first of all congratulations on your weight loss. That's fantastic!

thoughts on shorts vs saddle.

1. have you had a good bike fit? That would be the primary issue.
2. buke shorts are supposed to fit snugly so that things don't shift around, so ideally you should buy the smallest size you can squeeze into without cutting off circulation. That being said, it also means that if you get a tight fit, it will hopefully ease and stretch down with you for a bit as you trim down.
3. I have had good luck with shorts from performance bicycle, which is several places around Houston. They carry less expensive but perfectly adequate shorts both in their store brand as well as a couple of other brands. This might be especially useful when you are still on the learning curve of what works and what doesn't.
4. You could also try REI- which just happens to be across the street on Westheimer from one of the Performance bike stores. Although I have had better luck with erseys than shorts, I know they do carry bike shorts as well. They tend to be a bit seasonal so they will probably have less now than in the spring. I know there isn't really winter in Houston, but national chains don't seem to be able to compute that. Try and buy a bathing suit anytime after AUgust 1.
5. I have found Castelli shorts at Sports authority from time to time as well.
6. Team Estrogen and Terry both have good discounts from time to time as well.
7. there are several sites on the web that have good prices on shorts so let your fingers do some walking on the keyboard.

I guess what I am saying is you need to buy two pairs of different brands, compare them riding wise, take notes and then eliminate one and try another when you can swing it. Having two pairs means that you can wash one pair while the other dries from yesterdays ride. I rarely buy on line unless it is a brand that I know and am familiar with as I have definite issues with the chamois shape and thickness.

I rarely buy on line unless it is a brand that I know and am familiar with as I have definite issues with the chamois shape and thickness.
Having said that, I now have a stable of shorts that I rotate through. Since I am still losing weight at times the fit changes enough or the shorts get old and stretched out enough that they no longer fit comfortably. The first time I notice it I put a perma marker x on the inside tag. 3 x and the shorts are gone.

Then there is the matter of chamois butter and the fact that you definitely want to ride sans underwear.

Perhaps I am assuming that you are a newbie and you aren't and all of this is redundant. If so, sorry.

Come out to katy and ride with me sometime!