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Monday, August 27, 2007

It's like driving in LA, so I'm Bike Commuting instead!

I am now bicycle commuting to class daily as weather permits! The Administration at Ivy Tech has really enrolled the students this year, so traffic is terrible! It's only a 10 minute ride and a 30 minute drive now! Talk about irony!

The cool thing is, I feel great when I get to class, not sleepy. I don't have the hassle of fighting for a parking space either. There are a few other students who are riding now as well. I hope it doesn't catch on though too much. I like easy access to the bike racks!

The ride home is pretty sweet too. It's relaxing! My blood pressure is staying lower, and my head gets clear by the time I'm home as well. All in all, bike commuting has been a net gain.

By the way, I've spent $30.00 on gas for the MONTH! That isn't too bad at all! So, here are the net gains:
  • I save gas
  • I don't have to fight for parking
  • I have fun going to and from class
  • I'm getting exercise
  • I'm staying healthy
Looks like I have a winning combination going. I'm going to have to look for a place further away from school though, just for the exercise .

Friday, August 24, 2007

Lotoja

Uncle Dan, one of my fellow bloggers and friends in the blogosphere is doing Lotoja this year. He's getting ready to take off for out west to do the ride, so good fortune and safe travels Dan!

Now, about Lotoja: It's a one day 206 mile race on bicycles from Logan, UT to Jackson, WY. I'd love to do this ride myself and was hoping to do it myself this year, but circumstances had conspired to keep me out. This is a tough ride through the mountains, and I wish Dan well.

Wednesday, August 22, 2007

News Release: Change in Name and Mission of the American Society for Bariatric Surgery

Normally, I primarily blogging about Cycling and related events. Since I owe a major portion of my new life to having had Bariatric Surgery, I thought this news release to be very appropriate.

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Bariatric Surgical Society Takes on New Name, New Mission and New Surgery

American Society for Metabolic & Bariatric Surgery logo. (PRNewsFoto/American Society for Metabolic & Bariatric Surgery)

GAINESVILLE, FL UNITED STATES


 Metabolic Surgery Expected to Play Bigger Role in Treating Type 2 Diabetes
And Other Metabolic Diseases

GAINESVILLE, Fla., Aug. 22 /PRNewswire/ -- Bariatric surgery is known
to be the most effective and long lasting treatment for morbid obesity and
many related conditions, but now mounting evidence suggests it may be among
the most effective treatments for metabolic diseases and conditions
including type 2 diabetes, hypertension, high cholesterol, non-alcoholic
fatty liver disease and obstructive sleep apnea.
"Surgery for severe obesity goes way beyond weight loss. This surgery
results in the complete remission or significant improvement of type 2
diabetes and other life-threatening diseases in most patients. The
Society's new name and mission reflects this expanded and evolving view of
surgery," said Kelvin Higa, MD, clinical professor of surgery, UCSF- Fresno
and president of the newly named American Society for Metabolic & Bariatric
Surgery (ASMBS). "People generally don't think of surgery as a treatment
for diabetes or high blood pressure, but it is, and we expect metabolic
surgery to play an ever increasing role in managing these diseases."
The ASMBS was formerly known as the American Society for Bariatric
Surgery (ASBS). The name change comes nearly 25 years after the Society was
founded. The Society has nearly 3,000 members, which includes surgeons and
other health professionals including nurses, bariatricians, psychologists,
dieticians and other medical specialists.
Metabolism is the process by which the body coverts food to energy at
the cellular level. The most common metabolic disease is type 2 diabetes,
which occurs when the body does not adequately metabolize or regulate blood
sugars due to lack of insulin or the body's inability to respond to the
insulin that is produced. According to the American Diabetes Association
(ADA), nearly 21 million people in the U.S. have type 2 diabetes and
another 54 million have pre-diabetes.
Increased body fat is associated with an increased risk for metabolic
diseases. According to the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey
(NHANES, 1999-2002), which was conducted by CDC's National Center for
Health Statistics, more than half (51%) of those with diabetes had a body
mass index (BMI) of 30 or more and about 80 percent of those with a BMI of
35 or more had one or more metabolic diseases.
New research indicates that metabolic surgery may improve insulin
resistance and secretion by mechanisms independent of weight loss -- most
likely involving changes in gastrointestinal hormones. Many patients with
type 2 diabetes experience complete remission within days of metabolic
surgery, long before significant weight comes off. This has led to new
thinking that metabolic surgery may also be appropriate for diabetic
individuals who are of normal weight or only slightly overweight.
Walter Pories, MD, professor of surgery and biochemistry at East
Carolina University and past president of the ASMBS, pioneered research
into the effect of bariatric surgery on type 2 diabetes in a landmark paper
published in the Annals of Surgery in 1992. The paper entitled, "Is type II
diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) a surgical disease?" reported the remission of
type 2 diabetes after gastric bypass.
"Twenty-five years ago we were astonished by the curative effect the
surgery had on type 2 diabetes," said Dr. Pories, chairman of the Surgical
Review Corporation, a non-profit corporation that reviews bariatric surgery
centers of excellence. "Today it's one of the main reasons people have
surgery and I'm confident new research into metabolic surgery will lead to
further advances."
Most research into metabolic and bariatric surgery has been limited to
patients who are morbidly obese, meaning 100 pounds or more overweight
(body mass index (BMI) of 40 or more) or 75 pounds or more overweight (BMI
of 35 or more) with an obesity-related condition such as type 2 diabetes.
According to a landmark study published in the Journal of the American
Medical Association (JAMA) in 2004, bariatric surgery patients showed
improvements in the following metabolic conditions:
-- Type 2 diabetes remission in 76.8% and significantly improved in 86% of
patients
-- Hypertension eliminated in 61.7% and significantly improved in 78.5%
of patients
-- High cholesterol reduced in more than 70% of patients
-- Sleep apnea was eliminated 85.7% of patients
Joint disease, asthma and infertility were also dramatically improved
or resolved. The study showed that surgery patients lost between 62 and 75
percent of excess weight.
Earlier this year, 25 international medical organizations and more than
60 leading experts in diabetes and metabolic disease including the ASMBS,
ADA, NAASO - The Obesity Society, and The European Association for the
Study of Diabetes (EASD) convened in Rome, Italy for a summit and consensus
conference to review the medical evidence on the effects of
gastrointestinal operations on diabetes. The group is expected to announce
its findings on the role of metabolic surgery in treating type 2 diabetes
later this year.
"The evidence is extensive. Most studies show prevention, improvement
or remission of type 2 diabetes after surgery with a relatively low rate of
risk in appropriate patients," said Philip Schauer, MD, immediate past
president of the ASMBS, director of the Cleveland Clinic Bariatric and
Metabolic Institute (BMI), and one of the organizers of the Rome summit.
"Metabolic surgery may be the key to battling the twin epidemics of obesity
and diabetes, and surgery is becoming safer and safer."
According to a recent study from the Agency for Healthcare Research and
Quality (AHRQ), the mortality rate associated with bariatric surgery
dropped by a staggering 78.7 percent, from 0.89 percent in 1998 to 0.19
percent in 2004. Meanwhile, the mortality rate from morbid obesity was
reduced by 89 percent after bariatric or metabolic surgery, according to a
study published in the Annals of Surgery in 2004.
In 2006, the ASMBS reports an estimated 177,600 people in the U.S. had
bariatric surgery. Less than 1 percent of those who meet the criteria for
surgery actually have surgery. About 15 million or 1 in 50, adults in the
U.S. have morbid obesity, which is associated with more than 30 other
diseases and conditions including type 2 diabetes, heart disease, sleep
apnea, hypertension, asthma, cancer, joint problems and infertility. The
direct and indirect costs to the health care system associated with obesity
are about $117 billion annually.
The most common procedures include gastric bypass, adjustable gastric
band and biliopancreatic diversion with duodenal switch. Most of these
procedures are performed laparoscopically using minimally invasive
techniques.
AMERICAN SOCIETY FOR METABOLIC & BARIATRIC SURGERY (ASMBS)
The ASMBS is a non-profit organization working to advance the quality
of care and ethical treatment of people with obesity and obesity-related
and metabolic diseases and conditions. The ASMBS educates health
professionals and consumers about the dangers of obesity and metabolic
diseases and the risks and benefits of bariatric and metabolic surgery. The
Society develops and promotes high quality standards and practices that
lead to improved patient outcomes and supports research into emerging
treatments for obesity and metabolic diseases. For more information about
the ASMBS visit http://www.asmbs.org.
(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20070822/NYW021LOGO )

CONTACT: Keith Taylor
(212) 527-7537

Vanessa Kelepecz
(212) 527-7544


SOURCE American Society for Metabolic & Bariatric Surgery (ASMBS)

I could use some volunteers!

I'm taking Cultural Anthropology this semester and I need to set up a study. The point of the study is simply to assess diet across the US and other countries and if there is a cultural correlation to obesity levels (Which there is, of course from other studies). The goal is to do a comparative study and see if I either get a correlation or falsify the previous results.

Here's what I'll need.

A Food Journal as to types and amounts (Fats, Protein, carbs)
Calories in for the week
Calories out for the week
Weight, and BMI

For the purposes of the study, you'll be ID'd only by a number and the results are not going beyond me and my professor for classwork.

If you are interested, email me, the email address is on my profile here on Blogger. We'll do the data by email.

Thanks in advance to anyone who does participate.

Back to School, Back to Bike Commuting!

Fall semester started this week, and enrollment is way up this year. Traffic problems abound and it's really hard to get a parking spot at school. Not for me though! I just zip along to the right of the traffic jam and am currently the only bike commuter to class. I actually get there faster than if I drove. I just hope no one else notices how nice it is for me, with no competition for the racks, etc.!
Giggle

Now, my commute to school isn't a long one, it's only a 4 mile round trip. It still feels good though. After my knee issues on my Century Attempt in Kokomo, Indiana last week, I was a bit concerned, but so far so good. I took a couple of days completely off the bike to let the inflammation die down. I sure didn't have much in the way of legs today though!

My quads were absolutely on fire and riding back against against a fairly strong headwind didn't help. Ah well, such is life and after I'm fully recovered, I'm sure things will be back to normal. It did feel good though to be back to pedaling!

On another note, I was mapping a ride and in the drive to my apartment complex, I noticed a little spot of color in the satellite image. I was near the max resolution, so I went to max zoom and guess what that little spot of color is.......ME! I found myself out on the bike with GMaps pedometers image function. You know I had to capture this one.

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I'm the only rider here that wears kit, so it's better than 99% odds it is me. How cool is that?

Tuesday, August 21, 2007

Video from the Sizzling Century Ride, Aug 19, 2007: Ride Report

Well, the ride had rain at the midpoint. I'm happy to say the Voler Wind Shell is waterproof as well as well ventilated. My cheap Planet Bike fenders did the job as well! All in all, the Breakaway Bike Club put on a very well organized ride! The route was so well mapped the worst map reader on the planet could avoid getting lost. I highly recommend this ride for the future and will be doing it again next year.

My knee let loose again at the 67 mile point, unfortunately, but I think I have the issue identified now and can address it. There are no structural abnormalities in the cartilage, that's a big plus! Well, without Further ado, here's the videos. I ran out of batteries, si I couldn't document the whole ride, but the view is from a camera on my handlebars. I'll detail the mounting system I rigged another day

Part I



Part II



Part III



Hope you enjoy the videos. Have a great one everyone!

Sunday, August 19, 2007

Well, I did the Sizzling Century today.

I should have opted for the Metric Century route. I rode it with ChunkYD and Ryan from Bike Forums as well as running across scummer, also from Bike Forums and a member of the Clydesdales/Athena's Subforum there. More on the ride later, as I have video to edit and upload as well as images. I will say the Breakaway Bicycle Club in Kokomo, Indiana is a class act though, and I'll definitely be recommending their events to ANY rider.

More later, to be continued................

Saturday, August 18, 2007

Well, I head out for the "Sizzling Century" in the Morning.

They are calling for a 60% chance of storms, and the temperatures will be pretty reasonable as well, with a high in the mid 80's and clouds. I'm looking forward to this ride. chunkyd from Bike Forums will be arriving this evening and couch surfing with us for the ride as well. This looks to be a great ride!

OK, now, to post the Graphs from Spinner Saturday. Between moderation at Bike Forums, training, and getting ready for the start of my Fall semester on Monday, ol' Tom has been a busy lad! Without further ado....here are the charts! Great job everyone!


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As you can see, I've changed the background for them. I'd like to start doing images of the various members of Spinner Saturday in the graphs. If you are interested you know how to get hold of me.

Saturday, August 11, 2007

Sizzling Century, Kokomo, Indiana, August 19


Well, I am doing the Sizzling Century ride on my bicycle. This looks to be a great ride and a great end to Summer Vacation for me! The ride is August 19 and I return to my regular class schedule on the 20th.

This even is sponsored by the Breakaway Bicycle Club, in Kokomo, Indiana. You can still sign up, by the way, and this can be done online.

Let's see you there for the ride! It looks to be a ball!

Friday, August 10, 2007

Be Safe Around Cyclists

When you are sharing the road around bikes and you are driving, here's the view from my perspective!


Bicycles ARE traffic, so give us some space!

Thursday, August 09, 2007

The Spinner Report, for Aug 4, late but out!








Rider 08/04/07 08/11/07 08/18/07 08/25/07 09/01/07 Total
51 105



105
5th Circle 10



10
AaronW




0
Admiral




0
Adrien




0
A_Fire_Inside




0
Archienutt 94.5



94.5
Arctic Jill 103.3



103.3
BeckyW 23



23
Bdinger 32.5



32.5
Big Mike 141.3



141.3
ChunkyD




0
Colt45




0
Crymfyter 45



45
DanonBike 51.8



51.8
DavisClyde




0
DiabloRojo




0
DonHaller




0
Dpb13




0
Early




0
Epcolt 75.35



75.35
Fc 85



85
Funrover 36



36
Greyg8r




0
Genejockey




0
Huh




0
Huzzah 76.93



76.93
Halthane 101.2



101.2
Joe Metal 93.4



93.4
Johannes




0
Jaxgtr 13.5



13.5
Jmarkley




0
Jumborider




0
Juvenile Tim




0
K4LK




0
Keithm0 22



22
Kensuf 106



106
Lil.Round1




0
Magool




0
Mkadam68 232.05



232.05
Neilfein 53.4



53.4
Obelix67




0
PellTA




0
Pupsocket 28



28
RDRomano




0
Relayer




0
Ronjon10 102.73



102.73
Sandwarrior 92.4



92.4
Scotmorrsn 88



88
ShawnK




0
Solveg 46



46
Stearman




0
Stuejoe




0
Trolleyguy 85.1



85.1
The Historian 122.59



122.59
The Mrs 155



155
Tom Stormcrowe 155



155
Troll44




0
Tskuller




0
Tt1106




0
Uncle Dan! 101.5



101.5
UTRacerDad 74



74
Wingman115




0
Wogsterca 38.4



38.4
Total 2589.95 0 0 0 0 2589.95








Hours 08/04/07 08/11/07 08/18/07 08/25/07 09/01/07 Total
51 9



9
5th Circle 0.7



0.7
AaronW




0
Admiral




0
Adrien




0
A_Fire_Inside




0
Archienutt 5.5



5.5
Arctic Jill




0
BeckyW 2.5



2.5
Bdinger




0
Big Mike




0
ChunkyD




0
Colt45




0
Crymfyter 4



4
DanonBike




0
DavisClyde




0
DiabloRojo




0
DonHaller




0
Dpb13




0
Early




0
Epcolt 6.25



6.25
Fc




0
Funrover 2.2



2.2
Greyg8r




0
Genejockey




0
Huh




0
Huzzah 5.9



5.9
Halthane 6.9



6.9
Joe Metal 7.5



7.5
Johannes




0
Jaxgtr 1



1
Jmarkley




0
Jumborider




0
Juvenile Tim




0
K4LK




0
Keithm0 1.6



1.6
Kensuf 5.25



5.25
Lil.Round1




0
Magool




0
Mkadam68 13.7



13.7
Neilfein




0
Obelix67




0
PellTA




0
Pupsocket 2.15



2.15
RDRomano




0
Relayer




0
Ronjon10 6.2



6.2
Sandwarrior 6.5



6.5
Scotmorrsn




0
ShawnK




0
Solveg




0
Stearman




0
Stuejoe




0
Trolleyguy 8



8
The Historian




0
The Mrs




0
Tom Stormcrowe




0
Troll44




0
Tskuller




0
Tt1106




0
Uncle Dan!




0
UTRacerDad 6.5



6.5
Wingman115




0
Wogsterca 3.3



3.3
Total 104.65 0 0 0 0 104.65


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Great job everybody, keep riding those bicycles, we're right on track for the revised annual goal!

As an additional note: We topped 60,000 miles so far, in fact, 60,227!

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Saturday, August 04, 2007

Mapping tool for planning Cycling Events

I've been using Map My Ride, lately! It has a lot of great options, including "Follow Roads.

Here's an example of the maps it generates and it even has a way to view it with Google Earth!

Thursday, August 02, 2007

Information wanted: Chicago Critical Mass Incident

This was posted in the Great Lakes Forum at Bike Forums. If any of my readers in the Chicago area have information on this incident, please pass it along to the email address below.

If you are also a Blogger, could you please crosspost this to your cycling blogs? It would be great if we managed to help nail this person!


Hello all,

I'm new to this forum, so if I make any mistakes, please bear with me.

Last friday night, my family (5) and a young friend of my daughter's rode in Chicago's Critical Mass. We've been doing CCM rides since 2001, and we are very experienced cyclists (kids included). There were at least 1500 cyclists for this ride, with the destination being the endangered Berwyn Spindle (public art Car-kebob, featured in Wayne's World movie).

We were at the end of the Mass, on 18th Street, riding through the wonderful Pilsen neighborhood when all hell broke lose. A maroon car with front end damage came careening off Throop street, and proceeded to plow through the tail end of the Mass of about 100 cyclists. Bikers scattered in all directions trying to avoid him. Unfortunately, my 10 year old son wasn't so fortunate, and he was hit by this alleged drunken driver (who actually accelerated into him).

Thankfully, my son suffered no permanent damage. He will recover. He is also moving beyond his fear of getting on a bike again.

The State's Attorney's office is seeking any other victims of this crime. The driver was uninsured and had a revoked driver's license. I would like to see him unable to drive a car for a very long time. The more evidence they have of this driver's willful and reckless driving, the better the chances of keeping him off the road.

If you were injured or your bike damaged in this incident, PLEASE contact me offlist (at repto@aol.com, or at 708-388-8662). If you know of anyone who was injured or who's bike was damaged, please forward this email to them! Time is of the essence, so please feel free to forward this to any listservs or other cycling venues that you are aware of.

http://www.chitowndailynews.org/Chic...es_young_rider
Tiny url link--
http://tinyurl.com/2ww3na
The Sun-Times has interviewed me, but I'm not sure if they have run the article yet or not.

Thank you for any and all help!

Jane Healy
mom to Will (10), Katie (7) and Genevieve (3)

p.s. I've included a photo of his legs taken today. You can't see it in this photo, but his entire right lower leg is swollen. His elbows, left hip, right arm and face are also bruised. And yes, he WAS wearing his helmet (thank God).

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