bicycle riding

I haven't riden a bike in years, but I remember having so much fun riding when I was a kid. My husband is getting a bike from a friend at work for me. I really want to ride a bike, but at the same time, with being overweight, I'm worried. I don't want people driving by thinking, look at how big I am on a bike. I just wanted to see if anyone has any advice or started riding a bike again when they were overweight. I think that I'll ride it anyway, because I really want to, but I am a little worried, too.

Don't worry about what other people think.  That's all in your head anyway (except for the annoying teenagers that go by me).  I ride my bike to and from work almost every day (I only drive when I have to leave the office in midday) and I love it.  I also started making my kids bike with me to locations not more than 4 miles away.  They love it.  I'm 50 lbs overweight and losing.  Like I said, the only negative comment I ever got was from a teenager saying something to the tune that I couldn't afford a car.  Well, I drive a $30,000 car and she drives a 15-year-old Camry, so who wins that one???

Ishowrn,

I know exactly how you feel! I came across this article during my research into buying myself a new bike. I hope it proves helpful and informative for you as well.

http://www.charlottecooper.net/docs/fat/ridea bike.htm

I picked up a starter bike for myself, at the Sports Authority, for $99. If I can maintain this routine, then perhaps i'd invest a bit more and get myself a pricier bicycle. Lord knows i've had many unused gym memberships in my day. So i thought it best to start off with a small investment, and see how i take to it.

In the states, these upright bikes that are more comfortable for larger people, are appropriately called comfort bikes.

Thanks for the encouragement, everyone. I told my husband to get that bike last night!

(I posted this on "scared of the gym" as well)

You can assure yourself that many people there have been where you are and if they are thinking anything, it is, "You go girl!"

It takes a lot of nerve to put yourself out there and most people know that -- the others who would think bad things of you are pathetic anyway.

The single most defining moment to me as a runner (when I didn't even think of myself as a runner) was at my first 5k race -- it was a huge one in Toronto, thousands of runners....as I watched them come through in AAALLLLLL shapes and sizes and I knew that fit-ness didn't mean thin-ness and it inspired me to keep going.  As I approached the finish line I heard the announcer saying "....and here come more athletes approaching the finish line" -- ATHLETES!?!?!?!?!  I was an "ATHLETE"!!!!  Who da thunk?

I agree with on_my_way, and I am one of the ones saying "GO GIRL!"  :)

Riding a bike was the very first thing I did for exercise when I decided to make a lifestyle change.  I knew that in order for me to stick with any sort of exercise, it would have to be something I enjoyed, and bike riding is exactly that.  I bought a "Walmart special" bike to start out and began riding around my neighborhood for as long as I could without feeling like I would die.  I was approx 265 pounds (5'3" tall) at the time.  Slowly but surely, the time I could comfortably ride increased from 15 minutes to 20, to 30....

Now I'm out on the open road as often as possible (on a new road bike) and can go for miles and miles.  I love it still.

So get out there and RIDE!  Who cares what anyone else thinks, what's most important is that you're doing this for YOU and that you are enjoying yourself. :)

Hmm, I ride my bike everyday and I promise you, when I see someone overweight riding a bike I don't think anything other than "Wow another person who loves biking as much as I do! Ooooh the sun feels so good! Weee...." And I think that when I pass anyone on a bike ;-)

Biking will be great for you. I'tll be easy on your knees, and if anyone gives you crap you can go run em over.

<snip>lynnabrauer: I ride my bike to and from work almost every day (I only drive when I have to leave the office in midday) and I love it.</snip>

 

That's the beauty of bike riding: you can use it for so many of your daily activities.  Get yourself a backpack and use your bike for simple shopping errands, and commuting to work.  Before you know it, you've logged some serious miles doing something you had to do anyway.  I've also discovered the pleasures of group riding.  Every city and town has many groups of riders of all ages and skills.  You'll have no trouble finding riders compatible with your level of skill.  Be safe out there.

 

Bob

Thank you everyone for your encouragement. It sounds like everyone made some great changes in exercise levels, how about weight loss, clothing sizes, etc?  I'm still waiting for my bike, but I can't wait to start.

Remaining active is a good way to increase fitness and MAINTAIN weightloss, but it will NOT enable you to lose too much weight on its own....you MUST change your eating habits to lose weight.

I started by being active and then foudn I was not losing weight, I became so newly confident about the fitness that I wanted to be better at fitnessy type things....that led to changing my lifestyle and eating better, not necessarily less (though my meal portions are smaller) but totally different and few empty calories.

Good luck.

Original Post by lshowrn:

I haven't riden a bike in years, but I remember having so much fun riding when I was a kid. My husband is getting a bike from a friend at work for me. I really want to ride a bike, but at the same time, with being overweight, I'm worried. I don't want people driving by thinking, look at how big I am on a bike. I just wanted to see if anyone has any advice or started riding a bike again when they were overweight. I think that I'll ride it anyway, because I really want to, but I am a little worried, too.

A few other people have suggested that you not worry about the thoughts of other people.  I agree with them.  You're doing this for YOU and YOUR health, not for their entertainment.  They're people you don't know and most of whom you will never encounter again. 

Just enjoy the scenery and be vigilant against the cars on the road you'll be riding aside.  You'll find that it's not only good for your health in the long run, but you will feel better immediately afterwards after a few rides and it's a de-stresser.  I find it mentally relaxing.

I started riding at my peak weight of 286 and have continued to do so ever since.

--Steve