Tips for helping my teenager

[ufkacbln]

Perhaps letting her take some of the decisions as well?

Could she choose the end point at first, then help plan the route?

Imagine the boost when you go out on a ride that the has chosen, planned and has been sucessful

Cycling is wonderful for building up confidence and self esteem, but there are lots of background tasks where there is a real opportunity to build confidence in other areas

 

[London Female]

Thank you all for the suggestions. They will be a great help.

 

[BigonaBianchi]

I'm wondring if the anxiety is related/caused by cycling in traffic or is totally unrelated (dont have to answer that)...mine was totally unrelated. Facing the fear is good thing...On my transam blog there are some books I read about this and they helped. Understanding how your Amygdala functions is useful, and understanding how to change our behaviour to re set the amygdala to normal levels is REALLY useful. It may or may not help, but it cant hurt.

 

[Hip Priest]

I cant advise you on how to motivate or control a teenager (if I could, my boy would have gone to the Harriers last night instead of opting out for the Xbox, lazy little etc etc ). However, I can pass comment and offer hope on the panic attack/anxiety front.

I used to MTB years ago in my 20's, but by the time I hit 30 I had stopped cycling, football, squash, purely down to motivation and work commitments. Around my late 20's i started to suffer panic attacks and was diagnosed with GAD and Health anxiety disorders (there's so many anxiety acronyms, it's enough to give you anxiety !!!). Anyway long story short, tried many treatments and none worked, finally went back to see yet another GP. This fella was a keen cyclist, been in the local paper often for charity rides, he said, so do you own a bike? if you do, it may be all the treatment you need. I did, an old Peugeot mountain bike (wish I kept it now, might be rare !!!). in desperation, I dug it out, new tyres etc and started to ride again. I wasn't cured overnight, but steadily as I got fitter, my anxiety days became less.

Shooting forward (I have a tendency to waffle on to anyone that will listen ), at 40 years old in 2007 I bought a Trek 4300 as I was going out more and more, I now have a road bike and another MTB, and try to go out at least twice a week, and my anxiety days in the last 6 years you can count on one hand.

So in summary, keep her motivated to cycle on, it may do her a lot more good than just fitness

This tallies with my experience. I battled for years with anxiety, panic and phobias, and nothing worked until I got into cycling. I believe the effect is threefold:

1) Increases fitness helps you to better deal with stress

2) Getting out on the road breeds confidence

3) It's an all-consuming interest that comes to the forefront ofyour mind, replacing pointless anxious thoughts.

I still worry, but my worries tend to be about my mileage targets or whether I can afford a Retro Molteni training top, rather than abour whether I'm going to have a panic attack if I get in a lift....etc

Best wishes to your daughter OP. I hope cycling helps her to overcome her health problems.

 

[hopless500]

Panic attacks are something I am very familier with. I think cycling has really helped me with those over time a LOT.

That's good
(I can't tell whether my cycling has helped with them cos after all the travelling around the world last year, they've pretty much stopped - just to make sure though, we are going on another long trip next year, with 3-4 weeks of it being cycling across SE Asia - double and )

 

[London Female]

I'm wondring if the anxiety is related/caused by cycling in traffic or is totally unrelated (dont have to answer that)...mine was totally unrelated. Facing the fear is good thing...On my transam blog there are some books I read about this and they helped. Understanding how your Amygdala functions is useful, and understanding how to change our behaviour to re set the amygdala to normal levels is REALLY useful. It may or may not help, but it cant hurt.

No not cycling related, it started in school 3 years ago and got progressively worse. The past year has been the worst it has been and it affects all aspects of her life. Thank you, I will take a look at the blog.

 

[Fab Foodie]

Thank you, she has been under the PCHAMS team and is now being transferred to CHAMS, they advised to try exercise. Initially she asked me to take her to play badminton but that is a lot harder than it looks, so glad she has asked to cycle instead.

It's great to hear you have been able to manage the anxiety.

Hi LF
Me and the lad and my 18y/o daughter have just started playing Badminton on Sunday eveings at the Leisure centre if that helps.
Also contact Caroline about the Ladies rides, they might help too.

 

[London Female]

Hi LF
Me and the lad and my 18y/o daughter have just started playing Badminton on Sunday eveings at the Leisure centre if that helps.
Also contact Caroline about the Ladies rides, they might help too.

Hello

We often go to the Leisure centre during the day when it's quite but you never know, we may bump into you one evening. I have been to a few of the Ladies rides but unfortunately I am working this weekend so can't go. I made enquiries at Warlands about hiring a tandem so I could take Sarah one weekend. The young lad I spoke to thought it wouldn't work for us because I would need to pilot the tandem and Sarah is taller than I am.

 

[Fab Foodie]

Hello

We often go to the Leisure centre during the day when it's quite but you never know, we may bump into you one evening. I have been to a few of the Ladies rides but unfortunately I am working this weekend so can't go. I made enquiries at Warlands about hiring a tandem so I could take Sarah one weekend. The young lad I spoke to thought it wouldn't work for us because I would need to pilot the tandem and Sarah is taller than I am.

We played Sunday night. You can either hire a court or we joined a group/club type thing. Most are pretty advanced but there's us and another couple of newbie women started going that I know. The organiser gave us some tips/basic training and help with scoring and we had a good time. You play a game, come-off and others go on. I guess in time you get mixed in with better players.
Dunno much about Tandems, Ken has one and I'm sure his gf is bigger than he is. Maybe worth asking him about it?
What about some gentle off-road routes. I've taken my Giant over some pretty trails around and survived!
Walking groups can be good too and you don't need much kit.

 

[nilling]

Ride to local cafe, eat cake Good luck!!

 

[lukesdad]

Head down the A34 and head up onto the ridgeway, miles and miles of safe riding and as long as its not wet quite easy going as its lovely and wide.

 

[London Female]

We played Sunday night. You can either hire a court or we joined a group/club type thing. Most are pretty advanced but there's us and another couple of newbie women started going that I know. The organiser gave us some tips/basic training and help with scoring and we had a good time. You play a game, come-off and others go on. I guess in time you get mixed in with better players.
Dunno much about Tandems, Ken has one and I'm sure his gf is bigger than he is. Maybe worth asking him about it?
What about some gentle off-road routes. I've taken my Giant over some pretty trails around and survived!
Walking groups can be good too and you don't need much kit.

Yes KIT!! She is already looking on Wiggle, this could be expensive..

 

[Mr Haematocrit]

Yes KIT!! She is already looking on Wiggle, this could be expensive..

Oooh your in trouble now .. starts with kit and ends at a Pinerello Dogma Think2 Giro (because its pink)
Just thought I would warn you.