Riding for my supper

Published on May 7, 2006 By dharmagrl In Health & Medicine

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'!

Comments (Page 1)

SanChonino

on May 07, 2006

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!

momijiki

on May 07, 2006

Hmmmm.....

Me, too. I need some motivation.

dharmagrl

on May 07, 2006

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!

Dr Guy

on May 08, 2006

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.

MasonM

on May 08, 2006

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

Dr Guy

on May 08, 2006

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.

dharmagrl

on May 08, 2006

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.

Jewbu

on May 08, 2006

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.

dynamaso

on May 09, 2006

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.

dharmagrl

on May 09, 2006

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!

Sally jacobs

on May 09, 2006

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!

Jewbu

on May 09, 2006

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.

Shovelheat

on May 09, 2006

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?

MasonM

on May 09, 2006

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

just john

on May 09, 2006

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.

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