MamaMichelle

Jacqui- You did just perfectly everytime you work out just return to the post and let us know what you did, each night I will add tick marks for workouts that you all have done. For those that don't log on everyday just check in on Sunday and tell us how many workouts you were able to fit in for the week prior and I will add tick marks for the week.

Ok I've got all 17 of you who posted so far added to the list... Good luck to everyone I know we can do this!! REMEMBER: Anyone can join our challenge at any point in the month!! Just post what level you want to aim for and I will add you to the member list!!

Her Email is: drmiranda@obesitycontrolcenter.com Don't worry if you don't meet your weight loss goal, many people have fallen a little short and were still able to have their surgery!! It will be fine!!!

We All stumble Mac!! I had like 5 bites of my son's M&M Blizzard yesterday and I am not allowing myself to leave the house because I know I'll want to go buy one for myself... What can we do? Try to make the right choices when we can and not get too down on ourselves if we fail/cheat/overeat! Tomorrow is another day! Glad to have you as part of the May Exercise Challenge I know we need the motivation!!

I would say it depends on your healing time, I have seen some people getting fills as soon as 4 weeks for one reason or another. I think getting it at 5 weeks is much better than getting it at 9 weeks because without a fill many people go back to past eating habits. I would say wait till you are 2-3 weeks post op before making a decision (unless you must book far in advance for travel reasons or to secure an appointment).

Usually I would say just exchange cell phone numbers via PM but since most cell phones don't work well I would say if you want to be able to find each other at the hotel I would exchange first and last names via PM, then when you arrive you can ask the hotel operator to connect you to Jessica Smiths room then you can speak that way, or leave a voicemail with your room number on her hotel phone if she happens to be out of the room...

So glad to see there's some interest... I have added all of you to the list.. Calicat- 25 days would actually put you at the Platinum Level so I moved you there!

Congrats on the fill Amanda, and good luck with your end of May goal!! If you want to get together for lunch while you're in town send me a PM (we can share a child's plate meal, lol)

I had some old pill bottles that I brought with me and while in TJ I bought some Z-packs (they clear up colds) I just put them in the old pill bottles, after 2 trips to TJ my luggage has never been scanned or searched nor was I asked what I bought there so you should be ok!! Don't know about the Tylenol 3 (never heard of it) but when Lisa and I did our pharmacy shopping we took our list and went into 3 or 4 places and got the price for each thing on our list from each store... Then we went back to whichever place was cheapest for each item, meaning one store had a better price on RetinA another store had a better price on Maderma so we shopped around to save even more!

Here's an example of what your initial post should include and what the 2 types of check in posts might look like... 1st Post Example Mama Michelle Challenging myself for Gold Level in May I will be doing the treadmill on some days, and various exercise DVD's on others Daily Check in Post Example Hey Guys just finished 40 min on the treadmill, only did speed 3.0! Hope to work up to speed 4.0 by the end of the month! Weekly Check in Post Example Hey Guys I was pretty good this week, I worked out 4 times... I hope to make it 6 times for next week! I hope this makes sense, PM me with questions!

May Exercise Challenge Member List Purple Members- 4-7 sessions of under 30 minutes I will add Member Names Here Green Members- 5-7 sessions of at least 30 minutes I will add Member Names Here Bronze Members- 8-14 sessions of at least 30 minutes Jacqui1 x 7 PaulaBee x 8 WAgal x 5 Ginaballerina Silver Members- 15-18 sessions of at least 30 minutes Fatcat (pending) lna228 x 2 Bandgroupie x 1 Wendy x 2 Gold Members- 19-23 session of at least 30 minutes Brittania x 6 Crazycoolbutterfly x 10 Feefee x 12 Lynna x 9 Mackenzie MamaMichelle x 10 Mom12 x 11 Murph2 x 6 (pending) The Redhead Trulytangledgrl x 18 Platinum Members- 24+ sessions of at least 30 minutes Bebe x 4 Calicat x 8 Jacklynrae x 15 Lynzz x 18 quennee

Ok Bandsters we all know that exercise is key to reach the weight loss goals we have set for ourselves! Spring is here and summer is around the corner which means the shorts and sleeveless shirts will be coming out soon as well, so what better time to climb on board!?!? I've seen challenges like this on other boards and I think it is a great way to motivate ourselves and each other, this challenge isn't about weight loss (of course that will be an added bonus) and it is NOT a competition with winners and losers. Basically it's a way to stay accountable to the exercise you commit to do during the month of May. It doesn't matter if you're running 3 miles a day 5 times a week or just going on a 30 min walk with your dog one day a week, there's a level for everyone! So come join in for support and encouragement. It's easy, just check in and post your progress. Whether you check in daily to list each workout or sum everything up once a week, it helps with accountability. Everyone is welcome! Joining is easy Here's what to do: STEP 1. Choose Your Personal Goal Color depending on the number of workout you think you'll be able to achieve in MAY: Purple Level- 4-7 sessions of under 30 minutes - giving your all and working as hard as you can for as long as you can Green Level- 5-7 sessions of at least 30 minutes Bronze Level- 8-14 sessions of at least 30 minutes Silver Level- 15-18 sessions of at least 30 minutes Gold Level- 19-23 session of at least 30 minutes Platinum Level- 24+ sessions of at least 30 minutes STEP 2. Post your Goal Color here in this forum You can even list some of the workouts you plan to do this month!! STEP 3. Come back to this post each time you complete a workout or check in once a week saying how many workouts you've completed for the prior week and That's it!! I will do a weekly summary of everyones workouts and progress in the post below this one as well as show an example of what a check in post would look like... I really hope that you guys will give this a try, I think it will do wonders for keeping us motivated and for inspiring others!! If we get enough interest maybe we can get Chad to pin this to the top of the forum to make it easier to find for daily check-ins!!

Welcome to our group!! Congrats on your surgery date- I think Mom12 has the same date she posts here often!!

Congrats on being banded, I think everyone goes in with a little bit of nerves/fear but the OCC totally puts your mind at ease!!

So I got my hubby to take my measurements tonight so I could total up the inches lost last month (see the red section below) Jan 1st 2008 – Highest Weight/Start of Pre Op Diet Weight: 246 lbs Chest: 48″ Waist: 46″ Hips: 51″ Arms: 16.5″ and 16.5″ Thighs: 30″ and 31″ Feb 28th 2008 – Date of Surgery Weight: 226 lbs Chest: 46.5″ Waist: 43″ Hips: 48.75″ Arms: 16″ and 16″ Thighs: 29.25″ and 30.25″ March 28th 2008 – One Month Post Op Weight: 209 lbs Chest: 44.5″ Waist: 37″ Hips: 46.5″ Arms: 15.75″ and 15.75″ Thighs: 28.5″ and 29.5″ April 28th 2008 – Two Months Post Op Weight: 202 lbs Chest: 42.5″ Waist: 36″ Hips: 45.25″ Arms: 14″ and 14″ Thighs: 26″ and 27″ Difference From March 28th to April 28th Weight: - 7 lbs Chest: -2″ Waist: -1″ Hips: -1.25″ Arms: -1.75″ and -1.75″ Thighs: -2.5″ and -2.5″ TOTAL RESULTS: Weight: -24lbs lost in 2 months post op (-45lbs lost since starting pre op) Chest: -4 inches lost in 2 months post op (-5.5 inches lost since starting pre op) Waist: -7 inches lost in 2 months post op (-10 inches lost since starting pre op) Hips: -3.5 inches lost in 2 months post op (-5.75 inches lost since starting pre op) Arms -2 and -2 inches lost in 2 months post op (-2.5 and -2.5 inches lost since starting pre op) Thighs: -3.25 and -3.25 inches lost in 2 months post op (-4 and -4 inches lost since starting pre op) For a total of 24lbs and 25 inches lost in 2 months post op and 45 lbs and 34.25 inches lost since starting pre op!

They are a version of children's Tylenol- an alternative to the liquid form they are like lozenges that dissolve in your mouth!!

What about a margarita? The Cinco de Mayo thread gave me that idea!! Rum and Cranberry (since it's not really a sweet juice) You might like a Gimlet - basically either vodka or gin with sweetened lime juice. Here are a few other suggestions I pulled off the web: Bloody Mary Wine Manhattan Martini Pina Colada Daquri (strawberry, banana, etc)

ARE YOU KIDDING THAT IS THE BEST THING!! Food is meant to be fuel, so many of us have developed this love/obsession with food... Hell I used to plan my Saturday errands around where I wanted to eat lunch, such an unhealthy attitude to have!! The 3 week post op (and 2 week pre op) can be looked at as a 5 week detox from food, a time to get your head in the right place and learn that now you are a bandster food is going to have a much lower status in your life!!!

Hey Lora, I can't believe you have been banded for 2 weeks already!! How are you feeling?? Congrats on setting your fill date, Mac is right- after the fill is when you really start understanding what being a bandster is all about!!