I need advice. All I can get.

[DDH]

Hello, my name is Donna and I ran across this forum looking for advice and help on getting started bicycling to lose weight.
I'm not a real novice although it has been years since I have ridden. My husband and I use to ride quite often after I had my son.
I have a Trek mountain bike, but it has street friendly tires. We use to do some off road, but I don't want to do that now. Now I just want to get started again and lose weight. I quit smoking a month ago and have gained weight on top of the extra weight I already had. I need to lose probably 70 lbs. Biking is the best option for me, I'm 42 and have arthritis in my hips and with the extra weight my knees and ankles hurt when I try to power walk.
Anyway, I guess I just need to know how to get started again, and how to set a goal or plan so I will stay with it and keep motivated.
How do you girls stay so dedicated and motivated? I'm in awe of people that can do this on a constant basis. I do really good for a while when I start something and then life gets in the way, and I slack off for a bit to take care of appts for my mother n law, or my mother, or something comes up with my son or husband and then I end up never getting back to it again. I feel like I am taking care of everyone else but myself. Somewhere I got lost in the shuffle and I have lost the ability to even think about myself without feeling guitly. I know I sound very sad!! LOL But honestly, I really want to get back to riding my back and I really wish I had someone around to give me a good swift kick and get me going. Anyway, sorry this was so long. Any advice or help you can give me would be much appreciated.

[mimitabby]

hey DDH welcome to TE
You made a big step, you told us you want to ride a bike. Now a really good way to get started is to start reading this forum during the times you can't ride... and then get on your bike and ride.. and then tell US about it; we really want to hear about it.. We probably can't go riding with you (but there might be a TE gal or two in your area!) but you can sure come back to us and tell us about your joys and troubles.
Keep coming back here, there are a lot of very wise women here!

mimi

[applegum]

Staying motivated is a big issue with me too. I love cycling, but sometimes it's hard to roll out of bed early enough to beat the heat and the traffic. The best I've found way to keep it up is to have someone to ride with one or two times a week, because that way I have someone relying on me to get out of bed. It's too easy to turn off the alarm(s) (I end up setting seven different ones every night) if I'm going out alone. If you don't know anyone who rides, recruit a friend. Since I'm 17 I had to try that option since I don't have any readily available buddies to ride with.

Also, when you're first starting out, pick out some routes you like doing and stay with those. Try not to concentrate on dropping pounds so much at first, but developing good habits. It's way easier to get out and ride if you're not dreading enormous hills or a painfully fast pace.

Welcome back to the cycling world though, eh? The most important part is to have fun while you're at it.

[roshelleuop]

Hi there! I'm also new at this, but fortunately I have a husband that is an advanced rider, so he is helping me put together a training plan. If you ever want to share newbee stories or just need someone to "brag to" when you finally did your first 20 miles or your first 50 miles, please feel free to contact me. I actually just started using this sight today and have already found faith and strength in so many of these women!!!!

[cusepack]

Congratulations for acknowledging to yourself (and the forum) that you want to return to cycling. Once you begin cycling, you'll realize how good it makes you feel and you'll want to continue - dare I say it's almost like an addiction - once you realize how good it makes you feel, you'll want to do it again and again. And, this good feeling automatically flows over into other areas of your life - sometimes without your ever realizing it. You'll also realize that if this makes you feel good, you will indeed make time for it . . . taking care of you in essence is taking care of others as well. If you're not doing well, how can you give and assist others? You deserve as much care as though you care for, but, it's a matter of acknowledging it, believing it, and going out there and doing it.

Keep yourself motivated by the forums, by watching cycling DVD's, by joining a cycling club and, once you begin losing weight (which you will), that will be very strong motivation to get back in the saddle again and again.

[Bikingmomof3]

Welcome and congratulations for making the first steps to improving your health. There a re a lot of very knowledgeable women on this site. It is also great for support and motivation.

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

You don't need to "power walk" to lose weight- I just walk briskly for 3 miles most every morning, and by doing that alone I have s-l-o-w-l-y lost 20 pounds over 11 months without dieting. That's about 1.6 pounds per months. Could have lost more with cutting back food, but am happy with my acheivements so far. Actually, those 11 months went by very fast and now I feel like i'm "suddenly" 20 pounds lighter. Great feeling.
Now I have added biking to the mix, and my weight loss is happening a bit faster (haven't given up my walking though).
My best advice to you is to keep your bike rides FUN so that you do them more often. Don't make them into a drudgery that you'll start avoiding. Start SMALL with easy goals! When you acheive them, you'll naturally want to do more bit by bit. Remember, this is NOT like some crash diet. It's a lifestyle change, so take your time and make it enjoyable. If you love doing it, you'll do it more!
First, congratulate yourself on your great new attitude. Then, reward yourself with a little spin around the block or down to the store. Make it part of your life. Buy yourself a "lucky shirt" or a nice pair of walking shoes.
You ROCK, girl!!

[DDH]

Thanks so much everyone. I was so sad this morning. I actually made myself get on the scale. OMG, I have gained 15 lbs since I quit smoking a little over a month ago. I'm so depressed and am determined to get my bike out and start this thing tomorrow. I cannot stand myself, and my legs are letting me know they can't stand it either. LOL

I think just coming to this board and reading your stories and watching everyone else's progress it will motivate me.
Someone told me it takes 21 days to form a habit. I don't know if that is true or not, but if it is, keep your fingers crossed for my first 21 days.