DivaStyleCoach

Mornin' all! It's been a while since I posted, and like Glouc, I got the message that we non-Amazon types need to post here as well, so here goes: I'm pretty regular with my walks - definately in the mornings with DDog, DH and DD (though sometimes DH lets me sleep in). I also walk 30 minutes a day during my work day - there's a beautiful route that takes me up a hill that originally made me gasp for air and my quads burn, but now I can make it 2/3 up the hill before I have to do the open-mouth-breathing that lets me know I'm working hard. I haven't slowed down, just getting stronger. I am sensitive about pushing VERY hard, because almost a year ago now (seems like less time than that!), before I was banded, I literally passed out on a treadmill at the gym due to ventricular fibrillation. My heart rate was very elevated and my heart was 'fluttering' instead of beating regularly, so I lost consciousness. I do tend to back off of my exercise intensity if I feel light-headed, but walking doesn't bring that on as easily as other exercises can. I also row 2 - 3 times a week - though with the relatively nice spring weather, I'm outside more and I love that! I have a great selection of songs on my iPhone and try to keep up with the beat on them...Flo Rida's 'Right Round' is a butt-kicker! :thumbup: I walk for longer periods on the weekend with DDog, who's ready to go anytime I put on my sneakers and head for the door...he's a great walking companion! If you're reading this and you are just getting started, keep going! I started walking 10 - 15 minutes a day until I got stronger, and just kept going. Anything you do every day will get easier for you, so just keep going! Don't get discouraged if you feel you're not moving as fast as others, or getting stronger at the same rate - one thing I've learned on LBT is that we DON'T all lose it at the same rate, but we're all headed in the right direction (being healthier) so get out there and move! Back tomorrow with an update (and a shorter post, I promise!)

PJTP...I'm having a good day! Work is...work - moving along, a little less stressful than previously, but I'm not going to relax. It's still to freshly painful for that! Relationship with supervisor is okay...I'm keeping her at a distance because of what happened. Fit into a Lane Bryant Red size 2 pant today! :laugh: They have a bit of stretch, and they are a bit tight across the lower tummy, but before my band, I would not have ever THOUGHT that I'd get into them. I thank my band, my daily walks, and LBT for my progress! :wub: Going to see my band doc today - I think I've lost a few more pounds, and I don't feel I need another fill yet - I still have days when I'm too tight and feel like I can't eat anything, and other times where I feel I could eat like I used to, but I don't. I'm making good progress and I'm happy! :thumbup: I was a regular poster in the Exercise threads and somehow just fell off - I'll go back, because I'm not a super-exerciser like those who inspire me, but I do what I can, given my schedule and my own laziness! It's supposed to be a truly wonderful, sunny and warm weekend here in New England, and I can't wait! We've had grey and rainy / cloudy days this week, and I miss the sun!

PJTP...is it wrong to be relaxed / happy because my immediate supervisor is out of the office and my stress level is waaaaay down today? :smile: Good luck Beth! I hope you get the one that's suited to your talents and experience, and they are thrilled to get ya!:w00t:

PJTP... Mac - congrats on your Tri - I just read your account of the race and I'm very impressed. You make me want to try one at some point in my future! :wink2: Beth and Glouc - congrats on the losses! I have another appt with my band doc this week, so I'll see what the last month has wrought...I think I'm down a few, maybe not enough, but enough to keep going! Baby goats sound cute, but in the city, there's no place to keep them. Although I do have a cross-town neighbor in the more rural part of my town that has llamas! Luluc - little pre-teen girls fitting into your clothes is a MAJOR NSV! :sad: It's cold and dreary here in CT today - no outside walk, but I'll row tonight...getting close to the end of the term for me. Statistics class is kicking my royal behind...be glad when it's over! :eek: Back to work - no rest for the wicked and those of us whose department is trying to cut costs...

:wub:OMG - Teena / Tina - YOU LOOK AWESOME!!!!:wub: Congrats on coming through the surgery with flying colors! Girl, you are gonna be hotter than July (or August) when all is said and done. Thank you SO MUCH for sharing your pictures - I pray I look as good as you did PRE-SURGERY! I think I'll have the same excess skin issue - it's already starting to show - and you look SO GOOD post-surgery. That smile says it all! Your surgeon did a great job with the incision - you can still wear a two-piece when you're ready...that's my hope as well. For the poster Michelle - I think you mean well, but are sadly mistaken if you think Tina is going back to her ex - that train has left the station...and he was pushing it down the tracks as fast as his cheatin' legs would carry him! You Go Tina - heal well, take care of yourself and your boys, and enjoy your new body! You worked HARD for it, and I am SO PROUD of you! :thumbup::wink2::eek::w00t::mad::sad::thumbup:

Something that may or may not have been mentioned in the past postings is that certain workers who come in contact with children are mandated reporters. They are required to report anything suspicious or they face repercussions and even the loss of their job. I would much rather someone report a suspicion and nothing be wrong than for someone to say nothing and the next thing you hear is a news report about a missing or dead child. I have been blessed not to have suffered abuse in my lifetime...my sister's children were not so lucky. They were abused at the hands of a caregiver, and that person was sent to jail, along with my sister for "allowing" it to happen. I still do not know if she knew - she is dead now, so I can't ask her. Two of the children are grown, but have issues; one will never grow up because she died as a result of the abuse. I will ALWAYS make the call - if I am proven wrong, I will sincerely apologize. I could not live with myself if I didn't at least TRY to help a child I thought was being abused or mistreated. Regarding Octomom - she should WELCOME the scrutiny! It's her opportunity to prove her detractors wrong by providing a safe, loving and appropriate home for the children SHE wilfully brought into this world. She must have had a thought that she COULD handle it - and she should be happy that people care enough to want to know what happens to the children. What kind of world would it be if we just looked at her and her family as a kind of freak show and paid no more attention?

...you spend more time in the soup aisle of the grocery store than the snack / cookie / candy aisle!

With all due respect to previous posters... I think the issue is less with a husband viewing porn than with a husband (or a wife, for that matter) CHOOSING to view porn rather than express themselves to their chosen mate. If you are choosing virtual sex over reality, then there's something that's not happening. Either the viewing party has expectations that are not being met (and if they are unspoken, they can NEVER be met) or there is a breakdown in the relationship to the point that the viewing party has CHOSEN to spend time alone in self-gratification rather than seek it with their domestic partner. In either situation, there is a challenge / problem that needs to be overcome. It's not really about insecurity - it's that the online activity is viewed as a THREAT to the relationship. If the online activity were, in fact, activity with another flesh-and-blood person, there would be very little doubt that its a serious issue. Why is it less serious because the "other person" happens to be a series of images / videos / chatting online? Being replaced by your significant other is a hurtful thing - no matter what form the replacement takes. We could just as easily be talking about any of those other activities mentioned by Jabba the Mutt in his posting... Yes, my DH looks at porn online; Yes, we do occasionally look at it together; No, I don't have a problem with it any longer, because the majority of the time he shares it with me and it's my choice to join in or not. What I originally had an issue with (and I'm not the original poster) is when he CHOSE to spend more time "relating" to the photos and videos and website he saw online than he spent relating to me as his flesh-and-blood wife. I see that as a contradiction to our vows that said "forsaking all others"... I have not asked him to stop viewing, only to stop chatting because I viewed that as taking it a step further than I was comfortable with. I might also add - all of this activity takes place on HIS computer - so if he downloads something that gives him a virus, it does not affect MY computer or the bulk of our household information, which is on MY computer because he chooses it that way. YMMV...

I thought I read in a previous post that it was your birthday...oh well, blame it on the shrimp! :woot: Take tiny bites and chew really, really, really (about 5 more reallys) well. By the time I swallow it, it's about the consistency of a protein shake, if that. I do NOT want to get stuck in a restaurant and have to run for the bathroom (been there, done that). Usually it's the hot bread and butter that do me in...but I took very small bites and was okay. I did get a little "stuck" feeling and stopped, so I was okay. It takes so LONG to eat now...my plate is usually cold by the time I get to a quantity that I can handle! :mad2: Methinks my love affair with food is about over...:hurray:

WTG Fanny! Please let us know how you are doing - we are similarly sized up top, and I'm anxious to hear what happens during the reconstructive process from another full-busted woman. I'm really happy for ya! :sneaky:

BJean - I hope everything was all right with that little girl...I don't know what I would have done. Several years ago - probably just what you did, find a person of authority and tell them. Now, I might just walk up and make some kind of joke to the adult to see what reaction I get - something like "We can't always tell them what to do, huh?" and see what happens. If he blows up, I'm definately on guard. If he doesn't, I may still be on guard. Maybe it's since I became a grandma about a year ago, but I'm more sensitive to this kind of thing than before. When I first had my children, I was extremely sensitive to it, and more than a little belligerent at times. I can't tell you the number of times I've walked up to perfect strangers and asked if they need help with their kids. Dangerous - yep, potentially, but I couldn't live with myself if I didn't reach out to them - both of them. I have done the same thing when working as a lifeguard. I had one parent - a dad - trying to "teach" his child to swim by throwing them off the side of the pool with no warning. The child was terrified, of course, and when I went in to get them (they were obviously struggling), they wouldn't let go of me. It took a lot of cuddling and coaxing to get them back in the water, but eventually they went back in. I explained as gently as I could to the parent that they had violated the child's trust, and that as far as the child was concerned, the parent they loved had tried to kill them. Radical, yes, but it got his attention. He apologized to the child, gave him some distance the rest of the swim period, and all was well when they went home. I now praise children I see behaving well in stores - especially if the parent looks a little harried or rushed. I also back up the parents if a child is acting out and the parent is just talking and not hitting. Often a stranger's voice repeating the same thing the parent says is helpful - the child pays more attention for some strange reason, and the parent (often a mom) seems to appreciate someone else backing them up. I can almost see the mom deflating, so to speak, and being less angry because someone has heard her and agrees with her. It's probably not advisable, and definately not for everyone and every situation, but so far, it's worked for me. YMMV...

I'm in love with exercise...specifically, walking!:wub: I've been active before - worked summers during high school and college as a lifeguard, which meant being able to swim 500 yds, 4 different strokes, in less than 12 minutes - but never had the results I'm getting now. Since my last fill, I've had good restriction, and I'm off the plateau that I was on. I'm down a few pounds and feeling really good about my progress - though, of course, I wish it were faster! :tongue2: I attribute my good results to my lovely little internal enforcer - the lap band. Never before have I been able to control the quantity of food I eat like I can now with the help of the band. I also started wearing a Bodybugg fitness band the past few weeks and have noticed a difference. I log my food intake faithfully (and honestly) and I get immediate feedback on what I'm doing right and wrong. I never go anywhere without my Bugg - it's a constant reminder of my goals and what I'm doing to reach them. I drove past (yes, past!) a Wendy's the other day and realized that in my pre-banded life, I would have probably pulled into the drive-thru, ordered a double Baconator (1/2 lb of beef, multiple strips of bacon, cheese), a Biggie french fry, and a Biggie diet soda ('cause I'm diabetic, dontcha know - can't have all that sugar :ohmy:) and finished it all, plus a Frosty for dessert (never mind all the sugar that was in that). :smile2: Thanks to my band, I don't even bother pulling in any more - I know it won't go down! :wub: I've had some wonderful NSV's (non-scale victories) lately: 1. My insulin dose has been cut in half with approval from my doctor. :w00t: My blood sugar measurements in the morning have been so good that I think I'm really close to getting off all of the medication! 2. I've dropped several clothing sizes, and have to buy new clothes. :w00t: This is a big deal for me, because I love to shop, and because I love clothes! I'm really looking forward to a new wardrobe when my journey is over. 3. More stamina :thumbup: I don't get out of breath when I go out dancing with my husband as easily any more - heck, I can hang with some folks 10 years younger than me now, where pre-band, it was one song and out. I'm actually looking forward to summer this year, because I know my new slimmer body will look better in summer clothes than I've looked in years! Even the prospect of swimsuit shopping doesn't hold the terror that it used to for me - I can't wait to see what new things I'll be able to fit into and wear! If you're reading this and you're not yet banded, do your research, talk to your doctor, and then make an educated, quality decision. For me, there was no other option, and I don't regret it one bit. If you are already banded, but struggling, please don't give up - if you haven't been to see your doctor lately, go back and get an adjustment or a fill if needed. Talk to them - they are there to help. A new, healthier life is the payoff for taking this very serious and important step. You can do it - if I can, anybody can! :thumbup:

PJTP... Happy Belated Birthday, Beth! :clap: And WTG on the TSV! :party: Plain...only you could come up with a less-than-pristine reference to helping out a kid...:smile2: but it was still funny! :lol2: Susan - congrats on your awesome loss so far! Keep up the good work! :woot: Babygrl - I'm glad you're feeling better. Unca Sam (should we call him Unca Guido instead?) has no sympathy and even less consideration for those of us who file like we're supposed to...don't worry - after he was done with you, he came to my house! :hurray: MacMadame - I hope to one day reach that point...DH took us out to dinner last night because DD is gone for the week on a college tour. We went to Outback - I had coconut shrimp and ate exactly TWO of the six on my plate, plus a couple forkfuls of garlic mashed potatoes and I was done...I was nearly in mourning! I remember inhaling that kind of food not too long ago, and in a way I miss it, but in a better and stronger way, I don't! :mad2: Now I can enjoy small amounts of stuff like that on occasion without worrying too much - because I'm eating such a small portion, I don't get socked with thousands of calories! It's beautiful out today, and I'm about to strap on the shoes and go for a walk...TTYL!:sneaky:

PJTP... Hope they have it for the Blackberry as well...if not, can you get to "The Daily Plate" (Calorie Counter, Diet Tracking, Food Journal, Nutrition Facts at The Daily Plate) using your Blackberry?

I'm in love with exercise...specifically, walking!:wub: I've been active before - worked summers during high school and college as a lifeguard, which meant being able to swim 500 yds, 4 different strokes, in less than 12 minutes - but never had the results I'm getting now. Since my last fill, I've had good restriction, and I'm off the plateau that I was on. I'm down a few pounds and feeling really good about my progress - though, of course, I wish it were faster! I attribute my good results to my lovely little internal enforcer - the lap band. Never before have I been able to control the quantity of food I eat like I can now with the help of the band. I also started wearing a Bodybugg fitness band the past few weeks and have noticed a difference. I log my food intake faithfully (and honestly) and I get immediate feedback on what I'm doing right and wrong. I never go anywhere without my Bugg - it's a constant reminder of my goals and what I'm doing to reach them. I drove past (yes, past!) a Wendy's the other day and realized that in my pre-banded life, I would have probably pulled into the drive-thru, ordered a double Baconator (1/2 lb of beef, multiple strips of bacon, cheese), a Biggie french fry, and a Biggie diet soda ('cause I'm diabetic, dontcha know - can't have all that sugar :ohmy:) and finished it all, plus a Frosty for dessert (never mind all the sugar that was in that). :scared2: Thanks to my band, I don't even bother pulling in any more - I know it won't go down! :wub: I've had some wonderful NSV's (non-scale victories) lately: 1. My insulin dose has been cut in half with approval from my doctor. :w00t: My blood sugar measurements in the morning have been so good that I think I'm really close to getting off all of the medication! 2. I've dropped several clothing sizes, and have to buy new clothes. :w00t: This is a big deal for me, because I love to shop, and because I love clothes! I'm really looking forward to a new wardrobe when my journey is over. 3. More stamina :smile: I don't get out of breath when I go out dancing with my husband as easily any more - heck, I can hang with some folks 10 years younger than me now, where pre-band, it was one song and out. I'm actually looking forward to summer this year, because I know my new slimmer body will look better in summer clothes than I've looked in years! Even the prospect of swimsuit shopping doesn't hold the terror that it used to for me - I can't wait to see what new things I'll be able to fit into and wear! If you're reading this and you're not yet banded, do your research, talk to your doctor, and then make an educated, quality decision. For me, there was no other option, and I don't regret it one bit. If you are already banded, but struggling, please don't give up - if you haven't been to see your doctor lately, go back and get an adjustment or a fill if needed. Talk to them - they are there to help. A new, healthier life is the payoff for taking this very serious and important step. You can do it - if I can, anybody can! :thumbup:

Absolutely right! :eek: My now-18 year old used to come to my office all the time to help out during school vacations and sometimes during the summer as well - we had air-conditioning, ya know...:wub: I don't think there's anything wrong with it! Heck, there used to be a young man that helped out with a summer lunch / recreation program I worked at during my teen years, and I used to pay him a few dollars a week out of my own pocket because he was so pleasant and hardworking. Years later, I ran into him again as a 17-year-old and he told me how much that experience had shaped him...nearly made me cry to think that his experience as a member of the 'working class' made him think twice about getting involved in something shady, but there it was. He grew up to be a hard-working, intelligent and very likeable young man - and I know I only played a small part in that, but I was happy to help him and happier still that he remembered me and thought the experience was positive. :wub: I love to see a good work ethic among young people - I think it stands them well for the future!

OMG - Tara looked AWESOME!!! I see now why she modeled - she's truly gorgeous. She was already a pretty lady, but with the weight she's lost, her look is definately more 'mainstream' and she's truly stunning in green. Helen looked great in her purple dress - it's a color I would definately wear - and she looked radiant. They both have done such good work on the ranch...truly inspiring, both of them! Thanks so much for sharing the link - I'll go get the magazine too!:wub:

Hey Babygrl, For you, girlfriend...anything! I'll send it to ya via email. It's in a cookbook at home. It's a great basic recipe that can be tweaked endlessly to add different favorite flavors. I always double the recipe so it's extra high - fills up an entire tube (classic) cake pan, and there are never any leftovers! If you double the recipe like I do, make sure you have a good, strong, mixer with extra capacity - the first time I did it, I overflowed the mixing bowl!:wub: Messy, but made for fun clean-up! :wub:

PJTP... Taps - I hope your migraine goes far, far away and never darkens your doorstep again. I suffered with them for a short while, and nothing but Excedrin Migraine would touch them - it's the worst feeling in the world, I think... Re: Butter cakes - I make a Sour Cream Pound Cake from scratch that is an absolute killer! It's heavy, dense and has the most wonderful crispy crust on it...my husband eats slices of it with meat like it was sandwich bread. He always requests cupcake-size ones that he calls "Grandma's Specials" and eats them by the dozen when I make them, which isn't often! I made one with Hershey's chocolate syrup in the batter as a fundraiser for my church's Chocolate Auction, and it fetched the highest price EVER for a cake at the auction...the winner almost didn't make it out of the church with it - people were still trying to buy it as she went out the door! Re: Fill levels - my doctor doesn't really talk about mine, either...of course, I'm nosy, so I look at my chart, but I'm going more by how I feel and less how much is in my band. I think I'm at 3 or 4 cc's right now, and I feel plenty tight. I would have thought that a 10cc band (which is what I think I have, but I'm not sure) would need "more" to get me to a restricted level, but no such. I guess for those detail-oriented folk among us, they might obsess over the level and not do the other stuff necessary, so that's why the doc doesn't tell. I dunno - I tend to believe that knowledge is power, and I WANT to know. At my next appt, I'm going to ask, and I'll keep the info in my iPhone...:wub: Latest NSV...I was able to cut my insulin shot amount by 50% just this week! I have been taking one shot at night, and after my latest report to my doctor, and getting sub-100 readings in the morning for the past week, he agreed that I can cut the dosage. So far, it's been two days, and my morning numbers are still under 100. I think that's reason to celebrate - but not with anything sugary! :wub:

Hey Everybody! Had to stay at work late, so I missed all the makeovers - GRRR!:wub: I'll have to check them out online or something - I'm dying to see what everyone looked like in their fancy clothes. I'm so GLAD they cut Felipe's hair - the 'bush' was getting to be too much for me...Tara looked great, and I'm glad they took the skunk stripes out of Kristen's hair. Ron still looks like...well, Ron - so that's no improvement where I'm concerned. Mike looked cuter than ever, and I'm so happy for him losing the most weight ever on the show. I'm of two minds about Laura - I understand why she didn't want to leave, but I'm glad she was voted off so she could heal completely and properly. I'm glad she got the help she needed. I think I would have cried my eyes out over Mike's brother - I hope he gets to either come on the show next season, or goes home and gets his butt in gear! He doesn't have to wait until Mike and his dad are home, he could be building up his stamina and strength right now! But then, if he could have done it by himself, he wouldn't be in the position he's in right now... Helen is looking good, too - though I agree with others that she's starting to ring false to me... It's amazing to me that with everything Kristin has lost, she still probably has nearly 100 pounds to go...amazing! I'm definately rooting for Tara to win it all...she rocks!

Yeah, I NOTICED that! :tt2: Pretty cool, if ya ask me... Just came back from my daily lunchtime walk...for some reason, the hill kicked my butt today - I was a couple of minutes slower at the top than last week, and the backs of my thighs were griping and complaining...guess I need to stretch more! Wonderful NSV - my DH commented on my "tiny waist"...yeah, I know, it ain't tiny yet, but it's nice to be referred to as "tiny". He does that a lot...makes me grin and giggle...:tongue: I my DH!

You're probably right, Mac - I can't quite remember from the preview, cause my eyes were all over the screen trying to note which characters were going to be in the movie! One is the guy with the playing cards - his name is Gambit - he was NOT a part of the original X-Men comic series, but came in around the same time as the New Mutants - wonder how many of the 'new' characters will be from various parts of the comic series, but out-of-order, so to speak... No joke...he is definately the hotness - a little short for me, but for him...I'd make an exception! :tongue: Is it totally weird, or is it okay to like Sabertooth (Wolverine's arch-enemy)? I can't help it, I like big, tall, roughnecks! Don't get me started on the hotties in comic books...:tt2:

PJTP...Hi yall! Had a wonderfully restful weekend...now back on the grind, in the weird place called my job... Had a great Easter dinner - four bites of ham, four bites of green beans, and three bites of mac-n-cheese. What used to feed me for ONE MEAL will last me the rest of the week as leftovers! :smile: Emotionally, I miss food - it was such a big part of my life, and why I was such a big girl! Now, I have to find other ways to occupy my time...went to see two movies this weekend with hubby: Taken (with Liam Neeson) and Knowing. Both were very good... Taken made me scared to send my daughter anywhere, and Knowing was just plain spooky. Hated the end - wish it had come out differently, but it wasn't my movie to write / edit / end. I won't tell anyone what happens just in case ya want to see them. Can't wait for X-Men Origins next month, and Star Trek! Ya - I'm a Trekkie from way back... Have a great week, everyone! DD goes off on her college tour trip tomorrow morning so it will be just me, DH and DDog the rest of the week. We'll get to see what life might be like once she's off to college...this will be interesting! :tongue:

They know a little of what happened, but not all of it. I told them about some of the "issues" they had with my performance, and they were shocked and surprised. Both of them are on my side - or at least that's what they say, and their actions do back it up. One of the girls in particular seems to be taking it harder - she actually said this morning that "the trust has been broken". They both see me as a peer, though most often in a supervisory capacity because of my title and because they are both temporary employees. I've had my emotional moments about this whole thing...normally I NEVER cry at work, but I've had a couple of moments in the bathroom when I let a few tears fall. I think its the personal feeling of betrayal and the feeling that I've been blindsided that are the worst. My supervisor did not even let on that she had this kind of problem with me - I thought everything was at least okay, if not perfect. I do know I've made a few mistakes in the past couple of weeks, but I NEVER thought it would get me hauled in front of the department's HR Director. That was, to me, over-the-top. If she can't handle supervising me (for whatever reason) then she should find another way, but doing what she did was just unconscionable (sp?). Now she tries to act like nothing has happened, but I'm not buying it. She'll need ME before I need her...my relationship with her is now strictly by-the-book, and I feel free to laugh, giggle and relate in a friendly manner with everyone ELSE in the department just the way I always have. I don't know what caused it, and I'm getting to the point where I don't really care - it's HER problem, but she has made it mine, so I'm going to document, document, document and cover my butt. As soon as I can find a way, I'm outa here - as far as I know, she's not going anywhere, and I'll get to the point where I can't stand to look at her anymore, so before it goes that far, I'll leave.:sad:

And now, a look at how multiples CAN be handled successfully...there are pics and an article. Hopefully the link will come through okay...:sad: America's first African-American Sextuplets - essence.com