Newbie here - Plus-Size gal with severe fear of lycra

[sisu_concepts]

it all started at a used book sale when I bought a book called "You dont have to be Thin to Win" by by Judy Molnar (selling for one penny on amazon.com).

As a former lifeguard I knew I could swim. As a former Army employee I knew I could run. But, I had never been on a bike. At 253 lbs it seemed like a big "but"....However, then I read "The Fat, Slow Triathlete" by Jayne Williams and she helped me laugh a little more at myself and helped me realize I could live my athletic dreams in the body I have now...

Now, 4 months later, at 236 lbs, I just lost my triathlon virginity at the Fort Leavenworth Sprint Tri. And let me tell you what...not everything in Kansas is flat!

Everyday for the past 4 months I have worn the long leggings sold at Team Estrogen's plus size store. http://www.teamestrogen.com/categories.asp?catID=53 I even put them in the washer and dryer (gasp)!

I was soooo self-conscious but after one bike ride with the local bikeclub I bought the leggings because I knew I needed the padding and I just couldn't wear shorts because I knew I would obsess about my leg fat "shaking" around when I was biking .

I almost choked at spending $80 to make my butt even bigger but then something wicked happened when I put them on....it made me feel like a superhero!

I did find the Team Estrogen shirts to be a little too tight for my comfort level so I bought by bikeshirt at www.junonia.com. It is pricey but the quality is wonderful and one shirt has lasted through 3 months of almost daily washing and drying. However, dime for dime I find the Team Estrogen products to be superior.

Today, I saw on www.junonia.com that the baggy biking shorts are on sale! 25% off (which means they are still around $50) so I bought a pair today.

I swore I would never wear shorts biking but a funny thing happened to me somewhere between my 20th and 200th hill.... I stopped worrying about what everyone else was thinking...and I realized if I feel like a superhero today in these tights imagine what tomorrow will bring! And that has been the greatest lesson of my life.