Biking FTW! :)

wizzybeth
wizzybeth Posts: 3,578 Member
in Success Stories
So 2 years ago I got on a "biking kick." I bought a rather expensive (to me, but not in the bike world, apparently, lol) bike that looked sturdy enough for a morbidly obese woman to handle. :) I did ride it a lot but really didn't push many limits with it. I did enjoy being out on it. I was very slow. Hubby frequently had to stop and wait for me to catch up, esp. when I got off and WALKED up hills. Even minor hills. I did work on getting better at that - but still, I was very very slow. Last summer we did a bike ride in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park that I considered a victory but I still walked a good part of it, and it took me about 1.5 hours longer than the park gave as a suggested time. LOL

Fast forward to the end of Jan. of this year. I have had a gym membership for some time that was sitting unused (I have a long list of perfectly valid excuses, lol... :* ) My friend harassed me into joining a spin class.

Holy heck, that was a workout. But because of it I have been looking forward to getting on my bike again this season.

Hubby and I went out today on the "Lake Loop" I like to take in our nearby state park. Only mildly challenging for normal people. And guess what? I was only mildly challenging for me too! Last year it took me well over an hour to do the whole 6.5 mile loop. Today it took less than 40 mins (I'm not counting the 5 minute break we took to sit by the lake and take in the view.) Hubby was suprised and proud at how well I did, and so was I. I kicked the butt of nearly every hill except the last (and most challenging) one and even that, I rode it all the way, no walking!

PERSISTENCE PAYS OFF!!!

Here is a pic of me from last summer. when we biked along the river.

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Here is today. I am not sure but I think you CAN see a difference in my size....my jacket makes it hard though. Wish I had taken it off. And I ditched the bike basket. LOL

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I LOVE MY BIKE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1

Just get out there and do SOMETHING. You will feel so much better. It's amazing what a couple hours in the great outdoors does for your mood too. :)


Replies

  • NC_Girl
    NC_Girl Posts: 177 Member
    Oh yes I can see the difference! Great job....keep it up. :)
  • chivalryder
    chivalryder Posts: 4,391 Member
    LOVE cycling!
  • chriskangell
    chriskangell Posts: 29 Member
    I am a huge cycler and spinner and can attest to how great both are. Keep it up!
  • Calliope610
    Calliope610 Posts: 3,783 Member
    I have recently started cycling - and I LOVE it!
  • PeachyPlum
    PeachyPlum Posts: 1,243 Member
    You look great! I love biking too (and yes, when DH and I first started biking, he had to wait while I walked up hills as well).
  • Machka9
    Machka9 Posts: 25,593 Member
    Good for you!! :) I'm also a cyclist and have been for years. Love it. :)
  • sweetyedie
    sweetyedie Posts: 104 Member
    I got the bike last summer, this year I'm planning to learn to ride it again. Thanks for the encouraging testimone
  • BrunetteRunner87
    BrunetteRunner87 Posts: 591 Member
    I love biking! I think I'm pretty slow as well but that's OK because I enjoy the views :)
  • tonybalony01
    tonybalony01 Posts: 613 Member
    That's a great accomplishment! A couple months ago, I started doing a spin class once or twice a week at my gym, and it's made a huge difference for me as well. Keep up the great work. And you look great, too!
  • wizzybeth
    wizzybeth Posts: 3,578 Member
    I first had a bike that was a skinny racing bike - someone gave it to me - I could not ride it, lol. It was way too wobbly. This one is excellent and has a great ride. I strongly recommend biking! :D
  • Nuke_64
    Nuke_64 Posts: 406 Member
    I love biking as well. Started as a commuter, now doing mountain biking. Its amazing the amount of calories burned.
  • wizzybeth
    wizzybeth Posts: 3,578 Member
    I really don't know what to put for calories burned. My fitness app said I burned 495 calories but I do not believe it, since half of the trip was either flat, or only mildly sloped. There were only a couple spots where I really had to dig in to get up the hill. I gave myself 200 calories for the ride, but probably should have given myself even less. I am even considering not counting my exercise calories at all.
  • lemonaid7
    lemonaid7 Posts: 156 Member
    Awesome job!
  • chivalryder
    chivalryder Posts: 4,391 Member
    wizzybeth wrote: »
    I really don't know what to put for calories burned. My fitness app said I burned 495 calories but I do not believe it, since half of the trip was either flat, or only mildly sloped. There were only a couple spots where I really had to dig in to get up the hill. I gave myself 200 calories for the ride, but probably should have given myself even less. I am even considering not counting my exercise calories at all.

    I find I burn an average of 500 calories per hour at a moderate pace.
  • smittybobitty917
    smittybobitty917 Posts: 19 Member
    Cycling is the best exercise in disguise. I'm glad to see you're enjoying it!
  • bdzerneke
    bdzerneke Posts: 6 Member
    In February I signed up for a local bike ride that is all hills. I've owned my road bike 2 years and ride sporadically but it's always been just for fun. At my current weight I knew there was no chance I'd make it up those hills. When I hit submit on that registration it was a motivational thing for me. Now it's been 2 months and I'm down 17 lbs. I have 2 more months til my ride and I'm hoping to be down another 17 lbs by that day. The more I lose the easier these hills get and the more fun cycling becomes.
    Congrats on getting into cycling!

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