Another reason I'm so passionate about cycling

[smittykitty]

I understand your concern and frustration. Just visited the sib in-laws (is that a word?) this week-end. They are killing themselves with their diets and lack of exercise. We've tried everything we know, but they aren't interested. They think we're just a couple of exercise/healthy diet freaks! (And I've never once served them tofu)

They are in their early 60's. We're afraid they won't be around nearly as long as they would have if they had just made healthier lifestyle changes. Interestingly too, its hard to socialize with them too. Our activities always include "moving" not "sitting", and eating together is really hard. Just can't remember ever having a plate of country gravy for breakfast (cuz they already cleaned up all the biscuits!!!!!). I'm more the old fashion oatmeal or non-fat Greek yogurt with fruit for breakfast kinda girl. Even when camping!

They bought themselves a couple of Walmart bikes but didn't ride them. They don't walk because their dog is too geriatric (just another excuse).

The health problems are rolling in: Diabetes, enlarged liver, heart murmur, etc. etc. It's just amazing what damage you can do (or prevent).

Sorry, I'm rambling on, just so frustrated with them!!!

[Crankin]

This thread is really demoralizing for me, as most of the people you guys are talking about seem really old. I thought you would say they are about 75+. But they are just a couple of years older than me . I really don't understand the mindset. My cycling group is full of people 45+, the oldest just turned 90. He still rides on the bike path. Some of the guys in their late 60s/early 70s ride an incredible amount of miles and are very good climbers. Now, a fair share of these people have had some health issues, but they always come back. I guess the difference is that they have been active for a long time, as I have. The activities may have changed over the years, but we're all still moving.
I guess this is why my normal friends think I'm nuts.

[pll]

I guess this is why my normal friends think I'm nuts.

That's funnny... You just validated their perceptions by referring to your non cycling friends as "normal" (i.e., we, in this forum are outside the norm!). I'm considered eccentric in my family, because of the cycling and running. And most of my friends think I'm nuts, too, as they make up various excuses not to work out.

[Crankin]

Well, I don't preach to people who don't exercise at my level, and I try to keep most of it to myself, my DH, or our close friends who we ride and do other sports with. It's just when others ask me what I did over the weekend, etc, I try to be careful about saying how far I rode, etc, or go too much into it, and focus on the telling about the scenery or other aspects of where I went. I do plenty of other stuff, and another big part of my life is going out to restaurants and cooking. I eat healthy, but I'm no ascetic.
I may have validated their perceptions, but my closest friends who don't live this lifestyle just sort of accept it. I try to not make it an issue, but it has changed my social life. I've stopped doing activities at my synagogue, as it seems like all the people I know there are, well, not aging well, to put it nicely. I don't want to go to classes, lectures, or social activities on Sundays; I want to be on my bike or skis.

[featuretile]

I've had 3 good responses to how cycling improves your health. A cousin visited and looked at my bikes and saw how good I looked (and felt) and went home and bought a bike. She says her husband will get one in the Spring.

My neighbor told me of a friend of hers who had looked at my first comfort hybrid when I was selling it, and was a person who could barely walk a block. She hasn't bought a bike but was so inspired by how I could get fit in my 50's that she started walking and can now walk 3 miles.

Now the same neighbor (who is quite overweight) and hasn't done any exercise since she had kids 11 years ago, has decided to get a bike and asks me all these questions about sizing and what to buy.

Most people (non-riders) just think I'm kind of nuts. But I just don't want to hang out with people who just sit around and eat and talk. I like being with people who do something. And I've met lots of really nice cyclists.