Tuesday, July 29, 2008

Bicycle Riding Update

I'm sure you're all sitting around asking, "Is Janine still riding her bike to work? That crazy kid!"

It turns out I'm riding it as much as possible, and my fitness level on the bike is improving. The first time I rode to work on a bike, I burned a little over 300 calories, and that was just on the way there. Now I burn between 150 and 180 on that same trip. Mind you, I now ride a newer bike that probably operates more efficiently, but I am still moving my big butt and a contraption 5 miles. So I like to think I am improving my endurance. Hills that I found challenging at first seem easy to me now.

By the way, if you wonder how I know how many calories I'm burning, I wear a Polar F4 heart rate monitor. Fantastic gadget!

I am also trying to ride the bike on minor errands, like that trip to the grocery store on the way home from work. I had to run that exact errand today, and I found myself thinking, "It's extra gas to go out of the way right now--WAIT--I'm on a bicycle! I'm not using gas--I'm just using ME power! Plus I can have a little bit more at dinner because of the extra calorie burn from the 2 more miles!" I'm so queer. I actually do have such inner monologues.

Yes, I do arrive at work in the morning with a little bit of a sweat-on. It dissipates fairly quickly in the air conditioning, even in these dog days of summer. If I have a day when I really need to look prissy, I have to drive. I'm grateful that I live and work in the city and my commuting distance is reasonable. All in all, I am truly enjoying this change in my lifestyle. I feel great, and exercise is easier when it's simply a functional part of my day, not a chore that looms before me each morning.

8 comments:

pnlkotula said...

I like when you look prissy...

pnlkotula said...

Oh, and I dropped by to say that I cooked dinner tonight. Surprised? I made a pork tenderloin with an orange marmalade glaze. Easy, but my little Jamie ate 3 slices!

Joy W. said...

good for you janiney!
i was thinking about the tours in the fall and thinking i could ride my bike in on some of those days.
fun! and i don't care if actors think i'm a little sweaty!!! like i worry about actors!!
just kidding!

Princess Crabass said...

You have A/C at 7 1/2? When did that happen? (It's been awhile since I've been there, I guess)

Janine Serresseque said...

Lisa, you're not as kitchen challenged as you think! In the meat eating days, I used to love pork tenderloin. Yum.

Joy, you'd probably love to ride to work in the fall. It's easier to go downtown than to come back. The ride home is the sweaty one!

Robyn, we have always had a/c at 71/2. Granted, it's very temperamental. It's usually freezing in the morning and sweltering by late afternoon in our office. Layers.

JB said...

wow - great work - very inspiring. And good for you too Lisa K. did you take any pics? I could use a guest blog post during Shirley!

Anonymous said...

Janine, you rock! You know, I'm ashamed to admit it, but I never mastered bike riding. I don't know if it's an inner ear thing (and could be) but I can't balance on those suckers. I'm a spaz. Oh well.

I bet your legs are looking fantastic too!

Janine Serresseque said...

I just saw this thing on the news about these ladies who started a business teaching adults how to ride bicycles, so clearly you are not alone!