I thought I would just answer some random questions I have been getting recently in comments or emails. just for fun.
1. Do you really photograph everything you eat? Pretty much. Ask my family LOL! I don’t always take pictures of nibbles, although I usually mention that.
I am certainly not a ‘perfect eater’ – not by a long shot. I do try to be honest. Many times my evening snack isn’t pictured just because I blog before I have that. And also my pre strength protein drink. I don’t photo that very often anymore.
2. Do your legs hurt after a long bike ride? Not really – and neither does my butt LOL.
I have been distance biking for a couple years now and it takes an awful lot of miles for me to really feel it the next day. Like after last Saturday’s 50 mile ride, I was a little tired for the evening and felt it most with going up stairs or rising from a squatted position. The next day I was pretty much back to normal. Actually, when I say my legs are tired, what I really mean is my left thigh is tired – from the herniated disk. That muscle never regained all of it’s strength and it tires out with a lot of biking or heavy lifting. It’s just easier to say my legs are tired.
3. Do you get lonely working at home? No. I am actually a fairly solitary person and quite enjoy time by myself. That said, John also works at home, so it isn’t like I am alone, although we don’t talk much when I am steady working just for productivity reasons. And there is always the internet if I feel the need for instant people gratification! I also email and text my sister during the day (and my mom, although not quite as much).
4. How do you calculate your calories burned on a long bike ride? I have a bike computer that I use.
There are all kinds of computers with bells and whistles and can tell you all kinds of data. I got mine at either Target or Kmart and it was around $20. There is a sensor that clips on the spokes of the front wheel and the computer sits on my handlebars. I have input my age, height, and weight and it spits out calories burned. Of course, the computer doesn’t know if I rode 40 miles of hills or flats. I only use it as a ballpark, not a set in stone number.
4. Do you have children? Lots of variants on that question, usually by email. No, I am not hiding any children from the internet! John and I chose to be childless. And to answer the followup question, no we don’t regret that.
5. Do you think the bagels keep you from getting to your dream weight? Again, this question comes up in so many variant forms of questions or statements as to why I haven’t gotten to my dream weight. I suppose it could, but 2 bagels a week are so small in the whole scheme of a week’s worth of food. I could be anything (like said unpictured nibbles, perhaps??). While I am working on another push to see where I get on the scale, there are certain facts I am aware of. I lost 1oo pounds while eating bagels, so I doubt that is the sole cause. ’nuff said.
6. How did you learn to garden? I read a lot. Actually – for almost everything I do, I read voraciously. Whether that is roasting coffee, learning about nutrition, flipping houses, gardening. The library and the internet have been my friends for doing that. I also learn a lot by trial and error.
My garden is always a work in progress and there just is so much to learn and know. Luckily, in all my cross country moves (Colorado, Illinois, NY), I have been in the same growing zone (zone 5). That makes things easier LOL! My dream house some day will have a large yard that I can convert to gardens and maybe even a produce garden. I would like to do some of that, but our property is too small and I need to save what space there is for flowers since they are my favorite.
7. Have you ever thought about being a personal trainer? Nope. Not interested. I would hate having to find clients and then try to keep them motivated. Plus I think I would need to live in a bigger area than this one to do that. Now being a nutrition coach, that certainly is interesting to me.
8. Do you miss running? I don’t know. Maybe a little, but the way it was making me feel was not making me love it. I have thought about trying again and seeing what my leg/back does now that I have stopped running for a few months. I really would like to do a 5K at the end of July which I have done every year since 2008, but will have to see.
9. How much loose skin do you have? Does it bother you? Will you get surgery? This perhaps needs a long thoughtful post. This is probably the #1 question via email. Yes, I have some. Sometimes it bothers me. Unlikely I will ever have surgery for multiple reasons. One thing – don’t let the fear of loose skin keep you from losing weight. Loose skin is much, much better than having tight skin full of fat. Besides, if you find you don’t like the loose skin, just gain the weight back and problem solved 😉
That’s about all I can think of right now. Hope you enjoyed!
Thanks for sharing this.
LOL@ “No, I am not hiding any children from the internet!”
I love that you answered all these questions…I never thought of emailing people questions…I usually just leave them as part of my comment.
As well as the answers to the questions, I learned something about the world that I didn’t know. There are zones for growing. Who knew???
It amazes me the questions some people ask. Although I do enjoy the answers LOL
The children answer cracked me up…but you have Pixie!
I always enjoy when you answer questions asked. The biking ones always make me think of buying a bike. Yea, a few bagels a week isn’t going to do any harm and you work so hard to get them.
It is always amusing to me when my Garmin tells me how many calories I burned while cycling. I always want the Garmin to know the wind speed. I’m beginning to think that 15mph might be my wind threshold for cycling. With several high tech gadgets I generally just go with John’s method of figuring it’s about 35 calories burned per mile. Happy Trails!
Yep, #9 is the question I get asked most also. It’s kind of surprising to me because I never really thought about loose skin before I lost weight.
Have a great weekend, Lori!
LOVE the children answer, Lori.
and laugh that Im sure you were right about the followup.
We had ours later in life and people kept telling us YOU WILL REGRET IT IF YOU DONT…
I adore adore adore her.
I know my life would have been full without her.
I really really like your blog! you are so witty and clever. Love the everyday pics, and your adventures with the flat tires.I am thinking in buy a bike … could you recommend me or give me some advice in order to search for one? not so expensive of course… general guidelines because I live in Spain and its for sure here is not such a variety of brands than in the States… many thanks! Marina
I would recommend this post on the different kinds of bikes.
http://findingradiance.com/2010/08/17/how-to-choose-the-right-bike-for-you/
A lot depends on the type of riding you want to do.
I get kind of a chuckle out of the bagel question. It’s all about balance!
Reading through your gardening question, I was always curious if you grew any of your own veggies or herbs – is that something you haven’t ventured into for space reasons or are the flowers just where your heart lies?
I have a (human) child who is grown. I have enjoyed every single minute of my empty nest. Which always shocks people when I say it. I do love having visits but give me my neat house, my own routine, and peace and quiet! Since Little Helen’s childhood pet passed when she was 21 for the last 10 years, I have also chosen to stay petless – and that includes cats, fish, hampsters, etc. I don’t regret it for a second, which also seems to shock people 😀
This is a fun post, thanks for that Lori.
About the bagels: really people ask you if bagels keep you from goal weight? Come on! We all know you usually bike to get your bagel and it’s burned even before you eat it. What I love about you is that you enjoy food.
That children line I’m going to remember LOL. We are exactly the same in this. I don’t have them either and haven’t regretted it either. Neither does R.
Thanks for this post. I really enjoyed reading a bit more about you! I especially like the children response haha and was also interested by the loose skin comment.
Love your attitude and your workouts. Helen’s comment gave me the courage to chime in: I raised 3 boys, all adults now, don’t miss motherhood one little bit. Love my grandchildren, but don’t want to raise them. Also, deep dark secret: NO pets and don’t want any!
Your answer to #4 fills me with despair. I was hoping that once we got through our early 30s people would quit asking (constantly, insistently, nosily) when we were going to have babies. Now I realize that they’re just going to switch to “Don’t you wish you had?” Blergh.
Your blog makes me miss cycling! We moved to a really urban area, and I haven’t quite figured out the logistics of a long ride yet. I think we’re going to have to drive out of town, then ride, which is sad. Long, fairly rural, rides right from the door is the only thing I miss about our last place.
I’ve been reading your blog for a long time, but don’t think I’ve commented before. I’ve always wondered about the kid issue, but I know that can be a sensitive topic to a lot of people.
I get asked the “loose skin” question more than any other question. I don’t know why it’s such an issue–I think my loose skin looks much better than the rolls of fat I used to have 😉
Love your blog!
That’s cool that you aren’t sore in the butt or legs! Nice conditioning.
I was curious about the loose skin too. I have a little bit, mostly around my stomach. I wish I didn’t but it’s there.
Love this post and your answers Lori! Good to know you don’t have 4 or 5 children locked away in a closet that you hide! 🙂 You are funny!!!!! Have a wonderful weekend!!!!
I KNOW that you don’t have children hidden away somewhere. If you did…I would FIND them!! Thanks for your honesty, Lori.
I never ask people about kids! Too touchy of a subject. I love my daughter more than anything but teenagers are difficult. I would never wish that upon someone! lol! Since I had my daughter young and remarried I’ve been asked constantly for 16 years when I’m having another. Since my husband doesn’t have kids of his own everyone tells him how much he will regret it. It annoys us to no end.
LOVED this post! Learned more about you!
Like you, I could work at home – I am fine with being alone & fine when I am with friends… I have worked in offices big companies & small & the politics are bad everywhere so… home would be ideal for me! 🙂
Like you also, never regretted having kids even though I have 3 stepchildren.
Ah, bagels! I used to eat one every day & sometimes more!!! When I hit 50 & on, the bod really started to attack. I had the perimenopause symptoms starting at 47ish but when I added plyometric & HIIT & all, my weight did fine. Come the 50’s, not good so I did cut way back on bagels & substituted with healthy bread that I eat EVERY day & at least 3 pieces but still way less calories then a bagel & better ingredients…. BUT saying all that & finally getting to my point, ;-), a couple bagels a week ain’t going to stop you from your goal weight – so true!!! Sorry it took me so long to get there!!!