Blog Move

In not very EVL-like behavior, I'm going to keep this short. I have decided to no longer post here on Blogger. Never fear though, there will be a new spot to find me... endlessvelolove.wordpress.com. If you follow me on Twitter, you may have already received this news, but just in case, I want to be sure there is a record of the change for those of you who look for me here. I have tried to be patient with this platform, but it seems as though there are always issues with commenting, posts disappearing, and other reasons I won't bore anyone with at this point.

So, it's time for a change.

Although I intend to leave prior posts up here on Blogger, they have also been imported in to the new site on Wordpress. It may take a bit to get things in order, but I hope you will follow me there as I change things up just a bit. Thank you so much for continuing to be a part of this blogging journey and for sharing your bikey experiences with me and those who read here. I look forward to hearing from you over at the new blog site!

Change Is Difficult... Even for People Who Like Transitions

To those who know me well, they are aware that I am a person who thrives with variation and change. I don't do well with the same old routine day after day, nor in traveling the same routes or even following an obstacle-free path that has been perfectly laid out in front of me. I tried for years to modify this quality, believing that something is wrong with me because I need to see new things, make my own path, and experience new adventures more frequently than the average person, but I think my last half decade of life (or so) has taught me that I need to stop fighting who I am - which is a struggle some days all its own.

There are always times when we need to, perhaps, reel ourselves in and understand when we're making poor decisions or choosing dangerous actions, but if no one is getting hurt, there's no reason to think that craving variety is a "bad" thing.

*Image found here

But, very few people live in a world of constant change. Habits develop. Routines are found. Whether enjoyable or not, realities of life take over and these responsibilities can't help but form a certain level of repetition. Ruts are developed, slowly with repeated movements and the thought of how one arrives in such a place comes into question. The thing with ruts is that if they go untouched they just get deeper and deeper until a giant, sometimes inescapable hole is formed.

A lot of change has happened for me personally over the last two years. Injuries compounded with other injuries, attempted and failed business, loss of family, the realization that my body may never do many of the things it once did, allowing myself to walk away from passions in life... just to name a few... they have all brought a reality check.

Some of the changes that took place I had complete awareness of as they were happening, while others kind of seeped in gradually laying the ground work to become unwanted attachments. When this happens so gently over time there's sometimes little consciousness about what is taking place. Life moves forward until one day I just felt heavy. Literally and figuratively.

Even though I am an emotional person, I am not weak. My passion about various topics or injustices comes from that emotion. Yes, it makes me sob uncontrollably at the Clydesdale and Puppy commercials, but that same emotion has the power to bring change, if put to use in a directed, purposeful fashion. The problem, at times, is recognizing that the passion is lost or has been guided down the wrong path.

This year, I have begun to recognize the potholes in the road and rather than just letting them sit unattended, I have made plans and directed action to help fill in those ruts, or in some cases, started building new roads to take me around the insurmountable obstacles. After all, some things aren't worth hitting head-on when it's easier to take a slight detour.

I have a lot of repairs to make right now and a lot of new roads to build. I'm ready to take on the challenge, even though I know I may not be able to take the most traditional paths along the way. I also realize that some things are more difficult than others to repair, rebuild, or even re-route, but things that come easy are rarely worthwhile.

To this end, I am still figuring out the blog. My suspicion is that it will remain in tact and moving forward, but I've found myself trying out some different adventures, so perhaps there will be some detouring into outdoor-related, but not exactly cycling-specific topics. We will see where the future takes this space. As always, thank you for continuing to read. I look forward to continuing to share and hearing your thoughts and feedback as well.

Bicycle Paintings

Happy Friday to all! Just a quick post today to let you all know that I have a new page on Endless Velo Love to share. I've debated for some time about the possibility of having an 'art for sale' page, but have gone back and forth so many times that it just hasn't happened. I also haven't wanted to use advertisements (for many reasons) here, but the largest of which is that I have a strange mind, and as soon as I believe something to be a job (which it becomes for me when advertisers are involved), it becomes less fun and interesting for me. That said, blogging takes a decent chunk of time (more than it should, really - but, it's totally worth it), even when it's only 1-2 times a week, and it takes time from my income-generating hours. It's just reality, whether I choose to admit it or not. I have tried to think of a sort of compromise between feeling like I'm selling myself out and being able to keep things going.

The compromise I've reached is that I'm going to go ahead with a page of art for sale. The compromise has two stipulations. First, I am only going to list bicycle-related art for sale on the Bicycle Paintings page and they will be kept small so that it doesn't interfere with my normally scheduled work. Secondly, this will be for a trial time period to see if there is even any interest (which there may very well not be). I have no idea how long the "trial" period will be before I make a decision about whether it stays or goes, but it's here for now and if you have interest in such things, please feel free to take a look every once in awhile to see if there's anything new.

Currently, there are just a few random, small paintings up on the page. They are all a little different from one another, so if there isn't something of interest at the moment, keep your eyes peeled for new works in the future. I probably won't post regular updates in blog posts, but I will post on Twitter when there are new pieces available, so if you don't follow me and have interest in updates, that would probably be the best place to get them (there's a link to my Twitter account over on the sidebar at the left).

So, that's it. Just wanted to share a little bit about the new page. I hope you're having a great Friday and have plans for a spectacular weekend! Happy riding.

Slow Ride Reflections

A couple of weeks ago, a friend asked if I would want to go on a bike ride sometime with her. I was excited about the opportunity because I don't actually have many friends who ride. She shared that she often gets left behind when her husband wants to go, and just wanted to have a fun ride. She's fairly new to cycling (she's had a bike for a couple of decades, but hasn't really been on her bike until this summer), but I have to admit I was thrilled to have an opportunity to ride with someone. When I hadn't heard from her by the end of the following week, I decided to send a message asking if she still wanted to get together for a ride. She responded by stating that she was ready for the following day, and because we are both involved in kickboxing we decided to meet up after class and go for our joy ride.

As we were leaving class she said, "You know, I'm kind of intimidated to ride with you." I laughed (Mostly because I was thinking, "Who in the world would be intimidated to ride with me, the snail of the cycling world?"), but she continued on. "I was telling my husband that you just rode a century and he said, 'She's not going to want to ride with you!'" I assured her that I was in no hurry to get anywhere and that I actually enjoy a nice, leisurely ride around town - it just rarely seems to happen when I'm training for a specific goal. She had a couple of questions about her bike and shoes, so we chatted as we started to ride.

The pace was leisurely and enjoyable as we headed out on a multi-use trail. We spoke about cycling, spouses, art (she happens to be a great local artist), and kickboxing. It was a short, but lovely ride.

As I dropped my friend at her home and rode on alone, I reflected on what cycling has become for me, and the reality that the cycling world has forever changed because of a cruiser bicycle given as a gift just a few years ago - well, about 4 years ago, to be more exact. I am amazed at the transformation that has taken place and I sometimes wonder who I have become. Four years ago, I wouldn't have touched anything that wasn't an extremely upright bicycle. Three years ago I couldn't dream of owning a bike made of anything other than steel. Two years ago I wouldn't have thought I'd be using drop bars on a regular basis, and a year ago I wouldn't have believed I'd ever be riding a century, let alone two within a matter of weeks of each other.

I have wondered in the past if it's possible to go back and have the same feelings I once had about a particular bicycle... even going so far as to re-purchase a bike I once loved (I've done this twice, actually - because I'm apparently not bright enough to figure it out at the first time). It only ended in disappointment because I found the bike no longer met my needs in my shifting style-of-cycling world. I don't believe that one world is better than the other, but more that things have just changed and adjusted. Some would say I've "evolved" into a "real" cyclist, but I think I was always a cyclist who just preferred one style of riding over another. There have been changes, certainly, and I'm sure they will continue as life moves forward, but I definitely don't feel more evolved than I did at the start of my cycling journey.

For now, I'm enjoying the opportunity to engage in what to some may seem like opposite types of riding, knowing that through all of the changes, ultimately I remain the same person. I'd still rather just cruise around town at slow speeds, checking out the world going by, running errands, and enjoying the seasons, but perhaps now I'm just a bit more game for a long road ride, or a quicker self-race to see what I can accomplish. Whether a slow or fast ride, on a cruiser or a lightweight road bike, I'm happy to have gone through the journey I've experienced and wouldn't change it for anything.

Changes Ahead

Early this morning, I awoke out of a dead sleep... thinking about the blog. There have been rumblings brewing lately of closing up and calling it done, but I've hesitated because I don't feel as though I'm ready to say "that's all folks." When I woke up suddenly before the sun had even an idea of coming up over the horizon, I had an idea and I think it's the best solution for me at this point in time.

As some who read here have discovered, over the last several months I've been "playing" with another blog. That one was intentionally separated from this one because it has focused primarily on my weight loss journey, getting stronger, and various aspects of things related to health and fitness. I wanted a separate space initially for many reasons. First, I didn't want to bother those who come here only to read about bicycles and various cycling related topics. Secondly, when it comes to that aspect of my life, I tend to be a bit more (okay, maybe far more) whiny and self-deprecating than when discussing bikes. Finally, in many respects, I simply didn't know how to combine two areas of my life without it seeming odd.

Image source here

In the wee hours of the morning, however, I came to the conclusion that both blogs are suffering. While some people are able to maintain many separate blogs and keep them all updated on a somewhat regular basis, I am apparently not one of those folks. Everything ends up suffering in the end, and I don't write anything anywhere for long stretches of time, or I only seem to focus on one or the other.

The solution in my mind is simply to combine the two blogs. Unfortunately, for some that means that there will be personally irrelevant topics posted here at times, but at this juncture, it is the only solution that makes sense to me.  The changes will be taking place as soon as possible over the next several days.

So, what will you find here now? I'll still be posting about bicycles and related adventures, but I also intend to have posts about my struggles and victories with fitness, losing weight, getting stronger and the like. I appreciate that some readers may part ways here, but my hope is that there will be overlap permitting readers to find something of interest here, and also allow me to focus once again on something that I enjoy doing - sharing the adventure of life.

If this is where we part ways, I just want to thank you for taking the time to check in and read here.  All of the topics posted in the past will remain in place for those who may find a tidbit of useful or helpful information. To those who arrive here from the other blog, welcome! I hope you'll continue to find information here to help you on your fitness journey. I look forward to what is coming and being able to continue to share with those who have interest.

Changes are Coming {and Hey, They've Already Happened!}

In advance, I am thanking you for allowing me this indulgence. I don't typically put a ton of pictures of myself up on the blog, and there is good reason for that. First, it's not easy to get photographs of myself, as I typically ride my bike alone. Additionally, I prefer not to have pictures of me taken as I don't want to be reminded of my chubby cheeks or any other rolls that appear on my body.

As some may be aware, I started a five month journey to bettering myself in April (it started slightly earlier than that, but my "official" start on the blog was April 1). Right now, I'm almost through month four, and I have struggled {sometimes more than I'd like to admit}with not having tangible results. Working out several hours a day and eating a controlled calorie diet isn't the difficult part, as that is simply a lifestyle shift, rather than a "diet." But, as anyone who has ever battled to lose weight will attest, it isn't easy.  Feeling like I'm working so hard for nothing is difficult. What is easy, however, is to question what I am doing wrong, or why things aren't happening quicker. I fight nearly daily with these thoughts, but thus far my stubbornness has won out.

As I was browsing through some photos from the beginning of the year, I happened upon a photo I had taken of myself. I don't recall what exactly the photo was for, or why I had taken it, but I immediately thought, "I should take another one now to see if there's any kind of difference." Mind you, I was sweating, and smelly, unmake-up-ed, etc, but I just wanted to see for myself some tiny, small change. To my surprise, I actually noticed a difference. The photos aren't exactly the same, but I think they tell a story that hard work does in fact pay off... even if it isn't necessarily all on the scale or with the tape measure.

While part of me thinks I should have waited to post this until the first of the month check in, I was just so excited to see some kind of change that I had to do it now. Although it's not a huge difference, and I have a very long way to go, I have to admit that I feel so much better than the woman in the photo from earlier this year. Thanks to bicycles and kickboxing, I believe that even if I'm never tiny {which isn't in my DNA, so I won't be}, I can be strong, capable, and fit.

Thanks for letting me share my excitement! :O)

OMG - Is it Actually Working?

HOLY SHIT! <--{Please pardon the language}

I think this is actually working.

It's only been a couple of days since I started increasing my caloric intake and I have lost 3 pounds! I have spent the last six weeks struggling with three pounds, so to lose three pounds in two days. You've got to be kidding me? All I had to do was eat more?

Okay, okay. I don't want to get overly excited about something that I just started doing, but you have to imagine my utter glee to lose that amount of weight so quickly while actually eating more food. It seems so counterintuitive, but at the same time, it makes sense. My engine (body) was out of gas. How can I expect it to do all that it's been doing if I don't provide fuel? The answer... it doesn't do all that it's been doing... at least not without consequences, and that is why the engine was clinging desperately to the fuel - because it was afraid to give up the energy for fear that it wouldn't get any more.

Duh.

I am truly not stupid, but I honestly thought I was getting plenty of nourishment. I was wrong. I can admit that fact - I am wrong often - but it seems like such a simple fix and it took me far too long to figure it out. Again, I will wait out the full 2 weeks to see if this is actually what the problem has been, but I am already excited about the results and remain hopeful that if I just feed my body properly, it will cooperate with dropping the excess pounds.

Yippee!

Finding Motivation Outside of Weight Loss

In a few days, I will have been on this new journey for two months. Initially, I lost a solid chunk of weight... and then, it slowed down dramatically. This isn't new for me as any time I have tried to lose weight, I lose it incredibly slowly (despite having plenty to lose). I have never quite understood it, but I've just come to accept that this is the way my body works. It should be a good lesson to never allow it back on my body because, despite what many want to believe, I can literally gain several pounds over night. Because it is so easy to focus on the number on the scale, I have attempted to find other things that provide motivation. It hasn't been easy.

Over the last 5 weeks, I've also started a kickboxing class as was discussed here earlier. I am sore constantly because I push myself to go beyond what I currently believe are my limits, but this action, I believe, is helping change this extremely large body into something new. I have muscles in places I never thought I had muscle. I'm getting stronger, and for once in my life I am actually enjoying it. 

Last night I had an opening to work and ran into a cohort who asked, "Have you lost weight?" I couldn't help but smile because while I haven't lost what I should have over the last month, it was nice that someone else noticed my hard work paying off - even if it isn't on the scale.

I have to remind myself that the number on the scale isn't everything. I started this because I wanted to feel better, be stronger, and know that I am living a healthier life for good - not for a temporary fix. While it's easy to say that I just want to be healthy for health's sake, it's difficult to put in so much work (both food and movement -wise) and not see the number drop the way it should. There are plenty of ways to find motivation - from being able to do something I couldn't do before, to simple comments from others, and I just need to remember that I am progressing, even if it isn't at lightening speeds.

Finding Kickboxing

About a year or so ago, the woman who cuts my hair and I were chatting about life and we rolled somehow onto the topic of exercise. I was telling her that I used to take a "real" kickboxing class back in the mid-90s, and have been unable to find a class like that again. I've been to plenty of the cardio-kickboxing type of classes, but it's simply not the same as having an actual bag to kick and hit. A wonderful stress reliever, if truth be told. She mentioned that she had been attending a kickboxing class just down the street for awhile now and that I should come by and check it out. That's just what I did...

A year later. Okay, so perhaps I'm not the quickest responder of calls to action, but I got there eventually. Sometimes people just need time to figure things out for themselves, and for me, it took about a year to get my rear physically to where it needed to be. Today was that first class. Having taken kickboxing before (though many years ago), I knew I would be sore after the class, but even having that knowledge, I wasn't prepared for the pain that awaited me. I had been warned by other attendees to be prepared for a diet of ibuprofen for the next several days to help alleviate some of the aches. I'm not much of a pill taker (even aspirin), so I really didn't want to go down that road. However, after a short amount of time feeling the pain, I went ahead and gave in to the suggestion.

This class is going to be awesome. The owner allows a week of attendance to figure out whether or not it's the right thing for the individual, but I can tell that this is exactly what I am in need of right now. It's not the cheapest thing ever, but at the same time, can I really put a price on health? I feel like I have found my exercise home. Even if it doesn't last long term, I can sense that this is setting me down the right path.

Here's to exercise - and all those wonderful, wonderful endorphins that come along with it!