Welcome to December, April Bandits! We've made it through the November holidays and managed to keep up our exercise, now here's to December. We can do it!

We're holding steady with our challenge for the month and looking forward to stepping up the challenge in January. The December goals are as follows:

(1) Complete 17 or more exercise sessions (counting only one session per day, if you're the type to do more!);

(2) To count, each session must be at least 35 minutes in duration; and

(3) Consume at least 64 oz of Water (or whatever your personal goal for water intake is) at least 6 days a week.

We can do it! December is such a challenge in itself, but let's stay focused to meet our weight loss goals despite the extra temptations. Exercise will help us with that.

And we're off!

Kat: How in the world did I miss your post that your aunt died? Sorry for your loss. Glad you got back safely.

Roberta

Susan and Bluehill, I see that the three of us are within about 5 lbs of each other. We've got to really cheer each other on to Onederland. I'm with you, Susan. Gotta be there by March 1. We can do it.

Boo, question for you. My "couch to runner" program only wants me to run 3 times a week. I've been doing the elliptical machine or meeting with my traininer for at least 2 more days, but I could do more. I'm thinking of running more often. I guess I'm asking for your layperson-runner advice on running 2 days in a row. Do you do it? Obviously I'd go back to 3 days if anything was hurting.

Julie: Running is a little tricky because you do have to be so in tune with your body to prevent injuries. I have not run since my 90 minute run on Thursday because I felt I overdid it. (not real sore, just don't want to risk it) So I fast walked! There is also a difference between running and jogging. Do you stop and walk in intervals? That is really important. With the slower pace, I don't feel I am getting hurt (used to run 6 minute mile compared to 11 minutes, now) As the weight comes off, a lighter body will make a huge difference, too.

As far as running two days in a row...my niece is a distance runner and has started coaching. She has a serious run every other day. On the odd days, she'll either jog or hike or weight train, or swim. I really enjoy running/jogging and feel I can handle it about 4 times a week. But I enjoy some variety, also.

So to mix it up, I work on the elliptical, hike the hills above my house, ride a bike (good for the knees), and dance (wouldn't you love to see that?) Next year, swimming or working in the pool will be a good alternative.

When you work with your trainer are you weight training? You've done a great job sticking with the workouts!

If I were your trainer, I would have you do some running for the cardiovascular work, combined with fast walk at 3-6 degree incline, combined with bike at level 3, combined with elliptical. Cross training works the muscles differently. You could do each machine for 10-15 minutes and still have time for weight resistance. Then on the odd days, go for your jog/run and then stretch.

I hope that made some sense!

Count me in:-) Im finally healthy or at least I feel like that and I will do my best to take part in this challenge.thankfully I dont have problems with water intake:-)

Kat, I'm so sorry to hear about your aunt. I'm incredibly impressed that you were able to work out yesterday with all that going on. Way to go.

Boo, I hadn't thought of walking on an incline. Duh! OK, I'll give that a shot. If I never get on a bike again, though, it'll be too soon. Hate that. Not sure why. Repressed childhood trauma perhaps (ha!). As for the "running" it's definitely jogging with walk breaks at this point. I'm only at the stage where you run 90 seconds, break, run 3 minutes, break, repeat. It's just not that challenging. I'm never sore from it and I really don't think it'd be too much to add a 4th day. Then I'll add 2 days of cross training (walk on incline, elliptical and stairmaster, maybe). I'm itching to drop these next 40 lbs and be in Onederland. Exercise is the best road to that goal for me.

I feel motivated right now. I think there's something special about the looming 230s for me. They're starting to feel close enough to Onederland that I can actually start to think about what that will be like. 6 months ago I was dreaming of 299. So hard to believe....

I am going to try to get in on this challenge. I have been pretty quite, but I am an April banded girl.

This month I have exercised 3 times so far. I live in the Artic so outside time can be limited... but I am working hard at home.

This challenge should be really supportive.

Thanks,

Dawn

<o:p> </o:p>

Banded April 4^th 2006 (<st1:place w:st="on"><st1:City w:st="on">Montreal</st1:City></st1:place>)

Fill June 9^th 2006

I am going to try to get in on this challenge. I have been pretty quite, but I am an April banded girl.

This month I have exercised 3 times so far. I live in the Artic so outside time can be limited... but I am working hard at home.

This challenge should be really supportive.

Thanks,

Dawn

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Banded April 4^th 2006 Montreal<st1><st1:city w:st="on"></st1:city></st1>

Fill June 9^th 2006

EVA: So glad to hear your feeling better. We missed you!

DAWN: Welcome to our group, sounds like your pretty much on schedule to meet the December challenge. Keep up the good work!

Roberta

Welcome to the December Challenge, DeltaDawn. Great to have you onboard. I'm curious about your huge weight loss (138 lb). Have you lost all of that since your banding date?

HI Bluehill,

I lost 12 lbs prior to being banded due to the preop diet of Optifast only, but the rest has been since the banding date. I feel pretty lucky in that I have lost evenly throughout the entire time to date. It was a little quicker at the beginning, but now it seems to be about 10 lbs a month. I am really happy with that. When it began to slow down in August, I added the exercise portion, so that has helped a lot too.

I notice that our banding dates are close, how are you finding it? EVeryone here is so supportive.

good to chat to you.

Dawn

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Banded April 4^th 2006 - Montreal

Fill June 9^th 2006

Im in!

35 minutes on my Gazelle!

Schel

Welcome, Delta Dawn and Schel! I'm so glad you're joining us.

Delta -- tell us more about where you live. As a southern girl (I'm from Mobile, Alabama) I can barely stand winter in NYC. I can only imagine winter where you are! You and I started at exactly the same weight and within a week of each other. My "real" fill was in early June as well, and I've been riding it as long as I can. We have a lot in common....

Welcome, Schel ! Congratulations, I see that you just celebrated your one-year Bandiversary. So what brings you to the April Bandsters?

Delta Dawn, you are doing incredibly well with weight loss! What kind of exercise regimen do you have? (P.S. Are you Canadian?)

April Bandits December Challenge: One day of exercise completed

Welcome, DAWN and SCHEL!!! Join the fun!

People really LIVE in the Artic? I thought just Polar Bears live there. I've been complaining, here in L.A., that I have to wear warm PJ's at night now. We are thinking about turning on the heat at night, soon. (I'm spoiled, huh?)

Hi guys! I met Schel on another thread, she was needing some inspiration, and I thought maybe a challenge was what she was needing!!!

Today, I managed to get to Curves, and also lugged a sleeping 21 pound 2 year old all the way through the mall!!! Now I have lost the equivalent of 3 1/2 of her----how the hell did I "carry" all that weight around? I was weak in the arms, and even my legs felt rubbery after carrying her that far, while she was dead weight as she slept.

I only got 40 ounces of water in, but also had a huge Sonic Ice Tea, and am drinking more tea now....but now it is home brewed and decaffeinated. So I should be ok, on all fronts today.

Thanks for all the kind words concerning my Aunt. I know this is how she would have chose it if she had been given an option. She was severely diabetic the last few years, and was going to lose her leg, during the amputation surgery she suffered a massive stroke, and never recovered. She was 86 years young, and vivacious, but also VERY vain!!! Always perfectly groomed, and color coordinated...and the sweetest smile. She hated the thought of losing her leg...so while it was sad, I know she would have preferred it this way. As for the exercise Julie, it was a driving need to just get out and get some air! I enjoy my walks at home, but this was a different thing...kind of a personal meditation time, time to reflect....I don't know, but I felt better afterwards.

Welcome Dawn---and you too Schel---let's kick December's butt!!!

I hear ya on the cold, it is all of 15 out right now here and it isn't even 8PM yet. Will be another single digit night. My fire is burning, and feels so good!!! I hauled wood in, and warmed up doing that before I ever lit the thing!!!

Kat