Hi there.
Just wanted to formally introduce myself to the forums. I’ve been a premium member now for a little over 3 weeks. I was listening to the free Daily Boost and Motivation to Move minutes for about 6 months before I joined, and then finally did so when the new SMSM program debuted. That’s right… I’m paying my $20 a month and loving every minute of it.

As far as I’m concerned this is the absolute best program I’ve ever been a part of. Late 2006 I got tired of carrying around 250+ lbs and being a slave to bad foods and bad eating habits. I went on one of those crazy medically supervised protein shake programs and took off 60 lbs in 3.5 months! It was incredible to be lighter than I had been in the last decade, and despite the challenges I really enjoyed my time on the program and being free from having to make decisions about food.

Well, dropped the program after losing the 60 lbs, enjoyed the summer and picked up a major love of bicycling. Still as the fall and then winter creeped up my old eating habits came back. “Life got in the way”, so to speak, and for the first time I realized how hard it was to stay in shape during the cold rainy months when you don’t want to bicycle to work in the rain and all you can think of eating are the comfort foods you grew up loving. I put 20 lbs of the 60 lbs I lost back onto my frame without even trying, and it was so easy to slip off the wagon. But instead of breaking out another nasty protein shake, I’m trying something different this time… eating real food and taking on a real honest to goodness exercise plan.

well, it’s only been 3 weeks, but i have to say its working in spades. The scale has moved considerably since I started the SMSM program 3 weeks ago. I haven’t been perfect, but the hard work I’ve put in already is starting to take effect. i didn’t think i could do 60 minutes of exercise a day, but now enjoy a nice long walk on the treadmill and consider it essential “me” time before I get started with the rest of my day. My self esteem has increased, my workout clothes are fitting a bit better, and I have more energy. The scale this morning showed that I am making progress which is why I’m going to jump on that treadmill for the 5th consecutive day this week and enjoy every minute of it. I plan on jumping into the program again, focusing on different challenges so I can slowly start to gain really healthy habits one 28-day cycle at a time. This is really starting to click now!

Scott Smith, you’re awesome and keep up the good work. 

Welcome CycleChic!

Sounds like a familiar post!  good job in losing those 60lbs and working on losing the winter weight.  It’s natural to gain weight during the winter months, but there are ways we can minimize it ( I think you’ve found your way!)

Love to have other bike riders on the forums....

I ride a Fuji ‘Team Pro’, as I have started to do Triathlons in 2007, and LOVE riding!

Welcome~

Let us know what your overall goals are.....there are some really cool people in the MTM community that are encouraging and ready to help you on your lifetime journey~

awww, thanks so much for the well wishes! Yeah I love riding and just started doing it last year. I started out with a “cute” bike just to ride through the park on the weekends. It’s a fold-able that has lights and is just the cutest little european thing, but not too practical. Then I got an electric bike for the 45 minute long ride to work. It was a fabulous buy, and I so enjoyed riding through the streets not having to worry about hills and stuff. It made bike riding fun instead of “effort” which really opened me up to the joys of bike riding. Then it got stolen in early december and I spent a month with no daily ride. Hated it! (don’t worry got it back from police station, thank goodness.) But as I increased my riding fitness I wanted to ride longer without recharging the battery. My 3rd bike was a nice sleek street hybrid. Ah and I love it. Takes more effort on the hills, but I’m more in shape for it and can ride for longer periods of time.

My ultimate goal for this year is to train for the Waves to Wine bicycle tour in mid September. It’s a ride form SF to Sonoma wine country along highway 1… about 2 days and 175 miles! An official training program starts in late June, but I’d like to start training now to make sure I finish the ride strong. That way I can concentrate more on the beautiful scenery and less on extreme bodily pain.  Any advice you can give would be awesome! 

Sounds like a fun race!

never to early to start training....you can always taper throughout the year, leading up to it....what kind of hybrid?

I’m riding a Jamis Coda Comp. It’s a very nice ride so far. Since I sometimes commute to work on it I need to get it some fenders, and the chain has already shredded a nice pair of jeans.  but it’s a very good bike and I’d take it anywhere.

Ok Lurker (premium member) here ......
Tom’s avatar almost got me out of lurkdom, but cycleChic threw me over the edge. 

Bicycling is my thing. Long distance, endurance stuff ..... Love, love, love it ....
Even at 120 lbs. overweight.

The 175 miles is very doable. And Tom is right - never too early to train.
You want to build up your endurance more than anything and you know the LSB from here is a prime way to help build it up. You’ll be killing two birds with one stone.

I have ridden from San Francisco to Los Angeles .... and your scenery out there is beautiful!!!

Oh btw ... My name is Cleda ... I’m a premium member ... need to lose about 120 lbs. total. One pound at a time.  I am down 15 so far. 

Life, poor eating habits, middle age, emotions, have stopped me from getting there. I’m on my way this time. I’m in it for the long haul. And to keep it off ....lost these 100 lbs. 3x now ... or something insane like that. I don’t care to “find” them this time ... 

Cleda

Clylechic....
Cleda said it well
One lb at a time…

Cleda… what kind of bike you do have?......impressive doing the SF to LA ride!

CycleChic
I’ve looked at the new Jamis tri bikes.... (my wife call’s it bike porn ).....very cool with the breaks BEHIND instead of the usual upfront....and other cool features.....very reasonable price for what they put on it in the way of components...but for now I have a Fuji (that’s her name… “Fuji")....that I will be happy with for years!

Always use rubber bands on the bike when commuting (with jeans)...bummer, sorry to hear about that...but it doesn’t sound like it will keep you from riding...good for you!