Testy in Texas

I Had an Epiphany…and it Hurt!

Susan — Fri, 04 Sep 2009 03:40:45 +0000

So, another semester is off to a roaring start. I’m only taking 3 classes this semester, which is a good thing because for some reason, colleges think that classes should get harder the farther you get in your degree program. Go figure. They’re also all in a row on the same nights each week (M-W) which can be tough to handle because sitting through almost 4 hours of lecture in one fell swoop is just stupid hard for someone with the attention span of a 3 year old…namely me. However, doing it this way does free up Tuesdays and Thursdays for important stuff like homework and….working out.

After an entire semester of completely ignoring the fact that there’s a fully equipped gym on campus, I have ventured forth into the realm of tight bodies and shorty-shorts again…and I liked it. And this is where I had an epiphany tonight as I was sitting on a recumbent bike working up a sweat and waiting for Bobby to arrive. I situated myself on a machine that had a view of the door so I could watch for Bobby, and consequently, I was treated to a parade of teenage girls wearing shorts-up-to-there that showed off the fact that cellulite didn’t dare invade their bodies. I know that I’ve bitched about this phenomena before: the ratio of fatties to hotties at the gym, but tonight it had a different effect. Instead of pissing me off and making me want a Cheese Danish, it made me think: “I could be like that.” Well, not really, but good enough for government work. I already have great muscle tone, thanks to my workout nazi trainer. I suppose the mountain bike helped, too. It’s just all covered up with lard. So, if I can stay stoked – and believe me when I say that I’m uber stoked – then I stand a chance of being able to shop in the normal store for once.

I can’t wait.

Fight Like Susan

Susan — Thu, 06 Aug 2009 20:27:17 +0000

I know. I know. I never post here. Seems to me that I spend my time reading other peoples’ blogs, and not writing my own. Oh well, get over it.

One of my favorite blogs to read is The Fat Cyclist. It’s great entertainment, and it actually serves a purpose. Rather than just being a humorous jaunt into the world of a…you guessed it! Fat Cyclist, it’s become something else entirely. Needless to say, everyone should read it. Even if you don’t give a damn about bicycles. Skip the bike posts and read the ones about Fatty’s (the author) wife, Susan. She’s been battling cancer with all the verve, class, and strength of a woman who knows she’s dying, but has something to accomplish first. Damnit. And accomplish, she did. Thanks to her fighting spirit, and that of Fatty, supporters of Team Fatty have raised over half a million dollars for the LiveStrong foundation to help fight cancer. It’s simply amazing.

Last night, Susan lost her battle with cancer, but she won the war. She won life. She won love. She won the hearts of thousands of people who read Fatty’s blog. She won overwhelming support for cancer research. She won. Period.

Fatty’s new slogan is “Fight like Susan,” and this Susan intends to do just that.

I don’t have much to offer. I’m just a gal who is struggling to lose weight, struggling to get a degree, struggling to live a life worth living….but every time I feel like giving up, I”ll remember Susan, and I will do my damndest to try to be half the woman she was.

Susan – I didn’t know you, but you’re my hero. You have given me the motivation to be the best Susan I can be. Rest in Peace.

The bane of my existence…

Susan — Tue, 03 Mar 2009 15:25:24 +0000

You’d think that weekends would be a great time for me – no school, no work. However, that just doesn’t seem to be the case. It drives me up the friggin’ wall, but weekends just suck. Sure, I have a great time with Bobby: we get to spend all weekend together, we get to go riding, we get to have some fun, but for some reason, no matter how close to my meal plan I stick, no matter how many calories I burn mountain biking, no matter how many ounces of water I consume…I GAIN WEIGHT! What the fuck, body?? It’s like my body is retarded or something, and doesn’t realize that the aerobic exercise I do on the weekends is supposed to burn calories, not save them. Grrrr! It’s so frustrating! I hope my body gets over this, because I don’t know if I can do another Monday weigh-in with my trainer where I’m heavier than I was on Friday. Ugh.

Milestone 1 down….9 more to go!

Susan — Fri, 27 Feb 2009 16:32:53 +0000

As of yesterday, I officially hit the 10 pound mark on the scale. This is since January 5th. It’s so exciting. I really am the lightest that I’ve been in years. And I feel better, I think, than ever. Oh! Exciting news (to me!) I bought a pair of bike shorts, and they fit! Holy hell, they ARE a size XXL, BUT….riding gear tends to run small. Damn skinny cyclists. Honestly, I was surprised, but it’s also exciting. Hell, my big butt barely fits in XXL regular workout gear. Anyway, hopefully the weather holds tomorrow and it’s just warm enough to wear shorts. I really need a ride.

Good dirt.

She Lives!

Susan — Tue, 24 Feb 2009 16:55:10 +0000

So, here I am…three months later and finally taking the time to post an entry. Things have been hellaciously busy ’round these parts, so I consider myself lucky to get this time to blog right now. So…quick run down of the last few months:

Got a 4.0 in my classes last semester. Yay me!

Took a short break from riding in order to achieve said 4.0. Booooo!

Got through the holidays…7lbs heavier.

Started a “boot camp” style fitness regime. Lost 7lbs plus some.

Am now the lightest I’ve been in years. Yay me!

Started a new semester of school that’s kicking my ass yet again…even though I dropped to only 9 hours instead of the 12 I’ve been doing since going back.

Oh yeah, started “dating” Bobby. Apparently we already were dating…and just didn’t know it, but the rest of the world did. Go figure.

Now, onto riding…

I still love it. It’s amazing, but this is the longest I’ve ever stuck with a physical activity. I make my weekend plans AROUND riding. I know, it’s sad, but I figure that I could be addicted to something a whole hell of a lot worse. I even went out and bought a new bike at the beginning of this month. It’s a sweet-ass Specialized Safire FSR Comp. Long name, I know. Basically, it translates to “The coolest, bestest, wonderfulest bike EVAR.” Or really, “Reaaaaallly fucking expensive bike.” It only cost me a cool 2 grand lol. But, it was on closeout, therefore discounted heavily, and PINK! How could I say no? It was a total no-brainer. Bobby also bought a new bike. The Specialized Stumpjumper Expert. Also on closeout. Gotta love model year clearances lol. We both seem to be getting heavily into this sport, which is good for us both. Not only does mountain biking force you to get into better shape, but it forces you to your limits emotionally and mentally. I still have days where I break down in tears on the trail when I can’t make myself clear that ONE part on the trail, but you just get past it and try again next time.

There’s so much that’s happened in the last few months that I couldn’t possibly recap it all. But I will make an effort to post more often.

Good dirt!

Yes, I’m still alive

Susan — Sun, 16 Nov 2008 02:18:42 +0000

Wow, its been hella long since I’ve bothered to post here. It’s not that I’ve decided suddenly that I dislike blogging. It’s that UTSA currently owns my soul and I haven’t had time. This semester has been a nightmare, between a politics class I loathe, a management class I can’t stay awake in, an information systems class I don’t understand, and an accounting class that I actually like, but keeps me on my toes. Add in the elections, problems with the economy, job stress, getting a new dog, and being sick for a good long while, and where exactly do you fit in blogging? I haven’t even been riding regularly which is killing me because I love it so much. I did buy a road bike, though and I love to take it out in the evenings and just ride around the apartment complex for the sheer joy of riding around in circles. Seriously, one of these days I’ll get home before midnight and do just that. it may be a boring route, but it’s safe in the dark, and does it really matter if I’m on a bike? The only reason I’m blogging right now is because I’m too unfocused right now to read the chapter I should be reading. I think it’s the gallons of coffe-like products I’ve ingested for the last week. I’m completely wired. The good news is that I’m passing all my classes with at least a B, so I can breathe easy for the rest of the semester until finals. Wish me luck!

Time flies when you’re NOT having fun

Susan — Wed, 17 Sep 2008 22:12:13 +0000

Whoo boy. It’s been a while since I’ve posted here. Never fear though, it’s not because I’m slacking on the weight loss thing. It’s because I’m slacking on the blogging thing due to an increase in the school thing. I am happy to be able to say that I have lost a couple of pounds. 3, in fact. It’s quite exciting, actually. I’ve decided to give Weight Watchers a try. Not paying for it, but I obtained the book and am following the program. If I do well, then I’m going to join Weight Watchers online, but for now, I’m not investing that kind of money.

Anyway, still riding. Got bitten by the upgrade bug. I just bought new pedals for the bike, and then, not a week later, I bought a new set. The difference, you ask? The first set are platform pedals, like the ones that come stock on most bikes. They’re pretty hardcore and kickass, too. BMX pedals, as a matter of fact. They’re great in the mud. The other set that I just purchased, are clipless pedals. Basically, this means that when I use them, I’m attached to the bike. Kinda a scary thought, but it’s supposed to improve…well everything about riding, so I’m giving it a shot. Especially since it’s an excuse to go buy new shoes!

Other than that, there’s not much going on beyond school, work, and schoolwork. I’ll be sure to post if something exciting ever happens to me.

Great Day in SA

Susan — Sun, 07 Sep 2008 02:56:45 +0000

Ok, so I got my lazy ass out of bed early this morning and headed to the coffee shop to study for a bit. I actually did get my computer class homework done, so that was good.

Then, I met Bobby at the park and we went riding again. We decided to do a different trail this time and boy was that a mistake. I didn’t know there was terrain like this in Texas. It was psychotic. I almost broke my toe. I almost fell down a hill off my bike. And I learned a whole lot about myself and my limits. It was long, hard, hot and insanely fun. We stayed out for 3 1/2 hours and rode hard. Poor Bobby did an endo over his handlebars. It was hilarious, but I did make sure he was ok before I laughed at him. My time is coming, I know this. All mountainbikers end up flying over their handlebars at some point. It’s something to look forward to.

One of the most exciting parts about riding that much is that I burned over 2,000 calories. I wish I had time to do it every day. C’este la vie.

On a competely different note: My brain has completely turned to grits from trying to read my stupid American Politics book. I’m supposed to be learning about the way our government works…not learning American history, which I’ve already taken ad nauseum…Oh well.

I hate homework

Susan — Wed, 03 Sep 2008 03:26:49 +0000

I hate homework. It’s a mindsuck.

That is all.

Rocky Mountain High

Susan — Tue, 02 Sep 2008 03:59:24 +0000

Yeah, ok, so I don’t live in the Rockies…and there aren’t any mountains in this part of Texas…but what the hell. San Antonio is actually a pretty good place to go offroad bicycling, what with all the dried up creekbeds and crap around. Thanks, drought conditions. I always knew there was a silver lining to that rain cloud that refuses to drop rain on us.

So, like, today, I popped my MTB cherry. It was awesome. I just cannot believe how many of my comfort zones that I was forced out of. And I actually liked it! It was kinda like when my real cherry got popped. Painful, embarassing, fun, funny and long past due. Yeah, I know, TMI. My bad.

For someone as chickenshit as I am, MTB shouldn’t even be possible, but I’m bound and determined to stick with this. It’s exhilarating to ride through some of this terrain knowing that one wrong move can cause me to fly off my bike and break my . I know I won’t get over all my fears, but I can go a long way towards conquering some of the unfounded ones. Like why I’m terrified of heights. I’ve never fallen out of 10th storey window or anything, so it really doesn’t make any sense.

Most of all I want to stick with this because it makes me feel so good just to get out and be active. Maybe this will be the one activity that I actually like enough that I stick with it enough to lose enough weight.

On the weight loss note, TGI Friday’s is FIRED. The fact that they have salads on their menu that have 1300+ calories is an EPIC FUCKING FAIL. That shouldn’t even be possible because salad is made out of LETTUCE, people. Lettuce has like 5 calories a pound. It’s too damn bad that the only salad I’ll eat happens to have so many calories. Looks like I’ll boycott salad now (not that I really mind this or anything).