mbsbike2002

Hmmm. Looks like my new-found resolve has paid off. I've lost 3 pounds since Tuesday. Mostly water, I'm sure, but I'll take it. Got to move the ticker for the first time since Halloween. You'd think that doing the right thing and seeing the quick results would be reinforcing. Hopefully, it will be ... for a while at least. BG - I notice that your ticker has also moved a few more pounds south of 200. Way to go!!! B

TX - I like that, tools they are What happened over here - missed the news last night. BG - Hope everything is okay in your neighborhood. Have a good day all; I'll check in later after I pick up the bike!!! B

BG - Hope that everything's okay. All the kiddos & hubby present and accounted for? J - Not me, I never rationalize anything. But ya know, if I had a good pedal system, I would be able to ride much farther with less fatigue Walked for about 30 minutes this afternoon and rode the exercise bike for 45 minutes tonight. Go me! B

I haven't used them - my Trek came with Shimano SPDs. Every one I've talked to about it raves about the speedplays, though. I believe that TX has a set. Got the Trek all cleaned up - hopefully she'll fetch a good trade in. Sad to see it go, but it deserves to be with someone who can ride it. B

Wow J - that's great! I understand, though, about not trusting the scale. Hopefully it will still be speaking the truth tomorrow!!! Not sure on the clipless at first. I hear what you're saying - might as well get all the falling on my ass done at one time. I want speedplays, though, so that's all or nothing. Like Cortez burning his ships, that would make me well motivated to figure it out! B

Thanks J - didn't know about the shoestring thing. Oopha, that's a lot of cleaning for all the gears... but in the end, probably worth it. I'm very excited, and very nervous. It's such a different way of riding. I rode several different styles, and the bike I thought I wanted was just too damn big - it's almost 8 feet long (that's way longer than most tandems). This is the one that screamed "ride me, bitch" so, I think it's the one I should get. It will take a while getting used to it, though. For a high-bottom-bracket bike, good clipless pedals are even more useful, since gravity won't help hold your foot on the pedal, but it will be a while before I feel comfortable being attached to the thing with my feet 3 feet off the ground... Sorry - giddy like a schoolgirl B

Well, the new bike discussion went quite well with the wife. Although she would rather not spend the money now, I think that she's excited about the lunchtime rides with the folks from work. She's also excited that I am excited about exercising again (which is really the key to health), so... It looks like I'll be the proud owner of a Bacchetta Giro 26 in the next day or so. I need to clean my bike up real good to get top dollar for trade. I just don't have the patience for eBay or Craig's List where I could get more for it. So, TX, if you don't mind being seen with someone who rides one of those "funny lookin' bikes", then let's plan to start riding some on the weekends in January. It'll take me a few weeks to get used to the new setup... B

BG - Very true! Although it has been a little frigid here lately... Might become more so, if I fork over for another bike I stopped by the bike store -- never an inexpensive proposition. I found the bike that I want. They said they would give me about half of what I paid for my hybrid, so I might be able to swing the new bike nowish. It is much different riding a bike with the legs up in the air... (Wave'em like you just don't care). Anyway, will keep you guys posted. B

TX - I've already signed up! My company sponsors a team, and they have lunchtime training rides starting in the next few weeks. But, I'd love to train & ride with you! We need some "Banded Bicycling Bitches" jerseys (or better yet, some "banded bycyling bitches" jerseys ZZ - What J said. I've found the same thing as you - the ooey gooey things that we shouldn't be eating go down just fine, without a lot of effort. It's the things that we should be eating that take effort, and well, it is what it is. Eat slow, chew lots, then chew some more, then wait a while longer. J - Thanks! I have seen the light. I'm on my way to the LBS in a few to talk saddles & recumbent bikes. The wife may not be thrilled with the extra cash outflow, but, well, it is what it is. It is a strategic investment in several of the core values of my life - health, exercise, and Paris-Brest 2011. BTW, congratulations on 101. I am so happy for you! Enjoy your run! B

To paraphrase Twisted Sister - Oh I'm Not Gonna Take It
 no, I Ain't Gonna Take It
 oh I'm Not Gonna Take It Anymore... I had set out certain goals for myself before I got my lapband, and over the past few months, I've let "Life" get in the way of these goals. Well, what the hell good is "Life", if I'm not around to enjoy it, or alive, but not healthy? And besides, the crap that we collectively call "Life", you know that crap that happens while we were making other plans, is mostly that, crap. So, it is with great pleasure that I am happy to pull my head out of my ass. * I will work to support my family, but I will not invest (waste) emotional energy on it. It is a job, it is not who I am, or why I am. * I will take a break from school. I love Harvard passionately, always will, but trying to go to school in Boston while living in Dallas is making me damn unhappy. * I will endeavor to find a new job in Boston, but until then, I will do my job in Dallas to the best of my ability, and I will live my life in Dallas to its fullest. * I will ride my bike. I will not bitch about the fact that the twins still hurt from the de-(I won't say the word J)-ing. I will buy a new saddle, and if that doesn't work, I will buy a new bike. In the end, it's only money, and at what cost for something that I love. * I will ride the trainer when outdoor conditions or timing prevents riding on the road. * I will ride in the Dallas MS150 ride. It was a goal before we talked about moving, so it should be a goal now. If we move before the ride, I will come back to Dallas for that weekend to ride. * I will eat only enough to maintain a calorie deficit of 1500 calories per day, based upon my exercise. That food will include protein and fat, and will exclude carbohydrates as much as is possible. * Most importantly, I will quit bitching that I am not losing enough weight when I am not doing my part to lose it. All of you are such an inspiration, thanks for listening to me rant! B

Traci - you look fabulous! That is a great picture with your husband as well. Also, congratulations on your award, that has to make you feel appreciated! J - WOOOOOOOHOOOOOOOOO!!!!! Congratulations, chica! You are so awesome!!! Ummm, I'm just gonna leave the underpants discussion from the other page alone. Hope everyone had a great weekend! B

D - Thanks. It does suck. I'm hoping that I get approval earlier than that. It only took 2 business days to get approval for my surgery. J - Thanks for the pep talk earlier. I came home, climbed on the stationary bike & rode for a little more than an hour. I feel better physically and mentally than I have in a while. According to the fine folks at bodybugg, I've burned 2950 calories so far, and consumed 796. The 796 is about half of what I've been consuming lately, and there are far, far fewer carbs than I've had for the past few weeks. Hopefully these adjustments will make a difference & kickstart the weight loss, which will lead to the attitude adjustment that I sorely need... B

Can I say how much I hate medical insurance companies?? And my doctor, right now?? This morning, I called to make an appointment for a fill - was told that they would need to get pre-approval from the insurance company - will take 2-4 weeks... I offer to come in and pay cash, even though it's expensive. They say no - since i have insurance, their contract with the insurance company says they can't take cash. So - my question to the appointment chick was "If I have to make it through the holidays without restriction, then why did I even get the band?" At least without the band, I could eat more of the healthy things that don't go down now, so there'd be less room for the ooey gooey stuff that slides right down. Pissed in Plano - B

Ya know - before my band, I could not stand to drink anything hot & didn't like the taste of coffee, so starbucks, and the associated vocab, was just an annoyance. I had to go in with the wife every once in a while, and I could just stand back and shake my head. Now, for some reason, I can't stand to drink anything cold & with enough syrups & some whipped cream, coffee tastes damn good (and the 180mg of caffeine in a Venti is very nice as well ). Probably best to quit now - besides at $4.65 a cup, it gets expensive in a hurry. B

Hey Gang - sorry i haven't written in a while - just been in a big fucking funk & not wanting to share that vibe... Mostly pissed at myself for not exercising enough. With the BB, you'd think it would be easier - I know, with certainty, that I'm not burning enough calories. Why is it so damn hard, then to get on the bike, the treadmill, the weight bench, go for a walk, whatever the fuck to get the calorie burn where it should be... Anyway. Also need to lay off the starbucks. Do many calories, way too much sugar. Had to start taking insulin again. Anyway - enough of that happy crappy... For my wonder twin power - "Form of a skinny bastard", followed closely by "Form of a winning lottery ticket" BG - Congratulations!!!!!!!!!!!!!! JC - Glad to see you back. Glad also to hear that the churning of the butter continues TX - Way to go on the bike riding! Did you get any snow on Thanksgiving - was at my folks in Hurst and it snowed for several hours - big fluffy cotton ball flakes. Too warm to stick, but it was pretty. B

Happy Thanksgiving peeps! B

Mmmmm.... I heart pie.... B

and, i'm very happy! Today is the first time in two weeks that my weight matches my ticker. It's all downhill from here baby!!! B

Morning ladies (and JC)... BG - Wow on the swimming. I can't imagine the pain I'd be in after 30 minutes of swimming. That's hard work... I'm off in a few for a walk with the wife and dog. I ran yesterday - not much, maybe 90 seconds or so several times. Scared the crap out of the dog. We were on our walk, and I started running, and the dog looked at my wife "holy fucking shit - the big one can go fast, too." I thought her eyes were going to bug right out of her head. First time in the 6 years the wife and I have been together that she has seen me run, too. Was kind of fun at the time. My knees are fucking killing me, though. Need to lose another 20-30 pounds before i try it again, and i need to get some real running shoes. Walking shoes and running shoes just aren't the same. Will check back later - have a great Thanksgiving eve! B

Hey D - Congratulations on the new size 18 pants!!! That's gotta make you feel good. BTW, it is 1:02PM Central Standard Time Oh yeah, there's the whole spouse thing. Oh well!!! B

When I was a kid, my grandpa's favorite threat was "Son, if you don't behave, I'm gonna snatch you bald-headed". I had the thickest head of hair then. Bastard must be getting the last laugh...

When the light is harsh, like in that picture, I look clean shaven. There is still some fuzz left up there though. No offense taken, just giving you some shit. B

It's not nice to make fun of the nearly bald I really should just Bic the rest... B

For SS, I think it would be cool to get something that says something about the giver--something that I will always associate with my best friends here. B

Banner fucking day in the neighborhood. I pb'ed part of a chocolate donut and one bite of pizza. WTF. Why even go there (i know, because I was bored out of my skull and that at least added some excitement to the day)... J, can you please kick me in the ass, the balls, something somewhere. At least the Crimson beat Yale's ass 38-7. The instructor for my class was a Yalie, so I had to keep the score updated on my name tent (Go Harvard! Yuck Fale!) Would much rather have been at that party instead of my class. Oh well, small pleasures. Love ya, B