like bread and rice as much as I can

Exercise goal for August~ Continue exercising 4-5 times a week, change exercise routine a bit.

Personal goal for August~ Stay away from negative people at work.

Date banded~ June 28th

Total weight loss since banding/pre op diet~ 21 lbs loss in 5 weeks

Favorite End of Summer Activity~ have a nice picnic with the family or go to the beach, even though I can pretty much visit the beach anytime of the year. Lol

Hi sdimango!

I'm a third grade teacher too. I go back to work next Monday to start setting up my classroom.

Hi, this is my first time joining this challenge... trying to keep myself more accountable

Name, real or screen~ Aimee

Goal weight for August 31st~ 205

Weight on August 1st~ 213

Age~ 30

City/State~ Miami, FL

Dietary goal for August~ Eat clean foods- cut out more starches and processed foods from my diet.

Exercise goal for August~ Exercise minimum 4x a week

Date banded~ 5/30/13

Total weight loss since banding/pre op diet~ 17lbs

Name, real or screen~ Sandie

Goal weight for August 31st-190 Weight on August 1st - 200

Age~ 36

City/State~ Litchfield Park, AZ

Dietary goal for August~ Get in ALL my calories.

Exercise goal for August~ learn to fit work out in with new job

Total weight loss since banding/pre op diet~ 26 lbs.

Name' date=' real or screen~ Sandie

Goal weight for August 31st-190 Weight on August 1st - 200

Age~ 36

City/State~ Litchfield Park, AZ

Dietary goal for August~ Get in ALL my calories.

Exercise goal for August~ learn to fit work out in with new job

Total weight loss since banding/pre op diet~ 26 lbs.[/quote']

Sorry... banded 7/18/13

Name, real or screen~Sally

Goal weight for August 31st~222

Weight on August 1st~232

Age~54 City/State~Troutdale,OR

Dietary goal for August~protein and water daily Exercise goal for August~Increase time at the gym by 15 minutes

Personal goal for August~celebrate all NSV.

Date banded~March 13, 2013

Total weight loss since banding/pre op diet~30lbs

Favorite End of Summer Activity~make one last camping trip and another day at the beach.

Name, real or screen~ strwbrrysarah

Goal weight for August 31st~ 244

Weight on August 1st~ 252 (7/31)

Age~ 30

City/State~ Sebring, Florida

Dietary goal for August~ To figure this band out!

Exercise goal for August~ Get in the habit of going daily...once I'm able to...I just got banded!

Personal goal for August~ get organized!

Date banded~ July 25

Total weight loss since banding/pre op diet~ 19.6 lbs

Favorite End of Summer Activity~ Beach!