The Fat Chronicles

[KnottedYet]

Dude...

There are creases in my back-fat.

My back looks like the belly of a lactating sow. Six teats, all lined up three on a side.

Whoa. I've never seen that before.

This is the fattest I've ever been. (Well, I take that back, I was 10 lbs heavier a couple months ago, but this is still the fattest of my fat-events.) I didn't know my back could crease. Gross.

Stress really really really sucks. I need to do something to relieve my stress so I can lose this crazy fat I've gained in the last couple years.

Time to buy a new bike...
http://somafab.com/bvista.html

[ultraviolet]

Time to buy a new bike...

There's a sweet Bridgestone XO-1 on Seattle's Craigslist right now. Just sayin'...

Stress + Injury has my weight swinging upward right now, too. I was tempted to buy a new bike yesterday...even though I can't actually ride. Hah!

[ultraviolet]

Ooo, now that you've added the Buena Vista link...

I was in Free Range Cycles a couple of weeks back and saw that they had one of those built up into quite the pretty package. (um, yeah...I want way more bikes than I have space to store them.)

[KnottedYet]

Ooo, now that you've added the Buena Vista link...

I was in Free Range Cycles a couple of weeks back and saw that they had one of those built up into quite the pretty package. (um, yeah...I want way more bikes than I have space to store them.)

Free Range is my enabler. They told me it would be cheap and easy to move the parts from my Surly Cross Check to the Soma Buena Vista frame (in graphite, cuz it's purdy and all my black and red parts will look good on it). All I'd have to buy is a set of caliper brakes. I've already got my eye on a lovely set of Tektro R556. (Trek420 has them on her Motobecane mixte, and I lust for them.)

Oh, and I'd have to buy the mixte frame. So maybe $700 outlay, and then sell my Surly frame if it all works out, and that would help pay for the switch.

Just look at that sexy new Soma headbadge: http://www.somafab.com/BuenaVista_rev_bicycletimes.pdf

[Scrappy]

Knotted, That Mixte is the stuff drool fuel is made of.

And I think you've just given me my excuse to spend the money on a trekking bar conversion for my LHT.. "Hon, you know how stressed I've been these last few months..."

[KnottedYet]

I don't suppose there is something you could do to get rid or at least reduce the stress? Maybe I shouldn't mention that, but you've brought it up often.

So, hope you are okay.

I'm ok, it's just life. My doctor is on top of it and is keeping track of my goofy blood levels (actually, my cholesterol has gotten BETTER as I've gotten fatter, go figure!) and stress reactions (gaining weight, chest pains, etc.)

I like my doc. She does not want to put me on meds. She wants me to stop all caffeine, cut down on alcohol, and get lots more exercise.

So, I need a new bike, right? :D

[NbyNW]

I hear you on the stress, Knot.

If a new bike will reduce your stress, I say go for it.

[zoom-zoom]

She wants me to stop all caffeine, cut down on alcohol...

That would cause me stress...so not kidding. :o

I think the new bike idea is awesome. New bikes are never a stressful thing, only awesome. :)

[Trek420]

So, I need a new bike, right? :D

But you have this in your living room and I love that Surly :) but ... more bikes more better.

http://forums.teamestrogen.com/showthread.php?t=19096

[KnottedYet]

But you have this in your living room and I love that Surly :) but ... more bikes more better.

http://forums.teamestrogen.com/showthread.php?t=19096

Too small, really. But the Motobecane is very pretty.

The Buena Vista won't be in stock for a few more months, I have plenty of time to ponder fit and geometry and should I or shouldn't I and "but I love my Cross Check" and "but the mixte is so sexy."

What I really need are some plus-sized shorts and a plus-sized screaming yellow jersey, cuz none of my bike stuff fits at all right now. Can't even get tops zipped nor shorts/skorts/capris up over my hips. I've already picked out a bunch of stuff from TE's nice selection of plus-size, and I'll order tomorrow.

[Bike Chick]

What I really need are some plus-sized shorts and a plus-sized screaming yellow jersey, cuz none of my bike stuff fits at all right now. Can't even get tops zipped nor shorts/skorts/capris up over my hips. I've already picked out a bunch of stuff from TE's nice selection of plus-size, and I'll order tomorrow.

A new bike AND new bike clothes should do the trick:D:D It would definitely help my mood.

[TxDoc]

The Buena Vista won't be in stock for a few more months, I have plenty of time to ponder fit and geometry and should I or shouldn't I and "but I love my Cross Check" and "but the mixte is so sexy."


Well, I confess to being an enabler, but how about keeping the cross-check, if you love it, AND getting the new mixte?
Let's just think about how many things a new bike could do for you:

1. The new project will help you with the stress by keeping you busy in the next few months - with the many bike parts to pick and choose for the new mixte, and find, and buy...
2. Once the bike is in, you will get additional stress help: now you get to sit in your garage and actually build up the bike, mechanic work is relaxing, like yoga :) and it needs precision, so it will motivate to cut down on alcohol and caffeine, and maybe fattening foods too.
3. And, once the bike is built, you have two bikes to choose from every day - the sexy mixte and the cross check. Practically, no excuse left not to ride - so you will get more exercise and ride the weight off.

You see, a new bike is always the solution ;)

Aside from jokes, I hope you are doing ok and that it will get better soon...

[Tri Girl]

I can relate.
The other day I realized that I'm a good cup size A on my back fat. Some people would kill to have b00bs like that up front- and I'm sporting them in the back- with my D's up front. :eek:
6 teets lined up all in a row. I'm not laughing at you, I'm sobbing along with you.


And that new Soma... OH. MY. GOSH! I'd kill for that bike- been drooling over it for a while now. I mean really: I'd kill for that bike. :cool:

[KnottedYet]

I already have 3 bikes, which is probably too many for my tiny apartment. Can't really afford a new build, but could swing a new frame. I don't really have the tools nor knowledge nor the space to swap the parts myself, but maybe I could do it over the winter as a winter project. (there is a shop near me that has classes and bench rental)

Dunno what I'm doing, mostly day-dreaming. But it was a nice surprise to realize I could actually afford to buy that Buena Vista frame I've wanted for years, and could swap parts over for it.

Spent a lot of time going over the 54cm BV geometry and comparing it to the 52cm Surly Cross Check geometry, and figured that the slight TT difference would be to my advantage. My LBS quite happily confirmed my findings, which just planted that Soma bug deeper into my bike-lust filled heart.

Enablers, I tell ya... bunch of enablers!

[Biciclista]

Oh I saw the one built out at FreeRange, it's too small for Knott. Nice bike, I went right to it! (and wanted it)
Chris Crowley of "younger next year" calls stuff like buying new bikes a "kedge" and it does help to motivate.

take care

[GLC1968]

So, I need a new bike, right? :D

Yes, you do.

No better reason than to help your health, lower your stress levels and help lighten the wallet. :D Besides, your doctor practically told you to buy it!

[sgtiger]

You should so totally get the Buena Vista, Knott. It's a sexy bike! I'm sure riding around on it will help reduce stress. ;):D

[Pax]

Right there with you Knott.

My SO and I are planning on some big life changes in the next year and a half and I need to be MUCH lighter and in better shape. No new bike for me though, just a lot of gym time. :D

[Trek420]

Oh I saw the one built out at FreeRange, it's too small for Knott. How do we know till the test ride? :cool:

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

I think it's a great idea to get some new biking clothes that fit you- clothes that fit make you feel good and look better. I just got some new screaming yellow and neon green bike tops because my old ones from 4 yrs ago are just too tight. It feels great having the clothes I love feel comfortable again (in a larger size) and not stretch over my 'extra padding' areas.

But getting a new bike?...I just don't think that will make you ride more except maybe for a couple of weeks when the new purchase is exciting. Assuming you already have a bike that fits you and you can ride. How is sitting in your living room working on bike parts going to make you more fit or slimmer? To me, getting a new bike and fussing with all the do-dads that you are going to need to get to make it work for you simply puts off the moment when you actually are going to sit your butt on a bike and ride. Why now ride one of your bikes tomorrow instead of shopping for new bikes?

My 2 cent advice... Get the new clothes that will fit and feel better, no matter what size it takes. Then sit your bottom on the most comfortable bike you already have and ride around the block a few times in your nice new screaming yellow duds and enjoy the wind in your hair. :) Get home, and have a big glass of ice water and congratulate yourself.

[redrhodie]

Those Mixtes are lust-worthy.

[emily_in_nc]

Then sit your bottom on the most comfortable bike you already have and ride around the block a few times in your nice new screaming yellow duds and enjoy the wind in your hair. :) Get home, and have a big glass of ice water and congratulate yourself.

ITA agree with BSG...except for the wind in your hair part, since we all know you'll be wearing your helmet! :D

But yes, spend the money on some really nice duds (that will help motivate you to ride) and get yer butt out there and ride, girl! :cool:

[KnottedYet]

But getting a new bike?...I just don't think that will make you ride more except maybe for a couple of weeks when the new purchase is exciting.

I'm sure you're right.

I don't really need the mixte. I just want it as much now as I did years ago, and could potentially afford it this Fall.

Bike lust is never reasonable, darn it!

It's gonna be a hard Fall - I'll have an empty nest and I'm moving to a new place where I won't know any neighbors yet. I'll be right on a 50 mile long multi-use trail system, however; and intend to ride a lot.

I could ride any of my bikes...
(I just want a sexy new one cuz I'm gonna be alone and lonely, and any justification is a good one for a new bike; lonely + stressed + fat = NEW BIKE in Knot-math!) :D

[OakLeaf]

any justification is a good one for a new bike

There ya go.

What else do you need to know? ;)

Seriously though ... sometimes having A Project is just what I need, and other times it's just more stress. If you're reasonably sure it'll be a stress reliever, go for it!

[malkin]

If you can afford it, why not?

Of course you can't expect a new bike to magically solve every problem, but new clothes and a new bike can be a really grand adventure and can give you new ways to move around and be in your body and nudge your thinking in different directions.

Besides, it's a NEW BIKE!

[salsabike]

I'm sure you're right.

I don't really need the mixte. I just want it as much now as I did years ago, and could potentially afford it this Fall.

Bike lust is never reasonable, darn it!

It's gonna be a hard Fall - I'll have an empty nest and I'm moving to a new place where I won't know any neighbors yet. I'll be right on a 50 mile long multi-use trail system, however; and intend to ride a lot.

I could ride any of my bikes...
(I just want a sexy new one cuz I'm gonna be alone and lonely, and any justification is a good one for a new bike; lonely + stressed + fat = NEW BIKE in Knot-math!) :D

Totally good reasons.

[KnottedYet]

Just ordered a set of 2X cycling duds from TE. (I love TE.)

I shall continue to have happy fantasies of my very own mixte... maybe some day.

[chosen1]

Just ordered a set of 2X cycling duds from TE. (I love TE.)

I shall continue to have happy fantasies of my very own mixte... maybe some day.

Ya for the new clothes!! It's amazing how much better we feel about ourselves when we have clothes that fit our body type! Well at least I do. You should totally use that new bike as motivation for your weight loss goals, it can be your reward when you reach your goal! It can be your motivational device or mantra ("this mile is for the new bike, this mile is for the new bike") as you're knocking out the miles on one of your current bikes. I agree with BSG, sitting in the house building your dream ride won't help with your get fit and you surely don't want to add stress to your life.

Best wishes!

[malkin]

I get anxious every year in the fall.
Sometimes I get anxious any time of year about the fall.

You'll look great in your new duds!