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08-28-10, 07:28 PM
This is a brag written with a smile. Stop reading immediately if it seems obnoxious to you and go have a great day. My story is a work in progress - I'm not there yet. I hope my story helps someone. I'm a Clydesdale working to lose weight which is a tough job. I've been lucky. I hope you are too.
Four months ago I reached my threshold - the damn scale showed 247 and it had been continuously climbing for several years. The extra weight was hurting everything - walking, getting dressed, blood pressure, etc. There was zero benefit from the excess weight other than getting to eat seconds (and thirds), and that pleasure seemed more manic than enjoyable. I am sure many of you Clydesdales know (or have known) the feeling.
I joined a gym in May and used the circuit machines and cardio, mostly the elliptical trainer. I did some stationary bike riding. I went every other day and I worked very hard while I was there. I lost lots of sweat, a few pounds, and gained some muscle.
In June I started riding my 35 year-old Lotus bike after putting on some new wheels/tires (it used to have tubular tires). I joined two cycling clubs and did group rides almost every Saturday and Sunday. My jump into cycling was definitely manic, I admit, but I tried to temper it - I rode my Lotus for 4 weeks before spending $700 on a newer bike and I increased the length of my rides "gradually" (well, sort of - my longest weekly rides went from 5 to 13 to 38 to 45 to 57 and so on). I have the luxury of being retired (or is it really the curse of being unemployed?) - I am able to ride 5 days a week with 2 "rest" days each week, usually with a trip to the gym.
Tomorrow I will break 2,000 miles since I started riding 13 weeks ago. I've learned a lot and I've met some interesting people, It's been a superb adventure complete with consistently sunny days (my lawn is not so happy about that). I'm stronger, healthier, happier, and busier.
Today the scale is only reading 223. I've lots 24# and am half way to breaking out of the Clydesdale category. Take no offense, but I look forward to the day I cease being a Clydesdale.
I also read the 50+ forums, but I have zero hope that I can get out of being in that group! Although on the bright side I get the "senior" discount!
Four months ago I reached my threshold - the damn scale showed 247 and it had been continuously climbing for several years. The extra weight was hurting everything - walking, getting dressed, blood pressure, etc. There was zero benefit from the excess weight other than getting to eat seconds (and thirds), and that pleasure seemed more manic than enjoyable. I am sure many of you Clydesdales know (or have known) the feeling.
I joined a gym in May and used the circuit machines and cardio, mostly the elliptical trainer. I did some stationary bike riding. I went every other day and I worked very hard while I was there. I lost lots of sweat, a few pounds, and gained some muscle.
In June I started riding my 35 year-old Lotus bike after putting on some new wheels/tires (it used to have tubular tires). I joined two cycling clubs and did group rides almost every Saturday and Sunday. My jump into cycling was definitely manic, I admit, but I tried to temper it - I rode my Lotus for 4 weeks before spending $700 on a newer bike and I increased the length of my rides "gradually" (well, sort of - my longest weekly rides went from 5 to 13 to 38 to 45 to 57 and so on). I have the luxury of being retired (or is it really the curse of being unemployed?) - I am able to ride 5 days a week with 2 "rest" days each week, usually with a trip to the gym.
Tomorrow I will break 2,000 miles since I started riding 13 weeks ago. I've learned a lot and I've met some interesting people, It's been a superb adventure complete with consistently sunny days (my lawn is not so happy about that). I'm stronger, healthier, happier, and busier.
Today the scale is only reading 223. I've lots 24# and am half way to breaking out of the Clydesdale category. Take no offense, but I look forward to the day I cease being a Clydesdale.
I also read the 50+ forums, but I have zero hope that I can get out of being in that group! Although on the bright side I get the "senior" discount!