Hey fellow Maysters!! I hope this finds everyone healthy and happy!

As I enter month 9 of my banding journey I am amazed at how far I have come. I have done so many things this past few months that I would have NEVER done a year or so ago. The biggest thing is probably roller derby. No way in hell would I have put myself out there like that a year ago! Last night I went through a grueling 2 hour practice that included core strengthening and endurance excercises and drills. I never would I have thought I would be able to keep up... and I did! I was even in the top 4 of the other Baby Dolls (us newbies)! I never knew I could sweat and stink as much as I do when I get in the car after practice. WHEW! I was awesome to skate with the girls that have been doing this for a long time and be told that they were very impressed with me. I was absolutley GLOWING when I left the rink last night. My hubby is just thrilled with the change in me and my giddy excitment when I come home from practice just thrills him to no end.

I had another fills last Tuesday.. I now have 2.5cc's in my band. Between that and 2 hard practices I dropped 4 pounds this week! YAY!

What about you? What can you do (or are you doing) that you couldn't do before banding??

Kim - Cool. I work at Unum so my lunch is flexible as well. Let me know when you are tolerating food and we can go from there. I would love to get to meet Betsy as well.

Well, one good thing about not keeping anything down is I made my Valentine's Day Challenge. This morning I weighed in at 196. :mad: My co-workers are noticing my loss again lately. My favorite comment is that "you're melting away!" I told them, yes I am and I'm so happy!

My doc says to go on liquids for a while and see how things go. If it's not any better in a week or so, I need to come in and see her. So I bought myself some protien powder and I'm digging out the ol' bullion and sugar free Jello and see if things get better.

Drew! I'm so sorry about your knee. Just take it easy and let it heal and you will be up on those skates before you know it.

OK, since I FINALLY made it to Onederland, I had my husband take my pictures last night and made it into a slide show on my MySpace page. And since I really don't know how to put a slide show HERE, here is the link to my page so you can check it out!

http://www.myspace.com/justduckie5

Marci - You look great! I'm sooo proud of you for getting to Onederland! Your slideshow is awesome!

Marci - can't wait to view them, Can't access myspace from work. Great job!

Hey Alicia! How are the soups going? I'm still doing the clears... I've lost a couple of pounds in the last day or two... liquids in, liquids out!:faint:

Yeah Marci!!!!! Onederland is Onederful isn't it!

I don't know if I made my Val's day goal or not. I haven't been on the scale at all this week. When I travel, I get really constipated and of course I was in the car for the entire weekend! I haven't had a healthy BM in over a week. Which makes me feel miserable. I drank a ton of Water this week hoping that would help but alas, nothing is moving...And the worst part is I'm heading back to Denver this weekend to Celebrate my nephew's b-day(he was released from the hospital today!!!). So another weekend in the car. Come on Fiber, do your thing!

Well, it's been a long time and I sure have missed ya'll. I came to the site last week and teared up reading about all you guys have accomplished. It is going to take me awhile to read everything and catch up, but that's why I'm here. I realized how much I need ya'll. Gosh, this feels good.

My DH will not be getting the band anytime soon. He has had a job change and is working contract engineering jobs. We may be moving to OK. I am a single mom during the week and he comes home on the weekends. We'll see what develops.

My weight loss, as of today, is 27 lbs. I was down 39 lbs at one point, but I have strayed and have fallen victim to my emotional eating demons. As of today, that is going to change. You all motivate & inspire me. I still have only had one fill. I have some restriction and feel that an additional fill will help get me back on track. Since my DH is working contract, we are without insurance (only purchased major medical through a local co) and I need to find out the cost of a fill.

Here's a HUGE hug for all my May friends. I love you guys!!

Now, I'm off to the NASCAR thread since my guy Smoke won today. I wonder what's been happening over there?

Marz - good luck with the fiber thing... I had the same issue when I travelled to St. Augustine for New Years weekend. I wasn't able to get enough Water in. That is sooo miserable. Hope everything gets moving.

3Loaves! Hello! I'm so happy to hear from you! Wow! Sounds like you guys are having a lot of stuff change! I'm sorry Paladin will not be able to get the band right now and that he is working away from home.. that must be difficult. All things happen for a reason, so I'm sure everything will work out for the best. I'm sorry you are struggling with those darned food demons, they can be mighty powerful can't they? I found myself falling into some of my old habits right before my 3rd fill (this last Tuesday). Now, I'm back on the road to Onederland!! I think you need that fill. It definietly takes more than one to get restriction. Mine cost me about $120, so hopefully yours won't be much more than that. BIG, HUGE HUGS TO YOU! SOOOO HAPPY TO HEAR FROM YOU!!!! Please stick around... we will help you get through the rough times! You CAN and WILL DO THIS!!!

GOOO SMOKE! GOOO DALE JR!

Didn't quite make the Valentines day challenge. But I got darned close!

I have been stuck at same wt for about 2 weeks.

I am going for a mini St.Patricks day challenge. The good news is, I am hanging in there with my treadmilling....sorta. Averaging 2 days per week instead of 3. But I keep thinking...this is so much better than 2 years ago when I was a total couch potato slug.

Drew...hope your leg is improving.

Marci, congratulations on Onederland. Your pictures look wonderful. ps..I think you look taller too!!

Hey kids!!

I am still here... gimping away. A guy I work with started calling me R2-D2 yesterday from my limp. I promptly threw a bottle of Water at him. That will teach him! I am going to my first EVER roller derby bout tonight and can't wait. it's going to be a blast! I'll have my hubby take a pic of me in my fishnets and knee brace...lol.

3Loaves(loves)!! Sooooooooo good to see you back around here girl!! I sent you a PM.

Marci... congrats on onderland.... I am JEALOUS!

marz.... we will have to get together sometime when your in Denver... my neck of the woods!

kim and alicia... sound slike you are doing great with your fills!

I am having a "spa day" with my mom tomorrow and can't wait! Facials, massages and pedicures are just what the doctor ordered!

Hope everyone has a FAB weekend!

Kelli & OUSooner ~ It looks like we will be moving to OK within the next few mos. My DH is working in the OKC area. We are trying to decide what area to move to. Any suggestions from you Okies?

Janey ~ I think a May Weight Loss Challenge sounds like a super idea. I can't believe we are coming up on our 1 yr anniversary. It just seems like yesterday that I was trying to get approval. Boy, does time fly or what?

Marz ~ Yes, I'm with you on the bathroom stalls. You explained it perfectly. I still prefer them b/c I haven't lost much and I still take my kids in with me.

Marci ~ Holy Cow! You look incredible. How are you feeling since the Chinese incident? My solution would be to stay away from Chinese food. That was me b4 and after the band. Don't think my DH could do that though. He loves Chinese.

Kim ~ Onederland....I bet it feels great. So proud of you. Thanks for the hugs & encouragement. I've missed it. I scheduled my 2nd fill today for March 12. It will cost me $250. Ouch. It's worth it and I'll tell my DH when he gets home tonight. I can't think of a better way to spend money. You know Smoke & Jr are going to hook up early Sun. Can't wait!

Drews ~ Torn MCL....gosh, that sounds so painful. Can't believe your in the ring tonight. Have fun and kick some butt!

Myra ~ HOW R U? So your starting a new business, huh? Good for you. You will be successful. I've done some network marketing in the past. I'll see if I have any websites that may be of interest. I think some of them offer ideas & such for home businesses. How is the dental working coming along. It sounds like it's taking longer than you had anticipated.

So, how many of the May bandsters are now in onederland?

3-Loaves - I lived in the OKC area. We lived in Edmond. Its been about 12 years ago, but it was nice then. Good luck with the move. They are never too fun

OU ~ Yes, we are looking in Edmond. Are there really tarantulas & scorpions in the area? Also, did you have a storm shelter? I guess the new homes are being built without them and some are adding the safe rooms. Ever been in a OK tornado? I hope I never experience it. :phanvan

OU ~ Yes, we are looking in Edmond. Are there really tarantulas & scorpions in the area? Also, did you have a storm shelter? I guess the new homes are being built without them and some are adding the safe rooms. Ever been in a OK tornado? I hope I never experience it. :phanvan

I guess there are, but never saw any indoors. No storm shelter. Most of the houses in the cities don't have them. I know my parents who live in the Tulsa area recently added a safe room (more like a closet:)) I never directly experienced one or had property damage with one, but have seen the damage up close afterwards. The odds of you experienceing it are very slim.