Hi everyone - I'm a Newbie

[donnambr]

Hi Meg33 ,

I have been riding for a little over a month now, 7 mi round trip work commute, Monday-Friday. I've only missed riding 2 days for meetings outside the office. Sometimes I ride on the weekend, sometimes I don't. I don't have a car, so it's either bike, walk, or bus. My strength and stamina improved noticibly within a week, and more each week since. I've actually not had a net weight loss, still hovering around 200 lbs - but - my clothes are looser, especially my waist and above. My hips, and my backside seem more "toned". I'm now wearing 38C bras instead of a 40Cs. I think I've even lost weight in my chin and cheeks, because my housemate had to significantly tighten up my helmet straps today before we rode. I can see that my wristbones, collarbones, and kneebones are more defined.

My coworkers all say I've lost "lots of weight" in the last month, so I can only think I've lost fat and gained muscle. That would explain remaining at the same weight as when I began, and that's fine with me.

I see my doctor on Tuesday, so we'll see then if my borderline high/normal blood pressure has gone down any. For me, that will be the biggest accomplishment.

I wish you the best in your bike commute, which I think is the easiest way to get the exercise in. After all, you're just going to work!

[meg33]

Thanks for the encouraging replies; they really boost my motivation.
I am pleasantly surprised this morning that I don't ache as much as I thought I would, although my bum is a bit sore! Considering how 'padded' it is at the moment, that is a bit of a laugh really!!!
But, my padded shorts have been ordered and are on the way hopefully!

Happy biking everyone!

Meg x

[allabouteva]

Hi Meg33,

Welcome to TE! I'm from down under, and like you I couldn't find a womens cycling forum from around these parts. And anyway, in the cyber age, there are no borders, and it really doesn't matter where you come from.

I started cycling after I lost weight (about 2 stone), and so wasn't the big motivation. But I found that I had to exercise daily to maintain my metabolism, so that I could indulge in my eating habits (chocoholic). What I found with cycling, is that exercise isn't a chore, its something that I love doing, so that the motivation factor was completely different. Which is something quite astonishing for me!

This is the first winter I'm coming into as a cyclist, and the motivation is a bit tested because of its now cold and dark in the mornings. So I got a trainer and am doing some indoor training, which I'm actually not minding too much.

But good luck, and it's very addictive, a really really good one tho'.

Keep it up, and keeping hanging around here, you'll get heaps of support,

e

[oldbikah]

Biking is important to me for so many reasons, not the least of which is weight control. My metabolism requires me to keep pedaling to keep the 30 pounds off from last summer's loss. Also it is a way to keep my sanity! Great stress reliever! Helps to keep healthy and keep blood pressure under control...I just dropped one of the BP meds with doc's approval. Yeah! And on and on! Not to mention that I love it (to the point of acquiring 3 different bikes, justifying buying cool jerseys, and so on. A new life in my 60's!

[fatbottomedgurl]

Your bum will be sore for a little while, but soon you won't notice a thing. I started riding again on March 18. I have a mountain bike, and spent the first six weeks on the road, concentrating on hill climbing. This last week I have gone on a couple offroad rides and cannot believe how my endurance improved over the last time I was cycling. Hill work on pavement really pays off!

I am not overly overweight- the dreaded 15 lbs. (1 stone). I have lost 4 inches (10 cm) on my waist, and 2 inches (5 cm) on my hips, 1 inch (2.5 cm) on my thighs. The calves have not budged. I have not lost any weight, but imagine if I keep it up I will see some loss of that post-kids belly fat. Plus my bottom is on the wide side.