Starting Again at Ground Zero ....

[HermitGirl]

I just joined, and this is my first landing spot. I am getting back on my bike TODAY after gaining so much weight and literally ruining my life with it, and all the anguish that comes from being significantly overweight -about 50 pounds and I'm only 5'2" - almost 47, middleaged and full of angst, marriage at risk, the whole ugly reality we can find ourselves in... ....but the good news is, now I'm ready to do something about it !

I use to ride a lot, about 10 to 15 years ago; mostly the 25 mile mountain road loop I live very near to, but occasionally further distance, once even had ridden a century. I also was passionately into mtn trail riding, and rode a lot with really fit riders, but all of those glory days feels like a lifetime ago now. All I really want is to get out of this hell, and to be able to ride my Mountain Road Loop again , once or twice a week, and to bike commute occasionally to do some errands in town. So, needless to say, I have the bikes, the clothing, (but I can't fit into any of it, untill I lose at least 10 pounds). I have all the gear and know-how from a once empassioned cycling lifestyle over a decade ago. All is left for me to get maybe as much cameraderie here as I can muster, and motivation to start all over again from Ground Zero.

I am a perfect example about how time just flies and a person can totally lose focus on a passion. Bicycling was once such a passion that I took my fitness and metabolism for granted, and I never thought it possible that I could gain this weight and let my whole bike social circle become total strangers. I have learned that I enjoy being a solo rider mostly, because I live in the mountains and I don't like to drive to ride. I have to just start with short rides, down on the hip of the mtn maybe, but I am literally afraid to be seen by the riders out there with whom I use to ride with in fit days. Today I am going to go for 5 miles.

I really need all the cheering and empathy from you riders, because I really feel like a beginner all over again. I know progress could go potentially very swiftly once I start turning those pedals. I also know that although I eventually want to have a once/twice a week ride maintenance, I'm going to have to go more often , to lose the weight first and to arrive at a maintenance cycling routine. The thing is, I hike everyday with our very energetic young dog, about half an hour minimum, so it's not like I'm able to add a rigorous training schedule. I just need to find what works now, and will work for a lifestyle, but feel clueless right now. ~Jen