Before: I was going from a big climate-controlled box (house) to a small shiny climate-controlled box (car) to a big gray climate-controlled box (work) and back every day, getting fat and high-blood-pressury and burning a poisonous product produced by companies who actively used their profits to work against my better interests. I was out of shape and had no connection to nature.

After: I look forward to 6 miles each way of whatever mother nature can throw at me. I like my commute now, both the connection to nature and the physical challenge and experience of it. I have zero road rage. I have lost 35 pounds and been high-fived at the doctor's office. This is the best shape I've been in since the 90's. I have moved my belt loop 2 notches smaller, close to a 3rd now (at some point may need new clothes, will be a nice problem to have). I haven't saved a lot of money, but at least I'm now supporting producers of useful biking stuff rather than oil companies.

It took some adjustment, some reorganization of my routines, some purchasing of useful accessories like panniers, lights, and such. But I am in the groove now and loving the bicycle commuting and all the benefits. I wish I would have tried it sooner.