Posts by cjeka

One thing that helps keep me from getting discouraged is I have a measurements journal. I started it in May 2007 and once every two months or so, I'll pull it out, grab my tape measure and take my measurements.  Even if the numbers on the scale dont move, seeing the numbers on the tape measure move makes me feel good. 

And, any amount of calculating on paper will look good and look like you'll lose more if you eat less, but your body is not a calculation, it is a living organizm that must be fed fuel in order to stay alive.  I don't recommend that you try any experiments with eating less.  Stick with/a bit above what the tools on this site recommend and you should do fine.

Remember: you didn't gain the excess weight overnight and it will not come off overnight.  Baby steps - take it slow to make sure it stays off!  Focus more on developing healthier habits and living a healthier, longer life! :)

Good luck!

Original Post by enchantingimage:

Original Post by cjeka:

  Those who have been mentioned as having become pregnant with this device probably weren't checking for their strings on a monthly basis (which you should do, if you don't feel the strings - go see your dr. immediately!). 

The speculation of whether or not someone is/was doing everything advised is always brought into question. It doesn't matter which method is being used. However, there is a percentage of women that do become pregnant through no fault of their own. Why? No method is 100% effective.

Also - I feel like any circumstances that occured in teh 70's are mute specifically because design flaws have been noted on the earlier contraceptive devices and designs have been updated numerous times since then.

 That's understandable. Hence why I said outside of my mother and her friends situation in the 70's.That's still four recent times I personally noted with years that it has happened. It's not like I said twenty years ago I heard of this happening. Last Christmas to my sisterinlaw.As well as another lady in the doctors office sitting in the waiting room. It's a current issue that may never happen to you. However, there is no reason for you to belittle the fact it happens in the current years. Unless two in 2007, one in 2006, and one in 2004 isn't recent enough? Selective reading is fantastic but overated.

The OP should choose whichever method she's most comfortable. That doesn't mean we should downplay anything negative. It's important as an adult to be aware of all chances. I understand that some people may be pro IUD since they have one within their body. However, this isn't about whether or not it's right for you. This is about being open minded enough to be aware of the both spectrums of potential pro/cons to be an informed adult. I suggest going to ask your doctor the questions I noted above in a previous post.  I guarantee you that he/she will inform you that it does in fact happen currently. It is small but real chance each woman with an IUD is taking.Trying to belittle the fact that it does happen currently to some women through no fault of their own isn't productive. It happens. Period.  They make up a small precentage but a real one nonetheless. It's not up to debate it's up to a chance as a current fact. Big or small. The chance is undeniable. Period. Ask your gynecologist because I'm not making up a scare stories to hurt people's feelings. It's not a new small chance it's been a chance for years and remains one to date.

 Please note - I was NEVER intending to belittle anyone about anything. I have done the research and know very well what could/may happen with this thing.  I researched this method of birth control for over 2 years, including talking with different doctors and other women who have had the IUD for numerous years...  before making the decision myself.

...and I truly appologize if you feel that I was being rude or hatefull.

Original Post by silentdeadlyrose:

I think there should be a section called "Hot Topics" on this forum. That way people can speak more freely on these subjects.

ROFLMAO!!!  AMEN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

First - Let me welcome you to CC.  I have personally found this site to be a wonderful life saver!

If you stick with the numbers the tools here on CC give you and keep motivated, you won't be let down.  NO matter what, do not give up.

It's taken me a year and a half, but I have successfully lost 50lbs and over 21inches total.  I have battled the dreaded Plateau three times and the first time was about 5-6 months (had to battle the binge then!).

Best way to get the most accurate numbers is to be honest in setting up your profile - set your activity level at sedentary and when you work out, log the exercise you have performed or if you use a treadmill with meters, you can log based off that (if you've got your info programed in).

Please don't hesitate to send me a message if you have any questions. :)  I'd be happy to help!

I appreciate the feedback I've gotten.  I think I will wait until we land in Cozumel and hit the local bank first and get me some pesos. 

ONe thing I have read is that if you're really looking for good prices, when you first come off the boat - to browse through the shops right there to get an idea of what you're looking for and to make note of the prices you see there, because that'll be the highest price you'll pay, then to head into town a block or so and that's where you can start bargaining on the prices with the locals. 

Our cruise leaves Texas (Houston for now, since Galveston is currently in disrepair) and lands in Progreso, Yucatan first.  We're going to do a mayan ruins tour there so we can spend the next day wondering through Cozumel and seeing the sights and enjoying the fun locals rather than rushing out to a 7 hour excursion! LOL

The mayan tour we're looking at in Progreso is only a 4 hour tour and costs about $50/person, rather than Cozumel's horse back tour which takes 7 hours and costs $80/person.

I'll be posting pics on my myspace and facebook.  I'll post links in my profile to both my myspace and facebook pages and I'll be entering daily journal entrys!

Thanks again for all your help!  It is much appreciated!  Muy Bueno!

Original Post by moonikins:

You have to realize too why some women like me choose not to have a tubal ligation is the cost. My insurance will cover it at 80% after I meet my deductible for the year. The cost of the procedure is several grand. So first I pay my deductible and then a get a bill for 20%, plus I miss work. Since it's not an accident my short term disability doesn't pay anything for the 1st seven days then it kicks in at 60% of pay. I could burn all my vacation days instead.

If I get an IUD, the cost of the device isn't covered, but the office visit to insert it is only $25.00 co-pay.

 I went to Planned Parenthood for my IUD and I qualified for the "program" so the whole visit was paid for out of the program.  I didn't have to pay a cent for mine. That's why I am suggesting a visit to Planned Parenthood. 

Original Post by smwhipple:

Having had children or not does not increase or decrease any pain associated with getting an IUD.  The pain is individual and is dependent on that particular person's anatomy and tolerance of pain.  For me, since I've never had a child, my cervix was barely big enough for an IUD insertion, having a child might have changed that.  The measurement for it was painful, the insertion was painful, but in both cases well worth it.  I didn't have any drugs other than 3 advil on the morning of.  It went smoothly and quickly and other from the pain which was over quickly I had no issues.  I was actually expecting it to be significantly more painful than it was.

Being in a relationship or not is not grounds for disqualifying you from getting an IUD.  If you want one and your doctor will not prescribe one then get yourself a new doctor or one who explains why they won't prescribe one better.  While having multiple partners does put you at a higher risk for infections and diseases of all varieties it does not make you ineligible for an IUD.  You really want a gynecologist in any case and not a general practitioner for this purpose.

My gynecologist did not outright refuse, but basically suggested that I really reconsider it and think about it for the last 2 years.  I finally decided that it's my body and I wanted to do it.  I ended up seeing a female gynecologist on my last appointment and it made a huge difference in attitude.

There is no need to tell your partner or potential partner that you have an IUD.  When the subject of sex does come up, condoms are a wonderful answer as they protect against both pregnancy and diseases.

I had mood swing when I was on the pill, so for me the non-hormone IUD was what I wanted.  You may prefer the Minerva one that has hormones.

Mine wasn't as painful, the Planned Parenthood nurses actually commented on how well I did through the insertion.  I told them it just felt like I needed to go to the bathroom. LOL

However, the first period after getting my copper IUD (lasts 10-12 years) lasted me about 2-3 weeks, on and off.  The cramps were horrible - but Extra Strength Tylenol handled that.  Now, after almost a year, my periods last 5 days exactly, and are about 26 - 28 days apart and my cramps are a bit more painfull than they were when I first got my period as a girl.

As for the partner issue - I explained it to my husband using the info they sent home with me.  I opened the pamphlet up to the page showing the diagram of the female insides and showed him where it was. I assured him he would not hurt, damage, or feel it and I check for the strings once a month after Aunt Flow has packed up and left.  Bob was concerned about the chance of pregnancy - we don't want kids - and I told him like I was told, it's just as effective as the pill - the copper actually acts to destroy the egg and the sperm so there's nothing to fertilize and nothing to do the fertilization. and on the 1% chance we do get pregnant I have two options.  1) morning after pill and 2) pull the IUD and move forward with the pregnancy (as was explained to me by the nurses at my planned parenthood branch).

Original Post by peaches0405:

Original Post by cjeka:

Original Post by peaches0405:

On the reverse side, I wish more women would come to the aid of a man when he's being hit and kicked by a woman.

Laugh all you want, but I've seen it.  Woman is hitting and kicking the man.  The man is afraid to do anything to defend himself.  Everyone else just stands around and lets it happen.  The other men are afraid to do anything that involves putting their hands on the woman to get her to stop.  The other women just stand there laughing.

 Don't hate me, please, but normally, when a woman is beating the crap out of a man, he's done something to deserve it. LOL

All kidding aside, any kind of physical abuse (no matter who is abusing/hitting whom) is unnecessary.  When our world comes to terms with that, then we can truly say we are a civilized society.

 Don't hate you.  But I don't agree either.  Should there really be a double standard like that?  What would you say if a man said "well she deserved it"?  We'd all be furious.  I just don't think it's ok for a woman to use that line either.

 Sorry, I keep forgetting the sarcasm in my words doesn't carry through in text.  Thus the "all kidding aside" and "lol".  Please read the second part of my post.

Original Post by huggitbear:

Ha ha, you are so funny.  The "coach" makes me mad too.  I think it is funny that he never gives you a thumbs down though.  Like if I ate a bunch of McDonald's and didn't exercise, he ought to give me a thumbs down.  I wish he was more of an actual coach too.

 Actually - for a while (stuck on a plateau) I had gotten a thumbs down because my goal date was too soon for me to meet the goal weigh in by my established goal date.  So I just went into my profile and made the proper adjustments and voila! no more thumbs down. LOL

Honestly, though, there are some people that work well under pressure, and this thumb is giving that pressure...  Then there's people like me who don't like to be rushed into anything.  So I just ignore the thumb. LOL

When I started here at 245lbs I was literally busting out of my 20W's.

Now, I'm 195 and wearing 16's (no "W").

I'm 26, 5'7".

Hope that helps a bit.

I agree - perhaps try upping your cal intake and see what happens.

And remember, Patience is a virtue - you didn't gain the weight overnight, it won't come off overnight.  Heck, it's taken me 17 months to lose 50lbs. (with 3 plateaus in that time)

Good luck!

You're singing the song of my WEEKENDS!!!

If I eat breakfast right away - I overeat and by the time 12:30 rolls around, I'm pulling off my jeans and pulling on some elastic waistband pants. LMAO

What I've done that helps me is (and I'm sure I'll get some fingers wagging at me, but oh-well!) I get up and go to the gym first thing - get that out of the way.  I normally get home from the gym between 9 and 10 am (leaving the house between 7 and 8 in the morning).  I eat lunch, then a snack, then dinner, and another snack.

NOW - to those who will wagg their fingers at me in a "you should be ashamed of yourself" way - you need to know the REASON why I do this - I'm an emotional overeater.  This includes boredom.  I also tend to snack and nibble at night so I've found that delaying breakfast allows me to do the evening snacking I like and am used to - and not go over my allowance - as a matter of fact - this last weekend was the FIRST weekend that I didn't go over in calories and didn't have to pull on my sweatpants in about 4 months!!!

We all understand that no two people using this site will see things in exactly the same light - Yes???

So - that said...  perhaps we all need to be the bigger person and allow those with different or opposing opinions to have their opinions.  If you do not agree with someone's opinion, then you are free to express your own opinion.  In doing so, please also keep in mind that we also need to respect other's feelings.

The old saying goes: "sticks and stones may break my bones..." but let me correct this second part of this saying - Words DO hurt!!! 

Lets all play nice! :):)

Original Post by cjeka:

Original Post by cjeka:

Here's a link for you.

http://www.calorie-count.com/calories/communi ty/ticker.php

It's from the earlier version of Calorie Count. :):)

 

 I didn't activate it as a link - you'll need to copy this link and past it in the address line of you webpage  Otherwise, if you need a link to click on, click HERE.

 Note: this link takes you back to the OLD calorie count.  In order to use the ticker feature you'll have to log into the OLD calorie count using your CURRENT log in information.  I know it works, because I just changed my ticker from stars and a moon to flowers and a butterfly.

Also - I've learned that the best way to burn fat is to do more cardio - if you're a fan of the treadmill, then it's time to move up to the eliptical machine. 

Flush with lots of water, that will help any bloating puffiness go away. Eating foods high in potasium helps reverse water retention from excessive sodium intake.

Good luck to you!