!8: Flush Ceiling Speakers Buy: January 2012

!±8± Sonance Architectural Speakers

As the first truly flush-mount speakers, the Sonance Architectural Series® extends your design vision by bringing form and function into balance. The Architectural Series in-ceiling speakers are designed to help minimize ceiling clutter, their paintable, micro-perforated metal or cloth speaker grilles blend into their surroundings and sit flush with the ceiling plane. Beneath the subtle exterior of our in-ceiling speaker design is the Sonic Eye, creating accurate, full sound regardless of where the listener is located. Round, rectangular & square. 4", 6", 8". Audiophile & Reference Quality. Paintable metal and dye-able fabric grilles.

Sonance Architectural Speakers

Camelbak Bladders On Line

!±8± Clever Tricks to Disguise Belly Bulge While Losing Weight With Gastric Surgery

There are two times in a woman's life when it seems to be socially acceptable for others to scrutinize her body: pregnancy and weight loss. Miss Manners will tell us it is bad form to fixate on a pregnant woman's growing bump or a dieting woman's shrinking bumps and bulges. And it is plain uncouth to comment to a woman about her baby belly or her diminishing body as she loses weight. While comments may be well intended, the line between a compliment and a slight is narrow. If you have ever been on the receiving end of "Wow! You have lost a TON of weight," you know what I am talking about.

Women who are treated with surgery for weight loss are particularly vulnerable to slighted compliments. To others the weight loss may appear to be effortless and surgery a cop-out from conventional diet and exercise weight loss. (Weight loss surgery patients follow a strict diet and exercise program). Such perception seemingly gives permission to others to forego manners and comment at will about the incredible shrinking womans weight loss.

There is not much we can do to stop these discourteous clods; they will always be out there. But we can cleverly disguise our changing body as we lose weight and manage loose skin following the gastric surgery that is helping to put our morbid obesity in remission. When we feel better about our outward presentation the misguided feedback from others is more likely to bounce off without affecting us in a hurtful manner. Here are a few ideas for hiding the belly bulge as we work our way down the scale:

Drink up. Banish belly bloat by drinking lots of water. This will actually help flush away excess fluid, not increase it. With weight loss surgery we are instructed to eliminate carbonated beverages which cause belly bloat; make certain to avoid these as well as all sugary drinks. Avoid salty snack foods or processed foods that are high in sodium which cause water retention and belly bloat. Eliminate chewing gum which can cause you to swallow excess air and contribute to feelings of belly bloat. Relieve mild constipation with a cup of coffee. Studies show that a cup or two of coffee can get things going and relieve the symptoms of bloating associated with mild constipation. Stand up straight. Imagine a string with one end attached to the top of your head and the other tied to the ceiling. Pretend the string is tugging you upright, and your belly will instantly look flatter. Avoid slumping. Sitting in a slump accentuates your stomach. Your mother was right when she scolded you to sit up straight. Use a kinder-gentler sticky-note to remind you to check your posture. Pull yourself up tall and straight: you will look better and feel better. Start with a good foundation. Body shapers and high-waisted spandex waist slimmers and panties can hold in loose skin and smooth bulges as you lose weight. The higher percentage of spandex (Lycra) in the fabric, the greater control the garment will provide. Accent a black silhouette with colorful accessories. Wear a solid black silhouette that will disguise your transitioning bumps and bulges. Accentuate your favorite features with colorful scarfs or dramatic jewelry. A black silhouette is great for making all shapes and sizes look thinner and taller. Alternatively, chose monochromatic outfits in your favorite dramatic shade. Wearing the same color top, skirt or pants, and shoes will have an elongating effect. Choose eye-catching earrings and necklaces to draw attention toward your face.