How to stick with it

[Wetdog]

hi Guys, I'm having trouble sticking with it. I start well and drop a stone or so then that's it. 4/5 months later I find myself starting again.
How can I find a way of sticking with it?
I'm 55 now and a few stone over weight, and considerably unfit.

Help!!!

 

[rb58]

Hook up with some other cyclists and do stuff together. Maybe a club? Or something more social like The Fridays? Keep an eye on the CycleChat recreational rides section for people in your area.

 

[Milkfloat]

Little and often would be a good start. How much do you cycle right now? Dare I say it, cycling can help, but the right diet will also help.

 

[123456789]

I had a two year lay off from cycling and have just recently returned about 1.5-2 stone heavier, I got really into it, then picked up an injury, got annoyed as I saw my TT times were getting worse then I threw my toys out the pram a bit.
I think you need to ask yourself why do you give up. Clearly this will be a lack of motivation somewhere and its pin-pointing where that lack of motivation occurs and countering it. This may take self analysis such as:

Riding on own = boredom then ride with others
Ride without a purpose = boredom get a purpose enter a sportive /charity ride or a TT, train to increase top speed or distance, vary your route if you are riding the same route and so on
I am very much a great believer in sharing it with others and the best motivation for me was joining a club

Good luck

 

[Katherine]

Find a route that you like. Increase the time / miles gradually. Little and often is a good idea. Put the bike in the car and go somewhere new for an explore. Take the train and ride back.
Keep chatting on here and post your rides.
Good luck.

 

[Wetdog]

Cheers fellas, never bothered with a club. Didn't think I was fit enough(I'm not don't even try).
I cycled on my own, doing a few miles a day about 3/4 times. The distance obviously improving.
I havnt cycled now for 6/8 months. The longest I've laid off. And now looking to start again, at this moment in time I ain't got a bike. But this will be sorted soon and then to get some clothes. I'll start by using whatever then move onto the clothing.
I was a fool, sold both my bikes about a moth ago for ridiculous amounts of money Now find myself wanting another bike because of injury ect

Mick

 

[xxDarkRiderxx]

Hopefully this will motivate you. I had two years off the bike with the little C, and after recovery managed to get back on the bike which was really hard work to begin with. I know I shouldn't say it but I cycle with music which relaxes me but also motivates me. I returned to the club after illness and found the first few rides hard, but as the fitness improves you will definitely enjoy it more. As others have said. Ride with others and find people local to you who want to ride.

 

[adamangler]

Hi.

i am exacty the same, i started cycling 3 years ago and have stopped and started a dozen times.

I tend to start, cycle 3-4 times a week, get fitter and faster for a couple of months then it starts, miss a planned ride thinking ill do it tomorrow. before you know it a week has gone by then 4 months.

Then i get the bug again and have to start from scratch, everytime i start i struggle to do 20 miles at 12mph and build up to about 30-40 miles at 15mph and never get any further because i stop going.

Ive been back on the bike about a month, this last week has been my best ever only missed 2 days out of the last 10.

the secret? i bought a bkool trainer, its ideal for using on weekdays when ive only got an hour or so then i can get out on the bike for 2-3 hours on a weekend.

hopefully i will stick at it this time. If you dont wish to use a virtual trainer your only other option is to gear up and get out in the dark

 

[mjr]

Cheers fellas, never bothered with a club. Didn't think I was fit enough(I'm not don't even try).

I'm going to try anyway: Not all clubs/groups are only for the fit... Freewheelers definitely aren't...

With the clothes, I'd say as long as it ain't got lumpy seams where the sun don't shine, anything can work

 

[mjr]

Then i get the bug again and have to start from scratch, everytime i start i struggle to do 20 miles at 12mph and build up to about 30-40 miles at 15mph and never get any further because i stop going.

Meh, I've been riding for decades and in winter, 12mph is a rarity. The local freewheelers group struggles for 10mph in these conditions.

If you dont wish to use a virtual trainer your only other option is to gear up and get out in the dark

Good lights are a revelation (Axa Greenline or Cateye GVolt are my current battery tips... or Axa Pico Steady and B+M Topline Steady if you've the money up-front to go dynamo and save in the long run). Knowing the quiet times and roads are nicer too IMO.

 

[Wetdog]

Hahahahaha cheers mjray

 

[123456789]

I'm going to try anyway: Not all clubs/groups are only for the fit... Freewheelers definitely aren't...

I'll second that. In my area I can go out on a 8-10 avg 6 mile ride or a 24 avge 50 miler depending on what club/group I choose

 

[annedonnelly]

I think you need to work out what motivates you. There are dozens of fitness apps and trackers available. Some people love to track their distance/speed and compete against themselves and others. That works for them. Some people enjoy going out with a club or with friends. They get up and go out because they don't want to let other people down. Some people save money by not driving to work. The thought of what they can spend the money on will motivate them. Does any of them work for you?

One of the reasons I cycle is to keep my carbon footprint as low as possible. So it really annoys me if I have to use the car. That's one reason why I ride in the rain and cold.

I do think it'll be difficult to ride without a bike so you need to get that sorted asap

 

[Jody]

I know I shouldn't say it but I cycle with music which relaxes me but also motivates me..

Agreed, you can't beat a set of good 'phones and some music if out on your own.

Another motivating factor would be a phone app like Strava. Not to chase segment times but more to see how far you have ridden, climbed, how your times are improving and approximate calories burned.

Both contentious issues but these help me stay motivated.

 

[boydj]

Try to build cycling into your regular life - using your bike to run errands, visit friends, commute (full or partial) to work etc. e.g. I have an old aunt in a home and using the bike to visit her gives me a 30-mile run. Add in a club run at the week-end and that's a reasonable base mileage to at least keep you ticking over.