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April 2012 posts

When a MM goes on TV and flashes her Slimpressions?

It would not be the first time.  I kid, because I don't think I've ever flashed my Slimpressions on TV before.

I head to New York City tomorrow to meet with ABC's 20/20 for an interview regarding things somewhat unknown to me about All Things Weight Loss Surgery.  

Hold me.  

What does one do in situations like this?  I mean, I got the itinerary yesterday.  MM get in a car and go to the airport and meet your driver and OMG. WHAT DO I DO?    First!  RAISE $3900 for the OAC!  THEN!

SHOP.  I had about two minutes to find something to wear, and zero clue of how to dress for such an occasion.  

If you ever want to get advice from everyone -- mention that you might be on national TV.  

Add other people's idea of What Works On TV Because We Know these things to my own clothing quirks, and that rules out nearly everything you find in a store.  I had one afternoon (about two hours with two very tired and children, one who cried the whole time...) to find an outfit, and little funds.  

I stopped just short of crying in the middle of Macy's.  I DID GOOD, I didn't lose my composure!

You see, my local mall has very few shopping options, and I have many clothing quirks.  

This might turn out being part of the interview -- the trouble with EXCESS SKIN AND ALL THAT IS LEFT AND THE FACT THAT YOU HAVE TO FIND A WAY TO LIVE IN YOUR SKIN, FOR-EVER.   Let it be known, not everybody gets to have plastic surgery.  Sometimes you have to keep your extra bits. This was only solidified in my afternoon shopping trip that left me with yet another black dress.  

Forgive me, fashionable women of the internets, I can't handle colors, short sleeves, short dresses or anything that allows the non-use of Slimpressions because I. will. be. wearing. them.  I will be wearing a black 3/4 length sleeved belted dress with a Slimpressions The-Have-Nots and Slimpressions bottoms with Spanx tights.  Because I can.  And, given the state of my post weight loss and post baby body at 8 years and 1 month post weight loss surgery, I need to.

And if the Slimpressions don't make me feel super, the shoes might help -

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Bariatric Eating - SML - Susan Maria Leach - SCAM?

I am in college studying for a degree in Marketing with the very-distracted-and-backwards method. My husband is earning his Bachelor's in Business Management and Finance.    Yes, we're adults, and yes we are a little late.  

I think that we are getting more of an education by watching businesses screw customers online. 

One of my earlier classes taught me about fraud.  And trickery.  And a little about schemes and scams!

So, I see this in my search terms -

Search Referral:

You read my post about the f-ckery that IS Bariatric Eating.com.  If you haven't, please to do so first.

Some customers are receiving notices that their paid orders  have been officially canceled -- with or without asking for them to be canceled.  I also got word that regardless of my order, I would likely "never get it anyway" so to watch for a refund on my American Express.  The refund was processed on 4/26/2012, supposedly.  

It has not hit, nor did I ask for a refund.  I was waiting out the allotted dispute time to simply dispute had I NOT received the products.  It wasn't about my $100.00, $47 of which was EXPRESS SHIPPING from two weeks ago.

Now they are to sit and wait on the funds to be returned.  Given that the orders took so long to process, and did not, how long should customers expect to wait before receiving their money back?

Closed,fun,sign-90a72baaae420c55bc2bf34d779b4afc_m

The actual storefront is now closed, and has been for some time.

And, when they were asked directly - When will I be able to get my goods?

  • "‎BariatricEating.com  When we have our new product lines in we will also have a new location!"

OMG I AM SO HAPPY FOR YOU!  

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However, all means of "contact us (errr, you!)" fail the customer.  

If Macy's failed to respond to ME in the typical fashions -

  • Customer service, in person - YOUR STORE IS CLOSED.  (Macy's is open.)
  • Customer service, via telephone - THERE IS NO RESPONSE TO ANY PHONE LINE  (Macy's has 1-800 numbers.)
  • Customer service via email - THERE IS NO OR VERY DELAYED RESPONSE (Macy's would likely not need to go that far, but might follow up this way.)

I would go straight to the top of the food chain.

That is, the highest I could get to GET A RESPONSE.  If it were Macy's?  And Macy's failed to respond to all normal communication methods?  

I would go straight to social media. This method of 2012 crowd source communication works.  The power of a group of consumers is sometimes the only way to get things done.

You pay for a product or service, 

The business fails to provide the product or service.

You complain through appropriate measures, and then you take it upstream.

And?

This is the ONE AND ONLY way that we have recieved ANY RESPONSE -- via Facebook -- from an employee of Bariatric Eating.com

This same employee has asked me to direct all comments,, questions or angry rants I recieve -- straight to her overflowing in box.  I actually feel bad doing so at this point, as I cannot imagine the level of angry some customers might have.  

So, Susan, you mean to say that you've been taking customer's money (including mine) for months on end, and not shipping countless paid orders since at least January 2012, not fulfilling auto-ships, but you had the cash to front New Product Lines, close your store and move? 

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Time, keeps on slippin' slippin'...

Definition of 'Wire Fraud' --A situation where a person concocts a scheme to defraud or obtain money based on false representation or promises.

Read more: http://www.investopedia.com/terms/w/wirefraud.asp#ixzz1tTMZEy2l

Questions -

  • Where is my order from TWO WEEKS AGO of IN STOCK PRODUCT?  (I have received several boxes of products from various US locations SINCE my order from your company.)
  • Where are everyones orders?  
  • Where are the refunds?
  • Since the refunds are not immediately processed, where is the money?
  • Why is the store closed?
  • Why is your website broken, apparently also hacked (check your source code) yet the "order" URL functions perfectly?  (Nevermind. I figured it out.)
  • Why do you have a NEW WEBSITE that is half-functioning, but self-branded?
  • Does this have anything to do with your book slated for release later this year?
  • Why are you still offering product that is NOT in stock?
  • Why are you posting on social media and not responding to customer complaints and questions?
  • Why can't you be reached via phone, email or said social media?

Amazingly after this post was up a few hours -- some "answers" trickled in on the Facebook Page -

  • "BariatricEating.com The company had been running for 8 years on a platform that was not built to handle the volumes of people and data. We had to go in and have everything rebuilt rather than repaired. We are in between platforms right now because not everything goes smoothly no matter how simple they tell you it will be. So our old site is gone and the new one is still beta but usable. Here is the link"
  • BariatricEating.com We are not happy about it either. We repackaged and recreated all of our lines and have not yet reintroduced them. We will announce dates soon along with even more flavors and choices.
    32 minutes ago

Update - My order was wholly CANCELED last night after this post went live.  I did not ask for the order to be canceled.

Please explain.  I have inquired via blog post, email, phone, Facebook, Twitter, American Express, Consumerist and Florida Attorney General.  

Thank you! 

PS.  Here is the first post about Bariatric Eating.com


The walk is today! $1450 to go! Help MM help the OAC!

She bumps the goal up.  Well, why NOT?  I have a whole WEEK LEFT!  One day left!

 

 

Thanks to a late-night donation, Team MM + BBGC reached my lofty $3000.00 goal for the Walk From Obesity in Natick, MA on April 28th, 2012.  Go us!

I received 49 donations totaling more than $2200.00, including $500 from Wellesse Vitamins, huge support from Washington State BBGC Barbara Beck,  Slimpressions and many MM and BBGC Members... THANK YOU!

The rest of my teammmates made up the remaining $800.00.  Which MEANS?  WE CAN DO MORE.  You know why?  Some team members haven't got a single donation yet!  

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In the years I have fundraised and walked (6-7 times now?) I have NEVER raised more than $3000.00 for a single event.

Let's blow that away.

"YOU can really make a difference in the lives of those touched by obesity. while advances have been made in the prevention and treatment of obesity, more remains to be done. It is estimated that nearly 93 million Americans are affected by obesity and that number is predicted to climb to 120 million in the next five years.

There is hardly a family anywhere that hasn't in some way been affected by obesity related illnesses. The Walk from Obesity combines an enjoyable event with the potential to raise significant sums for the fight against obesity."

Donate the cost of your morning coffee today?  That seems reasonable.  

Starbucks

To all of those who have already donated, I thank you.  Very, very much!

Thank_You_Spiral_wo_heart_black1

 


Introducing WLS Lifestyles Magazine Premiere Digital Issue 2012

Introducing WLS Lifestyles Magazine Premiere Digital Issue 2012

WLS Lifestyles has gone "green" with a NEW, environmentally friendly digital format. 

On behalf of all of us here at WLS (Weight Loss Success) Lifestyles, we are delighted to provide you with this free premiere digital magazine.

To Listen, View & Read our inaugural digital edition. 

Feel free to share this complimentary magazine with friends, family & loved ones. 

We hope you enjoy our new 3-D format.  

Please note, this issue may be viewed on a PC or Mac, Netbooks, eReaders, iPads, iPhones, Android and other mobile devices.

Wishing you happiness & success throughout your personal journey to weight loss, better health & wellness.   

Sincerely, 

WLS Lifestyles magazine

 


Updated - Bariatric Eating .com - SML - Susan Maria Leach fails to fill customer orders - and does not respond to complaints in timely fashion

D-rama.

Continue reading "Updated - Bariatric Eating .com - SML - Susan Maria Leach fails to fill customer orders - and does not respond to complaints in timely fashion" »


That time MM was on 20/20.

American Broadcasting CompanyAmerican Broadcasting Company (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

I'm going to be on TV.

I'm going to New York City next week to film an interview with ABC's 20/20.    

Then, because of the way things go:  I am going to the neurology inpatient unit for 7-10 days for video EEG monitoring, coming home, and flying to Vegas for the WLSFA Event.  Because.  It's all or nothing for me. 

PS.  Send clothes.  OMG.  I have nothing to wear.  And I need a haircut.  Save me. 

What?!

Yes.  I agreed to go.  You know I am terrified of Such Things as Being On Camera, and I have said no a couple times before to things like this.  There are people in my life who feel that I can't possibly have stage fright because "REALLY, YOU!?  Attention WHORE!"  But I am typically scared shitless, you just don't know that.

But this opportunity feels different.  It's 20/20.

I WATCH THIS SHOW.  OMG.  I'm going to speak with Deborah Roberts.  OMG. 

I spent one and a half hours on the phone today with a ABC producer, and I taped it.

Why did you TAPE yourself, Beth?  For one thing, I have had more than one seizure during Important Phone Calls that I do not remember HAVING.  (Sorry, Chike Protein, and whomever else I've done it to.)  Knowing the call would be long, I figured it was a possibility and I wanted to remember what I said.  It didn't happen, but now I have this record of my half of the conversation, I figured I would share it.

This is completely unscripted, random and much of my off the cuff thoughts.  Please do not judge too harshly.  I did not prepare anything because I had no idea what she was going to ask and what the topic was.  As for the actual show topic, I figure it will be loosely connected to the things she asked in this interview:

 


Bariatric Surgery maintains --- and slows.

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The rates of weight loss surgery procedures have slowed.  

While it doesn't feel that way in the patient community -- I suppose it's because we don't track the numbers.  It seems surprising because we are surrounded by peers, but apparently the economy has made potential bariatric patients put off the decision to have surgery for ... now, at least.

Continue reading "Bariatric Surgery maintains --- and slows. " »


Jillian Michaels WLS is FLAT-OUT DANGEROUS.

“This is a really tricky question because there are a lot of people who feel that they couldn't have done it without these surgeries,” Jillian says.

“But I couldn’t disagree more. I don’t want to take away from the fact that there are people who have lost a good amount of weight from these surgeries, but that said, if you’re somebody who’s on the fence about it, it’s dangerous. Flat-out dangerous. Completely, 100-percent dangerous.”

Shit.  I'm on that fence.  WHAT DO I DO NOW?!

Jillian.  Must you say things like this?


MM Takes A Gym Tour And Blogs About It And Suze Orman Slaps Her In The Face

Workout-gym-exercise-bored-confession-ecards-someecards
Mr. and I took the kids on a tour of a local gym this morning.

Gasp!  A...gym?  I know, I already heard about it via Facebook...  "No. way. you. did."  We really did! 

"What's wrong with you, Beth?!"  

I know.  Two wild and crazy things in the span of one week?  Are you mad?

No, not really.  Not... much?

I realized when we were on the Obesity Help Cruise that I don't mind exercise -- when I'm in a gym.

Why?  Because, I've got distractions galore:  via TV, music, and Other People Around Doing The Same Thing.   Certainly the fact that we were staring OUT INTO THE CARIBBEAN helped a little itty bitty, I am sure.  Even walking the track outdoors was no trouble at all.   Again -- I was distracted by pretty things.

At home -- I rarely follow through with exercise via treadmill because I start zoning out at the wall -- and think about Getting Off Of This Thing and ... ANYTHING to GET OFF OF THIS THING -- HOW ABOUT LAUNDRY?  You said the toilet is clogged?  I'll be right there!  SQUEE!

And I do.  I'll make it 15 -20-30 minutes and quit.  But, in the context of a gym where you're surrounded by folks trying not to quit -- it's easier.  Maybe it's just me!  (I know it's not.)  

This means we've been tossing around the idea of signing up the whole family for a gym membership.

 As much as I would like to just get up and go early in the morning by my SELF, it will never happen since I am not driving anymore.  We were members of one or two gyms years ago -- right after we both had weight loss surgery -- but at the time we were living with family for a while and it was easy to take turns going.  Now, not so much.  We would have to go as a group (which can be a big freaking deal...) because there isn't any swapping off anymore -- and we don't have babysitters.

We would have to go at night or on the weekends -- which will end up being whatever teenagers that will GET UP AND GO and somehow wrangling the younger two into a class at the same time.

I pretty much realize that it's impossible AND totally worth it, simultaneously.  

My ten year old was bouncing off the walls in there:  "I SO want to DO THIS, I could take swimming lessons, and I could do THIS and then we could do THIS!"  My 13 year old didn't complain, and I saw him eyeing the weights like "I could do this."  

The frugal MM says it's a waste of money, because she is all too realistic and know what happens when people buy gym memberships.  And those who buy memberships that can't really get to the gym more than 1-2 times a week?  Huge waste of disposable income.  Suze Orman would SLAP YOU IN THE FACE.  "Go play outside you morons."  I know she'd say it.

But as Dr. Phil says, "How's that working for you?"  

Um.  It's not.  It never really has.  I have a hard time just getting up and going because my preferred exercise is walking outdoors -- and since I have random seizures -- I'm fearful of walking alone.

The sometimes Motivated MM knows it's worthwhile if it GETS US MOVING because moving is the goal, and what matters and who cares if it's $$$.$$ a month?  And she also saw herself in the full-body mirror without Slimpressions AT THE GYM and wanted to jump on the treadmill immediately.   Then I realize How Motivating It IS -- if I came home and posted about all the good things I would do - and the benefits I'd get from working out - and how many potential people might be motivated too?  

PS.  And the bizarrely analytical  MM already did the math and realized that it's about .88 cents to $1 per day per person in the family for such a membership, and that doesn't seem like much at ALL, but when she considers that might only be used once a week some weeks -- it seems like a lot more -- and WHAT IF WE DON'T GO AT ALL?!  Yes, I have to make it worthwhile or I won't bother.  So there's that.

Oh, I suppose I should add the cost of the protein shake I HAD TO have on the way out?  That would really... uh... add up.

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Is Sugar Toxic?

I don't know HOW I missed this episode of 60 Minutes.

And here I go, down the rabbit hole of carbohydrate paranoia once again and feel tempted to throw away EVERYTHING in my kitchen and snort Splenda again. Watch with me?  Hold me?

Dr. Sanjay Gupta reports on new research showing that beyond weight gain, sugar can take a serious toll on your health, worsening conditions ranging from heart disease to cancer.

Is sugar toxic?


Nasogastric Tube Feeding Crash Diet for Brides and More! Get one! O-o

Feeling a little chubby before your big day?  Are you horrified that you might waddle down the aisle on your wedding day?  Is your fiancee upset by your love-handles?  

Forget your typical crash diets, forget the Weight Watchers, nutrisystem, Jenny Craig, Slim-Fast, Medifast, The Cookie Diet, even drinking horse urine... you can now --

...GET A FEEDING TUBE!   The K-E Diet costs $1500 for ten days and those willing to wear a tube in their nose 24-7 will be rewarded with weight loss of up to 20 pounds.

Helping-hand-illustration

A nasogastric tube better known as a NG tube, is a tiny flexible tube that carries calories/medicines medicine to the stomach through the nose.   It is often used for tiny infants who cannot take in enough nutrition on their own, and those who can't - for a variety of reasons - ingest solids for an extended period of time.  Sometimes bariatric surgery patients require a tube-feed if they become malnourished due to a functional issue with the weight loss surgery procedure.   At times a NG Tube is used due to a psychological inability to take in oral calories, and malnourishment.  It's usually for REFEEDING, not WEIGHT LOSS.

Such as eating disorders like anorexia -

  • The patient is less than or equal to 85% ideal body weight (IBW).
  • The patient has experienced greater than 1 month severe restriction (less than 500 calories per day) prior to admission.
  • The patient is severely restricting fluid intake and needs the NG tube to maintain hydration status.

No longer a is a nasogastric tube for the medically fragile person, it's for the crash dieter!  How, exciting?  Go, get one?  (Please understand my level of sarcasm here.)

An article in the NY times shares a variety of crash-diets for the Bride-To-Be, including the tube feeding option which is something new to the United States.

Dr. Oliver R. Di Pietro has been offering what he calls a K-E diet at his modest clinic in Bay Harbor Islands, Fla., since last July.

It uses a nasogastric tube (a tube that goes through the nose and down the esophagus into the stomach) to provide all nourishment, with no carbohydrates for 10 days. Dr. Di Pietro said body weight is lost quickly through ketosis, the state in which the body burns fat rather than sugar. 

“Any extreme low-calorie diet is associated with side effects, kidney stones, dehydration and headaches,” Dr. Aronne said, “and if you lose muscle mass and water, what’s the point of that?”

Dr. Scott Shikora, the director of the Center for Metabolic Health and Bariatric Surgery at Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston, said: “Putting a tube in one’s nose, it’s not always comfortable and pleasant. And this has to be medically supervised.”

Dr. Shikora was the director of Bariatric Surgery at the hospital I had my gastric bypass at 8 years ago, and was also the President of the ASBMS a couple years ago.  He knows how to help people lose weight.  

Dr. Shikora also said any caloric restriction will lead to weight loss.

“The novelty is, they shove a tube in your nose,” he said.  â€œIt doesn’t matter if it’s through a tube, a straw, a meal plan,” he said. “They all work, if someone goes from 3,000 calories a day to 800.”

Which is why WEIGHT LOSS SURGERY WORKS.  What do WLS patients do?  We go from 3000+ calories per day to 0 calories, to about 500-800 calories for many months.  WLS can be described the most severe crash diet you ever go on.

Tube feeding -- delicious.   Makes me want to go get one to lose my last 20+ lbs.  o-O  I am sure people whom have had to have a NG tube, or had to help a child or family member with one... would just love to try that again. 

PS.  Edited to add.  If you've already HAD weight loss surgery, do not even THINK about it.

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THANKS ALL! Winners HAVE BEEN PICKED! Wellesse Vitamin Giveaway + Contest! 100+ prizes!

Splash_banner_new
 Winners have been notified - THANK YOU VERY MUCH!
Wellesse recently shared their products with me, and I am loving them.  Keep your eyes peeled for more review posts very soon!  Here is your opportunity to give Wellesse Liquid Supplements a try!

Continue reading "THANKS ALL! Winners HAVE BEEN PICKED! Wellesse Vitamin Giveaway + Contest! 100+ prizes!" »


Study - Successful Weight Loss Among Obese U.S. Adults - How?

What WORKS to lose weight?  

Tapewormdiet1
Most of you know that weight loss surgery often works in the long term to lose weight, but not everyone (No, really...)  is a candidate for surgery

 Also, in the long-term it's not unusual for bariatric surgery post ops to again embark on diet plans to lose regained weight.  Shocking, I know!

What works?  What can we do to lose weight successfully?

Not fad diets.  Also, SHOCKING?  /end sarcasm 

If you want to lose weight, eat less fat, exercise more, and prescription weight loss pills.  Wait, really?  

That's what works?  Apparently, according to a new study from the American Journal of Preventative Medicine.

CBS -

"Researchers analyzed data from more than 4,000 obese people over the age of 20 with a body mass index of 30 or more and then interviewed them one year later. Over half of them were trying to lose weight when the study began. By the end of the study, 40 percent said they lost at least 5 percent of their body weight, while 20 percent of participants lost 10 percent or more.

Among the participants who shed pounds, they often reported working out and eating fewer fatty foods. Those who were in weight loss programs lost even greater amounts of weight.

Duh.  Right?  More from CBS -

What didn't work? Those people who participated in popular diets, liquid diets nonprescription weight loss pills and diet foods/products didn't see the scale tip in the right direction.

"It's very encouraging to find that the most of the weight loss methods associated with success are accessible and inexpensive," senior author Dr. Christina Wee, co-director of research in the division of general medicine and primary care at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center,  said in the statement.

"There are lots of fad diets out there as well as expensive over-the-counter medications that have not necessarily been proven to be effective, and it is important that Americans discuss product claims with their doctor before trying such products."

No fad diets.  Did you read that?  Stop it.

The study -

Successful Weight Loss Among Obese U.S. Adults
May 2012, Vol. 42, No. 5

Background: Little is known about weight control strategies associated with successful weight loss among obese U.S. adults in the general population.

Among those attempting weight loss, 1026 (40%) lost 5% and 510 (20%) lost 10% weight after adjustment for potential confounders, strategies associated with losing 5% weight included eating less fat; exercising more; and usingprescription weight loss medications 

Eating less fat; exercising more; and using prescription weight loss medications were also associated with losing 10% weight, as wasjoining commercial weight loss programs.

Adults eating diet products were less likely to achieve 10% weight loss Liquid diets, nonprescription diet pills, and popular diets had no association with successful weight loss.

Conclusions:

A substantial proportion of obese U.S. adults who attempted to lose weight reported
weight loss, at least in the short term.  Obese adults were more likely to report achieving meaningful weight loss if they ate less fat, exercised more, used prescription weight loss medications, or participated in commercial weight loss programs.


Off I go! Wish me seizures.

Updated - Today I go in to the Neurology Unit at my hospital for up to ten days (feel free to shoot me instead) of video EEG testing.

"Oh, another vacation!  You must be so excited."

No.  Actually.  It's just frustrating.  No bathing for a week, eating hospital foods and doing. nothing. at. all.  

The goal is to come off of my seizure medicine and HAVE seizures while hooked up to the gadgetry. Wish me seizures. I know that sounds crazy, but if I seize, I can come home. I've asked my friend Wendy to give me disturbing news via text or phone once I am settled in -- because while it's a long shot -- stress COULD help. I know. Nuts.

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I finally went to the neurologist's office today, after a very long stretch of missed, forgotten and canceled appointments.  First thing --

Continue reading "Off I go! Wish me seizures." »


Janet Jackson tells us "This is what success looks like," on nutrisystem

"This is what success looks like."  -Janet Jackson on nutrisystem

Ms. Jackson if you're nasty? Not so much. Ms. Jackson if you're chubbylikeMM.  Damn it if she doesn't persuade ME. Janet Jackson's Nutrisystem campaign Spoke To Me.  Really. 

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Example of a nutrisystem day


How's the food?  No, really, I am curious.

Until I read this and started chanting, It's Not About Numbers, It's Not About Numbers...

"At her heaviest,  Jackson, who stands 5 feet, 4 inches tall, weighed 180 pounds."

I assume THIS is "the highest" wrapped in a corset. *dance*  WTFWHOCARES?  Dance!

Pfffft.  Okay.  I get it, because this is the Janet I remember.  But.  Whatever. 

Janet Jackson featured on a 1993 cover of Roll...Janet Jackson featured on a 1993 cover of Rolling Stone with the hands of her then-unknown husband René Elizondo, Jr. cupping her breasts. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


Shift the Focus - Weight Discrimination

"Lazy. Stupid. Worthless. From news media and magazines to professional conferences and government reports, these are the words often used to describe overweight and obese individuals. The endorsements of such stereotypes often lead to extreme weight loss practices which can induce feelings of guilt and shame. Despite the robust research demonstrating the negative impacts of weight-based discrimination, the stigma of obesity has yet to be addressed as a legitimate concern. Shift the Focus questions the science informing us about weight. It questions how and when weight discrimination became acceptable? Shift the Focus is about reclaiming our right to health and well being regardless of our size. Shift the Focus is about putting an end to weight-based discrimination."


No dear, those are not WLS friendly Easter Baskets.

The bunny left baskets err sandpails in my bedroom, so when someone climbed out of bed this morning, they were easily found.  That bunny needs to work on his locations.

GOOD MORNING!  WAKE UP WAKE UP WAKE UP!

Did you have a nice morning -- what did you give your hatchlings? 

"MM, are those WLS-Friendly?"

Um.  No.  My kids aren't WLS patients.  That said, there is very little candy in the buckets as compared to most.  There's mostly fruity-gummy stuff, I've learned that loading them up with chocolate is a bad idea -- it gets torn through so fast.  And Easter Bunnies?  

*GO READ THE LABELS, OMG.*  I stood in the store last night mouth agape at "MAMA I NEED ONE OF THOSE BUNNIES, OMG, JUST GET ME ONNNNNNNNEEEEEEEE!"  

So maybe there's some deodorant, hairspray, toothbrushes, hair doo dads... you know.  To be honest, two of the buckets got "protein" bars from KIND and sugar-free gum.  I won't force sugar-free candy on the kids, it's bad enough if *I eat* it, do. not. give. sugar-free. candy. to kids who think flatuence is hilarious. 

I try not to buy any candy prior to holidays (bought the basket stuff yesterday...) and NEVER EVER ON SALE AFTER THE HOLIDAYS -- because I will graze my way through a bag of chocolate like NOBODY ELSE.  So. There is no leftover chocolate in this house.  Because. I. will. eat. it.  

Beam.  

As for the rest of the day, we didn't make plans this year... in previous years we had gone out to brunch.  I think we're going to go visit family and I have the makings for a boiled dinner ready to go.

<shrug>

Go make these.  They are overwhelmingly cuuuuute.

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