Hello. I would like to start exercising and my preferred method would be walking. I have a treadmill that currently is not being used. I would like to change that and the only way I can get motivated, is to have a partner or two or three.....

I would like to start a 50 Mile Challenge from July 1st to August 1st. If you are interested let me know. We will start Wednesday, July 1st and end Saturday, August 1st then maybe start over again. We can have weekly check in every Wednesday to log our miles walked and, or exercised.

I know there are many of you that can easily walk 50

miles or more. I am not one of them yet. Hopefully I will be soon.

Edited June 29, 200917 yr by 2911plans

Saturday I hit 42 miles...only eight more to go! This challenge has been so good for me...I am going to stick to it next month too!

Congrats MrsNeener! I would love to continue the challenge for next month. This has been the only thing that has kept me exercising. I would have stopped early in the month, but I knew there would be a lot of you who remained faithful to the challenge. I would have been so mad at myself for giving up. Now I feel good about myself for staying the course. I pray that we get more banders to sign up for the August 2009 Mile Challenge. Thanks for coming aboard.

It is 102 blessed degrees here in the Pacific Northwest today. We usually are in the 80's/90's and do not really have too much humidity. Usually a nice breeze and lovely pristine mountains and ocean beaches. A lovely place really. But today...it is 102 and very humid. In my saner moments I would never dream of going to the gym....but with this challenge calling my name...yes, I did go to the gym and put in 1 hour and 20 minutes on the elliptical to log my miles. It was not at the intensity I would normally be able to put out...but still this challenge got me there. Tomorrow same temps are predicted and yes, I will still be at the gym logging my miles.

Thank you so much for this challenge...it has gotten me to the gym on days I would have never gone before.

I am going to come in a little lower than my goal. I think if I had found this thread/challenge at the very beginning of the month I could have made my goal. Next month i will for sure.

Keep it going!!:smile2:

I wanted to share that I found myself looking at my August calendar and counting up the days I will be out of town and not able to get my miles in, counting the days I can workout and making sure I can get my miles in to reach my goal. I had to laugh at myself as I would have never done that before. I would definately been hit and miss as far as getting my exercise in.

Three of the days I'll miss getting to the gym is for a seminar in Seattle on August 14-15 that i am super excited about. It is sponsored by Realize. (That was the band I chose). There are really great speakers coming, from Dr Garth Davis (Big Medicine) and Mary Jo (Big Medicine) and motivational speakers, exercise specifics for bariatric surgery, bariatric chef for friendly foods, plastic surgery speaker for lower body lifts and so much more. I am stoked about all the information that will be available. Plus a huge clothing exchange then too. Should be alot of fun.

My gym is closed for 2 days in August for annual repairs.

My anniversary (24 years) is in August and we are going to take a jet boat up the Columbia river to the pacific ocean.

It's looking like a busy month....but I WILL get my miles in!!

I wanted to share that I found myself looking at my August calendar and counting up the days I will be out of town and not able to get my miles in, counting the days I can workout and making sure I can get my miles in to reach my goal. I had to laugh at myself as I would have never done that before. I would definately been hit and miss as far as getting my exercise in.

Three of the days I'll miss getting to the gym is for a seminar in Seattle on August 14-15 that i am super excited about. It is sponsored by Realize. (That was the band I chose). There are really great speakers coming, from Dr Garth Davis (Big Medicine) and Mary Jo (Big Medicine) and motivational speakers, exercise specifics for bariatric surgery, bariatric chef for friendly foods, plastic surgery speaker for lower body lifts and so much more. I am stoked about all the information that will be available. Plus a huge clothing exchange then too. Should be alot of fun.

My gym is closed for 2 days in August for annual repairs.

My anniversary (24 years) is in August and we are going to take a jet boat up the Columbia river to the pacific ocean.

It's looking like a busy month....but I WILL get my miles in!!

Hi Jenai,

I understand what you are going through with the hot temps. I live in Southeast Texas. Its hot and humid most of the year here. We never get use to it.

The seminar sounds wonderful. Would you mind sharing your experience with us? I know you will gather a lot of useful information that will make living with the band that much easier.

I'm am so glad you are doing well with the challenge. Coming into the challenge later than most of us you still have logged some impressive miles. Keep it up.

Congratulations on your 24th Anniversary!

Now that the month is almost over and it's getting down to the wire, EVERY mile and part of a mile counts! I had one day last week when I didn't ride my bike and now I'm having to factor in that day's miles into the time that's left. Yesterday and today I rode 8 miles instead of my usual 6 miles--just so I could get closer to catching up. I would NEVER have done that if it weren't for this challenge! A day missed would have been "oh well, missed a day." This challenge has really been pushing me to be my best! I'm trying to think how I can celebrate and mark this accomplishment at the end of the month--anyone have ideas/plans along the lines of celebrating?

Now that the month is almost over and it's getting down to the wire, EVERY mile and part of a mile counts! I had one day last week when I didn't ride my bike and now I'm having to factor in that day's miles into the time that's left. Yesterday and today I rode 8 miles instead of my usual 6 miles--just so I could get closer to catching up. I would NEVER have done that if it weren't for this challenge! A day missed would have been "oh well, missed a day." This challenge has really been pushing me to be my best! I'm trying to think how I can celebrate and mark this accomplishment at the end of the month--anyone have ideas/plans along the lines of celebrating?

Hi WillowCat. You are my HERO! I don't think I could have made up days missed. Every time I come back to this thread and read the post, the more I am motivated to do more. I told my husband last night that it would be difficult for me to continue with a 50 mile goal for next month because I go back to work. I never considered that some of you do not get the summer off and have been working and finding time to exercise. Thanks to all of you, I am not going to set a lower goal for next month. I am going to make the effort daily and do more on the weekend. If I miss a day, I will make it up over the course of the challenge. Thanks again!

Now to get to your celebration. How about going to the movies or a day at the beach if you are close enough. A day of window shopping is great. You can imagine yourself in cute, smaller size outfits. Maybe a mani/pedi spa treatment. You truly deserve that after all of the miles you have logged. Whatever you decide let us know.

I truly hope you are part of the monthly challenges from here on out. We do not have to change a thing. We can set our own goals and be here to continue to encourage one another. If it weren't for you all, I would have stopped a long time ago.

Edited July 28, 200917 yr by 2911plans

I DID IT!!!! 51 Miles and going.........

2911, I've never been anyone's "hero" before--wow! I'm honored! Actually, Janai talked about looking at August's calendar and figuring out how many miles she would have to do each day based on the number of days she'll be able to work out--and she's not going to change her August challenge miles either! I'm pretty sure I got the idea to make up missed days from her--thanks, Janai! :thumbup:

You must be a teacher 2911--me too! I teach 2nd grade. I got my band in early June and started exercising daily as soon as I could. Honestly, I'm terrified of going back to work, because I'm a workaholic and I lead a very unbalanced life during the school year. I'm terrified that I'll slip back into my old habits--food and exercise-wise! I'm getting my inspiration from you, 2911, to keep the bar just as high for myself next month as it has been this month! I really want a new life--even when I'm working.

Thanks for the celebration ideas--all non-food! :biggrin: I'm thinking I might indulge in a new pedicure to celebrate 180 miles biked in July!

AND CONGRATULATIONS ON SURPASSING YOUR GOAL--and the month isn't even over yet!!! WAY TO GO!!! :thumbup:

2911, I've never been anyone's "hero" before--wow! I'm honored! Actually, Janai talked about looking at August's calendar and figuring out how many miles she would have to do each day based on the number of days she'll be able to work out--and she's not going to change her August challenge miles either! I'm pretty sure I got the idea to make up missed days from her--thanks, Janai! :thumbup:

You must be a teacher 2911--me too! I teach 2nd grade. I got my band in early June and started exercising daily as soon as I could. Honestly, I'm terrified of going back to work, because I'm a workaholic and I lead a very unbalanced life during the school year. I'm terrified that I'll slip back into my old habits--food and exercise-wise! I'm getting my inspiration from you, 2911, to keep the bar just as high for myself next month as it has been this month! I really want a new life--even when I'm working.

Thanks for the celebration ideas--all non-food! :biggrin: I'm thinking I might indulge in a new pedicure to celebrate 180 miles biked in July!

AND CONGRATULATIONS ON SURPASSING YOUR GOAL--and the month isn't even over yet!!! WAY TO GO!!! :thumbup:

Yes, I am a teacher WillowCat. I teach 3rd grade. I am looking forward to going back to work for several reasons. One reason is that I know I will eat less at work. I usually have a Protein shake for Breakfast and I plan to do the Soup at Hand for lunch. The hardest part of the day would be getting home and eating takeout for dinner. I hope by then my fills will kick in and I can leave food on my plate. I recently purchased a Gerber Graduate baby plate. It is divided into sections and is much smaller than the average dinner plate. I have been using that to ensure that I eat smaller portions. So far so good.

Teachers report back on 8/17/09. Our students return on 8/24. When do you go back to work?

2911, I saw from your profile that you were banded on May 28, 2009--just 7 days before I was banded (June 4, 2009). I love your positive attitude toward going back to work--I love my job and am always excited to be back teaching.

I don't have problems with the amount of food I eat when I'm teaching; I have problems with being exhausted and eating "easy" food when I come home; I also have problems with exercising--never do it because I'm too tired after work. I routinely work 10 hour days. My goal is to wake up, get on my exercise bike, ride my 6 miles, eat Breakfast, shower and get ready for work--I'm going to "pay myself first." Any exercise I do after work is "bonus" exercise then. That's the plan.

Teachers go back August 12th and students August 17th.

Thanks for the Gerber plate idea--I'm on my second fill and have had a few PBs because I've eaten too fast and my eyes are always bigger than my stomach!

Hi Jenai,

I understand what you are going through with the hot temps. I live in Southeast Texas. Its hot and humid most of the year here. We never get use to it.

The seminar sounds wonderful. Would you mind sharing your experience with us? I know you will gather a lot of useful information that will make living with the band that much easier.

I'm am so glad you are doing well with the challenge. Coming into the challenge later than most of us you still have logged some impressive miles. Keep it up.

Congratulations on your 24th Anniversary!

I could handle the humidity if the gym had air conditioning. They only use fans and it makes it difficult for those of us with asthma issues. Today is 105 outside, but I got my miles in anyway.

Tonight after work my husband says, "let's go sit in a movie theater in air conditioning." I know what he wants, popcorn etc. I said "sorry I can't, I need to go to the gym."

I will definately report back on the seminar information. The following are the topics on the agenda.

Star of TLC's BIG MEDICINE, Mary Jo Rapini, LPC

Star of TLC's BIG MEDICINE, Dr. Garth Davis

Dave Fouts, Bariatric Chef, cooking demonstrations

Bo McCoy, WLS Post Op & Motivational Speaker

Jeremy Gentles, Fitness Expert

Melanie Machado, Dietician

Dr. Linda Hamilton, OBGYN

Dr. Gavin Dry, Lower Body Lift

Catered Lunch/Exhibitor Visits (free samples)

Look at Me Now! Fashion Show

Free Casino Night sugar free Desserts/Bev

I definately think rewarding ourselves at the completion of the month is an excellent idea. I liked the beach idea and the mani/pedi idea too.

My splurge is going to be some really nice, expensive new workout shoes. My feet hurt in the ones I have. I'm going to go have mine evaluated at a specialty shop and get a comfortable pair "made" for my feet!

Done. Hope to get in a few more miles before the end of the month. Between the intense heat and the effects of surgery, this was not my best effort...but August is a new challenge!

Done. Hope to get in a few more miles before the end of the month. Between the intense heat and the effects of surgery, this was not my best effort...but August is a new challenge!

Congratulations Openag!!!!! You also joined after the challenge had started and not only did you meet the goal, but you exceeded the goal. WOW!!! I'm glad you come aboard with us. I'm so looking forward to next month's challenge. Go out and Celebrate.

So how did everyone do? Are we ready for August!!!!!!!!!!

So how did everyone do? Are we ready for August!!!!!!!!!!

I'm ready! I am going to try and rename the thread to July-December 2009 Mile Challenge. We can continue to log our miles here.

Edited July 30, 200917 yr by 2911plans