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

[katluvr]

Jen,
You are in the right place and on the right track!
You are making the first steps...it will happen!
So "chin up" and start making those little goals and baby steps.
Congrats for making the committment!

[Biciclista]

Welcome to TE, get on your bike and tell us about it!

[alpinerabbit]

Don't be embarrassed. Be proud that you got back into the saddle.
Maybe you can also take longer walks with the dog. I hear they like going for an hour a day.

Surely you only need one new pair of bike pants and an existing functional top and you're ready.

*whistles* I think the metaphor is "back to square one"

[HermitGirl]

Wow, thanks ladies ! First off, I do go often an hour of hiking a day, and it's very good for my base health (I really am quite healthy). I think the dog (3 yr old German Shepherd), aka "my personal trainer" , has been the excuse I've used for not riding. Hiking is good, but it hasn't taken the weight off like cycling will do. I've actually gained a lot of weight on my disciplined hiking schedule I've been off and on with since we got the puppy 3 years ago !!! I know , I know.... what on earth am I eating???? lol


When it warms up this afternoon, I am going to get on my bike, and I'll check back in then. I think I can maybe squeeze into my old threadbare stretched-out size med shorts and large tights, and DH's turtleneck shirts. Thanks so much ! Just having contact with you all makes all the difference, I live a very isolated life.

[arielmoon]

Welcome!

Think positive all things are possible!

[Aint Doody]

You go, girl! Making the decision to get back on the bike is the first step. Good for you!

[jobob]

Hello HG, and welcome to the fray!

There's a reason why my avatar shows a bike with training wheels...

<--- see?

We were all beginners at one time or another. And although I'm a relative oldtimer and old fart around here, I'm still learning new stuff.

So embrace your return to newbiehood! It won't last long.

[Aggie_Ama]

Welcome we all were new or felt new again or just felt inadequate. My signature says "Can't never could". My mom said it to me so much as a child I hated it. Now I think it is the wisest thing ever, maybe I am biased. So do 5 miles, do 2 miles, do the whole loop. The fact that you are trying means you don't like the word can't either. You have found friends here, WELCOME!

[Susan126]

Welcome HG! I am looking forward to reading all about your progress! You will be amazed at how quickly you will regain all! Hang in there. You took the first and biggest step by returning to your cycling!

Sue

[lph]

Go for it! But be patient. The extra weight and lack of fitness took years to get, it might take a year or more to shake. But this is a change for life, right? Once you're back in it you'll want to stay there, so it's worth working long-distance for!

[OakLeaf]

Welcome HG!

I'm on my third year of a return to cycling after a 12 year hiatus. I love to ride again now, and although I'll never again be as fast a cyclist as I "used to be," I'm more fit in other ways and a lot happier!

I hope you can give yourself permission to be where you are right now. It took that long for me. No one needs for you to go out and win races tomorrow, so ride what feels comfortable to you. Challenge yourself, don't beat yourself up.

I think you'll find that it will come back quickly since you obviously have a good fitness base.

Above all, have fun!

[Bike Goddess]

Hi HG!

Some of us live in the SF Bay area. One of us- Rollie Pollie lives in the Pollock Pines area. Since you live in the mountains and we don't know where, are you far away as in up north?

We have some nice rides down here which you are welcome to do if you get down this way.

I look forward to your progress as well. Good luck and keep it up! Cycling will help you mentally as well as physically. Isn't that a good thing!

[HermitGirl]

I'm back from my re-initiation ride. 5.5 miles, climbed a steep section for 15 minutes then rode around back and forth on the somewhat 'flat' section on the hip of the mtn, total was 43 minutes ride time. Okay, so, I felt strong on the hill anyway. What's amazing is that I feel much more confidence and motivation crawling up a steep hill than I do cranking out the flat miles. I'm meant to be a hill rider all the way, rollie pollie and all. Thanks everyone, for encouraging me, it helps so much. Next ride, probably Sunday, (today is Wednesday) I will go for a little more distance on that climb (even a quarter of a mile is huge) and push it for about an hour. In the mean time, I will be hiking an hour days I'm not riding. My back hurts already. But it's a good hurt, and I feel like I'm on top of the world. Riding always does put me in an excellent mood.

You think an hour of varied ascent/descent and rollyknolly area is good for weightloss on a regular basis?

[HermitGirl]

Hi HG!

Some of us live in the SF Bay area. One of us- Rollie Pollie lives in the Pollock Pines area. Since you live in the mountains and we don't know where, are you far away as in up north?

We have some nice rides down here which you are welcome to do if you get down this way.

I look forward to your progress as well. Good luck and keep it up! Cycling will help you mentally as well as physically. Isn't that a good thing!

I"m on Mt Veeder in Napa. I just like to ride the Drycreek and Veeder area, with some of the Sonoma Cavedale Road (off Trinity) area on occasion. Really close in, but really steep and I have gotten use to riding solo mostly, mostly because I don't care to drive to ride. Thanks for your encouragment Bike Goddess.