Hello to everyone that is reading this, and has posted here.

Today is my first day on this site and I am THRILLED to have found this site.

The saying goes that you do not exercise because you have not found an activity that you love.

Well... I think I'm in love!!

I am 5' 4" tall. I weigh 214 lbs today... 14 lbs were gained in the last very stressful 2 months... I know that (the weight gain) had to STOP but I wasn't sure how it would happen. I live in Florida, and it's TOO HOT for me to go walking, I am NOT going to jog, and I don't know how to rollerblade.... I had done some exercise videos before... but it's hard for me because I have tendonitis in my left elbow and can only do so much exercise without straining it and having that awful pain.

I have short, stocky, POWERFUL legs (under the cellulite ) so all of a sudden it hit me that I should try bike riding... plus I live right next to a bike trail... Well imagine my surprise when I went to Kmart and couldn't manage to ride the bike up and down the aisles... I swear I thought I had forgotten how to ride a bike!!!

I ended up going to target and bought two Champion shorts and two racer back tops. Both were made with "wicking technology that transports moisture away from your skin, helping to keep you cool and dry throughout every workout". All I knew was that I was going to sweat in the Florida heat, and the last thing I wanted was diaper rash!!!

I found out that the park by my house rents bikes so I thought that I would go that route to see if I actually remembered how to ride... I rented the bike and set off on the trail... AND LOVED IT!!! I FELT LIKE A KID AGAIN (DID I SAY I'M GOING TO BE 33 IN JULY? ) I LOVED FEELING THE WIND AGAINST ME, AND I LOVED FEELING POWERFUL ENOUGH TO KEEP MYSELF GOING FOR THE ENTIRE TRAIL... IT'S 10 MILES!!!!

So this week I did give or take, 10 miles day one, 10 miles day 2, I bought a cheap walmart mountain bike and rode from my house to the trail instead of driving to the park, I did about 15 miles day 3 and another 15 miles today, Saturday, June 24th....

I AM SO PSYCHED ABOUT THIS... and then just when I thought it couldn't get any better, I found this website.

I know I am a neophyte, but I swear I am addicted... I want more, more, more!!!

I know that I am only going to end up keeping my wally world bike for 30 days, then go out and upgrade...

There's so much that I don't know, but already I am learning so much, like being a defensive rider and staying to the left of the lane on narrow roads so the cars treat you like a "car" and go all the way to the other lane to pass you.

I don't have a helmet yet, but will get one this week... meanwhile, I appreciate any and all comments, advice, suggestions, etc...

Much love,

Monica aka Ridin'Chil'

Oh yeah, my new job is 2 miles from my house... definetely thinking about the possibility of riding my bike to work!!