Jinkster

I need some inspiration...I have diabetes...quit smoking cigarettes Memorial Day last year...drug my '04 Giant OCR3 out of the shed and completely refurbished it...then also bought an old Trek rigid frame mountain bike (in pristine refurbished condition for $120 just because) and finally?...a very slightly used Specialized Cross-trail...all the gear...shorts, bibs and clipless shoes and pedals...took about a dozen 10 mile rides on each and just sort of fell by the wayside...several months ago...lost my inspiration...so please.....magic words anyone?...inspire me.

T.I.A. Bill.

ModeratedUser150120149

Magic words? OK, here are the magic words.

As a sick diabetic, you are worth lots of money to the medical community, the drug manufacturers, various social service agencies and other assorted people. They really like you. You are living for them and their incomes. They care more for you than you care for you.

If you were to start riding, get as healthy as you can, become focused on you it would cost them money. On the other hand living for yourself would make life more enjoyable, give you more ability to travel or do whatever you want and probably a longer more meaningful life.

So, no one cares more about you than you. If you don't care neither will anyone else except the people making a living off you.

Live for them or live for you, your choice.

Digital Gee

Couldn't have said it better.

freedomrider1

+1

Gerryattrick

I agree with the replies above and have no words of inspiration I'm afraid, just questions.

Did you really enjoy the cycling you did, or just the idea of cycling and the anticipation of what it could do for you?

I remember when you joined the forum and were so enthusiastic. It would have been difficult to maintain that early momentum so I hope you do get your motivation to cycle back, but even if cycling is not for you it's no big deal as, despite what many people on the forum would have you believe, it is not the only or necessarily the best form of exercise for everyone.

Be sure however to find some other form of exercise/activity that will be more sustainable for you and that will help your health. The best exercise regime is the one you stick with long term.

GravelMN

You have two choices:

a) Take care of yourself and get out on your bikes and ride, or

b) Sit in front of your computer all day, get sicker, die young, and leave your bikes to someone who will actually ride them.

In your thread title you asked for a boot in the ass, here it is: Nobody can do it for you. You have to make the decision whether you want to live or not. If you need constant encouragement and hand holding by other people to make the choices that will improve and possibly lengthen your life, it isn't going to happen. It's nice to have supportive people around you but the motivation has to come from within, even if the whole world seems to be against you. It doesn't matter if I or other people on the internet think you can do it or not, what matters is if it is important enough to you to get off your ass and ride. You may now substitute the saddle of your choice for my boot.

Wanderer

Jinks, I thought you died, or fell off the wagon.............. however - you just better get your butt back on that (those) bikes.

You already know the problem, and already know the answer - enuf said.

Go buy yourself a Selle AnAtomica, and try it on all your bikes....... you will be amazed, and maybe start riding more.

Up to you, Bud!

Wanderer

p.s.. If you can find a friend to ride with, on a regular basis --- it helps motivate, and is more pleasant.

rydabent

Simply put cycling will improve your condition. I have type II diabetes, and am taking 3 different pills to control it. Unfortunately I live in the snow belt, and hate riding when it is below 60. I simply do not like to bundle up to ride. However in the summer months when I ride most every other day, my A1c goes down from 6.9 to 6.1. Part of the decrease can be accounted for in the fact I lose approx 15 to 20 pounds of winter fat.

I would encourage you to ride for the fact that it will help the diabetes but most of all your general health. Cycling is pretty much a path to the fountain of youth. In my case I am a very lucky man when it comes to health. Im 76 and have never been in the hospital. But with cycling my diabetes is under control, and I am easily able to ride approx 30 miles ever other day. I just flat feel better in the summer months when I can bike.

JerrySTL

Do you watch TV reality shows? If so, turn off the damned TV and become your own reality show for real.

tsl

It's not inspiration you lack, but rather, motivation.

Motivation can only come from within. If you're looking to others for motivation, you've already lost the battle.

rumrunn6

oh you need a good ole a*s-kicking don't ya? well get the heck out there and quit whining to us. RIDE YOUR BIKE and send us some pics! now get going you old fart!

rumrunn6

incredibly and perfectly true. motivation is VERY personal

spdracr39

Desire to live is the key. You will be what you WORK to be. Wishing it true will not help. If laziness overrides your desire to live there is no saving you. I know people that constantly whine about how bad they feel and why they can't do anything about it. If excuses burned calories they would be track stars. The battle is 100% with laziness not medications, sore back, bad weather, no time ect ect ...... As a famous ugly green idol once said "DO OR DO NOT, THERE IS NO TRY"

Biker395 

FWIW, I am much more motivated to ride with friends than I am by myself. If you're a social animal too, join a bike club or somehow get yourself some riding partners you enjoy.

I love cycling, but when you come right down to it, like everything else, it's the company you keep.

MikeD1

I'm 60 and I feel better than I've felt at pretty much any point in my life . . . tons of quality exercise and healthy eating. Heck, who cares if you live longer, how about better? Way better? If you want to feel GREAT, get a move on . . . Feel free to start relatively easy and build up. If you can just keep it going for 2-4 weeks you'll start to feel better and start to want to do it. Put it this way, it is better than any and all drugs you can take: legal or not legal

leob1

Ride or die, mf'r!!!!

Jinkster

wow...16 responses?....So First?...THANK YOU EVERYONE!....and everyone one of you were spot-on and nailed me to the wall...great job and Thank You!

I even received a PM addressing this directly...Lack of motivation?...yep...."Ride in Health or Die in Disease?"...yep...(that last ones mine now after reading through all the magic words contained within LOL)....and here's what's going on...my shamelessly copied and pasted response to the person who PM'ed me....

"I re-entered this activity specifically for the reasons you point out above...and bought a bunch of stuff to keep me enthused to go forth and do what I wasn't all that passionate about doing...and when the newness wore off?...so did the passion...but I have to eremeber that despite all that?...I can't think of a single ride I regretted taking or didn't fully enjoy and feel good about myself afterwards...I need to Re-Engage the Mission here...matter fact?...I think I'll copy and past this original reply of mine to you in that thread...after I tahnk everyone...and then swing by the bike shop...buy something new and exciting...and go for a ride...thanks again!"

berner

I would think you should identify the conditions under which you prefer to ride, then promote those conditions. There is a decent bike path here with fine scenery which I can easily get to from home. My preferred locations are a nearby areas of quiet, rural county roads bordered by wild flowers, pasture lands and farms and barns. Rhode Island, being the Ocean State, there is water everywhere as beaches, salt marshes and much bird life. I also enjoy riding with the bike club several times a month. I'm continually astonishes by how strong some people are, even some who are in their 70's. Your preferences may be totally different but find them.

I've been off the bike almost all of the latter part of winter due to much snow and ice on roadways. As roads have cleared up, I've begun riding again but I'm woefully out of condition. It will be a slow and deliberate effort to get back and the key will be to not try to do it all in a day or a week. And the process itself of getting back into decent physical condition will have to be enjoyable with satisfying progress being the measure of success.

Wanderer

Proud of you, Bro........ don't give up!

justblues

I ain't gonna put my foot to your butt because you'd just use the sore butt as an excuse not to ride.

BobbyG

Look up bike commuter and bike touring videos on Youtube.

swampboy62

In my experience people tend not to stick to exercise that they do not enjoy. For me bike riding works because I LOVE to ride a bike - it always makes me feel better.

So if you don't LOVE to ride a bike, it is absolutely necessary for you to find something that you enjoy in order to get your exercise.

I have a family full of diabetics - and none of them exercise. They tend to die off young, and their quality of life in their 'golden years' is terrible. You have the power to make changes, once you're ready to commit. Make a choice and then LIVE FOR THAT CHOICE.

Good luck.

Steve Z

zonatandem

Why do you own so many bikes and then don't ride 'em?
Just decorating your garage, I suppose. Stay out of the bike shop and use what you've got and NO more excuses either!
Am not diabetic, but am only 82 years old and ride 100+ miles week.
So get off your but and pedal!!!

qcpmsame 

MARINE, get off your ass, and get on your bike. Ride it daily and stop looking for sympathy. Got it, BOOT, now move