A-Z

Stolen from Moosh in Indy.

A – Are you single?

Nope. Just had a 5 year wedding anniversary.

B – Birthday?

July 26

C – Crush?

Currently Braden Holtby. Goalie for the Washington Capitals. We bought tickets to the Capitals v the Blue Jackets because I was getting into Ovechkin after the All Star game. Dancing Holtby stole the show for me. Then I went home and Google him and OMG hotness. I am well known for my crushes though, and could probably list a few more.

SOURCE

Also. Goalies are crazy.  CRAZY.  Which is why I love them.  Here is proof.

D – Drink you last had?

Zevia Cream Soda.  Don't love it yet. Going to try again.

E – Easiest person to talk to?

Probably my husband. If I can't talk to him then who can I talk to?

F – Favorite song?

At the moment I listen to  iPrevail s version of Blank Space ON REPEAT ALL THE TIME.  Favorite song of all time? I have a whole blog about that.

G – Good at?

Being blunt,  solving problems, lifting weights,playing any Dragon Age game more than is healthy.

H – Hair color?

Burnette redish at the moment. It's always about to change though.

I – In love with?

The idea of warm weather. Hockey. My car.

J – Jealous of?

People who live in milder climates. I've also found myself lusting after other women's long hair. I've been trying to grow mine out but it's been super slow. Probably because I freak out every other trip and ask her to shape it.

K – Known as?

Kelly,  Miss Kelly, scarey Kelly.

L  – Longest relationship?

7 years 8 ish months

M – Middle name?

Same as my mom's!

N – Number?

Always my birthday.

O – One wish?

Going materialistic here and say living downtown.  I really want to make that happen. Less materialistic, finding a job that I can enjoy more days than not.

P – Person last texted?

Probably my husband, from a different room of the house.

Q – Question always asked?

Are you a season ticket holder to the Blue Jackets?  No,  I was not. I just went to enough games that I could have been so I see how you got that impression. Next season though.....

T – Time you woke up?

8:00 ish.  I stayed up late last night.

U – Underwear color?

Pink.

V – Violent moment?

Did you see the Scarey Kelly nickname?

W – Worst fear?

My sub conscious has developed a real thing for Heights. They didn't use to bother me and on a conscious rational level they still don't.  But man. Makes me nauseous, I start imaging jumping, it's crazy. The mind is crazy. Beyond that My nightmares are generally about being kidnapped, beaten, tortured, raped and killed,  so let's add those to list too. The last one a guy strapped me to one of those ambulance backboard things and smothered me to death with a book. I got off pretty easy with that one.

X – Ex you never stopped loving?

I don't think I stop loving people I once loved. They get smaller heart space, but I don't think love goes away. Unless I was lying to myself about being in love. Which happened once for almost two years. Just because someone needs you doesn't mean it's love. Lesson learned.

Y – Your last hug?

Husband or dog. Dog has been clingy today.

Z – Zodiac sign?

Leo!  We don't work on birthdays,  we don't take any crap, and it's important to us that our hair looks good.  We also not so secretly believe we are superior to all other signs.

SOURCE

I Need to catch up!

I have at least 4 posts in my head that I really want to get down.  I seem to keep not writing them, however.

I am rebooting my weight loss/ work out routine.  Monday is my official soft start.  What is a soft start you ask?

1.  Be careful with food, but no hard no's
2.  Track everything I put in my mouth.
3.  Design work out plan, do not flog self for missing days.
4.  Be more active in every day life

The real start usually comes a week after.  Sooner if the tracking of food is preposterous that I say to heck with this I am losing weight!  Real start is:

1.  Be strict with food, counter any overages with exercise
2.  Track everything I put in my mouth
3.  Exercise is not an option.
4.  Be more active in every day life

 One of the blogs I read does a scale Saturday with screen shots from her scale. and her victories for the week.  I may try a version of her format here, I think it could work for me.  I love numbers, so I am always charting and graphing my weight loss but having to actually see it on the scale here has it's accountability and appeal.

Also, don't hate, but I am going to start tanning this week.  I am super white, I burn super easy, and for the last two years I have had awful  cyclist tan lines.  This year I would like to try to avoid at least some of the whole burn, tan line, burn cycle.  It's also part of a larger plot to get me to the gym when I don't feel like it.  You know, the mental mind games. I'll start with " I am just going to go to the gym to tan" and then " Well I am here I may as well hit the weights." At least that's the hope.

Today was a 14 mile bike ride at about a 13 mph average.  Not a bad soft start!  I had to take a breather and noticed this beautiful tree above me.  I might try to get my real camera out there Tuesday or Wednesday and get a better picture of it before it blooms.

How do you start your weight loss regimes?  Any tips or tricks?

Resolution Check Point

It has not been a week, I know.  Sunday seems like a good day to reflect on the previous weeks progress.

I am only going to cover the things I am actively working on this time around.  I might change it up later.

1. I have been reading 2 of the books on my 26 books list this week.  I haven't finished any but I am on my way.

2.  I have been working really hard on this.   I've been reading my read the bible in a year passages every night along with 2 different devotionals and a book about prayer.  I am also currently working on a design for a prayer / bible study journal.  I am excited about figuring out exactly how I want it.

5.  While I have not officially laid out my clothes I did have a good idea of what I was going to wear every day.  Again, progress even if not perfection.

6.  This has been going very well.  We got a dishwasher for Christmas and we have been keeping the kitchen clean.  We have also been working on the library a little bit everyday and have been making significant progress.  I am hoping to have my study set up in there this week.

10.  I have tracked my calories every day.  It's not pretty but hopefully that comes this week.  And hopefully I don't make brownies.  If you want to be friends on MyFitnessPal I do too!  Leave a comment and let's be accountabiliabuddies.

11. Oh budgeting.  I love spreadsheets.  Actually enforcing the spreadsheet not so much. My husband and I have worked on the household budget.  I am pretty stoked about it and hope we can stick to it.  Now I just need to work on my personal budget.

12.  Eating at home more is also going very well.  Again I credit the dishwasher as I am not constantly doing a cost benefit analysis about having to do the dishes after cooking.

13.  The social media goal is going poorly.  I would say I am down to 2 facebook checks a day and I still consistently check my Feedly.  I am hoping to go facebook free starting Monday.  Stupid habits.

This is also what is in store for my Monday:

With 5 inches of snow.  So, that should be fun.

How go your resolutions?

New Year, The Usual Resolutions

You are not going to be shocked by anything on this list.  It is my usual list that I obtain some degree of success on every year.  The more I do actual New years resolutions the more I see why we do this as a culture.  While most of the time I keep my resolutions far past the January joiner stage, something about the onset of fall always results in a dropping off the rest of the years habits.  Then it's holidays and it's cold and we are busy and I don't care anymore..... and then TA DA its a NEW YEAR.  Time to get back on the horse again.  All of the horses.  In their various manifestations.  I am much less organized this year, but here is the list and my plans.

* Specific exercise goals like I covered last year will be a different, more motivated post.  One step at a time.*

1.  Read at least 26 books.

I am a reader.  Always have been.  This year was pretty pathetic on the reading side of things.  I think TV watching and staring at my blank computer screen filled in the time gaps.  My husband has 1000 hobbies and is always at work on one of them.  I have reading, video games, and working out.  I've mostly just been doing the gaming and staring at my computer screen.  No more!  2 books a month or bust!  I also already have the 26 books picked out, but I am open to changes.

2. Bible Study.

I was doing really well with this for a month...maybe two.  Then I just stopped.  No particular reason.  I was really enjoying my daily Bible readings and going over passages I particularly enjoyed to help set up prayer times.  To keep me on task this time I have set up a reminder on my phone ( Using the Life Reminders App) to go off every day at 8 pm.  This will hopefully remind me to go get my study Bible and go through the reading for the day.

I am also adding to this goal to meditate at least 2x a week.  I need to get some more tools in my meditations tool box and I can't do that unless I am practicing regularly.  I realize two times a week is not regularly, but you have to start somewhere.

3.  Masters

I really need to stop being a cry baby whiner and just start a masters program.  This is getting ridiculous.

4.  Stretch every morning and 5.  Lay out Clothes every morning. 11. Budget

On every goal list I've ever had since the beginning of time.  Ever.

6.  Cleaning.

When I was little my mother use to try to shame me into cleaning my room by saying something about how horrible my house was going to look when I grew up.  I am not a cleaner.  Never have been never will be.  On top of that I am  a serious clutter bug.  So this goal is two fold.  Clean AND declutter.  I set up my schedule on life reminders for the cleaning and my husband and I will work on the decluttering together.

7.  Call my brother more - Self explanatory

8.  Work out three days a week  10 Track calories

I've been really really terrible at working out.  Other times when I said I was doing terrible I was still in Spin class or taking weekend rides.  I've been doing NOTHING for MONTHS.  I had some medical problems and was not able to ride my bike or take spin class.  Once that habit was gone it was really really gone.  I need to get back into a routine and get some muscle back.

9.  Take more pictures

I got the super awesome camera that I wanted for Christmas.  I've been able to play with it a bit but I am really looking forward to taking more and better pictures this year.

12.  Eat at home more

My brother and sister in law gave me two eat healthy cook books for Christmas.   I am hoping it helps with the eating at home thing.

13.  I am really over the ridiculousness of Facebook.  Again.  Starting January 1 I am going to follow last January's plan again.  I can only get on FB or read blogs 1 day a week.  Saturday or Sunday.  I am realllllly looking forward to the self imposed ban.  I do not need to limit news this year.  Unlike social media which slowly crept back into constant use after last years January avoidance, I still avoid most of the news like it's the black plague.

Do you have any goals for the new year?

If this post didn't bore you to tears and you want read last years resolutions that I keep referring to you can see my fitness goals here, my internet goals here and a follow up to the internet goals here.

 I leave you with a couple of my first pictures on my new camera.  They are not anything amazing but they were some of my very first attempts so I like them.

Endless Pasta Bowl Test

My husband and I have been married for three years.  We have gone to Olive Garden, once a year for most of our relationship.  Why?  Not for the free cheese, which they offer constantly.  "Would you like some cheese with your Coke?"  No, no I wouldn't.  We go for the annual Endless Pasta Bowl.

Most years, I am pretty sure we had 3 bowls a piece and a bajillion bread sticks .

The first year we were working on dieting we had two bowls a piece and half a bajillion bread sticks.

This year I had 1 bowl and one bread stick.  I was no where near finishing mine.

My husband had 1 bowl and 3 bread sticks.

We are definitely doing better about portion control. Our weight is less, we eat less and eat in more.

The Endless Pasta Bowl, oddly, has become a measure of our success.

I suppose the ultimate goal is to not go for the "Endless Pasta".

We are a far way from both of our goal fitness and weight.

With that said I am very proud of us and our progress.  Even if it is slow, it is forward.

Even measured by pasta.

Source

Lunch In The Park

We love our local parks.  We use the trails for dog walks, geo caching and bike rides.  We go there occasionally for breakfast lunch and dinner.  We really enjoy being out by the water, the trees and fresh air.  Bella likes it because she gets new smells and can claim new fiefdoms. Here is last Sunday's trip.

Thanks to Ni Hao Yall for hosting Sunday Snapshot!

New Years Resolution - May Follow Up

The year is almost half way done.  Can you believe it?  Are you proud of what you've accomplished so far?  I am not on track for all of my goals.  I am a little behind from last year too.  But I am ok with what I've done so far.  I have not fallen entirely off the wagon.  I originally listed my New years goals here but it looked like this.

Have not started hill training.  Really don't want to, I hate hills lol.  The weather didn't start being half way decent here until last week.  Hopefully now I can get out of the gym and onto my bike.  And the to some hills....maybe.

Foot Dr!  I have not been.  I have been to a Chiro, a dermatologist, a gynocologist and probably some other gyst I can't remember.  It is definitely getting to that point though.  I am starting to get knee pain and I think it's from how badly I walk.  Maybe June is my month!

Oh stretching every morning.  Stretching every morning has come up on every health goal list I have ever made for myself ever.  Since the beginning of time.  I have never, ever stuck to it.  My husband and I have started a new work schedule though, so maybe I can actually start doing this.  I WANT to.  I just have to remember.  Google calender time!

Training for the century ride hasn't started yet because I can't make myself go out on my bike in 45 degree weather.  This will also be starting up again soon.

I don't know if I hit 4 days a week consistently but besides a few off weeks I worked out 2-3 time s a week very consistently this year.  I could have done better, but I am happy with what I have done.  Not to be repetitive but the nicer the weather is the easier it is for me to work out.  I am really looking forward to getting out and exploring more.

Tracking my calories!   Spotty to begin with but I've had a solid 4 or so weeks so far.  Hopefully the habit keeps my scale moving downward and encourages me to eat more mindfully.

That's my progress!  How is yours?

Emotional Eating and Me. Part I

I don't actually have a follow up planned for this post.  Every blog I have ends up with an emotional eating post so this blog ( that I've had for almost a WHOLE year now, yay me!) May end up with multiple.  I mentioned in this post that I was feeling sad, anxious and lost.  That equated to a whole week of crappy, crappy eating.  I had spent the three weeks before last week counting calories and was down 3 lbs.  Now I am afraid to get on the scale.

I have been talking to myself about this all week.  Telling myself I was a 31 year old woman with a bachelors degree in Psychology and that I knew exactly what was going on.  Telling myself to get a new coping mechanism.  Telling myself I was going to hate myself at the end of this ice cream filled tunnel and that I should just go to the gym instead.

I thought I was having this battle on my own.  Then Sunday night my husband said to me " We've been emotionally eating all week."  All I could was make jokes and cry.  Not bawling and thrashing around on the ground or anything, just the same crying I've been doing the entire last week.  Silent tears and nose blowing.

The point is, every time I think I've made steps to get my relationship with food under control I prove myself wrong.  The binge eating I've had a fairly good handle on for at least 5 years now.  The scary 3 dinners and dessert kind.  However, the eating of my feelings always sneaks back up to get me.  My husband pointed out that we don't drink, we aren't on drugs and that this is temporary.  We know that eventually we can get over it.   That this isn't the worst thing that we could be doing to ourselves.

I've mentioned it out loud a few times and I think that it's true.  Before I can truly be successful at weight loss and maintenance I am going to have to really work on my relationship with food.  Not ignore it and hope that it will go away, not tell myself that I am cured because I haven't had an episode in three months, but really work on it. 

I am not sure where that path starts.  Maybe I should go to talk to a counselor?  I feel like a nutritionist should be somewhere on that list too.  There are two questions really.  Where do I start and when will I get sick enough of it that I am willing to do something about it.  Amanda Palmer wrote a blog with this story in it, that I try to use for motivation and perspective.

"A farmer is sitting on his porch in a chair, hanging out with his dog.

A friend walks up to the porch to say hello, and hears an awful yelping, squealing sound coming from the dog.

“What’s the matter with Ol’ Blue?” asks the friend.

“He’s layin’ on a nail that’s pokin’ up from the floorboards,” says the farmer.

“Why doesn’t he just sit up and get off it?” asks the friend.

The farmer deliberates on this and replies: “Don’t hurt enough yet.”

The problem is, sometimes it hurts to much to move.  I am hoping after some of the ache and screaming inside of me calms down a little bit, that I can get my ass off the nail and start dealing with one of the biggest struggles of my life.

SOURCE

New Year Resolution And The Internet Part 2

Back in January I told you about my internet resolutions.  To quote myself:

"Resolution:

For the month of January no FB, News or blog reading.  The only time I am allowed to catch up is either Saturday or Sunday but not both.  At the end of January I will evaluate where I am mentally and decide how to proceed with February.  "

I did pretty well with this.  Not amazing, and I completely fell off the wagon while I was home sick for a few days, but I think I stayed very true to the spirit of the resolution.

The News

After January was over I went to the news sites I used to frequent to see what I had been missing.  I figured it wasn't much because people are always willing to give you bad news so keeping up with the world is not very difficult.  Even so, I could feel the hopelessness and negativity return instantly.  I almost felt like I had news hang over after my brief reappearance.  

Verdict:  

I am going to continue to avoid news sites like the plague.  It is what is best/healthiest for me and my well being.

Facebook

No one needs to check Facebook 100 times  a day.  I never actually did it because I thought something interesting was going to be on there but because I have a smart phone and I was bored/ easily distracted. 

Verdict:

I have added the app back on to my phone and have the shortcut on one of the screens.  Not m main screen, but 2 screens over.  I probably check it 2-3 times a day now when I am at lunch or bored.  I have definitely cut back and am hoping to keep it at a less ridiculous level from here on out.

Both items were the problems that I thought they were.  I am not going to go to news sites just because anymore and I am not going use Facebook as a weird ADHD crutch anymore.  I think I will have more time and be a better person for it.

New Gym

For $35 a month, there were things that I put up with at my old gym.  Eternally broken equipment and toilets, crappy hours, empty spray bottles, no paper towels.  Then there were the "typical" gym things.  Like guys doing one rep and wandering around for 15 minutes.  But they were using that machine, so don't touch it.  Most of the people at my old gym were there to socialize.  My husband and I would walk in, stay for 45-60 minutes, do our cardio or our weight circuit, and leave.  We were among the few that ever left.  The same people that were there when we walked in would be there when we walked out. 

SOURCE

The new gym is about $47 a month with annual fees.  I have been there three times.  The con's are that I seem to be to short for a lot of the equipment.  I tried to talk to someone about it last night but it was late and she couldn't leave the desk.  So I need to get someone to show me what I am doing wrong or show me an alternative.  That has me frustrated.  BUT the rest is AMAZING.  I've gotten on the hydro massage bed every time I go, and it is the best thing ever.  There are chair massages, red light therapy and tanning.  Lines upon lines of cardio equipment and open 24 hours.  The best thing is, all three times I've gone, everyone is there to work out.  No one is wandering around and chatting.  No one is staring at themselves in the mirror.  There is no clanging or screaming.  Everyone is on a machine burning calories.  It is a great environment. 

SOURCE

Going to a new gym makes me more excited to go over the winter, and it definitely helps the motivation.  Sure, I may not want to go to the gym, but if I do I can get a hydro massage.  You have to love incentives.

Stairs, Commuting and Pain

On Friday we had an evacuation drill at work.  I work on a very high floor.  I've never actually completed the drill and I decided that this year I would do it.  How hard could it be?  I can go on a 30 mile bike ride and maintain 15 mph.  What was going down some stairs? 

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Never again.  Unless the building is actually on fire, never, ever again.  My legs are still cramping, still hurt, and I am barely mobile.  Ugh.

Regardless of my hobbling I decided to carry on with my plan to map the commute from my house to work via bike on Saturday.  My aunt's came with me and we really didn't have any issues until we got  into downtown.  Columbus is a mess right now.  Nearly every highway is shut down or has construction.  Apparently the same goes for the bike trails.  We were detoured off of the bike path and through random parts of the city.   The detour signs were neither consistent nor helpful.  We mostly ended up where we were going by smell.

After lunch at North Market we headed back out for the return trip.  Instead of trying to weave our way back through the no mans land we entered by we took Google's suggestion and headed straight up a main street.  It was a more direct route to the bike trail, and less miles.  However, it is a Main street, while not to scary on a Saturday afternoon, Monday at rush hour would be an entirely different story.

 My great ambition to commute to work then is still in the planning stages.  I am waiting for the bike lockers to go in ( SO excited and the basic structures are already up) .  I know I can bike the mileage, even though it is higher than a typical cycling commute.  The one remaining problem is getting in and out of downtown safely.  That is going to take some more research and planning.  I don't believe either of the routes that I tried on Saturday are viable options.  I am okay with the ride in, it would be early enough that traffic wouldn't be a concern yet.  How to get home is the remaining challenge.

Despite my predead legs, and despite my misgivings about work day viability, it was a good day.  We explored parts of the trail that we hadn't been on before, I was able to introduce my aunt to the wonders of North Market, and I put in some more real traffic/road miles.  If you had told me last year that I would voluntarily ride a bike in downtown Columbus the length of High Street, I would have told you that you are out of your mind.  Now I just need to convince myself to do it in work day traffic.  Uh huh.

SOURCE

 

Which Pony Tail is She Wearing?

What work out I am doing on any given day is easy to read by my hair and clothes.  A high pony tail

SOURCE

Means I am going to the gym.  This is usually accompanied by capri pants ( that just look like pirate pants because I am short) running shoes and a cotton tank top.

A low pony tail

SOURCE

Means I am going out on my bike.  I need my hair out of the way and not making my helmet uncomfortable.  I am also wearing bike shorts and a dry weave shirt or tank top and flip flops.  Flip flops are so I can still wander around the house getting my equipment ready with out wearing my bike cleats.  I put those on in the garage.

My dog can always tell which work out I am doing.  She knows for a ride she gets to stay home with my husband for the gym she is headed to her cage.

 

( The Chiuah in question)

Today was a high pony tail kind of day.  Brad has decided that he wants to start weight training again and asked me to go with him.  I love weight training.  Instant results and you get to feel all pumped and tough.

After yesterdays less then stellar, ego destroying, sorry excuse for a bike ride....it felt good to cross train a bit.  I have read articles about good weigh training for cyclists but I kind of went anti most of it.  I ended up avoiding the machines I know I use for cycling and using more of the machines that worked the muscles that I don't use for cycling.  We are going to try to go 2-3 days a week.  That is on top of my riding 3 days a week and possibly taking in a 2 day a week hula dancing class.  Which I need to decide on quick because registration is closing.....

Being the geeks we are we built a spreadsheet to track it and I ran the endomodo app on my phone so it is also logged there.  As the weeks go on I hoping to see consistent progress towards becoming stronger.

Going out for another ride tomorrow, heres hoping I remember my water bottle this time!

What Hurts The Most

Getting my bike back together ended up being a three person challenge.  I put the chain on wrong, then we couldn't get the tire to not rub on the brakes, and all kinds of random crazy in between

But in the end we were victorious!

After my nearly month long absence from cycling I expected some pain.  I mostly expected leg issues and a reduction in cardio.  The pace was less then I am was capable of at 11 mph so it was a nice get back into the swing of things ride.  I never felt like I was pushing my cardio limit, and my legs did fine.  My butt however.....  Ow.

You can read in Part I  of my beginners guide to biking that when you start biking you butt will hurt for at least a month no matter what you do.  Apparently you can lose that toughness in about a month as well.  I forgot what it was like to be afraid of sitting down!

The other surprising toughness I lost was my neck.  I am back to having the neck pain all the way into my mid back again.

Hopefully after a couple weeks of being back in the saddle these beginner pains will go away and I can go back to not thinking about them.  Ever again.

All this has taught me that a break isn't worth it!  Next time I am getting on my bike at least once a week! 

Oui.

Quit Everything...Apparently.

Right around the time I stopped blogging, I stopped everything-ing.  I stopped tracking, stopped working out, just stopped.  It was my birthday, and then another week went by, it was vacation, then my bike got a flat, and now the pleurisy is back.

The lack of forward movement is starting to bother me.  I realized today that I haven't moved forward in any aspect of my life since the middle of July and it was suffocating. 

Not moving forward pertains to more than the things I listed above.  Those things are what I had been focusing on since January.  With out the noise of them and the busyness of them I realized there are other things that I want to be working on as well.  It's a lot though, so many competing priorities.  My entire life is on a flex point, and yet I am not moving.

What I know?  I want to continue to lose weight, and get stronger.  I want to get my bike back together and keep working in putting on the miles.  Beyond that, I am feeling lost.  Like I am waiting for something to happen or someone else to make one of the other 100 decisions for me so I can base the remaining 99 on that.

Life is so short, and there is so much to do.  I better get moving.

Source

Beginners Guide To Biking . By A Beginner. Part III

You can also reference part I and part II.

Two of my biggest questions when I started were:

"How fast should I be going on my bike?"  and "How fast is fast?"

A general guide to speed is this: 

 

Depending on the bike you have "good" speeds will be different.  My current average is 14.5 mph on my road bike, but the hybrid is still 13.  A mountain bike would be lower.  My advice is to figure out your natural speed right now.  If your average is 10 mph with out pushing that's exactly where I started.  How do you get faster?
  
Your speed will increase on its own.  The more you go out, the stronger you will get, the better your cardio will be and the faster will you get.  Apps like Strava help me to push myself.   Strava lets you make segments or ride segments that are already there.  I segmented my whole route and started working on one segment at a time.  That way I only pushed myself hard for a pre set length. one by one I became Queen of the Mountain or moved up spots.  Then, after a while, I was beating records without trying.  If you are pushing hard to raise your MPH average I also suggest angry music.  I ride much faster when I am wearing my ipod and it is set to angry.  That was my route to going faster and it is what I would suggest to you.

The next big question:

How far should I be biking?

Most people can bike 10 miles at their current fitness level.  I started a 6.  The rule of thumb is to increase your miles 10% every week.  For example:

Week 1    10.00
Week 2    11.00
Week 3    12.10
Week 4    13.31
Week 5    14.64
Week 6    16.11
Week 7    17.72
Week 8    19.49
Week 9    21.44
Week 10  23.58


 I did not follow this in the beginning.  My goal was to go 1 mile more every bike ride and I went out three times a week.  I did that until I was averaging 50 miles a week.  Now I am in week two of a century training plan ( you can see it here) and I am more closely following the 10% rule.  You should do what feels right for you. 

This is where the bike computer that was discussed in Part II comes in handy.  You can't increase your miles very easily with out knowing how far you are going.  Map My Ride is also a good tool for figuring out distance and elevation.

Part 4, everything you ever wanted to know about pedals, here!

Changing The Goals

It's not really a goal change.  it's more like revitalizing old goals with some new ones.

Losing 38 pounds by August has always been the goal.  I started in January and have since lost 14 pounds.  Since then I have been stuck in a cycle of gaining 5 pounds back and then losing it again.  I am on round 3 right now.  So it's time for a better plan.

1.  I am going to find and use an App/Website that I like to track my calories.  I am convinced the perfect one does not exist so I have to find one I am willing to use.  Loose It is my newest attempt.  So far, so good.  It is easy to understand and easy to use.  I also get more calories based on daily physical activity.  At a 500 calorie deficit right now!  Woot!

2.  Work out 5 days a week.  3 days of cycling and 2 days of Xtend Barre.  Which I am hoping to review for you all next week.  I am going to start my weeks on Monday for this and for #3.

3.  Start training for a century.  Using a training program I found on line, I am going to attempt to train for a 100 mile bike race.  It is a 10 week program but my real goal is to be able to handle one by September.  So if I am not stressed about the 10 week program,.  You can see my training plan and progress here if you are interested.

4.  The weight loss goal is more ambitious then I have attempted before.  Taking into consideration all of the tracking and working out I am planning, I think it is doable.  I want to loose 2 lbs a week hitting a total of 38 pounds lost by October 1, 2012.

I am planning A LOT of work but I am truly excited for it.  I am looking forward to my new healthier future. 

What are your goals?

Beginners Guide To Biking . By A Beginner. Part II

You can read part I here and part three here.

3.  Equipment

The things you need:  Water bottle cage, water bottle, bike bag, mace.

Water bottle is so obvious I think it is easily over looked.  I have two on my bike, and most bikes you see on the trail will have two.  Bonus points if the cage and the bottle match the bikes color scheme.  I could have put the bike bag under the wait category, but I was a Girl Scout.  In order to always be prepared you need storage space.  See #4 for what you want in your bag details.

The things you can wait to get:  Bike computer, pedal cages, pedal clip and shoes, bike seat. GPS, rear view mirror.

Bike computer and GPS kind of go together.  You can get a bike computer expensive enough to track you by GPS, you can get an app on your smart phone, or you can use the GPS watch you have for running.  Even if you just get a basic computer it will tell you how far you've gone, how long you've been riding, your current and average MPH as well as any number of other things.  I am kind of a nerd, and I like the numbers.  It keeps me motivated, I can set goals for myself and push myself harder than I would if I didn't know the numbers.  I also enjoy going home, uploading my ride and seeing my results.  My two favorite apps/websites are Strava and Endomondo.  Both have different strengths. 
  
***UPDATE ***  Recently discovered that Walmart has bike computers.  I think most equipment falls into the " You can pay as little or as much as you want too." category.

Pedal cages and the special pedals and shoes are nice but not necessary.  Both help keep your feet in place over long rides and help you maximize your movement.  You are pulling the pedal up as well as down, much more efficient.

Bike seat.  I know what you are thinking.  " I am going to go out and get the cushiest biggest seat I can find".  Please don't.  That is what your padded shorts are for.  Something about the bigger more padded seats actually causes more soreness for most people.  It may take a while, and some money, to find a bike seat you like but it will be worth it in the end.  Also, don't make a decision about your first seat change until after you got that first months worth of riding and soreness under control. After that you can truly judge what you need from a bike seat.

4.  What do I put in my bike bag?

Anything you might need.  Your phone, lip balm, fuel, handy wipes, epi pen,mace, handkerchief, sunscreen and tire changing essentials.  Yes, you will have to change your tire eventually.  More on that later.  handkerchief is for bug protection.  Some days the bugs are so thick you would swear the air is chunky.  Putting a simple kerchief over you mouth and nose, much like a train robber, will help keep the bug issue under control.

5.  Trail Etiquette

My husband has observed that cyclist are much more friendly than runners.  I always say that's because cyclist are having more fun, and less of a mental war.  Be smart and friendly.  Think of it like a road.  Do not block the path in either direction, do not run people over and do not litter.  When passing either ring a bell or say clearly, " Passing on your left!"  Always pass on the left when possible, but if you need to pass on the right then say so.  Make sure and give pedestrians lots of clearance and remember that just like on a real road, they have the right of way.  Wave or nod to other cyclist, and try not to pity the runners to much.  Be aware that other people are stupid.  They allow their children to play at the bottom of blind curvy hills, and they will decide to get off their bike and stand around on 25 mph hill.  The best offense is a good defense.

Next Monday. 6/18/2012 I will cover how fast you should be going, ride progression and road safety.

Anything to add to these categories?  Leave a comment and let me know!

Beginners Guide To Biking. By A Beginner. Part I

Part of my motivation for starting this blog was to create something I have not found yet. A cycling blog the way that others have running blogs. While I was researching running,  runner's blogs were a great resource.  I have found the cycling on line community to be much less present than the running community. 

(If you don't believe this to be true AWESOME.  Leave a comment about some cycling communities and blogs that you enjoy.)

I've been biking since April.  I hope that writing down what I have learned thus far will be more helpful to new cyclists than what I would write in say a year or two.  When I forget all of the questions and surprises  I had when I started.

Cycling isn't cheap.  But that doesn't mean it's not feasible.


1.  The Bike

Most articles you find will say something like this:

"Any bike will do!  Pull out the old mountain bike in your garage and take off!"

It's good advice.  You should be sure you are going to really take cycling up as a sport/hobby/lifestyle change before you start spending money.  However, don't let that thinking take you past the point where you should have been out looking for a better bike.  Struggling will sap the enjoyment out of anything.

My advice is this, the moment you realize that you are looking forward to the days ride, you are upset it's not a ride day, or you are seriously considering riding in the rain, it is time to get a good bike.  What's a good bike?  What are you doing?  It has a lot to do with your goals and what you want from biking. I currently have a hybrid and a road bike.  I love both but I they are not made for the same thing.  I take the hybrid out for long slow rides with friends.  I take the road bike out when I am biking for a work out and trying to break all of my personal land speed records.  I am on the road bike more because once you are pushing a 20lb bike with thin tires, it's really hard to go back to pushing a 26lb bike with wide tires.  Trust me. 

Go to a bike shop or 2 or 3.  Check out the bikes ask for advice, and get fitted on the different types you are interested in.  You want a strong, light bike with tires specific to what you want to be doing.  This doesn't mean you have to buy the bike from the bike shop.  Check garage sales and Craigslist and pick up a nearly new bike that someone bought and found out they really didn't like.  Just do your research first.  Know what size you are looking for, what type of bike you want and which brands will best cater to your needs.  Raleigh, Trek and Giant are the three names in my garage.  

Do not be fooled by the bikes at Wal-Mart.  They say Road Bike and Hybrid on them, they say "Pick me up, light aluminum!"   I tried to pick up a Light Wal-mart road bike, I couldn't.  I could carry my road bike over my head for a mile if I had too.  Well, if my arms were longer.


2.  Wardrobe

There are Four purchases that I highly, suggest as your basic cycling wardrobe.  Cycling gloves, Cycling shorts, sunglasses and a helmet.  Most of mine were amazon purchases. 

The further you go the more your hands and butt are going to hurt and they are at some point going to go numb.  Gloves delay all of that while you build up your tolerance.  Your hands will come back around in a few minutes.  Your butt will be hurting for the next month.  Even with your padded shorts it is going to take your butt about a month to adjust to your new activity.

Before I started riding I thought cyclist wore those shorts for speed or some other unidentifiable purpose.  My first month I went out 3-4 days a week in padded bike shorts.  It took me until the next month to be able to sit down like a normal person.  Every week is a little better until one day you wake up and realize your butt doesn't hurt anymore.  That's a good day.  Note I said padded shorts.

Sunglasses aren't just for the sun.  You need to protect your eyes from debris and bugs.  I started with my normal pair and have graduated to a Target "sport" pair.  I've been eying the $100 glasses at the bike shop though.

A helmet is like a seatbelt.  You know you have too.  And you may not realize it yet, but you are going to be going really fast.  Do you really want to be going down a hill at 25 MPH on a bike with no helmet on?  I didn't think so.  What is proper helmet wearing look like?  I used this article to help myself figure it out.

You can read  Part II here, and part III here. Do you have any advice for me or other new cyclists?  Is there anything you thing in these categories you think I missed?  Let me know!