Hello Everyone, Well I did get the results back from the GP who said it was a stricture but when I went to the specialist on Friday..he said it wasn't and he did a complete history and exam. There is some "moderate" acid reflux present...I read the report. But he feels it is a "mobility" issue , in that things are backing up becuase I am not REGULAR and hence the gas, PAIN...bloating, PAIN...and so on right after I eat. He is doing a trial of ZELNORM with me and apparently that treats bloating, cramps and constipation in women. I should take it for 12 weeks and I see him in 8. He is also going to order an MRI because he wants to check everything else but he is doubtful it is gallstones caught in a bile duct. I had my gall bladder out but he said it is rare but possible for some people to get a gallstone in a bile duct even when they have no gall bladder. Liquids are fine but solids....OH MY GOSH.....I just can't eat more than 4 crackers with cheese or I will literally double in pain about 20 minutes after and the pain stays with me for up to 2 hours. I can eat thick soups, yogart, even with a little granola sprinkled on top,,,all other liquids but not heavy stuff. I do hope this medication works. Happy Weekend to all... Hugs Karen 290 - 159- 149

Hi Nancy, Sorry to hear things aren't so peachy in your world right now. Man, I am kicking myself for only going to the gym once this week...here it is already friday, and only one visit. Hopefully I can go tomorrow and sunday, putting me at 3 times this week (my minimum goal). Hang in there--you are such an inspiration to us all, and we're rooting for you! All the love, Jeff

Hi everyone - I hate for this thread to end, even though there hasn't been a lot of activity lately, so I'm going to continue it today even though I'm not logging my food at this time. It has been so helpful to me. On Monday I am going to recommit. My sciatica is better, so I am going back to exercising and I am going back to my basics of high protein, low carb. I've been having some personal stuff going on - my mother is suffering from dementia and my poor dad is struggling to cope with her. I'm trying to be as supportive as possible, but I'm also a single mom with two sons (20 and 18) who give me a run for my money. They are not bad kids, but they are doing what a lot of kids are doing these days; drinking, partying, etc. and of course, that's very worrying. I remember being a young adult and doing the same thing, so I just pray that they turn out ok. I'm also having financial problems, so sometimes it seems like all I do is worry. The old standby of using food as comfort is always there. I have to really fight against it. I've been doing OK, but I haven't been 100%. I haven't weighed myself in the past week, but my clothes don't feel any tighter. I just know I feel better about things when I eat sensibly and exercise ~ at least that's something I CAN control. Well, enough of my rambling. I'm going to make sure this train continues, even if I'm the only passenger for awhile! I know there have been others that have continued it when I've been absent, so let's not let this end!! Love ya all!! Hugs, Nancy

Okay, it's more of an update, has nothing to do with the contest. That, pretty much, isn't happening. We were off from school for 10 days over Easter break. I didn't exercise and certainly didn't eat well. Some of it was pure boredom, of course, some of it was the fact that we had ZERO money (a sliding glass door we had installed cost more to put in than we were expecting) and the only groceries we had to eat was the unhealthy kind (regular bread, peanut butter, etc...still not JUNK food). Plus, just before break, I was talking to a 7th grade teacher, and she had already lost 10 lbs from her 189 lb body...so that's a higher % than my tiny 3 lbs so far. And I WAS 219...today it's 223. This week, I've been trying to do better. I did great on Monday and Wednesday, not very well on Tuesday (could have been worse, though!). I exercised Monday, but not the last two days (too busy). I will definitely get out there today. Tomorrow night, we're going camping. We'll be home on Sunday. I've PLANNED a menu, but sticking to it might be harder. We're going with a big group of people, and everyone tends to snack all day. I bought myself some beef jerky and granola bars hoping to stay away from things like chex mix, cheeze-its, and oatmeal pies rounds. I EXPECT to do a lot of walking and bike riding, so that will both keep my hands out of the chex mix bag AND burn additional calories. I'm SOOO hoping to be healthy all weekend...except for that planned hot dog at dinner. Gotta have a dog, and no, the fat free ones don't cook well over a fire...tried that last summer. You know, I really need to stop saying things like PLANNED and EXPECT...I should just say I WILL. Those words leave too much room for failure, like I'm not ready to take on full responsibility for my habits. And maybe I'm not. I think for the month of May, I'm going to give Weigh****chers another go-around...try out their core plan, which I think follows the bariatric diet better than points. Maybe a weight loss support group would help. Can't afford the bariatric one...it would cost $10 in gas just to get there and back! Okay, done rambling. Have a great weekend! Pamela -133...sometimes

Well hello all, I finally got the results of the upper GI and I have a stricture and need to see the specialist on Friday. They can sometimes have medication that will help but I may need to have a scope done to enlarge the opening. I am nervous about this but we shall see. I will know more after Friday. Hugs to all. I did see 159 today so that was great. I jumped on again because I was so excited and it was 160 but I am going with the first number. I have earned it. hahahaha.... Will keep everyone posted. Hugs to all... Karen 290 - 159 - 149