Sunday, August 30, 2009

How could I forget to mention the bicycle is a good invention

Thanks to the Red Hot Chili Peppers for the Blog Title today...

I was planning to head over to the fitness center today after lunch. Lunch this week has been turkey sandwich with Miracle Whip, lettuce, tomatoes and basil. Sometimes I have it on a wrap, sometimes in bread. And Miracle Whip? It really IS a miracle. It doesn't have much fat or carbs or calories per serving! AMEN! I side it with fruit and celery or carrots. Then maybe a few tostitos with salsa. It is filling and not too caloric.

So I was dressed and on my way out the door when I looked at my bike in the corner of the garage. It is a GORGEOUS day here. 66 degrees and bright sun! I said to myself "Why shouldn't I ride my real bike instead of the stationary ones at the gym?" So I did it. Now my bike is a Worksman Cycle and made for plus sized people. I bought at at Supersizedcycles.com. It's great. Its an old fashioned "newsgirl" looking bike with a very wide seat and wide tires. Most bikes at a bike shop have tires that I was always afraid would pop under my weight, but not these! I recommend it! So I rode.

I rode 4 miles! I've learned a few things

1. Riding a road bike is much harder than riding stationary or spinning! You aren't having to pull all your body weight at the fitness center.
2. I am in much better shape from just this month of working out. A couple months ago I couldn't even ride down the street.
3. I probably could work harder in spin class knowing the first two!

We live a bit out in the country and have a 4 mile loop that is kind of wavy. I thought it would be easy since it's not very hilly, but I realized that wavy hills are almost worse because there is almost no coasting down a hill or chance to build up speed. It was very peaceful riding though..barely any cars between fields of corn and soy beans, feeling the sun, hearing the crickets chirp. It was really amazing. I did rest a few times and did walk my bike for one small hill towards the end because I didn't think my legs could take it! BUT I DID IT!!!!!!!!!

I am amazed at myself. I don't think I've ever ridden a road bike for 4 miles in my life.

Life is beautiful!

2 comments:

  1. Awesome! I vote for the the real deal when the weather is nice, too! Isn't being out among nature so cleansing and inspiring? Love it, and loved reading about it.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Congratulations! What a great accomplishment. Isn't it great to recognize your progress in just a month? When I recognize that kind of progress in myself, it's very motivating and makes me want to keep on doing what I'm doing. I'm thinking aobut getting a bike myself...with fall coming it would be a good alternative to being inside the gym once in awhile. Keep up the positive strides!

    ReplyDelete