DivaStyleCoach

Wow...just wow...Beth, you have my sympathy and my congratulations. That sounds like an awesome program, and good on you for doing it on your own and not waiting for someone to encourage you to do it. The judges...there are no words to describe the idiocacy you've described. Why in the he** would they be upset with you wanting to better yourself? It defies logic and reality...just crazy! I know you'll be okay - you are a fighter, and you're going to come out on top. Heaven forbid the golden-haired one finds herself without either of her champions, or does something that makes them look bad, because I get the feeling they'll cut her loose like yesterday's newspaper... It's situations like that which make you wonder...:smile2::confused::tt2::confused:

Go Beth! :ohmy::w00t::wub: I think I'll ask for my measurements as well - I don't have a fill scheduled right now, since I have good restriction, but I can call / email them for the measurements. Good idea! :smile2:

Absolutely not - I'm starting immediately so I'll be able to do the same thing!:smile2:

I just got the cutest visual of you on a tractor...better be careful, some farm boy is gonna be stalking you soon, trying to get the cuteness all to himself... Ain't it great? I am fighting to keep from buying too many clothes because I know in a few weeks I'll be getting smaller sizes...I've never felt like this before, and I am getting used to it! :eek: What is it about some people that once they get into a position with some authority, they lose all sense of common courtesy, lose their sense of self, and start trying to "prove" themselves on someone else's back? You would think that a work ethic like yours would be celebrated - instead, you get people that are "threatened" because they're probably afraid you'll show them up. I've had the same problem since working full time. I once had a co-worker tell me at a programming job that I worked "too fast" and I needed to slow down so I wouldn't make everyone else look bad. :ohmy::confused::wub: I just don't get it...but I'm going to try really hard NOT to obsess about it...I'll just keep doing the best job that I can. I have a book at home by author John Maxwell (he writes lots of business books) about managing up and I think I need to read it again...:smile2:

Thanks for the congrats, Tap! :ohmy: *** Vent Alert *** The work thing is really tough for me - I guess I really DO define myself somewhat by what I do for a living, and knowing that DD is depending on me to help with college bills is putting some additional stress on me to keep this job. If I had a choice, I really would leave - I feel that no matter what I do, it will be colored by my past mistakes, and that I'll never live them down. Just this morning, instead of calling my attention to a small mistake in a spreadsheet I prepared for this morning's meetings, my supervisor created her own copy of the spreadsheet and then just handed it to me. Of course there was attitude behind it as well. I didn't respond to that, but saw another item she had forgotten to complete and had to ask her to close the file so I could add the last thing. It's like that a lot - instead of letting me know what I did incorrectly or what detail I missed, she just re-does the work so I don't really learn anything in the process, and if I have to do it again, I'm bound to repeat the same mistakes because I don't really know what they were in the first place! :smile2: I don't understand this attitude, and there's really nothing I can do about it, but it does add to my stress level. I'm glad I'm the age I am now - the old me (5 - 10 years ago) would have just blown up at her and probably been fired by now. Some friends of mine have said that I'll never be happy working for someone else - that I really should go back to owning my own business - but now is not the time for that. Not with DD depending on me to close any gaps in her college financing...I'm willing to stick this out as long as I can, but the constant feeling that I can't do anything right is wearing on me. Even when I do things correctly, I am not recognized for that - its only my mistakes they have no trouble pointing out...:tt2: *** Vent over, you may now return to your regularly scheduled PJTP...***

What a show! Nicole looked amazing - agree with the rest of y'all on that... Helen surprised me - though I agree she looks a bit TOO thin right now - especially in her face. Tara looked wonderful - and I think she was only off by 5 pounds or so... Mike looked great - and so happy! And where the heck did Allison put that baby weight? Dang - she was looking REALLY good for the show. Jerry is an inspiration - to come so far from where he started...but I agree that he did look a bit older without the "fluff" filling his face out. His wife also looked great - I want that black-and-white dress she was wearing when they were introduced!:smile2:

PJTP... It's a beautiful sunny morning and I feel great!:smile2: Poor lizard - and I almost said poor snake! Reminds me of how I used to feel after a pig-out session (pre-band, of course)...I bet it's going to take him / her / it quite a while to digest all of that!:eek: Work is...work. Still experiencing minor sniping here and there, nothing I can't handle. I'm determined to hold out - in June I cross a 2-year mark and get extra vacation days! Nothing is going to stop me from making that mark...nothing! School starts up for me again today - Finance class, and the last one before my degree :ohmy: Wonderful NSV - wearing a size 18 dress today for the first time in a very long time. The last time I think I could wear one like this was definately over 10 years ago. I think I may have mentioned the size thing before, but I'm so excited I couldn't help but mention it again! I got the swimsuit I ordered yesterday - I bought it a little small because I KNOW I'll lose more by July - isn't in wonderful that we can say that and know it will be true? The suit fits okay now, but will be even better when I lose some additional pounds and tighten up the old bod with some additional workouts. The suit is white, halter-style, with ruching throughout the body. It looks kind of old-Hollywood. DH suggested I get a white denim cropped jacket and some heels and wear it to the club...NOT! :eek: Here's a pic of the suit (I think - if this works): I'm not quite shaped like this yet, but getting there! :tt2: Have a wonderful day, everyone!:wub:

Back and checking in... Experimentation is key...you have to be as comfortable as you can, as relaxed as you can, and take it in steps. Perhaps just start with your partner playing around your anus, then with inserting a finger - start with a pinky, it's usually the smallest. Progress to bigger fingers, then two fingers, all the while taking it slow and making sure you are plenty aroused and use plenty of good lubricant. You may be surprised at how quickly you will adjust - it's as much mental as physical...I wish I'd married my DH sooner (we've known each other for nearly 30 years, but only married for about 19) and I would have been MUCH more open to experimentation. If you're truly not comfortable, then don't worry about it - it's not for everyone, but for those of us who choose to indulge, it brings many, many rewards!:mad2:

Congrats! You'll be joining us in bandland soon - so good to hear! :mad2:

Hey Teeny Tina! Congrats on feeling well enough to go back to work - that's awesome! Even better that you're getting stared at and getting compliments...good for you! So good to hear from you - your experience makes me, like Tap, think that I really CAN do this when the time comes...:mad2:

Heartfire - I'm not even going to TRY and beat that multi-quote - dang, girl!:thumbup: Congrats on the swimsuit...I had to buy a new one in anticipation of my July trip to Florida, because I have no idea what size I will be and I KNOW that if I wait until then, there will only be wool in the stores, cause they remove all the swimsuits after June 30th! :wub: Hopefully it will fit me for a while - also skirted, kinda in the old-style suits (full body - no cutouts or anything) - think hollywood glamour - and really cute in the ad. We'll see what happens - it will arrive this week, though I won't be wearing it for a while. Gotta love those NSV's - I live on them right now while my weight is fluctuating a bit. I just went under 230, so I've got nothing to complain about. Shooting for 220 by the end of the month - I've got about 3 weeks to make it there, and I KNOW I can make that... It's so nice to have reasonable goals and KNOW that you can make them because you've got the band to help you...this is SO much nicer than what I used to put myself through! I :thumbup: my band!:frown:

Congratulations and big ups to you, girlfriend! :thumbup::w00t::thumbup: Hopefully I'll be there soon - keep up the good work!:frown:

Another potentially dangerous holiday has come and gone...Mother's Day!:w00t: Normally, this day (who am I kidding - the entire weekend!) would have been marked by breakfast at a local restaurant, some type of pleasant activity, lunch at another restaurant, the food coma for the afternoon, and then more food at night, plus something like an ice cream cake for dessert. Now, because I'm banded - and a woman with a goal to be under 220 by the end of the month - my day was very different. My family made me breakfast - a little scrambled egg, 1 sausage link, two bites of a pancake, and juice. Went to church services and enjoyed them, but passed up the baked goods and treats after service in favor of fresh fruit and yogurt...went to the movies and then home for dinner, which was some of the food I didn't eat for breakfast! :cool2: Far fewer calories, and because I also went for a nice walk with my daughter and our dog, I was in better shape at the end of the day than at the same time last year. :biggrin: I made the decision to get the band because I wanted to change my life - I was tired of getting what I had been getting and tired of gaining a few more pounds every year. I've done what a lot of people have done...Weight Watchers, liquid diets, just plain diets, exercise, fasting, etc, etc, etc. Not until I made the decision to qualify for the Lap Band did I really take the steps necessary to be successful. The length of time for me from start to finish (banding) was not that long compared to some, but the time was important for me to review and renew my commitment to the process. Now I've been banded for nearly 6 months, and while I haven't lost as much as I might have imagined I would, I know this time the loss is permanent. It does not depend on my willpower, a overly restrictive eating plan, eliminating certain food groups, or exercising 6 - 8 hours per day. It does depend on me following the bandster rules, moving more than I sit still, and being careful (not obsessively so) about what I'm eating. This I can do for the rest of my life - and I plan to!:crying:

Another potentially dangerous holiday has come and gone...Mother's Day!:cursing: Normally, this day (who am I kidding - the entire weekend!) would have been marked by breakfast at a local restaurant, some type of pleasant activity, lunch at another restaurant, the food coma for the afternoon, and then more food at night, plus something like an ice cream cake for dessert. Now, because I'm banded - and a woman with a goal to be under 220 by the end of the month - my day was very different. My family made me breakfast - a little scrambled egg, 1 sausage link, two bites of a pancake, and juice. Went to church services and enjoyed them, but passed up the baked goods and treats after service in favor of fresh fruit and yogurt...went to the movies and then home for dinner, which was some of the food I didn't eat for breakfast! :cursing: Far fewer calories, and because I also went for a nice walk with my daughter and our dog, I was in better shape at the end of the day than at the same time last year. I made the decision to get the band because I wanted to change my life - I was tired of getting what I had been getting and tired of gaining a few more pounds every year. I've done what a lot of people have done...Weight Watchers, liquid diets, just plain diets, exercise, fasting, etc, etc, etc. Not until I made the decision to qualify for the Lap Band did I really take the steps necessary to be successful. The length of time for me from start to finish (banding) was not that long compared to some, but the time was important for me to review and renew my commitment to the process. Now I've been banded for nearly 6 months, and while I haven't lost as much as I might have imagined I would, I know this time the loss is permanent. It does not depend on my willpower, a overly restrictive eating plan, eliminating certain food groups, or exercising 6 - 8 hours per day. It does depend on me following the bandster rules, moving more than I sit still, and being careful (not obsessively so) about what I'm eating. This I can do for the rest of my life - and I plan to!:thumbdown:

Hiya, Just found your blog and I've left you a couple of other comments... You HAVE to stick to the liquid diet - think of it as preparing you for surgery and for the post-surgery period when you'll have to be on liquids. It's for your health - during the surgery and after. Don't give in if you can help it - yes, I know it's tough, but so are you! You can do this...you wouldn't have made it this far through the banding process if you weren't tough enough. Give up the solids temporarily so that you can enjoy them in moderation for the rest of your life...healthier and in much better shape than now. You deserve nothing less than the healthiest, strongest and fittest body you can build - and changing how you eat is a major building block in that change. Start now on the journey that will serve you for the rest of your life. It won't be easy, but it is necessary. You can do this!

Hi Dark_Lovely, I sympathize...I've seen some pictures of myself from last summer, before I was banded, and I'm quite frankly horrified. I had NO IDEA I was that big - like you, I thought I "carried it well". Rest assured, though, the next pictures you take after you are banded will be much different! Don't forget to take your "before" photos and take photos during your journey - it's important to keep a realistic picture of yourself as you begin the journey to a healthier you!

Hey Dark_Lovely, I was a fast eater too...I'm 6 months out from being banded (banded on Nov 17) and while I haven't lost as much as I'd like, I'm still 37 pounds lighter than I would have been without the band. I didn't like the liquid diet either, but it's worth it! Hang in there - you can do this!

Hi Dark_Lovely, You sound like you've got an excellent support system, and that's critical for success with the band. I wish you all good things and that your dreams for a healthier you come true! :-)

PJTP...Happy Belated Mother's Day to all the LBT Moms!:thumbup: Had a wonderful weekend...saw a "dramatic reading" of a possible new play written by August Wilson at a local theatre in town. The actors were kinda funny - more reading than acting, but the words were the important part... Ran around all day Saturday with DD delivering flowers (1-day job with local florist). Day started rainy, but cleared up, and I got to hang with DD all day...it was fun. We made some people's days brighter with the flowers, my car smelled WONDERFUL, and DH got to spend the day chillin' at home...it was a win-win-win all the way around :frown: Nice service at church yesterday - DD and DH made me breakfast (bits of this and that), saw two movies yesterday (Star Trek - awesome!) and relaxed the rest of the day. I was not allowed to do any of my usual weekend chores...no laundry, cooking, cleaning, etc. It was wonderful! :thumbup: Re: the Screaming Eagle Fatboy motorcycle...no bid yet from me - we still haven't fully figured out college tuition yet, so I've got to restrain myself (must stay off of EBay...) DD is looking into Army ROTC as a possible alternative for college funding. She's got a great attitude about it - she gets her education, follows the family tradition of service (My dad was Army, one of my brothers was a Marine, the other Air Force, DH is Navy, DS was Army, DU (uncle on dad's side) was also Navy) and she has an instant "family" when she hits campus, plus a guaranteed job for the next 4 - 6 years. DH spoke to the recruiter on Saturday, DD talked to them yesterday. She hasn't completely decided yet, but she's leaning that way... Life is good...even though it's beautiful outside and I'd rather be in my garden...it's all good!:wub:

I think you are in a really good place and you'll be just fine! I once had someone give me a wonderful wish: they said to me that they hoped I lost so much weight after being banded that I gave myself a wardrobe problem, because nothing fit anymore! :frown: I'm kinda getting there now, and ain't it great! I shop at Lane Bryant as well, and I'm right there with ya, sis! 18's are getting looser, and the fabrics with stretch are my favorites...I can't wait until I can fit into a 16 without stretch, and then I'll really celebrate! I think you'll be fine with the dress, and if all else fails - it'll just be a bit loose. Isn't it wonderful to know that you won't have to worry about GAINING out of your dress, but LOSING out of your dress? :thumbup:

It's finally happening! Had my monthly appt with my band doctor yesterday (the awesome Dr. Duffy at Yale New Haven Hospital's Bariatric Surgery office), and I was down 11 pounds! :w00t: I update my ticker in my email signature more often than every month, so it reflects my total loss, but I was so excited that I'd lost 11 pounds in one month I was ready to scream with joy! :thumbup: And guess how I did it? By following the bandster rules! Being careful to choose nutrient-dense food instead of calorie-dense food, chewing thoroughly and eating slowly, not drinking my calories, and avoiding "slider" foods that don't stay with you long enough to indicate a feeling of fullness. Amazing how well the rules work when you follow them LOL Combine that with a few well-placed NSV's regarding clothing, and it's been a really good period. My latest weigh-in this morning has me at 230 lbs, a number I haven't seen for at least 10 years...I'm really excited about that! Next mid-range goal - making it to 200 lbs by the time of my family reunion in Florida in July. Next short-range goal - dropping another 15 pounds before May 30th to put me at 215 before Memorial Day. Swimsuit season is looking like it's going to hold a lot less terror for me this year than in previous years - that's a definate plus! What made the difference? Regular exercise and eating correctly. Mostly the eating correctly, since I already walk 30 minutes 5 days a week, with longer walks on the weekends (weather permitting). Now I'm going to add some weight work back into my schedule - nearly done with this semester's classes, which will give me more time. I need to keep 'tightening up' my physique, which I know weight training will do. Check in again in a few weeks - until then, if you are already banded, follow the rules and move more - that's the "secret" to success! If you are not yet banded, get the info you need to make a quality decision, and then GO FOR IT! Your life, your health and your happiness can all be enhanced by losing the excess weight. I know it's happening for me...:thumbup:

That's awesome to hear about Daniel - he's going to be really close to hitting the 50% mark at that rate, and may be a contender for the at-home contestants' prize. I'm really glad he's doing so well - it broke my heart to watch him struggling. He's showed a lot of courage and commitment by sticking with it at home - he should be very proud of himself. I can't wait to see what Joelle and Carla did while they were away, plus the other woman who was eliminated, but came back and was eliminated again the first week back...can't remember her name right now. She was on with her then-fiance...

DowninSoCal - I know...no offense meant, and definately none taken! That's an interesting fact...I'm very sensitive to smells, so I notice the least little change "down there"...and I'm a quick one to call the doc if I suspect something. I had some challenges when I was younger (pre-menstruation) so I'm very watchful. I also find I like to feel "fresh" and soap and Water do the trick for me. I was never one for scented sprays and such...I only douched because my mom (a nurse) told me to... Just goes to show that time passes and things can definately change... And it's a good thing we've got LBT to help us navigate the changes we're all going through with the band!

Glouc, I feel ya... My middle son (my oldest, our middle) had a natural father (he was no Dad) like that...didn't pay child support at all for years and years, then decided to try and go to court to stop me from moving once I met my DH and wanted to relocate after marrying him. My attorney told me not to say a word - of course that was TOUGH - but when the judge asked why he should not consider his petition, my attorney told him that my ex was over $60K in arrears in child support. And my son was only 7 at the time! After that, the judge didn't want to hear a word he said, and away we went to make a new life. My DH is more of a father to my son (including the tough stuff) than his natural father ever was or could have been. They didn't get close until after my DS was grown himself and they sorta became friends. When my ex passed away due to health complications, my DS was unable to make the funeral because he was on active duty in the Army...but when my DH's mom passed away, my son moved heaven and earth and arrived on the day of the service. A little late, but he said he couldn't let his Grandma go without saying goodbye. Good kid, that one...and amazingly perceptive as well. He was friends with his natural father, but the only one he calls Dad is my DH. Your baby girl is blessed to have you...and I bet she knows it. You just keep doing what's right, and she'll be okay - after all, she's got you as a role model!

I think I'm at my sweet spot - I'm not having a lot of trouble eating, and things stay down well, plus I'm losing weight at a good rate. Mushies are tough to get adequate protein with - try tuna fish, other shredded meats (chicken, but not ham - too fatty and salty), or you could make your own. Ground turkey or chicken might also be okay if you cook it with broth (not gravy LOL). Using Daily Plate to track your intake is a good idea - if your calories are TOO low, your body will go into starvation mode and you'll hang on to everything. It makes losing so difficult...if you are doing okay otherwise, consider boosting your protein intake with clear Protein drinks - Isopure has a pretty good one, available at GNC. I used them when I was first banded, and will go back to them for a day or two after a fill. If you cannot get in enough calories, you should definately talk to your doctor - I know you may not want to give up the feeling of restriction, but if you cannot get in enough calories, you'll end up sabotaging your potential weight loss and your health. Don't do that for a short term weight loss - this is for the long haul - but then, you know that already! Hang in there - and give your doc's office a call! Tell them your symptoms and see what they say...