trying to start all over again

[Crankin]

Can you swim in the summer? Take spin classes or get a trainer? Hike/walk very early in the AM? Weight lifting?
These are all of the things I did when I lived in a 100 degree climate.

[e.e.cummings]

I was in a funk for a while. I had my son, immediately lost the weight because of nursing, but then gained when the nursing stopped. I thought I was going to have another, a number of false starts, until I accepted it was not going to happen (I figured, why put a lot of effort into losing weight and getting tight abs if I am going to get pregnant again?) Then I had an operation that put me out of commission exercise-wise. Afterwards, I bought a bike and started to do decent rides, but I needed more. I finally signed up with a local gym - they have a four month program called 'transform' - they measure, weigh you, follow your stats, you are followed by a trainer and nutritionist during that time, then continue on your own after four months. I have a ciricuit training program and I do the spinning classes, which are fantastic workouts - I rarely get that intensity on the roads (hard when you have a child with you most of the times). The people there are great and gunning for each other. I am starting to see results and I doubt if I would have had the motivation if I was not being coaxed along by the staff and the great people at the gym. Give it a thought - a year ago, I would have never thought I would gone to a gym, just hated them, but now I see results. Good luck, we are all behind you!

[Red Rock]

Thank you for your replies.

Since I posted, I have tried to make an effort to go outside and at least DO something, either hiking or cycling. So today, I went for a two hour hike. It has been so long since I took a hike! I could not believe my legs when I got back to the house. I immediately found the foam roller and rolled out my "butt", along my IT band, and the quads.

I think I still got some good exercise without pushing the envelope to much. I think I am underestimating my abilities to some degree. I have not gained a whole lot of weight, something like 10-15 pounds? With strict eating and watching my exercise it should come off fairly easily. I just have to watchout for the chocolate food group Mixing things up a bit might help my mental state too.

I think the next step is to remember to take it slowly on the bike next time. I am not in a race, I am out to have fun and enjoy the riding. SPEED is NOT a factor! Perhaps I should plaster this on my handlebars to remind me.

Small steps...Thank you for your help.

Red Rock