Starting Again at Ground Zero ....

[pardes]

Let's commiserate together! I used to be nationally-ranked (Olympic tryout) fencer back in the 60's and then gravity and sloth had it's way.

I'm 63 and managed to drop 30 pounds this past summer just from starting to bike again, slow-paced (I'm talking REALLY slow biking) daily biking of no more than 10 miles a day (my arthritis limit back then). Of course the heat helped and not wanting to eat much after biking in the heat. But it really was almost effortless to lose the weight, so don't despair, it will happen.

Be proud of yourself. You are saying yes to your body's health and emotional well-being in the midst of a conflicted life. Woooooohoooooo for you!!!!!!

[malkin]

In some circles 'beginner's mind' is a very good thing.
And in other circles, kit that doesn't fit means you get to get new kit!

Welcome!

[Tokie]

Welcome HG! Keep your eyes on the Gear/apparel section of this forum - women frequently are selling their cycling gear that doesn't fit because they have lost weight and gained fitness with their cycling habit! then you could pick up "new" shorts for a discount price to wear while you get back to your old self! (then you can buy a new pair from TE to celebrate!) Have fun! tokie

[cycling_sarah]

You can do it! Start with little rides, enjoy on the scenery, have fun and soon you will find you are riding further and feeling better!

[HermitGirl]

Welcome HG! Keep your eyes on the Gear/apparel section of this forum - women frequently are selling their cycling gear that doesn't fit because they have lost weight and gained fitness with their cycling habit! then you could pick up "new" shorts for a discount price to wear while you get back to your old self! (then you can buy a new pair from TE to celebrate!) Have fun! tokie

Thanks Tokie, but I found my shorts and tights still work. When I'll need to buy new is when I lose weight, cuz the old threadbare stretched out stuff won't be form fitting anymore.

[HermitGirl]

You can do it! Start with little rides, enjoy on the scenery, have fun and soon you will find you are riding further and feeling better!

I know that in my head. Right now I am riding on pure knowlege, and allowing my body to set the pace. I know that given consistant riding schedule, attention to both the knowlege and listening to my body, and *not giving up*, that I will break on thru gradually to a whole different physical world. I was there before, I have very blurry vision of what I looked like, in my mind's memory, but my physical body doesn't remember it. (which I find odd, I can't even remember how my body felt to actually feel my hip bones, or collar bones). When such a thing as consistant riding is made time for, wonderful things happen.

I started last winter on this forum , under a different user name, ( *I changed email addresses and couldn't retrieve my old user name*) with a grand plan to start distance training. Boy was that grandiose. I mean, I was so full of confidence, but I truly was not using my knowlege. I was writing a check that my lifestyle just could not ever cash. I planned on training to ride a very hilly 100 K. I started this elaborate and radical incremental mileage increase chart, I mean, it was way over the top. Not only did I want to ride these killer mountainous loops of up to 70 miles, but I wanted to bike commute into town 2 or 3 times a week from atop my mtn, for groceries and errands. I think my motivation evaporated about 2 weeks into it. I think I realized, hey, how is the dog going to be hiked with if I even start to do this?
I am determined to learn from that mistake. >> All I really want and need for health and weight maintenance , is to be able to ride once/twice a week, the 25 mile loop right near my house, or some shorter section of it. I don't need to make a complex training chart for that. I think I will be able to ride it by my birthday , which is mid January. I might take 4 hours to do it, but one day I'll be able to do it in under 2 again. I'll then be fit enought to ride my bike into town once in a while, whenever I feel like it. I have no expectations of myself but to continue riding.

Thanks again for all of your encouragement everybody ! ::hug::

[Chicken Little]

You have my complete support and sympathy. To walk out the door and try is is all that is necessary. You have shown yourself what is within you by that single act.

"Adversity does not build character, it exposes it."

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

I think it's better to ride 3 or 4 much smaller rides per week rather than two longer ones- if possible.
It gets you into the habit of just jumping on your bike as part of your lifestyle, as opposed to 'planning' a ride like it was a special event or chore.
It also is less like something to dread or put off. Often you can do a 5 mile quicky even if you are tired or pressed for time.
What you want to do here is change your lifestyle habits. Losing weight and gaining fitness will naturally start to happen as you ride your bike more often.
Make small do-able goals first. If you are successful at those, then increase your goals little by little. For many people, starting out with big goals just sets them up for failure. First get into the habit of setting and meeting your small goals successfully and enjoying that feeling!

[redrhodie]

Hey, welcome back! I remember you from last year! I think the new plan is much better conceived. You'll see, riding a couple of 25 mile rides a week will make a huge difference in your health. Even an hour a day a few days a week will build your fitness level, and you'll be surprised how the miles will add up.

[HermitGirl]

I think it's better to ride 3 or 4 much smaller rides per week rather than two longer ones- if possible.
It gets you into the habit of just jumping on your bike as part of your lifestyle, as opposed to 'planning' a ride like it was a special event or chore.
It also is less like something to dread or put off. Often you can do a 5 mile quicky even if you are tired or pressed for time.
What you want to do here is change your lifestyle habits. Losing weight and gaining fitness will naturally start to happen as you ride your bike more often.
Make small do-able goals first. If you are successful at those, then increase your goals little by little. For many people, starting out with big goals just sets them up for failure. First get into the habit of setting and meeting your small goals successfully and enjoying that feeling!

I love your babysteps approach , thank you! I'm incorporating the advice from you ladies very carefully this time, and yes, I know more often is best, but I have an hour to hike with the dog in the same hilly backwoods, everyday if I can. I think in future I can cut back onthe hike time the days I manage to do a reasonable ride, and days that I'm just not able to do it all, I have to choose hiking over riding, for our dog's needs. It's a rigorous balance, at my age of nearly 47 to expect to hike daily like I do, AND go out for rides.... but.... anything is possible, and I'm not beyond it. However, the hiking hasn't made me lose any weight , so I have to just keep trying to ride more. I think when I lose just afew pounds I'll be able to manage short rides from my cabin , where it is so steep, there is about 700 feet elevation drop/gain in 1 - 1/4 miles... and continues like that for about 4 miles before the slope lessens. To go out for just a couple miles from home, is major ride for me now, even to go out for a 1/2 mile of our dirt road to get the mail. Heck, maybe just riding down to get the mail on my mtn bike, most days (when I'm fitter, ligher) is equal to 'a little spin' for most of you ? Otherwise, I have to drive to ride, and I'm not crazy about that for a lifestyle, at all. It's really difficult for me to calculate calorie burning on a ride from my house, when it's either UP and my heart is pounding so hard in the easiest gear (and I have easy gears), or coasting down so steep you don't do anything but brake.

[Mr. Bloom]

Silver's story:

One day, at the age of 35, she felt the need to run. She ran to the corner three houses down. The next day, she ran to the next mailbox down...and next day the next, and the next day the next...and so on.

In six months, she did her first 5K...another six months, her first marathon.

7 years, 40 pounds, 5 marathons, and several triathlons, she:
- is a licensed spin instructor and and LCI
- coaches for the local Y's training group
- has a six pack
- is an inspiration to all!
- all because she ran to the corner one day

...and I used to make fun of her for "running like a girl"......and now I'm doing it too!

It's not how much you do it...it's why and whether you enjoy it. Good Luck!

[HermitGirl]

Silver's story:

One day, at the age of 35, she felt the need to run. She ran to the corner three houses down. The next day, she ran to the next mailbox down...and next day the next, and the next day the next...and so on.

In six months, she did her first 5K...another six months, her first marathon.

7 years, 40 pounds, 5 marathons, and several triathlons, she:
- is a licensed spin instructor and and LCI
- coaches for the local Y's training group
- has a six pack
- is an inspiration to all!
- all because she ran to the corner one day

...and I used to make fun of her for "running like a girl"......and now I'm doing it too!

It's not how much you do it...it's why and whether you enjoy it. Good Luck!

Thank you Mr. Silver. That is great perspective to keep in mind.

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

You are better off concentrating on generally being more active and getting fitter/healthier and eating healthier foods....rather than thinking about all this in terms of weight loss and calories.
If you exercise more you will lose fat but slowly gain muscle. Muscle is heavier than fat. But you will have a healthier body shape and you'll need different size clothes even if you don't lose overall weight very quickly. Perhaps like me, your upper arm fat and your waist will get smaller, but your thigh and calf muscles will be bigger. (I love it!) Read some of the threads here on TE about fitness and weight loss.

My own personal opinion is don't get hung up on 'diets' or counting calories. Instead, make different choices more often- take a quick brisk walk or a quick bike ride and have a salad or a banana instead of having pizza and soda in front of the tv. The idea is to start to change your lifestyle and feel better, the idea is not to deprive yourself or make good health a complicated drudgery that's no fun.

[gnGracie]

Welcome and kudos!

Good for you for getting back in the saddle!! You should be patting yourself on the back. I'm a new rider (just started around April or May), so compared to a lot of these ladies I'm pretty sure I'm a pokey butt, but I sure am feeling better and stronger and enjoying my rides. I finally have my ride up to 12 miles and think I avg about 12-13 mph. However, I'm in NW Florida and don't have the mtns and large hills a lot of you ladies have to cope with, so I don't know how much of an accomplishment some people here would consider that; I'm happy with it, though.

[sundial]

HermitGirl, welcome back and please.......don't be a hermit.

You know, this time of year is so spectacular. Lights. Decorations. Gorgeous sunsets. Crisp air. Starry night. There is so much awaiting you if you'll just take that step out the door. Don't be your own worst critic. Get on and ride. Whether it's just down to the end of the road, around the bend, or a lonely back country road, just ride.