Hey some of us are challenging each other to eat better, drink our Water, and get in our exercise. This is somewhat like Ediets.com challenges with some variations. Below are the guidelines. NOT RULES!!! There is an added challenge to do a random act of kindness at least once a week but as many as you can get in would be awesome.

1. Log-in daily and give a brief update of your day--meals, water intake, helping others, feelings, etc. Anything you want to share.

2. This Challenge will run Monday through Monday.

3. Weigh in once a week ONLY! Typically on Mondays but only once a week.

The challenge will start tomorrow August 16th and run till the October Bash in Vegas.

Wanna have prizes?

1. Most weight lost

2. Stayed as close to eating properly

3. Most Exercise minutes

4. Most creative with exercise routines

5. Motivation Queen

If you guys think of others then chime in.

By the way, all this is just a suggestion. So, give us some input on the challenges.

YES, NO, YOU ARE NUTS!

Best of luck to all participants!

HAHA, I was totally kidding, but I was darn close. It's Staphylococcus aureus

Darcy, you are such a trooper. (I know, you don't really have a choice in the matter. )

Don't you just get damn tired of Water?! You have every reason to feel sorry for yourself. We feel sorry for you, too. I wonder if that's our mind's way of keeping us healthy and sane: I don't feel right. Must do something. This is not the way I usually feel and will not last forever. (Otherwise, I'll go stark raving mad! )

Is the heavy pain letting up any or is it intermittent? I hope the doctor lets you eat when he calls. Or else tells you to come stay in the observatory. (That's the evil laboratory where they think of new ways to keep us from eating. )

Last night we went to Olive Garden in SF. I ate shrimp, so should have been happy, but the breadsticks just kept calling to me. I have eaten only a couple tiny bites of bread since banding and am scared to death to touch it, even though I could probably eat it. I don't ever want to pb and don't like that pain in the chest when something is stuck. I also don't really want to start eating bread. So... I wrap up a breadstick and put it in my purse, garlic aroma and all. Later on down the road I bit it, not tearing any off, and gave it to my husband to throw away. Is that crazy or what?!

Somehow I think I am not helping here. :sick I will stop before I drive you crazy.

Oops! I take that back. Lisa beat me to it. She'll drive you and me both crazy with talk of fresh baked Cookies.

:bandit Okay, DeLarla, hand over the cookies and nobody gets hurt! :knockedou

No, Beca, the cookies go to my non-banded hubby till Darcy can have some. They are under lock and key!

Lisa... you are gonna be waiting for a LOOOOONG time for those sweet little cookies!

I am sitting here just a bawling my eyes out... the surgeon called... they want me to drive down to Milwaukee(1hr 45 min) and he is going to admit me for 23 hour observation... WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA. I still cannot eat a damn thing and I am going to have to stay in yucky Milwaukee in a yucky old hospital OVERNIGHT... this sucks. He apparently has plans to suck the juice right outta my band and do a CAT scan... and poke me for a damn IV. Did I say I was feeling sorry for myself before??? Well I am really having a pity party now. Help.

Darcy

But DeDe, , he has such a BIG tummy and I know he will eat them all! We just have teeny, tiny tummies and will share. And we won't mind eating them stale, either.

Really, I don't think I've eaten any cookie yet. Hmmm..... must try that one. *NO! Don't do it!*

Veronica: I do weigh myself at the same time every day. Usually after bathroom, before food, and before exercise. SIGH!! Weigh in tomorrow for me and Lisa.

Darcy: Keep us posted. I think it is a good idea to do the hospital stay. Come back and post to let us know what is going on.

Oh Darcy! I'm so sorry you have to go. Is your sweetie going with you?

Actually, I'm really glad you have to go because everyone is worried about you, but I'm sorry he's gonna suck your band dry. I must say I'm relieved to hear he is going to look at your belly very carefully.

Pack your book, because you probably won't get the really good pain meds that make reading impossible. :knockedou

Pack fuzzy slippers that will match the lovely gown they'll give you. :Bunny

Take a CD player and some soothing music. :guess

Bring your favorite sippy bottle, if you have one. :lick

Bring lotion and fingernail file and something pretty to wear. :rambo

Okay, you're ready. You can cry until you get to the hospital, then you have to be a good patient. Okay?

Hang in there Darcy!

Actually, I'm really glad you have to go because everyone is worried about you, but I'm sorry he's gonna suck your band dry. I must say I'm relieved to hear he is going to look at your belly very carefully.

Ditto

Darcy - I am sorry you have to go, but happy that you will finally get some answers. I hate to hear you are feeling so bad. Maybe in just a day you will feel so much better. I will be thinking about you, take care!

Darcy.

One good thing out of all of this yucky trip to Milwaukee

You will # 1 finallly get some answers..and #2 get some relief from your pain. that in itself is worth it..living in pain sucks day to day We are all here thinking about you and hoping for the best.

We Love you Darcy..hang in there. this time tomorrow you will have answers!

Darcy, Darling - this all so very much sucks...

Keeping my fingers crossed that they are FINALLY able to diagnose and fix your pain.

Thinking of you, Sweet Girl...

(((hugs)))

And then there's jealous me... I want to go to yucky Milwaukee and stay overnight in a yucky hospital being catered to by caring nurses and doctors. No work, no home, no TV for an entire night? Sound like vacation. Plus you get the bonus of them figuring out what's wrong. I'm sad that you're sad. I'd go for you if I could.

Meanwhile, my gastro doctor, who was more than happy to schedule me for an endoscopy in front of my face, had his secretary call me to tell me I can't have one. He said he never suggested me getting my hernia repaired (which they did during the band surgery) but hell, I never said he did. So if I want a scope, I'll have to go to TJ. Maybe in November.

Darcy - I hope you are back home sometime today with good news. Please post when you get home and let us know how you are doing.

Becky - Update us on your problems too. Are you feeling better?