DivaStyleCoach

Hi LauraP, I'm glad your DH has been such a help to you...my DH knows my history as well, and he's been wonderful for me. I've found that it depends on the guy - some will "try" just to see what happens, some are all bluster and blowhard with no intention of anything really happening. I guess I'm also, unfortunately, used to the ones that will just keep coming if you don't shut them down HARD. That's why I gave Allie the advice that I did. Once people (specifically guys who don't recognize boundaries) see / hear you do that to one of them, the others are less likely to approach you in the wrong way. I wish they just understood how to give a compliment without the other crap that sometimes follows...compliments aren't bad at all!

PJTP...Hi Everyone! Lulu - I second everyone's compliments on the new avatar, and I too am glad you're back. So sorry about losing one of the family pets - they are so special to us. Hugs to you and your DH. :sad: I hear all y'all that don't want to go to work...I have that feeling a couple of days a week, but not today, 'cause I have an interview this afternoon. Please send good joo-joo, mojo, and whatever else ya got this way...interview today and tomorrow with the same department - hoping to be their newest staff person very soon! :thumbup: Krtork - thanks for the compliment regarding the Couch-2-5k and the house work - I'm enjoying the running and the house is a definate labor of love... TPG - sounds like you have a good plan to prep for your upcoming surgery. I wish you all good luck and an easy recovery. NSV - Since I have an interview today, I bought another "suit". It is a size 16W, has a "portrait" style collar (kinda wide open) and a straight skirt. Put on the suit this morning and while the jacket fits okay, the skirt is too big! I was able to pull it off my hips without unzipping it. I'll probably return it, since I didn't really "wear" it, but I think this means no more internet shopping for a while - I'll have to go TO the store and try stuff on...I thought I knew what size I was, but not so much...:w00t: It's a great problem to have! Not so happy moment - showed DH the suit after I put it on and asked his opinion...the numnutz said "It depends...do you want to look like your Grandma, or your Great-Grandma?" :sad: I just wanted to kill him...I was so hurt...WHY do some guys NOT understand that words can hurt? I called him on it - told him he should have chosen different words to get his point / opinion / screwed up point of view across. His defense? "That's why guys don't like answering that question"...WTF? :laugh: There are a MILLION AND ONE ways to answer that freakin' question without hurting your wife's feelings. If any of you have taken the 5 Love Languages quiz on FB, I'm a "Words of Affirmation" person. Negative comments hurt me worse than if you physically hit me. A physical punch I can return, I tend to 'freeze' when negative words are thrown at me - hence some of my difficulty at work lately. He couldn't seem to understand just how badly his offhand comment hurt. Tried to defend himself by saying he said that to get his "message" across so I wouldn't wear the suit. :laugh: I think there are SO MANY BETTER WAYS to say what he did without hurting ME in the process...I'm still hurt and mad, and when I'm like that, I tend to stay that way for a while. Thank goodness I'm at work and don't have to LOOK at him for a few hours...I'll calm down in a short while, but the hurt won't go away so soon... Nearly spoiled my NSV...but I'm not gonna let it. I'm going to exchange the skirt for a 14W (Yay me!) and hang onto the jacket for a bit longer to see how it looks with a better-fitting skirt. And if I like the jacket and skirt together, to HE** with what HE says!

Good morning Everyone! Had a good exercise weekend - lots of walking despite the heat and humidity. Did an extra C25k workout on Saturday to check my progress, did really well. I'm proud of myself for sticking with it and continuing to make exercise a priority. Started off the day with walking as usual - will continue. I like the progress I'm making. scale hasn't moved a whole bunch, but my clothing size keeps getting smaller, so I'm cool with that! Have a great day everyone!

Hi Slim! Depends on what you want to do to the baseboards afterwards...if you are dealing with LOTS of layers of paint, you can use a chemical stripper - one of the really thick ones. I've used Peel-Away successfully when I had no idea how many layers of paint (or what type). You slather on the paste, put a "release paper" on top of it and leave it for a few hours (or overnight). Then you remove the paper and the caked on old paint comes with it. You neutralize the leftovers by washing it off with vinegar and water, and let the wood dry. Afterwards, you can paint over it, but if you plan on doing a clear finish (like varnish or shellac) then don't use Peel Away because it darkens the wood. I think there may be another product similar to Peel Away that doesn't darken the wood as much, but I'm not familiar with it. If you want to stain or varnish, then use a different chemical stripper - be prepared for a mess, though. Some of them are quite thin, some thicker, but they are all "painted" on and left for a period of time (usually just a few minutes). I also know people (myself included ) that have used heat guns, but that can be a risk of singing the wood and if you have lead paint, the fumes can be noxious. Caution - all of these methods can be hazardous to children and pets, so be careful! If you don't have a LOT of old coats of paint, you could sand them down and then repaint. Sanding creates a LOT of dust, so be prepared for that as well. My trim had been painted so many times that it had "alligatored" and you could see down to bare wood in some of the cracks. I've used chemical and manual stripping techniques to get rid of mine. Oh yeah - manual stripping - there are hand-held scrapers (good for primarily flat surfaces) that enable you to literally hand-scrape the paint off of trim and baseboard. Curved surfaces are a pain, though - you have to try and find a scraper with the exact curve (profile) of your molding so you don't destroy the details. I've only done that in small areas...the house I grew up in had elaborate Victorian-era moldings on one staircase that my Mom and I restored. She was a big fan of Bob Vila and This Old House...it took us FOREVER to get all the paint out of the nooks and crannies, but when we were done, it was gorgeous! Let me know if you want more details...I'm happy to try and help!

Hi Allie! Unfortunately, some men are unable to control their impulses...and they feel they are paying you a compliment by hitting on you. My theory is that if you weren't interested in me when I was heavy, I'm NOT interested in you now that I'm not. Besides, you're happily married! I bet your hubby is thrilled with the "new" you...and I bet he's happy that YOU are happy. My mom used to say that it's all in your tone of voice - you can shut someone down and put them in their place without being loud or obnoxious about it. Be firm but gently - leave his ego intact if you can, but if the offender persists, then get loud and ugly as you need to for others to hear the exchange and know that he stepped over the line. You've only got to embarass one or two of them for the rest to get the message and back the heck off. I don't hesitate to hurt their feelings if it's called for - and it takes a lot to make me go there, because I don't like having my feelings hurt, but I'd rather hurt them than to have rumors chasing around about me or to have my DH have ONE MOMENT of doubt about where my heart lies. Let me know if you need any more suggestions - or if you need me to ride up there and watch your back!:sad:

Hi Slim - I'm back - well, actually, I haven't left yet...:sad: You too, Slim! Now I really AM going to get up from the PC and start my painting work...BBL

Good morning, Slim! Like you, I miss Tap and LuluC - I knew I could pretty much guarantee there would be new posts in PJTP with you and Tap here. Y'all are the true early birds! Yesterday didn't quite turn out as planned, but it was okay, 'cause I had a good day. Did my grocery shopping, talked to DH in Arizona a bunch of times, gave DD the gift of a pedicure (she really wanted one), went to Home Depot and bought the paint for the MBR (never got started, so that's on today's agenda), and planned a fundraiser for a dear friend that's running for City Council (again). DD and I went to the movies to see GI Joe (2nd time for me). She missed it when DH and I went, and it was wicked hot and humid here, so I retreated to air conditioning. Had WAY too much popcorn (slider for me) so I took it easy on food the rest of the day...gotta stay away from that stuff! Up and at 'em this morning - took DDog for a walk already and I'm going to start painting while it's cool. Now that I've planned a fundraiser for my friend for Aug 30th (2 weeks), I'm going to be deep cleaning the house - can't have people over when the house is a mess. I'm hoping the 'curiosity factor' will help get people to the house - no one has really seen it since we bought it. I keep putting off having parties and such because I feel the house isn't "done" yet...nothing like an event to make ya get off your duff and get it done!:tt2: My DD has agreed to make food for the fundraiser - more of those excellent chicken croquettes she made for DH and I, and the strawberry cold soup (pureed strawberries and strawberry ice cream - yum), plus pink lemonade. It's going to be fun, and it will help my friend. Off to get my day started...BBL! :sad:

Hi to all the newly banded folks! Please, please, please BE CAREFUL...your body is still healing from the surgery at the 2 - 5 weeks point, and eating what you were able to handle before surgery could cause some serious problems. Please be careful - I am familiar with "bandster hell" having been there myself - it took two fills before I felt sufficient restriction to help me cut down my portions. I lost very slowly during that time, but because I was also making an effort to watch my portion sizes and eat things that are good for me (emphasizing Protein first, then veggies, then carbs) I was also retraining my palate. Be sure you are getting in enough Water between meals - review your doctor's and nutritionists' guidelines for how to eat after you are banded, and start easing your way into a regular form of exercise that you'll grow to enjoy. I'm just over halfway to my goal of losing 110 pounds, and I walked off the first 55 pounds. Nothing too crazy, just walking whereever I could, whenever I could...the more you move, the more you'll lose, and it can also help to distract you from wanting to eat. Congrats on making good starts - you are all doing well so far! You made a quality decision to be banded for your quality of life and your health, and you will succeed at this. Please feel free to PM me if you have specific questions, but since I'm not a medical professional, I can only share my experiences. I'll probably sound like a broken record when I say again and again "ask your doc" but it's really for the best. Stay in touch with them as often as you need to in order to find your answers and feel comfortable with the phases of your journey. Keep up the good work!:biggrin:

Hi there! :biggrin: Congrats on feeling like YOU again...sounds like you're on the way to being comfortable with your band, and working with it. You're right to take it easy on yourself - especially the first few weeks, you should be following doc's orders strictly. Your body is healing, and you need that time to heal. I know right after my surgery, I was wanting things to move along faster - but disciplined myself to follow doc's orders and not worry about the weight loss in the first 4 weeks or so. After you've had your first post-op checkup and been scheduled for a fill, the real work (in my mind) begins. I applaud you on making a quality decision to change your life and your health for the better...keep up the good work, and be sure to check in and let us know how you're doing! :smile2:

Hi Shahsosweet!:biggrin: I am right with ya - not wanting as invasive a surgery was what made up my mind for me...I have two good friends who have done spectacularly well with the bypass, but it just wasn't for me. I am very happy with my progress to date, and happier still that it's still primarily up to ME. The band is my helper, and that's the way I want it. I kept reminding myself that it took me over a year to gain this weight, and it might take me a little more than a year to lose it - but I'm still ahead of the game! Because I'm a type II diabetic, I've always been a big water drinker - that's something you might want to start getting used to now, before your surgery. I would also start weaning yourself off of sweets - for some, sweets can be "sliders" meaning they go right through the band, and can sabotage your efforts. Feel free to PM me if you have specific questions, and definately stay on LBT - I find this community to be a good one - and I wish you every success in your journey to great health!

Hi Laura! Thank you so much for the good wishes - I'm glad you are doing so well on your own journey! It's just so...freeing...to know that we've finally found a way to get healthy by losing the weight in a healthy way. No crash dieting, no unusual food requirements, no dangerous drugs...this really is the way to go! Enjoy your journey, and I look forward to reading updates about you, too!

Way to go on the race result, BillOH! :biggrin: Now that bakery gift certificate...:eek::smile2::wink:

Hi Allie! Long time no talk to...I forgot you and I were the same height! That's really cool that you're at your goal weight - congrats! Are you going to chronicle your journey to surgery like Laura did? December 14th is NOT that far off - what an awesome Christmas present to give yourself! Sounds like my original goal of 155 might still be okay - I'll be very curious to see how you're doing as you reach your date and afterward. :biggrin:

Hi! Please update me - latest weight 205...knocking on the door to Onederland! Thanks a bunch - everybody keep up the good work!:thumbup:

Morning, Everyone! :thumbup: Just went for a "wog"...did Week 3, Day 3 of the Couch to 5k and made it through wonderfully. I have three walking routes I use, short, medium and long. The long route was perfect for doing the program workout - I haven't been using the recordings because I run with my DH and he has an aversion to technology, but since he's out of town this weekend, I decided to test my fitness level and do the program exactly as indicated. I made it through just fine - even ran up a short hill because that's where I was when the recording beeped and said "Run". I feel great! I know I'm making progress, and I feel certain I'll be doing a race in September or October. Thanks to all of you for the encouragement and accountability... Have a wonderful weekend!

It's been a couple of weeks since my last post, and a LOT has been happening... Summer has finally arrived in New England! The rainy and cool June gave way to a slightly warmer July, but August has come in hot and humid. I do like summer (mostly without the humidity) and since I'm not as heavy as I used to be, I'm enjoying it a LOT more this time. Amazing how NOT sweating all the time makes warm weather more enjoyable, plus the fact that I feel I can wear shorts and tank tops without being embarassed. I never had the sense of body acceptance that some people considered 'overweight' by mainstream society have...I always envied that sense of confidence they had. I say that because I know of some women who are perfectly happy at their larger size and strut their stuff on a regular basis. They made me smile, but it was a sad smile because I did not share their confidence. It took me losing the weight to regain the confidence I had when I was younger. Having been heavy a lot of my adult life - shoot, ALL of my adult life so far - and not being accepted makes for low self-esteem. I'm happy to say I'm recovering from that. Happy news - I am closing in on Onederland! I'm only a few pounds away from breaking the 200 pound mark (203 as of this morning) and I can see it in front of me...somewhere I haven't been since before high school! I know part of the reason I'm losing at a decent rate is my activity level - I walk a LOT - 6 days a week is regular for me. The Couch to 5K program ("wogging") is making the difference. My legs are shaping up, I feel stronger, and I've developed an addiction to the activity. I WANT to run - I NEED to run - and when I don't go, I feel rotten. Even 90 degree humid weather doesn't keep me in the house any more - I just bring water with me, drink as I go, and run on! My wardrobe adventures are continuing. Some of my 16's are getting looser, and I've got to go through my closet and get rid of the 18's and 20's - I'm not planning on going back there EVER again! I'm going to try on some 14's this weekend to see how THAT goes...I wasn't even sure I could fit into a 16 not too long ago, so now I'm hungry for more. I have been noticing early morning tightness with my band - partly due to stress (I'm trying to change jobs within the same company) and partly due to dehydration, I think. Another LBT member, RestlessMonkey, posted a message that a banded friend had issues with being tight in the morning and when she increased her water intake earlier in the day, it got better. I've done a limited trial on my own (recent lunch with co-workers) and drinking more water DID help...I'm going to keep it up and see what happens. I know I'm not getting enough water, so that can only help me. If you're new to banding, do your research and talk to as many people as you need to in order to be comfortable with your decision - but don't wait until you have ALL the answers, because you might never get to that point. You CAN do this - the folks on LBT and in your doc's office will help you. Feel free to PM me if you have specific questions about anything I've posted - I'm happy to try and help! :wink:

It's been a couple of weeks since my last post, and a LOT has been happening... Summer has finally arrived in New England! The rainy and cool June gave way to a slightly warmer July, but August has come in hot and humid. I do like summer (mostly without the humidity) and since I'm not as heavy as I used to be, I'm enjoying it a LOT more this time. Amazing how NOT sweating all the time makes warm weather more enjoyable, plus the fact that I feel I can wear shorts and tank tops without being embarassed. I never had the sense of body acceptance that some people considered 'overweight' by mainstream society have...I always envied that sense of confidence they had. I say that because I know of some women who are perfectly happy at their larger size and strut their stuff on a regular basis. They made me smile, but it was a sad smile because I did not share their confidence. It took me losing the weight to regain the confidence I had when I was younger. Having been heavy a lot of my adult life - shoot, ALL of my adult life so far - and not being accepted makes for low self-esteem. I'm happy to say I'm recovering from that. Happy news - I am closing in on Onederland! I'm only a few pounds away from breaking the 200 pound mark (203 as of this morning) and I can see it in front of me...somewhere I haven't been since before high school! I know part of the reason I'm losing at a decent rate is my activity level - I walk a LOT - 6 days a week is regular for me. The Couch to 5K program ("wogging") is making the difference. My legs are shaping up, I feel stronger, and I've developed an addiction to the activity. I WANT to run - I NEED to run - and when I don't go, I feel rotten. Even 90 degree humid weather doesn't keep me in the house any more - I just bring water with me, drink as I go, and run on! My wardrobe adventures are continuing. Some of my 16's are getting looser, and I've got to go through my closet and get rid of the 18's and 20's - I'm not planning on going back there EVER again! I'm going to try on some 14's this weekend to see how THAT goes...I wasn't even sure I could fit into a 16 not too long ago, so now I'm hungry for more. I have been noticing early morning tightness with my band - partly due to stress (I'm trying to change jobs within the same company) and partly due to dehydration, I think. Another LBT member, RestlessMonkey, posted a message that a banded friend had issues with being tight in the morning and when she increased her water intake earlier in the day, it got better. I've done a limited trial on my own (recent lunch with co-workers) and drinking more water DID help...I'm going to keep it up and see what happens. I know I'm not getting enough water, so that can only help me. If you're new to banding, do your research and talk to as many people as you need to in order to be comfortable with your decision - but don't wait until you have ALL the answers, because you might never get to that point. You CAN do this - the folks on LBT and in your doc's office will help you. Feel free to PM me if you have specific questions about anything I've posted - I'm happy to try and help! :sad:

Hi Everyone! RestlessMonkey - I think you are definately ON to something with the Water issue. Yesterday, even before I read your post, I went to lunch with some co-workers. One of them has a daughter that went to culinary school and now works at the restaurant. I knew it would be primarily sandwiches, which give me trouble mid-day because of the bread. For whatever reason, I was really thirsty, so I started sipping water before our orders came. I was probably into my second glass of water before the food arrived (yeah, I know, I'm not supposed to drink that close to eating) but funnily enough, it DID make a difference! I was able to eat my salad without a lot of trouble, and while I did get a small challenge with the sandwich, normally I would NOT have been able to eat more than a couple of bites. I got through 1/4 of the sandwich (it was a HUGE sandwich) at lunch, and then had the other 1/4 in my car on the way home. The second half became my DD's dinner! I DO LOVE BREAD, but since I got good restriction, it hasn't loved me back. This was the first time I could eat it without a lot of problems. Thank you so much for sharing this tip - I thought I was getting enough Fluid, but obviously not - it made an immediate difference! Now I know I can eat bread occasionally - so I'll save those times for the really good homemade / artisan breads - not the regular stuff from the grocery store! :thumbup::wub::wub:

PJTP...Good morning PJTP Family!:wub: Just came in from an awesome run...did Week 3, Day 3 of the Couch to 5K program and completed all of it. A couple of times I was a bit tired, but soldiered through. It took just about 30 minutes, and I used the "long" route that I use for weekend walks. I feel great! DH is away at a pilot's meeting this weekend and combining that with a visit to his sister in Arizona. I'm jealous...wish I could have gone, but job changes and the budget made that impossible. Signed the paperwork to sell our old church building to a new church - one more set of signatures today and it's all done. We (the old church) will have the 'load off our minds' taken away (it's a beautiful old building, but a LOT of work for a small congregation) and the new group will have a building they can grow into - they are so excited! :thumbup: I've got another busy Saturday ahead - more drywall patching, painting and moving stuff around in the MBR, homework and studying, and we'll throw some fun in there as well - though anyone who knows me knows I LOVE working on my old house! Have a wonderful weekend and when I come up for air, I'll try to check in!

Hi Everyone! Keeping it going...did my wog this morning without DH, who is away at a pilot's meeting DDog and I made it just fine...I ran an extra block this morning 'cause I heard DH's voice encouraging me! Feeling good, strong - had a little concern about my left knee - it was sore last night, but did just fine this morning. No problems...took DDog for another walk a short while ago, 'cause I went to lunch with friends and did not get in a walk then. I am 'craving' exercise...never thought it would happen to me, but it has...I don't feel right when I do nothing. Physical activity is getting to be like a drug for me...I WANT that feeling of being strong and moving well. *sigh* why did it take me so long to figure it out? Looking forward to a long walk in the morning or maybe a longer wog session to test my limits. Then I'll take it easy with just a walk on Sunday and crank up the program on Monday. Have a wonderful weekend, everyone! :thumbup:

Hi Laura! Thanks so much for sharing this...give me some ballpark figures for planning. How did you decide on your goal weight? I ask, because I'm 5' 10" tall, and originally I set my goal at 155 lbs. I'm thinking that might be a bit low, but I just dunno...did some searches on makemeheal last night, but couldn't find too many people at my height. I think I'll be fine, but...I don't want to be fashion-model thin...that is not my goal. I DO want to have a flat tummy for the first time in a long time. When I put things around my waist (and ignore the ever-present flab) I can see that my bone structure allows for a small waist, I've just never given my body a chance to show it. Do the doctors use a chart or some such to help you determine your goal weight? My surgeon left it up to me - hasn't commented a lot on my goal yet. I was planning on waiting a year after I reached my goal weight to allow my body time to 'settle down' before having surgery - did your surgeon have a recommended time frame? I've heard 3 months, 6 months, etc. I'm so glad you're willing to share (have I said that lately?)...:thumbup:

PJTP...the Friday evening edition from Ebony's house!:thumbup: Have FUN on your trip, be safe, and we'll see ya soon! I'm glad to see you too, Slim! I would miss my PJTP family too much if I left...so no chance of that! :wub: My doctor did NOT require a pre-op diet - but I did one myself to give me the best possible chance during surgery. My family even did it with me...gotta :wub: them for that! I figured anything I could do to increase the chances of success, I would do. Ooh, I'm jealous...love CSN...lots of good music there. The food sounds wonderful, too. Speaking of good food - the restaurant where my co-workers daughter is a pastry / dessert chef is wonderful...homey little place with friendly waitstaff and just enough space to be comfortable. Great food - had a quarter of a turkey / ham / bacon / cheese sandwich on absolutely sinfully delicious bread (kinda reminded me of sourdough). I ate very slowly and chewed very thoroughly. The macaroni salad was great, and dessert was an "Oreo cake". They make them in little individual serving sizes so they are always fresh...LOVED it. Only ate half of that too, though it was sliding down really easily. Gave DD the other part of my sandwich (finished the 2nd 1/4 on the way home) and half the Oreo thingy. She was VERY happy! Just got back from taking DDog for another walk - just over a mile and a half out and back. Feeling very good! Busy weekend planned - painting the closet, patching the ceiling in part of the master bedroom, and getting ready to patch and prime the rest of the MBR... Everyone have a wonderful weekend - I'll try to get back on Sat and Sun, but can't guarantee it...just know that I'm out here, that I'm not going anywhere, and I :wub: all y'all!

PJTP...I'm here y'all, I'm here *Ebony waves arms wildly* BITCH - Being In Total Charge of Herself - and I resemble that remark as well...let me know when the beatdowns will begin, I got your back! *grinning* Ask yo surgeon! :w00t: Feel free to ask me as well - whatever experience I have, I'll try to share... ROFLMBO... I wholeheartedly agree - I wanted to know what COULD happen, but tried not to obsess about it... I ain't going anywhere...they will have to pry my keyboard from my cold, dead, fingers...:sneaky: Breathe, girlfriend...you can do this - I KNOW you can! I'm here (jumping up and down)...gotta run, because we're going to lunch at a co-worker's daughter's restaurant. The daughter just graduated from culinary school and this is her first professional gig... BBL...:drool::thumbup:

Afternoon, All! I am definately tighter in the morning. Around my TOM it gets worse - I often go to liquids in the morning for a few days. I normally can't eat anything solid until around 11 am. I will have yogurt or Cereal in the morning (sometimes even cereal won't work), or if I'm super-tight, a Protein shake. lunch is usually okay for a salad or Soup, but nothing too heavy - sandwiches are out at this point, and anything more than a saltine gets stuck. dinner is my most "open" time, so I have to be careful not to overdo it then... I'm 8 months out (banded in mid-November 08) and you can see my progress on my ticker. I've had 3 or 4 fills, I forget which, and I think I'm at my sweet spot. Losses are pretty regular...loving it so far.

I'm thrilled for ya! Keep up the good work...I'm a bit jealous of you being able to kayak. There is a newish rental place near my home that rents them for use on the river, but I haven't checked them out yet. Kudos on the run - they will get easier...my first one wasn't pretty either, but now I like to think I look like I'm enjoying myself! :drool: