Women, we have GOT to stop beating ourselves up for what we haven't accomplished yet and learn to value what we have accomplished!!! I put myself down so hard for not losing weight faster/changing my appearance more almost on a daily basis. That's just not right, because I have really turned my life around and have come so far. In April of 2005, I could only ride a suffering 3 miles, and I just did a hilly 20 and felt great after. Part of it comes from the media stuff, part of it comes from the attitudes of people who can only see one body type as being fit/attractive. But the largest part of it is my own long years of practice at putting myself down and focusing on my negatives.

And I'm wondering, as I learn a little more about stress/cortisol levels/ fat, if my habit of doing this to myself is slowing my whole healing/reshaping process. Does anyone else have any thoughts and knowledge about this?

Raven, I cheered out loud when you wrote that you are better on the hills (my husband thought I won money or something.)That is really something to celebrate!!!!