New Hybrid Bicycle DiamondBack Vital 2

I am the proud owner of a new DiamondBack Vital 2 hybrid bicycle.  It is so nice to ride a good bicycle. 

My first bike as an adult was a men's Raleigh road bike in 1972, a birthday present from boyfriend Jerry A.  I got a lot of miles out of that bike.  Next was a Huffy, Freespirit mountain bike, which I gave away, then a Huffy Nel Lusso one-speed Cruiser. I was having trouble riding through the wind with the single speed, so next I bought a Pacific Shorewood 7-speed cruiser.  I liked the cruisers because I could sit upright and not have pressure on my hands, but they had balloon tires and those babies are slow... The Pacific had a crappy drivetrain and grip twist shifting, so it kept slipping out of gear and was a general pain in the butt.  I had it adjusted a couple of times and the guy at the shop said that was the best I could expect from a cheap-o $150 bike.

Enter the DiamondBack Vital 2 Hybrid bicycle.  Even though it has 700c wheels it still fits me, plus I got a 15" frame, so I have entered into the world of REAL bicycles.. This is relatively inexpensive at $299, but those most I have spent on a bicycle.  It has index shifting and a Shimano drivetrain, 21-speed, 3 front and 7 rear derailleurs.  It is so cool with smooth shifting and narrow tires.  I totally love riding this baby.  I need to have some more adjustments, like move the handlebars back toward me so I don't have to reach or rest my weight on my hands.  I want to sit upright and be comfortable. I put on a rear bike rack and a water bottle cage, and beyond that, nothing else will go on this bike.  I want to put a more comfortable saddle on the bike, the one from my 7-speed that I bought two months ago. Swap em out!!!

A friend asked if I was interested in selling my one-speed cruiser and I sent her photos, but have not heard back from her.  I will ask her next time I see her.  I have my bikes on my enclosed porch and there isn't really room for 3 bikes.  I have a 2-bike rack on the porch and one of those bikes has to go!!  I don't want to throw the one-speed away, but I don't want to take up the space on my porch either.

One-Speed Huffy Nel Lusso

Seven-Speed Pacific Shorewood.

I am having so much fun riding my bike(s) at a local park.  I carry my bike to the park on my car, and feel much safer doing that than riding along the busy streets.  It is only 4 miles from my house to the park, so I don't feel too guilty about that.  The park is nice and very safe, lots of lakes and about 8 miles of well maintained bike paths.  Walkers, bikers, moms with strollers, people with dogs, etc. share the path, and there are a lot of people there on the weekends, but it is so great to see people out there taking care of their health.  There is a "Heart Trail" there too, so lots of traffic on that, which is good!!  I might even have to do the heart trail once in a while?  It is one of the nicest parks in the county, so I am very lucky to live close to it.  There is a bike rental place there too, and if I had a bike problem, those guys would help me.  I have been making friends with the manager there, good move!!  

So, that's what's new for now.. 

OH.... I almost forgot something very exciting.  My friend, Rob, bought a juicer and started juicing today!  Mean Green!!  

I am focusing on Mean Green juice lately and today, walked past desserts.... Once I start doing that (3 times last week!!), then I am in big trouble.  The sugar is so addictive and I can't just have one.  I am really serious about staying the course, but once in a while there will be detours.... This weight and out of shape body didn't happen overnight, so it will take time to UNDO what was DONE.  I notice that my biceps are starting to show and my lower arms are starting to get definition. My legs are getting muscular, thighs are ROCK HARD, except for the outer part, haha.

More later!!!

  

Bicycle Rides at Local Park

I have been riding my bicycle at a local park for that past week - 10 days.  I love the early morning rides because the heat is not quite as bad at 7am.  HAHA, Like I ever get there by 7am!!  I got a nice rack (thank you) for my car, so I can focus my bike riding to the park rather than on the getting there and home.  One of the foam thingies on the rack tore in half, so I took some photos and emailed them to the manufacturer.... No questions asked, they sent me a new rack which was delivered today!

By now, I have gotten the knack of putting the rack on my car.  At first there was some overkill involved, and now I slimmed it down.  I use the rack, a foam piece over the pedal to protect my car, 2 microfiber cloths, one for under the top foam pieces on the trunk lid and the other between the bike and the rack, and one short bungee cord to hold the front wheel straight ahead so it doesn't bounce off my trunk lid, and I also run that same bungee through the bike rack to keep the bike from flopping when starting and stopping the car.

I wear a bike helmet and I attached a sun visor to it with velcro.  It was pretty easy to do.  Just used the strips of velcro that you can cut to size.  

I really need the sun protection and also need to protect my brains in case of a spill.  Even though I ride in a pretty safe environment, there is always a chance of an accident -  I remember my mom telling me the story of an older guy and his grandson riding their bikes, and they went around a corner and grandpa collided with an oncoming bicyclist.  A day later the guy died.  I don't think he had a helmet on his head.  So you never know when something like this will happen - that's why they call them "accidents."

I take the helmet/visor with me, 3 bottles of water which I have in a thermal lunch bag type thing that I bungee onto the rear bike rack. I have a bag in my car with the 3-way allen wrench, my bike lock, extra bungee cords, plastic bags, etc.  I have the plastic bags in case I get caught in the rain and I can put my iPhone in a bag so it won't get wet.  

Remember, I am only going about 4 miles from my house to the park in my car.  I consider these as test rides. I hope to expand my travels to other locations once I feel like I have a handle on things.  

I have been going to the park nearly every day.  I feel invigorated and energized because of the 30 min to one hour bike rides.  I am starting "somewhere" on my exercise routine.  I need to add some cardio and some flexibility exercises.  For now, I am happy with the progress I have made, and there is always room for improvement.

The photo to the right is Okeeheelee Park

My bicycle with lunch bag with bottled water on rear rack.

This is the route I rode today.  I change this up but aim for at least 5 miles and at least 30 mins.

These are the details on today's ride.  I improve each time, focusing on maintaining a steady pace, try not to stop at all during the ride, enjoying the scenery, watching for wildlife, and cute guys... :-)  *smile*

Below are three photos: Left, October 2011; Middle, April 2012; and Right, May 21, 2012.  That is encouragement and motivation to keep going... It can only get better.  I just noticed that the under eye area is not so puffy.  I don't use any concealer or anything under my eyes.  I use Clinique moisturizer lotion and Clinique City Sheer SPF 40 on my face.  I also use some baby sunscreen stuff I found at Walmart and got it because it was $3.50 and it was a small amount. I just read that sunscreen can lose it potency once it is past the expiration date, so I tossed the old sunscreen.

I have to improve my exercise routine.  Add cardio and flexibility exercises.  I am doing pretty good from what my life used to be.  The juices give me energy, the energy makes me want to do something so I walk or ride my bike.  I didn't get obese and sitting in my recliner overnight, so I have to keep that in mind, that a lifestyle change is over the long haul and it takes time.  If I go full-tilt-boogie I could risk injury or get worn out and lose interest.  I know this is life and death, so I have to be very serious about the change, but have fun and take it light, and I'll be alright... 

  

More later!!!

Weight loss before and after, or rather, at mid-way point:

Before:  October 15, 2011

After:  May 21, 2012:

I look like a different person, relaxed, refreshed, better posture, skin is clear.  I look all bunched up... and my after photo you can see the actual shape of my face... WOW.. you don't realize change until you see evidence of it.  I have 30 more pounds to go to my desired weight.  I don't care how long it takes, but it is going to happen!!!

My 10 Day juice fast became a 3 Day juice fast, which is okay because I have never done a juice fast before and I want to go easy.  My doctors said YES to a 3 to 5 day fast, and he was right on target.

Today was Day 3:  Started off with Mean Green juice, then later made pear, fennel, cilantro, and lemon.  After the juice the elimination was... well..  can you say "sludge?"  This morning I started soaking about 10 prunes, and they were ready to eat by 4pm.  I would say to soak them for at least 8 hours. They were delicious and my first food since Thursday evening.  But the elimination was... well..  can you say "sludge?"

I have been reading on the internet on how to break a juice fast, so I recommend that anyone doing this, please read, read, read the information or your fast would have been pointless.  The prunes flush out the toxins that were released during the fast.  The toxins were released from the bowel, but just kind of laying there, so the prunes will push out what was left in your bowels.

Then after eating the prunes, continue drinking the juices, preferably a fruit based juice. I saved some pear, fennel juice for this purpose.  Later this evening I may eat some grapes or some watermelon, since it is recommended that I eat a soft fruit.  Then tomorrow I will start off with a juice, some fruit and then a salad during the day.  As a treat, I will probably go to Whole Foods Market for a nice salad.  I will forego the other salads and dishes and just have green leafy salad with some veggies, and a light dressing, nothing creamy-ish.

For me, the cleanse is to rid leftover matter that has been laying in my intestines.  It is also to reacquaint my body with raw foods, as I have backslid a lot and need to get back on track.  I feel best when I am eating mostly raw, but seem to drift back to old habits.  So it is a "reboot" of my system.

I want to sprout beans, so I bought a wide-mouth quart jar, and got cheesecloth (food graded), and then went to Jo-Ann's Fabrics and bought some needlepoint plastic mesh 13"x10" for $.59.  I traced the outline of the lid (not the ring) and cut it out, then laid it on top of the jar and put the ring on and closed the jar...  I have plenty of the mesh left so when and if it gets funky, I can easily cut out another round and toss the other one.  I will use the plastic mesh for beans and the cheesecloth for seeds or smaller things.  I am soaking mung beans and before I go to sleep tonight I will drain them very well and first thing in the morning rinse them well and prop the jar so it is kind of at a 45 degree angle.  This will keep most of the beans on the side of the jar and allow the water to drain out.  The idea is to keep the beans spread out and moist, but no water remaining to create mold.  They will sprout in 4 days or so and you can let them continue to sprout til they are the desired length.  Then you can store them in a plastic bag.  I think I will keep 2 or 3 jars going so I can start one each day and rotate so I will have fresh mung bean sprouts every day.

I will use the mung bean sprouts in salads, and I am reading about other ways to use them.  They are very nutritious and "good for what ails ya" like my grandpa used to say.  Here is the nutritional data on mung bean sprouts (raw).

http://nutritiondata.self.com/facts/vegetables-and-vegetable-products/2333/2

I use this website to look up foods so I can see what I am eating or juicing.

No bike ride today because when I woke up this morning I felt goony-headed and took a shower, made a juice and rested, then the "sludge" release and I started to feel better.  Later I went to the mall and walked around a bit and came back home. Tomorrow is another day for the bike ride.  I want to get up VERY EARLY!!  We will see how that plays out.

More later.....

Bike Carrier and 10-Day Reboot

First things first:  Yesterday, a bike carrier and adaptor bar were delivered.  This will allow me to take my bike to parks and bike paths nearby, but too far to ride to because of the additional mileage.  I can also drive over to Palm Beach and ride my bike on the Lake Trail, which is one of my favorite places.  It rained today so no bike ride and I have been inside most of the day.

Secondly, today I started a 10-Day juice only reboot.  Or rather, I am going to aim for 10 days, or do at least 5 days.. or at least 3.. HAHA... Anyhow, this morning I went to the produce market and got a beautiful watermelon and a pineapple.

Day 1:

This morning I had pear, fennel, red globe grapes, lemon, and ginger.  When I say ginger, I mean ginger root.  The juice was spectacular! I named it "The Eliminator."

This afternoon I had, Mean Green which is swiss chard, celery, cucumber, granny smith apples, lemon, and ginger.

Tonight I had carrot, celery, and red beet juice.  This is an old standby that I started to drink 35 years ago.  Sadly, there was a very long lapse between then and recently when I started to juice again.

I think I will have to go to bed early tonight so I can stop feeling hungry... I read that after day 2 or 3 it gets easier, and the hunger goes away.  It's as though you body gets used the the nutrition in liquid form and forgets about the chewing, solid form.  I think the fast helps with thinking about food all the time.  OH maybe I am a food addict!??  YEP I think I am!!!

MEAN GREEN!!!!!

The weather report for tomorrow shows rain, but I may try to get out during a break in the rain.  I think the first dry day will be Tuesday.  If I can't get out I will probably go to the mall and do a "mall walk."  It's safe, air-conditioned, and dry.

Thirdly, I have been experimenting with making videos while biking.  I tried different methods to attach the camera to the bike.  First one was putting camera on a DIY mount on the handlebars. That was way too shaky.   Second one was to mount the camera on a tripod, then bungee the tripod to the handlebar stem. This was much more steady and secure. There are many different mounts you can buy, but I was trying to use materials I had on hand, therefore, no cost.  As a result of taking the videos with my small digital (16mgpix) camera, I have been making them with iMovie on my computer and that has been fun, but I think I should watch a tutorial instead of taking a stab at it... It would be more productive.

Here is my latest video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZY94SPbzUFU&list=PL765895BD18B25040&index=3&feature=plpp_video


More later!!!