Monday, April 27, 2009

Don't Weight: Cycle the Summer Away!

Hooray! Cycling season is starting!

You may recall that last year my husband and I got into cycling, and I rode 67 miles on my second bike tour (which happened to be on my birthday). Over the winter I put in quite a few miles on my trainer indoors, and as the weather has warmed up I have been out on my bike as much as possible. I have been doing several 20-mile rides each week, and I am loving it! I have improved quite a bit from last year (speed and stamina), and thanks to my sweet Honey Daddy I have significantly more gear and accessories.

Cycling has been really great for me physically. I now weight 10 pounds less than I did when I got pregnant with my first son. This weekend we went shopping because none of my pants fit, and I was ecstatic to find that I could fit into size 14's. Considering the fact that in high school I wore size 22/24 jeans, that is really an accomplishment!

I now have a new goal. It is a reasonable, healthy, attainable weight loss goal. I am going to lose 20 pounds in 20 weeks. That is only one pound a week, which is totally doable. Then by my birthday this year I should be down to at least size 12 jeans, which would be awesome!

I think sometimes we tend to focus too much on losing large amounts of weight, then give up when it doesn't happen. This way I can feel successful if I lose just one pound per week. Every little bit adds up, you know?!

So I weighed myself this morning, and each week I am going to let you know how I did. I am going to have to start keeping a food journal and work on exercising more consistently and drinking more water. I am enlisting my mom, my friends, and my sisters to do this with me, so we'll see how we do.

I think that cycling will help me keep up with my weight loss this summer. As a matter of fact, coming up this weekend my husband and I have signed up for our first bike tour of the season. My husband is doing the 65 mile ride, and I am debating between the 50 mile or just doing the 65 with Honey Daddy.

What a way to jump-start my summer weight loss, huh?!

10 comments:

  1. loosing weight with a combination of eating/drinking correctly and exercise is the best way. Also understanding that attainable goals is best is even better. Remember also that how you feel is even more important than what you weigh. keep up the good work!

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  2. What a great idea and this is such a great time to do it too! I have a reader who is blogging about her exercise progress and I also have a reader who is a fitness trainer and she actually gives people ideas about what to do and gives encouragement too.

    Let me know if you want a link to either of their blogs to help keep you motivated!

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  3. What a healthy set of goals!! You really are doing amazing!! And are definitely inspiring me to get my butt back in motion!!

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  4. IMPRESSIVE!! Both the cycling accomplishments and the weight loss!! I need to get out my bike, too ~ now that the snow and ice are gone.

    I think this will be a great weight-loss summer for both of us!!

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  5. Way to go! Good luck in your endeavor. Now that the weather is nicer, I'm going to start looking out for moi, too! BTW, wanted to remind you that today is Uncle Lynn's birthday, and I'm running a one-day POPrs giveaway to celebrate. Please come by!

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  6. Way to go! You'll accomplish it!

    My hubs and I started cycling last year and love it. We have the kids involved and go as often as we can.

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  7. Awesome!! You are very inspiring!

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  8. Wow, congrats to you! That is just so awesome. I love that you have reasonable goals and a way to get there that you enjoy. That has to be far better than any other "diet" plan. Yay for you.

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  9. Hmmm...maybe I should get a bike?

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  10. you put me to shame! that is such an amazing accomplishment! last time i got my bike out, i was riding it for half an hour before i realised the back tyre was flat!

    yay you - looking forward to keeping up with your progress.

    btw - are you cycling on the freeway???

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