Stepping out of my comfort zone--mini tri?

ellesan

ellesan

Cathlete
This year it's my goal to do at least 5 things that scare me/force me out of my comfort zone in regards to fitness/exercise.

After losing 100 pounds I look and feel great in clothes...or even in a bikini....from the waist up.

From the waist down I have terrible--UGLY loose grandma skin on my hips and thighs. It shakes and jiggles and I hate it. Makes me not want to get in a swimsuit in front of anyone. I know I shouldn't care, blah, blah...but I do.

There's a very mini indoor triathalon in March that I would love to do. Would definitely push me out of my comfort zone...but I don't want to get in a swimsuit! Argh!!

I checked out triathalon swim wear and it's crazy $300!! Any ideas what to wear that's affordable? I just have to have my thighs covered.
 
Have you considered a 1 mm short westsuit? They make ones with a tank top-style that have the legs that go down like fitted shorts. I'm sure it would still be cheaper than $300!
 
For an indoor tri, you would not need a wetsuit - just get tri shorts (they have the kind that go to your knees) and a waist length tri tank (these will dry faster). Sierratradingpost.com has a sale now. You could get something for about $50-75 at most. I can forward you the email - free shipping too. And besides, at tris, you see all sorts of shapes and sizes - nobody is going to be looking at judging, trust me. It is an accomplishment and people out there just will look at you as a triathlete and that is it. PM me if you want :)
 
Just be warned that going to the bathroom in a one piece suit is not easy! And if you get the 2 piece, you can use each piece for other things too - like the shorts could sub as bike shorts too.
 
I don't have advice - just PURE ADMIRATION! What a wonderful story...I say do whatever the heck you please! If you can loose 100 pounds - you can DO ANYTHING!
Just wanted to post that I your fan! Go for the tri!
 
meowracer said:
For an indoor tri, you would not need a wetsuit - just get tri shorts (they have the kind that go to your knees) and a waist length tri tank (these will dry faster). Sierratradingpost.com has a sale now. You could get something for about $50-75 at most. I can forward you the email - free shipping too. And besides, at tris, you see all sorts of shapes and sizes - nobody is going to be looking at judging, trust me. It is an accomplishment and people out there just will look at you as a triathlete and that is it. PM me if you want :)
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Thanks! Checking out that site now and thanks for the bathroom tip, didn't think about that...
 
Jennifit said:
I don't have advice - just PURE ADMIRATION! What a wonderful story...I say do whatever the heck you please! If you can loose 100 pounds - you can DO ANYTHING!
Just wanted to post that I your fan! Go for the tri!
Click to expand...

Aww...thanks! Made my day. :)
 
Sandra (ellesan)...It's funny that you have been posting about your weight loss journey. I've just been talking about your blog in the "Leaving" thread. I hope you don't mind. I talked about you behind your back. ;) In the best possible way, though!

:) Jonezie
 
Jonezie said:
Sandra (ellesan)...It's funny that you have been posting about your weight loss journey. I've just been talking about your blog in the "Leaving" thread. I hope you don't mind. I talked about you behind your back. ;) In the best possible way, though!

:) Jonezie
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Jonezie, you are too kind, thanks so much for talking behind my back ;)
 
ellesan said:
I checked out triathalon swim wear and it's crazy $300!! Any ideas what to wear that's affordable? I just have to have my thighs covered.
Click to expand...

Whoa! What exactly are you looking at? You can get tri shorts (swimsuit-ish material, thigh covering shorts, with a very thin chamois for the bike - you wear these throughout the whole event) for much, much, MUCH cheaper than that! Like, $50.

Check out http://www.trisports.com or http://www.teamestrogen.com

Both will have lots to choose from.

And congrats!!!!! I made the leap to triathlon 3 years ago and simply LOVE the sport - it's a blast.
 
Sandra-I just checked out your blog. What an inspiration you truly are!!! You look great! More importantly, you look happy and strong!! I'm struggling with 15 pounds left over from having my third baby 15 months ago. Could you let me know what your daily regimen is? What do you eat? What's your workout routine?
 
Sandra - for my first tri, I wore Nike DryFit shorts and a DryFit top b/c I already had them, but you could just as easily wear some lycra/spandex - just avoid cotton - and be fine. For the distance, you won't need any padding for the bike.
 
mspina said:
Whoa! What exactly are you looking at? You can get tri shorts (swimsuit-ish material, thigh covering shorts, with a very thin chamois for the bike - you wear these throughout the whole event) for much, much, MUCH cheaper than that! Like, $50.

Check out http://www.trisports.com or http://www.teamestrogen.com

Both will have lots to choose from.

And congrats!!!!! I made the leap to triathlon 3 years ago and simply LOVE the sport - it's a blast.
Click to expand...

LOL, I don't know what I was looking at!! I must have googled it and the one I clicked on was outrageously expensive so I panicked a little. :eek:I will check out the links, thanks so much!
 
Stephanie0523 said:
Sandra-I just checked out your blog. What an inspiration you truly are!!! You look great! More importantly, you look happy and strong!! I'm struggling with 15 pounds left over from having my third baby 15 months ago. Could you let me know what your daily regimen is? What do you eat? What's your workout routine?
Click to expand...

Stephanie, thanks! I just PM'd you.
 
meowracer said:
Sandra - for my first tri, I wore Nike DryFit shorts and a DryFit top b/c I already had them, but you could just as easily wear some lycra/spandex - just avoid cotton - and be fine. For the distance, you won't need any padding for the bike.
Click to expand...

Cool, thanks for the info! I'm a little worried about the bike only because since I lost the weight I have serious tailbone pain!! Some days even driving and sitting on a regular chair is painful. The bike is only 12 miles though, so it should be doable but I might need padding (I only wish I could take the padding already on the outside of my thighs and put it under my tailbone!!) It would be so convenient if we could move our fat around, wouldn't it?!
 
I'm sitting here slack-jawed Sandra.

I was just about to post that although I KNOW it's hard not to think about it, no one, and I mean NO ONE is going to be paying attention to what you look like at the event. Everyone there is single-mindedly thinking about themselves and how they are doing, or how much fun they are having, or whatever. No one is looking around thinking "she really should have rethought that outfit." I *promise* you that. And there will be folks of all shapes and sizes there, and those shapes and sizes will surprise you. The uber looking fit ones that you'll see lining up at the start? Some of them, you will beat. And the ones you see at the start and make a mental note (that you won't likely be proud of) that at least, clearly, you won't come in last because you are in WAY better shape than they are? Yeah, some of them will smoke you.

But I decided to check out your blog first. And I looked at the pics. So I'm changing my comments. Some people MIGHT be looking at you during the race. And those people are going to be thinking: "Holy cow, that chick is in GREAT shape! I wonder how she got those arms/abs/legs?"

You should be SO VERY PROUD of yourself. You are accomplishing so much - incredible, incredible, incredible. A little loose skin, that seriously, likely only you actually notice? It's time to let that go and forget about it for good! You are about to become a TRIATHLETE! How cool does that sound???????
 
mspina said:
I'm sitting here slack-jawed Sandra.

I was just about to post that although I KNOW it's hard not to think about it, no one, and I mean NO ONE is going to be paying attention to what you look like at the event. Everyone there is single-mindedly thinking about themselves and how they are doing, or how much fun they are having, or whatever. No one is looking around thinking "she really should have rethought that outfit." I *promise* you that. And there will be folks of all shapes and sizes there, and those shapes and sizes will surprise you. The uber looking fit ones that you'll see lining up at the start? Some of them, you will beat. And the ones you see at the start and make a mental note (that you won't likely be proud of) that at least, clearly, you won't come in last because you are in WAY better shape than they are? Yeah, some of them will smoke you.

But I decided to check out your blog first. And I looked at the pics. So I'm changing my comments. Some people MIGHT be looking at you during the race. And those people are going to be thinking: "Holy cow, that chick is in GREAT shape! I wonder how she got those arms/abs/legs?"

You should be SO VERY PROUD of yourself. You are accomplishing so much - incredible, incredible, incredible. A little loose skin, that seriously, likely only you actually notice? It's time to let that go and forget about it for good! You are about to become a TRIATHLETE! How cool does that sound???????
Click to expand...
She took the words right out of my mouth! And I just want to add that your blog is one of the best I've ever read. It's chock full of useful information and so inspiring! I read very few blogs but yours is a definite standout!
 
I agree - awesome blog! I remember looking at your photos some time ago when you posted about your weight loss. You do look amazing! On the shorts - if your tail bone is bothering you, I'm not sure that the padding in the shorts would help that but maybe. Tri padding is very thin too. Could you take a seat cover in with you? Gel seats really aren't the answer either but for only 12 miles, it might help. The issue comes with longer periods of riding when they can actually bother you more than they help. Either way - all the best if you decide to do the race. Just be warned...they are rather addicting :D
 
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