Introductions - Verrrrrry new...Lots of questions

;)
I am 41 years old this month. A long overdue doctor visit has given me a wakeup call. My parents both have had heart and diabetic issues. Mom reversed her diabetes with diet, exercise and early diagnosis. I am 5ft 7 and just weighed in at 265. What a blow! It crushed my spirit. I quit smoking (after 20 yrs) cold turkey 3 years ago. I have gained 100 lbs in 3 years and I am devastated to the most terrifying point in my life. I am a divorced (9yrs) Christian woman who knows that God never intended me to live like this.
THERE!!! I finally said it all. I am soooooooooooo ashamed and humiliated. *********** I feel the urge to fight rising up in me ever so slowly, but it is on the way!! :) I want to start cycling in a very committed way, with baby steps first (many lower back issues). I am also tapped out financially. With my weight and back issues.........what is the best bike for me and what will it set me back in $$$? Also, how do I need to start. Honestly, I do no exercise now and I have a 10hr a day desk job and I can feel myself dying if I continue this lifestyle. I welcome any and all suggestions and clean conversation. Once I get started, I will join the Athenas.

Welcome!!! I don't have any recommendations for a bike, however I do recommend checking craigslist.org in your local area for a good used bike. I'm sure a more qualified member can give you some recommendations for a bike.

I am also dealing with health issues and have gotten back into biking to get some exercise. I wish you well. :)

Hello faith1st, first of all, don't be ashamed and humiliated. Many of us started off worse! You probably want to ask the folks at the Clydesdales forum more questions, because they have dealt with many of these specific issues. Don't be afraid to talk to them, they can be your best allies in the fight!

Oh, and one way to get a bike a bit more cheaply is to look at the local Craigslist. PM me if you have any questions...

Welcome to BF!

East Hill

Thank you much for the encouragement, you made my day. i posted this in the Athena group also :)

HELLO Faith1st, I say this with Bible in hand, Praise God.
Good to see you hear, good advise here too. These folk here are much smarter than I.
But I would recommend of course a used bike with fewer mechanical parts, ask any mechanically inclined soul at your Church to go with and advise.
Many worry about spending thousands to get the price down, that heavy bike will help you.
Then when you get all skinny (Unlike me) you can buy that spendy new light weight and really fly. In fact, just walk down the street knocking on doors, offer to trade a Bible for a used bike, if you stopped at my house you would have a like new lady's mtb, just your size. Complete with new tubes, fully tested and ready to go.

So glad to see you here.

Welcome aboard--and congratulations on your decision to exercise more. In addition to Craigslist and the other good advice above, you might also check out your local thrift shops and yard sales. A safe, reliable bike doesn't have to be expensive. In the meantime, walking is a wonderful exercise that costs nothing.

If I may make one more suggestion, forget about being ashamed. You're doing many good things for yourself, and I think you should feel good about every positive step you take. Wishing you a lifetime of cycing adventures and success in all you do.

WOW!!!!!!! Where is your house Ny? :) Thanks for your kind words, very encouraging.

Blackberry, thank you for taking the time to encourage me. Very uplifting! I will find a way (hence the name Faith 1st) to get a bike and will keep all posted with my progress. Thanks again and God Bless.

Hi faith1st and welcome to BF.
Before jumping on the craigslist bandwagon, visit a few bikes shops, look around, and ask questions. Ask the shop manager to measure you for correct bike size. Then, if you decide you can't quite afford a new bike, go shopping on craigslist or ebay or look for used bikes in the paper, garage sales, etc. Make sure the bike you get FITS or you'll hate it and never ride it.

Weight loss is fun and easy when you include cycling. When I started cycling in 1999 at the ripe young age of 55 I weighed ~245 pounds. Through cycling and correct eating I have lost close to 60 pounds and I hope it stays lost. ;)

Before jumping on the craigslist bandwagon, visit a few bikes shops, look around, and ask questions. Ask the shop manager to measure you for correct bike size. Then, if you decide you can't quite afford a new bike, go shopping on craigslist or ebay or look for used bikes in the paper, garage sales, etc. Make sure the bike you get FITS or you'll hate it and never ride it.

+1

A used bike will probably need some maintenance, possibly parts replaced - and that is IF you find one that fits. Go to your area bike shops and test ride different models to your heart's content until you find something that fits you, fits your personality, fits the type of riding you want to do and fits your budget.

To start out, you might want to check out some of the townie/cruiser type bikes like Electras - they have internal hubs that give you multiple speeds without a lot of maintenance or learning curve, plus a very relaxed riding position. Then, at some point when your fitness level and financial situation improve (which they will) and you know more about the kind of riding you might like to do, you can always go bike shopping again. ;)

Start out riding around the neighbor hood and local bike paths. Take it easy, don't overdo it at first. Over time your enjoyment, ability to ride longer distances and fitness will improve. One way I get my riding into a busy day is by making it part of my day - riding to and from work, which you might find to be a option for you too at some point.

Thats about all the clean conversation I can provide at the moment...I don't suppose you want to hear the one about the priest, the monkey and a football? :D

In addition to the advice above I would recommend a bike trainer. With the hours you work daylight is going to be tough to come by for riding time so with a trainer you can ride week nights while watching tv. This way you can start slower and easier with a trainer 5-10 minutes and continue to increase the time as you are able.

Ask the bike shops for used bikes they have taken in trade. Ones with 8 speeds at the back wheel have free hubs, which are stronger than the 6 speed freewheels. Some 7 speeds are freehub and some freewheel so you will have to ask. The Giant Cypress is a decent affordable bike, but other makes are very similar. Allow for buying some tools - hex keys, spoke wrench, tire levers, patch kit and pump. You can see how to use them on the Sheldon Brown or Park Tool websites. I have been taking insulin for over 50 yrs and it hasnt stopped me from enjoying myself, but I havent been losing any weight. Good luck.

Good advice on asking someone to measure me for it. I visited shop a couple times but didn't think to ask. Thanks again

Thanks for the good advice and clean conversation :) both very helpful! I live in the mountainous part of Ar. but have some side streets I can practice on for now so am considering this bike as a recumbent will be way over budget and this single girl ain't much of a bike mechanic but will learn. As for the way God works....................I prefer to think he chooses your faith than theft to work off of ;)

10 hour days leaves little for cycling---can you cycle to work? if your work is clost this would be a good way to get in some cycling--and save some bucks too. Most of us seem to live way away from work---thinks to our developers/city planners/state hiways depts...etc,that all depend on us driving.

I live 11 mi from work but work nights so will cycle after work. Good idea if my shift ever changes.

Thanks much to all of you for advice and kind words. I will post again in other places (Clydes/Athenas etc)

Another question (s).......are there any good group rides within 100 miles of Branson, Mo. that are for beginners? Any charity rides that won't kill me? Any for us old 40+ women? :)

Springbike.org is the website of the cycling club in Springfield. When daylight savings time rolls around again, there will be organized rides almost every night of the week, but there is one (or at least was the last couple of years) that is designated for beginners. I've never ridden it, but know about where it goes (toward Rogersville)...it's pretty flat and I think it is about a 12 miler. If I recall, they make sure that nobody gets dropped on that ride.

Check it out at www.springbike.org and good luck.