DivaStyleCoach

I took a mini-vacation with my hubby this past weekend over the Memorial Day holiday. We spent a total of 5 days traveling and having fun... My hubby is a private pilot, and belongs to the Black Pilots Association. He flies small planes - Piper Cherokees and such - and the organization has an annual get-together called Skyhook in Pine Bluff, Arkansas. We went for the first time last year and had a ball, so off we went again this year... We flew out on Thursday - now normally flying is not a big deal for me, but for some unknown reason, during the second leg of our flight from CT to Arkansas, I had a problem with something I'd eaten. I spent the flight sliming and had a couple of minor PB's. People thought I was airsick - not entirely untrue - but since this had NEVER happened before when I flew, I was at a total loss. After we got to Arkansas, I was fine - go figure... Spent the next couple of days flying with hubby - Arkansas, a short hop to Mississippi to visit distant relatives of his, and then back to Arkansas. No problems the rest of the time. I felt a bit guilty because with our hectic vacation schedule, I wasn't getting my walks in, and I was a bit worried about how my body would react. Normally when I go on vacation the combination of lack of exercise and unfamiliar food makes for a 5 pound or so gain of weight. I ate a few fruit-and-yogurt parfaits from McDonald's and tried to concentrate on getting my water in and eating enough protein. Salads were relatively easy to get - even though I can't finish them, they still make for good protein and veggie content. There was a barbeque on Saturday night, which ordinarily would have meant waaaay too much food and dessert, but because I'm banded, I again focused on protein and veggies, plus a small amount of ice cream for dessert with fruit for a topping. I was amazed to be so satisfied with so little food compared to what I normally would have eaten - in fact, what I ate the previous year! :devil: The rest of the weekend went without a hitch - and even the ride home via commercial flight was uneventful. I don't know what caused my initial upset, but I'm certainly glad it didn't repeat itself! Flying is much more comfortable for me now that I'm down 45 pounds - I fit more comfortably in my seat, and even though my hubby has wide shoulders, he and I can sit side-by-side without feeling squished because I now take up LESS ROOM! :wub: We returned late on Monday night, and when I got up the next morning, I weighed myself - thinking the worst, but hoping I had at least stayed the same. Hooray! I actually LOST a pound! :sad: That was definately NOT what I expected...and I can only attribute it to my band. Never before (well, at least since I became an adult) have I gone on vacation and come back LIGHTER than when I left. It's all due to the great restriction I now have with my band - I have definately hit my sweet spot, and I'm on track to make my goal of being at 200 lbs by July 4th. I've just got to keep up the good work - consistency for me is the key - and with regular workouts and eating right, I'm certain I'll reach my goal and be able to wear the beautiful new swimsuit I bought for my July trip to Florida. Side note - I recently had to buy new clothes because I've lost enough so that my existing garments started to look funny on me, and I'm now wearing a size 18! I'm out of the 20's for good and I'm NEVER going back - at least, not as long as I have my band! :glare:

Go CC! :w00t::w00t: That's awesome! I can't wait till I get to that point...I think y'all will hear me screaming all the way from CT!:thumbup:

Hey Beth - check this out...Lincoln Small Business University - Home Black Enterprise magazine is running a series of classes for people who either have their own business or are thinking about starting one. They are all virtual classes, and they have some really good experts lined up... Might be something interesting for you and your friends to check out! :thumbup:

Go Beth! :wub: And here I was patting myself on the back for my little 71 wpm...HAH! :eek: I think my brain would turn to mush at home as well...though DH would love it! When I worked my own business from home, he was forever "dropping" in during the day. Made it hard to get anything done, but it was fun...:tt2: I like being in an office - I admire entrepreneurs and their drive, but though I often think about going back out on my own, I just don't think I've got the temperment for it. I would rather be able to leave the office behind at the end of the day, not walk by it all the time, if ya get my drift... Good luck on the job hunt - whoever gets you will be getting a true prize: a hard-working, intelligent and gawgeous employee!

PJTP...it's chilly and gray here in CT and I'm ready for sunshine! At least the weekend is supposed to be nice...and the end of my work week is shaping up beautifully because things have slowed down a bit... 3 potential new jobs in the pipeline...I've been referred to the hiring manager on all three, which means I passed the first screening test for qualifications, etc. Had to take a typing test on Tuesday - first time since I don't know when - and I practiced a bit online first. Scored 71 wpm corrected - not too shabby, if I do say so myself! :thumbup: Hoping to hear from one of the other jobs very soon - best possible circumstance would be for me to be outa here by the end of June. I do have a week's vacation planned around July 4th, but I'll let them know that if and when the switch occurs. Just about to break the 220 mark - got two days left in the month to get there, and I'm determined! I wanted to be at or below 200 for my July vacation, so I'm doing okay so far. I have that cute swimsuit I want to wear and not be worried about how it looks...summer hours at work mean a reduced lunch hour, so my walks have moved to before work and after work between my office and the train station. A little less distance, but I'm trying to ramp up the speed so I burn just as many calories. Hope everyone has a wonderful day! :w00t:

FrenchVanilla (love your name, by the way!) - good for you for starting to work out! I understand the tough schedule - I have a 1 1/2-hour total commute by car/train to my job (that's each way) so workout time is limited for me as well. I work it in by walking to and from the train station - it's a little over a mile. I used to walk 1.6 miles at lunch, but we've switched to summer hours, so I have only 30 minutes for lunch instead of an hour. Since I'm getting out of work a little earlier, I will add a walk in the evening when I get home - there's still a little daylight when I get home. Incorporating exercise into your daily routine is critical - if you have to go too far out of your way in the beginning, it will be harder to stick with it. Since I have to go to the train station anyway, I decided to walk instead of taking the shuttle bus. I do little things throughout the day - take the stairs instead of the elevator, volunteer to run things across campus, etc. I've added weight training back into my workout because my weight loss is starting to really show and I want to work my muscles to get them ready to be 'shown' as the fat loss continues. I'm losing at a pretty good rate right now, and that's entirely due to the band and exercise in combination. I am certain I would not be losing as much as I have without exercise. I'm still on my 5 - 6 days per week schedule - though because I've been walking the dog so much (every day, rain or shine) I really don't count it because I figure my body is used to it now. I do try to push myself - a little faster, a little farther, carry a small hand weight, etc to make the walks different. Planning out different routes also helps. Prevention magazine (prevention.com) has a feature called "My Walking Maps" that you can use to map out routes in your area based on address and they give you an accurate distance measurement. That's also helpful if you are trying to advance your distance. Hope everyone has a wonderful summer! :thumbup:

If there is another temp agency in your area, I would look at another one. Do they offer "training" for their employees? Perhaps you could begin by telling them you'd like to move in a different career direction and refer them back to your resume (or take them one if they don't have a recent one) and ask them if they have any assignments coming up in your areas of expertise / interest. If they aren't willing to help you, I'd definately go elsewhere. Who's the biggest / most stable employer in your area? Who do they use for temp employees? If transportation isn't an issue, you could also look farther afield. I'm sorry if you've done all this already and this advice sounds redundant. I know what you're going through - been there, done that - and I know how frustrating it can be. I will keep good thoughts for you and send prayers your way... I wholeheartedly agree with Slim - don't blame yourself for being frustrated... Hugs...:wub:

G4E - have you talked to any temp agencies? When I was job hunting several years ago (and again just a couple of years ago) Pfizer here in Groton, CT was one of the places I worked. It's easier to transition from temp to perm (some places even list the jobs that way) when working with an agency that has a good relationship with the employer. I got into Yale the same way - came in as a temp, was hired in the position permanently. I hope something opens up for you very soon...:eek:

PJTP...I'm catching up after 5 days away on vacation! DH and I flew to Arkansas for an annual Black Pilots Assoc event - DH has his license - and we arrived on Thursday. DH got checked out on the rental plane on Thursday, we stayed overnight in Lonoke, Arkansas, then picked up the plan Friday morning and flew to Pine Bluff, AK. Full day of pilot-stuff (fun!) and then flew to Mississippi to visit DH's distant family. Stayed overnight there, flew back to Lonoke on Saturday AM, returned the plane and drove to Pine Bluff (about an hour). Drizzly day on Saturday, but got to watch some of the flyboys do their thing plus give rides to some very excited kids. Two F-18 pilots showed up with their planes (absolute hit of the weekend) and showed them to all the kids, plus inspirational talk. 70's theme party on Saturday night, wanted to beat the crap out of a woman who was excessively flirty with my DH, had a good night though. Rained out on pilot activities on Sunday, but DH's grown son from his first marriage came to visit (fun again!) and catch up. We haven't seen him "live" in about 5 years - he looks more like DH every time I see him. Saw "Terminator" Sunday afternoon, after watching F18's take off from Pine Bluff - loud but very, very cool. Awards dinner Sunday night, more wanting to slap excessively flirty woman (same one), and then off to bed. Slept in Monday morning, had a late breakfast with DSS (Darling Step Son) and off to the airport for our flight home (commercial flight). Visited with more pilot friends who were also waiting for flights, had an uneventful flight home, in bed at 1 am. Up with the sun this morning (had to walk DDog) and off to work with 4 hours sleep. Trying to keep my head from hitting the desk - LBT is keeping me up so far! :smile: You rode 16 miles! OMG! OMG - my brain! :hurray::eek::hurray: ROFLMHooHaOff - Beth, you are too funny! ...now wiping Coke Zero off of my computer screen...thanks Beth! :hurray: You Go Girl! G4E - you and your DGS are in my prayers...I'm so glad that he has you...keep on being there for him, and I hope all works out in his favor. To tell a child something like that...there's a special place in he** for people like that... Now back to your regularly scheduled PJTP...:tt2:

...you can rejoice with others on being members of the "Losers Club"! :laugh::w00t: ...the fact that summer is coming holds a LOT less terror than it used to, because you are wearing a smaller size and taking off the outer layers that hide your body isn't as big a deal as it used to be! ...you applaud restaurants that have an option for a SMALLER portion of a dinner entree because you know you probably won't finish it anyway, but it's less expensive than buying the big dinner you KNOW you won't finish!:mad:

I really have to question the wisdom of her having such invasive surgery so soon after the babies - I would think she'd need a LOT more recovery time before undergoing such extensive surgery. Who's taking care of the babies now? Who's going to take care of HER when she gets out of the hospital? She won't be able to take care of the babies after having abdominal surgery like that - she won't be able to handle the physical demands of taking care of so many children, let alone her older children and the poor little one with the emotional upset. One well-placed child's kick with some Oomph behind it (out of frustration, not meanness) and she'll be back in the hospital. Or are we taxpayers going to be asked to foot the bill for an additional nurse to take care of Octomom while she recovers? Guess this puts the job search on hold for a while, huh?:laugh:

No comment on the man boobs, Plain...but since I still wear a 38J (down from an H) I didn't want to *ahem* overwhelm the poor man, so I spared him...ya gotta be certified to handle these! :laugh: So far, my DH is the only one that's proven he can handle the job...

ROFLMBO...maybe I should have tried that! :redface: I definately count it as an NSV...it never hurts to have somebody find you attractive! Put in two applications for other jobs this morning, already heard back from one that my resume has been forwarded to the hiring manager. That's good news - I've passed the initial screening...hopefully I'll hear more as time goes on...but so far it sounds promising!

PJTP...It's been an *ahem* interesting morning! Got in an unexpected extra walk this morning - had to go to the main train station to see if anyone turned in my work id - I lost it on Friday. Thought I left it on the train, but no such luck...:Banane33: Got in a little late, then had to go to the ID office to get another. The guy at the desk was flirting relentlessly - not offensively, but in a funny way. :Banane01: Made me smile - but didn't make paying the $20 lost id fee any more fun! :purplebananna: Now back in the office and the atmosphere here is just plain weird. I can't wait for the weekend - 5 days with my DH, playing around with the other private pilots in Arkansas. Hot weather, good friends, lots of food (though I'll be kept in line by "Jillian" my band) and parties! Having lunch with one of my best friends today - hoping to hear about another job I've applied for - and on it goes... We switch to "summer" hours next week - shorter lunch hour means I'll have to get my walks in before and after work instead of at lunchtime, but with temps sure to rise, that may not be a bad thing... Have a great day all!:success1:

I've read some articles that indicate that "addictive" personalities - those addicted to food, alcohol or drugs - sometimes end up "switching" addictions. Their personality traits still lend them to being addicted to something, and they switch from bad stuff to exercise. Though I don't have this issue, I, like Beth, would have assumed that people would revert to prior bad habits with food. That's what we've seen in the tabloids and on web sites - Biggest Loser contestants struggling to keep the weight off once the show is over. I've never understood anorexia - and I feel bad for those who suffer with it. I do know of someone addicted to exercise...she was a bank teller at one of our local institutions. Always thin, but usually healthy-looking. Over the past 5 years or so, she has gradually gone from thin and healthy looking (she has a small frame) to looking almost skeletal. If she were younger (she appears to be around my age, maybe a bit older) she would make a decent supermodel - she's that thin now. She's always out walking - seemingly for hours at a time...or in the gym on the aerobics machines (that was a couple of years ago when I was there too). I almost want to say something, but I don't feel I know her well enough to do that...I just hope she really is healthy and I just don't know it...:eek: But then who am I to judge? :sad:

Yep, definately - Jerry would look better with some additional muscle weight, but at 65, it may be harder for him to gain muscle. Perhaps a few more pounds would be okay... I would imagine with the focus always being on losing, the contestants would be prime candidates for "over losing" and getting too thin. I'm surprised we haven't seen anyone trigger into anorexia as a result of it...if someone was borderline, that would certainly send them over the edge, don'tcha think?:wub:

Sisko came to us after spending over a YEAR at the local dog pound - they said they just couldn't bear to put him down...he had already been to one home (beyond his birth home) and because he wouldn't let ANYONE in the car with his then-owner (including family) they returned him. He's a sweet dog - most of the time - but he also lunges at strangers (rarely), so we keep him on a short leash and do not walk him at times when we're likely to see a lot of kids / people. We live near a big church, so we don't walk him when services are beginning or ending...We also don't tempt fate by taking him out off-leash. We could do that with our labrador and with our other mutt, but not this one. It's an imposition, but we couldn't bear to leave him at the shelter and condemn him to a shorter life - they were well beyond the time where they would have ordinarily put him down and his time was running out. Our next dog will probably be a smaller one - we've had three big dogs and I'm ready for a little cuddler...

Mornin' all! PJTP... They are such a wonderful addition to our lives, but oh man, can they put a DENT in the budget! We've had similar experiences with our dogs, too. That DOES sound like an awful lot for shots! Is there a 'teaching hospital' kind of place near you that might be less expensive? I'm so sorry to hear about what happened to your kitty - I love cats, just can't have one because of my allergies. None of my dogs have been cat-friendly, either...I won't let them chase cats we see on our walks, but funny enough - the current dog, Sisko, is actually friendly to the cat who is always in our vet's office! He will sniff at the cat (who's usually on the counter and doesn't even move when the dogs come in and out) but not bark or growl. Cats we see on our walks are a different matter - he tries to chase them. Go figure...:laugh: I'm nursing sore hamstrings from gardening, but otherwise I'm okay - going on vacation at the end of the week with DH to a pilot's gathering in Arkansas - hotter 'n Hades down there, but the people are great and the event is always fun. We're planning crazy outfits for a 70's night - I'll see if I can get decent pics and maybe post a few when we return. :wub:

I definately hear ya on the shoes! I went shoe shopping today - I'm headed to Arkansas soon with my hubby and it's major league hot there, so... I am now fitting into size 11 sandals with no hangover at the toe or heel. Hallelujah! Have you checked EBay for shoes? I get a LOT of my shoes there...especially the sites designed for Crossdressers - you'll find lots of shoes in larger sizes there. Some are wider than others, and with anything, do your research on the seller before taking a chance, but when I buy shoes on EBay, I don't have to worry about seeing them on someone else.

Ya gotta point, Mac...hope your situation resolves itself in your favor soon. My dear departed MIL (no sarcasm - really did love her to bits) said it never rains all day on Saturday, 'cause if it did, we'd have an excuse to not go to church on Sunday. I've seen days that were cloudy and drizzly all day, but not an all-day rain...things that make you go hmmm Beth, that sounds like fun...I've always wanted to drive a race car! :smile: OMG...ROFLMBO...:lol: Mine too! What she said...how's the baby, LJM? I jumped in here for just a minute - finishing up a very nice, busy and productive weekend. Gardening on Saturday - pulled out a bunch of stuff, planted a whole lot more stuff...now my hamstrings are sore (but in a good way)! Saw 'Angels and Demons' over the weekend - good movie. Love Tom Hanks in the role of scholar and symbologist (new word from the movie). Hope everyone's weekend was great! :cool:

A recent post by JazzyMom17 got me to thinking...she asked me what I wish I'd known before being banded. Very good question - here's my response to her, plus a bit more information: Your question is a great one - what do I wish I'd known before having surgery? I wish I'd known (I mean really KNOWN) that the weight isn't just going to fall off of me. The band is a tool - on an intellectual level I knew that, but on a heart and soul level initially - not so much! I needed to figure out how to work WITH the band instead of expecting it to do the work FOR me. I wish I'd known that eating slowly and focusing on protein first would be my eating style for the foreseeable future. Because we eat so much less, getting the protien in is essential. I wish I'd had more "adjustable" clothes, or at least plans to make them adjustable. Elastic waists, while not exactly fashion-forward, are easier to deal with and adjust while you are losing. I wish I'd known that my shoe size would change! I guess we don't realize we gain weight in our feet too! I wish I'd known that I needed to replace all my underwire bras! I am full-busted (extremely) and underwires were my saving grace before surgery. I cannot wear them now, they rub against my surgery scars and irritate them. Don't buy too many though, because depending on where you lose your weight, you may need new ones within a few weeks! I wish I'd developed a better exercise habit before I was banded. I used to be a regular exerciser, but fell off the wagon and blamed my "busy" life for it. Exercise is critical to your success as a bandster - just WALKING can bring you great results! I've been walking 30 minutes (minimum - I often get in more than that) since I was cleared to exercise after my operation, and I'm now making really good progress on my weight loss. Took me a while to figure it out, but... I wish I had started eating according to the bandster rules (protein first, count portions, track everything that goes in my mouth) before I was banded. You don't necessarily have to limit your portions to post-banding portions (although if you can, that's great too), but get into the habit now of writing down what you eat - it will help you keep the habit once you're banded. I wish I had started a regular exercise habit before being banded - even if you only start with 5 minutes, because each week you'll get stronger and by the time you're banded, you'll be in better shape, come through the surgery better, and be ready to start your new life! I wish I'd planned for wardrobe changes earlier. I work in an office, so I must keep up a certain standard (at least I think so). I've never been one much for 'business casual' clothing - it's too hard to define and can be so subjectively interpreted. I love the principle of Capsule Wardrobing - taking 8 - 10 pieces and turning them into 20 different outfits. Between EBay, consignment shops, friends and family, I can minimize my clothing expenses and still look polished and professional. Once I get to my goal size, though - It's on and shopping! I wish I'd thought more about journaling or keeping a diary during my transformation. I missed the first few weeks of my change in thought because I was too busy living it. Now, like with childbirth, it's tough to remember what it felt like initially. There are so many 'lightbulb' moments where I had flashes of understanding and I wish I'd written them down. I wish I'd taken more progress photos - the recent finale show for the Biggest Loser showed progress photos taken every week by the contestants. There were little incremental changes, but WOW what an end result! I think a monthly schedule would be okay for a bandster, depending on their loss rate - perhaps someone losing more quickly would take photos more often - but as of right now, I'm taking photos on a monthly basis. That's it for now - I think that's quite enough - but if you are reading this and have suggestions, please feel free to add them as comments so everyone who reads this post can learn and benefit from them. As always - take good care of yourself, follow the bandster rules, and never forget that you are starting a Brand New Life! :thumbup:

A recent post by JazzyMom17 got me to thinking...she asked me what I wish I'd known before being banded. Very good question - here's my response to her, plus a bit more information: Your question is a great one - what do I wish I'd known before having surgery? I wish I'd known (I mean really KNOWN) that the weight isn't just going to fall off of me. The band is a tool - on an intellectual level I knew that, but on a heart and soul level initially - not so much! I needed to figure out how to work WITH the band instead of expecting it to do the work FOR me. I wish I'd known that eating slowly and focusing on protein first would be my eating style for the foreseeable future. Because we eat so much less, getting the protien in is essential. I wish I'd had more "adjustable" clothes, or at least plans to make them adjustable. Elastic waists, while not exactly fashion-forward, are easier to deal with and adjust while you are losing. I wish I'd known that my shoe size would change! I guess we don't realize we gain weight in our feet too! I wish I'd known that I needed to replace all my underwire bras! I am full-busted (extremely) and underwires were my saving grace before surgery. I cannot wear them now, they rub against my surgery scars and irritate them. Don't buy too many though, because depending on where you lose your weight, you may need new ones within a few weeks! I wish I'd developed a better exercise habit before I was banded. I used to be a regular exerciser, but fell off the wagon and blamed my "busy" life for it. Exercise is critical to your success as a bandster - just WALKING can bring you great results! I've been walking 30 minutes (minimum - I often get in more than that) since I was cleared to exercise after my operation, and I'm now making really good progress on my weight loss. Took me a while to figure it out, but... I wish I had started eating according to the bandster rules (protein first, count portions, track everything that goes in my mouth) before I was banded. You don't necessarily have to limit your portions to post-banding portions (although if you can, that's great too), but get into the habit now of writing down what you eat - it will help you keep the habit once you're banded. I wish I had started a regular exercise habit before being banded - even if you only start with 5 minutes, because each week you'll get stronger and by the time you're banded, you'll be in better shape, come through the surgery better, and be ready to start your new life! I wish I'd planned for wardrobe changes earlier. I work in an office, so I must keep up a certain standard (at least I think so). I've never been one much for 'business casual' clothing - it's too hard to define and can be so subjectively interpreted. I love the principle of Capsule Wardrobing - taking 8 - 10 pieces and turning them into 20 different outfits. Between EBay, consignment shops, friends and family, I can minimize my clothing expenses and still look polished and professional. Once I get to my goal size, though - It's on and shopping! I wish I'd thought more about journaling or keeping a diary during my transformation. I missed the first few weeks of my change in thought because I was too busy living it. Now, like with childbirth, it's tough to remember what it felt like initially. There are so many 'lightbulb' moments where I had flashes of understanding and I wish I'd written them down. I wish I'd taken more progress photos - the recent finale show for the Biggest Loser showed progress photos taken every week by the contestants. There were little incremental changes, but WOW what an end result! I think a monthly schedule would be okay for a bandster, depending on their loss rate - perhaps someone losing more quickly would take photos more often - but as of right now, I'm taking photos on a monthly basis. That's it for now - I think that's quite enough - but if you are reading this and have suggestions, please feel free to add them as comments so everyone who reads this post can learn and benefit from them. As always - take good care of yourself, follow the bandster rules, and never forget that you are starting a Brand New Life! :smile:

Hi JazzyMom17 - love your screen name, by the way! :smile: Thank you so much for the compliments - I really appreciate it. Funnily enough, coaching was something I considered as a career when I was thinking about leaving the work force (the first time). I never really pursued it, but you've raised a spark in me...I need to do some research on how the industry has changed. Maybe there are some people I can help... Your question is a great one - what do I wish I'd known before having surgery? I wish I'd known (I mean really KNOWN) that the weight isn't just going to fall off of me. The band is a tool - on an intellectual level I knew that, but on a heart and soul level initially - not so much! :smile: I needed to figure out how to work WITH the band instead of expecting it to do the work FOR me. I wish I'd known that eating slowly and focusing on protein first would be my eating style for the foreseeable future. Because we eat so much less, getting the protien in is essential. I wish I'd had more "adjustable" clothes, or at least plans to make them adjustable. Elastic waists, while not exactly fashion-forward, are easier to deal with and adjust while you are losing. I wish I'd known that my shoe size would change! I guess we don't realize we gain weight in our feet too! I wish I'd known that I needed to replace all my underwire bras! I am full-busted (extremely) and underwires were my saving grace before surgery. I cannot wear them now, they rub against my surgery scars and irritate them. Don't buy too many though, because depending on where you lose your weight, you may need new ones within a few weeks! I wish I'd developed a better exercise habit before I was banded. I used to be a regular exerciser, but fell off the wagon and blamed my "busy" life for it. Exercise is critical to your success as a bandster - just WALKING can bring you great results! I've been walking 30 minutes (minimum - I often get in more than that) since I was cleared to exercise after my operation, and I'm now making really good progress on my weight loss. Took me a while to figure it out, but... I'm going to stop now before this gets WAY too long, but if you need more info, feel free to email me or post another message - and good luck on your banding on June 17th! Let me know how you're doing... One more I wish - I wish I had started eating according to the bandster rules (protein first, count portions, track everything that goes in my mouth) before I was banded. You don't necessarily have to limit your portions to post-banding portions (although if you can, that's great too), but get into the habit now of writing down what you eat - it will help you keep the habit once you're banded. Get into an exercise habit too - even if you only start with 5 minutes, because each week you'll get stronger and by the time you're banded, you'll be in better shape, come through the surgery better, and be ready to start your new life! Much love! :glare:

PJTP...I really :wub: you guys! It's Friday and I'm ready for the weekend... Absolutely - you and my DH feel the same way - I'm going out on a high note...they can be as snarky as they want, but I'm going to smile my way out the door. I'm going to kill them with kindness, but not take any abuse at the same time. Good thing I'm not a 20-something at the beginning of my career, this might have really crushed me... ROFLMBO...and I nearly spit out my breakfast sandwich on that one! OMG...stop making me laugh! I used to work summers as a lifeguard and NEVER swam in outdoor pools for that very reason...all those little kids! :eek: Go Beth, Go Beth! I just hit 224 this morning! :w00t: Gotta stay on my game, 'cause you're coming up fast behind me...I can hear that motorcycle revving now! I'm right there with ya, girlfriend...I haven't been this light since my children were very little and my hubby was still on active duty! :w00t: ROFLMBO...I love it! I really needed all the laughs this morning, guys - thanks a bunch! My union rep even said it's time for me to go...she does not understand the attitude I'm getting, and does not believe I'm as bad as they would have her believe. She hasn't known me for long, so I really appreciate her candor and honesty. I'm going to compile a reply to the laundry list - I have an answer for most everything they mentioned - and in the meantime, I've spruced up my resume and am looking for another position within the university. There are several possibilities, and with me getting my Associates in July, even more will open up. The most promising one so far is in the Film Studies department - my union rep knows the woman who had the job and knows it's been open for a while, so I'll be putting in my app today. Hopefully by the time my 1 year anniversary arrives (early June) I'll be moving to a new position and a happier, healthier work environment! Have a great day, everyone! :tt1:

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: