Hello Junbies ......

I haven't seen a June Band Crew thread yet so thought I would start it .

I'll be banded on June 9th in Texas. I'm getting very excited about it. I know that the band is just a "tool" to aid in my weight loss journey and it will take a lot of hard work on my part to make it successful. I've been overweight my whole life with the earliest memories being around age 4. Although no one else in my family is overweight, I am extremely fortunate to have full family support in my decision. I know that there are many people who's family doesn't offer the support they need. I would love to meet other pre-bandsters being banded in June to walk with me to the banded side of life and offer each other support.

I wish you all the best.

Melissa Lea :hippie:

Pre-bandster 240 lbs

June 9, 2006

Spivak

self-pay

My weight loss hasn't stopped, but it has slowed down. I've been trying to count calories and avoid carbs other than veggies, but I fudge some (like last night, I had one big fat piece of cheese filled tortellini). I don't have the time in my day to do six meals, I barely get lunch in. My biggest challenge is exercising. I used to take a walk when I picked my son up at work over the summer. Now that the summer is over, I just can't get into a new routine. An hour a day isn't doable for me, given my daily schedule, but today, I'm going to try for 15 minutes at lunch instead of sitting at my desk as usual.

OK lets modify the challenge slightly. Eat 1200 calories a day. It doesn't matter how you do it. Drink 64 oz of water/liquids. Exercise 30 minutes - no mater how you break it up in 15 minute chunks. It needs to be at least 30 minutes total. Will that work for everyone?

We can start on October 1 and run through the 31st, Halloween. We can then compare of bewitching new bodies!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Count me into the October challenge. I'll get a head start by working on them now.

Sounds good to me. Who and how will we track it?

I'm hoping that Pinkylee will volunteer. If not, I'll do it. Let's put a ticker in our signature line that reads Junebie's October Challenge and list the following: Oct. 8 (15, 22, 29) Daily calories 1200: 7 Exercise 30 minutes: 6 Water: Yes S: ###lbs C: ###s End: ###s and update it each week. The number 7 is days and 6 is number of days I met the challenge, etc.

Now, can you follow that? Did I make it too confusing?

Why don't we use our personal journal at the top of the page (LBT Journals)--or any other food journal you are currently using to keep personal track daily.

Once a week we can submit our "totals" for the week:

Example:

Water: 480 ounces

Calories: 9200

Exercise: 150 minutes

Weight: -2 pounds (we hope)

October 1 is a Sunday--official posts will begin on October 8. We can begin a "soft" posting today until 10/1.

If you want to join the challenge--please post an I'm IN message and I'll get a list of participants going. We'll all :cheer2: those needing encouragement those who forget to post:youcandothis: those who do well beginning on October 8. Please let us know if you can't post (out of town) if possible.

Any other suggestions--or if someone wants to "own" this--please let us know.

Ooops! Barbara--you must have been posting same time as I was.

You make the ticker and we will follow.

I volunteer to do the tallying at the end of each week, but may need help when I'm out of town--zap me when I'm late

Count me in for the challenge. I just joined curves so I think the exercise won't be hard for me BUT I am not so good with the water especially if I am still this tight. I have recently lost 5lbs though. Probably a combo of exercise and this fill from hell.:faint:

Socalgal... Thanks for the TOM/PMS advise. I have an appointment for next Tues. I am going to go even if I feel better just to get things checked out. My girlfriend needs to get a fill anyway so I can just hop in the car with her.

Definately count me in! Are we posting our info on our sig lines or in the journal or just in a regular post every week? I am so excited to do this! I am also so very thankful for this forum. You guys are the best!! We can do this thing!!!!! Let's kick this weight in the butt!! :boxing:

Let's begin now as a "soft" start up.

Keep track daily of

- Water intake in ounces

- calories consumed and an estimate of Protein grams

- minutes of exercise

on your personal journal (LBT journal is no longer available--use fitday.com or whatever is easiest for you)

Post WEEKLY every Sunday in your signature line your totals for the week (Sunday - Saturday). Barbara has volunteered to give us a "ticker" or example of how to post.

This week we will keep track in our journals from Wed - Sat and on Sunday 9/23 (an incomplete week--but let's get started!) I will post your progress from what you have in your signature line. We will have one complete week (9/24 - 9/30) to post b4 the "official" tallies begin.

The actual challenge will begin Sunday October 1. Official tallies will begin October 8.

Questions??? Public is best--so we can all learn and "tweak" together, but I welcome any PM's if things aren't clear to you

There are some "habits" that I need to reinforce--that aren't in this challenge.

- chew each bite 30 times

- be "kind" to my band by eliminating foods that don't digest easily (tomato skins, sweet potatoes that have stringy flesh, seeds or nuts, small bites of bread, that 3rd cup of coffee)

- always carry a hi protein snack bar in my purse, car, etc.

If you want--please add an NSV to your weekly totals, i.e., "Chewed each bite 30 times this week, Found an exercise partner, etc.

Question... I work out 3 times a week for 1 hour, will that leave me out of the fitness part since it's not everyday?

I am trying to obtain insurance coverage since my Cobra coverage will run out in a couple months. (This insurance would not cover my surgery.)

I have been denied coverage because of "a medical history of weight loss surgery in June 2006".

Has anyone heard of this? Does anyone out there know about insurance regulations, etc? I'm getting scared now that I won't be able to get coverage.

OK I've posted a sample signature line for the October challenge. Using 9/24 as a reporting date it says I've done 1 day out of 7 at 1200 calories, 64 oz of Water, and 1 day of 30 minutes exercise. Is that clear enough? So on October 8th you would enter how many days of each did you complete successfully. Pinkylee will then pick up those totals sometime during the week after sunday. Keep your signature line until the next reporting period and then update.

The exercise portion was to do something everyday. It was to make us mindfull that each day we should do something. I'm open for discussion, but is it possible to do some light activity on your off gym days to complete the exercise? Two 15 minutes of walking would get you 30 minutes.

The 1200 calorie intake can be monitored by you in whatever tracking system you want to use. For some, we are going to try the 6 meals a day. Others will stick to 3 meals and others will do some modification of those. The bottom line is to limit caloric intake to 1200 a day.

The water is water. Not all liquids, but water. If I've misunderstood that one let me know.

This is just a challenge to keep us motivated and going. We all seem to be struggling right now. You can use your own judgement if you want to modify the individual days. Bottom line effect is to make us aware of what we are doing and see if it makes a difference.

Are we ready? We are doing a trial run now as explained by Pinkylee. The official start is October 1.

Barbara--I don't know much about insurance, but I do know there is help sometimes with your US Senator or Congressman. If they don't respond, try your state government officials. Cobra is nationally regulated.

I am trying to obtain insurance coverage since my Cobra coverage will run out in a couple months. (This insurance would not cover my surgery.)

I have been denied coverage because of "a medical history of weight loss surgery in June 2006".

Has anyone heard of this? Does anyone out there know about insurance regulations, etc? I'm getting scared now that I won't be able to get coverage.

That's an existing condition and I didn't think they could exclude you anymore. That really doesn't sound right. I would check around. If you are saying that Cobra is denying you then they can't. You can't be denied Cobra for the length of time you are entitled to it. If you are saying that they are denying your extending coverage then they are probably within their rights. Keep checking as it all sounds like bull to me!