Life is like riding a bicycle. To keep your balance you must keep moving. ~ Albert Einstein
My bike and I have an on again off again sort of relationship. At the moment it is on again after @ 100 days off. Prior to that I had been on for about 250 days. To clarify a bit, that does not mean I read the bike for 250 days straight, it meant that in a 250 day period I was riding my bike, on average, 4-6 times per week. Did I mention that my bike is stationary? It lives in my family (great) room. Perhaps I should give it a name? Or, perhaps not, I may give it a name associated with pain or torture, which would then demotivate me to continue the exercise regime.
When I am on I am on, but when I lose the momentum I can come crashing down hard. I am guessing that I am not alone in this. I crash for many reasons….. In the past my commitment to exercise has crashed because:
- I had the flu…. I could not exercise, and never got back on track
- I sprained my ankle and did not start exercising again after it healed
- I got a new job and was too busy to exercise
- I went out-of-town and struggled to get into routine when I returned
- I was upset and I felt a bit down and went for ice cream over exercise (I know some of you can relate) and then kept choosing the ice cream (especially Ben and Jerry’s Chubby Hubby!!!)
The bottom line is that I can always generate an excuse to walk away from a regular exercise routine…. it is like that relationship that a person just does not want to commit to – walking away instead of finding a way to work it out. This time was better than most, in that I did eventually find a way to work it out and go back to exercise.
I have been exercising again for two weeks now and I notice the difference immediately, particularly in my physical stamina and my moods – I do not normally feel bad, but nonetheless, I feel more energetic and happier when I am exercising regularly – those endorphins are definitely a good thing.
Today, 23 days ’til 40, I will continue to dedicate myself to working out a relationship with exercise.
~400daystil40
P.S. The bike in the snow is not mine. I think I would have one very cold bottom half if I rode it! But seriously, my bike that I use for exercise is stationary and parked right next to my television – one way to motivate myself to ride is to only allow myself to watch television while peddling on the bike.
Fortuitous Forty!!! 
Janet Rörschåch
January 29, 2013 at 00:16
It just started snowing here in Boulder. This is a big bicycle town. Seeing that photo made me smile because there will be a lot of cold-bottomed people very shortly!
400daystil40
January 30, 2013 at 00:24
hehehe!!!
jensine
January 29, 2013 at 00:17
yes I need to get my bike up and running again too
400daystil40
January 30, 2013 at 00:24
🙂
Toni
January 29, 2013 at 00:45
I was just thinking, what happens after your birthday and you turn 40? What’s the new blog going to be called? 5,000 days til 50?
400daystil40
January 30, 2013 at 00:24
Great questions! I am still figuring that out!
Tahlia
January 29, 2013 at 01:00
Just so you know, the post you liked about the Brazil Night Club Fire on HeyBeDDa’s blog was actually my original post. Instead of reblogging it, she is copying and pasting all of my stories. As a fellow blogger, i would expect at least a reblog or something. That is not cool. If you need proof, check out my blog TAHLIA SPEAKS. She is stealing all of my stories. Nice post by the way! 🙂
400daystil40
January 30, 2013 at 00:23
Oh no, that must be really frustrating for you….
thelastsongiheard
January 29, 2013 at 05:30
I used to love riding my bike when I was a teenager in England, although I nearly got hit by a car several times LOL I don’t think I could cycle on the roads here in the US… too dangerous!
400daystil40
January 30, 2013 at 00:23
Yes, it can be scary!
MuseWriter
January 29, 2013 at 06:02
Your writing needs to be rewarded!
http://musewriter.wordpress.com/2013/01/28/one-inspiring-thought-offered-to-another/
Good luck in 2013! 🙂
400daystil40
January 30, 2013 at 00:22
Wow, thank you so much for thinking of me – what an honor! 🙂
thetalkauthor
January 29, 2013 at 13:58
Like me and my treadmill. Some days we get along just fine, but germs at the moment prevent me from exercising the treadmill to its full capacity. Rather than leave it wanting, and disappointed in my lack of gusto, I prefer to leave it switch off, in the corner. We will, very soon no doubt, sally forth together once again… pass me the ice cream.
400daystil40
January 30, 2013 at 00:22
this made me laugh – and eating ice cream is exercise – if your freezer is really cold it takes muscles to get it out of the container… and you must lift the spoon to your mouth! 😛
walkwiththerabbi
January 29, 2013 at 15:43
Only 23 days to go! Very exciting! Where’s the party going to be?
400daystil40
January 30, 2013 at 00:21
I am actually not the party type – more of the quietly celebrate with family and a few friends type. My partner and I may go see my favorite band in concert, that I have never managed to catch, so we may hit the east coast, but only if we can coordinate it with other plans that are not yet solidified and may not come to fruition – time will tell…
lmdunne
January 30, 2013 at 00:47
I wonder about those people that bike in the snow! But your post did inspire me….gonna get on the treadmill tonight!
400daystil40
January 30, 2013 at 23:54
Excellent!
Another Thousand Words
January 30, 2013 at 02:06
Might not be yours, 400, but the image is great!
I get into exercising regualrly and feel so much better…then, I have days like the past few, when the upstairs neighbors have been noisy (in the middle of the night!) and I lose not only sleep time, but the impetus to even go out and walk! Hopefully (?), I’ll be back to normal by Thursady, because movement and exercise are good for all…not just old gals like me!
400daystil40
January 30, 2013 at 23:53
The image is mine, the bike is not! 🙂
Another Thousand Words
January 31, 2013 at 03:48
Yes…but it’s a great shot! Love the snow!