Clydesdales/Athenas (200+ lb / 91+ kg) - No motivation

So, I bought my first bike June 14 and went for a ride right away to make sure I could stay on the thing. That's what, five weeks ago? I haven't been back on it. First the excuse was that it was raining for three days. Then it was that I didn't have a helmet. Then it was that I had company for a week. Every night I go home and look at that stupid thing taking up space in my living room and I try to convince myself to throw on a pair of sneakers and take a ride in the park. And every night I say, "tomorrow."

I just can't seem to get my butt in gear. I really wanted this bike and I was really excited about taking the plunge and buying it but the excitement is gone.

Take off your clothes, stand in front of a mirror. If you like what you see, throw the bike away. If not, get clothes back on and do something about it.

I'll say it again, when I weighed 567 pounds I didn't want to do anything about it, but somehow I managed to get off my ass and do it. When Tom was around that weight, he risked his life on surgery, then WITH AN OXYGEN MASK ON he rode a bike. The Historian rode 90 miles on a busted rib, after a year prior teaching himself to ride a bicycle.

Don't be a chump. Get on the bike.

So, I bought my first bike June 14 and went for a ride right away to make sure I could stay on the thing. That's what, five weeks ago? I haven't been back on it. First the excuse was that it was raining for three days. Then it was that I didn't have a helmet. Then it was that I had company for a week. Every night I go home and look at that stupid thing taking up space in my living room and I try to convince myself to throw on a pair of sneakers and take a ride in the park. And every night I say, "tomorrow."

I just can't seem to get my butt in gear. I really wanted this bike and I was really excited about taking the plunge and buying it but the excitement is gone.

Okay, if you have time to yap on line, you have time to ride, so drop the keyboard, go and ride that bike, if you don't have a helmet, RIDE to the bike shop and get one, if not, remember that we didn't have helmets for the first 100 years of biking, we just had to be more careful. If you don't have energy when you get home, then get up early and go ride BEFORE you go to work. It doesn't matter if you go 20 miles or 20 feet, just remember the Nike slogan, "Just Do It".

First the excuse was that it was raining for three days.

Are you made of sugar or paper? Are you the Wicked Witch of the West? If you answered no, then rain isn't an appropriate excuse. (Unless it's some crazy hailstorm, tons of lightning, or a hurricane.) I ride in the rain all the time.

I'll say it again, when I weighed 567 pounds I didn't want to do anything about it, but somehow I managed to get off my ass and do it. When Tom was around that weight, he risked his life on surgery, then WITH AN OXYGEN MASK ON he rode a bike. The Historian rode 90 miles on a busted rib, after a year prior teaching himself to ride a bicycle.


No doubt, my man. If you can't read this forum and get motivation from what incredibly amazing and life changing things people here have done, I don't know what to tell someone.

Every time I see that photo of Tom with that O2 mask on riding at that weight, I tell myself there is no reason why I can't get off my butt and ride. Of course, I love riding and this is not my first time at it but I still get lazy (and really that is all a lack of motivation is for me...laziness). This forum is like an anti-lazy pill for me, though. lol

When I first returned to cycling, I can't tell you how many nights I got home from work and passed the bike hanging there in the garage thinking "not tonight, too tired". I'd go in, kiss my wife, change my clothes and head back to the garage to start my ride. I ALWAYS feel better when I return than I did when I left. That is the thought that helps me overcome my inertia.

OK - I second the get naked approach. I say get naked and crawl on the floor then look at your stomach. Also think of all the people in Darfur living in camps who do not have a bike.

I know how hard it is to motivate and get up off the couch but it will be awesome. And ya know what if you won't get on the bike - then get to the gym -ride the elliptical fro 20 minutes. Just Do It! Bike 20 minutes or go to gym...but just do something. Oh an put the twinkie down! :)
Also - How 'bout tomorrow you post you Ride 1 Report - 5 minute ride..or 5 miles. Just come on back and report in! You are nto alone - many o the posters will be out riding tomorrow as well... (Ok not me - but will hit my hotel gym in the morning!!)


And i bet it is fun!!

Find a friend to help motivate you. A riding partner can help you pass the miles without thinking about them. A month from now when you've dropped five pounds or twenty pounds, everything will be different.

When you start taking boxes of clothes to a local charity you will have started to take your life back in a major way. FWIW, I think I've spent more on replacing my clothes than I have on my bike gear. I'm down to a 36 with 34 in the sights from a size 44. I keep one button down shirt and a pair of pants around just to keep me motivated.

OK - I second the get naked approach. I say get naked and crawl on the floor then look at your stomach. Also think of all the people in Darfur living in camps who do not have a bike.

I know how hard it is to motivate and get up off the couch but it will be awesome. And ya know what if you won't get on the bike - then get to the gym -ride the elliptical fro 20 minutes. Just Do It! Bike 20 minutes or go to gym...but just do something. Oh an put the twinkie down! :)
Also - How 'bout tomorrow you post you Ride 1 Report - 5 minute ride..or 5 miles. Just come on back and report in! You are nto alone - many o the posters will be out riding tomorrow as well... (Ok not me - but will hit my hotel gym in the morning!!)


And i bet it is fun!!

Thats why some of us commute, too. If I drive part way to work and leave my car, other that calling my wife I don't have an out.

22.2 miles this week!:thumb:

CAS

Assume bicycling is not going to be exciting. I don't find going to the gym exciting. Going to work ain't all that exciting either. Brushing my teeth isn't that exciting. Ditto cleaning the house, washing the car.....

I think you are expecting too much from bicycling. The bike cannot supply the motivation. Your commitment to make a change in your life is what provides the motivation. My excitement comes from seeing a number on the bathroom scale that I have not seen in decades. And seeing my blood pressure drop.

I can't wait for my next physical. I am looking forward to the doctor giving me his standard "you need to exercise more, watch what you eat, yadda, yadda, speech, and then asking him to flip back on my chart to a year ago. Priceless!!!

Seeing the amazing changes others have made in their life is inspiring for sure. Makes my meager progress pale in comparison.

...First the excuse was that it was raining for three days...

I started biking on father's day 346 lbs now 334 lbs, and rain it's not an excuse. I live in South Florida, so it rains EVERYDAY, thunderstorm, lightning (http://www2.sptimes.com/weather/SW.1.html). and I still ride 7 days a week. So GET UP AND RIDE !!! :notamused:

So, I bought my first bike June 14 and went for a ride right away to make sure I could stay on the thing. That's what, five weeks ago? I haven't been back on it. First the excuse was that it was raining for three days.

Frogs are Waterproof. ;) Get out and ride!


I just can't seem to get my butt in gear. I really wanted this bike and I was really excited about taking the plunge and buying it but the excitement is gone.

All I can say is that it's entirely up to you. ;) If you choose to remain on the couch, that's your choice, and none of us will be able to dissuade you. You are the one that will be missing out on all the fun and the triumphs, though, and we'll be out there living it to the fullest, by doing things like bike touring, or racing, or just a simple ride down the bike path with a pretty girl. ;)

So, I bought my first bike June 14 and went for a ride right away to make sure I could stay on the thing. That's what, five weeks ago? I haven't been back on it. First the excuse was that it was raining for three days. Then it was that I didn't have a helmet. Then it was that I had company for a week. Every night I go home and look at that stupid thing taking up space in my living room and I try to convince myself to throw on a pair of sneakers and take a ride in the park. And every night I say, "tomorrow."

I just can't seem to get my butt in gear. I really wanted this bike and I was really excited about taking the plunge and buying it but the excitement is gone.

It's OK. Lots of folks take the plunge into a hobby and discover they don't like it. You don't have to ride a bicycle if you don't want to. In fact, it would be better if you rode a bicycle ONLY if you want to do so. So stop feeling guilty about not riding.

Now then, once the guilt of not riding is gone the question becomes, do you like to ride a bicycle? It's OK if you don't. And only you know the answer to that query.

Frogs are Waterproof. ;) Get out and ride!



All I can say is that it's entirely up to you. ;) If you choose to remain on the couch, that's your choice, and none of us will be able to dissuade you. You are the one that will be missing out on all the fun and the triumphs, though, and we'll be out there living it to the fullest, by doing things like bike touring, or racing, or just a simple ride down the bike path with a pretty girl. ;)

The OP is a "Nancy", Tom. Literally. :)

The OP is a "Nancy", Tom. Literally. :)

or guy.........however, I was referencing from my own point of view. Somewhat centric of me, I know, but that's life. ;)

Take off your clothes, stand in front of a mirror. If you like what you see, throw the bike away. If not, get clothes back on and do something about it.

I'll say it again, when I weighed 567 pounds I didn't want to do anything about it, but somehow I managed to get off my ass and do it. When Tom was around that weight, he risked his life on surgery, then WITH AN OXYGEN MASK ON he rode a bike. The Historian rode 90 miles on a busted rib, after a year prior teaching himself to ride a bicycle.

Don't be a chump. Get on the bike.

Sorry, but I have to disagree, Ben. You can lead an Athena to water, but you cannot make her drink. If she doesn't want to ride, then nothing is going to change her mind. I'd met lots of folks who had lost weight; it wasn't until I wanted to change that the pounds fell off.

The hardest part of your ride is getting out of the driveway. Just go for a ride around the block. Once out there I guarantee you'll take of and go riding.

There are so many incredible stories here that inspire me, and I'm already stoked about riding! But what got me back on a bike personally are the 3 stents in my heart and my grandchildren. I ain't going down easy, almost did once. As has been said by others, you have to find what motivates YOU to start. The sense of health and well being that follows will keep you going 90% of the time, and we're always here to help you get back up when the 10% knocks you down!

You heard before the saying we are only here for only a short time; what you thought you were going to live forever, come on what are you waiting for your funeral. Do it before it's over, because you can only ride when you are alive.

What's with the "motivate me" threads lately? Motivation isn't a pill you can buy at GNC. Go out and manufacture your own.

My wife and I rotate on who's parent's house we go to for Christmas and Thanksgiving, and the first year we were together, we went to my folks (okay, Mom's) house for Thanksgiving. Part of the Thanksgiving tradition for us in Akron is Mom and I running the Home Run for the Homeless in downtown Akron (it's a 4 mile run through Glendale cemetery) on Thanksgiving day. Mom is and avid runner and always places in her age group (not bad for someone who is now 63, I on the other hand, am usually way behind her, I'm not a runner), and it is always a good time. Well, Becky (my wife) didn't like standing on the sidelines waiting for us to finish, so we got her a pair of running shoes and she trained up for the next time we went to Akron for Thanksgiving (this time, her parents came along as well, somebody had to run the camera:D).

Well, Becky's first race started out at a balmy 29 degrees F. Just after the race started, it started to snow. By the time we got done, our hair and shirt fronts were frozen from the snow melting and then re-freezing in the wind (about 20ish mph, the snow was falling at about a 45 degree angle). Mind you, her excuses for skipping training runs had been: its too cold, rainy, snowy, dark, windy, etc. Except for dark, that one race eliminated all those excuses, and she admitted it.

So what does all that mean. Well, for starters, excuses are kind of like feet, everybody's got some, and they all stink. Yes, motivation doesn't come in pill form (we Americans want a pill for everything, whatever happened to working for something, seriously), but we can all use a little gentle prodding once-in-a-while. So, froggy, consider yourself the recipient of some motivation and get up and move. As was said before, if biking doesn't turnout to be your thing, that's okay, but get up and move just the same. Ride to meet someone for coffee or ice-cream. Walk to the store if it is close enough. Just get up and move.

D.

p.s. If not having a helmet is a problem, PM me with your size and address. I'll send you one.

What's with the "motivate me" threads lately? Motivation isn't a pill you can buy at GNC. Go out and manufacture your own.

+1.

Motivation isn't a pill you can buy at GNC. Go out and manufacture your own.

Are you suggesting the OP goes into the garage and cook up a batch of meth? A few hits of that and she wont be sitting still very long :lol:

Seriously though, don't give up on the bike just yet. You've hit a slump but if you got the will you'll pull out. It happens to everyone now and again so don't feel bad and don't let the strong words in this thread put you off biking altogether. The bicycle isn't the only way to get fit you know. When I find that I just don't feel biking I go do something else. Even if it's just walking a few laps around a mall and window shopping, it's better than sitting at home on your tush. Also finding a friend to exercise with really helps, you can take turns pulling each up and out when you just don't want to go.

So just go out and do something, the bike will be ready to ride when you want to (after you pump the tires back up). Riding your bicycle should not be a chore that you force yourself to do.

Hey froggy - I'd be happy to call you up and provide motivation... Please feel free to PM me and perhaps as a fellow woman I can tell you my journey and help you get started.

I am woman hear me roar...................

I can't run anymore, knee and flat feet hurt like hell.

I can lift weights, but then don't want to all the time.

I spent $350 on a bike! Wife said I BETTER ride the damn thing! I made a pledge to myself, I ride everything within three miles. By September, I should extend that out to five miles. $350 might not be alot to some folks, but its alot to us.

Like BDINGER said, get off your ass and ride!

Jerry

Find some destinations that are nearby, and by 'nearby' I mean within a 1 mile radius. Bookstores, restaurants, parks, whatever. Then go out of your way to find an excuse to go there. Then say, out loud, "It's not very far, I can't justify driving the car for that short of a trip." Then bike there. Repeat a couple times, then increase your radius to 2 miles, or more. Then try going to somewhere 10 miles away for a change of pace. Explore your vicinity. Just keep making yourself find things to do nearby and ride there because they aren't far; soon you'll find that it's no big deal to ride all the way across town and you have to go out of your way to justify using the car for most any trip.

So, I bought my first bike June 14 and went for a ride right away to make sure I could stay on the thing. That's what, five weeks ago? I haven't been back on it. First the excuse was that it was raining for three days. Then it was that I didn't have a helmet. Then it was that I had company for a week. Every night I go home and look at that stupid thing taking up space in my living room and I try to convince myself to throw on a pair of sneakers and take a ride in the park. And every night I say, "tomorrow."

I just can't seem to get my butt in gear. I really wanted this bike and I was really excited about taking the plunge and buying it but the excitement is gone.

Unless you love to ride, you won't keep it up very long. But, you haven't given your bicycle (or yourself) a fair chance.

Decide on a PLAN!! Yes, a PLAN!! Set yourself up a schedule for riding the bike - NO EXCUSES ALLOWED - and keep to it for a month. How about 4 times a week? Start with a mile each of the riding days the first week, 2 miles each riding day the 2nd week, 4 miles each riding day the 3rd week, 6 miles each riding day the 4th week. Or something like that. Make yourself do it. If, at the end of a month, you haven't grown to WANT to ride, then you likely aren't a bicycle rider, IMHO.

Get up early if it is hot. I often ride at 5:30 am - best time of the day for me.

Ride in pleasant, fun, enjoyable places. Take a camera and record your first mile ride (or whatever) and post it here. If you don't know how to post a pic, email it to me, and I will post it for you.

I rode many years without a helmet - I wear one now - but not having one is no excuse NOT to ride - you are just making up excuses. I sometimes ride in the snow - so could you.

If I can do it at 68 years old, so can you. And my wife just finished a 10 mile ride, and she is almost 71 years old.

Get to it!

I drive half way to work now, and ride the other 5-6 miles. I wake up while I drive and don't stress about time or getting there late since ive made the trip. Now Im working on adding in the other part of the route.

OK, so I read half of these and felt like a big fat *****. I wasn't necessarily looking for you to provide motivation. I was really just making an observation about myself. I looked at the pics of Tom and really felt like an *****.

Anyway, I rode the thing to my karate class - exactly one mile. I was pretty nervous about riding in the street (figured I'd only ride where there were no cars) and at night no less, but I managed not to get myself killed. I knew I was going to have trouble as I realized that I was going so fast because I was going down hill. Kicked butt for an hour and rode home - thought I was going to die going back but I did it. Even that last hill up to my apt.

Anyway, I never did get around to uploading a pic of my bike, so here it is.

http://www.nova.edu/~rnancy/images/IMG_0820.JPG

Nice bike, and good for you! You got out and rode. :D That's how it starts, small steps.

You'll find yourself challenging yourself more and more, by the way. Do drop by the nonscale victory thread, too. My wife just had a great day today. ;)

sorry if that sounded rude, not my intention at all

No worries, not taken that way at all.

Actually, we're all just glad you're out there riding, I'm pretty sure. ;)

Thanks, Tom. I was very wobbly and terrified of crossing the streets, especially on the major avenue. I thought I would have a heart attack every time I had to make a left. Anyway, I did like it. Felt very self-conscious but liked it.

Like I said, that's how we all start. Wobbly, nervous, and very self conscious. Soon enough, you'll be traffic jamming with the best of us. ;)

Anyway, I rode the thing to my karate class - exactly one mile. I was pretty nervous about riding in the street (figured I'd only ride where there were no cars) and at night no less, but I managed not to get myself killed. I knew I was going to have trouble as I realized that I was going so fast because I was going down hill. Kicked butt for an hour and rode home - thought I was going to die going back but I did it. Even that last hill up to my apt.


Well done on getting out there and riding. The nerves will pass, and it'll start getting easier (well, that's a lie - you just go further and faster) :)

Thanks, Tom. I was very wobbly and terrified of crossing the streets, especially on the major avenue. I thought I would have a heart attack every time I had to make a left. Anyway, I did like it. Felt very self-conscious but liked it.

Okay, there are several techniques for left hand turns, the proper way is just like a car, you signal into the left hand lane (or turn out), then make your turn. With very busy streets there is another technique, I call it boxing the corner, handy at traffic lights. With the green light you ride ACROSS the street you want to turn at, dismount and turn your bike so your facing to the left, and partly remount, when the light turns green, go through the light. Kind of like a pedestrian does it, but stay out of the cross walk.

Some other techniques can be handy, the first is BE VISIBLE this means lights at night, make sure that you use reflectors and keep them clean. You can also pick up one of those construction vests, they have retro-reflective stripes on them, these light up at night, making you even more visible. You can also use the reflective ankle bands, even when wearing shorts.

If you need to carry stuff when riding, then either attach a rack to your bicycle, or use a back pack,.....

Always obey ALL traffic laws.

Nice one! Rode the bike and Karate as well. You got me beat-I just ride :)

The butterflies will flutter by, and you will just be left with biking goodness.

Bravo!!

You know, it's stories like yours that keep the rest of us motivated. It's pretty hard for me to find excuses when I read stuff like this.

Also my apologies if I came off a little rude myself. :)