Woke up middle-aged, 45 pounds overweight, and looking for my bicycles!

[jayjay]

Okay, maybe I'm not a beginner, but I feel like one. Okay, so already I'm 12 pounds, and a year advanced from being at my worst ever (60 pounds overweight), hiding out in the mtns, away from all the old cycling buddies, and basically giving in to that peri-menopausal nightmare. The fact is, I use to ride all the time, trail, and road. In my prime, I could spank a lot of the men on the rides! (figuretively speaking) I know a lot about bicycles and the sport of riding atb & road, but *nothing* about getting it back after completely losing it. I have 6 bikes, 3 too many, and well, I can't fit into a single jersey or short at the present time, and last time I got on my bike, it just felt so awful, with my belly hanging down so my knees would touch it, and my butt waddling side to side as I pedaled. About 5 years ago I just gave into the fat. Good news is that I think I'm coming out of a 5 year depression, is what it feels like. I have this consistant awakening sensation which feels like I am back home on the farm now, and I need to find everybody... as I've been carried away to far off lands, like Dorothy and Toto. I feel an urgency with time, knowing at my age, it could get a lot worse, or it could get a lot better, the choice is all mine.

So ladies, my first question, before I continue with my story and this thread : Have any of you women been here, rescued yourself in spite of the middle-aged spread and many years off the bike...and have fallen in love all over again with cycling, and made a comeback to a new prime ? I feel like those riding years were a lifetime ago, but really, it was only 10 years ago that I was in my (30's Something) athletic prime.

Second question: Does anybody here have a soft place in their heart to encourage me out of this FrumpyFortyFive Funk? I'm begging you!

~JayJay

[KnottedYet]

Yup. Been there, doing that.

Went from 200+ lbs to 145, thanks to the bike and to training for my first triathlon ever.

Thanks to the wonderful women here on TE I got up the gumption to finally get out of a cruddy relationship. Thanks to TE I found a wonderful love. Thanks to TE I bought a gorgeous bike (from another TE'er) that changed my riding in so many ways. And I got a new job (thanks to two TE'ers) that has me over the moon with happiness.

This is a great bunch of women, and the support and knowlege and wisdom and comradery is miraculous.

(and biking keeps my hot flashes and mood swings down to a dull roar)

[Zen]

at my age, it could get a lot worse, or it could get a lot better, the choice is all mine...

You must have been doing an interweb search when you found TE. Do you by any chance remember what you were looking for?

I love it when people come up with the answer (and don't even realize it)

Get on your bikes and ride! (but wear appropriate clothing)

[kelownagirl]

I'd say MANY women here have managed it and many more are in the midst of that journey. I starting biking in March 2006 and lost 20 lbs over a year - 5 more to go. The changes that my body has gone through are amazing. People comment all the time how fit I am now. (me? me? If you knew me for the last 20 years, you'd know how funny that is.) Not only did I lose weight and feel stronger, but I am much healthier. I hardly ever get sick any more. And I feel great about myself.

For me, it helped me to find TE and learn from all these amazing women who are so knowledgeable and supportive. It also helped me to sign up at bikejournal and log every ride. Data made a difference for me, but it's not for everyone I know. I find motivation in watching myself improve in speed and distance etc. I also joined sparkpeople where I got info and support in the eating end of things. Logging my meals from time to time helped to keep me on track.

I say you find as many sources of inspiration you can and use them! And get out on your bike and ride, even if it's in old shorts and a t-shirt!

Good luck!

[Trek420]

I'd call myself in the midst of the journey. I'm up unknown pounds (I just got a scale) and feels like several inches from my best fitness ever. That was at 49 when I rode AIDS Lifecyle 4.

Since then a combo of life (remodeling leaves less time) and an injury I'm riding less then before. But I'm committed and at 51 will find a way to work around both the injury and time constraints. I'll get back to that level and better.

I've found inspiration, amazing knowledge, wisdom, humor and great support and KnottedYet here on TE. The info women need to get and/or stay in shape at midlife is just not out there. Corporations, magazines, the web .... nobody has what we find here. Everything from nutrition, injury prevention, balancing work/life/family and the occasional epic ride to looking fabulous and having a hoot of a time while doing it ... we find here.

Long live TE!

Check out TE collection of plus size cycling clothing. You'll get stronger every mile, loose weight and/or both just keep riding.

[mimitabby]

and for starting out, you don't need fancy bike duds anyway! it's cold out (well, maybe not everywhere) WELCOME TO TE!
Keep reading, you'll find that you are far from alone.

[teigyr]

I can relate

I rode a lot. I was active and never had a weight problem. My legs were muscular and while I wasn't always happy with myself (could never be good enough) in retrospect, I wasn't bad.

I got a job that was more demanding. I moved to a state where it rains LOTS. I dated, got engaged, and got married. For my bout of single-ness up here, I did try to exercise but once I met DH, all of that went by the wayside. I couldn't just go to the gym at midnight after work anymore not to mention there was always far more interesting things to do.

I refused to think about the middle-aged part. Scary stuff. I do know that my pants ceased to fit, my legs jiggled a bit, and I was no longer in shape.

This past year I signed up for a century. DH, who was always active before me too, bought a bike. We started riding. I also signed up for a triathlon. I ended up doing two. Besides the running and swimming (and biking, of course) I've started doing yoga for flexibility and weight training because I know I should. The weight comes off slowly but it IS coming off! I also am watching what I eat this winter, winter is a good time to do those things because it's difficult to diet when you're doing tri's or centuries.

I still think there isn't enough progress but it's fun when I end up outriding DH. He rides more than me but I crosstrain more than him. He also made the comment that I was strong and he could really tell the muscles I've developed.

So like the others have said, you just get out there. The pounds came on slowly, they'll go away slowly. Be patient, mix it up a bit (it works better for me when I do many activities, my body gets used to cycling and then ceases to drop weight), and don't be too hard on yourself. Oh and if you ever lack motivation, sign up for an event. THAT will inspire you to keep training

[mimitabby]

hey Teigyr, what state did you move to that it rained a lot in?

[LBTC]

{{{{jayjay}}}}}}

I can't wait to read more of your posts! We're all going to love cheering your victories, supporting your tough times, hearing your stories of fun. And that's the key. Instead of "remembering" what cycling used to be for you (you were pretty competitive, right?), remind yourself of this one simple fact:

Bicycling = Fun

So go out and have some fun! And all that other stuff, the weight loss, the self-confidence, the strength, that will all come!

Hugs and butterflies,
~T~

[ClockworkOrange]

Hi jayjay

At least you have come to the best place.

This has to be one of the most informative communities/forums going. I regularly go on another site, nothing to do with biking but there is always so much bickering going on...........oh yes, it is a British site!

I so understand how you feel. I got like that when I hit 50! Lots of reasons but I decided I wanted to ride a bike, not sure why really, just always envied any guys who I saw speeding along on their MTB's.

I managed to lose just over 3 stone (that's about 45 lbs.). It took just over a year, I then became fanatical about riding my bike. Not to the standards on TE, but to me it was really good.

HOWEVER. Seven years on and the weight is slowly going on!

So, much like yourself, I have started reading through various threads on here and I am determined to sort myself out, I did it once, so I can do it again.

I know if I really get stuck on ideas of what to eat, or anything at all, I can invariably find the answer on TE.

Good luck jayjay.............you can and will do it.

Clock.............goes belly dancing to burn a few extra calories!

[PscyclePath]

Jayjay:

Somewhere down in one of the other folders we were discussing a book titled Heft on Wheels: A Field Guide to Doing a 180, by Mike Magnuson. It's out in paperback now, for around $12 or so from Amazon. I'm not at all recommending Mr. Magnuson's personal methodology, but I think reading ot would do you some good... if you put your mind to it, it can be done.

Then go ride... if for nothing else, but the joy of being on a bike out on the road somewheres...

Tom

[Trek420]

hey Teigyr, what state did you move to that it rained a lot in?

Whadya mean it rains a lot there?

[teigyr]

Whadya mean it rains a lot there?

I know! I was shocked. I guess I never really thought about how it got so green!

Seriously, I was of the "but I love rain!" sort keeping in mind I was used to Southern Calif rain. Dealing with the 'Fall/Winter/Spring Rain Season' takes some getting used to Oh and sometimes we get the 'It's summer, let it rain!' also.

[Trek420]

I know! I was shocked. I guess I never really thought about how it got so green!

Seriously, I was of the "but I love rain!" sort keeping in mind I was used to Southern Calif rain. Dealing with the 'Fall/Winter/Spring Rain Season' takes some getting used to Oh and sometimes we get the 'It's summer, let it rain!' also.

Now I'm going to have to double check the weather reports with you I keep hearing "oh, it's a beautiful day here today".

I thought you just watered the plants a lot more there

Give me my brown hills Can you believe it's almost November? It makes me appreciate that brief time when the hills are brilliant green and covered in wildflowers.

And they say we don't have seasons in CA

[jayjay]

Thank you all so very, incredibly much. I have a sixth sense I have found The Farm here. I have so many stories of the old days, yeah, sure, but even better ones of how I've transitioned through since then, and I know my best cycling years are yet to come, and they're going to be all mine (no giving in to another epic distraction like moving in with BF & teens with crazy ex on the sidelines, and then spending 6 years building a very complex house). Now it's ALL behind me (I'm living in that house,finished, and the kids are all grown up and out on their own), and I can just wake up back here in Kansas and grab my bike(s) and ride, and enjoy the countryside, and be grateful that I landed safely!

>>at my age, it could get a lot worse, or it could get a lot better, the choice is all mine... << I love it when people come up with the answer (and don't even realize it)

The scary part is knowing it could eeeeasily get *alot* worse. The first 50 goes on with blinders, and then it's like the self destructive habits kick in and one can find them selves addicted to humiliation & rejection, and use fat to be an excuse to give up. Or.... another scenario that I am well aware of.... at 45 (or 55) is also a pivotal time where I can overcome >> Myself<< and in spite of my addiction to humiliation, I can dig down deep for a little of that pride inside of me (that use to throb when I'd push it into the big ring near the summit, and beat some hammerhead to the top! No, I was never competative , just inconsequential about it all )

I see I have plenty of cameraderie here, and this whole journey is going to be wonderful. I've got to go this minute, but I'll be back tomorrow morning to blab on... and the best part, let myself be helped, and find my bicycles.

Thanks again!
~jayjay