Life-changing:cycling, eating better

[shootingstar]

Just 2 short story, which I'm sure there must some TE members who can match its WoW factor. On how change in eating better, cycling and other major life events...result in major transformation and save one's life.

Story #1: A woman who I've known personally for past 5 years in a distant way, shared with me yesterday that she lost: 170 lbs. (but regained 70 lbs. and is working away to get it down). Before she had sleep apenea, did take in extra oxygen from a tank, had astigmatism..etc. She did have irregular heartbeat.

But now with her weight loss...she no longer has astimgatism in her eyes, no sleep apnea, etc. Of course this did occur after she chose to divorce, etc.

She does cycle several times weekly ...and has her hubby, a friendly cycling advocate and regular cycling commuter who encourages her along.

She a quietly confident woman now....a grandmother at 47 yrs.


Story #2: This past weekend was a happy gathering of cyclists /cycling advocates. One of the oldest members is a 70 yr. old grandmother who did randonneuring 20 yrs. ago. But she does still cycle...less. She doesn't own a car and lives by herself.. gets around by bike and public transit.

She is one of the most persistent cycling advocates in Vancouver area... Well, yesterday she was bummed out at herself for being too winded and hot (28 degreesF or so) after cycling a moderately hilly route to a winery. She vacillated between getting a ride back to hotel.. but 4 hrs. later after a pleasant group lunch, she chose to ride her own pace back in the still hot temp. Only 12 kms. and not as hilly.

I admire that verve. (She is an experienced cyclist and a retired nurse. So she would understand her own symptoms...)

[tulip]

Those are great stories, thanks for sharing them with us.

This has absolutely no basis from a scientific standpoint, but when I lived in Paris in 1999-2000, I found people to be in a big hurry all the time, and they hardly ever smiled. They ran red lights and the pedestrians walked regardless of the light. There were a few bike commuters on the streets, but not as many as you would expect for a big Euro city. I had a bike, but I rarely rode it because I just didn't feel safe in traffic there (I've been riding for 25+ years).

Now, Paris has a wonderful network of bike lanes and an incredible bike-sharing program called Velib. When I was there in May, I rode my bike every day to get around. At every stoplight, there were probably 5-6 cyclists with me. Everyone--bikes, cars, scooters, busses, even taxis and pedestrians--paid attention to the traffic signals (for the most part). People seemed so much more relaxed and just in a better mood!

And the best thing is that I saw more of Paris on my bike in May than I had when I lived there for 6 months years ago. Back then, I took the Metro everywhere, and missed everything above ground.

I found that bikes had improved the city tremendously.

[Tuckervill]

Isn't astigmatism having the lens in your eye be a little misshapen? I wonder what weight loss has to do with that?

Karen

[Mr. Bloom]

Awesome stories!

Before I lost my weight, started eating better and exercising, I had terrible reflux. Often would wake me up every night.

That was 25 pounds ago!

I believe it improved, but I don't know if I buy the astigmatism resulting from healthy living...but eyesight does change with age...

[shootingstar]

One of the oldest members is a 70 yr. old grandmother who did randonneuring 20 yrs. ago. But she does still cycle...less. She doesn't own a car and lives by herself.. gets around by bike and public transit.

She is one of the most persistent cycling advocates in Vancouver area... Well, yesterday she was bummed out at herself for being too winded and hot (28 degreesF or so) after cycling a moderately hilly route to a winery. She vacillated between getting a ride back to hotel.. but 4 hrs. later after a pleasant group lunch, she chose to ride her own pace back in the still hot temp. Only 12 kms. and not as hilly.

I admire that verve. (She is an experienced cyclist and a retired nurse. So she would understand her own symptoms...)

Sorry, I meant 28 degreesC. I also apologize for the horrid grammar ..happening too often here in past few days.

Silver & Tuckerville: Yea, she has no idea why her astigmatism disappeared after her major weight loss. Maybe there's no relationship but her doctor has been stumped.

Tulip: Interesting...several people this past weekend said the same thing about Paris! Traffic is abit more sane and more people are feeling abit safer to cycle around particularily with their shared bike program that you mentioned.

My partner found out from Paris cycling advocates that many users of the shared bikes often left them ..at the bottom of hills. And less bikes were left at the top of the hills...these bikes were grabbed for use going down quickly.. So the bike share program there had to have a truck service to redistribute the collection of too many shared bikes left at bottom of hills.