I think I'm gonna die...

[melissa5]

Hopefully, not any time soon, but you never know. So, I decided that I was going to buy a bicycle and start exercising. Bought a cheap 18-speed Huffy mountain bike, got it home, and made a circle of the subdivision (about half a mile). That's all I could do. My thighs were screaming and I was about to heat stroke because it's 90-something degrees today. I think I will do all future bike rides in the morning before 9 am. Or, I could get one of the lift things that go under the back of the bike and I could ride inside in the air conditioning while watching tv. :p

[jocko]

I am 67, I get up every morning and walk 4 miles out in the countryt up one helliaus hill at 6 a.m.. it is still cool,, no vehicle traffic, daylight, my PM9 is on my belt. a routing I have done for over 8 years, When I miss a day I feel like I cheated even. not hard to do once you get into a routine, course I am retired to, so that helps alot. U wouldnot enjuoy riding a bike inside anymore than a damn tread mill, take ur time work up to a distance, rome wasnot built in a day.

[Bawanna]

At least ya didn't say riding inside air conditioned eating Bon Bon's. I laugh as I watch biggest loser and they say to get up off the couch and do stuff. Yeah right, good plan, beers in the fridge.
Actually I don't partake of the devils kool aid (only occasionally) but I am partial to creme soda. I do plan to expand my horizons and try this Mexican Coke stuff although I've always preferred Pepsi. Who'll know ya know?

Jocko how long did it take to build Rome. I never did hear in all my school years?

I used to get up at 6 am, that wicked early to me. Usually items listed as first thing happen about 9 or so.

[MW surveyor]

LOL :)

Melissa try walking the same route first for about a week. I'll bet you can do it easy. Then try riding the bike again. You do use different muscles with the bike but if you haven't done any serious exercise in a while, it's gonna hurt. Build up into it day by day.

As Jocko says, do it early in the morning.

[jocko]

At least ya didn't say riding inside air conditioned eating Bon Bon's. I laugh as I watch biggest loser and they say to get up off the couch and do stuff. Yeah right, good plan, beers in the fridge.
Actually I don't partake of the devils kool aid (only occasionally) but I am partial to creme soda. I do plan to expand my horizons and try this Mexican Coke stuff although I've always preferred Pepsi. Who'll know ya know?

Jocko how long did it take to build Rome. I never did hear in all my school years?

I used to get up at 6 am, that wicked early to me. Usually items listed as first thing happen about 9 or so.

it took 1.2 days, damn slaves were late for work. bui8lding some stupid big hollow wooden horse. so I am told.Did u know that was the beginning of welfare and medicaid also.

[Bawanna]

it took 1.2 days, damn slaves were late for work. bui8lding some stupid big hollow wooden horse. so I am told.Did u know that was the beginning of welfare and medicaid also.

Cool, I remember the wooden horse thing.

I wonder if Melissa could use the wooden horse to start with, maybe pushing it along her route.

You'll not believe this but I witnessed in person a lady walking two ducks yesterday in front of my castle. They was on a leash and she was kind of tapping em on the backside to push em along. Funny stuff.

I got the missus an she was laughing so hard I thought she was gonna pee herself. Kind of embarassing for me even though we was in the house and the duck walker had not clue. Probably not many clues about anything else either now that I ponder it some.

[O'Dell]

I am 67, I get up every morning and walk 4 miles out in the countryt up one helliaus hill at 6 a.m.. it is still cool,, no vehicle traffic, daylight, my PM9 is on my belt. a routing I have done for over 8 years, When I miss a day I feel like I cheated even. not hard to do once you get into a routine, course I am retired to, so that helps alot. U wouldnot enjuoy riding a bike inside anymore than a damn tread mill, take ur time work up to a distance, rome wasnot built in a day.

We're the same age. I don't walk or jog because it bores me, but in the course of my work, I do 2 to 3 miles a day. Up until recently I did 100 pushups and some situps and crunches every day. However the pushups have started aggravating my right rotator cuff, and that's one surgery I don't want.

[melissa5]

At least ya didn't say riding inside air conditioned eating Bon Bon's. I laugh as I watch biggest loser and they say to get up off the couch and do stuff. Yeah right, good plan, beers in the fridge.
Actually I don't partake of the devils kool aid (only occasionally) but I am partial to creme soda. I do plan to expand my horizons and try this Mexican Coke stuff although I've always preferred Pepsi. Who'll know ya know?

Jocko how long did it take to build Rome. I never did hear in all my school years?

I used to get up at 6 am, that wicked early to me. Usually items listed as first thing happen about 9 or so.

Not Bon Bons, but I can polish off some truffles and creme soda. Mmmm...ice cold creme soda in a glass bottle! I've gained about 15 lbs in the last 17 years. If I lost that, it would put me back to my Basic Training weight.

Do try the Mexican Coke. It tasted like some off-brand cola to me...not Coke.

[melissa5]

I am 67, I get up every morning and walk 4 miles out in the countryt up one helliaus hill at 6 a.m.. it is still cool,, no vehicle traffic, daylight, my PM9 is on my belt. a routing I have done for over 8 years, When I miss a day I feel like I cheated even. not hard to do once you get into a routine, course I am retired to, so that helps alot. U wouldnot enjuoy riding a bike inside anymore than a damn tread mill, take ur time work up to a distance, rome wasnot built in a day.

You are right. I've tried the exercise bikes at the gym and they are not as enjoyable as being outside.

[melissa5]

LOL :)

Melissa try walking the same route first for about a week. I'll bet you can do it easy. Then try riding the bike again. You do use different muscles with the bike but if you haven't done any serious exercise in a while, it's gonna hurt. Build up into it day by day.

As Jocko says, do it early in the morning.

I am guilty of being a couch potato for the last few years. Occasionally, I walk the dogs along that route, but they have to frequently stop and smell the roses. I'm thinking that maybe I could ride that route for 2 weeks and then add another lap.

[melissa5]

Cool, I remember the wooden horse thing.

I wonder if Melissa could use the wooden horse to start with, maybe pushing it along her route.

You'll not believe this but I witnessed in person a lady walking two ducks yesterday in front of my castle. They was on a leash and she was kind of tapping em on the backside to push em along. Funny stuff.

I got the missus an she was laughing so hard I thought she was gonna pee herself. Kind of embarassing for me even though we was in the house and the duck walker had not clue. Probably not many clues about anything else either now that I ponder it some.

I am NOT pushing a wooden horse up two hills or walking ducks. That's where I draw the line. :p

[Bawanna]

I am NOT pushing a wooden horse up two hills or walking ducks. That's where I draw the line. :p

Obviously a dificiency in your sense of adventure. Surely a little duck walking can't hurt nobody cept maybe the duckes feet on the hot pavement on a warm day which usually isn't a concern in my neighborhood.

[Chuck54]

It was over 90 here today and I'm glad I have a stationary recumbent bike. I find it goes very easily if there is something interesting on the TV. I'm shooting for 30 minutes a day five days a week. Before I had hip replacement surgery I built up to walking an hour and fifteen minutes a day at least three days a week. I had a treadmill during that time but just could not get comfortable with it TV or not.

Wow I'm not the oldest one here............only 63:)

[Bawanna]

I got me one of them recumbant bikes too (stop laughing you guys) but I can't figure out how to keep my feet on the pedals. I have just enough signal to make my legs to push and lift but my feet just fall out of the pedals even with the little straps.

Wife rides it every morning so it wasn't a loss. I gotta get Jillian to come whoop me back into my fightin weight. Or have 4 day weekends every week and let SHMBO do it. Not as fun but do get a little stuff done.

[melissa5]

It was over 90 here today and I'm glad I have a stationary recumbent bike. I find it goes very easily if there is something interesting on the TV. I'm shooting for 30 minutes a day five days a week. Before I had hip replacement surgery I built up to walking an hour and fifteen minutes a day at least three days a week. I had a treadmill during that time but just could not get comfortable with it TV or not.

Wow I'm not the oldest one here............only 63:)

My Mom has that type of bike and she loves it. She either reads or watches TV while riding it. Treadmills are hard on your joints. Glad you were able to get back to exercising after your surgery.

I will be 46 next month.

[Dietrich]

it took 1.2 days, damn slaves were late for work. bui8lding some stupid big hollow wooden horse. so I am told.Did u know that was the beginning of welfare and medicaid also.

Uh, it wasn`t the Romans or their slaves.The wooden horse thing was the Trojan horse and it was used to gain entry to Troy by Greek soldiers who slaughtered the Trojans as they were sleeping or passed out drunk.TheTrojans weren`t the brightest bulbs on the tree but later made a fortune in condoms.

[melissa5]

I got me one of them recumbant bikes too (stop laughing you guys) but I can't figure out how to keep my feet on the pedals. I have just enough signal to make my legs to push and lift but my feet just fall out of the pedals even with the little straps.



Duck tape fixes just about everything! :p Seriously, I think they make special cycling shoes that kind of clamp onto the pedals. http://www.amazon.com/Pearl-iZUMi-All-Road-Cycling-Black/dp/B0041HX7ZS/ref=sr_1_2?s=shoes&ie=UTF8&qid=1306884548&sr=1-2

[Bawanna]

Duck tape fixes just about everything! :p Seriously, I think they make special cycling shoes that kind of clamp onto the pedals. http://www.amazon.com/Pearl-iZUMi-All-Road-Cycling-Black/dp/B0041HX7ZS/ref=sr_1_2?s=shoes&ie=UTF8&qid=1306884548&sr=1-2

Pure genious Melissa. I didn't think of that. That should work.

Heck my daughter and son work at a bicycle and ski shop, I should have known. I'll report back.

[ltxi]

My Mom has that type of bike and she loves it. She either reads or watches TV while riding it......

Bingo! 68 y/o with lower back issues due to age/aircraft/stupid stuff. I was a dedicated runner and gym rat but now impact sports, treadmills, and even elliptical trainers are out. Basement workout room has free weights, a gym/commercial quality stationary recumbent bike, and a flat panel hooked to a Tivo DVR. Broadcast/cable shows are 45 minutes without commercials and perfect for entertainment during a proper 85% cardio workout. 3/5 times a week without fail. At the moment I'm halfway through the fourth season of Criminal Minds.

[TheTman]

I do good if I get my 10 lb dumbbells out more than once a week. I need to build muscle mass not lose weight. I'm just too dang skinny for my own good. Used to weigh 165, but 18 months of chemo over the course of a few years knocked me down to under 120, and then they said I as pre-diabetic, so cut out a lot of sugar and can not for the life of me put on any weight. Spose if I'd excercise more, I'd eat more and it'd fix itself.

[jeepster09]

I think doing it in the morning sounds good.....:w00t:

[Willieboy]

Boy, you guys make me feel guilty. Just thinking about all that exercise makes my heart rate go up. I was walking two miles each day with my Rottie but she developed a hip problem and it's not much fun walking by myself. I've thought about buying a bike but it's so hot here I fear I wouldn't ride it for more than a week. So, I just vegetate and think about exercise.

[Joe_Pike]

Do yourself a favor and get a bicycle from a bike shop and have them set it up for you. It makes a world of difference. Get a good saddle, too. That really helps. I've been riding bikes as an adult for more than 30 years and am just now trying to get back into the swing of things so I can start commuting to work again.

About 15 years ago I put 17,000 miles on a bicycle in three years by commuting to work on a 30 mile round trip. Doesn't seem possible to me now. I rode five miles or so the other night and it about wore me out.

I originally got my CCW so I could start commuting on my bike and feel a little safer. Can't wait to get my CM9 out of lay-away here in a few weeks so I can break it in and carry it.

[Bawanna]

Do yourself a favor and get a bicycle from a bike shop and have them set it up for you. It makes a world of difference. Get a good saddle, too. That really helps. I've been riding bikes as an adult for more than 30 years and am just now trying to get back into the swing of things so I can start commuting to work again.

About 15 years ago I put 17,000 miles on a bicycle in three years by commuting to work on a 30 mile round trip. Doesn't seem possible to me now. I rode five miles or so the other night and it about wore me out.

I originally got my CCW so I could start commuting on my bike and feel a little safer. Can't wait to get my CM9 out of lay-away here in a few weeks so I can break it in and carry it.

30 mile round trip on a bike with no motor? Joe Pike, your a far better man than I. I live on a hill that overlooks a valley that is a destination for bicycle riders all over. Lots of bicycle events. The road is too darn narrow far as I'm concerned and the killer for me is my hill. Take away the hill and I'd have a nice 15 mile round trip commute thats pretty much flat all the way. Course it would have to be a hand peddled trike which makes the narrow road even more bad.

My hats off to you though, that was a hell of a commute.

[dannyeller]

Not Bon Bons, but I can polish off some truffles and creme soda. Mmmm...ice cold creme soda in a glass bottle! I've gained about 15 lbs in the last 17 years. If I lost that, it would put me back to my Basic Training weight.

Do try the Mexican Coke. It tasted like some off-brand cola to me...not Coke.

A few years ago when stationed at FT McPherson, GA I met a reserve officer that was a member of senior management in Coca-Cola there in Atlanta. Since I am a Soda-pop-aholic I have drank Cokes in many many countries. So I ask him why does Coca-Cola tastes so different in other countries? His answer will dampen your enthusiasm for Mexican Coca-Cola (Mexican Coke could cause some confusion here).

He said that here in the US they strip the water down to the basic H20. In other countries they only provide the bottlers under license the Coca Cola Syrup.

So the answer to why it taste different in Mexico is "the water".:eek:

[Dietrich]

A few years ago when stationed at FT McPherson, GA I met a reserve officer that was a member of senior management in Coca-Cola there in Atlanta. Since I am a Soda-pop-aholic I have drank Cokes in many many countries. So I ask him why does Coca-Cola tastes so different in other countries? His answer will dampen your enthusiasm for Mexican Coca-Cola (Mexican Coke could cause some confusion here).

He said that here in the US they strip the water down to the basic H20. In other countries they only provide the bottlers under license the Coca Cola Syrup.

So the answer to why it taste different in Mexico is "the water".:eek:
And the green apple quick step is close behind.:eek::eek:

[WMD]

Mellissa,

Joe Pike is right. Use the Huffy just long enough to determine if you like it or not. If you like bicycling, get rid of the Huffy, go down to your bike shop and pick up a decent bike. You do not have to spend a gazillion dollars for a decent bike. A mountain bike is not the best alternative for riding on the road. Suspension eats up your power and the tires are to fat and also drain power. A road bike (skinny tires) will actually feel easier to you to ride, although you will still get the same workout as a mountain bike, just more enjoyable.

There is also a "hybrid" style bike which is a cross between a mountain bike and road bike. Those are OK as well. It is important that whatever bike you ride, you get set up for you. Take your bike to a bike shop and ask the folks to help you get it set up. The right seat is very important. It can either be lots of pain or no pain.

I am a 6 foot 1 inch 63 year old, overweight by about 40 lbs. Needless to say, I do not do spandex! :D I ride my bicycle and do a treadmill every other day. I have two road bikes and one hybrid. At some point, I may invest in a mountain bike to hit the (easy) trails behind my house. I am not interested in the tight bony single track trails I have seen other folks do.

Keep doing your loop. After a few times, you will notice it has become considerably easier to ride. It takes the first few rides to get your muscles accustomed to the exercise. Although, I am not a serious bicycle person with the $3K bike and colorful spandex, I really like the sport of bicycling. I could get into this big time if I had the cash! We keep our camping trailer in Southern RI for the summer and I do a 14 mile loop by the ocean in the early morning. It is great! Keep it up and have tons of fun! :)

[melissa5]

Thanks for the encouragement, everyone! I just finished my loop for this morning. It was a lot better without the 90 degree heat. It might not be a long route, but there are three inclines where I have to stand and pedal. Also, I raised the seat a little and I think that feels better.

[bigmacque]

Here's what I can add to this discussion:

My bro-in-law does volunteer work on an old merchant marine Victory ship that's parked at Channelside, and he can tell you about at least a dozen different people that work on that boat, that are all of the age that could have probably sailed it during WWII. They all work hard, climbing rigging, climbing up and down stairs (if you've never done on this on a ship, try it sometime) and hauling stuff all over that boat. And they're all 80 and even 90 year old men that are in fine shape.

And, my company runs assisted living facilities, we take care of grandma. We have roughly 360 grandma's and grandpa's under roof around the state of Florida, and they all are a delight to be around and unfortunately somewhat saddening to watch. Their quality of life has deteriorated because they didn't do what we're talking about, things like jocko's daily constitutional or the routine of the guys that work on that ship, a routine of regular, good hard excercise.

The moral of the story: you will live to be as old as you're gonna, I believe the good Lord and God above are in charge of the date and the time, the number of days. But you can control the quality of those days.

Just get off your .... couch.

[earle8888]

FWEIW--I have found it helps with boredom if I use Podcast or audio books on my IPod Shuffle. I usually try and use the 30minute long Pcasts then I don't tax my little brain counting too high!! Two pod's will get me 3-4 miles, if I don't loaf.

[melissa5]

FWEIW--I have found it helps with boredom if I use Podcast or audio books on my IPod Shuffle. I usually try and use the 30minute long Pcasts then I don't tax my little brain counting too high!! Two pod's will get me 3-4 miles, if I don't loaf.

That sounds like a good reason to put some audio stuff on my iPhone. Thanks!

[Joe_Pike]

That sounds like a good reason to put some audio stuff on my iPhone. Thanks!

Be careful with listening to music while you are on your bike. That tends to drown out the sound of cars coming up behind you, dogs, etc. I like to be able to hear everything around me when I ride. Plus, I kind of like just listening to whatever is out there.

[melissa5]

Be careful with listening to music while you are on your bike. That tends to drown out the sound of cars coming up behind you, dogs, etc. I like to be able to hear everything around me when I ride. Plus, I kind of like just listening to whatever is out there.

You are right! I ran into a growling dog today!

I finally mapped out a 1 mile loop on fairly level ground and rode that for the first time today. It was a lot better than a 1/2 mile with 3 small hills. :D I also bought a helmet and strapped on the PM9 on before I left the house. It works great in a belly band.

[wyntrout]

I haven't ridden a bike in a LONG time... tires that came with Slime in them to prevent flats... WENT FLAT!

I used to carry a stun gun as well as a pistol. I hate to shoot dogs and have held at least one off with just the noise and flash of the stun gun. It's nice that Florida lets you carry weapons, not just firearms.

Wynn:D