Tuesday, April 6, 2010

Like Riding A Bike . . .

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I have a confession . . . I can't ride a bike. I never had anyone to teach me as a kid.  One of the things I am bitter about is not having my father around to teach me.  He used to ride.  Before he exited my life, I used to ride on the back of his 10 speed on those little plastic seats.  I loved those rides.

I've tried to learn as an adult, but I can't do it.  I am too fearful.  I long to be outdoors riding a bike and wearing a goofy (yet, absolutely necessary) bike helmet.  My hubby is trying to teach the kids how to ride their bikes without wheels for fear that they will never learn.  I want to go bike riding as a family.  It is my dream.  

In the meantime, to get my cycling fix, I am waiting for a spinning bike.  I was hooked on the idea of cycling since taking my first class way back when.  When was that?  It has been so long because I don't have the time to go to a gym.  I don't have a membership, and don't plan to pay for one because it is so much more convenient to workout when all of the little ones are sleeping, or when at least one is napping.  I am excited to receive the bike and put it together.  I made a little workout corner for the bike and my treadmill. 

I will get a couple of video downloads online or buy one spinning DVD.  I just don't know which to get first.  I may just wing it while listening to my ipod. "Winging it" is what I do best.

I will be back up with my Friday Fitness Linkys.  I've been focusing on my speed training while running on the treadmill.  I've been trying to increase my speed and have been doing an increase program.  All made up.  I will then focus on building up my distance to 5 miles for the 8K race on April 24th.  Yikes!

The girls at work and I have started a Pedometer Program.  We strap on pedometers and start measuring our steps to get to 10000 steps a day. If we are out of the office, we've emailed each other throughout the day to see where we are at.  Today, I made 9,400+ steps by 9 a.m.  One day I did over 16000 steps before I took my shoes off when I walked in the door after work.  What say you?  Will you join my Pedometer Program?

12 comments:

  1. You've got some great strategies for getting your exercise in. I have been focusing so hard on my food that I haven't even begun to think about my exercise yet.

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  2. I love you pedometer program! That's fantastic. Once I can wrestle the money from my husband, I'm planning on getting one.

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  3. @ Nona: Maybe this would be your kick start. 10000 steps a day from when you wake up till you go to bed is the time you have.

    @ Emily: the least expensive at Target is $12.99. I bought mine from Weight Watchers years ago. I don't remember how much, and it gives me miles and has a timer. Good luck.

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  4. I just joined a program my company wellness committee (which I am a member of) is sponsoring called Walk This Way. We got free pedometers and have posted mile measurements all over our building for frequently-walked routes so you can make goals for your lunch hour. It's cool to see the steps add up!

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  5. What great ideas you all have. I tried a pedometer but I don't think it works right. I mean I know I do more than 106 steps a day! I am probably not using it right!
    I too never learned to ride a bike, but now might be a good time for you with your kids so young. :)

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  6. I can't ride a bike either :-( I so want to do it some time in my life. Glad to have discovered your blog and ya lovely pics. :-)

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  7. Have your husband and kids teach you, Rosa? It's sounds like a cute family project!

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  8. @R.P: Thank you. I am now following your journey. Keep me posted, if you learn.

    @Alexia: He has tried. We are now trying to convince my oldest to let go of the training wheels so we can buy her a bigger girl bike. She's not having it.

    I actually got on his bike in the garage and scooted down the garage, in the cover of darkness, so I can get the feel and weight of the bike. SCARED!

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  9. Hey Rosa - when we were in madison I was a member of the Princeton Club and I loved EVERYTHING about it - especially the free child care. :) The spinning classes were the beginning of my understanding what it was going to take for me to get where I want to go. I'm not there yet, but I will be....... I love peeking at the segments of life you share here. Thanks!!!

    Steph, from the QLCS. :)

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  10. Thanks, Steph. Princeton Club is nice. I long to join every time I drive by it on the highway. The issue is that I am in South Madison, so it is a hike with the 3 kiddos. I prefer waking up at 4:50 a.m. and hitting the machine or turning on a DVD by 5 a.m., shower, dress, and get all ready for school. But one day when all are older and hubby a bit less busy, I will be a member of a health club.

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  11. Thanks for encouraging me to start paying attention to my exercise. Yesterday, I dug my pedometer out of my drawer, replaced the battery and clipped it on. Did 10,364 steps yesterday. Don't think I can do that everyday so I'm going to go for 5,000 steps this week (if I go over so much the better) and work my way up to 10,000 eventually.

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  12. We spin. we invested in a bike since we had trouble getting to the actual gym. Spinning.com has a lot of great videos. it also helps with safety tips. I always make sure to have my heart rate monitor on to see my burn, helps so much when not using a video.

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