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GUEST POST: Your Sex Life After Weight Loss Surgery (Adam & Eve)

22 May

Sponsored Guest Post by Adam & Eve:  http://www.adameve.com/

Getting back out there on the dating scene after a weight loss surgery can be a bit of a strange process. Chances are, you feel good about how you look, and you’re excited to see where the physical changes to your body can take you. But, getting engaged in a new sex life can be a bit trickier than simply looking better and getting results! With that in mind, here are 5 tips that can help you to get yourself back in the game following your weight loss.

1. Fully Embrace The Change

One of the biggest issues with dating and sex life after weight loss surgery can be getting comfortable with the physical changes you have experienced. Some women feel physically awkward for a while following surgery, and others become insecure about loose skin. These are perfectly normal feelings, but it’s important to confront them emotionally before you start engaging in dating or sex. It’s important to be comfortable with your own body, so that when you engage in sexual activity you can show that confidence!

2. Try Online Dating

If you’ve been holding back from the dating game because of your weight, it might feel beyond strange to jump back in after your surgery or weight loss. For this reason, online dating might be a good option to consider. There are online dating sites geared to all kinds of goals, from flings and hook-ups to long-term relationships, and thousands of people interacting on all of them. This is a great casual, low-risk way to put yourself back out there.

A&E

3. Consider Sex Toys

A lot of people think of sex toys as something that might actually stifle sex life, as to some degree they encourage solo play. However, a quick look at a site like Adam & Eve (http://www.adameve.com/)  may help you to see otherwise. Many popular sex toys are actually meant to increase your sexual desire and get you to crave sex, which can certainly help to inspire you to engage in your new sex life.

4. Have Patience

Particularly if you have been holding back from dating or sex due to your weight, you may simply be ready to jump back into a relationship at full speed. Sometimes, this can be an option, but it’s also important to have patience. If you don’t find the perfect sexual relationship right away, keep in mind that this is perfectly common with or without weight loss surgery as a factor!

5. Don’t Be Shy

Finally, remember to let yourself shine. This falls a bit in line with fully embracing your post-surgery body, but it has a lot to do with outward attitude too. Remember, you’ve lost the weight, and you’re ready to get back out there and take advantage of your new figure. Don’t be shy about it, unless of course that’s your natural disposition.

“PEOPLE WHO MOCK ME” | TURNING THE CAMERA – SHAME

13 May

Yesterday, my sister sent me a link to a project by Hailey Morris-Cafiero called “Wait Watchers.” Hailey is an overweight woman with more self-esteem than I will ever have in my entire life.  She has been ridiculed – often behind her back (but hardly unknown)- her whole life because of her weight.  Rather than get hurt and angry, she decided to take back her power and turn her camera and capture it on film.

ImageI’ve never thought that shame was an effective way to combat anything, but in this case, yeah.  She sets up her camera in broad daylight and her assistant takes shots of what she sees. And what she sees is really quite heartbreaking.  People see the camera out, but still feel that because they’re behind Hailey, their cruelty is hidden as well. It’s as though their desire to mock and display their fat hate completely overrides any moment of possible shame or reason. That’s why this project is so powerful. Their ugliness caught on film is far more difficult to look at and deal with than any heavy person’s weight ever will be.

My sister’s comments were: “This is a really powerful project.  I felt sad and angry by the people in this story.”  I wrote back and told her that five years ago, that was MY life.  Hell, it may even be my life still.  I’m not a slight woman even now after maintaining a 145 lbs loss.  And I certainly don’t have her kind of confidence of mind.  Seeing these photos would break me, even now.

Just yesterday, I had a conversation with Jake about “being invisible” when I weighed 311 lbs.  Now obviously, I wasn’t.  Everyone could see me at 5’7″ and 311 lbs – you couldn’t miss me.  But no one looked me in the eye.  No one held a door for me.  I felt invisible.  What’s sad is that I know I wasn’t, and I know this type of thing probably went on all the time behind my back.  I just never had the foresight to turn the camera on and take back my power.  So BRAVO to Hailey.

Take a look at the project on her website at www.haleymorriscafiero.com/ or on the salon. com article that my sister sent me here.  What’s YOUR reaction to this?  Have you ever DONE this?  Have you ever had this happen TO you?  Would love to hear your thoughts and comments below.

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★ ★ ★ CONTEST! ★ ★ ★ WHAT’S IN *YOUR* FRIDGE?

6 May

 

 

 

 

 

 

I do all the grocery shopping in our house, and even at five years out, it sometimes shocks me to see my fridge. If you had looked in there five years ago, you would have seen leftover chinese food, pizza, and tons of other fast-food and take out (IF there was any actually left).

 

When I opened the door yesterday, I was really proud. I have more fruits and veggies than anything else in there, and we (on the whole) eat pretty healthy:

FRIDGE

So tell me (or show me), what’s in YOUR fridge?

CONTEST RULES AND PRIZE PACKAGE:

1) To enter:  make a video showing what’s in your fridge OR, post a photo here on the blog comments or on the link to this blog on my Facebook Page or Twitter account

2) SHARE this contest on your Facebook wall.

3) All entries must be received by Friday, May 10th at NOON, PST.

4)  I will announce the inner on Friday afternoon here on the blog, on Facebook, and on Twitter.  :)

What do you win?  THIS PRIZE PACKAGE – MAILED DIRECTLY TO YOU:

PRIZE PACKAGE

PRIZE INCLUDES:

6 packages of Click Expresso Protein in Mocha
Coupon for one box of Skinny Cow Chocolates
Coupon for one package of Loreal Healthy Look Hair Color
Pink Clasp Bracelet

YALE RUDD CENTER: ACTION FOR HEALTHY KIDS

30 Apr

If you’re a parent, teacher, school administrators or school volunteers, you’ll want a copy of “The Learning Connection: What You Need to Know to Ensure Your Kids Are Healthy and Ready to Learn” for ideas on how to create healthier school environments. After all, healthy children are better learners. http://bit.ly/109OT3K.  Source:  Yale Rudd Center for Food Policy & Obesity.

HEALTHY KIDS

REVIEW: PANTENE MOISTURE WHIP: I’M WHIPPED!

29 Apr

It’s no secret that I am a bleach blonde.  Not only that, but I’m a do-it-yourself-at-home bleach blonde.  Because of that, my hair is not in the greatest condition.  In other words: it’s fried more than any pre-diabetes Paula Deen recipe you’ve ever seen.  My hair takes a LOT of work to keep managed, and I’m always trying to find the best products to tame the wild blonde rat’s nest upon the top of my hair.

I’m a tried and true fan of John Frieda’s Frizz-Ease, but that’s really just to tame the wild frizzies.  I still need a styling product, and I’ve been struggling to find one that worked well with the Frizz-Ease and made my hair soft and manageable.  Cue:  Pantene’s new Moisture Whip.

I was a little concerned about trying it because anything that’s “mousse-y” never works for me.  It always dries out my hair and works against the de-frizzing from my other product.  Still, I figured at about $6.00 a pop, it was worth a try.  I was right.  I. AM. IN. LOVE.

ImageAlthough it dispenses like a mousse, you only need about a quarter-size dollop of it.  After about 3 days of using it, my hair suddenly became silky-soft and I was able to style it exactly the way I wanted to – whether it was a straight or wavy look.  And when I straighten it, I can go about two days without washing it – it just looks and feels THAT GOOD.  Even my husband Jake commented on how soft my hair was and how pretty it looked.  Two thumbs up from the hubs.

Here’s the info from the Pantene website :

Product # SPK-A0502. Pantene’s Pro-V Daily Moisture Renewal Whip helps hair feel moisturized for up to 48hours, helps protect against heat damage and regulate hair’s moisture- delivering silky hair that shines.

And check out the printable Pantene coupons here on the P&G website:  $2.00/ off one Pantene Product

If you color your hair or suffer with the super-frizz like I do, you will LOVE this product.  I am praying to the hair gods that this product doesn’t get discontinued.  I love, love, love it!

 

THE 2013 WLS AWARD WINNERS!

1 Apr
2013 WLS AWARD WINNERS

2013 WLS AWARD WINNERS

 

ANNOUNCING THE 2013 WLS AWARD WINNERS!

Want to hear the winners announced live? CLICK HERE to listen to the archived broadcast. Listen to The Backstage Pass Radio Program every Monday at 10:00am PSTat www.backstagepassradio.com.

All nominees are listed below, and the winners will be highlighted and bolded.  Later today/tonight, a hyperlink will be added to the nominees so that you may click and find out more about them!

And now…

On to our nominees…

And our WINNERS!

BADGES FOR THE NOMINEES AND WINNERS:

2013 nominee WLS AWARDS

2013 WINNER WLS AWARDS
And of course, links back to the blog at http://www.divatauniablog.com or the radio show at http://www.backstagepassradio.com would be a lovely and nice courtesy.

Diva Taunia’s Acknowledgement Award:

2013 Backstage Pass Radio WLS Awards “Best Sport / Most Congenial” goes to:   Amy Polozzolo

PINK SQIGGLY LINE

Outstanding Weight Loss Surgery Community Member:

☆Janie Stites Ortiz☆

Jessica Dicky

Janeida Rodriguez

PINK SQIGGLY LINE

Favorite Gastric Bypass Patient:

Candiissweetenough Candice Felts

☆Philly Tomcat☆

Valerie Woodward

PINK SQIGGLY LINE

Favorite DUODENAL SWITCH Patient:

☆Janina Rello☆

Skyler Purcell

Myranda Granda

PINK SQIGGLY LINE

Favorite YouTube Personality:

☆Gastric Rose☆

Banded Wendy

Pandora Williams

PINK SQIGGLY LINE

Favorite Gastric Sleeve Patient:

☆VSG Tanya☆

Waning Woman

Janeida Rodriguez

PINK SQIGGLY LINE

Favorite Lap Band Patient:

Sandi Henderson from Bandedliving

☆Jennifer Newlifefourjenn (candj1977)☆

Amy Polozzolo

PINK SQIGGLY LINE

Favorite Mini Gastric Bypass Patient:

☆Rose Wolf☆

Rich LoRusso

Mary Bele

PINK SQIGGLY LINE

Favorite WLS Media Outlet: (Video/TV/Podcasts/Radio, Podcast, Etc):

A Post-Op & A Doc

☆Fit Living Radio with Erin Akey☆

Former Fat Dudes

PINK SQIGGLY LINE

Favorite Bariatric Vitamin & Supplement Company:

☆Celebrate Vitamins☆

Wellesse Liquid Bariatric Solutions

Bariatric Fushion

PINK SQIGGLY LINE

Favorite Bariatric Small Business:

☆Slimpressions☆

Bariatric Choice

Vitalady

PINK SQIGGLY LINE

Favorite Individual/Personal Obesity or WLS-Related Blog:

Desperately Seeking Slender –  Pandora Williams

Michelle Reiss Scheiner – VSG Mom

☆Melting Mama ☆

PINK SQIGGLY LINE

Favorite *Business/Medical* OBESITY or WLS-Related Blog:

WLS Vitagarten

☆Obesity Action Blog☆

Yoni Freedhoff – Weighty Matters

PINK SQIGGLY LINE

Favorite WLS Veteran (Minimum 5 yrs out):

Cari de la Cruz

Toni Towe

☆Melting Mama☆

PINK SQIGGLY LINE

Favorite WLS “Newbie” (Under one year out):

Janeida Rodriguez

☆Nicole Bullock☆

Jody Sweatt

PINK SQIGGLY LINE

Favorite WLS or Obesity-related Forum or Group:

☆Back 2 Basics☆

The Bariatric Cafe

Sassy Sleevers

PINK SQIGGLY LINE

Favorite Shaper or Compression Garment (individual item):

Dr. Rey Shapewear Womens Firm

☆Slimpressions Long Leg Shaper☆

Contour MD – Mid Thigh Body Shaper Contral High Waisted Brief

PINK SQIGGLY LINE

Favorite Shaper or Compression Garment Company:

LIPO in a Box

Dr. Rey Shapewear

☆Spanx☆

PINK SQIGGLY LINE

Favorite Protein Drink:

☆Premiere Protein☆

Chike Nutrition

Big Train

PINK SQIGGLY LINE

Favorite Bariatrics Company:

Bariatric Choice

☆Syntrax☆

Big Train

PINK SQIGGLY LINE

Favorite WLS or Obesity-Related Charitable Organization:

☆Obesity Action Coalition☆

Yale Rudd Food Policy Center

Walk From Obesity

PINK SQIGGLY LINE

Favorite Bariatric Surgeon:

☆Dr. Garth Davis☆

John G. Zografakis, MD – Akron, OH

Dr. Adolfo Fernandez

PINK SQIGGLY LINE

Favorite Plastics / Reconstructive Surgeon:

Dr. Quiroz- Cosmed

Dr. Siamak Agh in Newport Beach, CA

☆Dr. Joseph Michaels☆

PINK SQIGGLY LINE

Favorite WLS/Bariatric-Friendly Chef:

Linda Harris Farnsworth

☆Bariatric Foodie☆

Dawson Jackson

PINK SQIGGLY LINE

Favorite Bariatric-Friendly Recipe:

☆Eggy’s Quiches☆

Tipton Pizza Soup

Michelle Hudson Bacon Jam

PINK SQIGGLY LINE

Favorite Bariatric-Friendly Snack:

☆Quest Bars☆

Kay’s Naturals Cinnamon Toast Pretzels

Perky Jerky

PINK SQIGGLY LINE

Favorite Bariatric Meal Replacement:

☆Premiere Protein Shakes☆

Chike Shakes

Bariatric Fushion Meal Replacements

PINK SQIGGLY LINE

Favorite Overall WLS Dude:

☆Philly Tomcat☆

Samuel Hill

Daniel Weeber

PINK SQIGGLY LINE

Favorite Overall WLS Chick:

☆Janie Stites Ortiz☆

Janeida Rodriguez

Patricia Miller

PINK SQIGGLY LINE

Favorite Overall Health Advocate:

☆Antonia Namnath☆

Toni Lee

Erin Akey

PINK SQIGGLY LINE

Favorite Reversed or Revised WLS Individual:

☆Janina Rello☆

Lisa Kasen

PINK SQIGGLY LINE

Favorite WLS or Obesity-Related Book:

☆Thriving Triumph over Trauma by Connie Stapleton☆

Powerful Hunger by Dagny Kight

Success Habits of WLS Patients – Colleen Cook

PINK SQIGGLY LINE

Favorite WLS or Obesity-Related Authors:

Andrea Sopher Ulberg

☆Katie Jay☆

Dagny Kight

PINK SQIGGLY LINE

Favorite WLS TALENT  in the arts (photography, painting, jewelry, music, dance):

☆Beth Shesowitte Witte Jewelry☆

Gabrielle (Elle) Williams: Zumba & Dance Instructor

Bryson Bmoney Jenkins

PINK SQIGGLY LINE

Favorite Activist (Weight Discrimination, Bias, Obesity-Related):

Rob Portinga

☆Beth Sheldon Badore☆

Sandi Henderson

PINK SQIGGLY LINE

Favorite Obesity or WLS-Related Facebook Group or Page:

The Bariatric Cafe

☆Back 2 Basics☆

Bariatric Bad Girls Club

PINK SQIGGLY LINE

Most Inspiring WLS or Obesity-Related Story:

Bariatric Beginnings

☆The World According to Eggface – Michelle Vicari☆

Pandora Williams Desperately Seeking Slender

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DON’T WORRY, BE HAPPY

27 Mar

“NOMINEE” BUTTON FOR YOUR PAGE

26 Mar

By now, you’ve probably heard the 2013 WLS Awards were announced!  Congrats to everyone who was nominated.  If you are a nominee and would like a button for your website or blog, please feel free to grab the code below:

GRAB THIS BUTTON:

Copy This Code:
<a href=”http://www.backstagepassradio.com”><img src=”http://img15.imageshack.us/img15/4061/wlsawardnominee.png”></a&gt;

——————————————

Winners will all be supplied with a 2013 WLS Award Winner button after the winners have been announced.  And speaking of, here’s all the info you could possibly need for voting, promoting, listening, and winning:

MISS THE NOMINEES ANNOUNCEMENT?  Listen to the archived show HERE.

VOTING IS OPEN!  Cast your vote HERE!
Remember:  only one vote per person.  IP and Timestamp are recorded for fairness!

PROMOTE, PROMOTE, PROMOTE!  Remember, I’m not eligible for any awards.  The best way you can thank me is to redirect people to the RADIO WEBSITE OR “share” this blog entry so people will visit my blog.  Muchas gracias,lovelies!

DEADLINE TO VOTE:  Friday, 3/29/13 at 6:00pm PST
WINNERS ANNOUNCED: Monday, 4/1/13 at 10:00am PST at http://www.backstagepassradio.com

——————————————–

KEEP UP TO DATE ON EVERYTHING VIA MY SOCIAL HANGS:

Diva Taunia on Facebook
Diva Taunia MUSIC on Facebook
Diva Taunia on Twitter
Diva Taunia on Google +
Backstage Pass Radio Program
The WLS Awards Facebook Page
The Dress Addict
The Dress Addict Facebook Page
Diva Taunia on YouTube

VOTING IS NOW OPEN! 2013 WLS AWARDS

25 Mar

Did you miss the official announcement on The Backstage Pass Radio Program today? You can listen to the archive HERE!

WLS AWARDSVOTING IS NOW OFFICIALLY OPEN!  Please be sure to read the rules and guidelines.  I’d also appreciate it if you could help promote it on your social media pages and blogs with a link back here. :)   Am I missing an important URL?  Please feel free to leave it – with any shoutouts, congrats, questions, or  more in the comments section below.

RULES/GUIDELINES:

Voting Award Round: Voting will begin on Monday 10/25/13 @ 10:00am PST. After the nominees have been announced and will continue until Friday, 10/29/13 @ 6:00pm EST.

WINNERS ANNOUNCED ON 4/1/13! The winners will be announced live on the program on Monday, 4/1/13 @ 10:00am PST. Winners will received promotions throughout the Diva Taunia social network, and will receive a 2013 badge that they can display on their website for all of 2013!

CAST YOUR VOTE NOW!  PLEASE NOTE: you may only cast your vote ONCE. IP addresses and timestamps are recorded to  ensure fairness to all.  :)  Thanks!

**VOTE HERE**

*UPDATED /ERROR FIXED* 2013 WLS AWARDS! Nominations being accept NOW!

18 Mar

ImageAlthough we skipped a year, the 2013 WLS Awards are back! VOTE HERE

Here’s how the awards work:

There are two rounds of voting: the nominations round, and the voting round. We open the nomination voting to gather the nominees, and take the top 3 nominees in each category. After the nominees have been announced, the voting for awards in each category happens.

Here’s the timeline and info:
Nomination round begins Monday, 3/18/25 at 10:00am PST. During the nominations round, you can nominate your favorites in each category. PLEASE NOTE: Last year’s winners are not eligible. (You will find out who won last year in the notes of each nomination block.) Once the nomination period has closed (Friday,3/22/13 @6:00pm EST), the top three nominees in each category will be announced live on The Backstage Pass Radio Program on Monday, March 25th, 2013 @ 10:00am.

Voting Award Round: Voting will begin on Monday 10/25/13 @ 10:00am PST. After the nominees have been announced and will continue until Friday, 10/29/13 @ 6:00pm EST. WINNERS ANNOUNCED ON 4/1/13! The winners will be announced live on the program on Monday, 4/1/13 @ 10:00am PST. Winners will received promotions throughout the Diva Taunia social network, and will receive a 2013 badge that they can display on their website for all of 2013! The WLS Awards are *nominated by* and *voted on* by members of the WLS Community.

Any person, business, or charitable organization that is part of the weight loss surgery and bariatric community is eliglble, EXCEPT Diva Taunia. (Diva Taunia cannot be nominated for any category – but thank you!!) Also, last year’s winner cannot be eligible for this year’s award. Want to see the nominees and winners from last year? CLICK HERE: https://www.facebook.com/wlsawards/info

The WLS Awards help honor those working hard and making a difference in our community. Please nominate anyone you think deserves to win!

VOTE NOW!

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