Riding a bike is hard work, but happy I can do it again.

 Funny how memory distorts things.  When I was a kid my bike was my primary transportation, and riding 4 miles was quick and easy.  Granted, the town I grew up in had very little hills, but still.  This weekend my DH put together my new 29 inch bike, and I really thought that it would make it easier.  

i am  huffing and puffing on the modest hills around my home still, but the bike does fit a lot better.  Rode up wth the DH and daughter to go out to eat, and it was a fantastic way to add in a little exercise in and spend some nice time with the family.  But this biking thing is going to take a lot of work!  I cannot believe it is harder for me then the elliptical!

LOL it is EXTREMELY difficult!  I remember as a kid (and I was fat then too) - bike riding was the easiest thing.  Like you said, I could go miles and it was like nothing.  We even had major hills and I would just build up momentum and speed up them.  Now I get pooped out at the slightest incline LOL  I gave up and decided to wait until I lose more weight.  I guess even though I was a fat kid, 100 pounds vs 240 pounds is still a big difference to have to haul around on the bike!

 LOL climbing hills on my bike reminds me why I need to lose some damn weight -When ever I am going up a hill, I have this hillarious conversation in my head about carrying all this extra fat up the hills. I hate hills but I gotta do them, but it's hard work. Why I love it so much - I havent figured out yet, but it's great exercise. 

I am going to get a bike at 50 pounds lost.  I do not want to spend the money now on a reinforced frame to carry my current weight - lol

I LOVE riding my bike. I can walk 5 miles and barely be out of breath. Riding the bike 5 miles with slight inclines and I am gasping for air. I guess my body is telling me I need to ride more often. LOL! It is hard work!!

Just got home from my regular Sunday ride...I LOVE LOVE biking, and I credit regular riding with helping me get to goal.  Good luck!  Ride a bike!

I love bike riding..... we bought new bikes two weeks ago and had a great time riding.  I was a little nervous because i had my three year old on the back in a bike seat, and I hadn't ridden in 20 years.  I wanted to ride solo first, but no such luck!  We did great.  :-)  I wanted to go again today, but it is cold and damp and I am old lol. 

I enjoy riding my bike because it's something different than walking, but it's hard on the body. I feel old & out of shape. I know that it will get easier as I continue to lose weight & get into better shape. Good luck on your biking!

 So what kind of bike did you get did you get a special bike or a normal bike because we are close to the same weight and I just wondered what kind to get.
Heather

 Hi Heather,

Before I share what I purchased you should know I researched it for like 12 seconds.  I bought a mountain bike (mens) that had a 29 inch frame from Walmart.  It was $200 and delivered free.  I would have preferred the Schwin 29 inch, but it was an extra hundred dollars and I am just not so sure about this biking thing yet.  I figured my husband would use it if I didn't and his bike needs replacing.

I am all legs, and it is wonderful to have the larger frame.  I am not all pretzeled up on it either, and the handle bars make it so I can sit a bit straighter- a far more comfortable position and less stress on my hands and wrists.  I have unusually long femurs so my knees still come above the handle bars a smidge, but it is so much better than a 26 inch.  I weight 242 at the moment and this bike has no difficulty hauling my fat rear around.

This bike replaced my 26 inch Schwin cruiser, and let me tell you there is a major difference in how it pedals.  My crusier takes far less energy on a flat road and coasts for ever compared to the mountain bike.  The tires are sturdier on the mountain bike though and eventually I want to take it on the trails near my house... if I could just pedal the darn thing longer than three and half minutes!

Overall it is ok.  I am thinking I should have held out for a Schwin and taken a harder look at the hybrid (part mountain bike part cruiser).  If I end up using this enough this season and next I will replace it with a better version :)