Bike Bod

[sjf]

I was a runner in my life previous to biking (still do it some for cross training) so was relatively fit when I started biking.

BUT - now instead of people commenting how thin/slim I am, I get more comments about how strong and fit I look. I went to a new doctor and she said to me - you look very fit, what do you do for exercise? (And this was after she saw me with my clothes OFF ) LOL. We moved into a new building last summer and our upstairs neighbor commented to my husband the he noticed I had very strong legs - did I lift weights?

Those kinds of comments are new. For myself, I notice my legs are a lot more muscled and that I now have a butt. Cycling MUST build up the glut muscles because I never had THAT before. At least I hope it's muscle.

I actually weigh a bit more than I used to but according to the fitness assessment I had done at my gym my body fat hasn't increased.

[kellichou]

I have only been cycling for about 4 months, and I love it!

Before the snow hit (we've been buried here in Denver for about the past 3 days, which is awesome because I got 3 days tacked onto my Winter Break), I was riding 10-20 miles a day, usually 30-80 miles/week. Whoo! I am very pleased. Now for training for a half-century, then a century. . .

My legs have become much more muscular, and I love the hand, arm, and back strength I've gained, too. And my balance and agility have improved! I just feel so much stronger and more confident! I cannot wait for the weather to improve so I can resume commuting the 20 miles roundtrip to work.

I'm a teacher, and a few weeks ago, I had some outdated student grade printouts that I had to throw away. So I tore the stack into long, thin strips, & put them in the recycling bin. My 6th graders were impressed! They said, "wow, Ms. G., you must be strong to tear all those papers up!" I grinned and said, "Well, the Buckley Amendment makes me protect information concerning your grades, and cycling has helped make my hands stronger!" I have the most awesome students in the world, I love my job! And I love cycling.

[tygab]

Since April 06 ish... note I have never been heavy but I have been flabby - my weight has stayed about the same but its composition has changed significantly.

-rock hard calves (they are small but they are solid!!)
-discernable quads and arm muscles
-I now comfortably fit into some pants that I was verging on 'outgrowing'
-I can see my hip bones
-Can run a whole 5k after spin class or just on its own
-general increase in energy and happy outlook
-Everyone at my new company thinks I am an athlete (at least I get that impression), and they know I don't eat junk foods and work out a lot

I am enjoying morphing myself into a more fit and overall happy person on an almost daily basis, and I have a goal for 2007 of doing a few triathlons, and being in possibly the best shape of my life for the big 35.

-T