justduckie

Hello Maysters! You're posts have been very entertaining this week! Linda -- Oh, that's what I've been.....a scale whore! But I'm happy to say that it is moving......very slowly. I've been sitting right at 200 now for a few days. I even had the scale flash 199 one morning. I was so excited! But it was back up to 200 the next day. But that's much better than 203 - 204 that it had been flashing at me. Drew -- way to go! A ROLLER DERBY! How exciting. I bet the training will get you down to your "fighting weight" pretty quick. Myra -- oh, your elliptical story made me laugh! The first time I got on an elliptical, it was the same way. One minute and I was dead. Then the next time, I found out that I had the resistance much too high! So I made sure it was at 0 and it was so very much easier. I got to where I really enjoyed working on the elliptical. Now.....if I could just get motivated enough to get down to the gym to use it again! I feel it in my clothes that I'm finally on the downward track again. The secret for me has been water, water, water. The only other thing I drink is a glass of ice tea for dinner occassionally. Maybe in the next couple of days, I will be firmly in Onederland?????

Marz - I am so sorry for your loss. I will keep your nephew and BIL in my thoughts and prayers.

Hello Maysters! Congrats Marz!!!! Maybe since you finally made Onederand, I can actually break this plateau and do it too. If I get on my scale one more day and have it blink 203.5 at me, I'm going to scream!!!!! I did have one day that it said 199, but it only lasted for a day, so I didn't count it. The Water does seem to be helping though. I'm not that hungry and have been peeing my brains out! That has always been a good indication that I'm ready to drop some pounds. Kim -- my favorite boots are from Ariat. But they are the Fat Baby's. Not as big of a heel as the one's you bought but they are SO comfortable! I bought them last year to ride in and I tend to wear them when ever I don't feel like wearing tennies. I want to buy a couple of more pairs because they come in so many different colors. I love the pink ones and the black/bone ones.....my husband always looks at me sideways when I look at them and tell him I love them. Hmmmm......maybe when I finally do make it to Onederland, I'll go buy me another pair!:heh: I understand about the rings. My wedding ring had to be resized because it was falling off. And the rest of my rings spin around and around all the time. I really should go have them resized too. The only one that stays where it's suppose to is my anniversary ring -- I think because it was always a bit too tight anyway. Well, today is my day off and I have stuff to get done. Have a great day!

Hello Everyone! Hello and welcome Kelli! Well, I missed my Have a Dream Challenge by 6 lbs and I still am not in Onederland!!! Arggghhhhh! But I did lose 9 lbs. so I guess it's ok. I have been bouncing back and forth between 201 and 204......so frustrating! But I've upped my exercise and have been concetrating on drinking my Water. It's really hard when the temp is below 0 and water is the last thing you want. But with more exercise I drink more water. So my Valentine Challenge is just to make it to Onderland......but that's only 2 lbs, so I will make it an easy 5 lbs. Five in one month is actually more than my dr. wants, so hopefully I can do it. I have been debating whether I need another fill or not. I get such bad acid right now. I have never in my whole life had acid or heart burn, but after my last fill it's been so bad. I don't want it to get worse, so I've been avoiding another fill. I'm hoping that getting more exercise and really concentrating on my food choices will get me back on the losing side. We'll see. Oh! About tattoos! I got my one and only tattoo two years ago low on my right ankle. And boy, did it hurt! But it is small and only took about 20 minutes to do, so it wasn't unbearable. I got it when we were in Sturgis at the bike rally. The absolutely last place you should get a tattoo! But it was fun and just made the "Sturgis Experience" more special. I would like to get another one soon.......I'm thinking about a phoenix or winged victory. Something that commemorates my "rebirth". Anyway, have a great week!

Hey everyone! I went and played raquetball yesterday with my son and DIL and now my whole body hurts! But in a good way. I never did beat my son, but I was able to stay with him most of the way. By the end of the hour, I was exhausted and couldn't get across the court to get those tricky shots, but I felt so good about being able to be there in the first place. I used to be very good at raquetball and after yesterday, I don't think it would take much to be at least adequate. My son has been bugging me to get a membership at his gym (that's where we played) but I already have a membership somewhere else that doesn't have any courts. I hate to pay for TWO gym memberships. Maybe in April, when I can cancel my other membership, I'll join his.

I had a NSV this weekend that made me pretty happy. I went to a consignment store to check on some stuff we had for sale and decided to look at the clothes. I found a pair of size 14 levis that I liked but knew they wouldn't fit......yet. But I bought them anyway since the price was right. Then I looked at the 16's and found a pair of tan jeans that I liked and they were only 4 bucks, so I thought, what the heck......if they don't fit, they will in a while. So I took them home and put them on. I didn't have to lay down to zip them, I could breath, move, talk.......everything you should be able to do in jeans!!!!! They are a bit tighter than the jeans I've been wearing lately, but they fit! Yeah me! Size 10, here I come!

Happy 2007! Congrats, Alicia, Drew and OU for your great losses! I'm stuck at 201.....why can't I lose that last two lbs to get to Onederland???????? I was hoping so much that I could be at 199 on New Years, but it just didn't happen.:phanvan My mom told me to quit worrying, that it makes it harder to lose when you worry about it. And she's right! She told me to concentrate on the 70 I've loss and not stress about 2 silly lbs. And of course again, mom is always right. So I'm going back, doing the stuff that I know will get me to my goal and perhaps I shouldn't weigh myself every morning. We'll see...........

Happy New Year everyone!!!!! Since I have to go to work tomorrow, I figured I wish everyone a Happy New Year a couple of hours early. If you read my MySpace blog, you will see how this past year has been a year of big changes for me and my family. You'll also see the pictures of me and my family sledding yesterday! It was so much fun.:party: The hill was huge and I know a year ago I wouldn't have been able to climb it once much less all the times we did yesterday. I may still need to lose anothere 40-50 lbs, but the change over the last year has been amazing. I'm hoping that 2007 is as positive and life changing as 2006 and I'm wishing all the Maysters a fanastic New Year.:clap2:

Hello Maysters! It sounds like everyone had a wonderful Christmas. So did I! I got my dream gift (50 in plasma tv) and a few other things I love. I had the whole family except my oldest DD and her family, at home and we had a nice dinner. I didn't go all out for Christmas because I had to work the three days before --- not much time to do any baking and such. But since I have a hard time eating it anyway, I didn't miss it. My youngest son did something pretty amazing.....at least for a 15 yr old. He was acolyte at church on Sunday night - it was the children's mass - and noticed that not many people were being very generous with the offering (being acolyte, he passes the collection plate around) So he took $20 out of the hard earned $50 that he got for watching his brother's cats while the were on vacation and put it in the plate. I thought, "well, he's finally learning and how generous!" It made my Christmas for me. Well, I've been bouncing between 205 and 203. Can't seem to get back on the losing track. Maybe with the holidays almost over, things will start looking "down". Everyone have a great week!

Two more lbs!!!! 203.......Onederland, here I come!

Drew and OU -- I am so excited for you!!!! Drew, I hope all your tests come out good. Babies are so great! OU, isn't it exciting to just be normal? Your loss is so enspiring. Keep up the good work.:biggrin1: :biggrin1: :biggrin1:

Hey everyone......I'm stuck this week, too. Mainly because I have a crew of 140 people and it seems that EVERY SINGLE DAY some one brings me a plate or bag of goodies. And they are SOOOOOO hard to refuse. So I take a little bite here and a little bite there.....and pretty soon all those little bites add up! I guess the good thing is I haven't gained anything either. Though my clothes are getting loser, so maybe I'm in the "lose an inch, THEN lose a pound" mode. All I know is I better not get any more chocolate at work tonight!

I don't measure, I just kind of eye-ball it. Meat? About the size of a deck of cards. Everything else I use one scoop. I have a certain serving spoon that I use. One scoop is about 1 cup. AND I use a smaller plate. That way if I use that plate, I can only put so much on it. Then I eat slowly and let my body tell me when I'm full. Has worked so far!:clap2:

Wow! I've been gone for a week and you all have had such good discussions! Alicia - Holy Moly! You are Lookin' Good! My goal.......well, my dr. originally set my goal at 160. I'm 5'4", carry my weight in my butt and since I started at 271, I guess she figured that was a good goal. But personally, I would like to get under 150. I felt my best at 145. The thought of losing over 100 lbs was scary!!!! I'm of Hispanic decent and we all tend to be "hippy" and very muscular. So 145.......yep, that is my goal. But I would be happy at 160. Then I was thinking when I reach 160, I will still have to have plastic surgery and that might get me down close to 150. But mainly, I just want to feel good about myself again. And I'm getting close. I've had soooooooo many people make comments about how I'm "melting" away here in the last week, it's amazing. I am so encouraged to stick with the program. Also, my size 18 pants -- the brand new jean I bought last month because of the "bag Lady" comment I got -- are almost falling off! I'm going to take them to the consignment store since they haven't even faded or look worn. I'm waiting till I can fit into a 14 before getting ride of them, though. This week's progress -- 3 more lbs!

I noticed a while ago that my size 9 walking shoes were starting to feel big. I just thought they were wearing out. Friday I had to go buy some dress shoes (from Payless--- you know BOGO?? ) So I went to the size 9 section, found a pair......too big! Moved down to 8 1/2.......too big! Finally moved down to the 8's and they were ok. Kind of big, but not bad. And I was actually able to buy HEELS! Nice black shiny pumps. :clap2: But that was a size and a half drop. Has anyone else had this happen to them? I've heard about getting taller, but never about shrinking feet.:rolleyes

WhoooooHoooooo Drew!!!! You look SO good! Way to go!!!!!! OUSooner!!! Both my DH and I went, "oh.....WOW!!!!!" You both are lookin' good! Has anyone heard of the book "The Secret"? I saw the authors on Ellen. (I watched lots of daytime tv while I was sick.......:heh: ) A very interesting book and I guess DVD. It talks about how you can think yourself to your goals - not a new idea - but also why this works. How it's a very physical phenomenon. And it follows the laws of physics. Listening to the authors made so much sense I may just go out and buy the book. Positive thoughts and posivite self-image definitely aren't new, but maybe I just need a little motivation to continue my journey. And possibly meet some other goals. One of the things the authors promote is sitting quietly for a minute or two every day and envisioning what it is you want and to emotionally involve yourself in this dream........pretty basic motivational stuff that I've seen myself and my kids do at one time or another to help focus for a competition. But you are suppose to do this for ALL your goals. Does anyone do meditation to help them make it thru the plateaus? The hard times when the weight isn't coming off or when the old demons that put the weight on creep back up? Interesting concept.

Drew!!!! You have "the bag lady" syndrome, too! Baggy pants that sag so bad but you are afraid to let them go. :help: It took me a long time to realize that buying new clothes was OK. It took some ladies who work for me, pulling me aside and telling me to go get new jeans to actually realize how baggy my jeans had gotten. But isn't it a great problem to have??:clap2: I love the fact that now I have choices. Going from a 22-24 shirt to a 16-18 shirt.....I don't have to buy old lady clothes anymore.:biggrin1: Even my size 18 jeans are getting too loose. I was shocked when I was in Walmart and realized I didn't have to buy in the women's section anymore. :clap2: I think it's a great Christmas present for all of us! Way to go Maysters!!!!! :clap2: :clap2: :clap2: :clap2: :clap2: :clap2: :clap2:

I'm officially joining the "I Have a Dream" Challenge. 15 lbs sounds about right since that's what I've always lost when we were trying to lose 20 lbs. So my official start weight is 210. After my last fill I kept puking and was thinking I needed a slight unfill. Not only was I puking, but my throat was killing me and my face felt like it was going to explode. It just kept getting worse the whole time I was in Atlanta and when we got home it was unbearable.....even with taking pain killers! So I finally went to the dr. He told me I had a severe sinus infection with "significant drainage" and that's why I was so miserable and why I was puking.....too much snot in my tummy! So now I'm on antibiotics -- huge horse pills that I have to crush to take -- and a decongestant. I'm starting to slowly feel human again. I took the last couple days off since it's been below 0 here at night and I'm on nights. The dr. said that the cold dry air wasn't helping me get any better. I never call in sick, so I'm feeling kind of guilty.....kind of. hehe. It's funny how at first I thought my puking HAD to be from my band. It kind of was, if I didn't have restriction, all the drainage would have just upset my stomach instead of building up and causing me to puke. So I guess I live and I learn. It didn't help that I have never had a sinus infection before! At least not like this. So hopefully I will start feeling better and start losing again! Funny how not eating will stall your loss as fast as eating too much.

I saw the show yesterday and I'm thinking of going and buying the book. I love the belly fat that he showed......I can't remember what he called it but I thought to myself, "mine is shrinking, too!!" I love him when he comes on Oprah because I always learn something.

Hello everyone! I've been gone for about a week -- we are in Atlanta at my DD's. We had quite the exciting Thanksgiving.....found out my DD is pregnant with TWINS! We, as the grandparents, are excited. DD and SIL are stunned. And overwhelmed with the thought of two babies instead of the one they had planned for. But it will all work out ok in the end, I'm sure. I'm not sure where I ended the Turkey Take-off since my DD doesn't have a scale that works properly. So I'm going to have to wait till I get home and jump on my scale to officially end my challenge. I'm thinking I probably missed it by a few pounds but I know I've hit my halfway mark. 60 lbs. down, 60 to go! Halfway is a good place to be at 6 months. I know I think back to six months ago and realize how much better I feel and how much better I move. Last time I was at my daughter's house, her stairs ate my lunch. I had a hard time going up and down them because my knees hurt so much. This time, I run up and down them. Yeah, me! The ol' knees creak a bit, but no pain. Thanksgiving itself was ok. I made myself a small plate -- mostly soft stuff like mashed potatoes, yams and cranberry sauce with a bit of turkey. Took me twice as long as everyone else to finish, but that was ok. The conversation was great and lively, so no one really noticed that I was still pluggin' along, slowly eating my dinner. I felt good about myself after dinner -- not all pigged out and hurting. So I feel it was definitely a success. I hope everyone else's Thanksgiving was good.....I'll catch up with all the posts when I get home!

Linda! Hang in there. The fact that you realize what your obstacles are and are ready to face them means you've come a long way in 6 months. I find everytime I have a fill, it re-emphasizes my choice and why I must stick with the program to reach my goal. You can do it Linda! We all can! Myra, I hope your flouro went well. Let us know how it came out. Missy, that sounds like a cool trip! My supervisor partner goes to Haiti every couple of years with his church and he says it is so worth it, to be able to help people that have nothing. Living here in the US you don't realize how badly many people in other countries live. I know you will make a difference. ((((((HUG)))))) OK -- I have a question for everyone. Does anyone have/had problems drinking ice Water after a fill? Ever since my last fill, I puke every time I try to drink anything cold. It's like instantly......swallow swallow- PUKE! I just don't get it. Anything warm or hot is fine, most food is fine as long as I eat small bites and eat them slowly, but cold water, cold milk, cold juice.......I feel like a bulimic! I love cold drinks and now I can't have them. Thank goodness it's winter up here now and I don't HAVE to drink anything cold. But hot tea gets old after a while and I'm still thirsty! So I drink warm water. Yeck....... As for the Turkey Take-off, I am on my way to my daughter's in Atlanta. I'm going to have to weigh on her scale. Before I left, I had lost another 2 lbs. I don't think I'll make the 20 lbs, but I'm sure I will be over 15 lbs gone. Since I have my laptop with me (never go anywhere with out it) I should be able to post some Thanksgiving pictures. As for how I'm going to handle TG, getting a fill last week has made that no problem.

Got my third fill yesterday...... .75 cc's ....... and it's a doozy! Dr. Fermilia did it this time and he is much more aggressive than Dr. Parnell. He also got into the port in one poke! Yeah, Dr. Fermilia!!!! The way I ended up with .75 cc's is he put in .5 and had me drink the barium - no restriction. He then put in 1 cc and I drank the barium - complete block! So then he took out a bit down to .75 - good restriction!! That's the benefit of doing the fills under Flouro. It's really cool to be able to watch the screen while they are testing me so I know excactly what is going on. Today, I definitely feel restriction. I'm going to have to go back to REALLY following the rules or else I will suffer. And I don't want to suffer. So I'm sitting here sipping my water before I go drink a Slimfast. I've found Slimfast to be the easiest when I'm on liquids. That and V8. I LOVE V8! And it's good for you and it's a good liquid. I think when I go back to solids this weekend I will have to be very, very careful. This is the tightest I've been since my first fill.

Derbygirl, have you looked into credit counceling? Not the kind that you see advertised....they are just crooks.....but a honest company? We did that about 8 years ago when I thought we were going to have to sell everything. They sat down with us, came up with a plan, contacted all of our creditors, then we just made one payment to them and they paid all of our bills. You have to make some big sacrifices, but for us it worked. AND we didn't lose our house. Look in the yellow pages for "Consumer Credit Counseling". It should be a non-profit company and if they ask you to take out a loan, run.....run fast....away from them. I know what you are going thru.....for us it wasn't my surgery but trying to put a child thru a private college. Very expensive. But very worth it.

Oh, I'm glad I'm not the only one that gets the stuck feeling 4-5 bites after!!!! And it's definitely after I've eaten too fast! I kick myself when I do that. Also, when I eat certain foods, it feels more like someone is taking a bottle brush and running it up and down my esophagus! I guess you could describe it as broken glass, too. My dr. told me yesterday that if you are pb-ing all the time, you are too tight. He told me to let him know if I start puking all the time and then he would do an unfill. In 6 months, I can count the times I've puked on one hand.

Drews -- I think there is a big misconception out there that any WLS is a magic bullet. Even after people have the surgery!!!! :peep: What do thier surgeons tell them before the surgery??????:paranoid I had to go to classes, go over and over and over.....and over.....what would happen during surgery and after surgery, sign a contract that promised I would exercise (which I haven't been doing well with lately:phanvan ), have regular phone conversations with my patient advocate...... How could these people not know? Do they just choose not to listen? On a lighter note -- Good luck on your job interview~ I'll think happy, job-getting thoughts for you!:clap2: