I Can't Stand the Rain

When feeling depressed, the last thing that one wants to do is EXERCISE. How ironic, that exercise is one of the best antidotes to depression. When we exercise, we produce some chemicals that help reverse the malfunctioning serotonin uptake system in our bodies.

Norma, the amazing leader of my weightwatchers group, shared her personal struggles with us. A few years ago she was totally stressed out. Too busy and stressed out to exercise. And so she struggled along trying to rise above all the things that were bringing her down. Finally, one December, she said 'NEVER AGAIN'. Though her life continued to be busy and stressful, she moved her exercise priority way up the list, and committed to 40 minutes at least 4 times a week. She has to get up early in the morning to fit it in, and sometimes its hard to get started. But she knows how important it is. I should note, that Norma is one of the cheeriest, inspiring, optimistic persons I know.

I'm reading a really excellent book right now. 'Heft on Wheels", by Mike Magnuson. There's a picture on the front cover of this really fat guy, startk naked, on a Trek 5200 bicycle. Sweat pouring all over his lardy body. Face grimaced, leaning into the rain and wind. On the back cover, is a picture of the same guy, two years later, lean, toned, clothed in team road racing outfit, cool sunglasses, hammering his way up the side of a mountain on a sleek road bike. Looks alot like Lance, actually. Turns out this guy, the author of the book, was inspired by Lance. And turned his life around from cigarrete smoking, hard drinking, junk food ingesting, depressed, college professor, to what he is on the back cover of his book.

One of my UBBT7 goals is to do a whole pile of cycling this year. Of course, I'm not starting out where this professor/author started. But the path that I have plotted is very similar. So the book is inspiring. I joined spin classes in mid March so that I could start getting in shape for the riding season, and be able to handle a charity ride or something like that. The fellow running this class is and English bloke. Ten years younger, a little shorter than me. Incredibly fit. And NICE cyclist's legs. Always admired legs like that; slender yet defined. Even on a short guy, those legs seem to go forever and ever. ANYHOW, this guy is a bit of a 'British Bulldog". I think I hate his attitude so much, that I have to love him. He certainly gets me hammering away on my bike, with him yelling 'come on!! FAST legs!!" , or "EMPTY YOUR TANK!!!!!" His class is called, "the long hard Ride". One and half hours of sweat, pain, and this guy yelling in my ear. Hate him so much, I've signed up for two more of his classes in May and June.