been away for a while

[DDH]

Hey ladies, I'm not new but feel I need to reintroduce myself. I have been away for about a year now. Had several health issues come up and gone through two surgeries within 7 months of each other and lots of days of not feeling so good. I've gained a lot of weight some of which was before my surgeries and before I quit posting, but well 60 lbs withing the last 2 years.
I'm now at a point where I am starting to feel better and need to get back to cycling and getting back to the never ending battle of the buldge, and well, I can't seem to get motivated and get in gear.
My head is there but then when the next morning comes, I don't get up, or I make excuses, or I really do have other errands and things to do. The heat here doesn't help at all.
I also am afraid that I have gotten to big for my bike and my shorts and jerseys and I don't have more money to put into more gear. I haven't even tried my shorts on yet. Fear I guess, but also, I've guess truthfully, a lot of it is just pure D laziness.
How do you get back into the groove of things when you have been down and out for almost a year.
It doesn't help when I don't have anyone to ride with or get motivated with. My sister wants me to join a gym with her, but I can't see spending the money on a gym if I can't even get myself motivated to get on my bike.
I'm really very annoyed and discouraged with myself. I can't stand being so heavy, yet I dont' or haven't made myself get into gear and do something about it. I have fought it for so long, and I'm just tired.
I have enjoyed getting back on here the last few days and reading all the post. I really didn't realize how much I missed this forum.

For all those who have joined since the last I was here, I'm Donna, been cycling off and on for several years, except for this last one. I ride a canondale hybird that I really love, and before that my husband and I rode mountain bikes for a year or two on and off road. We road the mountain bikes while our son was little and we could still haul him around. When he got to big, we quit for many years until he was old enough to either join us or we were comfortable with him staying home for an hour or so by himself.

Now I am back at the begining again. Trying to get started and failing. Thing is I know in my mind how good I feel when I ride or do any kind of exercise on a regular basis. It's just getting started and the discomfort and pain you have to get past. Plus with all the weight I've gained, I know it's going to hurt even more.

Anyway, hello again ladies.
I will get there, I know it, it's just the frustration I put myself through until I do.
:)

[Tri Girl]

I was wondering what happened to you, so it's SOOO good to see you back here. Sorry about the health issues, but hopefully you're on the mend.
I can totally relate to your weight struggles. I really can. I lost 40 lbs only to gain it all back. I'm back on the wagon and am really trying for the first time in a couple years to get most of it back off. I'm doing well with my eating, but my exercise isn't quite where it needs to be. I think trying to tackle one thing at a time is easier than just going gung ho and "cold turkey" on my old lifestyle.
I'm glad you're back. I hope you can find the motivation to get back on your bike and ride again. Even if your cycling clothes don't fit, just ride in something comfortable for shorter times. Start by riding around the block, then a couple more, then you'll be back out there eating up the miles like you did before.
Take care, and don't be such a stranger. :)

[shootingstar]

Welcome back Donna! Just give yourself time to get that ole cycling love back when you are on the bike.

Is it possible with your personal schedule to go cycling when it's quieter/cooler outdoors?

[crazycanuck]

Hey DDH,

NIce to see ya back :). I remember a while back that it may have been you that was asking about helping your son in some way, how is he now? (I hope I have the right person :o)

The main thing is, you're obviously eager to get back & are doing the right things. Don't fret & it'll fall into place. If your bike stuff doesn't fit at the moment, ride little bits at a time. Even inside on the trainer if you don't feel comfortable outside. Then set another little goal. Little goals at a time. Your bike will be waiting for you :)

Take care
C

[redrhodie]

Welcome back! I know how you feel. I recently took my first Pilates class after a year off, and it really hurt! I felt like I really accomplished something afterwards.

For motivation, the key is making it a routine. Go early, before you can talk yourself out of it. Lay out your clothes the night before, set your alarm, pump your tires, get everything ready so you can just get on and ride. Put on something you're comfortable in. Don't care what you look like. It doesn't matter. You've been through enough this year, so you should give yourself a break. Do NOT listen to the voices in your head that give you 100 excuses not to get on your bike. We all hear them now and then.

You'll be back to your old level in no time!

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

Even if your cycling clothes don't fit, just ride in something comfortable for shorter times. Start by riding around the block, then a couple more, then you'll be back out there eating up the miles like you did before.


Hi Donna! Good to see you back! :)
I'm really glad you are posting about your goals even if you haven't gotten back on your bike again yet. Telling others about something you are going to do is the first step in doing it.
I second Tri Girl's words above. Forget about fitting into your bike clothes for now- just pump your tires and go around the block a couple of times. Then enjoy the fact that you DID it. :) Next day go around the block three or four times instead. Feel good about what you can do, don't feel bad about what you can't do....and slowly what you can do will be more.
Welcome back, girl!

[txred9876]

Donna,

Part of it is just starting. Once you start things will be ok. I wish you luck and keep cool in the blazing heat wave we are having.

Tina

[Tuckervill]

Like everyone said, tiny little steps. Don't plan on getting on the bike, just--when you think of it, just go get on it. If it's too hot to ride, take a little walk. It's not about the riding, it's about being more active, and making the choice towards your goal every time there's an opportunity. You only have so many chances in a day. How can the choice you make in the next minute get you closer to your goal?

Welcome back!

Karen

[mudmucker]

I remember you also.

This is great to try to get back into it, and every little bit helps. Yes, push away the voices. This can be hard to do in itself, but take it on as practice. Practice removing the voices. And, go out and bike a little at a time, and choose flat routes. Ease into it to slowly with the flat routes. Don't overdo it and just get your muscles back into the groove. Do other things along with it as well to assist the muscles even if it's just stretching. I also do yoga and piliates - it helps me with stretching, general conditioning and strengthening, and as I've gotten older it really helps with removing some of the overuse and muscle glitches and soreness I get with the running/cycling. If you are concerned about your cycling clothes as someone else mentioned, use your regular clothes - there are chamois padded liners you can get to put under your street shorts or pants if you need chamois for the bike.

[lph]

For motivation, the key is making it a routine. Go early, before you can talk yourself out of it. Lay out your clothes the night before, set your alarm, pump your tires, get everything ready so you can just get on and ride.

What she said! Go out and enjoy the morning on your bike for half an hour, it doesn't matter how far you go. Just doodle around and get used to being back. Doodle around in a different direction after a few days. After a while you'll want to be riding a bit further and a bit faster, but there's no rush, you just want to get the habit in to begin with, daily habits are the best ones.

Start a thread here and post your progress, take a photo or two, that would be cool!

Welcome back.

[Crankin]

Hi Donna, and welcome back. I agree with everything that's been said. You might also want to look at it as just getting back into fitness, not just cycling. Like, get up and go for a walk, go swimming with your kids, buy a yoga or Pilates DVD and do it a couple of times a week. I find that mixing things up really helps me not get burned out, which is important if you want to keep doing this. And, as Mudmucker said, the stretching and core stuff does get more important as we age. I know I need more time to recover from hard efforts, so it's good to have something else to do on the other days.

[OakLeaf]

Welcome back DDH! I'd been missing you too, and wondering about what was happening with you. We never know in these communities what's going on, when someone vanishes, and I'm sorry to hear it's been so tough for you. But glad that you're working your way back.

+1 to what redrhodie said. I've just started getting myself back into a running routine, after just a month of slacking off for no good reason. It was getting easier and easier to just blow it off. To get myself back, I've done almost exactly what redrhodie said: making myself stick to a schedule. Wednesday tempo. Friday intervals. Sunday long run. Up and at 'em by 10 a.m. at the latest - even though I hate running in the morning - because if I put it off, then I'll keep putting it off all day. It's working for me. :)

Hope everything continues to improve for you.

[DDH]

Hey DDH,

NIce to see ya back :). I remember a while back that it may have been you that was asking about helping your son in some way, how is he now? (I hope I have the right person :o)

The main thing is, you're obviously eager to get back & are doing the right things. Don't fret & it'll fall into place. If your bike stuff doesn't fit at the moment, ride little bits at a time. Even inside on the trainer if you don't feel comfortable outside. Then set another little goal. Little goals at a time. Your bike will be waiting for you :)

Take care
C

I had forgotten about the post about my son. He pulled it through and his grades came up. We took him out of the algebra class and he made an A the rest of the year in math. I think he was under way to much pressure along with struggling a little to figure it out. He has never had to struggle to learn something so it was new for him. Part of it was the teacher also. Nothing against teaachers. I know how hard they work and I make myself available and cooperate with them fully and try to be an advocate for the teacher and my son. I ended up going round and round with this one. When I call and say "I've been trying to get hold of you" and she come back with "you must not have tried very hard". well that doesn't sit well with me.
Anyway, he pulled it out and ended up with not great grades like I'm use to but good grades. He aced all his TAKS test and got commended on all 4 he took this year.

Well as far as my riding, I woke up this morning and guess what ladies. We have not had rain in over a month and desperatly need some, so it picked this morning to rain. I'm going to get on my treadmill for a 30 minute walk and at least do something. I've got to get my rear in gear and stop whining.
As soon as I can get out and ride I will let you all know.
Thanks for all the post, that always helps me.
Lisa you are right, when you post about it, then that gives you the feeling of wanting to do it. Kind of the feeling of wanting to give you girls something to be proud of me for. That gives me motivation.
I love my husband but he just can't help me with this. He worries about my weight and health and in trying to help he makes me feel bad, so it doesn't work for him to try to help. His way of being supportive just doesn't really work for me, when he ask me if I am going to eat that, while he eats his bowl of ice cream, or ask me if I'm going to ride or get on my treadmill, while he sits and never exercises. He doesn't have to, and I don't understand how a person can go through life, stay in shape, eat what they want and doesn't get fat. He took a stress test here not long ago and was in the 120 percentile of men his age. He can get on his bike and go after not being on it for over a year, and not seem to have a problem or get out of breath.
Anyway, I'm rambling. Thanks girls for all your support. LOL
I'm glad to be back.

[Biciclista]

Donna, don't worry your husband needs to exercise too. Maybe he doesn't gain weight like you; but if he doesn't take care of HIS body, he's going to pay later.

And you're not too big for your bike (unless your legs grew!)

what's a little rain? come on, it's warm rain. you won't melt!
go for a walk. have fun.

[tulip]

Welcome back, DDH! I agree with everyone else here. Taking walks can be less intimidating than getting on a bike sometimes. Glad about the DS. Is he doing his own laundry yet ;)? As for the hubby, have you spoken with him and told him how he could help you better? As for the ice cream, just don't buy it in the first place.

Take care and stick around!

[DDH]

That is funny that you asked about DS and laundry. I told him just yesterday he had to learn this summer. He loaded the washer up, but I had a migraine yesterday and never got up to show him how to set the washer.
We will be doing it today.

[tulip]

That is funny that you asked about DS and laundry. I told him just yesterday he had to learn this summer. He loaded the washer up, but I had a migraine yesterday and never got up to show him how to set the washer.
We will be doing it today.

I'm sure he could figure it out! It's not rocket science.

Take care of YOURSELF, Donna. You can't take care of anyone else if you are not up to par.

Okay. Lecture over. Be well.

[Kano]

That is funny that you asked about DS and laundry. I told him just yesterday he had to learn this summer. He loaded the washer up, but I had a migraine yesterday and never got up to show him how to set the washer.
We will be doing it today.

This kind of reminds me of the summer I had signs all over the washing machine! There was the hot wash one, medium, and cold. What could go in with what, what kind of product to use, and where to set the knobs. Same set up on the dryer.

Kids and DH all got it figured out, and it saved me repeating the instructions over and over again! (amazing how we forget stuff when we don't really want to learn it isn't it?)

and to echo everyone else, Welcome back, Donna! It's good to see you!!! Yours was one of the "faces" I missed when I popped back in this spring after spending the winter reading ski forums instead.

I was going to say a ride in the rain is kind of a nice thing sometimes, but if I'm remembering, you have a dirt road for a half mile or so, don't you? That could be dangerous to ride on in the rain, so you don't have to enjoy that kind. However, one of the things we do here at my house to cope with heat (hot, ery dry, high desert weather here, and a DH prone to sun-sick) is to go out late in the evening as the sun gets low. It's still hot, but the sun isn't so intense, and that helps a LOT!

Karen in Boise