DivaStyleCoach

PJTP...original version! Hi Glouc! Happy Tuesday to you too! Hi LJM - give that gorgeous baby a kiss for me...I do love babies! Hi BBK! *waving wildly* Glad you are dealing with the weather...that's one thing I DON'T miss about Michigan...the changeable weather - though here in CT, it can be just as crazy. We'll have 65 and sunny in my hometown, and 1 hour away, where I work, it will be 55 degrees and cloudy / rainy / drizzly...go figure! I hope you are feeling better soon! I posted on the newer PJTP...again thread as well - more detail on my clothing NSV... What CC said - get well soon! Finally finished my homework and turned in my last quiz for Business Math class - got 100% :scared2::w00t: Start working on final exams tomorrow - as soon as they are available for download. 100 questions for Biz Math, and polishing up a paper for Humanities...gonna be a busy week for me! Back to work tomorrow - I'd rather be home, but can't - it's coming into our busy season...still looking for another job, though...I'm just not really happy where I am, but happy to have a job in general. Have a wonderful night, all! :thumbup:

PJTP...again! Having a weird couple of days...was home with a general "sick" feeling yesterday. Lightheaded, body aches, no fever, but everything else felt like the flu... Today, a little more energy, but started the day with almost NO voice - it's so funny when I, the motormouth, cannot talk. My DH and DD make gentle fun of me and then tell me to Shhh when I try to talk! :thumbup: ***Major NSV Alert*** Just came in from jean-shopping. I am "growing" into my true figure I think...pretty straight up and down, not a big difference between waist and hip, so traditional women's jeans are baggy in the butt area - just where I don't need them to be (at least until I do a few thousand more squats!). Ended up buying two pair of "slim fit" (boy that was fun to type) "Cowboy Cut" Wranglers - men's jeans - iin a size 36 x 34 and a 36 x 36 (need the length 'cause I'm tall). My DH kept encouraging me to go smaller...:w00t: I tried on several pairs of women's jeans, and the best fit was a size - are you ready for it - 12!:w00t::w00t::w00t: I think it's because they have some stretch in them, and they were a 'relaxed fit' which meant there was more room in the seat and thighs. I was actually pretty happy with the size 14's (considering I just started wearing 16's a short time ago) but the dedication to my workouts is definately paying off. The pounds aren't moving as fast as I'd like, but the inches are leaving, so that's cool too. :tongue: I didn't get the size 12's because they were too short - just not enough length in the legs, even in a "long" inseam model...I'm just tickled to wear a smaller size...:seeya: Going to go put them on and try them over my cowboy boots - gotta make sure they fit over the boots, ya know! Next time my DH wants to go line dancing, I've got the perfect pair of jeans to wear! :scared2:

PJTP...Hi y'all! :tongue2: Been down the last couple of days with some kind of virusey-thing...not quite the flu, but not feeling my best. Hoping to get rid of it today so I can go back to work tomorrow... You'll be great for December, Fanny! I know the 'getting stuck' feeling - I have that occasionally, but not too often (thank goodness). After my long plateau and recent fill, I dropped about 9 lbs, but I'm holding steady at 196 now. Want to lose another 20 or so and see where that takes me. Being sick for a couple of days has sapped my energy...took the dog out for a short break and I'm whooped! Guess I'll have to ease back into my regular routine...I just feel so tired right now...

PJTP...again! Like Kat, I want to make sure I get notifications about this thread... If we decide as a group to close the original PJTP and move here, I'm down with it - I will follow my PJTP family where y'all go. Just let me know what happens...if you don't see me post for a few days, and it's not a weekend, hit me up on PM so I don't miss y'all! :smile2:

PJTP... It's definately MONDAY! :frown2: I'm not feeling my best today - too much outside activity on the weekend, perhaps? I have a headache, sore throat, and body aches...just hoping it's not the flu! Had a wonderful day Saturday - went to NYC for the day. A football game in the early part of the day, walked around the city and had dinner, then went to see Cedric the Entertainer with DH at the Beacon Theatre. The Beacon Theatre is GORGEOUS! Lots of gold leaf, intricate carvings, kind of an egyptian motif. I'll see if I can get a pic off my iPhone and post it... My DH had the most interesting (yet gross to me) appetizer - Octopus! He thought it was wonderful...I couldn't get past the LOOK of it! I had the chicken Alfredo - now I know why they call it a heart-attack-on-a-plate! I try to eat fairly clean, but you could just see the butter and cream oozing out of this dish - the chicken was good though, and since I have "Jillian" my band to help keep me in control, I ate mostly chicken and only a little of the pasta: All in all, it was a wonderful day - a belated anniversary celebration (our actual anniversary is August 23 - 19 years). We had a good time, didn't get home until 2 am, and had to get up at 7 am for church! Taking it easy today - I guess this little cold virus (or whatever it is) is my body telling me I've over-done it a bit and time to sit down for a while. Luckily, I have tons of homework to do and exams to prepare for, plus loads of laundry to get done...off to get started. Everyone have a wonderful day!:smile2: P.S. Regarding moving on to a new PJTP thread...I'm up for whatever - if the majority of posters here want to move on, I'll definately go with ya! You're a part of my online family, so whither thou goest, there go I!:smile2:

Hi Dr. Schulman! I will give your office a call tomorrow - I'm anxious to start this process...thank you so much! :seeya: I'm so excited about this - thank you, thank you, thank you! :blushing:

WTG KartMan! You should be so proud of your accomplishment...you are an inspiration! :seeya:

Hi Everyone! :seeya: I love these...especially the case of water instead of soda... OMG - isn't it great? Here's a few more: ...when you no longer worry about having enough room in theatre or movie seats because you no longer fill them up from side to side! ...when you can buy less expensive shoes because you no longer wear a WIDE size! ...when you can shop from the sale racks because you no longer need the large sizes that always sell out first, because the store only stocks 2 or 3 of them... ...when you no longer have to think twice about buying a smaller, fuel-efficient car, because you FIT into the drivers seat without the parking brake digging into your side or your butt! ...when friends who haven't seen you for a while ask "Where's the rest of you?" ...when you anxiously await the "buy one, get one half-off" sale at GNC so you can stock up on Isopure Protein drinks! Have a wonderful Sunday afternoon, everyone!

Hi BillOH, Congrats on your latest run! Sounds like you have really hit a good groove with your training and you know your capabilities well. I'm hoping to get there at some point... My DH measured out the course I ran the other day in preparation for some weekend running, and found I had actually run 3 miles instead of 2.5! Amazing what a difference that made to ME, mentally. 3 miles seemed like such a BIG deal that I thought I might never make it there...well, I did! I've signed up for a 5k in Mystic, CT in October. It will be my first formal race, and I'm going to work to run the entire distance, no matter what the terrain or the weather. If they have the race, I'm going to be there! Don't know if my DH will be able to be with me, it depends on his work schedule... I'm committed to doing it though...it may be my last chance before the really cold weather sets in and snow hits the ground. Once that happens, I'm indoors until spring...I'll try winter running for 2010-2011! :seeya: Just bought and am awaiting delivery of an elliptical trainer (not a big fancy gym unit, but a sturdy unit for home use), and I also have my rowing machine (that one is a gym machine - they upgraded and I got a really good deal on it, since my DH does maintenance for them). Between the two of them and some weight work, I should be good to go for the tough winter period, and then when Spring arrives, back onto the sidewalks and the street! Have a wonderful Sunday afternoon, everyone! Homework calls and next week is finals week!:blushing:

PJTP...just before going to bed... Hi SNT - I started another thread in the same theme / vein as PJTP, then when the original was re-opened, I thought it might confuse people to have two of the, so I asked Alex about merging them. I was afraid that some of the old visitors / posters might not find the new one. OMG - girl, sounds like you had a FABULOUS time...and you deserve nothing less! I think I understand how you feel, SNT - for me, it's not the same either without all my other friends, but I'm not quite ready to leave LBT yet, and I'm hoping that having PJTP here again will help some others that may not be ready to leave either. I do miss my other LBT PJTP friends, but I've connected with most of them via other means...I do not believe that this will replace the original PJTP, and you may have a point that we should have left the thread behind and started anew, but I didn't want to leave anyone out... Headed to bed now - have a busy day tomorrow. Will try to check in. Hope everyone has a wonderful Saturday!:tongue2:

Got a deep conditioner on hand? Do the color, put the conditioner in, put a plastic cap on (or a grocery bag in a pinch), let it sit for 30 minutes while you do other stuff, then rinse it out and style as usual. Try to go easy on heat until it has a chance to recover...I would air-dry if you have time... Good luck with the dinner party! :scared2:

PJTP...on the ORIGINAL thread!:thumbup::w00t: I'll let Alex speak for himself, but I ain't pushing my luck...:mad: Oh yikes...maybe a temporary color and lots of conditioner? I know when I color my hair (attack of the grays) it feels drier for a while afterward...just BE CAREFUL! Maybe a cute headwrap?

PJTP...a question for you, Alex... I started another PJTP thread - it's called "Posting just to post" and is at http://www.lapbandtalk.com/f7/posting-just-post-102859/. Is there a way to move those messages over to here and then notify the people subscribed to that thread to come over here? I started the new thread and don't want to leave anyone hanging...what's the most efficient way to do that? Thanks in advance.

Oh dear...prayers coming your way from me as well...it's so hard when they leave us. I know you'll find the right words to tell your DD...(((((hugs)))))

Thank YOU Jollygreen for the wonderful comment and for recommending my blog - I really appreciate that. I love that we can support each other here...I don't know what I would have done without this site during my journey. Going out for a lunchtime walk and a small lunch with friends...it's wonderful to want to go to lunch because I want to see the PEOPLE...the food is no longer the main attraction!:thumbup:

Hi JollyGreen, I saw one of your previous posts - you are indeed TALL! I'm right there with ya, and thanks so much for the kind comment on my blog. I figure if I can help someone else on their journey, then I've repaid back some of the enormous benefits that have come to me...I feel really blessed and I'm so glad I did this!

PJTP... Cryzytchr, you may be on to something...I did not have symptoms before getting banded and losing a bunch of weight. My mom and sister both has 'surgical' menopause - because of fibroid tumors, they both had to have hysterectomies, so I was unsure of when I might enter that phase of life. It kinda makes sense...I actually asked my PCP to test me because I was having a lot of memory issues, lack of concentration, etc. All the symptoms pointed to menopause. So, Crzytchr, is there a specific test I should request? I'll be seeing my PCP again in a month or so because he thinks I may be very close to getting off the diabetes meds (my A1C is at 7.0, down from 8.6 pre-surgery) and I'm praying I can leave the meds behind and celebrate 2010 medicine-free!

PJTP...Okay, I WAS going back to work... There is SO much mental about this process...I KNOW sometimes when I want something it's purely head hunger...my body is NOT hungry! I think we need a year to get our heads around the fact that we are smaller and for our bodies to adjust. I look in the mirror and am amazed at the smaller Ebony looking back at me...:mad:

PJTP...Back again...taking a break from filing and organizing here in the office...YUK! You too, Slim! :wub: Back to the filing and organizing...:scared2:

PJTP...Hi y'all! I get to use my multi-quote again!:w00t: Hi CC! *waving* :w00t: I haven't gotten into Grey's Anatomy - I'm a crime drama junkie. Was watching CSI (the original) last night...wonderful, *spoiler alert* and one of my favorite characters is back... I agree - I miss my friends as well, and I'm sad they are not here to join us, but we'll hold up the PJTP banner in their honor! What Slim said! :wub: I've got a busy weekend ahead...regular work stuff today, then tomorrow DH and I are going to a college football game (he's taking classes locally, wants to do the whole 'college student' thing) then going to see Cedric the Entertainer at the Beacon Theatre in NYC...I can't wait! As a budding Fashionista, though, I'm having a challenge figuring out what to bring (clothing-wise). My inclination is to wear something cute for the game, bring a change of clothes and then get fly and funky-fresh (yes, I'm showing my age) for the comedy show. DH, like most men, does NOT understand - plans to wear jeans all day and to the comedy show. Hence my dilemma - I want to show off this new bod I'm developing, but don't want my DH to feel funny about me over-dressing him...of course, I usually do, but that's another story! So I'm compromising - purple knit minidress, sweater tights and flat boots for the game, then switch to fishnets and black high heels for the comedy show... Whatcha think, peeps?

Morning All! Keeping up the walking - good walk at lunchtime yesterday, felt the hamstrings crying for mercy as I powered up the killer hill on campus. Time is dropping - what used to take me 35 minutes is now down to 28... No walk this morning...was up late last night watching the CSI premiere and got distracted this morning. Walked from the train station to my office, shaved a couple of minutes off that time as well... Running in the morning - 2.5 miles with DH. Got a busy Saturday ahead - college football game (DH's community college is playing in NY) then comedy show (Cedric the Entertainer in NYC)...gotta get the run in early! Have a wonderful weekend everyone if I don't check in before Monday!:scared2:

The original PJTP thread was one of my favorite places on LBT...I wanted to try to re-create some of that freewheeling, open-for-discussion, silly, poignant, interesting and funny thread here. Nothing can replace the original PJTP thread, but I missed having it around, so I'm starting it up again. The original purpose of the PJTP thread, as part of the LBT Lounge, was to "...general conversation, share interests, have a laugh or discuss anything not specifically related to banding or the LAP-BAND®." So I'll start...I was banded in November 08 (Hi Notorious Novembers!) at my highest-ever weight of 265 lbs, and I'm 5'11" tall. Not a safe weight, especially considering I have a family history of Type II diabetes and heart disease. I've been heavy since I was around 9 years old...it took me until the age of 45 (I'm now 46) to decide to DO something about it...just not good. I am married (19 years) with three kids (all grown) and a grandbaby I haven't seen in a year due to geographic differences and strained budgets. Hopefully this holiday season I'll get to see him :biggrin: I'm nearly at the end of the weight-loss phase of my journey - I'm down 69 pounds, looking for perhaps another 20, and then to have plastic surgery to improve the appearance of my torso and bustline. Looking forward to re-connecting with my PJTP peeps - will send messages to everyone I can. I must stress...this is not a replacement for the original PJTP thread, just my attempt to find my friends and my LBT family again... :mad:

Morning Warriors! Have been working out, but not posting here like I should... Still walking a lot, working my way through the Couch-to-5k program. Am up to running 2.5 miles (did that a few days ago, only walked about 4 blocks of the distance) and recently did a 3 mile walk for Diabetes in just about 30 minutes. Really proud of my progress, getting stronger and continuing to lose the weight...getting in lots of Protein, noticing a lot less hunger after my latest fill. Just invested in an elliptical trainer to go with my rowing machine for the wintertime. Once it gets slick underfoot, I won't be running outside. I live in an old town - lots of the sidewalks are slate on my regular route, which gets unpleasantly slippery when it's wet or has frost on it. Mornings will probably move to inside exercise, with outside walks in the afternoon. I generally get pretty clean sidewalks at work, so unless it's bitterly cold (below 0) I'll continue my walks at work. Hope everyone is doing fine! :mad:

Hi Runners / Woggers / Joggers and Walkers! After my burst of enthusiasm and chutzpah in running the 2.5 mile course near my home, I've been nursing a sore left knee and a sore right hamstring for the past couple of days, so I've been power-walking. My running partner (DH) is now off the midnight shift, so I'll have company tomorrow...I'm hoping that, plus some additional stretching, will help me continue my progress. I've been continuing my powerwalks, and once I warm up, no problems. I think my soreness is the result of not stretching enough after my run / walk / wog, so I'll focus on that for the next few weeks to try and overcome the stiffness. Still encouraged - there is a "Penguin 5K" coming up in mid-October in a nearby community, so that will likely be my next chance to achieve my goal and run an entire 5k. Thanks for all the support and the accountability! :mad:

Hi Dr. Schulman, I sent you an off-LBT email as well, but thought my question might help someone else, so I'm posting it here with a little more detail. I was banded in November 08, am now down 69 lbs and looking to lose perhaps another 20 or so. At nearly 6 feet tall, I've been told my original goal of 155 may be too light. Family and friends have already started telling me I'm getting too thin - of course I don't think so... I wanted to know if now is the time to schedule a consultation with you if I am considering having PS in December of this year. I'm starting to have some side-effects from the weight loss, if you will. Dropped a few cup sizes in my bra, had to buy new ones recently, but they have shifted my center of gravity or something, because now I'm experiencing muscle soreness and some pain in my shoulders and upper back. I have a significant 'roll' at the bottom of my torso, what I consider to be 'extra' skin and softness at my sides (below my bra line down to my waist) and the "roll". From all I've ready, I think a LBL (lower body lift) is in my future, but I wanted your opinion on that. I live in Connecticut, so would be taking the train to come and see you if a consultation is scheduled. My current job has a nice benefit - the week between Christmas and New Year's, our office is closed and it does not affect our sick time or vacation time. That said, I might be able to arrange for up to 3 weeks off after the surgery if I can schedule it for the week before Christmas. What other things should I be considering? Thanks in advance for the help and I look forward to talking with your office soon! :thumbdown: