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!

Hi Guys,

I did it>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>:clap2: took me 10 weeks to lose 10 lbs (at this point I'll take anything I can get), but I went into the 170's.................my husband gained a couple of lbs on our trip and he is now only 1 lb less than I am...................after getting upset with him..............he's never been above 176 (now that I am "such a healthy stud" - I can yell!)............we are now in a race to see who can beat each other!...........and as Julie said............I will be so "dainty" now that I am almost smaller than he is (he of course reminded me that I am about 3 or 4 inches shorter - nasty old grandpops).

Kat - sorry about your Auntie - sounds like she had a lovely life and lived to a nice age..............and it was her time...........always hard to lose loved ones no matter how old they are.

All of you in the "race to onederland".............go for it........it feels so good...........I'm amazed at your wonderful losses.

Shel and Dawn..............welcome..........you'll enjoy this group of studs.

December

1 - 1 hour NIA

2- 1 hour NIA

3 -

4 - 1 hour NIA/1 hour strength training

Yaaaaay, Betty!

Very sorry for your loss, Kat. Your aunt sounds like a terrific lady.

Hey, Betty! That is great! We are on about the same track. I just got into the 160's. It is so exciting everytime you change a digit! The weight-loss is rather slow for me, but life keeps changing significantly. Crossing my legs is natural now. And I can actually find clothes in the regular stores.

The exercise is essential for me to continue losing. Not only do the numbers on the scale move, but my body is changing (tighter), and I have come to cherish the solitude of an evening run. It puts my head and soul in a good place. Love it!

Keep it up, everyone!

Yep, People really do live in the Arctic. I moved here 13 years ago to teach in an Inuit community and I am now the curriculum consultant for the school board. You can only get here by flying in and winter is here now until April at least. My husband is a real trooper. He bicycles and right now he is out with his studded tires biking. It is -20 and he is still out.

As for me, I do aerobics in the morning and weight training (with my hubby) in the evening.

When we came to the arctic (btw I am Canadian) we thought we would stay for 1 year, but some things are just a good fit.

This group is so supportive.

Thanks everyone... and some day I'll tell you about getting Water trucked to your houses (no underground pipes... perma frost)

Dawn

Banded April 4, 2006

Montreal

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Ha ha Betty, we are the "studs" group. I think I like that, lol. Maybe the "studettes"?

Kat, sorry to hear about your aunt. It sounds like she was a wonderful person.

Welcome to our group Dawn and Schel, the more the merrier.

I am at home with my daughter today. She has been sick for two days. She is 13, but when running a 101.8 fever with vomiting, I just don't dare leave her home alone. Besides, I could use a day at home sitting on the couch, watching her sleep and chatting on LBT! I could log on to my work computer from home, but, I really don't want to, lol! :faint:

12/1: No exercise. 72 oz. Water

12/2: 40 minutes treadmill. 72 oz. water.

12/3: 40 minutes treadmill. 72 oz. water.

12/4: No exercise. 48 oz. water.<!-- / message --><!-- sig -->

I took a home day too, Susan. My stomach was bothering me this morning and I had a slow day at work, so I just worked from home. I did make it to the gym this evening and did a cardio circuit, per Boo's suggestion. Boo, I even did the bike for 12 minutes and it didn't kill me after all. I also did 12 on the elliptical and 12 on a sharp incline on the treadmill. Gotta say, I enjoyed breaking it up like that.

Betty! Look at you, you dainty little thing! I can't wait to hear the news from the mountain tops that you weigh less than your husband! So exciting.

Julie: I think that the cardio circuit training is good to protect your knees, hips, and ankles from too much jarring until more weight comes off. For me, getting into the 70's-80's made a HUGE difference. Also, when you walk an incline, make sure it is not too steep, because you can easily get tendonitis from the strain (Achiles and behind the knee). You are doing amazing! I told you, you're gonna beat me to my goal!!

Eficka: YEAH!!! You are back! Your picture is so cute!

Kat: I love the stories of your granddaughter...sounds so fun.

Dawn: I've been to Canada and Alaska...in the SUMMER! The closest I've been to the Arctic is getting some sort of milkshake called "Arctic freeze or blast." I admire you! Your life sounds like that TV show, "Northern Exposure."

Bluehill: How are you doing? Did you finish the lefse? My mouth has been watering ever since!

Boo,

nah, my life is nothing like Northern Exposure... well... maybe a bit. But it is our life. Our kids couldn't imagine being anywhere else. I am also lucky because I travel about 6 or 8 times a year for my work so I get to go to Montreal, Ottawa and Quebec on a regular basis.

to date this month- exercise...6 seessions so far this month... but it's hard when I travel!!

Good luck to you guys!!

Dawn

Banded April 4^th 2006

Montreal

Fill June 9^th 2006

Brrrr..............Dawn.....I am walking around the house with 2 sweatshirts here in the Northwest area (Portland, OR).......can't imagine what it's like in your part of the world...............your stats are absolutely stupendous.....wow and you manage to get all that exercise in....no wonder those stats are so good! My 2 sons and daughter-in-law are bike people..........I told them about your hubby and they are amazed. When it gets cold here they go indoors and do spinning classes - they are wimps like me! My son who had a heart valve replacement and aorta repair just a little over a month ago tho is back doing his spinning (doc wants him to not do the real bike for 3 months - afraid he might fall on a real bike).......I think he did so well with his surgery because he was in such great shape (otherwise) because of his bike riding. Exercise is indeed so good for us all.

Boo - yes, everytime I go into a new "digit" it's jump up and down time! I'm off the scale for a few days, driving me crazy - Alan has already informed me he's down a couple of pounds - darn!

December

1 - 1 hour NIA

2- 1 hour NIA

3 -

4 - 1 hour NIA/1 hour strength training

5 - walk back and forth to Breakfast approx 1 hour

6 - off to my 1 hour NIA class - talked 2 friends into joining my gym and so have partners in my NIA class

Betty--doncha just hate men and their hyper metabolism...my DH is the same,if she sets his mind to it, he will drop weight quickly with no problem. Lucky!!

I got my time in yesterday, but I was watching the clock, it was a chore making the entire 35 minutes, I was feeling short of breath, just tired....and I woke up about 1 this morning with a cold. My chest is so tight, breathing hurts. My throat is sore, nose yucky---the usual. So I am down for a couple of days til I get the lungs opened back up. I don't have any issues with my asthma until I get sick like this, then it hits hard. I have already called to get my prescription filled so I can hit the nebulizer....it will help.

You guys keep up the good work, and I will be chasing after you trying to catch up in a few days!

Kat

Schel: Welcome to our group! Dawn: Sounds like you live an exciting life.

Everyone seems to be doing super, and the weight is just melting off Boo, Julie, Betty, and Schel.

Susan: How is your daughter today? I hope her temp is down and her tummy is better.

Got to Curves today. 35 min.

Roberta

Dawn, I love hearing about your life in the Arctic. How large is your community? BTW, I'm Canadian too!

Julie, are you back on track with diet? I remember your complaint about losing some focus after your return from France. When I stray too far off the eating path for more than a day or so, I often experience terrible food cravings, particularly for carbs and sweets.

Boo, stop by my place anytime (the Berkshires), and you can taste my homemade lefse.

Betty, congratulations on making it into the 170s! Great that your DH is losing weight too, cuz he'll need to match your sleek new look.

Kat, what a drag to be felled by a cold, especially in this busy season. Take good care of yourself!

April Bandits December Challenge: Three days of exercise completed

Kat, I'm sorry you're feeling under the weather. You'll be back up and at 'em in no time, but keep us posted.

Bluehill, I'm definitely that way too -- if I eat off my diet, I have bad cravings for 3 or 4 days until I get straightened out again. Thankfully, about Wednesday of last week, I got back with the program and I haven't been tempted (at least not more than what I go through every day normally) since. It's been pretty easy, actually. I'm so focused on exercise right now (I really like this walk to run program I'm doing) that it seems wasteful to eat too much -- like it defeats the point of putting myself through the torture of exercise, if that makes any sense.

How are you feeling, Bluehill? I'm sure it changes day to day (or, if you're like me, hour to hour), but I hope you're doing better and that you know we're all thinking of you.

Take care all,

I broke into the 230s this morning. Woohoo! Dancing holiday bananas for me!

:)

Funny. Now I'm obsessed about the 220s. Maybe they'll be my Christmas (or New Year) present.

That's very exciting, Julie! Each new "decade" is a thrill, and worth dancing about! I'm particularly looking forward to the 230s myself, because it will mark my 100-lb loss. Maybe by New Year's.

April Bandits December Challenge: Four days of exercise completed