My brand new bike

I woke up this morning at the crack of dawn (well, really just 6:30) which is a fall back to when I was a morning person. And I didn't have to work shift work. In my 6:30 haze, I realized that I need to work tomorrow, meaning I need to get up at 5:30, so why not get up now, making tomorrow that much easier? So I jumped out of bed (or slumped out) and changed into the swimsuit and off to the pool I went (the lovely part of living in a building with a pool) and I was the only one there!! Fabulous! So after 15 minutes of lane swimming and then 15 minutes of jumping jacks and treading, I stretched and came back home for breakfast.

Once breakfast was all done, I decided I needed to do some more research about bikes. I have been thinking about buying a bike for several years, but somehow just haven't done it. I sold my car 4 years ago and have been busing it since there (you know, doing my part for the environment) and some transportation around town would be helpful. Or a least a bike to take on exploration trips of the extensive bike trails by the river (walking doesn't take me far enough - I have seen the same thing over and over!).

After googling a few places and finding one with the best customer reviews, off I went. It opened at 10, I was there at 10:30 (yoohoo for the early swim). And I think I bought a bike 20 minutes later! I picked up a new helmet (you know you have a big head when only the men's large helmets fit) and a bell (apparently it is a bylaw here) and a lock. They serviced the bike (maybe 20 minutes) and then I was off. After not sitting on a bike for 11 years. And not really seriously riding for another 10 - I was a little shaky. But not as bad as I expected. I did have a ride around the showroom (only slightly embarrassing with the 20 year old salesman assuring me no one yet had crashed into the other bikes).

And then I realized the flaw in the plan. I picked the store that was separated from my house by A RIVER. And the 2 closest roads to cross - VERY BUSY. Great. So I picked the less busy of the two (and the one that I thought had a sidewalk - thankfully I was right) and well over an hour later (like 75minutes), I hauled my bike up to my apartment (okay, so I rode the elevator up - it would have made for a better story had I "hauled" it up - I live on the 27th floor). This is not a short ride for someone who is desperately out of shape. And has not been on a bike in 11 years. The hill down to the river was fun, but somehow, not quite as fun climbing up the other side. And yes, before you ask, I got off and walked up my bike anytime there was a incline. But one day, ONE DAY, I'll bike that same route and just sail up all the hills.

(The picture is inside - it is hard to take a picture of yourself while you are biking - I was pretty hot and tired at this point.)

No problem staying on program for eating today. Perhaps a little more hungry than previous days, but not starving. Filling up on water and veggies. Letting a facial mask harden as we speak. And then off to bed. I work the next few days, so we will see how this program works when I'm working. To a healthier me (and one who now remembers how uncomfortable bike seats are)....