DivaStyleCoach

Hi Lisa, I lost slowly in the beginning, too - I was banded in November, had only lost a few pounds by the beginning of '09. What helped me was to increase my activity level and to be consistent with my activity. I started by just walking - but with your knee replacement, I'm guessing you may not be ready for that yet. Can you do water exercises, and is there a public pool near you? Make sure you get clearance from your doctor before doing ANYTHING - don't rush into anything because it might affect your healing. You might be able to do seated exercises as well - maybe just your upper body - until you are cleared to do more. I found that it's really hard NOT to eat the wrong stuff when you are bored, so take up another hobby or activity to keep your hands and mind occupied and keep you away from snacking. While you're not moving a lot, your body will conserve calories - track EVERYTHING you eat and see if there's anyplace you can make positive changes. I found for me that eating protein first is key - it helps me to feel full faster and as long as I'm not 'washing' my food down by drinking too much with my meal, it stays with me longer. Good luck on your banding journey!:thumbup:

PJTP...It's gonna be a great day! I'm up and at 'em this morning working on another new project at work - pulling together some information to be sent to a researcher. Met with my union rep yesterday - got all kinds of helpful info. I'm going to document the procedures for doing things here at my job as I understand them, and ask for them to be edited / corrected. I have procedure sheets for some of the tasks I perform, but not ones that they've been hammering me about, so... Once I get the documentation done, I'll perform my job the way I've been "instructed" to do, and if they have a problem with it, they will have to answer for NOT correcting the documentation. It's a pain in the tail, :thumbup: but will give me more time to find another position, because even if they did a 100% turnaround and suddenly became reasonable people, I wouldn't stay here...it's taking quite a long time for the internal job process to complete. My info has been forwarded to the "hiring manager" for four other jobs, but nothing since. The jobs are still open, so I'm still hopeful. Everyone have a wonderful day! BBK - good to see you here! We missed you! :eek: Susan - where are you? Tap - hope you have a resolution for the insomnia soon...:wub:

Hi Tina, Any news yet? Inquiring (read: nosy) minds want to know... Too funny about Plain... Watch out for those high school guys...my current DH and I went to high school together, and have been married for nearly 19 years now... Have fun!

PJTP...Oh Glouc!:eek: You did nothing wrong, Glouc - THEY handled it badly. At least your co-worker seems to understand she crossed the line one time too many. Hope it never happens again, but if it does, it's on HER, not on YOU. People really outa keep their hands to themselves in the workplace...in some offices, that would have turned into a lawsuit and cost the company LOTS to defend it. You did nothing wrong - I hope the co-worker gets the help she needs...she obviously has a problem with 'personal space'...:ohmy:

PJTP...Good morning Everyone! Edit: Happy Birthday Beth! Hope you have an awesome day...:ohmy::wub: ROFLMBO at all the posts I've missed...y'all are just wonderful for the spirits - or it is because of the spirits? :thumbup: Promised I would post pics of myself when I hit the 50% mark in my journey, so here they are...be nice! The first pic is from Summer 2008 - before I was banded. Actually, it's before I had even made my first appointment...my how time flies! The other two in the "scuba" dress - called that for obvious reasons - are from this morning. In fact, I liked the dress so much after I put it on for the pics that I wore it to work. Different shoes though - the black-and-white slingbacks are a little big since I lost the weight. They are only good if I don't have to walk very far in them... I'm happy with my progress so far, but I still know I've got a ways to go...:thumbup:

Good morning Everyone! I made a promise to myself (and several friends on this board) that I would post pictures when I hit my 50% loss mark - I have lost 55 pounds of the 110 that is my goal, so I'm keeping my word! The 'before' pic is from Summer 2008, before I even investigated the lap band, and the 'after' pics were taken this morning. Be kind, y'all!:thumbup:

PJTP, lunchtime edition... Yeah, what she said!

PJTP...Good morning Everyone! ROFLMBO...I hear ya on the tube sock thing...there are some really GOOD sports bras that help with the bouncing. Before I lost the 55 pounds, I couldn't FIT any of them, but I'm going to try again... Hey, hey! I'm an aspiring runner here, and would NEVER kick a puppy - not even one that was nipping at my heels! Now that drifter thang...:sneaky: WTF??? Where do you live again? Where do these idiots think they are? On the movie set of the remake of "Deliverance"? It'll be okay, Fanny *Ebony says in a hopeful voice* just keep breathing deeply and try not to look at the computer while he's working on it... I'm still job hunting...haven't really read through the 'laundry list' they gave me yesterday, but I have a meeting set up with my union rep today, so I'll be going through it. At first glance, it's more of the same nit-picky stuff they mentioned before. Did I say that already? I'm still a bit stressed - but much better than previously. Now that I know that potential departments will NOT see the written reprimand they put in my file, I feel a little better, but still pissed that they put me through all this... Anyway - it's raining here and I've got a serious crick in the left side of my neck and my left shoulder. I hope I'm not turning into one of those folks that can tell weather by their aches and pains...:eek: Have a great day, everyone!:thumbup:

Hi Tina!:bored: Good for you - wearing your bikini out in public! Go Girl! I bet you got lots of compliments...it's a very different world out there when we're no longer needing to hide / wanting to hide because of size. I look forward to the day when I'm feeling that brave...congrats again, and I'm glad you have a friend who makes you smile. You deserve it!

PJTP...I'm back from the "meeting" - it was so short (on purpose) and I went for a walk afterward, so I win! :crying: The latest letter is three pages long - more detailed, nit-picky stuff at first glance. I haven't read through the entire thing, but will tonight after work. I'm not going to let it impact my productivity - I still have work to do, and I'm not going to let them say I was letting things slide as I prepare to make my exit. I have made peace with the fact that this is NOT the right job for me, and I'm going to keep looking until I find the one that is. I also found out from my union rep that no one I am currently applying to will see the written garbage they put in my file, so this fight is just between me and them...game on! :thumbup: Slim - this sounds a LOT like an exercise I learned and use in my self-esteem workshops. That one used a list of positive words from which the participants created a group, then narrowed the group down to 4 words. Those four words were then used to create affirmations. Some advanced workshops had you distill the list down to 1 word, but I'm not at that level yet. The affirmations are read OUT LOUD every morning and night, and sometimes during the day as well. Something about hearing the words in your own voice makes the affirmations that much stronger. Good luck with the exercise - and keep doing it even when that bad little voice in your head disagrees! Eventually the negative voice (a speaker I heard once called it the Nebbish) will SHUT UP and all you will hear is the positive. You have a basis in faith - the world, according to some belief systems - was SPOKEN into being. What we say out loud brings the energy of the universe to bear in favor of what we SPEAK. Speak only positive and affirmative things about yourself TO yourself, and let the power of the universe work in YOUR favor. Blessings to you, girlfriend...I know you are going to be great! I was on a plateau too, and feeling the same way...initially I think my loss was jump-started by stress, but now I'm more encouraged and my butt is going into a higher gear to keep those last 5 off and add a bunch more. Onderland, here I come! :biggrin:

Hi Notorious Novembers! Congrats to all updating their numbers with great new losses! Add me to the list - I just hit 210 lbs - I have reached my halfway point and have lost a total of 55 pounds so far! Keep up the good work, everyone!

PJTP...Hi Beth! I do have my union rep...though she's not as experienced as I would like, there was no time to get anyone else there. I will do as suggested by Tap - say nothing, sign nothing. I WILL be composing a response - that is for sure, and I will have something added to my employee file to go along with their reprimand. I just pray one of the other jobs comes through - I have applied for others in my geographic area, in addition to the ones at my current employer. I have a bit of apprehension, but am hopeful that I will find another job - one that suits my talents and experience, and I'll be out of this toxic environment very soon. And they are FOR SURE not perfect...I may even include a list of things THEY'VE done that I've gotten slammed for in my response and call them on their double standard...we'll see what the meeting brings.

Hey Notorious Novembers! Had to check in and tell y'all that I DID get my running shoes, and I started a jog/walk program with my DH this morning! :thumbup: I haven't tried to jog in many years - being too heavy meant that I usually got shin spints and they hurt so much I was unable to walk without discomfort, so running was out of the question. :wink2: This morning, however, I was FINE! I even ran faster than my DH a couple of times...we are walking 1 block, jogging 1 block for a while, but working on getting up to 3 miles without stopping - goal is to hit that by winter when the weather will chase us inside for the season. I also wanted to post that after recommitting to the bandster rules and drinking my water, eliminating the sliders, I've lost 5 pounds and I hit my 50% loss mark! :thumbup::crying::drool::lol::thumbup::biggrin: Can ya tell I'm happy about that? :drool: Onward and downward - next goal is to get to Onderland! I'm going to take some pictures and post them in the Before / After forum since I promised myself I'd do that when I hit 50%... Keep up the good work, everyone! :thumbup:

Good morning All! Wonderful weekend weather contributed to getting in a couple of nice long walks Saturday and Sunday, in addition to the usual walk with DDog and my DH in the morning. Feels good to WANT to walk versus wanting to avoid it, like I did pre-band. Today, started a jog/walk routine with DH. Before I was banded we tried this and my DH spent most of his time waiting for me to catch up and worrying about me dropping dead in behind him This morning, I was able to keep up with him and even passed him a couple of times. I'm down 55 lbs and feeling really GOOD. Didn't feel any unusual racing of my heart (I had an a-fib episode before being banded) and I'm looking forward to jogging more. Goal is to be at 3 miles before winter makes us move inside. Going to look up the Couch-to-5k program again...:crying:

PJTP...Had a good Sunday - the second car dealer was a pleasant change from the norm. Took my info, acknowledged that my 'troubled' credit might be an issue and told me we'd talk this afternoon. In and out in less than 30 min - I love it! Even if I don't end up buying a car from them, I'll definately recommend them for their no-nonsense approach. Bought running shoes over the weekend and started a walk/jog routine with DH this morning. Walk 1 block, run 1 block...our goal is to get up to 3 miles before winter makes us move indoors for the season. Or maybe we'll run in the winter too - gotta find the right footwear for that... ***Celebration alert! *** I am now officially at 50% of my loss goal! :thumbup::w00t::thumbup: Stepped on the scale this morning (trying not to weigh obsessively) and I'm down 5 pounds, putting me right at the 50% mark! :thumbup::drool::crying::drool::wink2: Was having a wonderful morning...then I had to come to work LOL Disciplinary meeting at 1 pm today - but I'm not going to let it bother me. I'm just going to recieve the paper work and say nothing. I'll do some thinking and consulting with others and then compose my response. They can sit and wonder what I'll say...while I keep on doing my job. Now to the posts I've missed: Mornin' Slim! Ain't it just too weird? I used to dread summer because I was always too hot...carry those extra pounds, ya know! Now, I couldn't wait for summer to arrive...80's feel wonderful to me now! KC - I'm turning over my wardrobe every couple of months so far...not buying a LOT of stuff, but you're right - it definately gets expensive! Even shopping the sales, I have to get new EVERYTHING from the skin out. I LOVE to shop, but this is gettin' reediculous! :-) Go Beth! All that bending, reaching, etc makes a difference! I was out in my garden weeding Saturday morning and when I uploaded my Bodybugg, it showed a much bigger calorie burn than I expected...wonderful for me and for my garden! I am DETERMINED to have a good day - no matter what. I'm thrilled that I started jogging / walking with my DH this morning - in fact, I was able to keep up with him and even passed him a couple of times! He even remarked that the last time we tried jogging together, he was watching out for me...now the tables have turned. I'm going to take some pictures in a day or so to upload to the Before / After forum. Now that I've hit 50% of my loss goal, I have to honor the commitment I made to myself to do that. I have an awesome dress I'm going to wear for the pics - very form-fitting and even got it on sale! I'll let ya'll know when I post 'em so y'all can see what I really look like - amazingly enough, I really do resemble my avatar! :biggrin: Have a great day, everyone - I'll check in after my meeting with da bosses...:thumbup:

PJTP...It's a beautiful Sunday morning and all's right in Ebony's world...:smile: Went for a lovely walk this morning with DH and DDog - found a new route that includes some nice parts of my neighborhood I hadn't walked in a while, plus a hill near my house for the last push before coming home. My walking every day has paid off - I was able to keep ahead of my DH the entire way up the hill, though he usually walks faster than I do...Yay for me! Car shopping yesterday was a bit frustrating...found out you don't forget how to drive a stick (5 speeds are fun) but that car dealers still have the 'hurry up and wait' mentality and it royally pisses me off. I've been without car payments for over 10 years, and now I know why - I HATE working with car dealers! If the guy I'm seeing today doesn't change their normal way of operating, I'm gonna say 'forget it' and just save my money from now till the end of the year and buy something for cash. They've got some great deals on EBay...that way, somebody else can take the depreciation hit, not me! Headed out to do some long-overdue weeding in the garden...everyone have a wonderful and blessed Sunday!

PJTP... Congrats, KC! I'm so glad you had a good experience doing the training. I have done quite a bit of public speaking and I know it's most people's number 1 fear, so good on you for doing an awesome job! People with that skill often get paid more and noticed more at work...that could be a really GREAT side-effect! Luluc - I like zuc bread - have made it once or twice. My mom's zuc patch in Detroit went crazy one year and we had TONS of it. No garden here in CT, but your dishes make me want to go to a local farmer's market and get some...YUM! Tap - I completely sympathize with the burping...I get the noisy tummy sounds of digestion quite loudly now. Figured out why my band has been so finicky - its my TOM...YUK! I guess everything will calm down in a few days, but until then, I'm basically on mushies and soft stuff cause anything really solid just comes right back up with a vengeance! Liquids are fine, but no solids for now...happy side effect is that I'm down 3 pounds and off my plateau! :thumbup: Thanks much for the encouraging words...I was not seeing the forest for the trees - panic mode will make you do that LOL - but I'm much calmer today. Beth - thank you SO MUCH for the links - I'm going to spend some time this weekend reading through the links and arming myself with information. Like most of y'all, I know my time in the department is limited - even if they did a 100% turnaround and suddenly turned nice, I would NOT stay there... Spent a cathartic morning tossing stuff out of our old church building and boxing up things we're taking with us when we move. Very physical work, very therapeutic...went car-hunting afterwards, may be purchasing a Ford Focus sedan. Funny enough, I'm leaning toward a 5-speed. Takes me back to my VW Jetta days - the first NEW 5-speed I ever owned. I loved that car and the sporty feeling of driving a stick shift. Got my first speeding ticket in that little grey rocket...:cool: Going car shopping at a different dealer tomorrow - see what they can offer. It was a lovely day - warm and bright - just what summer is supposed to be! Have a great night all! :smile:

I'm SO glad you are not waiting for them...YOU are taking proactive steps to continue your education and get even better than you are. Congrats! Once I complete this Financial class, I'll have my Associates, and the end of the month, I start coursework for my Bachelors. I'm also looking at possibly buying another car - with the incentives going on (Cash for Clunkers program) I may be able to get a new car soon. The job thing is giving me a reason to be cautious, but I refuse to give in to fear. I am going to find a new, better job, and I'll have a new car to drive to work (if I choose to drive). My final exam calls...have a wonderful weekend, my friend, and I'll check in with ya in a couple of hours when my brain is fried and needs a rest :confused:

Honestly, I think it's some of both...I have made some mistakes - I gotta be real about that. But I don't think it's as bad as they would like to make it sound. They are talking as if I can't do ANYTHING right, when I feel they are nit-picking about specific issues. I almost feel like I'm being set up. The whole issue about me editing the scholarship descriptions a couple of days ago - that was one of the things the BB mentioned. It happened two days before he decided to "elevate" the problem - so I think he was just waiting for something, anything to happen so he could write me up again. No matter that my job is partly data analysis and IT stuff - making sure the data is consistent is part of what I feel my responsibilities are...maybe because he was doing it before I arrived, he feels I'm stepping on his toes. Maybe I don't kowtow enough - he may feel I'm too combative because I will stand up for my decisions when I think I'm right, and debate in a respectful manner. At the first disciplinary meeting, both he and the dept HR person (not university HR, which is different) said that they felt I had a combative attitude because I was not looking at them and was taking notes. I think they've got it stuck in their heads that I'm not cooperative and anything I do to defend myself just reinforces that "angry black woman" stereotype... I believe that no matter what I do, they will not be happy. If I don't catch an error, they will say I'm not detail oriented enough; if I catch an error and fix it, they say I've overstepped my bounds...I can't win! I agree that I'm being managed out - the short time interval between disciplinary "actions" has told me more than anything that they just want me gone... Not sure about the exit plan - I think because I'm union, there isn't a lot I can do. I think this whole thing started because they had budget cuts and then found out they could not lay me off without eliminating the job. I think this is part of a plan to eliminate the job or to change the classification. Good luck with the traction thingy - it sounds complicated, but I hope it helps your back. I am totally outdone with the whole job thing - I feel like I'm being railroaded. Unfortunately my union rep has no experience with this kind of situation - most of the folks she's worked with have been real disciplinary cases. She does not understand why they are so hot to get rid of me. I probably should have been suspicious when the job got suddenly 'cancelled' before I got it and then it suddenly 'reappeared' after I asked questions. Something that they have said is that they expect 'perfection'...if that's the real truth, then I'll never be able to satisfy them, because I'm only one woman with two hands and I don't read minds...I cannot anticipate their every want or need and they don't seem happy with my 'best effort'. I'm in wait-and-see mode right now. I hope that someone from the union will be able to attend the meeting with me, otherwise they can have it without me - I won't go. I'm not admitting to anything and I'm not signing anything without representation. Got some data gathering to do and to bounce this off of a couple of respected mentors this weekend to plan my course of action. I appreciate all the good wishes and support I get from you guys and gals. It means a LOT to me... Now I gotta go work on my Finance class final exam! Have a wonderful evening everyone - I plan to!

PJTP...ain't this about a b**ch! After I sent a specific, heart-felt (I thought) plea for 2 additional weeks to find another job before this written reprimand hits my file, I get this response from the BB (not my immediate manager, but her boss): I understand your situation, but we do need to move forward here. I don’t believe the written versus verbal will make any difference in your file. I can look into how and when it will be reflected. I’ll set up a meeting for Monday. WTF? :scared2: How can he NOT see that the written versus verbal will "make a difference" in my file? They've requested a meeting for Monday afternoon, which I have not answered. I sent him an email stating that I did not know if my union rep would be available and that I would NOT attend without union representation. Let him chew on that all weekend and see how HE likes it. They can have the meeting without me if they wish - but I'm NOT going without representation. I'm going to check with a knowledgeable friend and mentor (used to head of the human rights and opportunities office) and see what she thinks. It may be too late now, but it won't hurt to try... I'm in fight mode...dangerous place for ME to be, because I know how I get...I'm also at home - my band is so tight from the emotional upset that everything is coming back up - even liquids!:wink2: Gonna put on my sneaks and go for a walk with DDog - maybe I can sweat it out!:cursing:

PJTP... Thank goodness and all the stars in heaven for you guys...it's a good thing I'm not a violent person is all I can say. I emailed the BB back and asked for a reprieve until the end of the month - gave him a specific date so he could satisfy his tiny little mind that I'm not trying to hang on forever. Lulu - took your advice and applied for a bunch of stuff outside of my current employer. We'll see what shakes out, but with the current economy, I'm not very hopeful right now. G4E - I know you're right...my record is spotless up until now. I'm just afraid that a stressed employer with a butt-ton of applicants won't look very far or be willing to take a chance in the current economy...I can only pray that something comes through quickly. Glouc - I agree with you - I can probably spin this to a neutral or maybe positive situation, but with the job market the way it is, if I even GET an interview, I'll feel really fortunate. I really HATE that this is happening. :scared2: They've asked for the next 'reprimand' meeting to be scheduled either today or Monday. I'm going to make them wait until Monday afternoon before I even respond. Let THEM sweat out the weekend for a change. Have contacted my union rep, but it's a summer weekend, so most of the folks she would talk to are already gone for the day. I'm taking off early - I'm going home sick. My band is so tight that even liquid is coming back up, and I know it's just stress related. I'll check in over the weekend...fortunately, I have a busy weekend ahead, so I'll be able to forget about this place for a while. Have a great afternoon, everyone! I really do all of ya - you are the reason I've held it together this long...:wink2:

PJTP...I'm so glad I have y'all to make me laugh...today I really need it...:scared2: Sent the BB (Big Boss) and email yesterday asking for time to complete my job search, indicating my fear that a written reprimand would probably torpedo my chances of finding another position at the company. This is the response I got this morning: I certainly understand your situation, and thanks for letting me know about your job search. I think we do need to move forward with the process, though. At this point, I think whatever mark is on your record is already there, so this will not change that. And we can’t really keep things hanging in limbo indefinitely. I’m available either today or Monday for the meeting. Let me know which would be best for you. WTF??? When did simple human decency go out of style? I sent him a reply indicating CLEARLY that I'm only asking for a couple of weeks - until the end of July. I don't think it will make any difference. I'm pretty distraught right now...I even asked the SOB if I had a written reprimand in my file when they interviewed me if HE would have still hired me. No response to that question yet. If he still wants to schedule this thing for early next week, I'm not going to be here for it...I'm not going to come all the freaking way to my job just to listen to his BS again. I'm pretty damn sure that in this current economy, having that reprimand in my record will torpedo any chance I have of staying with this employer, plus damage any chance I have of getting another job using them as a reference. Why are people so damn vindictive? And what the hell did I do to deserve this? Unfortunately, no one is going to ask - I won't be allowed to explain my side of the story - they will just file my application in the "round file" and move to the next unemployed individual. What do I do now?:wink2:

Checking in... Regular daily walk with DH and DDog - DH is trying to get me to start jogging, so we jogged a couple of blocks. Note to self - get REAL running shoes! Walked from train station to office building. No lunchtime walk - rain and a meeting got in the way, but will walk to train station tonight and take DDog for a second walk when I get home (at some point tonight, because I have a meeting after work!)...

Sounds like a plan...white power suit on agenda for tomorrow - check! Having a hot one today, Lu?

Hi 2-Lose! Tough situation...can someone else go up and get your plates so you are not tempted? Alternatively, make yourself a promise that unless you eat an ENTIRE plate of band-friendly food (a regular dinner plate) that you can't have any 'sliders' (normally where desserts fit)...hopefully that won't make you stuff yourself and then you wouldn't have room for the desserts... I don't know if I'd be able to resist - but if you are full, maybe the threat of a PB will hold off the dessert hungries?