newgirl07

Hi Everyone, I'm attaching a link from my local newspaper about a woman in the police department who was terminated after lying about her band surgery. Apparently, she obtained $1,000 from a employer fund and used it for her surgery but said she was having gall bladder surgery. Subsequent complications forced her to reveal the truth and she was fired for "moral fitness." I think this is a good caution to those of you who are considering using any kind of employment related assistance to be truthful in your request. I know 99% of us are but in case you're thinking of an alternate story due to embarassment, you may think again after reading this: Portland officer chooses privacy over truth in medical matter, faces firing - OregonLive.com

Add another freight car to the Spears train wreck. I'm as sick of Brittany as everyone else and now her sister is showing what great choices she makes as well. MSN quotes her as being "totally shocked." What the hell? Their mom, Lynn is writing a book about...wait for it...parenting! You can't make this crap up.

Hi Everyone, Is anyone having their weight loss bring up "issues" that you used to stuff down/comfort with food? I was having a conversation with my sister about our childhood and had a sudden and very vivid memory of being molested when I was 11. It was horrible; I flashed back to the very incident(s). Then I had a full-blown panic attack. I'd never had one before. I was at work and was taken out in an ambulance, to ER, etc. and was told it was anxiety related. I'm going to try to find a therapist who specializes in this kind of issue (molested as a child, raped at 20) but I was wondering if anyone else has had a similar experience of your weight loss uncovering things you've repressed and/or managed with food? I feel really strange putting this out on the web because it's such a private and sensitive matter but if it can help even one person or start a dialogue then maybe some good can come of it. PM me if you don't want to post. Side question: Does anyone else feel tighter in their band when they're stressed out? I've noticed I can barely eat anything when I'm under stress and my liklihood to PB is way up. Should I get a slight unfill given that I'm going to be addressing a lot of bad stuff in therapy? Thanks in advance for your advice.

Thanks for the support, everyone. I'm looking into talking to a therapist who deals with these specific issues. I was just wondering if there was a connection between WL and things surfacing; and it sounds like there is; given all of your experiences.

When I first saw that picture, I thought that she had taken a bite of the apple and it got stuck, which was why she was holding her chest. I like the idea of using someone from this forum...

I USED to be the biggest snob in the world and would never think of going into a thrift store. Then, I met my friend Joanna (who got her band with me) and she introduced me to thrift store shopping. Now, we go at least once a week and it's like a challenge to find something really amazing. You wouldn't believe the great clothes that get donated. I got a double-ply cashmere sweater (found in mens size M) for $3 and last week I got a gorgeous tailored silk Ann Taylor jacket (size 14!) for $5. I used to say I was only doing this until I hit goal and then I'd go to the designer stores. People, I'm telling you -- I'm so cheap now! I don't want to pay more than $10 for anything designer. This from a woman who is addicted to Coach bags...take my word for it, you can find some great stuff! Anyone else a thrift store treasure hunter?

Wheetsin, I totally relate to the whole "who wore this first" and germs thing; that's why I never went in them before. BUT I've found things that are brand new there and I only get the very best stuff that doesn't look worn. I immediately launder or dry clean it. I hear you about the smell but the nicer stores aren't as bad. I know a lot of people on this board talk about tight budgets (and our economy is tanking but that's another subject) so I hope it helps someone. I've saved a ton of $. Even if you have to dry clean it, you still come out great. I'm a germ phobe so how I got over the "who wore it first" was to think about staying in hotel rooms. Tons of people use the beds, towels, etc. and as long as it's laundered first, it's ok. Anyway, that's how I got over it mentally.

That story really takes the cake! (groan) I call those my "Jerry Lewis" days -- when I do one stupid/clutzy thing after the next. I'm hardly ever a clutz but when I am, it's like a chain reaction! Do what I do: next time, in your best Jerry Lewis impersonation voice, say, "laaaaaady!" I saw a t-shirt at Target once that had a stick figure of a person tripping and it said, "I do all my own stunts." I wish I had bought it.

I bought this book after I saw someone post about it on the board. First, a disclaimer: I'm an extremely picky reader and have really high standards. I would sooner pour battery acid on myself than read Danielle Steele. That said... I guess I was expecting some kind of major epiphany from the book, which just didn't happen for me. Maybe it's like people expecting the band to solve all their eating issues like a magic cure; same thing. There are a few good nuggets in there -- it at least gets you think about WHY you're eating. The author also writes as if we are to accept the book as definitive proof and I'm a skeptic a heart. Here's an example: The book states that certain types of emotional eating is tied to needing to "work things out" or "chew on things" and others are more "heart" or "emotional connection" related. The author states that eating crunchy food = you need to work things out and soft sugary foods (i.e. ice cream) = you have emotional needs that aren't being met. I don't necessarily agree with this correlation. Sometimes you just want chips. My suggestion; get it from your library rather than buying it and skim through it. Take what resonates for you and have healthy questioning for the rest. I do think it's a great subject matter to explore but overall, this book was too simplistic for me. I wish I had it handy right now so I could give more specific examples; this is just off the top of my head. Maybe we should add a book suggestions and reviews thread. Hope this helps.

Coastlgrl, Thanks for having the courage to write your post. I may as well have written it myself. I'm so discouraged right now and making bad choices. I think I've had a milkshake every day for a week. I've gained 4 pounds and I'm just so down on myself right now. I'm teetering close to that feeling of giving up that we all get when we feel like we're failing. I'm so mad -- I know I have a sugar addiction. And not to make this an excuse, but it's hard to make good food choices around the holidays. It's almost like we act like our food decisions don't count around Christmas. AND I hate Christmas so up goes the emotional eating. AND my birthday is next month (which I also have issues with) so MORE emotional eating. ARGH! You're not alone; this is not an easy thing to do -- which is why it's so frustrating when people tell you you're taking the "easy way out." Keep trying every day; and I'll try too.

Help! I'm addicted to sugar -- bad and this time of year is brutal. My worst temptation is milkshakes; they taste so good and are so easy to drink. I know I shouldn't have sugar; I feel so much worse when I do. Any other sugar addicts? How do you deal with it? Does anything help with the cravings? Damn holidays!

Thanks everyone, Great posts and thanks for posting the sugar thread. There are some great ideas there. Dang it, I feel like such an addict and I have the whole "one day at a time" thing going. I appreciate you all...

OMG. I'm f-ing sick of xmas already and it's still not even December. Why do we put all of this stupid pressure on ourselves? It's ridiculous! I want to send e-mails to my friends this year and ask if we can ignore xmas this year. The shopping, the wrapping, the cards, the food, the cost, the crazy family -- the need for xanax! Can we just make it all go away now already? And to top it off, I work with someone who is Ms. Christmas! Literally, the Monday after Thanksgiving she decorated our ENTIRE office, plays carols constantly and even burns this scented Mistletoe candle. It's like working with Mrs. Santa. AAAAARRRRRGGGGHHHH! Humbug!

OMG, this is hilarious and scary at the same time. How can any of you comment on Sesame Street without mentioning the "special" relationship between Bert and Ernie? I mean, I'm shocked I'm not a lesbian after watching them every day. I even hang out with my gay and lesbian friends and that STILL didn't make me gay! The Count is obviously a negative stereotype against people from Transylvania who enjoy math. I would like to live in NY some day; does that qualify for S.S. brainwashing?

Thanks everyone, this helps. Mariposa, can you PM me or post the name of the place you went to in Mexico? I got my band there and like you, had wonderful medical care. I was apprehensive about PS there but it sounds like you had a great experience. I'm still researching but these bat wings have to go!

For all of you who have had PS, do you mind sharing what procedure you had, where you had it (state/country) and how much it cost? It might help those of us who are starting their plastic surgery fund now. :eek: I'm specifically interested in arm lift (brachioplasty), tummy tuck and brest augmentation (implants). Thanks so much and congratulations on your victories!

Mark, LOL! I have a Boston Terrier too and she's always snuggled up to me like that. I love your Avatar pic. I hate it when people have to quote the ENTIRE POST in their response. :heh: And Talapia has no taste so I hate it. Watermelons are OK. Cats always get stuck in my band.

Hi Everyone, For those of you who are outgrowing your professional clothing, please consider donating it to Dress for Success. Home - Dress for Success This organization helps low income women with the resources they need (not just clothes) to find employment. I think there's been some misconceptions about this organization. I read in a prior post that someone was upset because D4S was selling the clothes they receive. One of my best friends is the Executive Director of Dress For Success here in Oregon. They have such a small budget; it's unbelievable what they can do with it. The vast majority of the clothes they receive go directly to women but the ones that are left over do sometimes get sold to help pay for running the nonprofit. It's extremely hard for nonprofits to get funding that lasts for a number of years. Sometimes, funders think "let's give someone else a chance" and don't fund year after year. Competition for very limited grant dollars is fierce and forget about the government; D4S (at least here in Oregon) doesn't get government $. So really, the only consistent "resource" that has a potential dollar value to help keep the organization alive are donations. D4S does have fundraising events but it's expensive to put those on so you can only do so many per year. Other fundraising such as mailers, etc. is also expensive. Selling clothes that women haven't used is one way for them to keep providing their valuable services. And let me tell you, they have a very small staff and NOBODY is getting rich from selling your donations. If anyone has a question about this organization, please PM me. I hope you'll all consider this as an avenue for cleaning out your closets. Best of luck everyone!

Lauren, I often think we were separated at birth. I almost always agree with your posts. This one I can't really relate because I'm not a teacher and I've always been like Jacqui, a terrible procrastinator rewared by good grades. I love Natural Selection, Evolution, etc. I Tivo'd a bunch of "origin of man" and "evolution of the brain" stuff -- love it! In fact, being as sick as I am, I love to watch Evolution in action in modern times. One of my favorites, the Darwin Awards! The Darwin Awards

I have really crazy, vivid dreams a lot and yes, they often involve sex. Sometimes I have sexy dreams about people I work with. I'm not sexually attracted to them, I think they just show up because we work so much together. I don't think dreams are literal -- like sex dreams aren't necessarily about sex per se. I once had a disturbing dream where I was a man! I mean, I really was, parts and all and I was really into having that body part! It was so bizarre because it seemed so natural. Then a friend of mine told me (she's into dream interpretation) that when women dream that they're men it means they feel powerful. Don't stress it, just enjoy the humor. My last disturbing dream, I was on a business trip with my boss and wore a really sexy barely-there black bikini. I don't think the dream was about my boss as much as it was how much I liked the way my dream bod looked!

I HATE IT when people call me honey or sweetie. Worse yet -- Kiddo! And cupcake borders on harassment; report him to HR! This crap is not only demeaning it's SEXIST. How many men have to contend with being called these little pet names? It may happen every once in a while but never to the extent women have to endure. If I EVER get any of that crap I say, "Please don't call me that." Lest you all think I'm too much of a hardass, my bf and I call each other "sweetheart" because he IS my sweetheart. Otherwise, unless you're my very close friend forget it!:angry

First of all, I'd KILL to be 168! When I was where you are now (and it sucks) I just kept remembering what people say on this board which is the time between surgery and fill is for HEALING NOT LOSING. If you lose, great. If not, don't beat yourself up! Have you scheduled your first fill yet? I would do that so you have a date and goal you're working toward. You should have your first fill about 8 wks post op. Look at the bright side; you can still have Thanksgiving dinner without being too tight with a fill. Am I grasping at straws to help? Sorry.

Way to go! Be sure to let us know when you hit 14/16 -- and it won't be long!

Way to go Lori! I'm a Crazy Ate too and I've only lost 33. That's funny that "only lost 33" is a concept now... Anyway, feel proud of yourself and celebrate!

I'd be careful about asking her to exercise with you; that can be interpreted as hurtful too. I like what others said here; just give a heartfelt apology and no more jokes. As you get smaller just keep telling your daughter she's beautiful and you're proud of her. Don't resent her jealousy; she's only human. You can be the "bigger" person and rise above it. Ultimately, it's her decision how to react.