Ride a bike a day keeps obesity away

**AutumnBreez** · 08-26-2005, 01:46 AM

http://www.cnn.com/2005/HEALTH/diet.fitness/08/24/obesity.oregon.ap/index.html

Here is proof that more paths and trails should be put in place, it would be very beneficial to ALL.

Ride to work day, today, tomorrow, and everyday you can, RIDE!

**Pax** · 08-26-2005, 06:05 AM

I was reading that article in the Trib yesterday and found myself nodding my head in agreement. I'm down 9lbs in the last month or so and the only new/different thing in my life is riding a bike...and I don't ride centuries or anything, just short distances. It seems that a little effort reaps some large (or in my case smaller

rewards.

**betagirl** · 08-26-2005, 06:22 AM

Totally agree. While I don't commute to work, I definitely look and feel better the more I bike.

**mary9761** · 08-26-2005, 10:49 AM

Hi, I just joined the team estrogen forum, but I wanted to add to this. I have lost 80 pounds since May of 2004 and I was pleased that the scales were moving to the better. I still have at least 90-100 pounds to lose before I will be happy with my weight. In the late spring of this year, I started walking more as exercise to try and tone up the loose skin and flab from the weight loss and then in late June/early July I added cycling. I have ridden 473 miles since then and can I ever see a difference! My legs are toning, my belly (I've lost another couple pant sizes just since I've started riding) even my arms are toning up. I haven't felt this good in more years than I can count. This is the healthiest I have been as well.
I know the scales will eventually start downward again, but as the toning goes on and the muscles build, I can still see the results of my riding. I just wish that I'd started riding much sooner. I hadn't ridden a bicycle for over 20 years.

**drplasma64** · 08-26-2005, 12:26 PM

Hi Mary, good to see you over here

Your posts over at bikejournal are so inspirational..it's so great to hear about all the fun you're having. I just started riding again (after 15+ years) at the end of June and don't have as many miles as you

I also have a lot of weight to lose (probably about 60 lbs to ideal, but I'd be really happy with 35), and I too already feel a difference in my legs, butt and arms. I definitely feel like I am getting stronger - I just need to find more time to put in the saddle.

I'm lucky, we just moved to Oregon, and it is definitely bike friendly, which is what got me back into riding.

**Pax** · 08-26-2005, 01:07 PM

The comments about firming butts and legs reminded me of my shower on Monday (after a weekend of nice rides), I stood in front of the mirror poking my fat tummy and scowling at it (as usual) but then noticed my thighs! Hmmm, where did those nice firm muscles come from??? I contented myself with poking my firm thigh and NOT scowling for a while.

**CorsairMac** · 08-26-2005, 03:23 PM

Originally Posted by Queen

The comments about firming butts and legs reminded me of my shower on Monday (after a weekend of nice rides), I stood in front of the mirror poking my fat tummy and scowling at it (as usual) but then noticed my thighs! Hmmm, where did those nice firm muscles come from??? I contented myself with poking my firm thigh and NOT scowling for a while.

ROFL Queen - I just don't stand in front of a mirror......that way All of me is nice and firm and Awesome!!!

Corsair "a legend in her own mind" Mac

**MomOnBike** · 08-27-2005, 08:28 PM

What's this "mirror" thing you guys are talking about?

MomOnBike
(motto: Don't look, don't tell)

**caligurl** · 08-27-2005, 10:26 PM

Originally Posted by Queen

I'm down 9lbs in the last month or so and the only new/different thing in my life is riding a bike....

well i've found 4 of them and i'm NOT happy

**nuthatch** · 08-28-2005, 04:31 AM

With the summer winding down, I've decided to tape the calender to the wall with "August" permanently on display. Do you think this will have any effect on Chicago winters?

I've decided to try year-round commuting this winter. I know the trainer in the winter is probably more consistant cardio work than outside riding but I just HATE going indoors!!!!

Are any of you gals going to keep riding this winter? I know Corsair will - anyone else?

**DeniseGoldberg** · 08-28-2005, 05:34 AM

Originally Posted by nuthatch

I've decided to try year-round commuting this winter. I know the trainer in the winter is probably more consistant cardio work than outside riding but I just HATE going indoors!!!!

Are any of you gals going to keep riding this winter? I know Corsair will - anyone else?

I've really got a lot of respect for you gals who commute through the winter. I'm afraid my commuting will be over after next week. I'm headed out for a 2-week cycling vacation on September 8th, and when I get home the daylight will have shrunk enough that I won't have time for a full day's work plus my bicycle commute. I usually continue riding on the weekends year-round, although the length of my rides is directly related to the temperature and the road conditions (as in I won't ride on snowy roads).

There are really 2 reasons that I stop commuting. The first is that riding in the dark with the drivers around here scares me. Even with good lights, I'm afraid of getting hit - my commute to work is along some pretty heavy traffic roads. And the second is that once it gets cold, I find that my outdoor rides are very limited in length because unfortunately no matter what layers I wear, my hands and feet like to turn into what feels like blocks of ice. I'm OK in the 40's (Fahrenheit), temps in the 30's are sometimes OK, and sometimes not.

To those of you who commute in the cold months - I'm in awe!

--- Denise

**Surlygirl** · 08-28-2005, 06:08 AM

Oh I long for those long winter days when its snowing like a banshee out and twenty below and CorsairMac writes to tell me what a nice ride she had that day in sunny Albuquerque, NM.

NOT!!!!!!!!!

**betagirl** · 08-28-2005, 05:37 PM

Hey Nuthatch, hats off to you for trying to commute all winter here. I know a couple guys who do and they swear it's not that big of a deal. Yeah ok

I can't commute really because my commute would be from the burbs to the city and I haven't figured out how to get through the shady parts of town yet. But I'm trying to convince myself to ride all winter, as long as the roads aren't snowy/icy. We'll see how well I do when it's 10 degrees

**Pax** · 08-28-2005, 06:20 PM

Originally Posted by betagirl

...I haven't figured out how to get through the shady parts of town yet...

In the early 90's I spent a fair amount of time driving through those "shady parts"...best tip I learned?...never come to a complete stop, just keep rolling and you stand a much better chance of arriving at your destination.

**nuthatch** · 08-29-2005, 04:17 AM

My commute is a piece of cake as far as any road/bad guy danger is concerned. Crazed soccer moms would be the only problem! I feel very lucky with my commute location and length of ride!

I can't imagine gathering my courage to ride from here to downtown even under the best weather conditions unless I was with a group!

But, yes, I'm wondering how those really cold days will be. Like Denise, my line of demarkation last winter was anything under freezing. I had such a time trying to layer and then unlayer the right parts of me during my ride. Hands and feet are always a problem, too. Hmm...maybe I need more expensive gear???

The Chicagoland Bicycle Federation emailed me the other day looking for people willing to be interviewed if they commuted all winter. That's what pushed me over the edge and got me to commit. So, I guess I'll be wearing more lights than that space ship in Close Encounters!!

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