DivaStyleCoach

PJTP...Back from the indoor picnic... Don't think I need to worry about my band for now...I ate 1/2 of a hot dog, three bites of pasta salad, and one bite of watermelon, and then slimed up about a third of that... When will I learn that bread is NOT my friend?:crying: Oh well...my tummy has calmed back down, so I'll be taking it easy the rest of the day, food-wise. DD made me some sugar-free Jello, so that might be dinner! :frown:

I'm officially halfway to my weight loss goal!:sneaky: My goal is to lose 110 pounds - and just before my vacation, I was getting close to the 50% mark - 55 pounds gone. I stalled for a while, but kept following the bandster rules - lo and behold, I got on the scale and it showed my 55 pound loss. I was so excited I wanted to jump up and down! I even weighed myself a couple of times to make sure I wasn't "interpreting" the numbers incorrectly :tt1: Nope, there it was...a 55 lb loss and halfway to my goal! Now I see why people can get stalled at this point. I'm really happy with my progress to date, I can fit into a lot of clothes in a size 16 (smaller than I've been since my teens) and I feel tons better than I did when I was at my heaviest! Don't worry - I'm not going to stop (or even slow down). Having had this taste of success over the long term (I've been banded for a total of 8 months), I'm hungry for more. I want to see what it feels like to be below 200 pounds - Onderland, they call it - for the first time since I was 15 or 16 years old. Yep, I've been overweight THAT long... Wearing size 16 clothes is a revelation. I should clarify - that's a 16W, not a standard misses 16. There seems to be more room in a 16W - it's sized for a grown woman's body, as opposed to a straight 16, which seems to be sized for a slimmer (perhaps younger) woman. Junior 17's and some 15's are close, but they don't fit me the way I need my clothes to fit, so for now, I'll leave those alone. I may never get back to wearing "Juniors" - they didn't fit me well when I was younger, and there are so many more options out there now. Happiness is...having to get rid of lightly-worn clothing because it's all getting too big for you, less than 3 months after buying it! All my business clothes are getting loose - and some things (like dresses) I can still use, but skirts and such are getting dangerous. I have a really cute black-and-white cotton skirt with a lovely print that I bought at the Talbots outlet near my office. I put it on this morning (it's always been a bit tight in the waist) and if it were not for the "bump" at my hipline, it wouldn't stay up on me! I've had to keep checking the skirt all day to make sure it doesn't fall off of me, and this will probably be the last time I wear it unless I get it tailored or replace it. It's a really good feeling - may seem superficial to some, but I enjoy clothes shopping, and to NOT be restricted to shopping at Fashion Bug, Lane Bryant or Catherine's only because of my body size is a wonderful feeling. I've started "wogging" - the jog/walk program known as the Couch to 5K. There are links on LBT about it, or a Google search will turn up the program. There are many versions, including one for the iPod / iPhone which lets you use your own music. My hubby and I have started the program, and I'm (surprisingly) enjoying it! I wanted something to give me more of a calorie burn than just walking (which I do a lot) and jogging was the next logical step. When I tried it before, my knees and back hurt, not to mention that I got winded really really fast. It just wasn't fun - more about pain than gaining fitness - so I stopped. This time around, sans 55 pounds, I'm enjoying it a lot - so much so that I even went out in a light drizzle to get my "wog" in...totally different mindset for ME! I love the program so far - and now I'm getting quite the collection of activewear to go with my wogging - some of it quite form-fitting, which I NEVER would have done 55 pounds ago. I am truly loving my banded life - I still have my challenges when I try to eat too fast or eat something I shouldn't, but overall, I am doing quite well. My blood sugar numbers are good, and my primary care doctor is very happy with my weight loss. If you are researching the Lap-Band, I encourage you to do as much searching as you can on this site and others so that you are prepared for the experience, but don't wait too long. There may not be a "perfect" time to get the band - but your health is too important to delay a permanent solution forever. I feel the band is a permanent solution for me - as long as I don't have any physical problems with it, I'll have it for life. Good luck to all and feel free to pm me if you have further questions for me...:thumbup:

What SHE said...:crying:

PJTP...Back again! That WOULD be fun...maybe the next time I'm in your 'hood, we can do that... What is it with the changes in my tastebuds? Stuff I used to "live" on before being banded turns my stomach now - even if it will go down! I had a bit of a panicked moment last night - had hamburgers for dinner and finished a whole cheeseburger - including the BUN! A couple of weeks ago that would have NOT been possible. Wonder if 'Jillian' is loosening now that I'm losing some of the pudge around my tummy? I'll watch it for a week or so, but if that continues to happen, back to the fill doc I go! I am usually tight in the morning - protein shakes and sometimes cereal are about all I can handle; lunchtime is okay for regular food, like a salad, but if I concentrate on eating the protein (grilled chicken or some such) I don't get much of the 'salad' part in... Seems lately at dinner I've been able to eat nearly anything...and that definately concerns me...:crying: Been bouncing around 5 lbs or so, nothing too bad, but if this is the start of an upward trend, I'll be putting that crap in check ASAP. My support group meets next week - my first time back in two months due to travel and schedule conflicts. Can't wait to see their reaction to my recent losses - we are a good, supportive group. I'm thinking about asking if I can co-lead the group - our leader lives about an hour away, and I'm already in the area because of work, so...we'll see what happens and I'll talk to her first. I don't want her to think I'm trying to kick her out, but she could start another group closer to home for her if they had me to help out with this one... Off to company picnic / lunch indoors - don't know what I'll be able to eat, but we'll see...:frown:

PJTP...Catching up and checking in! Hi!:crying: Got my daily "wog" in this morning - ran farther than before, so I'm happy about that. Even sprinted the final block with DH and DDog - he beat me, but my competitive side is gonna work on that! All the posts are great - thanks for all the good wishes for my appointment on Monday - I'm hopeful too. Still haven't heard back from opportunity #1 - don't know what's up with them, but if this is an example of how they treat their people, I'm not sure I WANT to work for them. Have a university-sponsored lunch today - was supposed to be a picnic, but the early rain turned into a steady downpour, so we'll be inside...trying to figure out a way to skip it...I really don't feel like 'breaking bread' with this crew. Getting an inside workout today - moving files from one rolling rack to another as part of our annual archive / purge process. Will help make up for the fact that I won't get a walk in at lunchtime. Loving my "wogs" - now I seem to have developed an addiction for running togs - didn't have a lot of that stuff before I was banded. My knees wouldn't have survived me running 55 pounds ago, but they are doing just fine right now - as long as I give it a day in between. Ready for the weekend...so happy it's Friday!:frown:

PJTP... Seriously, Lulu - what SHE said...damn, girl, you do look good! Wish my arms looked like that - but then, I've still got quite a few pounds to go before I even get close to the proportional loss you've had... Going back to work now before I get in trouble for posting during the work day :thumbup:

Hi Beth! Things have been quiet but weird around here...there is an undercurrent of tension. I walk past an office, and conversation stops; giggling among them is not extended to me (no sharing the joke, etc); a project I was supposed to be helping with is moving forward without me, and it's just plain weird around here. I haven't finished my response yet - I am compiling a list of tasks that I've been cited about which I do not have detailed instructions for. The tasks that I have three pages of instructions for, they don't seem to have a problem with, so my union reps suggested I document the procedures as I understand them to this point and let them review the instructions and provide clarification. That takes the "subjective" out of it, and if I follow THEIR instructions to the letter, but it's still incorrect, it's as much THEIR fault as mine. I think this might be helpful - if to do nothing else but buy time...I have another interview on Monday, and the job I had two interviews for has been posted on the job web site as open again. I did send them an email asking about my status, but no word as of yet. I kinda laugh about it all - it seems so juvenile at times. I'm in no-man's land, so to speak. Not really a part of the "crew" of other clericals, but not part of the management "crew" either. For now, that suits me just fine...I would prefer to be left alone rather than harassed for stupid stuff. Last couple of projects they DID give me to work on have gone swimmingly - a spreadsheet of info for an outside vendor that was requested months ago (BBoss never got around to doing it); plus the annual archiving of student records (ongoing) and shredding of older records (just about completed). I'm hopeful about Monday's interview - keep a good thought for me!

Mornin' Everyone...updating! Challenging day yesterday - got up late, missed my morning "wog" and then missed my walk to the office building because I missed my train Recovered by walking at lunch and back to the train station in the afternoon - despite wicked humidity. My health is more important! Got home and immediately changed clothes and went for my "wog" with DDog. Wanted to beat the rain that was forecast, plus I had an online class at 8 pm. Made it with time to spare, plus I wogged farther yesterday than previous days. I'm loving the c25k program so far! Walked with DDog this morning, plus a walk to my office building from the train station. 55 pounds ago, humidity would have stopped me from doing anything except turning on a fan...now I don't care - unless it's a severe thunderstorm, I'm gonna get my wog or my walk in. Have a great day, everyone!:juggle:

Morning Everyone! You can do this too! I started by walking. I was a 3 - 4 day a week gym goer before banding, so it was easy to stick to that schedule. Just commit to doing something every day. Right after you are banded you should follow your doc's orders regarding activity - he knows your specific situation better than we do. If you have questions about your level of activity, by all means call or email or visit the doc. I completely understand and sympathize with that feeling! When I don't do my walk - now my "wog" (walk/jog) - I feel badly. I know I'm letting MYSELF down if I don't get in my activity, and I feel it in the form of decreased energy and sharpness. Don't be too hard on yourself, though - we've all been 'beat up' enough! Just make the effort to get back on track as soon as you can. For instance - yesterday, I overslept and missed my morning "wog"...it was raining when I arrived at work, so no walk from the train station to my office. It was dry at lunch, so I did walk then, and walked to the train station in the evening. When I got home, I immediately changed clothes, grabbed DDog, and did my "wog". I even ran further yesterday than the day / week before, and while I was tired, I felt great because I buckled down and did it.:juggle: Hang in there - it's a process, and we all have our ups and downs.

PJTP...Good morning Everyone!:juggle: It's a bright and sunny day and I'm feeling great! I'm slowly eating my way through a egg white flatbread sandwich from Dunkin Donuts and making sure I don't over do it, which means I'll probably only eat half the sandwich. Got a moderately busy day ahead, but nothing too exciting. I'm having a wonderful morning so far, and just wanted to share my good mood with my PJTP family.

PJTP...Hi y'all! I'm normally not on this late, but I just finished one of my online classes (Business Math - not too bad) and the computer was still up, so... Did my "wog" tonight - was trying to beat the predicted thunderstorms and get it in - went farther on each run than when I started last week, so I'm feeling pretty good about that. Liking the way I look in running togs - and NSV - my across the street neighbor asked me if I was "done" losing weight. I told her proudly (meaning - yelled across the street) that I was only halfway there and still had more to go. She complimented me again and told me the entire family had noticed.:juggle::biggrin: Football fans - I feel ya! My DH is a rabid fan - I'm a fan, but not quite as rabid. Every Sunday night and Monday night, the tv is his - don't interrupt unless you place NO VALUE on your life. :eek: It's okay though - I usually only have to shush him if I've got a class or something... KC - I took the "Ghetto" quiz - too funny - it was a few days ago - I think it said I would survive in the Ghetto...I was :tt2: Slim - hope the recipes help - putting greek yogurt in the mashed potatoes to boost the protein content sounds wonderful...will try that one soon! Heartfire - so glad your DD is enjoying swim class. I used to teach swimming to little ones, and once we got them over their initial shyness, they took to it well. I miss that part of it... Finally going to bed...'night all! :huh2:

PJTP... I wish I could be a fly on the wall for that one...be careful, though, Glouc - you don't want them to give YOU a bad reference in return for your candor, should you end up leaving. Make sure they can't retaliate against you, and phrase your thoughts in impartial, business terms so they can't say it's about your personal relationship (or lack thereof) with the Princess. But then, you're a smart woman - you know how to do that without burning your bridges...I know I would have a tough time of it...when I left my first position, I did NOT tell them a lot of what was on my mind and why I left because it was SO personal - I couldn't figure out a way to say it without it sounding like whining or a personal attack on my former manager. Besides - I suspect they always knew about her challenges, they just chose to do nothing about it...:biggrin:

PJTP...Good news on the job front... Followed up with the first job I applied for - the one I've had two interviews with...still no decision, but when I checked the job board today, it was no longer listed as 'Closed' so I sent off an inquiry via email asking about my status. Heard from another department just now - they want to interview me...have an interview on Monday. Similar to the first place I worked at my employer, so my prior experience will come in handy. Might even have to interface with my first boss here - don't think SHE will like that much, since I was one of the people who corroborated another employee's complaint about her. Long story - but her treatment of the other employee bordered on harassment, including snide remarks about her age, ability to perform the job, etc. First Supervisor also made comments about another employee including a past problem with substance abuse, which also got her into trouble. Both of the affected employees are now in different departments and good for them! I'm hopeful about Monday...it would put me back on the side of campus where I was happier, and close to friendly former co-workers. Start the prayers, good thoughts, good vibes and nekkid fire dancing! :biggrin:

Hi Everyone! Thanks, Bill! Will give this a try and let you know how it goes... Thanks to everyone for the encouraging messages...I'm taking them to heart and so far enjoying wogging (jog/walk - borrowed that term from another poster). My DDog thinks I'm nuts, though LOL - I keep having to encourage him to stay close to me while I'm running - he has no problem keeping up when I just walk. Downloaded a new C25k program that allows me to use my music - I have an IPhone with tons of music on it, so I'll start with that version tomorrow. Missed my wog this morning because I overslept. If the rain holds off tonight (thunderstorms predicted this afternoon) I'll get my wog in tonight... You've all made me feel so welcome - thanks again! :biggrin:

PJTP...Beth, you are a crazy woman...FIVE classes...I'm in awe. Two is about all I can handle. My latest round of online classes started today - Business Math and a Art & Humanities course. Biz Math so far sounds easy, but that's the dangerous road to take...if I think I "know" it already, I might take it less seriously...gotta guard against THAT thought process. On the dating show - did they put HIS stats up there? I can't remember... Luluc - prayers for your friend...hope all goes smoothly and without complication on the transplant. Glouc - I hope you are NOT laid off - though I admire your not being afraid of it. I sympathize with your friend who is crying over her newly-Army son. When mine signed up, I was okay (being from a military family), but when he told me he was going to Iraq with his unit, I cried for four days. Didn't sleep really well until after they came home...thank the heavens for satellite phones and email...at least we could keep in touch! For your friend - they probably have a family group or counselor available for those with loved ones who are deployed - they did when I was a Navy wife...maybe she can talk to them. It might help... Packed 9 boxes of stuff for shredding this morning - physical activity felt good, since I overslept and missed my jog/walk this morning. Will have to "wog" tonight to make up for it...:biggrin:

PJTP...Good morning Everyone!:w00t: Lots to read this morning...y'all have been busy! Beth - that's one heck of a course load...you mean business dontcha? Watched part of 'More to Love' last night with DH. Ended up going to bed before I saw the entire show. I agree that the ladies' stats seem a bit out of balance with what they presented physically. Had a tough time with some of the clothes they wore - wrong size, wrong color, wrong fabric...it's the image consultant in me, I guess. Some of the ladies seemed so...NEEDY...I know it's probably part and parcel of being heavy - heck, I'm sure I was the same way years ago, but it was hard to watch that and try to be dispassionate about it. DH seemed to enjoy the show - liked the fact that some of the women 'strutted' instead of just walking, and seemed to have confidence in themselves. Watched Hell's Kitchen and saw one of the contestants blow up and cuss out the Chef...wow, just wow...wonder who will hire him after that? Definately not me...he went straight into the gutter with his body language and verbal assault and Chef Ramsay didn't really respond. Interesting show, though - stress, drama, etc... Not to bring back sadness, but...the toughest thing I ever had to do was tell my Mother that my DOB (Darling Older Brother) had passed away. It was totally unexpected and my nephew (DOB lived with him in our family home) didn't want to call her first in case she had a bad reaction. She just stood in the shower and cried...one of the worst days of my life. My DS had to bury one of her children after the babysitter beat her to death (long, painful story). Never really recovered from that and felt guilty the rest of her life. Still no word on the job front...hanging in there for now. Gonna go out on a limb and send some 'status checking' emails today - if they get mad at me, so be it, but I hate twisting in the wind, so to speak. Fighting a headache...didn't want to come in today, but there are 11 boxes of stuff to be shredded and I have to be here to sign off on them with the shredding company... Everyone have a wonderful day!:thumbup:

Hello Everyone! First post here - I started the Couch to 5 K program last week and so far am enjoying it. So much so that I ran/walked three days straight and raised the spectre of my old friend, the 'shin splint' on Monday morning!:thumbup: Gotta remember to take a day off in between...*makes note to self* :biggrin: Read all the messages, and you are an inspiring group! Like a lot of you, I never did much running in the past - I'm sure I did as a kid, but I'm 46 now, and have one knee that used to give me trouble before I was banded. As you can see by my ticker, I'm down 55 pounds at this point - mostly with walking. I walk often - with DDog in the morning (now my jog/walk time), from the train station to my job, from my job back to the train station, and sometimes in the evening before bedtime. I am determined to finish the Couch to 5K program and my DH and I are already looking for a race in September or October to try. I'm taking the pace a little slower on the c25k because I've had a previous issue with atrial fibrillation - unfortunately, it happened while at the gym on a treadmill. So far, no problems - if I feel my heart rate 'fluttering' I slow down a little. Since I've been walking regularly (longer walks on the weekend) I know I'm ready for this... Will be back posting regularly to update my progress - y'all keep up the great work!:thumbup:

Checking in... Kept up my walking the past few days - doing the C25K program at my own pace. Got too excited and jog/walked three days in a row and paid for it with some "hints" at shin splints on Monday morning. Guess I'll have to take it a bit slower... Walk this morning was good - usual route with DDog, then walked from the train station to my office building. Will do a walk at lunchtime and another from my office building to the train station tonight. Not giving up on the C25K program - will go back to the jog/walk tomorrow morning...have a great day, all!:smile2:

What SHE said...Tap is right...start now!

PJTP... Beth - can you honestly say that living in this environment won't affect your studies? I worry that you'll add the stress of a full-time load of classes to an already unhappy environment, and that one day you'll snap...:thumbup: You may want to leave yourself another option - putting off school for a term, finding a job, and then getting your living situation settled, then returning to school in January or something. I know it's easy for ME to say - and I'm not living it, so please feel free to discard any and everything I say (except for the part about you deserving better, because you DO)...I only want what's best for YOU. :crying: I believe that we can do ANYTHING we set our minds to - and if it suits YOUR plan to stay until school is done, then do what works for YOU. No matter what, I KNOW you will come through this on the winning side. You've given me so much good advice that I know you have a wonderful mind and that you will make the right decision. Try not to stress too much - and make sure you are taking care of yourself...we all know how stress affect our bands...

PJTP... Start making your emancipation plan, girlfriend...it sounds like you are at the end of your rope and unless he gets MAJOR help for the long term, that nothing is really going to change. The fact that you've tried counseling before and that he didn't take advantage of it (or listen to it, it seems) does NOT speak well of him as a long-term partner. Think about it - what would HE have to do (not promise, DO) in order for you to even consider staying? If the answer is NOTHING, then make your plans, seperate your lives, and move on. You deserve better than what sounds like a stressed-out living environment, and I want better than that for you. Hang in there, girlfriend...you are strong, smart and resourceful, and I know you can handle this. Take a short while to grieve, then set your plan in motion...

PJTP...Beth, I feel your pain... I think a serious talk and an arrangement for counseling are in order for DH - the fact that he effectively lost a job because of this puts it into the "he can't handle it alone" category. I think I would have freaked out too if my DD walked in on my DH viewing porn on the computer. You know of my issues with that in the past, and I still struggle with it. If this IS the straw that broke the camel's back, so to speak, you need to make some plans. What, ultimately, do YOU want out of this for you and your DD? Do you want her to keep a relationship with him? Do you want to try and work it out? All of that and the associated ish with it are the things you have to think through. Whatever I can do to help, I will. Hate that you're going through this...love ya to bits!:crying: Hugs to ya, girlfriend...((((((((Beth))))))))

PJTP...Good morning PJTP Family! Oh Beth, my heart aches for you...I hope you have the opportunity to talk it out with DH before making a big decision like leaving. Please, please, talk to him - there may be information you don't yet have that could make a difference. Speaking as someone who has been through her share of secrets and revelations, I know you HAVE to get the ENTIRE story before making a decision - or at least as much of the story as YOU need to make a quality decision. Try to be as dispassionate about it as you can - channel Spock and be logical - and only then should you try to make a decision. I have flown off the handle, so to speak, and run on emotion alone the past few months - you've been witness to some of that - and you've always helped me to see the logical side. Hopefully I can do the same for you...pm me if you want, or just keep checking in with your family here on PJTP...you know you have us to turn to...:tt2:

PJTP...Busy weekend, y'all! Lots of posts to catch up on...I'm not even gonna try to quote them all! What she said...oops - I just remembered, all those posts ago - everyone seems to be having a great weekend! TPG - I'm SO glad you joined us - you are terrifically funny and witty. Nice to have you here!:tt2: To our other new family members - welcome! I'm typing this having been up and moving since 6 am this morning, so I'm a little punchy right now. Combine a tight band with a type II diabetic who can't eat much until 6 pm and things get a little loopy! :thumbup: Saw the new Harry Potter today - LOVED it! Now gotta read the final book and wait anxiously for the last movie...also saw "G-Force" in 3D - terrific fun, and the kids in the theatre were actually pretty well behaved (except for my DH, but that's another story). Weekend was fun - busy, but fun - started jogging / walking this weekend. DDog thinks I'm nuts, but keeps up with me anyway. First day was great, next couple of days not quite as much fun. I feel the shake in my belly now versus my butt - I think that's progress! Heading for bed now - gotta get up early again to do my run/walk and then go to work. Hopefully this week I'll hear about a new job! Sleep well, everyone, and have a terrific night! :tt2:

PJTP...Catching up!:cool2: Hi yall! Work is...work. Had a new project to finish yesterday, it's all done, just waiting on approval from the BB, whose wife just had a baby boy (their 3rd child) on Tuesday. Bought a new car - my Cadillac had 162K miles and was starting to show a new warning light every other day...no way it was going to pass emissions in January, so...new car incentives + Ebony's tired of old car + hatred for car payments = inexpensive new car! I now drive a white (Nordic White, dontcha know) Hyundai Accent. It's the smallest car I've EVER driven, and it's cute as a button! Great gas mileage, not too high on the payment or insurance, and still will carry me and my stuff, plus an occasional passenger and some groceries. I'm happy about it - though now I'm trying to figure out how fast I can pay off the car, since I haven't had a car payment since 1990! :eek: Had a wonderful melon and chicken salad for lunch - of course, since it's 2:30 pm EST as I type this, that means I was eating off and on for over an hour! Normally I would have inhaled the salad and looked for something else. Today, I ate a little chicken, some melon, and waited. Repeat. I love my banded life! :wub: Hope everyone has a wonderful afternoon and evening...Lulu - hope you get relief soon! TPG - I feel ya on going without cable - I HAD to do it once and it wasn't fun. Hope your weekend goes fast and they fix it fast. Tap - hope you are able to find relief and some good sleep tonight. G4E - I :wub: Sleepy Time Tea - actually, most Celestial Seasonings tea I love... See ya!:smile: