Inspiration?

[loride]

What inspires you? What keeps you going? When you just don't want to get out and exercise what motivates you? I struggle with this. I'm a new road rider. I do enjoy it once I'm out, but there are times when my hubby has to drag me out. I want it to come from within. I need motivation!!!!

[papaver]

First of all welcome to TE! Maybe reading the stories of other cycling women here can inspire you? What inspires me... my weight. The sun, my friends who drag me out of the house,... it can be lots of things.

[indigoiis]

Wear your cycling gear to bed.

No seriously, it really helps to have all your gear laid out the night before. And I think it's someone here who said, you have to get in a mindset that you are an athlete, and your body needs to work sometimes. At first that thought made me laugh. Lying in bed thinking, yeah, some athlete! But when you get up and shed the jammies and get into those cycling clothes or running gear, and get out there thinking, "I'm an athlete" it really does help.

Keeping track of your progress is also a really good motivator. Keep a log.

And find an event and sign up! That always helps me keep on track! Because then, not only am I an athlete, I'm in training as well!

[kermit]

I enjoy getting out by myself and having "me" time. My husband also rides but when he goes it's more pressure. I need that time alone to stay balanced between work and house stuff. It's also really cool to go somehwere and see someone you haven't seen in a long time and they say "look how skinny you are". That motivates me! Even if you don't feel like it. Just do a short ride. Play it by ear and I guarantee you that you will feel better after you have gone. Even if it 30-45 minutes. For me frequent shorter rides is better than one or two long rides.

[beccaB]

I have the most horrible case of wanderlust, always have. Without the money to act on it. That's what makes me want to ride my bike down that road. When I was running I would also go down THAT road, but I don't run anymore and my bike gets to go those places with me.

[GulfCoastAmy]

Being able to eat more and not gain weight! I love riding for the pure joy of it, but it's the calorie burn that gets me out of bed at 4:50am.

[loride]

Wear your cycling gear to bed.

No seriously, it really helps to have all your gear laid out the night before. And I think it's someone here who said, you have to get in a mindset that you are an athlete, and your body needs to work sometimes. At first that thought made me laugh. Lying in bed thinking, yeah, some athlete! But when you get up and shed the jammies and get into those cycling clothes or running gear, and get out there thinking, "I'm an athlete" it really does help.

Keeping track of your progress is also a really good motivator. Keep a log.

And find an event and sign up! That always helps me keep on track! Because then, not only am I an athlete, I'm in training as well!

I would love to feel like I'm an athlet but I'm just not there yet....I have a lot of work to do....probably most of it is 98% mental though...I like your ideas...thank you

[loride]

I really need this. It's wonderful to learn about what motivates others. You all inspire me. This is a wonderful sport. Last night my husband was online getting me all excited, we were looking at some of the coolest jerseys. We are going to have our honeymoon we never had next summer. We have been married for 16 years. We are going to ride part of the Oregon Coast. I'm so excited so I have to stay motivated and get my butt in gear. I live in Montana so winter is coming fast. I do have an indoor bike for when we have snow or ice so that will help. I have to get out while I can and enjoy this beautiful summer weather. We are going out again tonight. So far my rides have been no longer than 8 miles. Remember I'm a newbie. I love it though. Tonight will be another 8 miler and then we will bump it up a notch. Thanks again everyone.

[indigoiis]

But au contraire, my dear. You are an athlete when you participate in athletics, which is what you are doing.