Bikerchickmomma Member

Hiya. Welcome. At our age, losing weight is a major issue. Easy to gain and hard to lose. Never give up!!

The "experts" say if you go for 12 consecutive months without a period, you should be done with them. The other symptoms can linger longer. Hang in there.

You may try doing the shakes on alternate days. It's hard to do them daily on a long-term plan. If you alternate days, you should still lose some weight but won't feel as deprived. On the non-shake days, you could just eat more normally, but not with wild abandon.

Shoe sizes per brand vary. I have some shoes in a 41 and some in a 43. I would always go up at least a half size. The shoes have adjustable closures so you can snug them up as needed. Particularly if you use them in cold weather (or buy winter biking shoes) go up one full size for sure. If your feet are cramped, they'll…

I do. There doesn't seem to be much action. Throw something out there.

Hello Diana, Nice to hear from you. I will give you as much support as I can. Welcome. Sure, I'd add you as a friend. Come on down!!

I have issues with circulation in my fingers. (My hands always feel cold.) The handwear I've had the best success with keeping my hands warm are the lobster mitts. Get them a little bit looser so if need be you can wear a pair of liners or handwarmers in them.

Lobster mitts rule. I have used those little handwarmers in them. I also love my winter biking boots. Got a pair of Northwaves a few years back. No regrets. Buy them a good size bigger than you usually wear. If your shoes are too tight, your feet will get cold REAL fast. Leaves room for heavier socks if you need them.…

I wish you luck on the ride. Take those hills one at a time. Love your pic. You certainly look like you mean business. Go girl!!!

As I am "off" my bikes this year, they have not cost me any extra "extras". I thoroughly enjoy seeing all the new items you all are purchasing for this awesome passion. Keep it up as it helps me stay motivated to utimately get back on my bikes in 2016. Thanks all!! Yea!!!

My beater bike is an older (90's) Schwinn I bought used back in 2003. I fitted it with clip-in pedals and added a set of used aero bars and a better seat. This is my crappy-weather bike. I use it through the winter and off paved roads. I do not feel guilty if I take a spill on it (though I try not) and it does get used!…

Way to go, girl! I did the G.B. (full) marathon in 2006 and "officially" finished last. My name is the last one on the results sheet. There were people who finished after me, but they quit taking times down after 7 hours, 30 minutes. My time was 7 hrs., 17 minutes and 30 seconds. You know when you go through Lambeau field…

I'm the cyclist in our family. I've already told my husband as we strolled through my favorite bike shop to pick out anything he wanted. (Trying to bribe him into riding more.....) I still bike solo. (:-( But I have some nice bikes (all for me....) (:-)

I am 60 and struggling with the menopausal weight challenge. I've adopted the K.I.S.S. plan: Keep It Simple, Sue (that's me). Basically move more, eat less. Yes, avoiding sugar and processed foods is very helpful as well as trying to build more muscle mass. As our metabolism slows down, we have to work harder to achieve…

I know that when I eat fewer (and better) carbs, I stay "cooler". If you think about it, it makes sense. Eating carbs is like stoking the furnace. The more a person eats, the hotter the fire. Less carbs = less heat. I noticed it does affect me. Good luck with your experiment.

Make sure you drink enough water. I find it more important as I've gotten older. The advice posted has all been good. Basically it comes down to eating less carbs, eating less processed foods, drinking enough water, and exercise as best you can. If you don't use it, you lose it. And, never give up!!

There's always spin classes. Depending on the weather and if the roads were clear I rode outside all winter. I have an older trail bike I use for my "crappy weather" bike. Dressed appropriately, I could tolerate the cold down to 20 degrees. For cross-training, I have a rowing machine (total body work-out) and there's…

Cool gear. Gotta get it in in the correct shade of purple, to match my bike.... (Sort of a peri-winkle / lavender....) Yeah, we have to be stylin'..... Look like you own it, baby!!!!

This is a true "helmet-as-a-hero" story: In Madison, WI a young was man biking a few years ago. Somehow, he fell off his bike and his head was run over by a truck. Miraculously, he came out of it totally okay. His savior was his bike helmet, which suffered some cracking during his "encounter" with the truck, but saved his…

Hi Mikey, I have biked to and from work for 10 years through all seasons if able. It's pretty dark on the Wisconsin mornings. I invested in a set of lights: headlight and tail light that can be switched on to a strobe pulse. I pulse the red flash for my tail light and keep the head light at a steady beam. I purchased a…

I'm from Wisconsin, yup the land where the Trek bike was created. I am 60 yrs. old and was re-introduced to biking at the age of 48. Totally hooked. I have 5 bikes: 2 Schwinn trail bikes, one Giant hybrid, a Giant one-piece carbon frame ocrc3 (from 2005), and a classic Trek 2300, combination carbon and aluminum frame…

Night sweats started when I was 40. I am 60 and about 2 years into "true" menopause (no periods). The hot flashes continue to accompany me. I truly believe they will stop someday. I have a stack of turtlenecks I haven't been able to wear for years....(too hot.) I am looking forward to using them in the future. My luck, the…

I gave the last of my stash to my daughter when I was one year past. Good riddance. It was a long row to hoe. Welcome to a new chapter of life!!

The year I had 7 flats, I switched to Gatorskins with the reinforced sidewalls. I believe using them has reduced my incidence of flats. I keep my air pressure at the max or even a few lbs. over. Riding in wet conditions seem to increase the risk of flats as the crud adheres to a wet wheel. I already got a flat from hitting…

I have ridden a 96 mile route to our summer cottage 25 times over the past 10 years. I usually ride solo. My (successful) routine works like this: The night before, I'll have a double serving of oatmeal for supper with fruit. The morning of the ride, I may have just a banana before I start. I can't ride on a full stomach.…

Presently, I am focusing on mostly walking. I vary it. I speed walk a couple times a week. I also "pole-walk". (That's walking with poles--sometimes it called nordic walking.) Burns 40% more calories and works the upper body. I still use my spin bike regularly and have incorporated several sessions of free weights to help…

Hi and welcome! I started getting nights sweats when I turned 40. I began eating a serving of tofu or a soy product daily at that time. I also made a point to exercise regularly. That helped alleviate most of the night sweats. I didn't get a "real" hot flash until I was 57. (My periods stopped when I was 57-1/2). I am…

I can sympathize and emphasize with your weight loss efforts. My metabolism has slowed since my early 50's. Yeah, in the past I could fast for a few days and drop a quick 5-7 pounds. Now, I diet (for real) and literally exercise my butt off to lose a pound in 2 weeks (maybe.) It is frustrating. I can only encourage you to…

P.S. Keep your old bike for winter riding. I have an old Schwinn that has seen lots of cold weather riding. You can fit it with clip-in pedals and get winter biking boots if you feel it necessary. And having an extra bike never hurts in case your main bike is broke down.