Trying to get back into this

[NoNo]

Hello all! I'm not exactly new to these forums, but it's been a few (5!) years. I took a detour into rock climbing and then last fall found out I was bipolar. I lost all desire to do anything for a good year because of that. Now that I'm on the mend mentally, I want to start healing physically again. Unfortunately, the lack of working out and the medications have made me gain quite a bit of weight. I'm hoping that getting back into cycling will help me start to lose these pesky pounds as well as mentally relax. I used to do longer rides, but I'm looking to stay at moderate distances now and just enjoy the ride. The hard thing for me has been comparing myself to what I used to be able to do (That hill used to be easy, I used to fly along here, I'm gasping for air!) Does anyone have tips on how to stop those negative thoughts and start focusing on the good that I'm doing by riding? I know it's going to take time to build my endurance again, but it's so hard not to get down on myself. That said, I'm looking forward to many miles on the bike this year and chatting with the smart, talented women here!

[lph]

Hey, I remember you! Welcome back :-)

I haven't rock climbed in years now, (but don't want to "quit", I just don't want to do all the training...) and I'm sure I would feel the same way if I went out climbing on a familiar crag now.

I think the best advice that would work for me would be to not do the exact same things I did earlier, if possible have your focus a different place from where you used to. If you used to go for regular training rides of a certain length, try to see if you can find completely different routes. Or commute, or run errands by bike, or go to different places for a purpose, to shop or take photos or watch wildlife. Or try trail riding, or running, or swimming instead. I'm thinking that the point is the total amount of exercise your body gets, and you know it'll be a long haul, so you might as well keep yourself entertained and see new things on the way :-D

I hated starting to run, because I ran the same stretches that I rode my bike, and it felt like I was standing still. Now I run a route that I keep myself from biking, one that I actually can't bike because of steps, so I can still feel "fast"... Now I enjoy feeling more versatile, but it took a while. For a while there my only sense of achievement was that I actually had run that day.

[Crankin]

That voice in your head telling you negative stuff is often the culprit of bad feelings. The key is to not just stop it, but to replace it with some kind of positive visual, mantra, or saying that will help you be in the moment. LPH has good advice. A few years ago I had to build back up to my previous level of endurance. I did lots of errand rides, going to farm stands, and riding to appointments. I still rode on the weekends and occasional fitness rides during the week, but I had to enjoy the present of each ride. Those little miles added up. I also went to yoga classes. The key is to have realistic, but fun expectations.

[ny biker]

I don't have anything to add, except welcome back and good luck!

[NoNo]

Thanks for the encouragement! I asked my brother if he would ride with me, but apparently he doesn't even want to do short rides anymore. I have a friend getting a bike so we'll be able to ride soon. As for my mental state, it's going to be tough to block those negative thoughts. I guess the main thing is that I'm even trying in the first place. Today I hiked. I want to have a mix of activities so that I don't get burned out. Yesterday I did 10 very slow miles on the bike but I felt great when I was done. I just have to remember that feeling I guess and keep trying.

[ny biker]

Thanks for the encouragement! I asked my brother if he would ride with me, but apparently he doesn't even want to do short rides anymore. I have a friend getting a bike so we'll be able to ride soon. As for my mental state, it's going to be tough to block those negative thoughts. I guess the main thing is that I'm even trying in the first place. Today I hiked. I want to have a mix of activities so that I don't get burned out. Testator I did 10 very slow miles on the bike but I felt great when I was done. I just have to remember that feeling I guess and keep trying.

Yes, sometimes you just need to close your eyes and remind yourself how good you'll feel when you're done -- picture it in your mind.

While you're riding -- look around, enjoy the trees, flowers, wildlife, whatever, maybe sing a favorite song to yourself. Take the bike computer off your bike if the numbers distract you.

[lph]

NoNo, funny thing is this thread caused me to say yes when a friend out of the blue asked me if I wanted to come climbing a few days ago. I almost said no, figuring it just wasn't worth the hassle, but then I thought I'd try my own advice. So we went out on some easy slabs. I deliberately didn't check the grade (difficulty rating), I just tied in and climbed and tried to notice details and enjoy it.
Mostly I noticed how much my feet hurt... ;-) So yesterday I went and bought new shoes!

[Crankin]

Molly, I might never ride again, if never said "I never want to do that again," after a ride... seriously, I usually always think that after a challenging ride, but it's followed by a feeling of being proud of my accomplishment. I just read an article that endurance athletes have a particular kind of amnesia about suffering, that allows them to go back and do the same thing over and over, despite the suffering quotient.

[NoNo]

Woo hoo! Way to attack that crag! Seriously, that makes me excited, and kind of wanting to climb now, lol. I hear you about enjoying the moment. I think I got too wrapped up in the numbers when I used to ride. I may have to drive to places and unload the bike to see new areas. Thankfully, I live on the shore, so there's plenty of scenery to get lost in!

[MollyJ]

Crankin there are two forms of "I never want to do that again", I think. There is the form you experience when your body is not prepared but you do some form of exercise and you spend days recovering from it and the thought of doing it again causes revulsion. That's the one I seek to avoid. Then there is the "cannot wait to get off of this bike feeling" I had when I came home against the wind (bad planning) for a 42 mile ride, the longest I have done in a while. And yes, that one is all about bragging rights, knowing you pushed yourself a little or a lot and that you can keep "going further".

I remember vividly thinking during labor with my son, "How could I have been talked in to doing this?" and then hours later, looking at him bundled up in his crib thinking, "I can't wait to do that again!" and just laughing at myself because of the 180 degree turn in thinking.

[Crankin]

I don't avoid the first kind, because sometimes, I have to do rides that take a few days to recover from. And besides, I give myself alittle slacking extra recovery time, as we all know, that's one of the benefits of aging.

[Catrin]

Woo hoo! Way to attack that crag! Seriously, that makes me excited, and kind of wanting to climb now, lol. I hear you about enjoying the moment. I think I got too wrapped up in the numbers when I used to ride. I may have to drive to places and unload the bike to see new areas. Thankfully, I live on the shore, so there's plenty of scenery to get lost in!

I hear you about getting too caught up with the numbers, I do that as well. I think that's one of the reasons I like hiking in the woods, kind of hard to get caught up in the numbers. It IS part of competitive kettlebell lifting so I can't leave the numbers completely behind.

[Lelani Carver]

Welcome back, NoNo, sounds like you enjoy riding in the NowNow, at least!