Looking for a motivational breakthrough
#1
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2012
Location: SW Florida
Posts: 367
Bikes: All Treks - fitness and road
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Looking for a motivational breakthrough
My first post here is an appeal for suggestions to help me restart the passion for biking.
I've been a bicyclist for many years, and have always loved the physical challenge and fitness benefits, loved experiencing my surroundings (wherever I am) from the saddle, enjoyed the social side of our sport. And, I just enjoy bikes and all the equipment, the accessories, the tools, the stuff we acquire as 'necessary' to fulfill our commitment to the sport. In short, bicycling has been a big part of my long life.
My passion has been waning for a couple of years. I haven't been on the bike for months, and I can't explain why. I have gained unwanted weight. My zest for life has declined. My energy level has dropped considerably. I'm kind of in a fog that affects every aspect of my daily life.
I believe drifting away from biking has been my downfall, and I need to get fired up to get back on track. Every day I have this conversation with myself, and each day I find distractions and excuses to block my recovery. My overall health is good, so the issue must be lack of motivation. That's why I'm here.
Has anyone else experienced this condition? Any suggestions for getting back to the avid bicyclist I want to be? I'm willing to buy a new bike, see a shrink, join a club; I'll do whatever it takes. My life depends on it!
I've been a bicyclist for many years, and have always loved the physical challenge and fitness benefits, loved experiencing my surroundings (wherever I am) from the saddle, enjoyed the social side of our sport. And, I just enjoy bikes and all the equipment, the accessories, the tools, the stuff we acquire as 'necessary' to fulfill our commitment to the sport. In short, bicycling has been a big part of my long life.
My passion has been waning for a couple of years. I haven't been on the bike for months, and I can't explain why. I have gained unwanted weight. My zest for life has declined. My energy level has dropped considerably. I'm kind of in a fog that affects every aspect of my daily life.
I believe drifting away from biking has been my downfall, and I need to get fired up to get back on track. Every day I have this conversation with myself, and each day I find distractions and excuses to block my recovery. My overall health is good, so the issue must be lack of motivation. That's why I'm here.
Has anyone else experienced this condition? Any suggestions for getting back to the avid bicyclist I want to be? I'm willing to buy a new bike, see a shrink, join a club; I'll do whatever it takes. My life depends on it!
#2
Cool Beans
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Lancaster County, PA
Posts: 165
Bikes: Raleigh Cadent
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 2 Times
in
2 Posts
Wellllllllllllllllllllllll.....sounds like depression in general, any other issues affecting you? Marriage, age, work, life, money....etc? Not riding your bike could be a possible explanation but it sounds like you are deeper than that.
Depression can cause lack of motivation for everything. Joining a riding club might work, IF you find the motivation to go to the rides, ya know? I hope it gets better for you, sincerely.
Depression can cause lack of motivation for everything. Joining a riding club might work, IF you find the motivation to go to the rides, ya know? I hope it gets better for you, sincerely.
__________________
I've got your restraining order right here. [grabs crotch] Restrain this!
I've got your restraining order right here. [grabs crotch] Restrain this!
#3
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Fort Worth, TX
Posts: 597
Bikes: Kvale, Peugeot, Cervelo, Bridgestone
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
#4
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2012
Location: SW Florida
Posts: 367
Bikes: All Treks - fitness and road
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Wellllllllllllllllllllllll.....sounds like depression in general, any other issues affecting you? Marriage, age, work, life, money....etc? Not riding your bike could be a possible explanation but it sounds like you are deeper than that.
Depression can cause lack of motivation for everything. Joining a riding club might work, IF you find the motivation to go to the rides, ya know? I hope it gets better for you, sincerely.
Depression can cause lack of motivation for everything. Joining a riding club might work, IF you find the motivation to go to the rides, ya know? I hope it gets better for you, sincerely.
Thanks for your input, MP. Depression is probably not out of the question.
Maybe somebody just needs to kick me in the butt.
#5
Cool Beans
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Lancaster County, PA
Posts: 165
Bikes: Raleigh Cadent
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 2 Times
in
2 Posts
I don't think of myself as depressed, but we don't always see ourselves clearly. I don't feel anxious, angry, lonely, disconnected or any of those other typical depression symptoms. What I feel is lazy, distracted. My bike has been replaced by an iPad. I'm comfortably retired in Florida after a 40+ year business career. I've replaced energy drinks with red wine in the evenings.
Thanks for your input, MP. Depression is probably not out of the question.
Maybe somebody just needs to kick me in the butt.
Thanks for your input, MP. Depression is probably not out of the question.
Maybe somebody just needs to kick me in the butt.
And hey, if you live near the beach and let me stay on the couch for free, I'll kick your butt
__________________
I've got your restraining order right here. [grabs crotch] Restrain this!
I've got your restraining order right here. [grabs crotch] Restrain this!
#6
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2012
Location: SW Florida
Posts: 367
Bikes: All Treks - fitness and road
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
#7
Member
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Nv
Posts: 49
Bikes: Haro beasley, Stumpy26"
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Try to emagine how many people can not go out and ride! You still can, it's a gift. And for what ever reason a new bike always sparks interest for me. Maybe your passion with the same old thing is fizzled, try MTN biking if you don't, or something else you always liked.
Myself in order, skateboarded, concert goer, mtn biking, offroad racing, gun clubs & fun matches, sno ski. Now back into mtn biking with new bike. YEEEEEEEEEEHAWWWWYOWYYOWYYUUHOOOOOO!!! Sorry
I sometimes like doing nothing. Wife, what are you doing today? Nothing! What do you mean nothing? I mean absolutely nothing. Wife, ok but can you at least brush your teeth? OK but that's as far as I'm going.
Hope this helped, now snap out of it.
Myself in order, skateboarded, concert goer, mtn biking, offroad racing, gun clubs & fun matches, sno ski. Now back into mtn biking with new bike. YEEEEEEEEEEHAWWWWYOWYYOWYYUUHOOOOOO!!! Sorry
I sometimes like doing nothing. Wife, what are you doing today? Nothing! What do you mean nothing? I mean absolutely nothing. Wife, ok but can you at least brush your teeth? OK but that's as far as I'm going.
Hope this helped, now snap out of it.
#8
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2012
Location: SW Florida
Posts: 367
Bikes: All Treks - fitness and road
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
No problemo. I felt the same way a few years back, but I didn't think it was depression. Went to a Dr for something else and after talking to him a bit, he said, you sound depressed. I had no idea. Nothing to be ashamed of, happens to most everyone. It's hard to make a life change after being comfortable.
And hey, if you live near the beach and let me stay on the couch for free, I'll kick your butt
And hey, if you live near the beach and let me stay on the couch for free, I'll kick your butt
#9
Carpe Velo
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: Fort Worth, Texas
Posts: 2,520
Bikes: 2000 Bianchi Veloce, '88 Schwinn Prologue, '90 Bianchi Volpe,'94 Yokota Grizzly Peak, Yokota Enterprise, '16 Diamondback Haanjo, '91 Bianchi Boardwalk, Ellsworth cruiser
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 6 Post(s)
Liked 14 Times
in
13 Posts
That is usually a biggie for me. Associating with others that share the interest keeps me enthusiastic about it.
#10
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2012
Location: SW Florida
Posts: 367
Bikes: All Treks - fitness and road
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Try to emagine how many people can not go out and ride! You still can, it's a gift. And for what ever reason a new bike always sparks interest for me. Maybe your passion with the same old thing is fizzled, try MTN biking if you don't, or something else you always liked.
Myself in order, skateboarded, concert goer, mtn biking, offroad racing, gun clubs & fun matches, sno ski. Now back into mtn biking with new bike. YEEEEEEEEEEHAWWWWYOWYYOWYYUUHOOOOOO!!! Sorry
I sometimes like doing nothing. Wife, what are you doing today? Nothing! What do you mean nothing? I mean absolutely nothing. Wife, ok but can you at least brush your teeth? OK but that's as far as I'm going.
Hope this helped, now snap out of it.
Myself in order, skateboarded, concert goer, mtn biking, offroad racing, gun clubs & fun matches, sno ski. Now back into mtn biking with new bike. YEEEEEEEEEEHAWWWWYOWYYOWYYUUHOOOOOO!!! Sorry
I sometimes like doing nothing. Wife, what are you doing today? Nothing! What do you mean nothing? I mean absolutely nothing. Wife, ok but can you at least brush your teeth? OK but that's as far as I'm going.
Hope this helped, now snap out of it.
#11
Member
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Nv
Posts: 49
Bikes: Haro beasley, Stumpy26"
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
It does help, and I can relate to your approach to life. Yes, my good health is a blessing that must not be taken for granted. My entire life situation is very good, even enviable. Hanging out here with folks like you will undoubtedly help. I've been spending far too much time on firearm forums lately, and it hasn't been what I'd call 'action oriented'. Thanks.
Been tinkering with black powder, but don't want to get off track here. Sounds like you just need a cold shower.
#12
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2011
Location: Sonora, Texas
Posts: 1,646
Bikes: Specialized Sirrus Elite Disc, Specialized Roubaix Expert
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I have found that riding clears my minds and recharges me a bit, good luck getting back in the saddle again!
#13
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2012
Location: SW Florida
Posts: 367
Bikes: All Treks - fitness and road
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Thanks for your responses, all of which were helpful. I tuned in here for a couple of hours yesterday, and the effect was...well...invigorating. Guess I had just slipped too far away from the magnetic force of ride talk, bike talk, wrench talk and all the other stuff you guys/gals jaw about. I'm thinkin' Memorial Weekend might have extra meaning for me this year: firin' up my Trek for a 'renewal' ride to the beach or somewhere else in this paradise called SW Florida.
I'm making a comeback, for sure. Realistic goals and lifestyle changes. Maybe a new bike. Giving thanks every day for having the physical ability to enjoy a great sport.
Hope you all have a great Memorial Day weekend. Mine is shaping up to be mighty special.
I'm making a comeback, for sure. Realistic goals and lifestyle changes. Maybe a new bike. Giving thanks every day for having the physical ability to enjoy a great sport.
Hope you all have a great Memorial Day weekend. Mine is shaping up to be mighty special.