Back in the Saddle

Last year my brother bought me a bicycle. A really nice one!


He had gotten into riding the previous year and dropped 40 lbs so I thought, Ok sign me up!  Last year was great. I rode about 35 miles 3 times a week, lost like 10lbs and finished the season strong with a century ride (100 miles) that took me like 6ish hours.  I trained over the winter, determined not to lose the muscle I had gained in my legs.

I had a goal:  Gain some power so I could ride longer, harder, and better and it worked! 


This season started great.  All the nice weather we had in March made it easy to get back on the bike and work my butt off!  I've been slacking lately though. Ya know when you start a diet or a work out plan and you're so excited and motivated that things go AMAZING?!  Then that 2 week mark comes and suddenly you aren't so into it.  You find excuses and reasons that are convenient to avoid that days work out. Well, that was me this week.  It rained a TON and I was so tired and lethargic and just really didn't have the energy to move.  I worked outside in the garden but found myself just wanting to sleep.


Saturday morning came all to quickly for me and I was seriously considering not riding with my group. That is a first for me. Saturday rides have become the norm and the group I set out with has become a little family to me. I thought ok lets go lazy, at least get one ride in this week.  


Let me tell you I am so happy I went.  
After taking a week off I realized how much I had lost! My legs wouldn't spin as fast, my shifting was off and I barely had the arm strength to hold myself up when I tucked down to try and catch the draft from the guy in front of me. Forget about the hills I hit.  The saying the chain is only as strong as the weakest link comes to mind.  It was definitely me this week. So why so happy?  I woke up the next morning feeling amazing. I was so tired the ride put me over the edge! I slept like a baby.  It's like someone pushed the reset button.  I see now that everything that I have been working for is slipping away and I DON'T want to start over!  I don't like seeing the numbers creep up on the scale and I HATE watching the wheel in front of me disappear!

I swear I felt all the negative energy leave my body. My skin was itchy from the toxins I was burning off. It put everything in perspective for me.  I am more motivated than ever to get the body I want and I have the time to commit to exercise. I'm looking forward to the week ahead and the painful workouts to come.  If you ever feel like you can't or you just don't have the motivation take a minute to see how far you have come.


Maybe yesterday was the farthest you've ever run.  Think about where you started and laugh about that first run when you had to keep stopping and pretty much walked your whole loop.
Maybe yesterday you decided to get in shape.  Think about how you stopped yourself from eating the extra serving of food or boycotted chocolate for the night.  You've made a mental change that not everyone can.


Take the time to do the workout because you will feel better and say "Yeah that was completely worth it... I would have been mad at myself had I skipped that"

live strong.live well