Need bike suggestions for an Athena
 

This bike is for my young daughter. She was very athletic in high school but has just gain weight in two years after graduation. I'm really concerned and don't wanna say anything to hurt her feelings but I have to intervene before it gets too drastic! Maybe if I got her a bike and say go for rides with Dad maybe I can get her on track.

Any suggestions on bikes and how I should approach her?

Does she have any interest in cycling? If not, it might be a waste of a bike. My parents bought me golf clubs one year, and they were used maybe twice! Any idea of what is causing the weight gain? Freshman year at college was deadly.

Have more concern about her general health, than her passing feelings...

If she loves you now, she'll love you even more later!

Don't talk fat! Talk health, instead! ...It's all related :)

Not sure...but I'll talk to her.

Buying a bike because you think she has gotten overweight and out of shape is not the way to handle it. If it were me...I'd be hurt if someone I loved purchased exercise equipment without my spoken desire to wanting such equipment. Don't for a minute think your daughter is not aware of her weight gain and she likely (tho I don't know her) is struggling enough with self image, self worth and self esteem issues. Buying gym memberships, bike, treadmills etc in my opinion would make her feel that you place value and worth on her weight making any issues she has worse.

Maybe you should ask her to ride with you instead of her dad. Help you get in better shape, etc.

And I would look at the Trek women specific bikes. The Silque is a gem and the Lexa is nice.

Are you speaking to me? If so...:roflmao:

Just want to add - if someone does not have any interest in sports, buying a bike is not going to change that... people are either pre-disposed to it or they are not. I totally agree with Beach about NOT doing something to bring attention to weight gain... Not certain your situation but could you instead say something like "there is this new park close to the house I would like to start walking around but don't want to go myself... would you mind coming with me? I would love some father/daughter time to just chat before you go back to college..." If that doesn't get her out then Dad, back away... weight loss is personal and its a journey we all have to take on our own...

Get yourself a bike and start riding it. If she really wants it, she'll join you. Trying to force it could do more harm than good.

I was/am similar to your daughter. Always bigger than most, but also always a serious athlete growing up and when the constant activity stopped and a desk job kicked in I failed to adjust my eating habits. I am in a bad place now because of that. However I had a mother who nagged me about my weight too. And I will tell you, if she is like me, it won't help. It didn't help me. She realizes she is overweight. Don't you think it bothers her? I am sure it does. The best option may be just to invite her on walks. Or if you ride talk to her about how much fun you have and maybe she will become interested. Get fitbits or jawbones or something that tracks movement and have a competition with her. Make it fun. Don't make it like "look at me I am your mom/dad and I can do this, why can't you?"….You can't buy her a bike and make her ride. It won't work. You will waste your money and risk her becoming mad at you. If she is interested in biking then fine, offer to buy her the bike. But you can't force her.

Additionally food is 80% of the problem, not exercise. You can't exercise enough to compensate for a bad diet.

already have a bike and ride daily thank you very much!

Then ask her to come with you. Do an easy ride with a destination in mind. Go to the bookstore or other place she would enjoy.

I'll give it a shot. Her being 19, most young folks are unwilling to change their eating habits plus they're young and feel they can get healthy later. We shall see what happens!

Maybe see if she's interested in doing a century (or other long ride) or an adventure race with you. What got me interested in cycling was that my dad and uncle rode a century and I wanted to go too (I didn't make it that far but it was still fun). Had it just been a "lets go for a bike ride because you're fat" there's no way I would have been interested, but 100 miles - well that's something! Also, one thing that drove me crazy about riding with my dad was that his well-meaning advice really got on my nerves - like, I don't want to be told when to shift gears thankyouverymuch.

As far as the eating habits, if she still lives at home just make healthy options available and fix healthy meals. Nagging won't do one bit of good (my mom constantly nagged me about my bad eating habits and it just made me angry, not thinner).

Good luck!

Just ask her if she wants to go for a ride. No need to bring up your concerns. Keep the rides low key until such time as she decides to go harder or further. If she doesn't have a bike, don't spring one on her. A bike should be a personal choice. Tell her you'll buy her a bike if she doesn't have one but don't just go out and buy one and tell her to ride it.

In all honesty, for a give price, all bikes are almost exactly alike. But people like them for various reasons and color plays a large part. Take her to a shop and let her pick out the one that speaks to her.