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)

[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

[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)

[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

[sandra]

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.

You can get it at half.com for way less than this. (hardback even)

[vmax]

One of the reasons that I found this site is that I need the encouragement to start riding -- big time and perhaps do a few races next year. I also need to lose 15-20 lbs which crept up on me -- like out of nowhere, honest
It has nothing to do with the fact that I went into a funk after an LTR went south and I gave up exercise for some bizarre reason -- became a couch potato of all things -- egads. I started bike riding 2 years ago and fell in love with it. Have been doing solo rides and am now ready for the challenge of a group ride (aka motivation), perhaps a century ride and a race or two next year. I need to push the limits of my very limited biking skills next year. I intend to keep rolling -- on and on into the sunset.

Try to set some personal goals for yourself, find a support network, and stay focused. As my wise Father used to say, "There's no such word as can't." I plan to begin wind surfing next summer -- I refuse to grow up and "act my age".

Hang in there -- and keep posting,

- Vivian

[Susan126]

Oh please continue with your story Jayjay! And you ask the question, “Have we (I) been there?!” Oh my goodness yes! I used to run a lot when I was in my 30s and 40s. Then I had back surgery when I was 42 years old and all running had to stop. In fact why let just running stop? I went for it all. Yep, all forms of exercise completely came to a big HALT! I put on 35 pounds and my once lean hard muscles turned to jiggly jello-y flab! It was horrible! But worse than that my mind went into a depressed state. My husband and kids were concerned. Then in 1999 Joe (my wonderful hubby) suggested we start cycling. I was half hearted but agreed. We bought entry-level mountain bikes and started riding the local trails. We met people and joined a bike club. Before I knew it I was excited about life again. I found something that I had lost and I felt great. I started losing the weight I had gained, my strength and endurance returned but most important I was happy again. In 2001 we added road biking. So today Joe and I are avid avid mountain bikers and road cyclists! And you will be there again too Jayjay. The ladies here at TE will help you with a plethora of encouragement. These ladies are really great when it comes to encouraging others.

Welcome and please keep us up to date on your progress! In a year you’ll look back on today and you will be a much happier person! I’m positive of that because I look back at what I was and every time I do I get this big grin on my face! You have to start by taking that first pedal!

Ride On Jayjay!

And again, WELCOME!