Anyone else feel this way?

[Denise223]

Hi Everyone!

I really, really enjoy riding -- my husband and I just started on June 5th. Up until that time, the only riding I did was in parking lots. That's because I was PETRIFIED of traffic - big cars, Mack trucks, etc....

Thankfully, I've gotten over that, for the most part. We moved on to a bike path, and now we're actually on the road:D . (that is, when it's not raining out here :rolleyes: ). I'm grateful to this site and also a few people here who have shared some links with me regarding 'safe riding'.

Here's the thing -- sometimes, when I'm riding up a hill, it does take me awhile, and I'm huffing & puffing my way up the hill (mind you, they're not BIG hills....they are long & rolling though)... There are lots of cyclists out where we ride, and of course, they constantly pass me.
I certainly don't mind that they pass me - they're faster & more experienced riders....

I am overweight - I'd like to lose about 50 pounds. (I am 100 pounds less than I was in 2001 :) ).
I guess I'm just embarrassed about looking like I'm having a very difficult time getting up a hill. (I don't just "look" like I'm having a tough time, I really am).
But, it really is getting easier!!

I don't know WHY I even care what other people think??!! I am very proud of myself for getting out there & riding in the first place. It reminds me of when I was a very obese teenager & getting horribly made fun of.

I SHOULD be out there during the day, by myself, riding....but, I feel more comfortable when my husband and I are out together. Of course, I love going out & enjoying rides with my husband:) !

That will be my next goal -- going out for a ride by myself, AND feeling good about it!! :) I'll have to work on that one ;) .

Thanks for listening!!!

Denise

[mimitabby]

well, join the legions of other timid riders!
I have a friend who won't ride on the road at all!
And don't worry about puffing up the hill. I've been on both
sides of that equation, been passed a million times and sometimes
I pass people too.
If someone is passing you, you've made their day. they are thinking,
COOL, I passed someone!!

so when someone passes you, smile because you know, you just made their day :)

[spokewench]

Don't ever be embarrassed that you might be slower, a little heavier, whatever. YOU ARE OUT THEIR RIDING! which is a lot better than most!

Riding bikes for me has always been a thing I do for health and fitness. I've done my share of racing, but bottom line, it is for the health benefits and the fact that it is JUST GOOD FUN! I always encourage people to challenge themselves - like go for a ride alone! If we sit around and never do the things we are afraid of, what is life all about?

You've come a long way! Celebrate that! And then celebrate the next stepQ

Keep up the good work - and play!

[mimitabby]

spokewrench,
I ride alone sometimes, but the longest ride alone i've ever done is 19 miles.
the longest ride with DH is 120! (in one day)
I am a lot less apt to try big rides alone.
that's a combination of timidity and LAZINESS.

[wanttoride]

Just think of it as inspiring those of us that are thinking of riding those country roads with hills. Seeing more people of different fitness levels out there would bring me joy. I too am afraid of cars due to no shoulders on the windy roads where I live, but someday I'm going to be like you:) after I've learned what I need to learn.

[Ninabike]

Denise - I think is is just human nature to be concerned about what others think, or more correctly, what we THINK they think. Most of the time, other people are not even aware of what makes us self-conscious. Others are just thinking about what others think of them (if that makes any sense). The funny thing is, when people tell me about the things they feel most self-conscious about, I always think, "oh, that's no big deal", but it is a really big deal to that person.

You have so much to be proud of and you've only been riding a little over a month!! As for me, I have a very hard time riding hills, as some of the ladies on this board with whom I have ridden can attest. I have to get off and walk while they wait patiently for me at the top of the hill. I think everyone feels like you do to some degree. Hang in there. Just think of where you will be with your goals 1 year from now!!

Happy riding,
Nina

[melissam]

Denise,

On the riding alone thing -- there's definitely safety in numbers! I don't blame you for not wanting to tackle some of the rides alone. There's certain roads around here that I've ridden with groups that I absolutely will NOT go on by myself. It mostly has to do with the amount of traffic and the amount of road shoulder.

Don't worry about huffing & puffing up the hills. Heck, I was huffing and puffing up a slight hill when this carload of guys drove by. One of them (Mr. Joe Cool) hung his head out the car window and asked, "What's up?" All I could think of to say back was, "My heart rate!"

On hills, practice usually makes perfect. I'll bet you'll be amazed in a few months when you BLAST up one of the hills that you're currently huffing and puffing on.

Keep up the great work!

Your sister in huffing and puffing,
Melissa

[SouthernBelle]

It did take me a while to enjoy riding on the road as opposed to paths and parks. Now I generally prefer the road as there are no walkers/runners in my way.

I also like to ride by myself. Oh, not all the time. But I have my own thoughts, I stop and have a clifbar on my own schedule, I set my own pace and my own route. I can stop, go, go further, go home, go in a store, stop and take a nap. Very nice!

[PAP103]

Hi Denise,

I'm a fairly new rider too. I started on the bike paths and would only ride with some one. This year, riding has gotten a bit more serious for me and I joined a club and learned to ride in a group on the roads. I even started to wear spandex bike shorts with the group! Its only been the past month or two that I've been able to go out my door and ride around my own town by myself. The first time I did it, I was very self conscious but I did it and even made it back up my hill on my bike. Last night was a big breakthrough for me, I went out my door and did my town ride in my bike shorts! I'm over 50 and 50# over weight so I don't have a sleek, athletic looking body. I felt wierd at first but I'm over it and going out again tonight - in spandex.

The first time is the hardest. After that - you'll be good to go!

Good luck,
Patty

[bikerchick68]

I am FAR more impressed and inspired when I see a heavier person out there riding, than I am when I see a racer type flying by...

don't get me wrong, racers are amazing at the level they ride at... but so are YOU. Don't forget that. :)

[maillotpois]

I am FAR more impressed and inspired when I see a heavier person out there riding, than I am when I see a racer type flying by...

don't get me wrong, racers are amazing at the level they ride at... but so are YOU. Don't forget that. :)


What she said!!!

I am so impressed with your progress and how far you've come!! The comfort level with riding alone will come in time. In the meantime, who cares how long it takes to get up a hill or whatever. What matters is how you feel - and eventually, that you are making progress (like you had to stop fewer times or you felt you weren't breathing as hard or you went a little faster.)

And none of the speedier folks who pass you know anything about you or what you've accomplished. So if they make judgments (which they probably won't bother to anyway) - they are doing so with incomplete information.

[Kano]

Denise --

I mostly ride with my husband too. Once in a while I go out by myself, but I do avoid heavy traffic when I do!

Here's what I like AND dislike about riding with him: he rides faster than I do. I LIKE it because it challenges me to work a bit harder. He's one of those guys that these ladies who know more than I call a hammerhead, I think, and he probably pays for it, but I get a better work out when I ride with him than when I ride alone. I get an even better work out when I ride in a group -- especially a group of roadies! (I ride a hybrid/comfort bike, and work LOTS harder -- or at least a lot longer! to get there than they do!)

Karen in Boise

[Denise223]

All of you ladies really, really ARE THE BEST!!!! :D Now, why can't we all live near one another???? ;) !

Thank you ALL so much for taking the time to answer my post!!

All of you are like a big group of girlfriends, and we're just sitting wherever, (campfire, restaurant, ice cream stand....etc...):D :D , and talking & exchanging thoughts & ideas. It's comforting to know that I can come here & be honest.


Posted by Nina R. Messina: The funny thing is, when people tell me about the things they feel most self-conscious about, I always think, "oh, that's no big deal", but it is a really big deal to that person.


That is SOOOOO TRUE!!! Recently, when I was driving, I saw this woman who was very obese, walking.....and, I said to my husband, "Good for her - God Bless her!":D . I was honestly so happy to see her out there, where she has every right to be. And, some stupid young guys in the car behind me were making fun of her:mad: -- I just wanted to smack them!!!
Some people, I have to remember, are just plain ignorant!!!

God Bless all of you Ladies (and, everyone that you love)...

You've really helped me to think about a lot of things, and I really appreciate ALL OF YOU!! :)

Have a peaceful night & a beautiful weekend!!

Denise

[Pedal Wench]

"If you only knew how infrequently people were thinking about you, you wouldn't really care what people were thinking about you!" There's a saying that goes something like that.

It doesn't sound like you're worried about riding alone for the usual reasons - you're worried about it because you think if you're with your hubby people will think differently about you? Again, no offense, but I don't think people are thinking about you at all! Seriously! They're out suffering up the same hill. Remember - it doesn't get easier, you just get faster!

[MomOnBike]

One more thing. Those of us who are larger (I could stand to lose half my current weight) are working harder to get up the hills - 'cause we have to haul all that bio-load. OF COURSE the guys who have to stand twice to cast a shadow on their weightless bikes blow by us up the hills.

It ain't fair, but that's the way it is.

We're getting more of a workout, though. :)

[makbike]

Denise:

I think you have achieved an awful lot and I'm very inspired by all you have done. Gosh, a 100 lb drop in weight is outstanding. You are out and about on your bike, enjoy that time. Please don't worry about those who pass you on a hill. If nothing else let them be your carrot and chase them. I hate mean people and those young men mocking the woman walking were so out of line. I firmly believe that what goes around comes around only it is at least doubled! You are a kind and gentle soul so please continue to be the positive person you are for we all benefit of individuals like you. Ride your bike and be proud of all you have achieved.

[kelownagirl]

I definitely have felt that way, especially when I first started, and Makbike is right, you have every right to feel proud of your accomplishments!

I was thinking today as I slogged up the hills with my heart rate at max for much of my ride, that I'll bet those tdf guys don't have to work this hard (relatively, of course) for this long. (Well, ok, maybe they do but hey what's hard for them and what's hard for me are two different things...) That's why I'm always telling Erik to ride his mtb in the big gear if he wants to get as good a workout as I'm getting on my road bike. :D

Keep up the good work - I figure as long as we keep riding, we can't help but get better, and faster, and stronger, and more fit...

[Denise223]

:D You ladies really are wonderful!!

Pedal Wench -- I think I had heard Dr. Phil say that comment before on his
show -- and, it really is true....

What CD does your cute rabbit have on his/her head?? :)

Mom on Bike -- Thanks for making me laugh :p . I do work very hard to
get up that hill!! After 2.5 hours on my bike, I really do feel
as if I've gotten a great workout :) !


Makbike -- I'm definitely a firm believe in "what goes around comes
around"..... I surely will hold my head up higher when
climbing up a hill! :cool:

Barb -- You've given me a new mantra -- "better, faster, stronger".
Thanks!!

Have a wonderful day everyone !!

Denise

[betagirl]

As one of the "speedier" ones out there, I can say that I'm not thinking anything snyde or the like when I pass someone slower than me. When I see newer riders out there trying, I usually try to say something encouraging when I see them plugging up a hill or such. I was out on a club ride with the boys last week and there was a woman riding a hybrid, and she was going at a pretty good clip. I smiled as we passed her and told her to hop on (our paceline) :D That got me a good laugh, but I thought it was nicer than just blowing by her. She was really working hard.

My friend has started riding with me lately, and he's on the bigger side. We ride considerably slower than my usual pace, and that's fine with me. I'm just proud that he's out there giving it his best. In the end, that's all that matters. And the more you go out and ride, the faster and more comfortable you'll become. So keep it up :)

[plantluvver]

I think there is something about becoming overweight, that people start discriminating against us, and then we start doing it to ourselves.

I was partnered with a younger thinner woman some years ago for fitness testing, and I could perform 3 times as many crunches as her. But I didn't feel it was because she was thin. But when I couldn't perform something, I then had to blame it on my fatness. I was at a lecture once, and a woman nearby sat on a chair and it broke. She was thin. But if I sat on that same chair, I would have felt that my fatness broke it.

Oddly enough, I got a pair of lycra Terry cycling shorts and I feel so good in them. I know this is silly. But I think it is because they remind me that someone thought that overweight people care just as much about their health, and want to be active, and want clothes to be active in, as anybody else.

Yes some overweight people don't care about health, but many skinny people don't care about their health either.

But once I finish I ride I feel I am feeling better. Today I started reading a book by David Burns, who is knowm for the book "Feeling Good: the New Mood therapy" which has become a classic in self-help. He says that it is our thoughts that create our moods, and often these thoughts are unrealistic, and pessimistic, and sometimes just not useful at all. So he has many exercises to get at these thoughts that are so automatic and fleeting we are not even aware of them.

I suffer from severe depression, but I think that this book can help everyone deal with everyday frustrations of life.

There is nothing wrong with wanting company for a ride. But if it limits your riding, then you might try to find some other people to ride with. I find it difficult to take a fifteen minute walk. But if I say, I need something at the store, and I will walk there, I am more likely to do it. I don't know if this will work for you.

Good luck with the riding. If nothing else, perhaps a different time of day would be easier for you to get yourself out.

Mary

[eclectic]

I am always getting passed or dropped on hills. At first I blamed it on my bike, wider tires, smaller wheels, heavier. (the bike not me)

Then I graduated to a road bike, smaller tires, bigger wheels, lighter. (not me - the bike - I gained a few pounds so we are now about even again:)

I was still getting passed.

I went to the doctor "Dr, Dr, what can I do ? ? I can't breathe when I climb hills,please make my lungs better - I want to be able to climb a hill without dying"

Lots of tests later I discovered I was functioning on 65% lung capacity and was chronic asthmatic (I used to just be exercised induced). Very expensive medicine later my lungs are much better although still not perfect

I started to do weight training in December and riding a lot in April, again with the only goal of climbing hills easier. Every time I went out for a ride I tried to climb at least one good hill - I thought "this is only 10 minutes of my life"

I still can't breathe and huff and puff all the way up. My friends are no longer quite so concerned at my condition - very red face and heavy breathing. I still get passed regularly, BUT at the beginning of the summer I could only go 6.5 tops up my measuring stick hill and last week I went up at 7.0

Progress - Not perfection

Hang in there, I wish I could say they get easier but they don't - you just get faster and the pain goes away quicker :)

[mimitabby]

plantluvver and eclectic,
a lot of wisdom in your two posts! Plantluvver, you have figured out a lot of stuff that a lot of people never become aware of.

and Eclectic, your experience with ASTHMA! proves that a lot of things are just NOT what they seem.

keep pedalling gals...

mimi

[Beth-Ro]

Here's the thing -- sometimes, when I'm riding up a hill, it does take me awhile, and I'm huffing & puffing my way up the hill (mind you, they're not BIG hills....they are long & rolling though)... There are lots of cyclists out where we ride, and of course, they constantly pass me.


Oh boy, have you ever named my tune!

So a month ago I finally got around to reading Heft on Wheels by Mike Magnuson. And on page 46 and 47, he also names my tune. I take encouragement from this. It makes me smile:

"When the attacks begin - meaning that someone blasts off the front of the pack - we are climbing into these hills...And at the back of this long string is where I'll be: 255 pounds of sweat and hard breathing and guts churning with Gatorade and PowerGel and the Taco Bell that I know I shouldn't have eaten for lunch. The farther into the long climbs, the farther I drop back, till I'm as much as 600 yards behind everybody and all alone, with only the roadside flowers and dogwood trees to see the effort I'm putting forth."

"But the diamond in every hill's lining is that if you go up, you'll eventually go down and....I am, like Frosty the Snowman, the greatest belly-whomper in the world. The little guys relax on the long descents, to recover and gather their strength for another climb, and this, of course, is the proper way to cycle - ride hard, recover, ride hard, recover - but the long descents are my only chance to catch up, so I click into the biggest gear I can crank and I let it rip..."

"So if I'm out there riding with you, and you think you're a bad@@@ cyclist, a hammer, a machine, and you're feeling all smug about yourself because you're a few hundred yards ahead of me on that long, long hill, let me tell you buddy, if I can see you on the road ahead of me, if I'm anywhere close to you, I'm really kicking your @@@".

It's not zen, but it works. If you want zen, try this the next time you are passed:

"You're harshin my mellow, man" :cool:

[GLC1968]

Denise - a lot of people here have already said some really nice things and shared some great stories...but I had one more thing to add.

I've only been riding a year. I started last summer as a way of getting a greater cardio challenge than I could get any other low-impact way. I am about 30 lbs overweight and it's all in my legs. Put me in bike shorts, and I look AWFUL! Standing in my bedroom, think I look like an idiot. On my bike, kicking ***...and I don't care. I know I look heavy, but when I can bike faster and longer than a lot of the skinny girls, I feel great about myself. Keep it up and no matter what your size, you'll feel it too!

That said...I want to tell you a little secret about most people on hills. I'm good at hills. It's my specialty for some odd reason (I'm very, very grateful for this!). When I'm passing other people on group rides, I RARELY even notice how they are huffing and puffing. I'm too concerned with getting my gearing just right, or monitoring my own HR, or where the hill ends, or how far ahead of my husband is... basically, I'm more worried about how I'm doing to notice the people I might be passing. In fact, on Saturday, I was extra careful to not huff and puff too much AS I PASSED someone, because I didn't want them to think that I was over-exerting myself to show off! ;)

Really, just keep it up. Feel good that you are out there and that you are improving!!

[Denise223]

Thank you all so much for your responses -- everything -- things you have all shared & the sharing of your experiences!

My husband and I went out yesterday in the blazing afternoon sun, 97+ degrees with 70% humidity. We've had soooooo much rain in May & June, so it was great just to be out & not waiting for "perfect weather".

We planned on riding a 14 mile country road loop that we did last week, and we did -- but, this time we turned around at 7 miles -- for a total of 14 miles.

The day was just TOO hot -- but, we did climb the hills, and I actually did go up one faster than I had last week -- which felt great. To be honest, I brought all of you ladies along with me in spirit ;) , and we made the hill together!

plantluvver -- The only other rider I know is my husband. I've got a few
girlfriends, but no one else rides bikes. So, I will make it my
goal this week to get out at least one day by myself. Perhaps
I'll make a riding friend when I'm out & about. :) Or, I really
might enjoy going solo.

eclectic -- You're right -- PROGRESS NOT PERFECTION :D

betagirl -- It means a lot to someone when they hear something positive
from another human being, even if it's just a smile & a "hello".
I know that to be true. And, I'm happy that you're riding with
your friend. I'm sure that he appreciates the company soooo
much!! :)

Beth-Ro -- Thanks for the book recommendation. Thank you for making
me smile :D !!

GLC1968 -- I DO feel great to be out there and I can definitely tell that
I am improving. It really is such a good feeling. I've been
paying much more attention to my gearing, too - When I first
started riding, I didn't know how to shift -- Proper gearing
really makes climbing A LOT EASIER - PHEW!! :cool:

I hope that you all are having a beautiful & peaceful day -- to you & yours!!

Thanks again!

Denise

[bcipam]

OK so I'm old, need to lose 60 - 70 pounds and can't climb well. BUT, I still ride and am proud of what I can do. For all the people that pass me up hills, they are still alot of people I can past, maybe not uphill but going down (weight does have its advantages) and on flats.

So never ever feel bad about how you look and how you ride. The point is you are riding. I ride with a fairly large club. Most of the folks I hang out with afterwards, are the strongest riders in the Club you know the folks that can do a century in 5 - 6 hours. But I'm still a member and they still treat me as a friend. In fact, they are in awe of the fact I do a century in 7 - 8 hours. No way any of those guys can be on a bike that long.

Anyway what I am inartfully trying to say is be proud of your accomplishments. For every one of you are 1000 people sitting on a couch doing nothing but getting old fast!

[MomOnBike]

Regarding that Heft on Wheels quote:

Man, that's me. On my faired recumbent, as heavy as I & my bike both are, you just don't catch us on downhills. (there was this pack of 3 teenage boys recently...) :D OK, I'm sure someone can, but I'd make 'em work for it.

I ride for the downhills. DH catches up on the next uphill.

[Bikingmomof3]

Denise,
I have only been on a bike for 6 days. Yes, at age 37 my husband and sons thought it was about time mom learned to ride. I was terrified. Each day my confidence grows stronger. At first I only rode in the cul-de-sac. At first when I went out I thought "all the neighbours are watching". Then a wonderful quote from Richard Feynman came to mind (actually his wife said it to him quite often), "what do you care what other people think?". You know what? I do not care. I am not ashamed that my children can ride circles around me. I am proud that I have conquered my fear of bikes and I look forward to being able to go out a ride every day. Even after 6 days I am beginning to get the urge to race-oh not anytime in the near future, but maybe next year in one of the local club charity races. Only time can tell.
Whew, that was longer than I intended it to be. Long post shortened. Enjoy your time on your bike. Do not compare yourself to others and who cares what anyone thinks. Enjoy yourself and be proud that you are going up hills! Some of us have not been that brave yet.

[Denise223]

Hi Ladies!

bcipam -- You are not old!! You know, I really am having more fun riding, and I'm not so self-conscious any longer, which is wonderful :) !!


posted by bcipam -- For every one of you are 1000 people sitting on a couch doing nothing but getting old fast!

Isn't that true -- I really hadn't given that much thought!

Bikingmomof3 -- Welcome to TE and to the wonderful world of cycling :) !!
I'll bet that your husband and sons are very proud of you, too! It took me awhile to be comfortable on the road -- I stayed in parking lots for a few summers, until June 5th of this year. My husband and I decided that I might be able to enjoy riding if we tried a bike path, which we did. Now, we enjoy riding on beautiful, scenic country roads :D.
It was like I was paralyzed being around cars & trucks (while on my bike). I was much too nervous to enjoy anything.

As someone else said here on this thread... PROGRESS NOT PERFECTION!!

Have a peaceful day everyone....

Denise

[plantluvver]

Denise,

I had to rerad this thread to be sure, but you started out worried about your comfort in traffic, and in less than a week, you are giving out the"wisdom of experience" to Bikingmomof3.:).

How's that for progress?;)

How is the soloing gong?

Mary

[plantluvver]

Put me in bike shorts, and I look AWFUL! Standing in my bedroom, think I look like an idiot.


YEAH, you look as idiotic as all cyclists, with a mishapen head, goofy looking clothes and playing on a child's toy!:rolleyes: ;)

Mary

[Denise223]

Hi Mary:

I had to re-read to see exactly what I had posted.... ;)


Posted on 7/17/06 -->> plantluvver -- The only other rider I know is my husband. I've got a few girlfriends, but no one else rides bikes. So, I will make it my goal this week to get out at least one day by myself. Perhaps I'll make a riding friend when I'm out & about. Or, I really might enjoy going solo.


It's still "the week of the 17th", and no, I haven't gone out solo, just yet....
So...there's still time...

I had stayed riding around in parking lots for 3 summers, so.....I've made really good strides this year, in a month & half...

I'll be sure & let everyone know when I head out myself....because, that will be something victorious, for me, for sure!

Have a peaceful & great day everyone.

Denise

[plantluvver]

I ride the brakes all the way down, and I know this wastes all the energy I put in on the way up. So there is no anticipation of coming down, only releif that the climb is over. :( (And these aren't even hills, they are less than 5% grade.

I'd better follow Denise's example, and get back to the parking lot and learn how to brake. I've read interesting articles and realized how much I have to learn about riding technique and skills.

Mary

[Pedal Wench]

I am always getting passed or dropped on hills. At first I blamed it on my bike, wider tires, smaller wheels, heavier. (the bike not me)

Then I graduated to a road bike, smaller tires, bigger wheels, lighter. (not me - the bike - I gained a few pounds so we are now about even again:)

I was still getting passed.

I went to the doctor "Dr, Dr, what can I do ? ? I can't breathe when I climb hills,please make my lungs better - I want to be able to climb a hill without dying"

Lots of tests later I discovered I was functioning on 65% lung capacity and was chronic asthmatic (I used to just be exercised induced). Very expensive medicine later my lungs are much better although still not perfect
**Thread hijack in progress**

Wow - could have written that myself! I have about 62% lung capacity too! What can we do about it? I take my asthma inhaler before I ride, but I huff and puff all ride long while no one else is. Does the very expensive medicine help? Mind sharing the name of said very expensive medicine???

[emily_in_nc]

**Thread hijack in progress**
Wow - could have written that myself! I have about 62% lung capacity too! What can we do about it? I take my asthma inhaler before I ride, but I huff and puff all ride long while no one else is. Does the very expensive medicine help? Mind sharing the name of said very expensive medicine???

Me too. I have asthma, but it's mild, and even with albuterol before a ride, I am huffing and puffing WAY more than anyone else I ever ride with, and much slower up hills no matter how light my bike. Any suggestions or tips much appreciated!

Emily

[plantluvver]

Emily,
I have mild asthma, which originally was exercise induced. Two winters ago, I had "a mild cold" for about a month, and the doctor put me on Advair. In summer, I am pretty symptom-free, but I ran out of Advair, and after a few days noticed that my breathing was a little rougher. Something I would not have noticed, except by comparison.

Also, my nurse practionor has told me that this medication allows "retraining" of your respiratory tract. To me, that sounds like reversal of the asthma, but I've never investiagted.

You may give the Advair a try.

Mary

[emily_in_nc]

Mary,

Thanks for the recommendation for Advair. I have my yearly physical coming up soon, so maybe I'll "ask my doctor if Advair is right for me", just like in the commercials. Thanks!

Emily

P.S. I tried Accolate (a different type of allergy med) for nearly a year, but it didn't seem to make much difference in my breathing, if any, so I stopped it.

[Denise223]

Hi Everyone:

I have had asthma since age 19, and am currently on Advair 50/250, Albuterol ("rescue inhalor" - use prn), and Singulair.

Now, (this is what I've been told), when someone is on Advair regularly (twice/daily), you should really not need to use your rescue inhalor (albuterol) a lot -- but, it is suggested to use before & during exercise.

My breathing has become more concerning to me, in that it's almost like I am "forgetting to breathe". It has been this way for awhile, and I've been medicating myself with more Albuterol, without relief. Just yesterday I started getting a little bit dizzy -- nothing alarming though.

I made an appointment to see my internist today.

I was checking on the internet, and came across this interesting link that I wanted to share with everyone.

http://www.healthandyoga.com/html/pran.html

I'll mention it to my doctor & see what she has to say. When I am biking though, I am huffing & puffing very involuntarily, so.......I'm not sure what's going on.

Wishing everyone a happy & peaceful day!

Denise

[cherinyc]

[QUOTE=Pedal Wench]"If you only knew how infrequently people were thinking about you, you wouldn't really care what people were thinking about you!" There's a saying that goes something like that.

ladies - it's really crazy how warped our minds get - from our own doing. ya see - I am new (about 3 wks) to cycling - and I am one of the ill-mentioned skinny ones - I am 5'6" about 118 lbs - and I am STRUGGLING STRUGGLING STRUGGLING to get up hills. The longest ride I have gone on is 25 miles - and I couldn't wait for it to be over. I started a journal on bikejournal.com so I could track my miles - and between the other peoples stats on that - and this - I feel like a HUGE loser that I can't ride more miles at a time.
I also HATE seeing myself in the mirror in that goofy helmet - cellulite-enhancing bike shorts -and I can't find a nice fitting women's jersey to save my life. I am extremely insecure about what I think other people are thinking - and I hate that - but insecurity comes much more naturally than confidence, so.....I am working on that.
Truthfully - many of the cyclists that I see when I am out are bigger or older than me - and they are KICKING MY ***! I feel jealous more than anything else.

[mimitabby]

Cheri,
i'm one of those skinny gals too.
It took me a few years to build the strength in my legs to where i could ride more than 10 miles without feeling lifeless.
I would say to my husband, i'm all pooped out, i have no poop.. .
I didn't need food, water... I simply needed to build muscle. and it took a long time. I'm still not fast, but i can go forever now.
Hills will really kick you, but just get down in your granny gear and keep pedalling. I never get off the bike unless i am breathing too hard. (I'm 54, after all)

[cherinyc]

my biggest "pooped" situation came when - due to inexperience - I hit an uphill unprepared - didn't downshift enough and pretty much came to a stop. I just couldn't pedal/move my legs. Of course, I then proceeded to tip over with my feet clipped into the pedals (still getting used to clipless) cause I panicked. Didn't really hurt, but I learned my lesson about shifting to the easy gears.

[Curvygirl]

I'm certainly one of the larger girls on a bike and for a long time it bothered me but then I just decided I didn't care what others thought. Afterall what mattered was me and how good being on my bike felt. So I got myself the lycra and looked in the mirror and you know what I saw? I saw a cyclist, not a fat, unfit one but just a cyclist. I was proud of myself and still am. I still struggle up hills but each time it gets a little easier and each ride I go a little further. We are all fantastic no matter how fast or how far we ride, we are using our muscles, heart and lungs which is more than so many people do. Stand tall with your bike and be proud that you ride. Life is good and where there's an uphill there is aslo a down.:D

[Bikingmomof3]

Afterall what mattered was me and how good being on my bike felt. So I got myself the lycra and looked in the mirror and you know what I saw? I saw a cyclist, not a fat, unfit one but just a cyclist. I was proud of myself and still am. I still struggle up hills but each time it gets a little easier and each ride I go a little further. We are all fantastic no matter how fast or how far we ride, we are using our muscles, heart and lungs which is more than so many people do. Stand tall with your bike and be proud that you ride. Life is good and where there's an uphill there is aslo a down.:D

Brfilliant attitude! I have a lot to learn from you. :)

[bcipam]

The one good thing that comes with age... is that I don't care what others think of how I look in lycra. It feels good, it makes me feel good and it helps me ride a bike. Nuff said, period, end of statement.

Cherinyc - Just cause your are slim doesn't mean automatically you will become a super climber. Although most good climbers are slim they also have some powerful strong muscles working for them. Until you develop those muscles (so get out there and kept riding) you will struggle up hills. There is also technique that you have to learn - such as proper cadence, gear ratio, etc but give yourself time.

Since I'm big (tall and heavy - aren't I lucky), hills are not my friends but I have taken upon myself to make them so... I ride them as much as possible. OK so gravity keeps me slow but I do longer feel pooped or tired after a long hill. I look at the climb as a chance to rest - I put the gears in low and spin and keep my breathing under control. Once I crest the hill or hit the flats, then I start pushing and off I go!

[pooks]

I don't care about the lycra, but my husband does. He's embarrassed to wear tight biking shorts himself! And he's not the heavy one!

[mimitabby]

I don't care about the lycra, but my husband does. He's embarrassed to wear tight biking shorts himself! And he's not the heavy one!
Yes, i've noticed a lot of my work mates (who are all men) have this dumb idea that bike shorts aren't manly.. but we gals know differently.
:)

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

I just LOVE when my husband is wearing his lycra biking shorts!!! ;)

[plantluvver]

Yes, i've noticed a lot of my work mates (who are all men) have this dumb idea that bike shorts aren't manly.. but we gals know differently.
:)


Yeah just look at the Polish Racing Team (See Humor-Re Why Black shorts)

;) :o

Sorry, I just couldn't help it. It was such a wide opening!

I'm fine in lycra shorts, I just wear a LONG t-shirt!

Mary

[RoadRaven]

Hey there Denise, what a great thread you have started here... very readable ladies, very interesting, encouraging and supportive with no schmultz!

Super!

Mimi... I loved your comment about how when someone passes you to remember that you might just have made their day - thats so true... I remember the first time I passed someone... I felt so proud of myself and felt no animosity or derision or anything nasty about the person I had passed... just incredibly pleased with myself that at last I had done this seemingly unachievable feat!

Beta... I also related to your comment about people saying something as they pass.
Sometimes when I am passed on flats, and almost always when I am passed on hills, the cyclist/s say something - usually a greeting, often some encouragement or acknowledgement (tough wind today, good climb, tests your legs, nearly there) - lol, as I write those examples I realise that the phrases are usually 2-3 syllables long... I guess thats all the time they have before the disappear in front.
Because it makes me feel better about being passed, I always say something to people I pass although they are few and far between.

Keep at it Denise, just remember with your power to weight ratio, you are expending much more power than those who pass you.
My partner often laments that he is such a big guy (6'3") and will always weigh 20-30kgs than some of the shorter skinny guys in his grade in the local clud. He doesn't win hilly races. But he consoles himself with the fact that if the others popped a 25kg back pack on and had to carry the same weight he would blow them out of the water...

Remember always, we are fit, fit women and fitness comes in all shapes and sizes!

[Dogmama]

Great topic.

You are out there making a major change in your life. Anybody who cannot support that doesn't deserve the sweat off your brow.

'Nuff said!

[roshelleuop]

I also used to be afraid to ride by myself, so I always made my husband ride with me, but he rides 30 miles a day and averages 19 mph so I couldn't always force him to slow down and ride with me. What helped me alot was to listen to music and keep my cell phone in my bag. The music made me subliminaly think I wasn't alone and my cell phone gave me the comfort that I could call my husband at any time. :D

Well, I started that about a month ago and now.... I PREFER to ride alone!!! It's my time to think to myself and/or ride my butt off if I'm stressed out. Of course it's always fun to ride with a team occasionally, especially during long rides, but when doing smaller runs for training, it's just me, the road, and my tunes (and always my cell phone!).

Take care ladies!!!! :cool:

[Denise223]

Hi Everyone :) !

roshelleuop -- I'm happy to hear that you're enjoying riding solo:) . You're husband's avg mph is quite fast....I'd never be able to keep up!!

When listening to music, are you using headphones?
I will happily do that when going out for a walk (facing traffic), but I wouldn't choose to use headphones while cycling.
I wouldn't be able to hear what's going on behind me.
In my opinion, the results of riding while listening to a CD or radio playing, (with earphones), could be tragic.

Dogmama -- Hi there! This thread has turned out really well :). Everyone here is very supportive, and I enjoy reading everyone's posts.

I'm beginning to see that, overweight/underweight/normal weight, we are ALL the same -- and, lots of women "feel the same".

RoadRaven --
originally quoted by RoadRaven -- Remember always, we are fit, fit women and fitness comes in all shapes and sizes!

How are you?? I like your quote :) a lot!! Fitness REALLY DOES come in all shapes and sizes!

WE are ALL cyclists :D !!

I really am enjoying reading all of you ladies posts here..... Very uplifting, and, as RR stated -- very supportive, as well!! Above all, I enjoy everyone's honesty. :D

With regard to my asthma/breathing difficulties, I did see my internist the other day who has suggested that I see a pulmonary medicine specialist. In addition, I will have a chest x-ray and bloodwork.

Because she said that I was relying on my ALBUTEROL way too much, (4 - 8 puffs/day).........she increased my ADVAIR to 50/500 & started me on SPIRIVA handi-haler.

I do have a past history (VERY unfortunately), of smoking. I smoked from ages 17 - 23, stopped smoking from 23 - 33 and then, picked up this awful, FILTHY habit again, from 33 - 42. And, I was a heavy smoker -- 2 to 3PPD.

So, there might be a ? of COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) -- I certainly hope not though!! I looked in the computer and saw that COPD can actually begin in your early 40's :eek: :eek: !!!

The air quality has NOT been wonderful around here -- I was thinking that that, coupled with my asthma was to blame.
But, we'll see.

****TO ALL OF YOU WHO TAKE ADVAIR*****

It is IMPERATIVE that you use one inhalor at a time.
I just read that you are supposed to use that one inhalor & then toss it away in 30 DAYS.
I was using 3 inhalors -- kept one in my pocketbook & two in my house.

DO NOT KEEP ANY INHALOR IN THE CAR!! (my pharmacist informed me).

I hope that everyone (& your families) are having a wonderful, peaceful day!

Denise

***CONGRATULATIONS FLOYD!!*** :D :cool:

[roshelleuop]

Hi Denise 223,

I use headphones, but I don't wear them. I put them around my neck, but not around my actual head/ears. I hope that makes sense. I keep them around my neck, but I can still hear the music. It's not really loud, but I can still hear the song and identify those songs that really pump me up. This way I can still hear traffic.

It works for me and I love it!!!! Especially when I get out on those beautiful country roads, I'm able to turn the volume up. Then, when I get back into busier traffic, I turn it back down.

Keep living strong!!!

Roshelle :p :p :p :p

[Denise223]

Hi Roshelle!

That makes perfect sense :) !! hmmm...why didn't I think of that?? ;)

Thanks for the tip.

Have a great evening!

Denise

[plantluvver]

I had been hoping to go touring at some point. And there was a thread going where some said the pounds just dropped off. I was thinking if I do lose weight, then I'll just add extra to my bike, so I don't lose the conditioning of the "weight bellt" I carry now.

I could to quite a tour with a 100 pound load!

(Unfortunately, I haven't kept a consistent schedule, and with the heat, I don't want to ride later than about 10 AM.

Mary

[Denise223]

Hi RR!


Originally Posted by RoadRaven -- Keep at it Denise, just remember with your power to weight ratio, you are expending much more power than those who pass you.


Hmm...that's true :) ! Thanks! I surely will keep at it!!

Have a great night!

Denise

[Denise223]

Hi Everyone!

Well, I have an appointment with a pulmonologist on August 29th. So far, I've been breathing easier with the addition of my Spiriva Handihaler.

I got my results back regarding my chest x-ray today. My lungs are clear (which is great), but it showed that I have a compression fracture lower thoracic spine.

I have an appt. with my internist on 8/9 to discuss this, and in the meantime, they will schedule me for a bone density study.

Weird, but I have been having some nagging back pain which I was thinking was perhaps a muscle spasm........

I really don't think that I have osteoporsis - I'd be very surprised.
I drink skim milk, eat yogurt (both regular & frozen), and enjoy low-fat cheese. And, I eat calcium rich leafy greens.

I'll have to wait & see.

Have a peaceful evening!

Denise

[Bad JuJu]

Put me in bike shorts, and I look AWFUL! Standing in my bedroom, think I look like an idiot. On my bike, kicking ***...and I don't care.

Me too, me too! Looking at myself in the full-length mirror in my bedroom, I could just scream--I look like a pink-and-black fire hydrant, fercryinoutloud. :o But once I'm on my bike, that image just disappears and it's all about the ride and the feeling--it doesn't even occur to me to think about how I look.

Hey, we're all out there cycling--that's what matters!

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

Sometimes I think that we have a moral obligation to wear stretchy lycra biking clothes, because if we didn't, our joy and excitment might burst out while we were riding and hit innocent passersby and motorists, possibly causing injury or accidents.
So stuff yourself into those shorts and go out with a clean conscience knowing you are merely protecting the safety of others.

[Luci]

Sometimes I think that we have a moral obligation to wear stretchy lycra biking clothes, because if we didn't, our joy and excitment might burst out while we were riding and hit innocent passersby and motorists, possibly causing injury or accidents.
So stuff yourself into those shorts and go out with a clean conscience knowing you are merely protecting the safety of others.

That's great!!!! I love the way you put that. Now that I'm getting back into biking, I have such a hard time seeing myself in my bike shorts:( . I was in such good shape a few years ago before I went back to school and those few years at my age make it exponentially harder to take it off.

On riding solo, I really enjoy it. I like riding with my DH too. Just variations on the theme.

I do hate riding in traffic and prefer a nice MTB ride, but had few concerns when I lived in Italy. I rode right in the middle with all of the cars there. As a cyclist, I was treated so much better there that I felt much more safe. Where I lived there weren't lanes painted on many of the roads so cars just drove in their own space bubble. As a result, people were very aware of their space and yours. They weren't just blindly following the guy in front of them. Then you compound that with Utah drivers and I really have to watch when I'm on the road.

[SandyLS]

As a 59 year old woman (with 42 inch hips) who started biking 3 years ago, I never thought I'd ever be seen in public in lycra shorts. I've even said out loud that some bodies should never be seen in lycra. I started wearing street clothes then switched to padded baggies at at this point do wear lycra. Some times I carry shorts to slip on over the lycra if I stop for coffee or something, but by the time I have done a nice long ride of 20, 50, or 62 miles it just doesn't seen to be worth the effort and I am too tired and hungry to take the time to put the shorts on. So far as far as I know I haven't scared any small children and shop keepers are still willing to take my money. If I stop to think about it I still say to myself "What are you doing out in public like that and without underware no less." Oh well if I don't loose my inhibitions at this age it might never happen!

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

Sandy, um, what's so big about 42 inch hips that you would need to put an additional pair of coverup shorts over your biking shorts anyway?? My hips are 41", I'm 52 years old, and it doesn't look like something that needs covering just to buy a cup of coffee! No fear of causing anyone in a Qwik-Mart to faint. ;)

[latelatebloomer]

To tell you the truth, I think I look a lot better in bike togs than I did in the silly-*ss baggy getups I used to come up with to "hide" my size.:rolleyes:

And remember, almost everybody has a large mom, sister, aunt, friend - some dear woman - that they worry about. I like to think that people see my big bad self on the road and go home and tell that large woman they love - "guess what I saw today...and she was doing fine"

I get so many encouraging smiles from our rural motorists these days - people I don't know at all - I think they're saying "there she is AGAIN! she's riding ALL THE TIME!!!'

and all the "real" cyclists say hi now. I love that.

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

Latebloomers,
I agree. When i bought my bike, another woman came into the bike shop and bought a bike- she was tall and very heavy. She must have equalled two of me at least. But she was confidently trying out bikes, and looked like she knew what she was doing and had been riding much longer than me. Yes she had a lot of extra fat, but she looked muscular as well, and powerful. She bought a beautiful gleaming purple sturdy tall bike, zoomed on out the door on it, and I found myself full of admiration for her.
Athletic women come in all sizes! :)

[Cassandra_Cain]

I find it very encouraging at how folks - Lisa and others - are out there riding and doing so with confidence.

I'll skip the long rant, but simply put, we don't have buy into this media and societal crap about having to look like air-brushed models! We are real people, real women, and our bodies should be a source of pride. After all, at least we are out there, working and using our bodies for healthy and fun pursuits like riding :D

[Denise223]

Hi Ladies!!


Originally posted by STACIE: This year my attitude changed. I realized, my rides had no purpose. Now I leave the house with a goal each ride. I have my long ride which I keep slow and steady, a medium tempo ride, and an interval ride. Goal setting has made such a difference for me. I have to say there is something very empowering about riding alone and taking care of yourself. Sometimes it's still hard to get out by myself, but once on my bike, I couldn't be happier. I love the confidence and solitude. I've ridden 150 miles by myself this week and loved every minute of it. good luck!

:D I was quite inspired reading your post. Congrat's for riding 150 miles solo last week :) . Like you stated, "there is something very empowering about riding alone and taking care of yourself."
I have not stepped out of my "comfort zone" as of yet.....but, as I read posts that are similar to yours -- I feel as if I am MUCH CLOSER TO IT! "Going it alone" seems much less "scary" to me, and that's great.

I am so much more comfortable on my bike, I can ride longer distances, and I do feel a LOT more confident, too.
I don't feel "as awkward" as I did in the beginning.

I have weekdays free to ride, and, the days are just flying by and I know I should be out there riding!

I don't want to waste anymore days in which I could be out riding :) .
The only person I have to count on is MYSELF -- I know I can do that :D !

Ben and I will go riding this afternoon, and we're planning for Sunday & Monday, too. I enjoy the quietness, the serenity, the beautiful scenery so much :D :D :D !!

Regarding bike shorts I think that we all look good in them. Sure, for me, it definitely was all new and it took some getting used to. I'm happy that I got used to wearing them fast.
There's A LOT TO BE SAID FOR "wicking fabrics" :)

I highly recommend bike shorts to everyone...... Even if you're riding 10 miles, shorts that are made for cycling make all the difference in the world!

When I WAS wearing my cotton shirt & cotton shorts, a lot of excess material would be "flapping in the breeze", and even though "cotton may breathe"..........it also hangs on to all of that sweat, and it can be terribly uncomfortable :( !


Originally posted by Cassandra_Cain: I'll skip the long rant, but simply put, we don't have buy into this media and societal crap about having to look like air-brushed models! We are real people, real women, and our bodies should be a source of pride. After all, at least we are out there, working and using our bodies for healthy and fun pursuits like riding

I will DITTO everything that you said, Cassandra :D ! Biking is wonderful for our health. And, when riding and using my body, I feel incredibly STRONG! It's the best feeling -- I'm having a blast!

Oh, here's a link to check out --

http://www.questoutfitters.com/wicking_fabrics.htm

Because shorts CAN cost a small fortune, I thought, "it would be nice to attempt to make them :rolleyes: ", so I googled & found that site. I don't sew well, but....it might be a nice thing to try doing in the winter. We'll see.

Well Ladies, I hope that you all have a FANTASTIC beautiful weekend.... We are having awesome weather out here in MA....the heatwave is gone!

Peace & Love,

Denise

[Cassandra_Cain]

Right on Denise :)

Ok, but seriously your cute picture has flared up a terribly bad case of blue sky envy!!! Yes I live in the desert, and no, the sun has been hiding for several days. We desert rats go paranoid w/o our sun! Help :P

[wanttoride]

[COLOR="Purple"]Denise, I want to say you've been quite the inspiration to me. I seem to run into your threads which motivates me to get on my bike. I've only been out a few times, but reading these boards and all the great support is such an inspiration. I too huff the gradual inclines on my way back home, and I know I have a lot to learn. I bought the lycra shorts that others recommended, and was shocked that they didn't look bad. Wow, do they ever help. Thanks for all the great info

[Bikingmomof3]

Denise,
Your pic is awesome. I want to ride somewhere pretty like that!

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

GREAT photo, Denise! You are a Cool Chick On The Move.

[MomOnBike]

I'd KILL for 41 inch hips. Mine are considerably more, um, Ruebenesque. No matter what, I still don't like the look of my fat (really, there is no other word) rear end in tight biking shorts. I realize it's probably my problem alone, but blast it, it's MY problem, I'll keep it, thankyouverymuch. :p

Not that I don't wear the shorts, but my butt is nicely hidden in my recumbent's seat, and when I get off the bike and into stores and dining establishments, I wrap a sarong around my middle and look more, um, "artsey." (Just wait 'til I let my hair go grey & long and I start braiding it again. :D )

And here you never thought of a sarong as a biking accessory...

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

I think the point is really that no matter what our shapes, we all **should** be able to wear what makes us feel good without worrying much about others' opinions of how we look. That might mean tight biking shorts, baggy shorts, sarongs, whatever. "Feel good" as in physically, mentally, spiritually, emotionally, or in any combination.
I used to always wear lipstick and/or some kind of light face powder, felt naked and pale without it. But nowadays, makeup usually does not fit very well into my typical day anymore. Too busy having fun and living! Just jump into my riding garb in the morning, grab that sunscreen tube and slather up, go ride my bike, sweat, shower off, sweat some more, and get working while gulping cold water at my desk. I feel great not bothering with that anymore, and to tell the truth, I somehow feel more attractive anyway now because of my sunbleached hair, my "naked face" and the new glow of health I feel exuding from within.
Sure, sometimes I still put some powder and lipstick on, but now I feel just as good without it too.

[Dr. Liz]

This may be only somewhat germane, but as a Masters ski racer in the winter, we get all shapes, sizes, and ages, both men and women. Our oldest guy is 90+ and our oldest woman is 83 (and she is my hero – I SO want to be ski racing when I’m 80). Everyone wears speed suits (the skin-tight spandex thingys). Everyone. And again, we all are shapes and sizes. Yes, we’ve got the zero-body fat ex-World Cup racers, but we’ve also got the other extreme. No, a 90+ year old guy in spandex isn’t going to make the cover of GQ, but he’s out there doing it. All of us young’uns are thrilled to see him (and all of the other racers) on the course, and no, we don’t care what he looks like. We just care that he finishes.

And frankly, most of us masters racers are not exactly young (I’m 35, and am considered young - most of our racers are 45+ years old, and our most competitive age groups are the 45-70 year olds) and we are showing the effects of age and gravity. But it doesn’t matter. We all just revel in the fact that we are all out, everyone racing at whatever pace they feel comfortable, in whatever shape they are in, but sharing the experience of participating in a sport that everyone loves.

I agree that you should wear whatever you feel comfortable in. But don’t sacrifice comfort (i.e. padding in the Right Spots) for fear that you don’t Look Right. Maybe there are some jerks in the world who might make negative comments, but, frankly to h*ll with them. 99.9% of the people are just thrilled to see other people out on the road. And if you are comfortable, you’ll get out on the road (or trail) more. Which is the whole point, right?!? So ride in whatever is comfortable. And enjoy yourself. :) :)

[run it, ride it]

There will always be someone faster, stronger, and fitter than you. No matter what your level.

There, now that that's out of the way--what do you have to worry about?

I was the slowest member of the varsity cross-country running and track teams at my university (top team in Canada). I gave every fibre of my being into training, but just didn't have the genetics for speed. Still, I felt so inadequate, like I wasn't trying hard enough. I could keep up, but just barely.

I only lasted one season. My body couldn't take training at peak capacity daily and my asthma worsened with stress. One day I just blacked out and couldn't move and realized then and there I had to take a break. I thought it would be a week. That was three years ago. My body still isn't quite right.

In recovering from varsity, I couldn't even wear a timer when I ran or I'd just get frustrated. It took two years for running to be fun again.

I used to think a 60-minute run a poor excuse for off-day training. Now I only wish I could run that long without a struggle. If I saw myself from my varsity days, I'd think, "wow, what an amazing athlete" even though at the time I was so rough on myself. I'd kill to have those legs back! But hey, I'll tell you what's more exciting than getting your period and boobs for the first time: getting them back after you've run them away!

Whatever fitness level you're striving for, remember--your 'fittest' isn't always your healthiest. Don't compare yourself to a standard you can never reach. Just accept that it's there, then compare yourself to yourself.

And oh, the asthma... it makes me so angry. It makes me angry that my body isn't fit enough to get oxygen into itself normally. I get so angry I just run harder and harder, and it gets worse and worse. I've tried inhalers, but I still came within inches of collapsing daily at track practice. I think it might be partially psychosomatic--my body needing a 'valid' excuse to stop.

Push yourself, and push yourself hard. It'll hurt, too, or else you're not doing it right. But don't -damage- yourself. I had a coach tell me (one year after varsity, when I started Modern Pentathlon training), as I limped more and more on an old injury with each lap of the track: "Stop. Don't think of right now--think of ten years from now. You want to be able to run. Don't come back until your injury gets better." He lost his best athlete on that advice--might as well have sent me out to pasture.

So you know what? As you're huffing and puffing up that hill, you're doing your body good. You're losing weight that holds you back. There's no doubt of that. You've got perspective of yourself now, yourself then, and yourself in the future. Don't lose it for goals that are unattainable. It'll only set you back further in the long run!

[beebs]

I too look like a huffy puffy tomatoe when going up hills and I could do with losing the odd 20 pounds or so!!:rolleyes: If you have an indoor trainer then there is a helpful dvd by the Chris Charmichael training systems specifically for helping develop hill climbing skills simply entitled Trainright Climbing there is a dvd 1 and 2. They are also useful for those wet and soggy days when you get itchy feet.:D

[latelatebloomer]

" Too busy having fun and living! "

Personally, I think that's the sexiest look of all.

[Denise223]

Hi Ladies!

WHAT A FUN, FUN RIDE WE HAD TODAY & YESTERDAY :D !!

Yesterday was 15 miles & this afternoon was 20 miles :D . And, we have both been doing so much better with hills, shifting, etc.... Ben is a LOT better on hills than I am, but that's okay. Without question, I am getting stronger.

I feel TOTALLY much different when riding NOW, than I felt when I first started out 2 months ago. Things just seem to be "clicking".....almost feels as if I've been doing this for years.
Ben is having an awesome time, too, with everything :D !

We are enjoying our time out on our bikes TOGETHER, sooooo much!! Really, it is so enjoyable!!

We enjoy riding out on beautiful country roads :D !! I cannot express in words what it's like..... Such peace :)

We love being able to go "at our pace"..... stop & look at things we find beautiful, that we wouldn't ordinarily see if we were in our car. Riding past farms with cows, sheep, llamas, horses.......listening to the sounds of nature.

Incredibly blissful :) !



Originally posted by Cassandra_Cain: I'll skip the long rant, but simply put, we don't have buy into this media and societal crap about having to look like air-brushed models! We are real people, real women, and our bodies should be a source of pride. After all, at least we are out there, working and using our bodies for healthy and fun pursuits like riding

Well put, and I'm in total agreement :) !!

Cassandra.....the blue sky in the photo WAS beautiful, wasn't it??? :)
Out here in MA, we've had so much icky weather of late, that it really was a treat to be riding around on such a pretty day. Has the sun where you live come out of hiding yet?? (fingers crossed :) ).


Originally posted by wanttoride: Denise, I want to say you've been quite the inspiration to me. I seem to run into your threads which motivates me to get on my bike.

Hi there :) ! I'm really touched to hear you say that. Believe me, when I bought my bike (4 summers ago), I was scared to death more than anything to ride it, never mind riding "on the open road"!
My husband bought a bike so I thought it would be good to get one too; it would be something we could do together.......

So, as my earlier posts say, I only rode around in empty parking lots for 3 summers!
I have no idea why it took me 3 summers to find a bikeway close to home, but.....that's where Ben and I took our first "real ride" together on June 5th, 2006.

You're right -- the women here on this board are fantastic!! Everyone is SOOOOOO SUPPORTIVE :D !

Feel free to post as often as you'd like to -- and, if you want to PM me, please do that as well.

Bikingmomof3 & Lisa S.H. Thanks about the photo. I'm not real photogenic, so I was pretty happy with it too. And, that area is really pretty :).

It's amazing, if you go West out of Boston for 10 miles, you are then transported into towns that are just like those that you'd find in Vermont & New Hampshire. Very, very picturesque!

Lisa S.H. I personally don't care for makeup, myself. I haven't worn it in years. I hate taking it off. Perhaps some mascara would "bring out" my eyes -- maybe on a special occasion.

I definitely will put on sunblock -- No way I'll forget that :) !

beebs Thanks for the info on the DVD's. One thing IS for sure -- you'll lost that 20 pounds with cycling.
I'm still huffing & puffing while going up hills, BUT.....it really has gotten SO MUCH EASIER, with time!

When we were at around mile 15 today, a car on my left was slowing down, and I could "feel eyes" watching me. The woman in the passenger seat said, "what kind of bike is that? That's the exact bike that I want -- I really, really want one with a straight bar."
I told her what kind I had and that I recently saw my exact bike at a shop, and gave her the name of the shop.
She happened to be very overweight, too. I came to a stop so that we could converse for a bit.

She was very excited about it all, and her husband seemed very happy as well.

Who knows?? Maybe there will be another biker on the road soon :D .

Have a peaceful evening everyone!!

Denise

[beebs]

:p Yesterday I went for my first proper ride in ages ,sporting my black lycras and a proper cycling top I took to the road ..... and yes there was some huffing and puffing and the only white bit left on my face was the massive grin as I sped at my modest top speed down a hill and past a farm. The smell of cow poo hung in the air as passers by looked on in bemusement at the crazy loon chuckling to herself on her bike!!! Yes, that loon was me and I don't care because I am hooked, I am going to take my bike everywhere now ,when I would have used the car to quickly nip out I will use my bike! Isn't riding great!:) :D :p

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

YAY! YAY to all of us!!!! :p

[Denise223]

Hi Everyone!

Beebs: It sounds like you had a great time last Sunday :D . Have you been out since then?

Ben and I enjoyed a 20 mile ride yesterday afternoon..... But, the first 5 miles were the toughest for me - my legs hurt/they felt very weak, my breathing was a bit of a problem (but, SOOOOOO much better than before, definitely!).

Ben asked if I wanted to turn around, but, I really didn't want to do that. The first few miles have always been the most difficult for me.

The road we started on was a bit hilly -- I stopped about 8 times in 45 minutes, whether it was to catch my breath, have a drink, blow my nose. They were "necessary stops" too -- I didn't feel as if I could've pushed myself.

After 5 miles, I felt perfectly fine and was really enjoying myself and, at the end of 20, felt I could go another 7 - 10 miles.

So, perhaps this has to do with "not warming up"??

If my problem is what this sounds like, what exercises do you suggest for a good warm up?

Thanks for your help!

Have a great day.

Denise

[kelownagirl]

For me, I warm up by riding a few mph slower than my avg for about 20-30 minutes and avoid hills during that time. It usually means we ride on the flats for about a 1/2 hour and I gradually build up speed till I feel good enough to cruise and climb.

[Kano]

What Kelownagirl says -- my first few miles are usually the hardest too, legs protest, nose says "I donwannabreathe today" and my brain says "I'm not so sure this was such a good idea," and so I have learned to use those as my "warm up" time -- I don't worry about speed, try to avoid hills, just pedal and breathe until my body "opens up" as it were. You probably know the feeling! Once I get there, it's suddenly all good, I can push myself a bit, tackle those hills that I refuse to hate climbing (chanting: "I do NOT hate hills" the whole way!) and ride on for however long.

My new "endurance trick" is trail mix. A bite or two of nuts/dried fruit at stops keeps me going happily much longer than no bites!

Karen in Boise

[Dogmama]

My experience has been that as you get more miles under your belt, your warm ups will be less arduous. I don't know if they become easier or if we just become accustomed to the protests of our legs :p

[Denise223]

GOOD EVENING EVERYONE


Yesterday afternoon I went on my very first "solo ride". I'm really quite proud of myself :D . I put the bike rack on the car, put the bike on that & drove about 5 miles west, out of the city.

I enjoyed about 10 miles of pretty country road & I felt pretty good about it :) . At least NOW, I know that riding alone is something that I am capable of.
I would've liked to have gone on longer, but I made the decision to "go alone" a bit late, so 10 miles is all I could do.

I will admit, I did feel a bit uncomfortable a couple of time being by myself, but nothing major.....but, I am very happy that I did it!

Ever since my husband and I started riding this year together (June, 2005), I would only ride if we drove OUT of our city to get to a more "bicycle friendly" town.

After spending 3 summers of just riding around in parking lots, (I'd have to say total mileage (in 3 summers) was approximately 25 miles :eek: ), because of my fear of riding on streets & having to deal with cars and trucks, this year I've made some progress.
We'd gone on a 7 mile ride in 2004 (I think), and I remember being totally paralyzed with fear.....

I NEVER WANTED TO RIDE AGAIN! I could not imagine that cycling could ever, ever be fun!! I honestly hated it!

On my "solo ride", I wore a backpack to hold extra bottles of fluids, (I am always thirsty), & all the other important stuff that one carries.
I am one million percent CERTAIN that wearing a backpack is definitely not for me!!
Very uncomfortable, cumbersome -- I just don't like it.
I was going to purchase a camelbak because I am drinking all of the time, but I really don't think that that is going to work either.

So.........I will really have to look into purchasing perhaps an Arkel Tail Rider, or something like that, for over my back tire-(A rack trunk bag). I'll have to ask my lbs what they might suggest, and take a look at the threads here & see what options are out there.

I tried a handlebar bag, but the brake wires are there (straight bar), and there really is no room at all. It wasn't big enough to hold any extra water and/or gatorade, either. (not to mention, it made a very annoying sound.... like when corduroy rubs together........drove me a bit nuts :rolleyes: )


Today, I conquered another fear :D :) :cool: !!

Ben and I wanted to enjoy a ride today, but time was a bit limited. He worked today until 2pm & was going to see the Patriots tonight, so he'd have to leave here at 5:30pm, the latest. (I love football, BUT...in this heat with all that gear on??) :eek:

We were going to "do the usual", (rack on the car, put bikes on & head out to the "country"......), BUT.........Ben asked if I wouldn't mind trying to leave from home.... :eek: :eek: . There was no pressure at all, he was just wondering....

I thought to myself, 'yeah, we could definitely save time & we'd be able to spend more time together & enjoy a nice ride'. I KNEW that if this didn't feel comfortable to me AT ALL, that we could just go back & "do the usual"...

But, I decided to give it a try, and......guess what???? IT WAS GREAT :D !! Imagine that??? It was OK!! I really, really had a wicked awesome time!

We were able to enjoy a fantastic 20 mile ride that Ben rode a couple of weeks ago. It was sooooooooooooo enjoyable!!
When we rode past the place where we usually park our car, it was very strange not seeing it there.

It was nice knowing that we had "extra time" to ride. Ben was very proud of me:) . I AM PROUD OF MYSELF!! :D !

I'll be 46 years young in November, and I know that the above "feats" don't sound like much.....but, my fears were VERY REAL.

I ABSOLUTELY LOVE, LOVE RIDING SOOOOOOOOOO VERY MUCH :D !! It makes me feel great. The "huffing and puffing" is getting A LOT BETTER!
I still stop & take a break when I'm breathing extremely hard (open mouth breathing). I'll stop & drink how ever much I want, maybe have a bite of a bar -- just get my breathing under control.

There's absolutely no sense for me to continue riding when I can't catch my breath. After "my break", I can continue on feeling so much better.

We had quite a few hills today, and I was in much more control of my breathing. I noticed that during the more difficult parts, I was not breathing through my mouth like I used to. Must be progress...

And, I really do feel a lot stronger. I feel a lot better about myself. We're having so much fun :D !

Peace & Love,

Denise

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

FABULOUS!!!!!! I can really FEEL your joy and pride in a job WELL DONE!!!
I am so very happy for you. :p :p :p
Facing fearful things sometimes reveals that the threat is not quite as big as it seemed to us in the dark. Congratulations, fellow adventurer.

from a fellow huffer and puffer....

[Crankin]

Good job, Denise. A few words about your warm up. For some people, their body just needs a longer time to warm up. Also, i have read you should increase your warm up time as you get older, a little bit more for each year (there was an exact number of minutes I read, but I forget). I have been riding for almost 6 years and no matter what, i always feel horrible for the first 20-30 minutes, or 10-12 miles. So this means on my after work loop rides, I feel like crap for about half of the ride!! On my longer rides, I take the time to go very slowly for awhile. It helps your muscles and you might be surprised to see that it also helps your breathing get regulated. After about an hour and a half, i often feel like I could go forever. I'm a little older than you, and I have found that it's becoming even more important as each year goes by. On Friday I go to a club ride that just goes out fast as h---. I am always swearing to myself and wanting to quit for the first few miles. Most of the riders are older than me, I don't know how they can do this. But after the first part, I usually end up with the front group. Everyone is different, but it works for me. This is even more important if you are going to be riding as the weather gets cooler.
It would be cool to me you someday. I suspect you have been riding near where I live. Keep up the good work!

Robyn

[mimitabby]

I live on a hill (part of town called beacon hill) and every ride we ever went on
for years, i got cramps in my legs for the first few miles!!
But then it just as mysteriously went away as i got into better shape.

I used to carefully do all those stretches, but now i don't until we are on a big ride and i do them at breaks, not at the beginning.

Denise, i am really pleased to see how well youare doing! I almost didn't see your ride report because you didn't put it in the ride report place.

Every single accomplishment is an important one. Us fraidy cats, we have additional battles aside from the typical i feel too lazy. so when we do stuff, it's doubly impressive!
Keep it up, i am happy to see your progress!

[Bad JuJu]

Wow, Denise, you are hooked now, aren't you? :D Brava to you for facing your fears and learning what you can do!

I wanted to say that in your search for a bag, you might check out the Arkel bag that looks like a small rear pannier but morphs into a backpack when you take it off the rack. It's handy if you think you're going to be getting off the bike and want to carry your stuff with you, for example, into a restaurant. This bag used to be called the Ladybug, but I think they've given it a less gender-specific name now.

Anyway, just an idea. Have fun!

[emily_in_nc]

Congratulations, Denise! A job well done on both rides - the 10 mile solo and the 20 mile from your house. I know firsthand how hard it can be to conquer your cycling fears (see my post in the "First Road Ride in 10 months" thread), so I truly admire what you have done.

Fantastic job! :)

Emily

[DeniseGoldberg]

Congrats Denise - you've come such a long way, and you definitely should be proud of yourself.

On the not liking the backpack front - don't rule out a Camelbak because you didn't like riding with a day pack. I won't ride with a day pack - I find them extremely uncomfortable - but my Camelbak doesn't bother me at all. Of course my camelbak is a Rogue, which is one of the models that doesn't have room to carry a lot of stuff. There is the bladder for water, and a couple of small zip spaces that I use for energy bars, ID, and my keys. You might still need a pack for a rear rack. If you do decide to go that way, the Arkel TailRider is an awesome bag.

--- Denise

[emily_in_nc]

Another thing to try is a Camelbak waist pack. They don't hold as much liquid (48 oz., I think), but once I start riding, I never even notice I have it on. I'm not crazy about regular Camelbaks because of the extra weight/heat on my back, but I love my waistpack for mountain biking. Even with the extra bouncing around, it never bothers me a bit!

Emily

[Denise223]

Good Morning Everyone!


TO: Lisa S.H., Robyn Maislin, mimitabby, Bad JuJu, emily_in_nc & DeniseGoldberg :

Thank you all for your replies!! I really appreciate it very much.

Lisa S.H. -- I am having such a fun, fun time, Lisa! With every ride both my husband and I feel that we're getting SO MUCH STRONGER! We're just having a blast -- This is not exercise -- RIDING IS SO MUCH FUN!!! :D

Robyn -- Thanks for your info about "warming up". I sent you a PM, and I really understand exactly what you're saying. This certainly explains to me that after 12 - 15 miles I feel as if I could GO ON & ON!! I sincerely do hope that one day we can meet and go out for a ride, that would be awesome:D .
After Ben & I are finished up with our 20 mile rides, there have been a couple of times when I've said, "gee, I really feel as if I could do that again." And, if it wasn't too late in the day, and if I had more fluids, I probably would do it.

I'll be out sometime today on a "solo ride" again -- my 2nd. Ought to be LOTS of fun, though I have some (a couple) little fears. Hearing what DebW went through the other day :eek: :mad: !

It's in "Commuting", and the title is, "The pickup that almost took me out today."

Very, very scary stuff. Makes me so angry -- and, it usually IS trucks - they seem to drive around cyclists with some type of RAGE! I wonder what can be done about this problem, that only seems to be getting worse? As cyclists, what can we do?

I'd love it if you could share some 20 - 30 mile loops from your area, if you don't mind. I'd appreciate it, only if you have them written out already. Please don't go to any trouble. Do you head out to Littleton, Groton, etc...? I would love to venture out that way - pretty areas. We're going to try out an Acton, Stow, Boxborough route.

Mimi --
Originally posted by Mimitabby: Every single accomplishment is an important one. Us fraidy cats, we have additional battles aside from the typical i feel too lazy. so when we do stuff, it's doubly impressive!

You're so right -- every accomplishment IS an important one. Right now, our first 5 miles are flat, and I have to say that that is helping out a lot in terms of "warming up" - (especially my right knee).

But, my experience is pretty much like Robyn Maislin's, in that I feel kind of crappy for the first 12 miles. After that, I'm really good to go :D !

Bad JuJu -- YES, you could definitely say that I AM HOOKED :) ! I definitely will check into more bags, etc.... You mentioned a "ladybug bag", so I searched it through msn :) Give it a try & see what you find... It's the cutest little ladybug bicycle bag 7" X 4", for a child -- I might just have to order it because it's soooooo adorable!

Emily -- I read your thread and posted a note to you..... You really, really have been through SOOOOO MUCH, (((Emily))). I celebrate the fact that you are on the road again :) !

Thank you for your input on the camelbak waist pack. I'm not sure that that would work for me. Right now I'm wearing a "fanny pack", (placed on my side), and it carries the essential things that I personally need. It just feels very irritating to me, like a back pack. I am happy that it works for you though.

Denise --
Originally posted by DeniseGoldberg: I won't ride with a day pack - I find them extremely uncomfortable - but my Camelbak doesn't bother me at all. I definitely will not rule out a camelbak then..... If you won't ride with a day pack either, then you must have experienced that very uncomfortable feeling I was experiencing. And, it really is imperative that I have enough to drink when riding.

I have checked out all of the hydration systems that wheelworks had in stock, and I did see the Rogue. That particular one seems to fit my needs the most.

Eventually, I will want a pack for the rear rack. I've seen the Arkel TailRider in person. It did look quite a bit big, but.....I'd much rather have something bigger than smaller. I'm sure that over time I'll find more & more things that I'll want to bring along with me :D .

Ben & I enjoyed an awesome cycling weekend. In addition to the 20 miles on Saturday, 8/19, we did 19 miles on Sunday and 21.5 miles on Monday :D ! I have a couple of very important errands that I need to get done today, BUT...I really want to ride at some point today, and I will.

It's interesting, before June 5th of this year, I NEVER, EVER, EVER would have thought (in a million years), that I would be talking about riding my bike with SUCH EXCITEMENT!!!

Cycling truly is an addiction, and an awesome one at that!! I've said this before......but, I know that bicycling is an exercise, and a very good one at that. To me though, it really does not feel like exercise AT ALL!!!!! I'm enjoying all of the health benefits that one receives from cycling, yet....I TRULY LOVE IT :D !!

Many years ago, (this "story" was from a lifetime ago, and one that I don't like to bring up anymore, but, I will), in 1987 & 1988, approximately 6 months each year, I went on a liquid diet, similar to Optifast.

On both occasions, I lost a huge amount of weight in a VERY SHORT TIME. Something like 90 lbs., in 14 - 16 weeks. LIQUIDS ONLY. I went from a size 28/30 to a size 6 (SIX!!).
I was taught that if I wanted to eat the way I was eating, that I'd have to exercise off the difference.
This program and all of the "knowledge" <<-- (I use that word VERY LIGHTLY!), I learned was ONLY $500+ per month!! :eek: (To think, that was almost 20 years ago!!)

So, I was assigned a "behaviorist" :rolleyes: , who happened to be an elite athlete (runner). Very long story short, I was running/walking 90+ miles per week AND using the stairclimber (at the gym), 1.5 hours each morning. Left the house at 5:15am to do the stairs and got my running in during the AM & PM. I was VERY OBSESSED WITH THIS EXERCISE. I was told by my doctor that I had become "bulimic through exercise". I suffered horrible shin splints & my poor knees took a horrible beating! But, I kept running.

Of course, I just could not keep up this type of EXERCISE forever. It was almost like I'd gone crazy. I had to fit my life into the exercise. Needless to say, I put the weight back on, (VERY quickly), because I was not shown the proper way to do things.

The strangest thing was, (when I started the liquid fast), going to bed one night a fat person in a size 28/30, and "waking up" 14 - 16 weeks later, (BUT, felt more like OVERNIGHT), a size 6 person!
To be honest, I had no idea who I was!! It was all just too fast.

In 1988, following the 2nd fast, I had to have a cholecystectomy (gallbladder removal). (I can't believe I actually did this fast a 2nd time, but...I was desperate, even though I knew the results!)
I was told that the gallstones were caused by the liquid fast. In fact, over 50% of the people that were in the fasts when I was there had to have their gallbladders removed.

I guess the reason I brought up my past is because I wanted to explain WHY I am personally so ANTI-DIET!! I hate the word, "diet". The first three letters spell........... "die".

And, to me, "diet" equals "deprivation".

Imagine this, when I was 8 years old, (1968), my mom took me to a pediatrician who said to me, "You're going to die if you stay at the weight you are at". (I was 146 pounds and very short). So, we left that day with a prescription for diet pills -- Ionamin. I took one pill the next day and was incredibly JITTERY, so the pills were thrown away. Hmmm......I guess "speed" will do that to you.

I do not & will not deprive myself ANY KIND OF FOOD THAT I WANT -- (I choose, however, not to eat meat).

When I used to deprive myself a certain kind of food, I would end up binging on that food.
If I wanted to have chocolate ice cream or a milky way, NO AMOUNT of carrot sticks or celery sticks was going to fill that craving!! If I wanted cake & cookies, a stick of sugar free gum with some water just wasn't going to make that craving lessen!

After having spent thousands and thousands (and many more thousands) of dollars on various diet programs (I joined ALL of them), from the late 1970's to the end of the 20th century, I stopped joining diet programs and I stopped spending money on diet programs.

I'll never forget "Nutri-System" - I was a member of that program in 1978. I weighed around 182 pounds, and I was debating whether or not to join up again. One of the leaders said to me, "I'd be embarrassed if I looked like you at Thanksgiving" :eek: !
I was going to be 18 years old that Thanksgiving. I did re-join, but never cared for that "leader" after that comment.

I remember having a consultation at "Jenny Craig", in ? 1989. My weight was approximately 260 at that time. The person assigned to me took my wrist measurement, and told me that my frame was "small", and she put my goal weight down as "103 pounds".
I didn't join -- the last time I saw 103 pounds was around age 7 & 1/2.

Even when I was 'on a diet', I read several books that were "anti-diet".
"Feeding the Hungry Heart" by Geneen Roth, was the first one.

I have a photo of myself at my 39th birthday, (1999), and I was at my heaviest weight ever. 295 pounds -- could have been more, I didn't get on the scale anymore.

I was puffy, bloated, tired, huge, sweaty, short, massive, obese. I have "small eyes" anyway.....but, at that weight, my pretty dark blue eyes looked virtually closed because of my bloated face. My skin was stretched to its absolute limit!

Fast forward to February, 2001 - I met Ben, (now, my husband :D ), and I was 5 pounds less than my heaviest (290).

I know I've mentioned this before....but, now I weigh 185 pounds. I am in a size 14 - 16, depending on style/cut.

My weight loss of 105 pounds "just happened" over a five year period. I have not been on any "diets" at all -- I still won't deprive myself any food. All foods have a "GREEN LIGHT."

I have noticed that since we began bicycling, my body is really firming up. :D (and that's only in 2 & 1/2 months!)

My clothes feel looser, and Ben has said that I do look thinner - from my face to my calves. When he is riding on his bike behind me, he told me that I definitely look more fit, that I look smaller.
At 5' 9", Ben is considered "overweight" at 186 pounds (BMI), but he's definitely gaining muscle in all the right places ;) !
Looking better & feeling better -- What a great feeling for both of us :) !

If losing fat, gaining muscle & feeling awesome about yourself is a side effect of bicycling, then I AM A MILLION PERCENT IN LOVE WITH IT!!

I think that I really needed to write all of this out at this time, just as if I was journaling. (I used to write in a journal for years). It's 12:48pm, and I know I started this post almost 3 hours ago.
I still have a couple of very important errands to do and an important phone call to make, and of course, a lovely bike ride awaits me :D .

I think what this all boils down to is that I LOVE BICYCLING!! I enjoy everything about it. Most of all, I LOVE that it is an experience both wonderful and beautiful that Ben & I can enjoy together!!

I am also sincerely grateful that I found TE Women's Cycling Discussion Forums . It's all good :) !

Wishing all of you much peace, love, good health & happiness always!

Denise

[mimitabby]

Denise, your story is nothing short of miraculous. I can't believe you've been struggling since you were 8 years old.
thanks for sharing your story; it's got to inspire lots of folks that you are doing as well as you are and looking as good as you are in your bike photo!

[pooks]

Denise -- that's an AMAZING story. You are an inspiration! Thank you for being so frank and sharing.

I wanted to add my recommendation for the camelbak.

I hate backpacks, just can't stand them. I wouldn't even consider wearing a backpack or even a messenger bag while cycling because it's so hot and I sweat so much and it would make me so miserable.

When we were in Colorado I ran into REI and picked up a couple of Camelbak rogues (I don't remember who recommended it here, but I remembered the name!) and we wore them on a hike, and it didn't bother me at all. It's so streamlined, and doesn't cover your entire bike like a backpack would.

Plus, another tip I read here -- I filled it with ice and then added water. The cold water was great, being able to sip constantly was great, and it keeps your back cool!

Do try the camelbak. I don't think you'll regret it.

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

Denise,
Thanks you SO much for sharing your wonderful and amazing story. You truly are an inspiration!

I love when you say: "If losing fat, gaining muscle & feeling awesome about yourself is a side effect of bicycling, then I AM A MILLION PERCENT IN LOVE WITH IT!!"
SO TRUE....it's NOT about losing weight, it's about getting fit and feeling great!
That means both in mind and body- together they create a whole sense of well-being. It's not about deprivation- it's about rejoicing.

I feel just the way you do about biking not feeling like exercise at all. Losing weight and getting fit while biking feels sort of like being paid to be an ice cream taster?...(sorry, only example I can think of!) :eek:

[Bikingmomof3]

Thank you Denise for sharing your life with us. You have been through a lot and it sounds like you have come through it with a very positive attitude. I agree with you about diets and I also agree that a positive attitude and healthy body are wonderful bonuses to biking. :D

I wanted to add my vote for a CamelPak. I have a small one, it is their "charm". It is wonderful, holds enough water and I do not mind it on my back, I do not really notice it at all. I purchased mine at Nashbar on sale, including a free cleaning kit. (no affiliation with Nashbar other than a satisfied customer).

[redhot3368]

[
Lisa S.H. -- I am having such a fun, fun time, Lisa! With every ride both my husband and I feel that we're getting SO MUCH STRONGER! We're just having a blast -- This is not exercise -- RIDING IS SO MUCH FUN!!!

Robyn -- Thanks for your info about "warming up". I sent you a PM, and I really understand exactly what you're saying. This certainly explains to me that after 12 - 15 miles I feel as if I could GO ON & ON!! I sincerely do hope that one day we can meet and go out for a ride, that would be awesome:D .
After Ben & I are finished up with our 20 mile rides, there have been a couple of times when I've said, "gee, I really feel as if I could do that again." And, if it wasn't too late in the day, and if I had more fluids, I probably would do it.

I'll be out sometime today on a "solo ride" again -- my 2nd. Ought to be LOTS of fun, though I have some (a couple) little fears. Hearing what DebW went through the other day :eek: :mad: !

It's in "Commuting", and the title is, "The pickup that almost took me out today."

Very, very scary stuff. Makes me so angry -- and, it usually IS trucks - they seem to drive around cyclists with some type of RAGE! I wonder what can be done about this problem, that only seems to be getting worse? As cyclists, what can we do?

I'd love it if you could share some 20 - 30 mile loops from your area, if you don't mind. I'd appreciate it, only if you have them written out already. Please don't go to any trouble. Do you head out to Littleton, Groton, etc...? I would love to venture out that way - pretty areas. We're going to try out an Acton, Stow, Boxborough route.

Mimi --

[/FONT] You're so right -- every accomplishment IS an important one. Right now, our first 5 miles are flat, and I have to say that that is helping out a lot in terms of "warming up" - (especially my right knee).

But, my experience is pretty much like Robyn Maislin's, in that I feel kind of crappy for the first 12 miles. After that, I'm really good to go :D !

Bad JuJu -- YES, you could definitely say that I AM HOOKED :) ! I definitely will check into more bags, etc.... You mentioned a "ladybug bag", so I searched it through msn :) Give it a try & see what you find... It's the cutest little ladybug bicycle bag 7" X 4", for a child -- I might just have to order it because it's soooooo adorable!

Emily -- I read your thread and posted a note to you..... You really, really have been through SOOOOO MUCH, (((Emily))). I celebrate the fact that you are on the road again :) !

Thank you for your input on the camelbak waist pack. I'm not sure that that would work for me. Right now I'm wearing a "fanny pack", (placed on my side), and it carries the essential things that I personally need. It just feels very irritating to me, like a back pack. I am happy that it works for you though.

Denise -- I definitely will not rule out a camelbak then..... If you won't ride with a day pack either, then you must have experienced that very uncomfortable feeling I was experiencing. And, it really is imperative that I have enough to drink when riding.

I have checked out all of the hydration systems that wheelworks had in stock, and I did see the Rogue. That particular one seems to fit my needs the most.

Eventually, I will want a pack for the rear rack. I've seen the Arkel TailRider in person. It did look quite a bit big, but.....I'd much rather have something bigger than smaller. I'm sure that over time I'll find more & more things that I'll want to bring along with me :D .

Ben & I enjoyed an awesome cycling weekend. In addition to the 20 miles on Saturday, 8/19, we did 19 miles on Sunday and 21.5 miles on Monday :D ! I have a couple of very important errands that I need to get done today, BUT...I really want to ride at some point today, and I will.

It's interesting, before June 5th of this year, I NEVER, EVER, EVER would have thought (in a million years), that I would be talking about riding my bike with SUCH EXCITEMENT!!!

Cycling truly is an addiction, and an awesome one at that!! I've said this before......but, I know that bicycling is an exercise, and a very good one at that. To me though, it really does not feel like exercise AT ALL!!!!! I'm enjoying all of the health benefits that one receives from cycling, yet....I TRULY LOVE IT :D !!

Many years ago, (this "story" was from a lifetime ago, and one that I don't like to bring up anymore, but, I will), in 1987 & 1988, approximately 6 months each year, I went on a liquid diet, similar to Optifast.

On both occasions, I lost a huge amount of weight in a VERY SHORT TIME. Something like 90 lbs., in 14 - 16 weeks. LIQUIDS ONLY. I went from a size 28/30 to a size 6 (SIX!!).
I was taught that if I wanted to eat the way I was eating, that I'd have to exercise off the difference.
This program and all of the "knowledge" <<-- (I use that word VERY LIGHTLY!), I learned was ONLY $500+ per month!! :eek: (To think, that was almost 20 years ago!!)

So, I was assigned a "behaviorist" :rolleyes: , who happened to be an elite athlete (runner). Very long story short, I was running/walking 90+ miles per week AND using the stairclimber (at the gym), 1.5 hours each morning. Left the house at 5:15am to do the stairs and got my running in during the AM & PM. I was VERY OBSESSED WITH THIS EXERCISE. I was told by my doctor that I had become "bulimic through exercise". I suffered horrible shin splints & my poor knees took a horrible beating! But, I kept running.

Of course, I just could not keep up this type of EXERCISE forever. It was almost like I'd gone crazy. I had to fit my life into the exercise. Needless to say, I put the weight back on, (VERY quickly), because I was not shown the proper way to do things.

The strangest thing was, (when I started the liquid fast), going to bed one night a fat person in a size 28/30, and "waking up" 14 - 16 weeks later, (BUT, felt more like OVERNIGHT), a size 6 person!
To be honest, I had no idea who I was!! It was all just too fast.

In 1988, following the 2nd fast, I had to have a cholecystectomy (gallbladder removal). (I can't believe I actually did this fast a 2nd time, but...I was desperate, even though I knew the results!)
I was told that the gallstones were caused by the liquid fast. In fact, over 50% of the people that were in the fasts when I was there had to have their gallbladders removed.

I guess the reason I brought up my past is because I wanted to explain WHY I am personally so ANTI-DIET!! I hate the word, "diet". The first three letters spell........... "die".

And, to me, "diet" equals "deprivation".

Imagine this, when I was 8 years old, (1968), my mom took me to a pediatrician who said to me, "You're going to die if you stay at the weight you are at". (I was 146 pounds and very short). So, we left that day with a prescription for diet pills -- Ionamin. I took one pill the next day and was incredibly JITTERY, so the pills were thrown away. Hmmm......I guess "speed" will do that to you.

I do not & will not deprive myself ANY KIND OF FOOD THAT I WANT -- (I choose, however, not to eat meat).

When I used to deprive myself a certain kind of food, I would end up binging on that food.
If I wanted to have chocolate ice cream or a milky way, NO AMOUNT of carrot sticks or celery sticks was going to fill that craving!! If I wanted cake & cookies, a stick of sugar free gum with some water just wasn't going to make that craving lessen!

After having spent thousands and thousands (and many more thousands) of dollars on various diet programs (I joined ALL of them), from the late 1970's to the end of the 20th century, I stopped joining diet programs and I stopped spending money on diet programs.

I'll never forget "Nutri-System" - I was a member of that program in 1978. I weighed around 182 pounds, and I was debating whether or not to join up again. One of the leaders said to me, "I'd be embarrassed if I looked like you at Thanksgiving" :eek: !
I was going to be 18 years old that Thanksgiving. I did re-join, but never cared for that "leader" after that comment.

I remember having a consultation at "Jenny Craig", in ? 1989. My weight was approximately 260 at that time. The person assigned to me took my wrist measurement, and told me that my frame was "small", and she put my goal weight down as "103 pounds".
I didn't join -- the last time I saw 103 pounds was around age 7 & 1/2.

Even when I was 'on a diet', I read several books that were "anti-diet".
"Feeding the Hungry Heart" by Geneen Roth, was the first one.

I have a photo of myself at my 39th birthday, (1999), and I was at my heaviest weight ever. 295 pounds -- could have been more, I didn't get on the scale anymore.

I was puffy, bloated, tired, huge, sweaty, short, massive, obese. I have "small eyes" anyway.....but, at that weight, my pretty dark blue eyes looked virtually closed because of my bloated face. My skin was stretched to its absolute limit!

Fast forward to February, 2001 - I met Ben, (now, my husband :D ), and I was 5 pounds less than my heaviest (290).

I know I've mentioned this before....but, now I weigh 185 pounds. I am in a size 14 - 16, depending on style/cut.

My weight loss of 105 pounds "just happened" over a five year period. I have not been on any "diets" at all -- I still won't deprive myself any food. All foods have a "GREEN LIGHT."

I have noticed that since we began bicycling, my body is really firming up. :D (and that's only in 2 & 1/2 months!)

My clothes feel looser, and Ben has said that I do look thinner - from my face to my calves. When he is riding on his bike behind me, he told me that I definitely look more fit, that I look smaller.
At 5' 9", Ben is considered "overweight" at 186 pounds (BMI), but he's definitely gaining muscle in all the right places ;) !
Looking better & feeling better -- What a great feeling for both of us :) !

If losing fat, gaining muscle & feeling awesome about yourself is a side effect of bicycling, then I AM A MILLION PERCENT IN LOVE WITH IT!!

I think that I really needed to write all of this out at this time, just as if I was journaling. (I used to write in a journal for years). It's 12:48pm, and I know I started this post almost 3 hours ago.
I still have a couple of very important errands to do and an important phone call to make, and of course, a lovely bike ride awaits me :D .

I think what this all boils down to is that I LOVE BICYCLING!! I enjoy everything about it. Most of all, I LOVE that it is an experience both wonderful and beautiful that Ben & I can enjoy together!!

I am also sincerely grateful that I found TE Women's Cycling Discussion Forums . It's all good :) !

Wishing all of you much peace, love, good health & happiness always!

Denise[/SIZE][/QUOTE]


WOW!! Denise!!! You truly are an amazing person!! What an incredible story!!!
Thank you sooo much for sharing!!!

Karen:)

[redhot3368]

WOW!! Denise!!! You truly are an amazing person!! What an incredible story!!!
Thank you sooo much for sharing!!!

Karen

[Bad JuJu]

Holy mackerel, what a story. Hey, have you ever thought about starting a blog, Denise? You're such a writer--I think you'd do a great blog!

That ladybug bag you found is truly cute, but this is the one I was really talking about--they call it the "bug" now, but it was the "ladybug" a few years ago when I got mine.
Arkel Bug (http://www.arkel-od.com/panniers/backpack/overview.asp?fl=1&site=)

[Denise223]

Hi Ladies!

Mimi, Pooks, Lisa, Jennifer, Karen, Bad JuJu:

Well, let me try to keep this post brief ..... my last post was LONG!!!! :eek:

Bad JuJu: Thanks for the idea of a "blog". I started one a long time ago..... but, nothing ever made it out of the "draft" stage ;) -- Go figure :D ! I will start another one and will let you know when it's up & running.
And, thanks for the info on the Arkel "the bug" backpack. It really looks like something I am VERY interested in. (Thank you for the link :) ). Oh, BTW, if testimonials count for anything, check out the first one :D !


Originally posted by Lisa S.H. I feel just the way you do about biking not feeling like exercise at all. Losing weight and getting fit while biking feels sort of like being paid to be an ice cream taster?...(sorry, only example I can think of!)

That's a great example, Lisa :) !! I'll agree to that one :D !

As far as "my story" being an inspiration, I really appreciate all of you who said that. I have always said that my life is an "open book".
If sharing what I have gone through in my life can be helpful to someone, I am more than willing to tell all.
I truly believe that every single person "has a story", and through sharing them, we can help one another :) .

Thank you all for your advice about camelbaks. Perhaps this will be something I'll purchase next season, (or Santa might put one under the tree :D ).

Because it's getting darker earlier, we just ordered headlights/tail lights for our bikes last night :D . Now we won't have to cut our rides short because the sun is going down. I'll want to find some other things so that we will extra visible out there... Perhaps some reflective tape for our helmets. If anyone has any other ideas I'd be happy to hear them. Thanks!

Does anyone have these? I just might have to order them.

http://www.teamestrogen.com/products.asp?pID=13124

I wonder how often the batteries need to be changed?

This past Monday we tried out a new route. We rode through 3 GORGEOUS towns. I've said it before, but.....it really is true.--> It absolutely feels as if we're riding around in Vermont. The scenery is breathtaking. It's so wonderful being able to see acres & acres of land as far as our eyes can see.

There are times that we just stop & get off our bikes to see & enjoy all of the beauty that surrounds us :D . We'd like to do this route again this weekend, and complete the full 27 miles.
We rode 24 miles on Monday because it was getting darker -- we took a shortcut back to our car. This route was quite hilly - and, I'm happy to say that we are most definitely improving with hills!

We started riding 3 months ago and 24 miles is the furthest we've ridden thus far. We're pretty happy with that.

And today, I went out for my 2nd SOLO RIDE! I rode my bike in the same towns that we did on Monday. I missed my husband A LOT, but, I really did enjoy myself. I know that riding alone isn't a big deal for lots of people, but for me, I've been struggling with it.
So today, instead of dealing with a lot of "mind chatter", I made the decision, got ALL OF MY STUFF together, bike on rack, drove 10 miles out, parked..........And, enjoyed a lovely 16 mile ride :) !!

Now, I DON'T DO DIETING, but......I do watch what I eat -- VERY healthy stuff, no meat, tofu, lots of veggies/fruits (some days/weeks are better than others!). We have a scale in the house, but I don't use it. Anyhow, my clothes are definitely getting looser.
And, even though my body has extra insulation, I know that I have LESS than when I started riding 3 months ago.....I can feel my thigh muscles getting A LOT STRONGER!!!!! What a BONUS!!!!

If anyone has any ideas as to types of physical activity that can be done during the winter months, so as not to lose everything that was gained when bicycling. We have a trainer, so that's an option. (but, to be honest, I really find riding indoors to be EXTREMELY BBBOOOOORRRRIINNNGGG!!

For those of you who have been riding awhile ---- when you have been away from cycling b/c of the winter, etc., do you LOSE A LOT of the fitness that you gained from cycling the previous season?

I REALLY NEED to build up my upper body strength. I have some upper extremity problems -- TOS, RSDS. Painful conditions, but I do have good days mixed in there :).
I am thinking of joining a pool so I can really learn to swim. Probably would be great for my shoulders!

Well, it's early in the morning right now, and I should be in bed sleeping..... So, I'll sign off now & get into bed.

I hope that you & all those that you love are doing well :) !

Peace & Love,

Denise