Newbie from Oregon Intro.... :)

[imdeanna]

Hello all, My bike should be here early this week! (I choose the Trek 1600 WSD) I'm very excited to get started in the world of cycling!!

I have the bad habit of starting things...being all gung-ho at the beginning, putting out all sorts of money, and then quickly loosing interest.....so I hope I fall in LOVE with cycling and don't fall back into that same old routine!

(anyone have any suggestions on how to stay motivated w/out early burn-out?)

I read the thread by polliwog88 “Looking for Newbies with a large amt of weight to lose”.. and boy can I relate with that post!
I have 50# I’d love to loose, and am horrified to put on the shorts in public!! (and the padded shorts sure don’t help one bit in that aspect!)

BUT I must say…reading others comments in that thread has helped me a lot…..I even copied a couple statements to keep as “Biking Affirmations” #1) .....Screw it, "This is about me." & #2) “if you don't like the view, go around me!"

Everytime I am riding…and I start the negative thinking in my head about how gross I must look to others…I am going to say those and smile…and then peddle that much harder!!!

Looking forward to meeting/and making new friends!

[Tuckervill]

Welcome to the forum, Deanna!

Since I've been on this forum I've lost 32 lbs. I won't give the TE gals ALL the credit, but they sure helped!

Karen

[rij73]

Welcome Deanna! You sound like you are going into it with a great attitude. Come here any time you need a little motivation. Reading about people's awesome rides and accomplishments on here always makes me feel like going for a ride.

When your bike comes, make sure to post pictures of it here. We loooooove to see pics of lovely new bikes.

[Melalvai]

How to get motivated: take a Road I course (check the League of American Bicyclists website to find when courses are being offered in your area).

Now enthusiastic and safer, start incorporating riding into your daily life, letting bike rides take the place of every errand or trip under 1 mile, 2 miles, 5 miles, etc.

Warning: you may find yourself so motivated that you end up bicycling away from your pre-bicycle life, family, work, friends, all of it.

[Starfish]

Keep it fun! If you discover a type of riding you don't particularly care for, don't do it, especially to start. Keep it about you, and about what you enjoy, and don't compare yourself to anyone but you!

Welcome!

[GLC1968]

I have the bad habit of starting things...being all gung-ho at the beginning, putting out all sorts of money, and then quickly loosing interest.....so I hope I fall in LOVE with cycling and don't fall back into that same old routine!

Me too! Except for cycling...which I've been at for 3 years now (and going strong!).

Where in Oregon are you? I just moved to the Portland area a couple of weeks ago. My husband and I both ride, but we've barely had time to squeeze in a couple of rides since we've been here. From what I've seen and read, this state looks like an AMAZING place to see on a bike!

Welcome!!

[kat_h]

(anyone have any suggestions on how to stay motivated w/out early burn-out?)

Hanging around here helps. Welcome to the insanity.

[imdeanna]

Where in Oregon are you?

I live in The Columbia River Gorge! There is a Ride up this way coming up...it's the "Cherry of a Ride" on April 20th.... there are quite a few choices in distance (30 - 100 miles)

I might (might) do it.....not sure If I'll be ready in a months time??


It may be quite a drive for you..but it is a gorgeous area up this way!!! Rolling hills w/very little trees...quite a change of scenery compared to just a few miles the other direction!

[Geonz]

Hello all, My bike should be here early this week! (I choose the Trek 1600 WSD) I'm very excited to get started in the world of cycling!!

I have the bad habit of starting things...being all gung-ho at the beginning, putting out all sorts of money, and then quickly loosing interest.....so I hope I fall in LOVE with cycling and don't fall back into that same old routine!

(anyone have any suggestions on how to stay motivated w/out early burn-out?)

I read the thread by polliwog88 “Looking for Newbies with a large amt of weight to lose”.. and boy can I relate with that post!
I have 50# I’d love to loose, and am horrified to put on the shorts in public!! (and the padded shorts sure don’t help one bit in that aspect!)

BUT I must say…reading others comments in that thread has helped me a lot…..I even copied a couple statements to keep as “Biking Affirmations” #1) .....Screw it, "This is about me." & #2) “if you don't like the view, go around me!"

Everytime I am riding…and I start the negative thinking in my head about how gross I must look to others…I am going to say those and smile…and then peddle that much harder!!!

Looking forward to meeting/and making new friends!

Get an odometer. Your total mileage always goes up


If you are the most horrible and grossest thing on earth (which is ridiculous), then hey, the second most horrible and grossest person can be inspired by you and say "if she can do it, so can I!!"

For every negative dwerpfart out there, there are five other people quietly inspired when they see a real human getting out and doing and conquering.

[imdeanna]

can be inspired by you and say "if she can do it, so can I!!"

For every negative dwerpfart out there, there are five other people quietly inspired when they see a real human getting out and doing and conquering.

Thank you for that...THAT is a great thing to remember

It's funny how I have never looked at anyone and thought 'ew' when I've seen them doing something healthy, it always has been the opposite effect. like you said, I've been inspired and jealous that they have the "i don't care what you think, this is what I want to do and I'm doing it happily" attitude.

I've just never learned to shut off the low self esteem monster that talks negatively inside my own head.... or to just know that no one else cares what I look like in Spandex.....just like I don't mind others in spandex!

Being physical, and working my body has always helped me with how I feel about myself...so I'm really looking forward to bustling in and working my body again!!!

[sgtiger]

Imdeanna, welcome!

It takes time, but try to counter the negative thoughts with positive ones. When you catch yourself thinking those thoughts, try taking a deep breath and imagine you're blowing them away on the exhalation. Another one is to shake your head gently and to imagine you're shaking the negative thoughts away. Then think about all the things you're thankful for. It helps to write them down when you're in a good mood since it can be difficult to think of them when you're feeling blue. If you need to, carry the list with you to pull out and read. YOU CAN DO IT! You are the master of your body and of your mind.

~Sg

[tulip]

Welcome to the forums, Deanna!

The key to weight loss, in my experience, is being consistent. Even a little bit every day or every other day will be better than once a week (or less frequent). Also eating an apple a day seems to help me (really!)

I've found Bike Journal to be helpful with motivation. I like to track my mileage and compare by week and month. And later, you can compare years. www.bikejournal.com. Make TE your team if you want to.

If you get low on motivation, I'm sure that TE ladies will be here to help you through the plateau.

[Geonz]

and remember that just because somebody *looks* like they don't care what other people think doesn't mean that's what they're thinking... and that works both ways

[Xrayted]

Welcome! I suggest contacting Wahine. She lives there too. Kitsune and I did the Cherry ride last year with her and it was a blast. Don't even think about doing the second 1/2 though. You gotta be a mountain goat to get up there, but at least drive it. It's a fantastic view. We wanted to do it again this year, but have a class that w/e. Just take your time and try to find some people who go at your pace. Good luck!!

[short cut sally]

imdeanna, i just want to let you know that i was once in your shoes about the spandex thing. i was the last of my friends to buy the shorts just because i looked like an overstuffed sausage in them-i knew they offreed benefits but that look made them less important. as i rode more and more i broke down and bought a pair. i was so self conscious about what i looked like in the padded bike shorts. i would never go inside a public place if everyone else did, and if i saw or met someone other than my riding girls, i was always trying to figure out how to pull my jersey down farther or hide or something. as time went on i bacame more comfortable out in public, and i kinda chuckle to myself when i go to the grocery store in my biking clothes and people just stare..i think i know what they are thinking and they must think i am out there, as they have no idea that i just got thru riding 30-50 miles on a bike. to me, that makes it worth it. i still feel a little awkward at times, but the way i look at it..i will never see these people again so i don't care what they think. as long as i feel good about what mileage i just accomplished, that's all that matters. as far as not sure if you will like biking or not, i gradually worked at it every chance i had, i've been biking now for 4 years or so, and each year i have to complete more miles than the previous year. i love biking. it is my stress releaser and my zen and no one can take that away from me. enjoy!