Fear and Loathing on the road to thin and fit

[Bike Chick]

Your story is an inspiration, Goldfinch, and so well written. I shared it with DH who's grin widened as he read it. How could it not? I'm sure this journey was very difficult but the rewards have made it worth it. Congratulations.

[Serendipity]

Goldfinch, you are an amazing inspiration. Thank you for sharing your story.

[spokewench]

Goldfinch you are a lovely woman inside and out. What a wonderful story. Thank you so much for telling it here on team estrogen. I feel honored.

[Chile Pepper]

Fantastic! Congratulations on accomplishing so much.

[SadieKate]

Thanks for sharing, GoldFinch. That was exactly what I was talking about. You figured out what you needed to do for you, and not what someone else could do.

Huge congratulations and continued success!

[ehirsch83]

I am not an emotional person at all and as I read this sitting here at work, I have tears in my eyes- so inspirational and you are an amazing person!

[Catrin]

... I am eating more like you are eating a bit more because I was feeling weak and felt like my endurance and strength was at a plateau. That is very difficult to do psychologically as I really worry about regaining weight. You are further along than me and your success at keeping the weight off is inspiring to me. The cold war of maintenance lasts for the rest of my life.

I have that same fear, which makes it really hard to eat more calories - that is the real reason that I've been struggling to eat enough but I promised that I would give this a chance. We will see what the bod-pod test in two weeks shows - if my body fat hasn't decreased then I will dial back on the carbs more but likely keep the same caloric goals since my actual weight hasn't increased.

Your story is quite inspiring and I look up to you for all of the hard work you have done. I just looked back at your original post, and I only started really losing weight in October, 2010. Sure I had lost about 40 pounds before that point but it had taken me something like 5-6 years to do it We pretty much started our amazing journey at the same time

[Susan Otcenas]

Hey Susan, in the picture I am wearing capris I bought from TE, the Zoic Caprise Capri. Size xs. http://www.teamestrogen.com/prodZO_4108ZW11.html
I like wearing them on the bike with chamois and off the bike or on short rides without the chamois. So thanks!

Glad you like them! The Zoic pieces are great on and off the bike. So versatile.

[redrhodie]

All I can do is echo what everyone else has said. What a transformation! You look so powerful standing on those pedals! Beautiful.

[Maye]

You brought tears to my eyes!! You have come a long way and I'm so proud of you. Even though I don't know you personally, we share the love of cycling and this forum. GREAT!

[never2late]

What an amazing adventure story with the happiest of endings! Thank you for your courage in the telling and the inspiration for others.

[Marquise]

Haven't had much time to read here this week but I skimmed your story the day you posted and knew I had to come back and re-read when I had more time. Thank you for sharing your inspiring story!