OH Juli

D you r bad

I’m six months out from banding. I’ve got good restriction, I don’t want it to be any tighter but I still eat a good 1400 calories a day. Sometimes more. I exercise, but I’ve exercised more in last few months. I’m not cooking much and eating what I find, cans of soup and chili. Burgers with out buns; even the occasional cookie gets consumed. I’m feeling a little tired of journaling and I’m focused on other things in my life such as my schooling, my work, my daughter’s newly developing medical needs and family. I’ve pushed a lot of this aside for months and it’s creeping back in and taking space in my otherwise focused mind. I can exhale in a few weeks but I don’t want to get off track in that time and feel it slipping that way. So I know the goal is to dig a little deeper. Can anyone give me some encouraging words? Like tell me that it’s normal to need to regroup after so many months? Give me tips on refocusing my efforts? This is the first time in this journey that I’ve felt like I wasn’t gung-ho about the process. I’m struggling. Thanks so much.

As for the iron ons. I can get them printed Monday and mailed out that afternoon.

Hi Teresa. Welcome to othe bicycling corner of the LBT. All, When I was in Madison they had the Ironman competition happening. Holy Cow that was a sight to see. BG and JC, you do it I'll be there to cheer you on! I could do the 100+ miles of biking. I could maybe run a marathon. I could not swim 2 miles. Never, ever. But, it is my understanding that swimming is the best conditioning for the other two because it helps you learn to regulate your breathing in the best way possible. Rock ON!

Julie and Jack, Good advice from both of you. I'll take it to heart. J

I think the T shirts should say something about being Bycyling Banded Babes.... Just kidding. You bycylers you.

Am I the only one to notice that the bycyling thread is becoming a running thread? I think it's amazing and a pretty natural progression. I'm just jealous that I'm not ready to run. But when I am, watch out, cuz I'll catch ya.

I've lost 62 pounds in 6 months. That's with out adding the inital 23 pounds before surgery. It's a steady 10 pounds a month. I expect it will slow down at some point, but I'll just kick the exercise up even more then.

Hell we could do 9pm which would be fine with me too.

"Just 30 minute runs" Like that's not huge! You have got to be proud! I know I'm inspired. Getting stuck on the toilet is kind of funny though. It must have resolved somehow because you're not there anymore. "help...help?! I'm stuck, help..." Yeah, I'm happy to see her this weekend. It's the first time since we got home from vacation, so 5 weeks...and next week we'll be in a tent with new friends close by and a 6 year old a few feet away. I might have been a little frustrated. And we've got another long spell coming up with out seeing each other...so it's is a good thing.

BG!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! You are on FIRE! I think it's fantastic to train for the Turkey Trot. You can double your distance in 10 weeks. You know you can. You have your cheerleaders right here! GO STACY, GO STACY! D- I have Sprint, but I don't pay the $5 for unlimited sprint to sprint. Regardless I have a billion weekend minutes, so it's not an issue. We'll have JC with his fancy phone/web browser take pictures and send them instantly too. JC, you've been volunteered. Is 8pm on a Saturday night Eastern Time too pathetic for us to chat? Shouldn't we be out having fun or something? I'll be out riding earlier in the day, and like HP, I'll be back home and eating/resting right about then, so I'll be there. I'm meeting Alison in Toledo tonight and we are going on a 23 mile ride tomorrow. Then I'm driving back home. This LDR thing just sucks sometimes. Happy Friday ya'll.

JC look at Skybus it's out of columbus but you can get cheap flights to the west coast.

D, yeah, about the chocolate thing. I thought, Holy Crap she told the girl, "go fuck yourself"?!? You got me. That was funny! I hate when people ask obviously ignorant questions or make assumptions. You should have said it, "yeah it makes me projectile vomit but I can't control myself. Hold on...1...2....3" [insert big nasty ralphing noise here with all the fun motions!]. D, you did better than I would have.

Wow, BG you get the "restriction sucks ass" award for the week. Mine is bad, well not bad by your standards but it's a hassle most of the time. However, today not being on the spot to eat with a crowd or what the crowd was eating I didn't PB and I got enough to eat! What a freaking concept. I paid $10 for a sausage link, 1/4 cup of coffee and 2 tablespoons of scrambled eggs yesterday. I was in a hurry and was told the buffet was the quickest. I tried to take a yogurt with me, but the TSA at the airport made me toss it out. Bastards. Today I had some SOS, creamed chipped beef on toast. (Horrifying I know, but yummy. Salisbury steak, again, loaded with kcals, but squishy, and meatballs for dinner and even broccoli and peas.) Holy cow it was nice! Now I've got to get the sugar and carbs back out of my system, because when nothing else will go down, cake and crackers do...and I've been eating a few so I want more. What a effed up thing...but I know I can kick them to the side, I've just got to dig a little deeper. I think JC is flying to Mexico for a consult with a plastic surgeon. right-o? HP-The girl needs to limit it to texting! WowWee. Tell her she had better babysit to cover the cost of her phone bill! HA. And as far as being more fit, HARDLEY! We may be a few days ahead of you as far as surgery dates go, but baby, you're fit. Don't buy the media's BS about heavy=unfit. Lazy=unfit and you are far, FAR, F*A*R, from being lazy. And you are (we all are) less heavy than we used to be. So stop your worrying about if you can keep up. You'll be fine. D- You know we'd love to have you and we are going to miss the stuffing out of you. You really need to give one of us your phone number so we can call you and pass the phone. It will be one way to share the day with you. Please??????? B & JC- Hi.

Yeah I have the equipment I need not including a stove etc. But we will rely on the kindness of others for things like hot water for oatmeal and tea. I don't see us eating at the campsite much. Saturday night I thought we were going to a restaurant. Friday we'll be getting there too late to eat...other than smores, etc. Saturday's lunch is provided. The girls will eat PB&Js... Sunday I'll be getting on the road early to get to my dad's b-day. This is really going to happen! I feel like I know everyone already, but it's going to be really fantastic to connect. J

Awesome! I hope to meet many banded folk there! Cool, cool, cool!

Yes, my daughter is coming with me. Not taking her isn't an option. It's my weekend. Alison will probably make it, but maybe not. Really the weekend is about meeting you all... :car:

Hi gang. I'm back to work from being at a conference. It's good to get back in the routine. Now I need to force my butt back into the gym. Here goes. Hope all are well. XO

Wow Mrs, that's something. I'm glad to hear you are recovering though. I can't wait for things to slow down from summer, but isn't it this the beginning of the busy season for most? :car:

I hear you. I have one pair of jeans. I did get some dress pants for the conference, but I need more jeans. I wear them to work...one pair isn't enough. I'm going to be paying for the ride the day of, btw. I just figure, if Alison can't make it, or whatever, it's better to pay the three dollars extra than to be out a full 15. How are you feeling today? Was it yesterday that you took off work?

I found the "banded bike babe" reply. That took some digging....you know we write a lot on this thread!

Wow, cute pink bike! a I'm looking to get Zoe a new bike this week for her b-day. She wants purple though. Frank, Good looking bike! D, you rock! Kill those hills! BG- You and me babe, over planners to the end! I'm looking forward to the 25th of September because that's the end of busy bits for me. I've got so much to do between here and there though! OI! I've found that if I take my time I can eat a full burger patty. I'm living on freaking ground beef! I hate that it has so many calories, but chicken and turkey just don't go down well, and pork has been an issue even before the fill! It's the amount of sauces I'm eating too! And so few veggies because of the restriction...so my weight is at a stand still...I say that but still I'm down 10#s from last month...but it's been 2 weeks since I've dropped any. I'm back home and ready to start losing again. So what are we doing for t-shirts anyway? You know, I have ink-jet iron on transfers....if you send me your address, I can send you an iron on to put on your own white T? Could be cheaper and less running around. I'll design something send it for approval... Just an idea. Or we can go with plan A. HP and JC and BG I can't wait to meet you all! We are going to have so much FUN! When are we getting on line? Saturday night?

Frank, That is awesome! I love my Giant! And I love the feel of the wind in my hair. Through my helmet of course. Fantastic!

Diane I know what you mean about body issues, etc. FYI about choosing TI, as a group we rated our top 6 picks and did a weighted measure with everyone's opinion. TI won. So there wasn't ONE particular reason it got picked over any other, just overall it was preferred. HTH. and hope to meet you in Jan. Juli

BG & D You are doing what I want to do. I want to run. I'm still 28 pounds too heavy...in my own estimation. I tried running in the spring and my knee got to hurting, so I told myself I'd wait until I was under 200. It's a promise I want to keep for myself sO I don't just give up on it. I so want to run. I feel like when I walk there's a hand on my back pushing me to run. I tell everyone I'm going to run to my goal... I'm jealous and proud of you two. You rock chicas!