OH Juli

Oh and my turkey waddle needs to cut off and donated to science. I'm a chatty Cathy today!

A full body lift is essentially a seam around ones middle, like a belt and they pull from above and below. God that sounds aweful. Typically one would have their arms and boobs done Then pannis and mons lift Then the back, ass, etc. That one is iffy on me. (I want butt inplants actually, because I have a pancake ass, but that's a whole nother story like you, your boobs and DH. The GF needs convinced and she thinks I'm mocking black cluture.) I'll also need my inner thighs done. I'm going to look like Frankin Hooker by the time it's all done. Now tell me you've seen Frankin Hooker...we are the same age, you have no excuse...

BG is getting butt inplants. How did you miss that??? I'll let her tell you about her PS, I am going to need a complete body lift. My heaviest weight was nearly 350 pounds, and I'm 5'2", so imagine how much stretching my skin had to do to cover all that. I get wanting your Husband's support about altering your body, but it is YOUR body after all...I'm sure he thinks you are perfect and doesn't want to risk losing you for some vanity thing...but it's more than vanity. It's about being happy in your body. Anyway....I'm hoping around this time next year to be waiting out my insurance so I can get my surgeries (YIKES 3!) in the summer and fall.

hungry4help You must check out the bycyling thread on here. We are all a bit batty about it. I've had blahs before now, but this one has been the hardest to shake. I'll let you know what if feels like to eat like a normal person when I figure it out. I'm not there yet either...I think being obese is a chrnoic illness. There are times when it's managed better than other times, but it will always be something I have to be mindful of. No one wants to take on and "illness" mentality but really, something's not quite right in my head/body or I'd never have gotten as big as I did. I think it's a positive thing to think of it as something that I can control with out ever having the hope that it will go away that way there are no false expectations. That sounds depressing, but it's not. It's pragmatic. There are plenty of things in life that give a person joy that are not food related. I'm going to look for my joy in those areas. Look at me all Rosie Sunshine!

Hia Trell! Cycling is great. Spinning is a fantastic way to get in shape and burn those calories too. Do you have a bike? Do you know other cyclists? What's your biking experience? We are all cycling junkies here, so tell us, we want to know!

9/28/08 Sunday 35th Annual APPLE CIDER CENTURY Start: Three Oaks - Three Oaks Elementary, Oak St. Distance: 25, 50, 62, 75, 100 Fee: $20; After 3/31 max $45; DOE The largest one-day cycling event in the Mid-west, with 5000 riders. Routes over rolling hills, past orchards and vineyards. This is a recreational tour, not a race. SAG stops with high energy snacks, Gatorade, EMT’s, Ham Radio and Bike Repair Shops. Roving Sags along all routes. Three Oaks Spokes Inc - Bryan Volstorf (888) 877-2068 | bryan@applecidercentury.com www.applecidercentury.com And since I was on the page....I know this is MONTHS away, but it's on our agenda. A few of the WOW chicas are thinking about driving up for the ride too. Just sayin......

Ceradad, Good job on the cycling! Why drive when you can ride? Bike shorts are wonderful. SBG, Yeah, a hitch get up is going to cost you about $400. But if you get a rack that goes on the back of your vehicle for less than $100. I want to upgrade mine to a "bones" brand, but what I have is working fine now. Happy Cycling my people...happy cycling.

C, I'm going to drive to Battle Creek on Friday, to the girlfriend's house. We will then get up at 6 or whenever and drive to Lansing, which is about 1.5 hours. 6/7/08 Saturday 100,000 METRE T-SHIRT RIDE Start: Laingsburg - Laingsburg HS Distance: 17, 34, 62 Fee: $15; After 6/7 $20; DOE All routes 25K (17 miles), 50K (34 miles), & 100K (62 miles) use rural Shiawassee County roads. Terrain is flat to rolling. With this exercise comes lots of great food. All rest stops serve assorted fruits, beverages, & cookies. All riders are served lunch at the high school. Tri-County Bicycle Association - Debra Holdcraft (517) 882-3700 ext. 3 | tshirt@biketcba.org www.biketcba.org So it looks like 34 miles, not 25. I don't know if Traci is more for that or the 64. Also, Amy, Stacy's friend won't be able to do 64, so she'll hang with you...or come on chica, get that 64 in. You've got four weeks. Do 30 this week, 40 next, 50 after that and you'll be ready!!!! I'm registering soon. I actually want to make sure I get a t-shirt.

If BG is doing 62, then you know, I've got to do it too. I can't have the young wipper snapper show me up. But we'll start out together and have dinner/lunch whatever together afterward. There's good SAG on this ride I'm pretty sure. I don't want C riding alone, but I don't want BG riding alone either. Look at me being all mother henish! We are all grown people. I suppose we will ride whatever we like to ride, no? My speed varies, about 14mph is my average on the open road, but now that I'm not scared of my pedals too much, I will probably start trying to build speed. My goal is to get to 17mph by the end of the summer. HP, where do you think you'll be on distance and speed by June?

Oh, and figure out who your supporters are and Celebrate with them. Leave MIL out of the loop. I hope you glared at the teller. That's just not okay. EVER. "I beg your pardon" said icily is pretty good at letting someone know they crossed a line. Sorry your feelings got hurt. That stinks. Soon you'll be on here saying, "People only comment on my body, I'm more than the weight I lost! How can I make all the conversations stop?!" I'm just teasing but you are at the point where EVERYONE will start to notice. XO.

Turn that hate into somethine beneficial to yourself. My get up and move song, well one of them is Hate on Me by Jill Scott. If you like soul give is a try. It's got a good beat and the words, well they essentially say, it doesn't matter what I do you'll find fault with me, so go on, I just don't care about your opnions. It's below. I like Superwoman by Alicia Keys too. Talk about motivation! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ If I could give you the world On a silver platter Would it even matter? You’d still be mad at me If I could find in all this A dozen roses Which I would give to you You’d still be miserable In reality, I’m gonna be who I be And I don’t feel no faults For all the lies that you bought You can try as you may Break me down but I say That it ain’t up to you Gone and do what you do CHORUS Hate on me, hater Now or later ‘Coz I’m gonna do me You’ll be mad, baby Go ‘head and hate Go ‘head and hate on me, hate on ‘Coz I’m not afraid of it What I got I paid for You can hate on me Ooh, if I gave you peaches Out of my own garden And I made you a peach pie Would you slap me high What if I gave you diamonds Out of my own womb Would you feel the love in that, Or ask “why not the moon”? If I gave you sanity For the whole of humanity, Had all the solutions For the pain and pollution No matter where I live, Despite the things I give, You’ll always be this way So go ‘head and…. You cannot hate on me ‘Cuz my mind is free Feel my destiny So shall it be ————————————————– Hate On Me Lyrics - Jill Scott Song Words Song Words by Artist / Band : Jill Scott Lyrics Title : Hate On Me Taken from Album : The Real Thing Single Released : May 2007 (Airplay) Music Genre : Soul, R&B, jazz, neo soul (Song Data Information taken from : Wikipedia) Sing their song, play their music and don't forget .... buy their single / album!

I'm a stomach sleeper and it took me a full month to get comfy on my belly, but I am now. I remember it clearly, the first night I was able to sleep on my tummy.... I was like EUREKA! I'm back to normal!

Yeah, C, I want to see a cycling ticker under your name. How are you going to be able to do that metric century in 4 weeks? Ha, just kidding! Do you think you'll be able to do 25 by then? What was your standard milage at the end of last season? How quickly are you able to build miles? I know some people hop on like it's nothing and ride forever. Not me I have to train... HP, are you and John really going to make it to Lansing? I can't wait! I did get in a quick 20 today after work with my new pedals. OMG, I was so happy to be out riding I can't tell you, I nearly cried. It's the first time this year that I didn't panic at the thought of riding. Whew. I love my SPDs. They are so much better than egg mother fucking beaters. I'll punch anyone who says they are easier. I will, right in the neck too! I'm actually a mild mannered girl. It's BG, she's a bad influence with her violent behavior! I'll get another 20 in tomorrow. I didn't get my full 400 before TOSRV, but I'll be close to 300. I'm sure that's gonna be fine. Back to homework!

ZZ That's great about the niece and nef getting a new understanding of what it means to be a preemie. Also, giving walking, volunteering ones time to help others is a cool thing. I'm taking the kiddo to the Race for the Cure in a few weeks. I'm not thrilled about talking about cancer with her because she's a worrier, but I'm pleased to show her people caring for others, you know? We have a friend, a young mom with breast cancer and it's easy for DD to apply other people's struggle on to "what if" for us... I feel you on looking at pics too. It's so easy not to recognize changes, but they are happening! That's why we got to keep snapping photos! C- When are you getting your first fill? How is Hell?

You two Texas girls ROCK! I called for a fill which won't happen until June 2nd but that's okay. It's in the planner. I'm going to sign up at a new gym next week. I have something this weekend, but the new gym is a treat of sorts. I've been working out at work in our fantastic fitness center, but there are no classes and no trainers. I want classes and a trainer at this point...so I've decided. I love the cooking class idea, but there is no time. I will however go back to cooking a new dish once a week or once every other week. It helps that summer is coming and there are more fruits and veggies around. You all (Y'all for the Texans) are just so great. Thanks.

I'm a week late to the party but I'm gonna chime in now. I have a six year old. She's chubby but there's a girl in her class who is heavier. I know, I checked, because I'm used to rating everyone by size and seeing where I fit in...but that's a whole different conversation. With my DD she knew I was having surgery because my stomach didn't work right. She was 5 at the time. I told her my stomach didn't tell my brain when to quit eating and it was making me unhealthy. I wanted to be healthier/thinner/better able to run around. I put her health in the context of doing things. Like if you are heavy it's harder to run. Running fast is fun. I think there is a place where you discuss consiquences of choices. Be it the choice to eat many sweets or the choice to hit your big sister. You can do it, but there will be consiquences and thinking before doing in any context is a good lesson. DD has gotten the message that fat=bad already. The other big girl in the class happens to be be MEAN too. My DD came home and said, "Josie (name has been changed to protect the innocent) is FAT and MEAN!" We had a conversation about if fat was good or bad and how we have fat people in our family who we love, and that Josie is in fact mean but it has nothing to do with being fat. DD is cute in that there are times that she says we shouldn't have this or that in the house because it won't help me in my quest to become thinner. But I also hate gender steriotypes where boys are strong and smart and girls are adorable. I try to use many adjectives to describe my daugther to my daughter that include smart, pretty, strong, brilliant, kind etc. You'll find your way. Hope my ramblings help.

LJM, Girl I had to hunt down this post just to see how you did. Fantastic job. Thanks for putting your dreams and goals out there for the rest of us to follow along. You're quite a testiment to how much a person can achieve if they want it. Your drive and determination are awesome.

Thanks for the kind words, all of you. I think there's truth in the fact that it's not going to be like it was when it was new. And to look at the good side, there's knowledge I have and mistakes I don't need to make again. As for training for something, I do have a 105 mile bike ride I'm doing on Saturday, that's been a huge motivator for me but also my excuse for not getting a fill recently. I say, I want to fuel my body for those 6 hours of exercise. But Jahut, I'll call for a fill. I think after the ride, I shouldn't have that excuse. Also, I'm looking at changing gyms. Thanks. Change what you can and work with the rest, no? Again, Vic, smagll, T-bird, mary, Jahut, thanks for the gentle nods and understanding. Perspective is a good thing and nice to know one get some by asking others to take a peek. Juli

TX Congrats on the ride and Oweee on the tail bone situation. I can't wait to see pics! Of the ride that is, not of your tailbone. LOL! I know what you mean about keeping rides under 50 miles to have them be enjoyable. After this weekend I don't see me seeking out centeries or other super long rides. Frankly, 5+ hours in a day of doing any hobby just doesn't fit my schedule. But being able to say that I can do it is what's important! I love that you will continue to ride this ride for your MS Champ. That's a very cool thing. Your enthusiasm jumps off the screen, so you know you've got to love what you did. Awesome.

TOSRV might have to wait because apparently I'm trying to talk myself out of it in every possible way.... No, I'm sick. Throat hurts, coughing like mad, snotty. In general a raunchy cold. Ick! C-Glad you got out for a few minutes. HP- They are wellgo manufactured pedals. Not Shimano, but woot woot, they are good. B- Happy to see you here more often. SBG-As you can see we are quite a chatty group. We get a little crass at times, don't let it bother you. ZZ Where are you girl??? TX We want pics! BG I hope to God you are sleeping now. I'll catch up with you tomorrow. Night ya'll.

I have to say that I'm overcome with the blahs about this whole process. I thought it was the winter, then I thought it was resting on my laurals, I thought so many things... What it's coming down to is that this is a change that is LIFE long. And lives have cycles. I just hope my "kick my own butt into high gear" cycle starts again soon. Newbies, I'd never imagine me writing like this a year ago. But the fact of the matter is, though I'm not gaining, and I'm losing ever so slowly, (3 pounds a month, maybe) I've lost my mojo. And if I want to make excuses, I started grad school in January and it's hard...I dunno, if you have some kind words to motivate me share... I work out regularly, not every day, but most days. I eat food in the appropriate order, Protein, veg and carb most times but there are heavier carb days. There are also high sugar days. I want this to feel like it did when it was new. Don't people say that about romance too???

HP Good job on the ride in the wind. That's something! My co-worker told me he was out riding in it yesterday and went to grab something out of his back pocket only to be blown into a ditch! I'd believe it. When BG and I rode a few weeks back the wind was so bad I was afraid to let go of my handle bars to wipe my nose. My snot just had to go where the wind took it. 'Member that BG? Wendy we go by initals here. Whosyerdaddy was W, but most folks call him Whos or Daddy. W never stuck. Do you want it or would you like SBG, for SavedByGrace? Let us know.

I'm eating an 8 year old's nightmare for dinner. Harvard Beets and overcooked broccoli...nothing else, just not feeling it. BG, You poor dear. I rode all of a mile and a half today with DD. We stopped oh, 15 times to smell flowers, petty the neighborhood cat, etc. It was a chore. But I did clip in and out of my spds a few times. They are easier than egg beaters and I'll fight anyone who says otherwise! I'm happy for the change. And riding on the platform side while tailing the kiddo was sweet because I could just put my feet/foot down with out worry. I'm happy I switched. Peace out.

Wendy, HI! Getting out and riding is all that matters to this group. We are competing with each other. A mile or 10, a mountain bike or hybrid....it's just getting on a bike and riding that matters. I like Babygirl too started with very few miles, maybe three, and that's me being generous, but I can go for hours and miles at a time now. Come here and join in for all the cycling encouragement you can stand!

It's a beautiful day! I don't have any PRESSING homework and the kiddo wants to ride. I'm tired as can be though from her sleep over/carnival at work today. I figure I need to see about clipping in and out my SPDs so we just may well ride down to the park and back...ugh...my road bike on the sidewalk, it's so, so annoying. BG, Hell, they gave you medicine, you should be fine. Don't be a weenie. Ride. HA, you'll be giving me shit next weekend if I don't kick this bug that I have. TOSRV may have to wait.