OH Juli

Thanks for the link!

Okay, if you didn't know I was an angry ol crotch you'll be in for a surprise by the following story. Holy crap people pissed me off today on the bike trail. I live 3 miles away from The Ohio State University and the metro bike trail at the end of my street connects to the school (yeah, BG, you'll be seeing good ol' OSU Friday). Freakin' Lance wannabes take off from there and they have bad manners. At the end of my road is "Dog shit park" where dogs are off leash, and pretty much away from the trail, but some people don't understand you don't let them off leash until they are out in the field! It goes north and additional 7 miles through some nicer neighborhoods, all along a little river past a few high schools. It's track season and if you haven't gotten the memo high school kids are pretty self absorbed and don't pay attention to bikes. Old people walk dogs and don't keep them close. Young couples walk and kanoodle or pout while standing in the left lane. I actually told some teary eyed young woman to get the hell off the left side of the bike path espeically if she's just going to stand there. Immediately I see this 20 pound dog not on a leash, so I start yelling at the two people closest to it, "get your dog, get your dog" because it is trotting directly at me. There's a pile of mud to my right and other bikers coming at my left. I unclipped quickly and landed on my feet, thank god. As I yell, "FUCK, FUCK, FUCK!" The people who I yelled get your dog to, say, "it's not ours, it's hers". That would be the teary eyed girl...Who now thinks I'm the world's largest bitch...but who I hope never walks on that path without keeping her dog leashed and is mindful of her place. I almost got off my bike and screamed in her face, "A 200 pound woman on a bike going 15mph traveling north and a 20 pound dog walking 5mph south collide. What do you think happens to that dog? I'll will be smashed, I'll be hurt and my bike will be damaged." But I didn't say anything... Holy crap it was stressful. I only rode ~20 instead of more because I needed off the bike path. Mind you there were times it was delightful. I got out earlier than the after work crowd, so it could have been worse. I didn't fall either. That would have been really ugly. Bored yet, wait there's more. I get home by 6:00 so I think get those aerobars installed. I go, I wait, I get coffee, it's not 8:30, Rick the LBS Dude who is amazing starts working on my bike. (They closed at 8, but he's cool with me hanging out) only to find the aerobars won't fit my itty bitty handle bars for my woman specific designed bike with the sissy brakes I love. Narrow bars and the second set of breaks don't leave enough room for the bars. So no aerobars for me. But my cycling mentor met me at the shop and talked bikes and gossiped for for a few, which was cool. All in all, biking was good, seeing Rick was good, seeing Joanna was good. People who don't bike are bad.

Oh yeah. I'm at a size 18 or 16 which I call regular fat. I have been as large as a 32. People treat me regular now. I tried to not let negative stuff affect me before but really, how much can you brush off? What do you say when the 4 year old yells, momma she's pregnant and the mom just wants to say, no, that's a fat lady? I'm friendly and out going. Now fellas think I'm flirty. I'm the same, they just want to think I'm flirting with them. As if. LOL.

Name........................Current.......Goal....... Lost.......Still to Lose Renewed Hope...............201...........195...........9....................6 georgia girl....................254...........244...........0............... ...10 darr5380.......................174...........160...........2......... .........14 KarenG.........................179...........173...........0.......... ..........6 Chocolate_Snaps...........274...........260...........0............... ....14 Wannabthin..................197.5........187.5.........2.............. ......8 OH Juli..........................197...........190...........4........... .........7 jfran.............................165...........160...........3....... .............5 Candle..........................190.5.........186..........3.5....... .........4.5 destiny79......................245...........235...........2.......... ..........8 Jennypoo......................194...........184...........2........... ..........8 luvinke.........................220............210..........0......... .............10

You all kill me. Did I tell you about how my shorts give my thighs that hour glass shape? Ugh. But yeah, shorts it will be....Yee mother effing Haw! (nod to JC)

ZZ, Get that new seat and get on that bike!!!! Girl come on! And don't forget to eat about 30-40 minutes before heading out. Even if it's just a few triscuits or something small. You don't need to keel over! Now here's the question, do I go out in shorts or long pants to cycle? It's 3:25 and I leave in 35 minutes. I've cleared off my desk, packed up my bag so I can run, not walk out the door at four. If I'm still on the property at 4 does that count? It takes a minute to get to my car and drive to the end of the entrence way... I think they call this SPRING fever!

EWWww Snow. You can keep it. I'm tired of snow. I don't want to see it again for a long time.

I'll be eating broccoli Soup made from scratch with lovely thyme for dinner tonight. I need to find some Protein to go with it. Perhaps some smoked salmon rolled with laughing cow cheese. Not gourmet, but yummy.

Jaime If you think you are going to solely ride on the road or pavement only, get a road bike and forget about a hybrid. You essentially are riding a hybrid. Let me add, if you think you'll want to ride more than an hour at a time a well fitted road bike will be more conducive for that. They just feel better. I may be biased but this time last year I was asking the same questions you are asking. I have been very happy with my road bike.

Don't worry about not liking mashed potatoes....there's plenty of food you can mash and eat! Can't wait to meet you!

GWEN, I've missed you!! "Good" restriction is something else, isn't it? My last fill had me super tight, it took a few weeks but it eased up. Rice has always been a challenge for me, even when not so tight. But restricted eating is what we signed up for, isn't it? Why isn't your daugher on the computer as much? Gone away to school? Mary, spring is happening in Ohio, how are things in northern MI? Warming up yet? I too am always cold now. Burrr. Hope eveyone else is well.

Hi everyone!<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /><o:p></o:p> I started this thread last May and I'm so delighted to see it resurrected. I can tell you, a year out from surgery my relationship with food has evolved all for the better, I’d say. <o:p></o:p> <o:p> </o:p> I’ve gone on a quest to learn about wine since juice based drinks and beer are off limits. It makes having a drink special, and like a little lesson. Also, I’ve discovered www.stashtea.com as a favorite tea retailer. I’m into cheese now too. I think because a little packs a lot of flavor. <o:p></o:p> <o:p> </o:p> Because what we eat is limited my focus on quality has changed dramatically. I’ve always liked strong flavors but now I just don’t have room or patience for sub par food offerings. I don’t want to take a bite of my kid’s Easy Mac. (I tried fancy mac & cheese for her, but she refuses it!) I have to admit, I’m dying for summer and all the delicious produce that comes with it. It’s been a long winter! <o:p></o:p> <o:p> </o:p> So, what are you cooking? <o:p></o:p>

I am not off work, but I will RUN out the door at 4pm, get home by 4:10 and be on the path by 4:30. I can ride until 6:30 or 7pm. I wish I was off of work. Depending on the weather tomorrow I'm coming in early so I can leave early so I can get my ride in before a 6pm obligation. I forgot how much I'll rearrange my life to fit in cycling. God, I love it!!!

Hi Darla, Where were you banded? How are you feeling? It's very nice to meet you. Juli

I'm going to try for 30 miles on the bike path near my house tomorrow. It's a nice path but very VERY crowded with pedestrians and other cyclists. A person is lucky to make 12 mph due to all the twists and dumbasses walking their dogs on the path...

I still don't have the aerobars and I was told I need to stop falling down before I even pretend to use them. I want them badly though well in for the most part because I've already PAID for them.... I can't wait to ride tomorrow. I ran behind Zoe as she cycled today. I got in a WHOLE mile. But we also played tag on the playground, etc. I'm a mom who plays tag with her kid!!!! I'm very proud of that!

Congrats on minus 100 pounds Traci! You rock!!!! Sorry you're still hurting from your fall. :regular_smile:

I went my first 6 months without a fill-less and I was losing 10# a month. You do have restriction with the band. You'll do just fine if you talk/believe/behave like someone who wants to lose weight. good luck!

I felt like you feel. I was an active fat person. I didn't let it get in may way to the best I was able to. I didn't have health issues aside from apnea and that was diagnosed on the way to getting the band... I have two points. One is you've got buyers remorse. Yeah, you've made this decision and it's probably a really good one, but there's no turning back and that's scary! So you are turning over all the what ifs in your head. You're also recovering from surgery, not eating normal foods yet. This is not the time to be making any profound decisions. The other point is, as an active fat chick you are going to a super active, on speed, crazy, not so fat chick as the weight comes off. You'll do stuff you never thought you'd be able to do. I promise. It's amazing. Hang tough. Your doubts will pass and you'll be happy you had the surgery.

save two seats for me and my pal Stacy pretty please!

Carol, Even though I got your story from you first hand seeing it in print is very profound. You are going to be so successful, I just know it! Thanks for being brave and sharing your story here for everyone. Maybe you will encourage someone else but definately you are giving other people the opportunity to see just how cool you are.

What a happy riding day! ZZ, I love the convo about $100+ purses and $10 pants. Ironic but I get it! I didn't ride today because I have Zoe and it was chilly this morning...so we walked at the zoo for 4 hours. But on the way home I saw many bikers or bikes on cars and I was droooling about wanting to ride. I'll make up for it next weekend. I'm going to Ikea tomorrow to get some cheap blinds and other stuff for the house. My sister is meeting me there, so woo hoo! XO you all, Can't wait to see your pics TX! Very cool.

This band is the best thing ever. Good for you. Hope you had a nice walk!

There are so many ups and downs with this thing. Not weight, but like yeah it's working, boo, I have to be more diligent, yeah it's working, boo chips are so easy to eat! You get my point I hope. This is your first down on the ride...but really look at the overall trend of your weight loss, because you are in it for the long haul. There are bound to be a few frustrations. You'll be losing again very soon.

Seattle- Hi! Congrats on getting the band. You'll do very well. Sounds like you've done your research. It's great that you partner is by your side. Mine has been fantastic. Keep us posted! Juli