DivaStyleCoach

Mornin' LastOption! I love my bodybugg - there is a fee for the monitoring / upload service. I paid $99 for 6 months initially, and I think renewals are $99 per year. That gives you access to the website, the ability to upload your bugg, and a session with a trainer initially. You can also purchase more trainer sessions where they will look at your uploads (nutrition and workouts) and give you advice on how to optimize your workouts and your calorie burn. So far, I'm loving it - having to log all of my food is helping to keep me honest, and getting to log my exercise is exciting because I can see how many calories I'm burning. I highly recommend it - especially since I got mine on EBay and didn't pay retail for it! Update: My doctor's appt went well yesterday - I'm down a few more pounds (have to update my ticker) and he gave me a small fill since I'm still getting pretty hungry between meals. I'm on liquids today, then mushies on Friday and back to solids on Saturday. I definately feel the difference with the small tweak he gave me - I'm having a protein shake and I'm having to sip instead of gulp this morning!

I'd much rather wear the size 8, thank you, girlfriend! :thumbup: And y'all will definately be among the first to know when I get there! Although at nearly 6 feet tall, I don't know what size I will end up, but I DO know what I want to look like...hey, that could be a new thread: Whose body do you want when you get to goal? You bad girl you...*smirking* :sneaky:

ROFLMBO....:lol:

Okay...I'd still be careful. Have the ring appraised (for insurance purposes ya know) and if it's more than $500, I'd still be suspicious. Take him at his word, but be careful with future interactions - you may have to remind him of his words at some future date. Do it kindly if you can, but by all means be careful. I'd hate to have you feeling beholden to this man...:sneaky: Thanks so much, Kat! I wish the scale were moving as fast as my clothing sizes, but I once had a WW leader who said she didn't care if she weighed 300 pounds, as long as she could fit into a size 8...I'm not quite there yet, attitude wise, but I'm getting there slowly... PJTP - I have a new goal date: July 4 - 9 I will be in Florida. Partly for a family reunion (4 - 6) hubby has to return for work on the 7th, me and DD are going to stay a couple of extra days, and then head to Virginia State U on the 10th for her freshman orientation. I was going to send her solo, but a parent has to attend, so we'll get a couple of extra mother-daughter days, and then the college visit. My baby girl is growing up! *sniff* :crying: I don't know if I am ready yet!!!!!:thumbup:

ROFLMBO...Y'all are too funny! :sneaky::lol:

I gotta say again, I agree with Glouc. SMS - your BF sounds insecure and crappy - you deserve better, and maybe somewhere in your psyche, you believe that too. That's why these other guys are hanging around - they are definately picking up a vibe from you. You are gorgeous, witty and fun to be with - that much I've learned from your posts. I think you should give yourself room to 'play the field' *cosigning what Beth said* and see what else is out there, especially since the BF has been such a jerk lately. You DESERVE better, girlfriend!

My hubby had some magazines that he shared with me that talked about it, and he asked me if I would be willing to try it. We were in an adventurous mood, and gave it a shot. It took several "sessions" for both of us to get comfortable, mostly because he was letting me set the pace. *****TMI Alert***** Start with asking her if she would let you explore the area with a finger - go easy, slow and let HER set the pace. Don't just launch into it, go into the session thinking about making her as hot and therefore relaxed as possible. Once she's comfortable with your little finger, for instance, go to a slightly larger finger and work up to your thumb. There are also "toys" made especially for that area...check xandria.com for ideas. If she's comfortable with that, then it's a matter of time and patience. Don't rush it - and definately don't push it, if you know what I mean. It's as much a mental transition as a physical one...good luck!

Mornin' Warriors! Extended my at-work lunchtime walk and changed the route to include a big hill on campus. I was huffing and puffing at the top, but feeling good 'cause I made it! That is now my favorite route - and I made it within the same 30 minutes I was giving myself anyway. That either means I was slacking, or that I am getting stronger - guess which one I prefer? :thumbup: It's going to be a beautiful day today, so I'll be back on the pavement again - enjoy everyone!

Checking in... LastOption - sounds like you had a great week away! Kudos to you for making YOU a priority and getting those workouts in. I extended my walk at work yesterday and changed the route so it takes me up a big hill on the campus. It definately changed my calorie burn - I checked my BodyBugg and I burned more calories on that walk than any previous one! I am feeling stronger and thinner every day - now if my SCALE would just catch up with how I feel, it would be great! Have an appt with my band doc this afternoon - I'll report in with results. I don't think I need another fill, I just have to work the one I've got!

I agree - Tara rocks! That was the big benefit for me - seeing the changes in their bodies and especially their faces! Reminds me that I need to take some pictures along the way...

Glad you're feeling better!

PTJP... I did a kick-butt walk at work yesterday (added a big hill and some additional distance) and loved it! I bought new pants in a smaller size and I'm loving that too! Appt with my band doc today - I think I've lost the pounds I gained before my last appointment plus a little more. We'll see what his scale says. I don't think I need more fill, I just need to work what I've got! SMS - I would give the ring back. Even if he says it doesn't mean anything (relationship-wise) it's not the type of gift you give someone that you're NOT getting serious about / want to be serious with. Especially since he's not a teenager - jewelry means something different to different age groups. I know for my group (mid-40's) it would mean some type of commitment. Maybe he's putting out feelers to see if you would be interested in something more defined than a work friendship?

Carrie - I hope all works out well for you and your hubby. Perhaps the few days apart will help both of you clear your heads and then you'll be able to get on the same page with this. Barneygirl - I felt much the same way as you...I guess I had to take a step back (for my relationship's sake) and examine if I was willing to throw away a 90% good relationship for the sake of the other 10% (his online activities and deception about it). He is not deceptive about anything else in our lives - that I know of - and I'm a pretty good snoop. He's a good provider (financially), he treats me well (and lord knows I have MY faults), and he's a wonderful father. We have a good life together and after much thought, soul-searching and even some tears, I decided I was willing to fight for the good in our relationship and try to get past this issue. After all these years, and having been through a prior bad relationship, I truly feel I've found the one for me. We are compatible in nearly every other area of our lives, and we find room for compromise in the areas where we are not exactly alike. We have raised good children (the last one is getting ready to go off to college) and we didn't wait until she left to start building new ground in our relationship. I think he was "expecting" that I wouldn't understand, so he hid his activities. He didn't want to hurt my feelings, so he deceived me. Since our last serious blow-up about this, he's been much more open about sharing his interests, and now we look at magazines, sites, movies, etc together. We don't necessarily like the same things, but he's found out some new things about his wife, and me about my husband. We have experimented together and found some new activities we can enjoy together. I think that putting down hard-and-fast, its-my-way-or-else ultimatums cuts out the possibility for compromise. For some that might be the only way - for me, it was not. I have an over 30-year history with this man, and he occupies a big space in my heart. I wasn't willing to give that up without a fight. That said, if any of his online flirtations had become physical, where he met the person or heaven forbid had sexual contact with them, then that's a different story...I am trying to make sure I never have to deal with that. In the end, however, you have to do what works for YOU. The solution I found may not be the right answer for everyone...

And so is your response above...turn the other cheek and keep it moving - I mean really! Don't make this an anti-christian thing...that is totally NOT what this is. Every time someone chooses to criticize Octopussy, you run to her defense - given that position, I think any reasonable person would expect that taking such an unpopular point of view would result in rancor being thrown back. Whatever Octopussy's situation, unfortunately there are people out there who will continue to support her. Unfortunately, the new babies and her previous children are the ones who will suffer. God will NEVER bless that - she obviously decided SHE needed more children (whatever her twisted reason) and in a perfect world, she would have to bear the fruits of her bad decisions. She is refusing to take responsibility for her actions and instead depending on the "kindness of strangers" to make her way in the world. She's a leech - pure and simple. She will go out and spend money on expensive makeup like MAC (what's wrong with the products available at the drugstore) and then turn around and accept expensive nursing help from the Angel Network that SOMEONE ELSE is paying for!:lunch:

It's truly gorgeous! I feel ya on that, though...I had shoulder-length hair for many, many years, and relaxed it for over 30 years total. I ended up with some breakage behind both ears and I know that was my hair's cry for help, so I stopped relaxing. I grew it out for a while but got tired of dealing with two radically different textures, so I did the BC (big chop) and went totally natural. Now that it's a year or so later, I have a good amount of hair on my head, and I love Qhemet Biologics products for it. My avi looks the most like my hair right now, though it's a bit longer than my hair. Take a visit to nappturality.com if you ever think about going "napptural" - there are lots of resources, other folk who have been-there-done-that, and some with truly gawgeous hair to inspire you.

Okay - off topic question here - your hair is gorgeous! What do you use on it? I am recently (1 year) natural, and while my hair is not as long as yours, it seems to be of a similar texture... You have the hair I want eventually! :lunch: How long have you been growing it out?

You just tryin' ta start somethin' ain't ya? :lunch:

Morethanbabyfat - love your avatar - is that you? You're a cutie pie! :lunch: I have some of the same issues - have you been in for a fill yet? That might help with some of the head hunger issues you are feeling - I'm guessing this is mostly head hunger and not actual hunger pangs. One thing that might help is to distract yourself - when you feel like eating something that's not exactly bandster-friendly (meaning high calorie, high fat, slider food, etc) distract yourself by changing your location. Get up and walk around, get away from the computer, change some music, etc. I read an article about aversion therapy that suggested wearing a rubber band around your wrist and snapping it every time you had the craving, but I'd be black-and-blue if I did that! :wub: It's great that you have an exercise plan you are sticking with - maybe a 5 or 10 minute walk thrown in when the craving hits will help to turn them down as well. Perhaps setting a short-term goal would also help. Are you close to changing sizes in clothing? Buy something in your next goal size and use that as part of your motivation. Perhaps start one of those "add a charm" bracelets and add on when you reach a goal - by the time you reach your ultimate goal, you could have quite a nice bracelet! These are just a few ideas - I'm sure others will chime in with more! Hang in there...you can do this - heck, you ARE doing well already!:w00t:

ROFLMBAO...:lunch::w00t::wub:

Mornin' Warriors! Had a wonderful weekend - the weather was soooo nice in CT that I took some long walks with DDog. We didn't break any speed records, but I did push it hard enough that I had a little leg soreness afterward. Still loving the rowing machine - last night's numbers were 4280m rowed in 30:06, with a 3:30 split for 500m. I did change the machine - there's a cover on the wheel which I did leave closed initially, but opened last night. My DH said that keeping the cover closed made the rowing easier, so now that I'm about 3 weeks into it, I decided to open the cover. I did notice less "airflow" around the wheel, and that when I'm rebounding for another pull, the wheel doesn't "coast" as much as before. I think that means that I'm going to be working harder to get the same numbers as before - and that's a good thing! Have a great afternoon, all!:lunch:

We can't have THAT now...work is for accessing FB and LBT 'cause they have better internet speed than at my house...:lunch:

KimmyQ - the "sweet spot" that you see mentioned is when the band is tight enough that you are losing weight at a good rate, but not so tight that everything makes you PB or slime. I think I'm there - it took 2 fills for me, but it takes different amounts for different people. If you are happy with your rate of loss and you are not feeling a lot of body hunger, you could be okay...talk to your doc again. Aren't those the worst? It's funny what will cause a PB episode. For me it's some types of meat and bread seems to always cause one. I almost pb'd yesterday on fruit, so go figure! When you get the answer to this one, please share! My head hunger is the worst part of this whole experience. I want Lay's Wavy potato chips - it's like crack to me...LOL I'm right there with ya, Heather! Bread causes me a LOT of difficulty unless I chew, chew, chew and chew, chew, chew some more! Biscuits and rolls are the worst - rye bread isn't too bad, and wheat bread is okay. Sometimes I just want a piece of bread, ya know? Sandwiches are pretty much out for me. Crackers aren't too bad if they aren't "fluffy"... Hang in there, everybody! We can do this!:lunch:

Maybe they can get Octopussy to get some financial counseling while she's out buying makeup at MAC... I don't buy makeup at MAC and I work and support my OWN children! :lunch: It just amazes me that she seems to have no sense of propriety...when will the student loan company, the IRS and the rest of the people sending her tons of money to lavish on HERSELF wake up? I agree that the babies need help and I hope the donations to HER dry up and go away forthwith. The ONLY money that should be sent in that direction should be earmarked for the babies, and NOT for her! She is just ignorant - borderline mentally ill, a bad planner and I have NO hope that she will be a good mother...she already sets a bad example and will continue to do so because she not TRYING to get any better. :w00t:

PJTP... I HATED not being able to get into LBT ALL DAY YESTERDAY :lunch::cursing: Okay, rant over! :w00t: I missed y'all!:wub:

Hi Bek, What you are experiencing is pretty normal in my understanding - I was banded in mid-November. I didn't eat much the first couple of weeks. I followed my post-op eating recommendations and did nothing but liquids. You have been through major surgery - true, there are no major big incisions, but this is a big change, and you MUST give your body a chance to heal. Please review your doc's post-op instructions and by all means call them if you are really worried / concerned, but what you may be experiencing is Water weight loss. Be careful - I've read so many stories about people who didn't follow post-op instructions and had problems. Take care of yourself, and know that the initial fast weight loss WILL slow down as you move into the mushy stage and then back to solid food.