Introductions - Hello from the bicycling bellydancer!

I realize I should've done this before I started posting, but I honestly didn't see this particular forum until today! So let's start all over. I'm Shari, I'm from Valencia, California (in the Santa Clarita Valley), and I've been cycling for almost four years. I'm a single mother of three great kids: I have a 13 1/2-year-old son, an 11-1/2-year-old daughter and a 9-year-old son. I first got into cycling as a way to drop baby weight after I popped my last kid. And it has really worked! At that time, I weighed close to 200 pounds and looked like the Goodyear blimp. But it took me five years to find something I enjoyed and knew I could stick with. So when I first got my Cannondale for Christmas 2000, I got busy riding. Those first ten miles are the hardest, but after that I was surprised at how much easier it was becoming to go 15, then 20, etc. And the longer I rode, the faster the pounds and blubber just fell off. Today I look like one of those "after" pictures in weight loss stories! I'm down to 138 pounds and I not only look better than I did four years ago, but even younger. I've done a couple metric century rides, some time trials, and I do long rides with a local bike club on weekends. However, my greatest strength seems to be sprinting, so I'd like to start doing crits. Another long-term goal I have is to complete a century, and who knows, maybe after that, even a double century! All three of my kids are getting to be pretty good on their bikes, too--my oldest is even hinting that he wants to get into triathlon training. Cycling isn't the only activity I'm into. About a year ago I discovered bellydancing, and found that I have a knack for that, too. So my workouts tend to consist of alternate days of cycling and bellydancing. I get a kick out of that, as they're two very, very different disciplines, but it works for me, as one keeps me from getting too burned out on the other, plus the two exercises complement each other nicely, as they work different muscle groups.

So . . . that's me! If there's anybody out there from my general area, or anyone who just wants to say "hi" and chat a little, please feel free to drop me a line on the PM. These forums have been just great, and very informative. So keep up the good work!

200 down to 138! That's amazing. Congrats!

Let's see....... fit, into cycling, great attitude, and a bellydancer...... rawwr

Excellent work on the weight loss! I'll bet you have a really good attitude and a lot more energy on any given day as well.

Yeah, one needs a lot of energy to keep up with three active children! Thank you for the compliments!

Hey, isn't that amazing! I am also a bellydancing cyclist!! LOL!!!

My intro thread is a few lines down, the one "what you do for love...like taking up cycling". I do mostly ballet, but I also belly dance for a U2 tribute band to the song "Mysterious Ways". I find cycling is an excellent alternative to dancing. One does posture, core strength and balance, the other cardio and a totally different set of leg muscles. Actually, I used to have a horrible hip injury, but I found that cycling helped it enormously.

Anyway, just wanted to congratulate you on your success, I hope I will be able to do as well as you! (I only just started...am still a baby cyclist!)

Jessica

Well, there you go--I'm a baby bellydancer! Actually I still consider myself a cycling novice, when compared to a lot of the other people I cycle with. Actually, I used to do jazz dance back in high school and college. So yeah, it is very different when you start cycling as a "fast-twitch" person. Quite the education!

Belly dancing rocks. I used to have a good time with it when I actually had any time at all to practice. I have a couple of friends that work at Renaissance festivals that have taught me some of the tricks of the trade over the years. Speaking of "baby belly dancers", my daughter was interested in belly dancing from the time she was quite little until she was in high school, when she moved on to other interests. The picture below is my daughter (the tiny one...this was about 17 years ago) and some of the dancers at a Renaissance faire we used to go to every year.

What an adorable picture! You all look great! Keep up the good work. :)

That is so great! What a great inspiration you are. I'm almost at 200 pounds now so there is hope for me yet. I buying my first bike very soon and you have motivated me to get out there and do it.

Congrats on lifestyle change.

Way to go . . . that's the spirit! I know you'll be successful. Just take it slow at first, and don't expect too much of yourself right away. Like I said, those first 10 miles are the hardest--first you do 3 and that kills you, then you get up to 5, and that kills you, but by the time you hit 10, you've jumped the first major hurdle. Cycling is the perfect sport for weight loss, as it's very cardiovascular, plus it's zero impact.

Best of luck to you, and hang in there!

Ms. Vicki: "The picture below is my daughter (the tiny one...this was about 17 years ago) and some of the dancers at a Renaissance faire we used to go to every year." Are you sure the blonde is not you - sure looks like matching mom/daughter ensemble? I thouht I remembered a picture of a school teacher with blond hair and marm clothing, but now I'm seeing or in this case -not seeing the after 3:00 clothing? hehe BTW, what a cutie.

Belly dancing is fun! And it's a good way to meet men!

:p :p :p Now that has got to be the cutest troll I've ever seen! Where on earth did you get that particular number?