Looking for Newbies with a large amt of weight to lose..

[ShubieGA]

I was able to get 3 rides in this week, with the longest being 22.5 miles. We were sluggish, but kept pedaling yesterday. I finally can report that I lost 2 pounds. Yeah! I am trying to write down everything I eat (stay away from fries) and get on the bike more. This thread helps too!

Happy Monday!
Shubie

[Darby361]

Down .3 (25.1 to go) 43 miles

A light biking week for me - weather, work, life...

I am excited for this thread! I would like to put out one word of caution to those who are saying I want to lose XX by XX date. Don't let the date parameters get in the way. The important part is that the numbers are going down. While I was losing my weight (100+ lbs) I started doing that, and then would get frustrated when I did not meet my date goals. So, I gave up the date goals and concentrated on lbs, in small chunks. In the beginning I used 10 lb goals. These days as I chip away at the last few, I use 5lb goals.

Trish

[FrannyMae]

Trish has a great point about setting date goals. In addition to becoming disappointed or feeling like you failed when you can't "make the date," you might try to lose weight too rapidly or in a way that isn't sustainable over the long haul. I have made that mistake in the past when I would lose large amounts of weight over fairly short periods of time. Even though I lost weight in a healthy manner I ended up just gaining the weight back because I hadn't made long-term, sustainable changes to my life.

I'm trying to set goals that aren't necessarily weight related in the hopes that the end result will be a healthier lifestyle and weight loss.

This week's goals:

Ride 50 miles (33 to go!)
Lift weights 2 times
Drink 64oz of water daily

I wish you all luck with setting, and meeting your goals!

Ellen

[pammycakes]

In addition to riding I am also running. I'm not running very far or very fast, but I am trying to run some. My daughter runs marathons and I would like to try to do a short race with her in the future. This week-end I was plodding along a trail around the lake when a couple of very fast runners passed me coming and going. As each of these very fast women passed me, they each gave me an "atta girl" or "good job". This truly made me feel great (even though I started sobbing uncontrolably). I was able to finish my 40 minute,2.5 mile plod. Thank you to all the fast people for encouraging this slow one to continue the plod.

[pooks]

Pammycakes -- that's so inspiring! What great women! And good for YOU!

[sgtiger]

I'm trying to lose 50+ lbs. Although, mostly I'd like to feel fitter. About a 1 1/2 yrs ago, I decided I needed to start taking care of myself. With mostly minor lifestyle changes, I was able to lose 15# (mostly in the booty! ) and lose two dress sizes. I keep a fitness journal. I'm terrible about logging things as I've never really gotten into the habit of keeping a diary. However, the few entries I have of my measurements, goals, set-backs, and insights into the hows and whys of my past weight gain has been very helpful. I have something I can occasionally glance at to remind me how far I've come. Sure I haven't lost the original 65# that I set out for myself but I've manage to lose some of it and am working on losing the rest. When my weight changed very little a few months back, I realized that I needed to add more cardio to my fitness routine. Hence one of the reasons for cycling!

Thank-you ladies for sharing your stories. You're been very inspirational to me. I think you are very brave for starting this journey of becoming more fit. And I hope that we can all be a part of each others' successes.

~sg