Just a quick post re: discomfort on a bike seat. MOST important is the saddle itself. (bike seat). The style, quality and position of the saddle will make or break you. I have a woman specific design saddle. These are fairly new, the whole WSD bike/saddle so I don't think having a WSD is critical but quality and positioning are.

Other tips found also work for me:

1) shave. Yep, you heard it right. There is so much pressure, movement, moisture going on that I find the entire area to be more comfortable if I keep myself completely smooth.

2) wear actual cycling shorts. the padding isn't there to cushion you but to absorb moisture. Without the moisture there is less chafing. I never thought I'd be caught dead in cycle shorts but anything more than 30 min on a bike and I'm wearing them.

3) do NOT wear anything under your bike shorts. Trust me on this one. After one long ride I had visible SORES for days. I did some research and found out bike shorts are meant to be the only thing between you and your saddle. All the wet cotton bunching up and chafing - YIKES - Let me tell you, I'm a believer.

If you aren't comfy with the idea of being seen in spandex, layer a plain pair of bike shorts under regular shorts. They also make cycle briefs which are exactly what they sound like.

And finally, you aren't gonna like this, but the only way to get those butt muscles (and.. ahh.. more sensitive areas) used to being on a bike is to ride your bike. As ya'll know I'd not been on my bike for about 6 weeks due to the hamstring injury. I started back this week. It wasn't until my 3rd ride that I could sit down on the bike w/out cringing a little - I took the hour w/ no discomfort at all and could have continued. But ride #1 and #2 had me wincing all day b/c of irritation in .. umm.. my most delicate place.

and.. on that note.. Goodnight!!

Emjay, after you sign in to 3FC click on User CP; Edit Avatar; undo any avatar you currently have; scroll down to where it says "custom avatar" - click (if needed) to put a green dot in "use custom avatar" circle; 2nd option is "Upload image from your computer". I clicked on browse and found the picture I wanted to use; click (maybe double click on the pic name) and it will be in the 2nd field, then hit "save changes" at the bottom. A screen came up I think after this saying that the "file upload was unsuccessful" but it worked. Isn't my dog cute? Her name is Penny; we got her from the SPCA when she was just 10 months old. We've had her almost 3 years. I've been waiting for a dog since I was five -- Lassie was my first, true love! Hope the info. helps.

Jo

P.S. Don'tcha just get perplexed when the magazine covers scream "Lose Gobs of Weight with NEW, Super Easy Plan", then have a picture of the most mouthwatering dessert on the cover? Who ARE these people??

Hi Ho Gals!

Neat pic of you LIW! If I ever get my DD to sit here with me - would love to Post a pic as my avatar . . . not sure where pics are in the PC to browse from. My hair looks a lot like yours.

I've succuumbed to all the Bad Habits I was determined to overcome - ate myself into a sugared coma at bedtime last night.

Really stressful workplace - need to make the connection that hurting myself isn't logical or helping anything. Seems simple.

Penny is adorable jo! Our new Pup Ginger is a feisty ball o' fun . . . I love the way one minute she is tearing around and the next - falls over into instant sleep! We've taken lots of pics - hope to Post someday too.

STILL waking up too early - gonna try to lay back down . . . Have a GREAT day gals!

Well, I just got back from walking the dog and did 2.75 miles on the TM this a.m. (ran out of time ). Foodwise I've been doing pretty well. I did have one 2,000 calorie day on Wed but other than that I'm pretty much hitting the 1,500 calories a day mark. I have no energy this week. I have a cold; nothing bad but I guess it's just zapping my energy. Tomorrow is weigh-in day and I am hoping the scale is down. I don't feel like it is, but that could just be my sluggish, spud-like attitude this week. I woke up at 1a.m. last night cold and my stomach was growling loudly! My feet were freezing cold even though I had on socks and sleep under a mountain of blankets. I actually had to get up and ate 4 pretzels to shut my stomach up. Cripes, I can't even get away from it all even when I sleep!

Hope everyone is doing well!

Jo

Hey emjay,
I'm in Central lower Michigan (Lansing area). Where are you?

Oh how I wish the calorie counters on those machines where acurate. My elliptical said I burnt 600 calories in 35 minutes, I mean yeah I was putting my all into it but I highly doubt I burned that much, but that would be great, especially since I haven't eaten that much yet. Don't worry this isn't a typical day, I have been super busy and simply didn't have time, or really even didn't feel that hungry.

I had to run some errands after class today, order checks, get groceries that kind of thing. It was 2:30ish by the time I got back, well then my little one, who has had a cold for a couple of days now, come crying to me to say her ear hurts. Well I had to see if her doc was in today so as soon as I picked my oldest up we went to the doc. Unfortunately I was right and she has an ear infection. Any way been awefully busy, and I still need to shower, fix supper and study. Sounds crazy, but what's even crazier I love it, I love keeping busy. My hardest struggle with school is actually sitting still.

Well my workout was 20 minutes on the elliptical, then 20 minute Denise Austin vid (love to hate her) or maybe its the other way around, then back on the elliptical for another 15 minutes. I could have gone longer but the bottom of my feet where killing me, that and it is getting late and CSI is on at 8. Don't worry collegebride, I will watch Grey's Anatomy tomorow when the air it again. Gotta love McDreamy

Isthatreallyme-I am so glad I don't wake up in the middle of the night hungry! But then I can't hardly get up in the am much less in the middle of the night.

Aud-so sorry to hear about your workplace, I know what it is like, I left a job I couldn't tolerate, but I know we can't all do that.

lady-my butt still hurts a little when I sit on it. I really didn't notice chaffing between my legs until later in the afternoon and honestly didn't know what caused it until I read your post. Thanks for the tips. I don't know how often I will use the bike, I only have the class on Mon and Wed and I really really want to be able to run on the track. I used to run and I miss it, I feel so free like nothing else can get to me. Ahh the days of innocence.

emjay-yeah it is a little colder than normal but we have had such a mild warm winter it felt worse than it was. 20s is about right for this time of year, and the last two days have been just that and it felt great after 20 below.

Well I should be off, I have half an hour to shower and get supper ready before my show comes on.
Jen

i have been doing well at my gym. kind of change it up on the treadmill. i have to do at least 30 minutes and whatever program. love the abd bender and do some of the weight machines. the people are great and love to chat about what is going on. so i have that and have been trying to keep my eating in check. not sure why i only lost 1/2 pound. but it should all balance out.

I'm so happy that the scale is down 1 lb. from last week. Must be doing something right! Just did 25 minutes on the total gym and am off to walk the dog shortly. Suppose to be very, very windy later today and tomorrow so I'd best get her out NOW! Glad to see that everyone his hanging in there.

Jen, I know what you mean about the calorie counts on the machines. The treadmill always says I've burned like 500 calories; I just cut the number in half and figure thats probably closer to what I really burned.

Jo

Hi Emjay. I am brand new to the site - are you still looking for a buddies or a group? I am mid forties, 4 kids, stop and started diets all the time because - the truth is what no one tells you - 1 lb a week, slow and steady, two year plan! So, I am trying again with a bodybugg and I just ordered the You book everyone is talking about. Let me know if you want me to stay in your group and how this all works.
Thanks - I guess this is the first step.

Brag time-I am down a total of 10 pounds!! Now on to the next ten pounds. Kinda makes the frustration worth it.
Today will be another busy day. I have volunteer work to do this afternoon for one of my classes. So I won't have time to work out until after I pick my daughter up from school, but that seems to work too.
A little off topic, Classes are going great, I am really enjoying most of them. I have a personal growth class, that one really has me thinking, which is the whole point. Great classes and I am so glad to be back.

Alwayslistening-welcome, you sure can stay and join us, we would love to have you here.

Isthatreallyme-how do you like your total gym? I tried it once, pinched my leg between the seat and the runner, that was terrible.

Everyone keeps talking about their dogs, makes me jealous, we can't have dogs in our apt, but the hubby has promised me one when we get our own place.

Well I must get ready to go, don't want to be late. Check back in later on, let everyone know how my workout went this evening.
Jen

hello chicklets!!

Happy Friday - who hoo! FINALLY It's friday! It's friday!

Hi there AlwaysListening Of course we want you in our little "group" Stay, visit, get to know us and you'll just love us to death! LOL!


Hooray!! Jen - 10lbs is a LOT. Nice work!!!

Isthatme! Down is ALWAYS better than UP. KUDOS to you too gorgeous!

Tip: a 25 dollar heart monitor from Target or Walmart will give you an accurate calorie burn number!

Lazy Friday today - leg is bothering me (bet ya'll are getting SO tired of hearing about the damn ham string issues, trust me, I'm even MORE tired of living it!! ) Spent most of today prepping for class but thought I'd pop in and say HEY HI!

Hi all, I'm back, I guess about every other day posting is where I'm at. My dad had cataract surgery yesterday and f/u appt. today, that has kept me way busy. I must admit I ate for crap again yesterday but seem to be doing much better today. Haven't been to the gym all week though, argh.

Jen, Have you lost 10 lbs. since we set a goal to lose 10 b4 our b-days? If so, wow and good for you. Glad school is going great. I should go back but can't stand the thought of it.

T, thanks for the biker advice. Where do you buy the biker breifs, sporting good store?

Jo, Thanks for telling me about the avatar. Congrats on the pound gone...

Alwayslistening and SNM, Welcom to you both. We all meet here usually daily to give the low down on our day or our progress feel free to jump right in. SNM, I'm near Grand Rapids and Kalamazoo.

Ellen, 1/2 pound is better than gaining. Don't get down. At least you are going to the gym, you can be my roll model.

last but not least Aud, Sorry work still sucks. I know what you mean about the food. I spent the last two days eating like I was ignorant and have no clue how to lose weight. Which I do, I've done it enough times. I didn't think I was that big of an emotional eater but I guess I am. Duh.

later all, MJ

cycle briefs :
http://www.rei.com/online/store/Sear...y=cycle+briefs

scroll down for womens

Am hanging in the quiet reading room at the local library with the princess for a couple of hours. I have so much prep work to get done for Monday's class.

Today has been a good day thus far. I hooked up my new bike computer to the bike and it's perfect. It measures everything! Speed, average speed, distance, total distance, time of ride, and.. what I really wanted.. cadence. After it was up and running I made attempt 1 at a spinning dvd that I have. It kicked my !! I completed about 40 min of it, cycled a total of 10.6 miles. I'm so PSYCHED to have my set up finally complete: trainer, dvd, computer. I feel so charged up about getting my pre-spring training really underway.

Btw: my g/f asked me recently what my motivation was during the low low moments when I just wanted to quit working out. (Before I got into cycling.) It's been on my mind this morning so I thought I'd share it here:

I read "Younger Next Year for Women" and I can honestly say it changed my life. Maybe I was just in the right frame of mind at the time to receive the information, I don't know. It boils down to this:

1. Exercise six days a week, for the rest of your life. Whether you want to or not, whether you feel like it or not.
2. Do serious aerobic exercise four days a week (45 min), for the rest of your life.
3. Do serious strength training, with weights, two days a week for the rest of your life.
4. Spend less than you make.
5. Quit eating crap.
6. Care.
7. Connect and commit.

Food for thought.

jen: you can have our dog, he's old, whiny and annoying. I'm about ready to ding him over the head with a shovel. He's learned that if he wants to be pet on the head, just cry. So he comes over and pokes you with is nose, whining, til you pet him.. and you can't stop. As soon as you try to stop, he cries. Drives me nuts.

Wondering what a total gym is...

T.

Alwayslistening and SNM -- to the show. Glad to have you aboard!

Jen -- on the 10 lb. lost! Bet you feel just great about it. Good job!!

LIW -- the total gym is the one that Chuck Norris and Christie Brinkely sell. You've seen the infomercial I'm sure. My husband bought it over the summer but hasn't really been using it lately. I was off and on in using it but never really set up a regular program. Now I'm using it 2-3 times a week. Works lots of muscles at once so you can get a lot done in a relatively short time. I'm only on the beginning stuff; I'm sure there's lots more you can do w/it once you built up a little muscle. There are many versions of it though; the Chuck and Christie one is, of course, like $2,000 or something. We got the total gym club 1700 for $350 at Dick's Sporting Goods. Hope this helps.

Just a quickie to post that I had a great treadmill workout this a.m. 3 miles w/plenty of running. I did the 3 miles in 46 minutes -- that's 2 minutes off my normal time!! Very pleased with this little NSV. I think the cold I had that was dragging me down all week is finally on its way out. Now my husband has it. Hope everyone has a great weekend.


Jo