*I* am an inspiration...

[froglegs]

....to my neighbor!!!

I just got back from my ride and was sitting outside gulping down the rest of my gatorade and stuffing the rest of my clif bar in my mouth, when my next-door neighbor came out into her yard. I've never officially met her, we exchange waves and hi's, but the only time we are ever in our front yards is on the way to or from our cars, it seems like she is always driving her kids places, and we've never taken the time to properly meet. She was talking on her phone for a few minutes, and I waved to her and continued stuffing my face. When she was done, she walked over and introduced herself, and then proceeded to tell me that she and her kids notice that I run or bike almost every day, and her kids use me as an example when they try to get her to go out and exercise. She thanked me for being a great example and an inspiration!!

I am very obsessive, competitive, overanalytical, and prone to anxiety and depression. I tend to be very hard on myself, and I tend to get lost in the details of maintaining my workout plans and schedules and logging my times and distances and monitoring my improvements, which isn't necessarily bad, but sometimes I think I need to remind myself why I started doing all of this to begin with. I've never been a complete couch potato, but I definitely let myself go for several years after high school, and only recently began making positive and permanent lifestyle changes. I feel and look strong and healthy, and I'm pretty sure I've never been in better shape. 16-year-old froglegs may have weighed less, but present-day froglegs would run circles around her, even after a nice long bike ride. :)

[OakLeaf]

:D Way to go!

[Trek420]

....she walked over and introduced herself, and then proceeded to tell me that she and her kids notice that I run or bike almost every day, and her kids use me as an example when they try to get her to go out and exercise. She thanked me for being a great example and an inspiration!!

Yeah!!!

Next time you see her, invite her on a run/walk or ride! It may be one of your rest days but take her outside. Or let her know about TE where there's a whole community of women cheering each other on. :)

[lph]

:) Very very cool :)

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

Oh my gosh that is so great!! Good for you, being an inspiration to a whole family when you didn't even know it! :) :) :)
I know how you feel about getting fitter. I'm no great athlete by far, but I'm way stronger and healthier now at 53 than I was in my 20's or 30's. :p

[Tri Girl]

Wow- very cool! Sometimes we influence others that we never know about. Neat to know that you inspire someone. :)

[Mr. Bloom]

That's great!

Inspiration is a power that can be wielded in very subtle and natural ways!

[kjay]

Wish I'd "get lost in the details of maintaining my workout plans and schedules and logging my times and distances and monitoring my improvements" . . .

[li10up]

They, whoever they are, say we touch the lives of every person we come into contact with. This is a wonderful example of that very thing. Good for you for making a positive impact on others' lives.

[Mr. Bloom]

They, whoever they are, say we touch the lives of every person we come into contact with. This is a wonderful example of that very thing. Good for you for making a positive impact on others' lives.

I was in a meeting last week with our CFO...a quiet and unassuming guy that I see nearly daily. I noticed he seemed thinner...he had lost 35 pounds! He said "I was inspired by your exercise and weight loss".

frog, for every one person you know of, I suspect that there are 20 more that you inspire that you don't know about. Oh yeah, Silver and you must be twins based on your self-description:rolleyes: :cool:

[jusdooit]

It is not always what we say, but often how we choose to live that cause others to take pause and self reflect. This is a 12-step principle, to live your life that make others want what you have. Good for you!!!!

[northstar]

That's great! It's true...you never know who might be watching (whoa, that sounds creepier than intended) but sometimes seeing other folks accomplish things makes others think, hey...if they can do it, so can I. Way to be a great example! :)

[Susan126]

Yeah!!!

Next time you see her, invite her on a run/walk or ride! It may be one of your rest days but take her outside. Or let her know about TE where there's a whole community of women cheering each other on. :)

Yes yes what trek420 says . . . invite her and who knows you may become riding buddies! You many open a new door to her that she will love! How awesome would that be! I wish I had a riding buddy that lived next door to me. Many times in the summer I head straight out my door alone. Hubby is working and it's just me. But I hate to waste a beautiful sunny summer day so off I go alone. Hubby worries so much about me whenever I go out by myself. He wishes I wouldn't but he can't stop me because I love to be on my bike especially on a nice summer morning.

Isn't it great being an inspiration for someone! Way to go froglegs! :D

[shootingstar]

I hope you go cycling at least occasionally with your neighbour.

The best we can do..is to keep on cycling regularily even though it feels abit lonely at times...someone somewhere does notice you often.

I am aware some family members are cycling more frequently in the past 10 years. THis alone is a great feeling for me personally.

And yes, some friends have gotten onto their bikes...they don't live in same city as I do.

[hellostarshine]

: D all girls that ride are b.a.

[Melalvai]

The only people I want to inspire is my family.
My husband is not easily inspired.
I've had better luck with my daughter. She at least is impressionable.

[Funhog]

Froglegs,

Way to go! Read my signature below. It's one of my favorite quotes, and it is very applicable to YOU right now! You never know when you have an affect on someone... So many times we put ourselves down, we think others might not notice us, we think the worst, when often times in reality it's just the opposite!

Pat yourself on the back!

I'm a newbie here and am looking forward to meeting some great women to chat with about cycling. I am active on several indoor cycling forums (I am a Master Instructor for Spinning), but outdoor cycling is my passion. I even have my own company (http://www.vivatravels.com)...

Nice to meet you all. You all inspire me! :)

Jennifer Sage
http://reachyourpeak.wordpress.com
http://cyclingeurope.wordpress.com