Well I just came out here to see my posts because someone called me a 'Slack-Ass' earlier and said he read my posts and how excited I was about Curves and my bicycle and how I need to get my butt moving. Have to say in the past that might have pissed me off - now it's just opening my eyes and my mind and re-affirming what I already knew - I have been a 'Slack-ass' and I need to get over that and get moving again.

Since my last post a lot has happened - most on here know I lost my mom in February 2010 - the year following that was very strange for me - in ways it was a relief to not see her suffering any longer, and I thought it would be a lot less stress on me for not having ot take care of her. What I found was that I was 'lost' without her and caring for her. I guess it happened so gradually over the past few years that she had been ill that it just became routine for me, and when it was gone I didn't know what to do - didn't have the ambition to work out - just didn't feel like doing anything, including riding my precious bicycle that she had given me on my last birthday.

I never had plastics, but maybe will some day when I feel the time is right. So for now I am ready to get back on track with my eating and exercise - I want to feel strong and healthy and energetic like I did when I was taking care of my mom. I think exercise for me during that time with her was a big stress reliever, but it did so much more as well.

So I'm up to the challenge - Sunday, Mother's Day, May 6, 2011, I am starting my 90 Day Challenge - I'm doing it for myself - I'm doing it for my health and well-being - and I'm doing it because damnit, I deserve it!!

OK, am I ready for plastic surgery on my legs...physically I know I am - mentally I'm not so sure, but our insurance is changing drastically and if I'm going to have it done I should try to get it in before year-end, so today I'll be calling Aetna to see what I have to do in order to have it covered. It is truly more than cosmetic for me - the excess skin is weighing heavily on my knees - walking is fine, sitting is fine - riding my bike is achy but I pedal through it because I know I'll feel better in the end, but I do think the extra weight bearing down on the knees is not helping the way they're feeling. And if I don't get them (the legs) done now I'll have to wait until at least 2011 to have enough $$$ built up to pay for it. So I guess I'll take the plunge is I can and have it done this year.

The other issue is my mother's overall health - she's probably going to be starting chemo treatments again very soon and in the past we have not been able to get all 3 into her before she ends up in the hospital...the doctor tells us that the meds she'll be getting this time are tolerated well by 'most' people - unfortunately she's not most people and when her system is compromised she goes downhill very quickly. But if I can go ahead and have the legs done then my siblings or nephew will have to come over to help out.

So here goes nothing...new legs or bust!! Oh wait, that's a totally different procedure - LOL!!!

For my 52nd birthday my mother bought me a bicycle. Sounds crazy, doesn't it, but its something I really wanted - a 'cruiser bike' - nothing fancy - no hand gears, no hand brakes - just a plain, old-fashioned bicycle with big tires (and a big comfy seat!).

After I had WLS I started dreaming about riding a bicycle again - I have no idea why or where that came from - maybe somewhere deep inside me it was one of those 'goals' that I needed to reach? Whatever it was I am so happy with my new 'toy' and love riding it.

Right now I don't go very far (or very fast) - I was very wobbly at first since I hadn't ridden a bike in 30+ years, but each time I go out I have more confidence and it feels so wonderful to have the wind in my face and that feeling of total freedom riding thru the neighborhood.

So if you have a specific goal in mind upon reaching goal (or getting close) go for it!

After months of being in a stall (but thankfully not gaining!) I decided to shake up my exercise and do something about it, so I joined Curves. I love it!! I love the work-out routine and I love the facility I joined. Most of the ladies are in my age range and most have a bit of 'fluff' about them so I don't feel self-conscious in there and the best part is everyone is so friendly, including Renee, the owner. I've been going 3 times a week and supplementing with riding my bike and walking or working around the house. After my first month I have wonderful results to report!

I have lost 5 pounds and a total of 6.75" overall - in places where I didn't think it was possible to lose inches because of my loose skin, so every little bit I can tighten up is a bonus. 2" on my arms, of all places - wow! 1" off my thighs and calves and the rest off my bust (bummer) and waist and hips. So overall I am a very happy girl and I am also in a solid size 18 pants and 18 tops - sometimes even a 14-16! Imagine, me? In those sizes? It feels amazing.

And now it seems that summer has finally arrived and its great being outside and doing things - even gardening - something I have never done but I've planted shrubs and flowers and actually may do some more - we'll see! Even if I don't its wonderful knowing that I can.

Well it looks like spring is finally here and getting outside and moving more is definitely a good thing. I joined Curves about 3 weeks ago and really enjoy going - the owner, Renee, is close in age to me and a little 'fluffy' herself - most of the women are in my age range and none of them are 'hardbodies' which makes it much more comfortable. And they all talk! The one thing I really didn't like about Kirkwood was that nobody talked to me - I always felt out of place there, but at Curves I feel very much at home, and a lot of that is due to Renee's personality and friendliness.

So right now I'm doing Curves 3 times a week and have just gotten back on my bike, plus I'm walking the dog more often - hopefully the combination of those 3 things will help get the scale moving again. I really would like to knock off another 25 to 30 lbs. I'm thrilled with where I am now but that would put me in a much healthier BMI range and I know that plastics would be much easier with the rest of that excess weight off.

A lot of the girls out here are having plastics now and its very encouraging reading about these new journeys of theirs as I hope to be on that one day myself. I have made an appt with my PCP for next Friday to document some issues I'm having with the excess skin - mostly in my hips and knees and my sense of balance. I feel like a teetering old fool sometimes!

Hope to see some measurements change next week at Curves, too - never measured myself (bad girl) but now I have something to go on.