hello everyone

[Mish]

hi, I'm Elaine, I'm 46 years old, 300lbs and taking up cycling again in an effort to fit into my wedding dress (I'm getting married in October), lose weight get fitter and do more!

I was googling for advice for overweight women cyclists and found your forum, and from the posts I read you all seemed so friendly, helpful and un-judgmental that I thought I would join the forum and say hi.

I started cycling just before Christmas, but tried to run before I could walk and hurt my back on the 4th ride, not clever at all. After that healed I started again last week, only taking the doc's advice and starting low... I have now done 4 rides of 4 miles each and can start to feel a difference - the best thing is that the love of cycling I had when I was younger is starting to return and I'm really enjoying it, despite the physical pain so far

[Helene2013]

Welcome! A nice goal to look foward to!

[ny biker]

Welcome and congratulations!!

[azfiddle]

Welcome and congratulations-

Just do add a little more at a time- this is going to be a great thing for you.

[marni]

when I first started biking it killed me do to d mile, when I could do a mile I added a mile and so on until I got to 10, then I started adding 2 miles and then three and do on. Five years later and I am 65, 125 pounds lighter and still at it. Nowadays my average ride is 40-60 miles a couple of times a week. It can be done. Have fun on your adventure and you go girl!

[thekarens]

Welcome! I can remember when I started. I was like Marni, just kept at it until I finally could do enough miles to join our beginner's group ride of 20 miles. That was a major milestone for me. Take it one step at a time and you'll get there.

[Pax]

Welcome, Elaine! You picked a great forum to help you with your journey.

[TigerMom]

Welcome! I still remember when I thought that 8 miles of road biking as a lot. You'll be surprised how much you can improve if you keep at it.

One thing that I wish I had known at first, granola bars and energy bars have tons of calories. Now, I only have half of a granola bar or Cliff bar after one hour of riding along with drinking electrolyte fluids every 15min.

Hope you fall in love with biking so that even when you do lose the weight, you'll keep it up.

[PamNY]

Hello and welcome to the group. Four miles is a wonderful start! I started with shorter distances than that when I returned to cycling in my late fifties. Most important -- you say you are enjoying cycling, which is great. As others have said, just keep increasing your distance gradually and you will be fine.

If you have questions or concerns, post them here and someone can probably help. There's a huge amount of knowledge in this group.

[Mish]

Thanks for the welcome :-)

I've been out again this weekend, 9 miles yesterday and 6 today. Feels good!