Happy Bandiversary, April 2006 Bandits!!!

also...Welcome to our '07 Newbies!

Can you believe it has been a year already? (How things have changed!) Usually, Julie starts this thread, but she is recovering from her TT and so I will substitute for her this month. We are adding a few new elements to our challenge so that it can accommodate everyone (go Newbies!)

CHALLENGE:

Bronze Medalists: 14 Exercise Sessions for 35-40 minutes

Silver Medalists: 17 Exercise Sessions for 40+ minutes

Gold Medalists: 20 Exercise Sessions for 45 minutes

RULES:

1. Count only one session per day.

2. Exercise the specified number of minutes.

You are allowed to split your time, if needed.

20 morning minutes + 20 evening minutes = 1 session

SO HERE WE GO!!!

Any questions?

Yipee - here we are April 2006 bandit's ONE YEAR LATER!

I'm happy with my past year's efforts and recomitting to another great year of healthy eating and exercise!

The past few months have been "maintenance mode" for me (I've stayed between 170 - 174 lbs). That in itself is a major accomplishment - I have never been in maintenance mode - it's been either losing or gaining. I no longer care to maintain - Back to losing mode - (never the gaining mode to see again). You all have become my "higher power" and so I'm throwing this out to you all - My confession follows:

I'm eating bandster portions however I've gotten a bit slack in the types of foods that have been going in my mouth, ie..........a bite of cookie, a bite of creme broulee, a bite of berry pie - foods with a bit too much fat, sugar, etc, my Water consumption has dropped, sometimes liquid calories flow down my throat................................in other words -

BETTY GET BACK TO THE 'RULES'. My pledge to you to do so---------------April here I come again................to my 2nd year!!!!! An to all of you the same..........comittment refreshed!!!!!!

Betty, I've done the same thing. I need to seriously look at what I'm eating in order to break the plateau.

I'm IN!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I will shoot for the Bronze this month!

Good for you Tracy - welcome to our challenge - you will get such great support from this wonderful group of bandits!

Boo - I have had at least 15 cups of hot tea today - I've spent so much time on the potty - I haven't had one single moment to think of not following the "rules"! It feels good - back to basics!

Welcome Tracy

I am going for the bronze this month!

I am curious, does chasing my kids around the grocery store for 30minutes count? LOL, jk. Those are bonus calories

Betty, I was drinking tea today, also. Beginning Monday, I will have a crazy schedule again. There are a number of concerts I am involved in right in a row. So I must squeeze the exercise in. It IS a priority. We must drink Water, too. I made a big pot of chicken chili today. That usually helps to drop some weight, too.

I big can crushed tomatoes

1 can kidney Beans

1 can pinto beans

1 can black beans

1 can white beans

1 can corn

1 small can diced green chiles

Cilantro, if you like it

Add it ALL together, DON'T drain the LIQUID!

Add:

1 envelope ranch dressing mix (or less to taste)

1/3 of a package of Lawry's taco seasoning (more/less for mild/spicy)

1/2 cup sugar

Chicken, if desired

To make it really yummy, serve with a little diced avocado, tiny dab of sour cream and one tortilla chip. But it is great just as is!

I ran for 50 minutes today to get warmed up for April!

I think running after children IS an exercise of the body and of patience! (I know you are kidding about counting it.) How do you fit in a workout with little ones? Do you get a babysitter?

Hi April Bandsters!

Okay so I'm obviously a newbie and I'd LOVE to join your challenge but I can't exercise for 35 minutes straight... YET! I have EVERY intention of getting to that point soon but I need to build up to it. So I'm gonna do the tin-foil medalist of 14 sessions that are 20 minutes long. Can I still be part of your challenge?

You all are such a huge inspiration. I'm so grateful for all the advice and encouragment you've given to the newbies.

Thanks so much, Sheila

No babysitter, I am the step mom so we don't have them all the time. We see them off to school every morning and we see them on wednesday evenings and every other weekend. The oldest is 14 and the youngest is almost 8 and there are 5 of them!:faint: So it makes it easy to find time to excersise. For me the hardest thing is to not procrastinate because I do have so much free time. I spend way too much time on this computer everyday that's for sure The 2 youngest boys though are a handful! Creative and super high energy, they are all very good at keeping me frazzled. By bedtime I am begging for calgon to take me away, lol. I think tomorrow we are all going for a walk together, a nice healthy family activity. As long as it's not raining.

Bwaydiva, you can absolutely make your own challenge if you need to! You may be surprised however at how quickly you can get to where you can take a 35 minute walk. When I first started excersizing my grandmother used to make me do 2 short walks a day and pretty soon I was up to 2 long walks! No one ever said you have to start out walking really fast either, just what you can do

Ooh I almost forgot I hit the 70's wahoo!!! And am officially past the 75lb down mark. One century here I come

PS Bwaydiva, the 11th is my 1yr bandiversary, it's a very good date

Sheila - welcome to our group! I'm excited for you and Tracy - a year to remember is coming up - this past year even with all the stress of having my son and husband both having heart valve surgery was one for my memory books! I'm healthier, thinner and both of "my guys" are doing great without my gaining at least 25 lbs! First year of my life that stress didn't push me over the edge - thank you band, thank you bandit's.

Ending March great - went to NIA yesterday and on my way out the door today.

The oldest is 14 and the youngest is almost 8 and there are 5 of them!:faint: So it makes it easy to find time to excersise. For me the hardest thing is to not procrastinate because I do have so much free time.

Oh my! You are amazing, Waterlily!

SHEILA!! Welcome!

HAHAHAHAHA!!!!

If you want to add a "TIN FOIL" medal, that is HILARIOUS!

Actually, twenty minutes would be a bare minimum to get the health benefits needed. So you are IN! We want to accommodate everyone's goals, not just our own. If twenty minutes is where you need to start, that is great. I am currently trying to get my husband to start with twenty minutes. (He worked up to running with me last fall, but then quit.) The amazing thing is how quickly your body will build stamina. You will be amazed and delighted! Also, as the weight drops, it gets so much easier to move. The exercise will become very fun. And you get to come on here and share your successes, be accountable to reach your goal, and get advice from others if you slip up. We are a terrific support to each other.

Betty, March is going out with a bang for me, also. I'm getting back up to speed on the running and eliptical. Today I am going to run trails.

Tomorrow is a new month; we wipe the slate clean and start a new challenge!!

Everyone, check in and set your goal (you can always change it later).

Okay so I know it's the 31st still but I'm gonna go for a bike ride to the bank and then to Church. Mind you that's maybe a mile total but it's a start!

First... I probably should do some laundry. I don't have ANY clean clothes!! I'm not positive but I'm pretty sure that the Catholic Church is opposed to nude, fat ladies riding bicycles!!

Ta ta for now!

LOL, yeah, I don't think naked bike riding is a Pope approved activity.

I am so tight today, one of my pills went down wrong last night, I think I'm swollen And I am about to pull a lovely pot roast out of the crock. Sigh, maybe there will be leftovers for tomorrow.

I am so excited to change up my exercise this month!!! Weather is getting better, and there is so much more to do! I can ride - both the horse or the bike! (Ladies it is taking all my control not to make a naughty comment here about my DH!!!) We will be able to take the boat out soon, and swim at the lake, and I get time in pushing the grandbabies in the swing, jumping on the trampoline, chasing bubbles. Last year I entered a hula hoop contest with my little niece! The winter has worn me down. I am i a rut, with the eliptical trainer, or the treadmill. I want to bust down the doors and get outside!!! Use some energy mowing, and planting!

My year will be up the end of the month. I will have made it to the 90 pound mark. I have been sitting on an even 200 for a couple of days now. As soon as I see 199 for a couple of days I'll change my ticker!!!

I too have been eating poorly. Well maybe not exactly poorly---but a bite of this here and there, and not watching it very closely. But that is how I want to eat!!! I am hoping I can get the rest of the weight off with upping my exercise---or at least get some more of it off. I am so happy with life in general right now, I am not especially concerned with it!!! I know 200 is far from thin....but at 5'9", it is nothing like I was!! So I am just celebrating! I bought an Easter outfit the other day---and I began with a size 18 dress---because I am so top heavy---I ended up with a 14, and I have plenty of room in it!

This next year for you 07 banders is going to be such a thrill!

I should have worked harder to finish the challenge this month---but as I say I have been complacent!!! I will start the month out right tomorrow (no Fooling!) I am herding---so will be in the saddle for several hours. Talk about core exercise!!!

Everyone take care---and lets celebrate APRIL!!!!!!!!!

Kat