I think I can. . .
I guess I saw it coming–one by one, our kids have learned to ride their bikes. . .and so now, in the interest of family bike rides, I have my very own new-to-me bike. We’ll call her Pansy. White with pink flowers, says Trek 3700 on the frame in case that means more to you than it does to me. I had hoped for something without gears, but here in WY everything is uphill.
We found Pansy last week at the nearest bike shop (nope, it’s not in our town!). The shop owner promised not to look while I tried one, two, then three bikes on the sidewalk in front of her shop before settling on the one that fit me best. . .hopefully the passersby weren’t looking either, but as I said, we weren’t in our town anyhow and I don’t much worry about the opinions of strangers. 
You see, for as many hours of my childhood as I spent riding my yellow bike with the banana seat, I all but stopped riding in high school when it was replaced with a big red ten speed. I’m sure it didn’t help that I was nearly old enough to drive (and thus had friends with cars); also, about that time we moved from small town to big city where I couldn’t actually go anywhere without navigating extremely busy thoroughfares. But the bottom line was that I always felt like I was going to somersault over those low handlebars and I never could remember how or when to change gears.
I digress. I didn’t fall off during my test rides, so we left Pansy for the owner to finish fixing (recent trade in). Between that and our recent guests, it wasn’t until tonight that Larry and I finally had a chance to go for a ride after the kids were in bed. Wheeeee!! But oh my! my legs!!! I am hoping that I can at least partly blame the fact that my seat didn’t get properly adjusted until we got home, and at the same time that was when Larry realized my tires needed air. I hope. . .well, I am still willing to get on and try again. Pansy lets me sit in a more upright position, and if I forget how the gears work I am sure one of the boys will be glad to remind me. 
Speaking of the boys, we put Baby Boy’s seat on Drama Boy’s bike because he is younger and stronger than me. Both boys seem happy with this arrangement so far, and I’ll try to get a picture of their smiling faces soon. Meanwhile, although Silly Boy has a little hand me down bike with training wheels for practicing, he’s not ready to keep up with the family. Luckily the bike shop lady also had a used ride behind thingy. . .which lets him pedal his heart out while Daddy does all the work.
I know. . .you were hoping for a picture of me riding Pansy (at least Dad is!). It was dark by the time we went out tonight, so you’ll just have to keep waiting. In the meanwhile, here’s me, Dad, and the yellow bike with flowers on the seat in 1980. . . 
Over the hump
You would think I would be old enough to learn: exercising regularly is much better than starting and stopping and starting and. . .but I forget. After we returned from vacation the first of the month, I resumed exercising for the first time since late summer. Ouch. I forgot I have all those muscles! I thought they were all duly warmed up again after the first week and a half, but yesterday I tried a different routine. Oh. I have muscles there, too.
Well, here’s hoping this will be the time I make this a habit for life!
Fitness goals
This morning, while engaged in the mindless activity that Wii Fit calls Free Step, I started to think “why am I doing this?” There are certainly plenty of reasons to exercise more or eat less, but here are mine.
- Weight. So who invited the 8 lubs that have showed up since Baby Boy weaned a couple months ago? I suppose after thirteen years of the pregnant-nursing cycle, I’ve evidently forgotten how to eat for one. Once I figure that out (and get rid of those sneaky lubs!), my goal is simply to maintain my weight. I’m not that concerned with a specific Number, so much as the way my clothing fits (or if it fits).
- Endurance. This is probably my biggest long term goal. I’d like to be able to keep up while walking or hiking with my kids (eventually, grandkids). And I’d like to be able to continue my moderately active lifestyle (perhaps even increasing my activity level).
- Flexibility. Having once been an amateur dancer, I’d like to maintain my flexibility and possibly regain some of what I have lost since the last time I was able to take a ballet class. I like being able to paint my own toenails! Not that I often have the time, but that’s irrelevant.
- Strength. My lower body is strong enough for my purposes, but sometimes my upper body wimps out on me. There are a handful of things I’d like to be able to lift or move myself, especially when I no longer have a 12 year old boy around to do it for me.
What motivates you?
Wii frustrations
I’ve finally managed to resume the habit of using the Wii Fit on a regular basis, but I’m getting frustrated with it. With all the scoring and ranking and encouragement after each exercise, it takes me at least an hour to log 45 minutes of exercise. That’s an extra 15-20 minutes that I could have stayed in bed!
I also get frustrated doing the exercises in the yoga and strength sections. The trainer seems to talk nonstop, always saying the same mildly encouraging things. Sometimes it is meant to be feedback on how I’m doing, and it isn’t terribly accurate. Other times it reminds me to correct something I am doing right. Also, I would rather not be able to tell by looking that the computer generated trainers are anatomically correct. If real people wear their spandex that snug these days, I am glad I am unable to exercise at a gym!
And that brings me to one of the things I do like about the Wii Fit: I don’t have to find time (or money) to go to the gym to exercise. In part because it is keeping track of me, I am more consistent than when I’ve tried to use other exercise at home routines. With my background in dance, I don’t mind that I’m mostly working with (or against) my own body rather than using weights or other machines or that I only get as much out of the workout as I put into it. The variety of exercises is decent; some days I am fine using what is there and other days I wish there were more options.
