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~ Sherri

Goal weight for August 31st~ 225

Weight on August 1st~ 231

Age~ 38

City/State~ Texas

Dietary goal for August~ Break out of the norm and try new foods

Exercise goal for August~ Start using weights

Personal goal for August~ Get me and my home organized

Date banded~ April 30, 2013

Total weight loss since banding/pre op diet~ 43lbs

Favorite End of Summer Activity~ My son starts back to football and pre-season games with the family.

Hey all! I'm traveling so can't weigh in until I'm back home on the 12th but I wanted to share a story that I came to visit my parents and my mom had some old clothes from when I was in college in a drawer in my old room (I've been out of college for 10 years and that was the last time I for in those clothes) and I fit into them now! I also bought the smallest size (10) I've owned as an adult. It's a bit snug but it was on sale and I know I will fit into it!!!! I'm so excited. Lets keep the motivation alive!!!

Name, real or screen~ Halimah

Goal weight for August 31st~ 254

Weight on August 1st~264

Age~ 46

City/State~Atlanta

Dietary goal for August~

Exercise goal for August~Start walking again at least two times per week

Personal goal for August~ cut back on unhealthy

Date banded~ July 18, 2013

Total weight loss since banding/pre op diet~ Favorite End of Summer Activity~ Since banded I have lost 14 pounds--My favorite end of summer activity is getting myself and kids ready for school since I'm a teacher...

Name, real or screen~ boricuahorton

Goal weight for August 31st~ 190

Weight on August 1st~ 204

Age~49

City/State~Matteson , il

Dietary goal for August~more water

Exercise goal for August~daily walk

Personal goal for August~

Date banded~June 25

Total weight loss since banding/pre op diet~

22 Ibs

Name, real or screen~ kah1213

Goal weight for August 31st~ 141

Weight on August 1st~ 145

City/State~ NY, NY

Dietary goal for August~ more Water

Exercise goal for August~ yoga

Personal goal for August~ donate old clothes that are too big!

Date banded~ 5/29/12

Total weight loss since banding/pre op diet~ 80lbs

Favorite End of Summer Activity~weekends at the beach

Name, real or screen ~ msapp77

Goal weight for August 31st ~ 188

Weight on August 1st ~ 199.5

Dietary goal for August ~ more water and protein!!!

Exercise goal for August ~ Since I am a teacher and return to work 8/2, I want to make sure I keep up with my running!

Personal goal for August ~ Stress less

Date banded ~ 6/20/13

Total weight loss since banding/pre op diet ~ 24.5 lbs

I'm new to challenge. My name is Lori, I'm a psychiatric nurse in kansas. Been married 25 years with 2 boys. Love my new life with "the band".

Name: Lori

August 31st goal : 190

August 1st weight: 199

Dietary goal: more Water !

Personal goal : get organized!

Date banded: may 29th, 2013

Exercise goal : cardio 4x week

Total weight loss pre-band : 40 pounds

Forgot...., I'm 45 years old and from Salina, Kansas.

Hello to all making a goal for the month weighing in at 167.8

Goal weight 159 for this month

Surgery date Nov 26 2012

Name: Kristen

Weight on Aug 1: 184

Goal weight for August 31: 176

AgeCity/State: 27, Houston, TX area

Dietary goal for August: Focus on getting more protein

Exercise goal for August: Keep up with exercise 4-5 days a week

Personal goal for August: Go shopping for next size down!

Date banded: April 29

Total weight loss since banding & including pre op diet: 58 lbs

Favorite End of Summer Activity: Hanging out with my family!

Name, real or screen~ Emma

Goal weight for August 31st~ 232

Weight on August 1st~ 237

Age~ 51

City/State~ Patton,PA

Dietary goal for August~ Up my protein intake more

Exercise goal for August~ Get at least 2 miles in each day

Personal goal for August~ Give some time to myself before school starts

Date banded~ 3-26-13

Total weight loss since banding/pre op diet~ 41 since banded

Favorite End of Summer Activity~ Last of the camping at the Lake, love the mornings!

Hey! I'm just newly banded and this is my first "challenge"! Thanks for doing this!

Name, real or screen~ Colorado_chick

Goal weight for August 31st~ 197

Weight on August 1st~ 202

Age~ 34

City/State~ Denver, Colorado

Dietary goal for August~ logging my food

Exercise goal for August~ gym minimum of 2 times per week.

Personal goal for August~ survive going back to school

Date banded~ July 8th, 2013

Total weight loss since banding/pre op diet~ 12 pounds

Favorite End of Summer Activity~ last few lazy days at home before school starts

Name, real or screen~Tamsboyd (Tammy)

Goal weight for August 31st~193

Weight on August 1st~198

Age~46

City/State~Garner, NC

Dietary goal for August~learn to eat solids

Exercise goal for August~daily walking

Personal goal for August~Learn my new way of eating

Date banded~July 23rd

Total weight loss since banding/pre op diet~ 16

Favorite End of Summer Activity~buy Fall candles!

Name, real or screen~ suzanne02780

Goal weight for August 31st~162 or less

Weight on August 1st~168.8

Age~

City/State~

Dietary goal for August~ shedule meals

Exercise goal for August~ current exercise is going great

Personal goal for August~ Be able to focus

Date banded~ 06/25/13

Total weight loss since banding/pre op diet~ 24.5 lbs

Favorite End of Summer Activity~ beach

Hi everybody we're trying to lose 195.1 lbs this month. Don't forget to check in tomorrow...and you can join still too!