motivation lacking

[terry_gardener]

In august i had flare up of my colitis and everytime i went out on the bike i got stomach cramps and had to stop and now i just cant get motivated to get back on my bike. i still have some symptoms like tiredness/fatigue and sore throat doesn't help.

only done about 5 miles since august 13th.

any advice

 

[mark st1]

Dont mean to be dissmisive or rude but have you seen the doc ??

 

[Grayduff]

In august i had flare up of my colitis and everytime i went out on the bike i got stomach cramps and had to stop and now i just cant get motivated to get back on my bike. i still have some symptoms like tiredness/fatigue and sore throat doesn't help.

only done about 5 miles since august 13th.

any advice

I have suffered from Colitis for the last twenty years with all the symptoms and i am sure you know on occasions much much worse, i have sat on my lazy arse feeling sorry for myself for a good many of those years BUT with out doubt i have felt a lot better since cycling, stick at it it will get easier and better and so will you...Good Luck

 

[terry_gardener]

Dont mean to be dissmisive or rude but have you seen the doc ??

it was a fair question to ask. my answer is yes 3 in fact in the last 2 months (IBD specialist, kidney specialist and GP) and i see the GP again Saturday and kidney specialist again at end of month.

my problem is after flare ups it takes months for me to get back on my bike as i lack motivation

 

[terry_gardener]

i have sat on my lazy arse feeling sorry for myself for a good many of those years

i spend way to much time doing this

 

[Nigel-YZ1]

I have a limited range until my knees flare up. If you've got the addiction factor of cycling, it's just a case of having modest targets and building up.
I fear doing damage that will stop me cycling completely again (and maybe for life), and confidence in what my body will allow is hard to come by.
But for me the joy of cycling pushes me out the door, the speed, the places, the other people I meet, so I just go as far as I'm certain I can get back. If I have a doubt I turn round.

I just look back at the days I couldn't walk, then the days I turned a crank once without pain, then the day I did 10 minutes on the turbo.

It's not nice having that nagging knowledge at the back of your head that you may be set back again, but in my case there's bloody-minded determination to not be beaten. Asthma never stopped me, creaky knees won't either. If it comes to it I'll spend the rest of my days never exceeding 20 miles, but if that's where the comfort zone lies, so be it.

If I have a setback, I go back to basics and start again. Every ride is one more victory.

Start easy and build up. Don't be beaten. Good Luck

 

[RWright]

I know turbo trainers can be boring and I only have a general idea of what colitis is but maybe a trainer in front of the TV and some short quick walks in the neighborhood could help you start feeling a little more fit until you felt ready to do some outside riding.

 

[Berties]

being a ulcerated colitis sufferer in the past,touch wood i have not had a problem for many years,it is a drain on your body you do not feel right ,unable to take nutrients from food and feelings and urges to go to the toilet,I always tried to do exercise when i felt like it ,and then just built on that,i never rode when i suffered only gym work,but i worked the way through it,maybe start doing small circuits not going to far from home,turbo i would say you will sweat a lot not the best idea if you are having a bad attack,cramps may have been a bit of dehydration?you can dehydrate quicker,consume water little and often ,and just build up,your consultant should advice you of what you should expect,and what you limits are,and if you flare up does not subside make sure you seek his advice,i was discharged many years ago,once you get your confidence up i am sure you will build on your results,take care and good luck

 

[Carolineb]

I always find that getting a new toy always motivates me. My cycle computer was a great motivator and then I downloaded the Strava app and that got me back on my bike! It keeps a record of my rides and I can see what other people are doing and their times so I have something to aim for. Having someone to go out with also helps me. Maybe getting a particular route that is short and easy to do and try that a few times and try and improve on your speed each time. If all else fails I go out an buy a new item of lycra - that is guaranteed to get me out!

 

[terry_gardener]

thanks for the replies
I went out tonight for the first ride only did 3.23 miles but I didn't get any stomach cramps and it didn't feel as bad as I was expecting it to be like.
forgot the gloves so my hands got very cold

 

[MrJamie]

Maybe just find a shorter easier route that you enjoy and dont worry about distance/speed etc. Find out what demotivates you, for me its a combination of feeling i *should* do a bigger ride and dealing with traffic, so when I feel like that I go for a 5 mile offroad route just to have done something rather than nothing and sometimes find when I get to a lake I end up doing about 15 miles of laps around, other times I just ride home, but I always feel better once Ive got out.

Maybe you pushed yourself a lot and started expecting too much, so a 2-3 mile ride stopped feeling satisfying