Two things I want to mention today, in the spirit of the cycling community at large- a few days ago I discussed getting a tool kit for my bike, a necessity that I have been slowly working on. One of my fellow bloggers was nice enough to put together a post on this subject, so for anyone looking for an economical way to handle road side breakdowns check it out: Basic Budget Tool Kit
Also, another fellow blogger, who has been a source of much support for me, decided to write a piece appropriately named, "You're not alone, Lindsay". Really, I don't know how I ever got so lucky as to have this much support. Visit Jocke's blog here: Carrygo Blog
Today a friend came into town to grocery shop, as we haven't seen each other in a while I rode with her in her truck to the grocery store. Jack must have forgotten how fast vehicles generally go, because he sounded like he was on a thrill ride in the back seat yelling "go, go, go". When we got back to my house we had planned to go riding together, but alas her bike had some unexpected mechanical issues and so Jack and I went for our ride alone. Jack was not a happy boy by any means...
We hadn't been gone long when his mood cheered up, the clouds looked ready to open up and the wind was really blowing, but it was warm and my ankle felt good, so off we went for a rural ride.
We saw lots of baby animals today, it was a very lovely ride. The wind had filled these two little furry friends with energy, they charged the fence line, while mum got a much needed break. In the next field we came across these little darlings!
Jack had been kicking up such a fuss when we were leaving the house that I had left his sweater on the kitchen counter. I had one extra shirt and his rain canopy in my Go-Getter so I wasn't too concerned. Here you can see him yelling "moo" at the goats, after some coaching we had a goaty sounding "baa" off quite nicely. We saw some cows too, but a yapping Chihuahua kept me pedaling.
I thought this bright red hydrant in the middle of an onion field was worth a shot.So, to summarize the month so far, I'd say that every single day has still been a battle, but that each day it seems a little easier to win. Each day the pedals seem slightly quicker with less effort. Today I saw I was holding 9mph heading East, which is the direction that has a slight incline heading towards the mountains. Prior to today I think I was averaging about 6-7 mph when heading east in town, so that is certainly progress. However, according to the scale, I haven't lost even a pound of weight, which is precisely why one can't allow scales to measure success.
You may be gaining muscle as you lose fat,which the scale will not show. Your clothes and mirror will though. I had that problem for quite a while, but i did eventually lose 30 pounds. Keep finding the fun!
ReplyDeleteJulie- I hope so, I do feel some muscle building. Hoping to ignore the scales for a month at least! Thank you!
DeleteGreat post, Lindsay. I've been where you are: I know that pain upon rising, I know how uncomfortable the extra weight is to carry, and I know those make or break days. Kudos to you for getting past this one. There will be more, but each and every one you conquer will make the next just that little bit easier.
ReplyDeleteKarena-
DeleteIt can be so hard to sty motivated when things don't happen as quickly as one would like- glad others have made it though this, or it would be easier still to lose faith in the process.
Thank you! It's good to hear you've succeeded! Lindsay
Lindsay, just have to let you know I'm proud of you! And as Julie said, you will will it on your clothes. Even with my longest vacation rides, I never lost weight or just a bit when looking at a scale - but my pants were much much looser and I was somewhat more firm. Throw away this scale and just take a mirror ;-)
ReplyDeleteAnd keep on going - in this beautiful neighborhood you live in.
Juna- Thank you! Oh I do hope to see some mirror progress soon, so far I'm not- but in the mean time I remind myself of all the other experiences that make this worth it. Weight-loss is but a side effect of a better lifestyle.
DeleteThank you as always for being positive!! Lindsay
I'm glad you went despite the temptation to not,my friend. Be careful though,sometimes the pain one feels is a warning sign not to push-but often it's the sign of having had some good workouts. I know for me,there's a huge and very distinguishable difference between the two,but you know my spinal issue,LOL!
ReplyDeleteLike you mentioned about skipping a ride turning what was once a strong habit into a fad-I know my own past proves that. There was a time that for 9 months religiously I lifted weights every other day,while doing a long ride on the off days (resting on the 7th day),but I missed ONE workout,then ONE ride.....it would be 3 months before I did either again,LOL! (of course this was prior to the accident in 2001 ;) ).
And yeah,like Julie said,exchanging fatty tissue for muscle won't show on the scale (it could possibly even show as a little weight gained in extreme cases),ignore the temptation to get discouraged,you are becoming more fit,and your size and clothes will tell the tale sooner or later,often times sooner rather than later. Aside from that,extra weight makes one's heart work harder all else being equal,and you're making your heart stronger with every ride (not to mention your entire cardiovascular system),and it will thank you for it in it's own way,and I'm proud of you guys for the lifestyle change (and a bit envious...I've OFTEN wanted to go car free,now I don't have the option so much as I did pre-injuries),as a family,Jack,Kyle and you will live longer,healthier and happier lives for it. Mad,MAD props my friend!
The Disabled Cyclist
PS: How's the Moped working for Kyle? Still enjoying it?
Hey T.D.C.!
DeleteYes, I think I know the difference, but I do wonder sometimes. On those days when I feel less than normal I always think I'll take an easier ride...but I end up doing more each time anyway because I feel fine.
See your weight lifting experience has een mine many a time- one break in the path seems to signify an end more than often- scares me!
To be honest the car free for a while thing may be coming to an end for Kyle at least. I will obviously not drive, as I have committed to. But my mother is sick right now, and I don't get to see her s much as Id like to, or feel is necessary for her. Kyle used to go get her on the weekends and bring her over for the day, now I see her once a month. We shall see what happens. She can't ride on the moped. Kyle loves, loves his moped- he calls it his "piglet"- because its his version of a "hog" hahaha!
Hope you are well, getting better, feeling good...Lindsay
Great post- inspirational, and we continue to applaud your tenacity!
ReplyDeleteDon't give a second thought to the scale. If you can now go 2mph faster than your previous normal, it's because you're building your leg muscles. As Julie above says, your clothes & the mirror will tell the true story!
Looking forward to our own ride to work this morning & to hearing more from your Thursday adventures!
Hello Bee & Jay!
Deleteoh thank you! all of you friends in the cyber world really help keep me sustained, thank you!
hope you enjoy your ride!
Lindsay
I feel that same thing in the morning "ugh, why am I so sore" right, biking. Duh. This is new to me, too, biking every day. I've been toying with the idea of stretching the 30 day challenge to 364 days...Loving it!
ReplyDeleteElle- It has been a blast so far, for sure! Except for those sore joints!
DeleteHi Lindsay, my family sold our car in January and I've been commuting since. Some weeks I ride as much as 60-70 miles. I have lost very little weight in these past three months. I keep telling myself that it's because I'm gaining muscle, which is true. But I continue to wish certain parts of me would get smaller :) However, I do notice that my jeans fit differently since my hips and thighs have slimmed a bit. My husband, Joshua, has been commuting for a year and I remember that he didn't look very different after just a few months but he's probably dropped 20 pounds in the whole year. He has trouble getting enough calories these days! I just wanted to relate because I was really hoping to get into a bikini this summer but it's clearly not going to happen :) I like that you say the scale is not the only of measure of success - SOOO true! Blessed be!
ReplyDeleteHello Megahloo-
DeleteThank you for sharing your story- really the most enjoyable part of blogging is reading about people who are right there doing the same thing, or have done it or are preparing to! I really can't wait until my clothes start fitting better but in the mean time I try to be content with the fact that I'm building habit and muscle!
I really look forward to being in the 60-70 miles a week spot- that would be amazing! I hope I can be there one day.
Thanks for writing! Blessed be, to you too.
Thanks for the link, Lindsay. Just catching up on your days. You've been doing great. Like you say it's the lifestyle change that's the biggest thing, not the numbers.
ReplyDeleteVery welcome!!!
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