Riding for my supper

from JoeUser Forums

I'm trying to be healthier.  I'm not unhappy with my size per se, I'm unhappy because I'm out of shape.  The surgery kicked my ass and I'm in terrible shape.

So, in addition to the bellydancing, I've been riding my bike and watching what I eat.

I usually buy food for the family every 2 weeks on or around military paydays.  I've done that for years, ever since we got married.  This past payday, though...I decided to do things a little differently.

Instead of buying 2 weeks worth of food, I've been riding to the commissary every day to get what we need for supper that day.  I made one trip in the truck to get laundry detergent, sodas and things that I don't have room for on my bike basket or in my backpack, but apart from that I've been biking it.

It's been great.  It's forced me to be more mindful about what I'm eating, and it's made me ride at least a mile and a half every day - some days with an extra 10-15lbs on my back or my bike.

I've shown such enthusiasm for riding that I'm getting a new bike for Mother's Day! It's called a 'comfort ride' and it's got shocks on it and a better gear system than the one I'm riding now, and it's even got a padded seat:

 

 The seat I'm riding on now causes me pain should I go for more than about 3 miles, and it's pain that lasts for a couple of days.  Nothing discourages you from riding a bike like being saddle sore does, it truly sucks.

I've asked Lucas Bailey if he wants to try and get healthier together - he needs to lose some weight but is having a hard time getting motivated.  Anyone else want to join in?  We could have a 'JoeUser Get Fit Club'!

5,552 views 20 replies
Reply #1 from JoeUser Forums Top
Ooh ooh! Count me in! I want into the JU Fitness club! I could stand to try and lose a couple pounds . . .

Good luck, dharma!
Reply #2 from JoeUser Forums Top
Hmmmm.....

Me, too. I need some motivation.
Offworld Trading Company
Reply #3 from JoeUser Forums Top

Ooh ooh! Count me in! I want into the JU Fitness club! I could stand to try and lose a couple pounds . . .

Cool!  I want to stress that it's not ALL about dieting, it's about being healthier.  We don't have to write about what we ate and count our calories - you can if you want to, but it's not ALL about that.  It's about being healthy and making healthy choices on a daily basis.

Hmmmm.....

Me, too. I need some motivation

Excellent!  I'll set up a blog group later this week and let you both know when it's up and running!

Reply #4 from JoeUser Forums Top

Hmmmm.....a new way to peddle your arse.

My Wife and I do powerwalking.  We were riding bikes, but she did not like her seat, so we do the power walk now.

Reply #5 from JoeUser Forums Top
Great that you're cycling! The best way to get relief from "saddle butt" is ride a recumbent.



Nice wide seat with a backrest. The ONLY way to go
Reply #6 from JoeUser Forums Top
Nice wide seat with a backrest. The ONLY way to go


I know! I got to get my wife one! I dont mind the wedgies, but she does.
Reply #7 from JoeUser Forums Top

We were riding bikes, but she did not like her seat, so we do the power walk now.

I walk with the dogs and to the store, around the park and at the zoo...but it doesn't quite give me enough of a cardio workout.  I can't run (not supposed to now) so riding my bike is the best way for me to get out of the house and get some exercise.  We had a eliptical rider, but that didn't get me out of the house....and with the depression that's common with chronic pain, staying in the house is the last thing you want to be doing.

The best way to get relief from "saddle butt" is ride a recumbent.

Yeah, but I already have a straight bike and getting a bent was going to be tres spendy.  So, I upgraded my basic straight for a slightly more luxurious one, and I'm really, really excited about getting it this weekend!!  I even bought a new lock for it.

I dont mind the wedgies, but she does.

It's not the wedgie that bothers me, it's the bruised feeling I get in my butt bones...the bottom of my pelvis and pubic bone really take a hammering when you're riding on a bike with no suspension.  Your body takes all of the shocks and you end up being saddle sore. 

Wearing a thong whilst riding will prevent getting a wedgie when riding.  I found that out the hard way too.

Reply #8 from JoeUser Forums Top
Hello All,

Great post, Dharmagirl. I ride a Trek mountain bike, but mostly run. I usually run 20 miles a week, but have cut back since moving to the city from the mountains. I used to suffer some similar pains in the bones you speak of while riding, but have found those padded spandex bike shorts to be a real help with this.

Since moving to the city, I have been either running or riding to places on errands. Its a great way to save gas and get the needed exercise. My runs to the mall bookstore, for example are 2.2 miles each way, the breakfast and lunch place where I meet others is 1.5 each way. In the mountains, the nearest tiny town (one convenience store, one post office, one feed store, and one cafe) was 8 miles one way. City life is WAY easier.

Keep up your good work!

Be well.
Reply #9 from JoeUser Forums Top
I recently got myself a bike. It needs a bit of work and I've booked it in to a local bike shop (I'm going to stand by while they service it and learn about the gearing systems and brakes which have changed so much from when I used to ride years ago). I so love bike riding, though and can hardly wait to become a regular pedal pusher.
Reply #10 from JoeUser Forums Top

I used to suffer some similar pains in the bones you speak of while riding, but have found those padded spandex bike shorts to be a real help with this.

Since moving to the city, I have been either running or riding to places on errands. Its a great way to save gas and get the needed exercise. My runs to the mall bookstore, for example are 2.2 miles each way, the breakfast and lunch place where I meet others is 1.5 each way

I've been checking those out and I think that for longer rides those are going to be invaluable.

The rising gas prices were part of the reason I started riding.  I refuse to be a slave to the oil companies who think nothing of jacking up their prices to protect their profit margin, and whilst I'm not totally free I have managed to loosen the shackles of the gas pump slightly. 

Nice to see you here, btw.

I so love bike riding, though and can hardly wait to become a regular pedal pusher

I'm sooooooo excited about picking up my new bike this weekend!  I can't wait either!

Reply #11 from JoeUser Forums Top
It's funny I should read this, I recently asked my Dad if he wanted to go on a bike ride this coming weekend. My Dad used to race pushbikes in his younger years, and so he has quite a stamina for riding. One that puts me to shame, even though I am half his age! I would be interested in a fit club too! I am good at getting started on a health kick, it's keeping it up that is my problem. So knowing other people are there to support, might be the kick up the bum I need! That's aslong as this weekend doesn't kill me of course!
Reply #12 from JoeUser Forums Top
Hello All. We could use this thread to post our daily effors at fitness. I am part of a running group online and we do that. I have found it motivating and helpful in many other ways. The lingo is: ORN - Obligatory Running Note; P-ORN, planned run for the day; OBN - Obligatory biking note; OWN - obligatory workout note or obligatory walking note. The Obligatory was to help keep people focused on the task at hand, rather than just posting stuff about anything.

P-ORN: 3 miles running/walking

Be well.
Reply #13 from JoeUser Forums Top
I'd like to get one of those "bycicles built for two" for my wife and I to ride. I think that would be cool. I wonder if they still make those things?
Reply #14 from JoeUser Forums Top
Yep, they still make them and I've even seen recumbents built for two

Dharma, I know bents tend to run a tad more than DFs, but the model I depicted (same as I ride) can be had new for around $500, and slightly used for around $300 or less. Well worth it IMHO.

Not that I'm a bent pusher or anything
Reply #15 from JoeUser Forums Top
I'm in for some fitness motivation. I am giving up the cancer sticks and I found in the past when I was most successful was when I found something else to do with my time.

I have been riding 6 or 7 miles every couple of days but that isn't going to be enough. I just can't seem to get motivated. Acountability may be the answer.
Reply #16 from JoeUser Forums Top
I'm in for some fitness motivation. I am giving up the cancer sticks and I found in the past when I was most successful was when I found something else to do with my time.


Who hoo! Congratulations just john! That's a tough fight. I quite about ten years ago and can tell you it was a serious battle. One of my 'prouder' moments. Keep it up!
Reply #17 from JoeUser Forums Top
I'm in for some fitness motivation. I am giving up the cancer sticks and I found in the past when I was most successful was when I found something else to do with my time.


Who hoo! Congratulations just john! That's a tough fight. I quit about ten years ago and can tell you it was a serious battle. One of my 'prouder' moments. Keep it up!
Reply #18 from JoeUser Forums Top
I'm in for some fitness motivation. I am giving up the cancer sticks and I found in the past when I was most successful was when I found something else to do with my time.


Who hoo! Congratulations just john! That's a tough fight. I quit about ten years ago and can tell you it was a serious battle. One of my 'prouder' moments. Keep it up!
Reply #19 from JoeUser Forums Top
So sorry for these multiple entries. I am unsure how that happened. Total miles run/walked today 4.0. Upper body workout: chest and back. The early morning short run was refreshing. The run to lunch and back was taxing due to the high temps. I carry a towel in my large fanny pack and two bottles of a peony white tea, along with running gels for longer runs. By the time I got to the restaurant for my meeting I was pretty wicked wet. There's an image, bald Buddhist priest with beads sweating like there's no tomorrow. So, I towelled off, put on my Zen Center shirt and went into the cool air of the restaurant. After a nice talk about Zen practice and a bowl of tomato basil soup, I headed back to the apartment. While I have a gym at my complex, I prefer free weights and use heavy dumbbells for most muscle groups. My paralysis requires me to tie the weights into my left hand, but it works. Running can be a tad messy. I trip alot, stumble, and basicly look a bit like a spastic, but I don't care much about that. The thing is, to get outside and do the thing itself.

Be well.
Reply #20 from JoeUser Forums Top
This morning I ran 1.5 miles.

Where is everyone?

Be well.