A teary eyed Jack is hardly the image of the happy cyclist, but he was frustrated because we went out the "wrong" door. Toddlers really thrive on routine! He was fine within a few blocks, then proceeded with his usual yelling of "go, go. go" and pointing out of a certain bucket that he always tells me about as we pass.
The weather was warm and sunny with dark stormy clouds filling the horizon. I would like to say that I took a long ride, but I didn't. I just wasn't feeling it today, but I did it and when I got home I felt slightly better for it. I'm not being physically beaten lately, it's the mental side that is really holding me down. I can't shake the feeling of exhaustion and disappointment in my lack of progress as far as the scales are concerned. My logical side knows low spots and plateaus are to be expected, but my emotional side is disappointed by the fact that I weigh more than I've ever weighed in my life. I've also been having allergic reactions daily and taking medication that makes me sleepy, so that isn't helping matters. I get fed up with grumbling about it too, I like to be positive, but its really hard sometimes.
Jack, of course had a lovely time and seeing as he is my reason for getting out on the bike anyway, I shall just keep riding for his benefit, until I start to feel better about it for myself. I know any day now I will snap out of it, as long as I still take a ride every day until then, I can still consider myself accomplished. Looking at his sweet face helps too!
My veggies are doing really good and this weekend we're going to get busy putting them in the ground. I'm very pleased that we'll have a garden, as it will make healthy eating a little more affordable. I think I may have over done it a bit on the veggies, because we simply don't have enough veggie beds to put them all in. I have a feeling this weekend will find Kyle and I busy in the garden. I love gardening and find it very therapeutic, so hopefully that will help me kick the sour mood. Thank goodness for the 30 days of biking, holding me true to my aspirations!
Yeah, I too expect weight loss results and am surprised when they don't happen "on time". But, am really surprised when it does happen eventually!! Hang in there.
ReplyDeleteNo sniveling!!
By the way, a friend of mine bought a bike just like yours. I will check it out this weekend.
Hey Ron-
DeleteThank you! I agree wholeheartedly! Let me know how you like the Mundo! Lindsay
OK, here's a radical idea! Put the scale away till May. Get through the challenge of riding every day. Every day when you get home, think about & write down what the best part of the ride was.
ReplyDeleteOn May 1st, take out all your written comments from the final 12 days of April & see if there are any patterns that make sense. Resolve to enhance those patterns in May.
If losing weight is a really serious goal make that a new 30 day challenge. (It doesn't really make sense to impose multiple challenges on yourself simultaneously unless you're maybe an Olympic athlete!) Use the lessons about highs & lows, weaknesses, etc. of this "30 Days" to power yourself through the new challenge. Back when we were trying to put on muscle, we'd be aware of our caloric goals & track our caloric consumption using a convenient website. We'd also measure key body areas (as opposed to getting on the scale) on a weekly basis to monitor progress because losing fat does not necessarily equal losing weight.
You may even want to take a few rides on the smaller bikes to do some more intense training. Mix it up. Like a toddler your metabolism loves a routine so it's best to keep it off guard.
OK, we're off the soapbox now. Hang in, don't beat yourself up, and try to capture & learn from the positives. You've shown so much bravery thus far, we know you're completely capable of reaching you goals.
BTW, the website we used was FitDay:
Deletehttp://www.fitday.com/about
Hey Bee & Jay-
DeleteAll really good ideas and I'm sure I will incorporate something like that for my next month challenge. I'm still trying to decide the perimeters of how I'm going to set it up.
It's good to hear ideas, keep them coming! Cheers and Thanks-
Lindsay
Sadly pushing yourself physically every day makes weight loss damn near impossible. I had a very long commute and after selling my car it was a forced daily thing. It took me two months to get to the point I did not want to eat everything in sight. With that being said after those two months I felt better than I ever did on a bicycle.
ReplyDeleteAlso remember, for the 30 days of riding challenge you are not giving your body any time to recover which tends to exaggerate the food cravings. Once you get past this 30 day challenge, then start worrying about the weight loss thing and be damn proud of the fact you managed to ride more in a month than most people do in a year!
Hello Chriskmurray-
Deletethank you for your comment, it really helps to hear of other people's experiences. I agree with tackling one thing at a time- 30 days first and foremost...then a different challenge.
Thank you! Lindsay
Have you checked out myfitnesspal.com? That's how I lost my baby weight (and college weight and teenager weight...). It's a great support system and it's totally free. They have apps for phones, too. Free! Great job on the riding this month!
ReplyDeleteElle- I will check it out- I get hesitant to add anymore websites to my daily tally- between blogging and running my other stuff around here it can get crazy. I will check it out tho! Cheers!
DeleteRemember that muscle weights more than fat... so keep that in mind.
ReplyDeleteCheers Matthew- I do feel some muscles building for sure- quite shocking! Lindsay
DeleteYeah,they're all right,my friend,don't even look at the scales during the 30 days of riding time,it'll just blow your mood,you aren't getting time for your body to process,and it's craving fuel. You're still doing an inspringly great job of it,and you're right,on those days when it's hard to get yourself motivated,look at those cute little cheeks grinning,and you'll know you're doing the right thing :D
ReplyDeleteThe Disabled Cyclist
Thanks T.D.C. - I can always depend on you to be upbeat! Cheers- and I agree- stay focused!
DeleteI hear a longtail is in your future.., oh it's the stuff dreams are made of! So excited for you!
I gotta say tho- you should see about a mundo- they are the bomb! You may be able to pick up a used one too. Matthew who commented above got a STEAL of the DECADE with a 2 or 3 hundred dollar Mundo!
I will comment on your blog tomorrow probably, having a hard time juggling all my posts today lol
- Lindsay
Well, I cannot say more than all the others and Matthew brought it to the most important point! I don't have any scale at all. But if you want to see something, I'd suggest (if at all) using a tapeline and then measure the parts of your body, which you are using the most now...legs for example and measure them out. Your body is getting more in shape and forms a bit differently - but not necessarily looses weight, but you will loose fat. And ja, use some YOU-time now and then and hop on a lighter bike and just do that - for at least 20 minutes in a row, only then your body is starting to go into the fat.
ReplyDeleteBut still, Lindsay, with all the theoretical advices, there's still one, most important: ENJOY THE RIDE! Don't force yourself, just enjoy it. The rest will come with time....
Juna-
DeleteTHANK YOU! Love the support I feel from EVERYONE here, couldn't do it without you all! I know it's time to focus on my 30 days and forget about the scales for now.
And really, you summed it all up- enjoy the ride! That is why I'm here- its for my boy to think this is normal and everyday life and to enjoy the ride- I've already achieved that!
Cheers friend- Lindsay
I'll just note that one of the best bikers I ride with is a short, very solid woman, and can ride me into the ground (as in, 5"4, probably close to 200#, thinks 30 miles and 2500 feet is a reasonable recreational ride). You don't have to look skinny to be in excellent shape.
ReplyDeleteSamChevre
Hello SamChevre-
DeleteThanks- I agree! I do know, that to be healthy I need to lose some weight- but if I could be that fit I'd be happy!
I'm not even worried about it for vanity reasons- its health all the way!
Thank you for commenting! Lindsay