Oh girl, I'm not goin' anywhere :o)  I equally enjoy seeing your posts!  This whole buddy thing has really got me goin' strong and I'm feeling so good--I can't actually wait for my weigh in this Tuesday.  It's taking everything not to look sooner :o)  Even if the numbers don't show, I know that I at least feel better about myself and that's got to count for something. 

The most fit I've ever been was my freshman year of college--I used to go to our FREE rec center and work out for almost an hour every day, even on weekends.  Now I really just don't have the extra funds for a gym membership.  My job history has been a bumpy ride and pinching pennies is partly why I've put off losing weight--it seems costly.  I've finally overcome that thought and realize that eating less will in turn cost less :o)  But it's things like a new bike, gym membership, and other equipment that I wish I could afford at this time.  I will hopefully find out in the near future if I am getting this teaching job for next year... let me explain....

I just graduated college in May of 2008.  I was a bit of an untraditional student as I got married after my sophomore year.  With that marriage came my stepson (who I call son as we have full custody of him and his mother is a bit displaced) who is now 8 and last May (when I graduated) I found out I was pregnant with my son (who is now 3 months old).  My degree is in art education and I didn't find a teaching job last summer until 2 weeks before school started.  It was the PERFECT job, a long-term sub position in the city where I live as a 7th-grade art teacher.  The regular teacher was out for treatment of *** cancer (in the early stages) and she was luckily able to come back for the 2nd semester.  I was able to teach all the way up until the birth of my son with a flawless transition to her return in January (there was never a sub for the sub, haha).  Well, since then I've been subbing all over the school district and I've taken a dramatic pay cut.  I've been optimistic that I'll find a full-time job for next year, but all of the jobs I've applied for will require our family to move (not something I'm looking forward to).  Well, last Friday I went in to sub for a 3rd grade teacher and I ran into a fellow art teacher.  She said, "hey, did you hear!?  There will be an art position open next year!"  This was music to my ears as there wasn't supposed to be an opening--nobody's retiring.  But this young teacher is moving because her husband got a job in a different state.  So, my chances should be pretty great at getting this job--now I'm just waiting for a phone call.

Well, that was more information than necessary, but I really feel that all of these personal issues affect my weight loss.  With this heavy pressure of finding a job on my shoulders, it can be pretty tempting to stress-eat.  Luckily I'm finding that I feel a lot better about myself when I'm able to fight the cravings. 

I loved the wide seat comment :o)  Haha.. thanks for the encouragement.

So, about your gym question (which I was trying to get at before)... if it were me, I'd keep the gym membership.  I know that I feel more motivated being around all of the skinny folk at the gym, haha :o)  But it's up to you.  If you're finding it hard to allot the time to get to the gym, certainly walking on the treadmill at home is more flexible. 

Keep in touch!

hey; I really dont know much about chosing a bike. I have one and do go riding with my 9yrs old. It's always fun as we go riding aroung the lake. At the bike shop I am sure they will give you the best advise..Dont go buying too musch of a wider seat as we are expecting your butt to get smaller and real soon..I do wish you will continue to be at the other end of my email for  a very long time. I do enjoy reading you mails.....I am thinking of giving up my gym membership to my son and go back to walking and doing my tread mill at home...I do enjoy going to the gym but I miss going walking on the out doors so much...What do you think?  61/2 lbs so far...go me...

I'm definitely going to need to invest in a wider cushioned seat--my butt kills!  I also think I need a better bike.  This one I bought 2 years ago from Meijer when I was in college and too poor to buy a nice bike, but I think it's too short.  I'm 5'8" and even with the seat fully extended it seems like I don't have much leg room.  I'm thinking about selling this one on Craigslist and using that money to invest in a better bike from an actual bike shop.  I understand about constantly having something to do--it's when I get lethargic and glued to the tube that I get into trouble.  Then unnecessary hunger sets in, but luckily I've been doing good with keeping busy this week.  Today I took a 2-hour nap in middle of the day while my baby napped (after my traumatic first bike ride in a couple years) and I felt sooooo good after that nap!  It re-energized the rest of my evening.  In fact, I should probably be hitting the hay right now... I tend to stay up too late on the weekends.  Oops!

Thanks for the comment!  Let me know if you have any advice on selecting a new bike.

Hi Flamingolaura, I have been riding my bike for the past week.  I didn't ride yesterday because I noticed the first day after I rode 6 miles that I was brusied on my butt.  I went out to day for a 5.5 miles bike ride and I rested at my nieces' house for about an hour or so before heading back to my house.  I did pretty good but I remember when I didn't have to rest.  I had hung out my clothes before going for the bike ride so I got them all in when I got home and folded them.  I try to stay moving after a work out like that because I dont want to stiffen up and not be able to move.  One thing I can't sit for too long anyways because my dogs either want in or out so I have to get up.  I have been exercising since October so that is probably why I am not as sore but, I am sure feeling mucles I forgot I had.  Talk with you later!  Teri

I tried hopping on my bike this afternoon and was sadly out of breath by the time I reached the end of my street!  I contemplated turning around and going back home, but I at least got around the block.  But butt hurts, my thighs are quivering, and I feel like such an idiot!  I guess I'll stick to walking a little while longer.  I'm not going to let this get me down.  If nothing else, It's quite a wake-up call.  Just 2 years ago my step-son and I were taking bike rides all around the neighborhood and now I can hardly push my big butt out of our driveway, haha!  I seriously need to get this under control.