Monday, July 4, 2011

Bike Pictures!

I can't believe this is the fourth year of posting a bike picture!  I originally posed with my gorgeous new bike back in June 2008 - and was shocked at what I saw, because I had already lost some weight.  I honestly didn't think I was as big as I looked.  In fact, I couldn't even bear to post that picture for a year, because I was so unhappy about it.  I know it's on the sidebar, but let me refresh your memory:
Yowza.  June 2008

Cut to a year later, and I was quite pleased with the new picture:
Much better!  June 2009

The next year?  Loved how I looked, loved how I felt:
Go me!  June 2010

This year?  Sigh.  Not loving it, but the person in the June 2008 picture would have slapped me to not be thrilled with this body.  So there's that.
Apparently my bike is fascinating to Kip and Paco.  June 2011

To reiterate why I should not be complaining in ANY way:
June 2008 - June 2011

Me and my trusty steed dog.
June 2011

When I started losing weight, bike riding was my first form of exercise.  A few laps around my street was all I could manage, but I kept adding more and more laps, and eventually ventured out a little farther, and then I was regularly riding between 5 and 6 miles a day.  And while I moved on to group workouts, running and swimming, I give the bike lots of credit for getting this former couch potato up and moving.  I still like to race Paco around my cul de sac (he always beats me!), and I enjoy going for a nice ride in the evening.  The difference?  I've also done a swimming workout in the morning.  It boggles my mind that I am capable of doing so much, physically, now.  Really goes to show me that all of those baby steps, and single laps, really do add up to a big change!

32 comments:

  1. You look great! Love your matching outfit with Paco... ;)

    ReplyDelete
  2. Paco is definitely my number 2 dog after Bella. I love him!

    You've made so much progress over the years and I'm still proud of you. And maybe you're not happy with your look right now, I'll bet you you will be again when you post your bike pictures 2012!

    ReplyDelete
  3. It really is a common theme to hit that low weight and bounce back up a bit (being there myself), but the changes that you have made in your life are 180 degrees from where you were in that first picture. It doesn't even look like you.

    ReplyDelete
  4. You look wonderful and I love the picture of you, paco and kip :)
    I've loved reading your posts for a while but I do it on google reader so I never really realized just how far you've come!!
    Congrats

    ReplyDelete
  5. Shelley I think you look beautiful in all the pictures.
    You have had some injuries, some set backs but you kept fighting and I think that you have done amazing things this year.
    Oh and love Paco!

    ReplyDelete
  6. You really do look great!
    Every little thing we do seems to really add up!

    ReplyDelete
  7. You look wonderful! Just remember all of the good changes you've made!

    ReplyDelete
  8. Wow, those pictures say so much. You've come a long way.

    ReplyDelete
  9. WOW. Shelley, you are amazing. There is definitely something to be said for how frustrated you've been with your ankle and how you've kept a positive outlook on your life & have adapted your workouts appropriately. Love that & love your pink bike too!

    ReplyDelete
  10. I LOVE that black top--its just so flattering on you. Loved what you said about the 2008 person slapping you for not being pleased with the 2011 person. And love your last sentence about baby steps and single laps adding up to a big change. Made me flash back on my 2005 person limping up and down the hills around here, and urging myself to just take 50 more steps (so I could eat more LOL)

    ReplyDelete
  11. Shelley, you look FANTASTIC!!!! You are an inspiration. (and your animals are ADORABLE!) Have a great day today!!!

    ReplyDelete
  12. You look wonderful, and your journey from 2008 is totally inspiring. Thank you for showing the pictures again - it helps me know I can do it too. And your pink bike is kick ass cool!

    ReplyDelete
  13. yeah! I was thinking the same: INSPIRATION! after months reading differents blogs, your´s is still my favorite one. Thanks!(forgive my bad english : -)

    ReplyDelete
  14. Thank you for for for posting your bike pics. You are inspiring !
    Jan

    ReplyDelete
  15. Thank you for for for posting your bike pics. You are inspiring !
    Jan

    ReplyDelete
  16. I can relate to this post so much Shelley. I think you look great and you have come so far! But I understand how you are feeling. I have managed to put on about 15 lbs from my lowest weight. And as frustrating as it is, I try not to let myself get too down about it because I was still 50 + lbs heavier when I started this journey. So... we will keep at it and eventually our bodies will cooperate!


    Keep up the great work Shelley. you are such an inspiration to me.

    Jennifer
    http://wecanlosethepounds.blogspot.com/

    ReplyDelete
  17. Great bike pics!! You are doing great and try not to be too hard on yourself. You have had a bad year. I admire your ability to "make lemonade" when life gave you lemons. The swimming you do is a.m.a.z.i.n.g!! I have been told many times with my stupid ankle troubles that I should swim but I have never had the guts or the time or the energy or the lack of excuses to get into it! Good on you girl. Love your blog and I just think you're swell :-)

    ReplyDelete
  18. and I was just yammering AT the husband yesterday about you and your bike and how I want want one.

    Be kind and loving to you.

    we adore and admire you because of your tenacity and resiliency.

    Ask my husband! :)

    xo

    ReplyDelete
  19. You are beautiful. Amazing. Inspirational. Never forget that.

    ReplyDelete
  20. I like how you said the 2008 Shelley would slap 2011 Shelley! You are doing great my dear - you are strong and capable of so much!

    BTW, I love the picture of Kip in the basket and Paco on the ground - love it!

    I just did 25 minutes of yoga - wow, was that hard - but it worked - my lower back was hurting yesterday and it feels better after stretching it.

    Happy Tuesday!

    ReplyDelete
  21. Wow, Shelley. It's such a transformation. You really look great and you're so active. I bet you feel so much better than the person in that 2008 photo.

    And I still covet that bike. Love it. :)

    Happy Independence Day to ya. Hope you had a great one.

    ReplyDelete
  22. You've come a long way, Baby! I'm starting kickboxing tomorrow and I'm debating about whether to take a "before" picture. After seeing your wonderful results - I might just do it! :-)

    ReplyDelete
  23. I love that you pose for this picture every year. GOOD for you.

    What impresses me most is your hair. I think I love it best this year than any other. So blond and healthy, the hair of a busy athlete.

    ReplyDelete
  24. I'm with Biz who said, "I like how you said the 2008 Shelley would slap 2011 Shelley!"

    Also? It reminds me of seeing two pictures of myself: one after losing 25 pounds or so and then another a couple of years later, after I'd lost 55 and then regained to the point where I weighed about the same as I did in the first picture...but my body looked much better because I was that much fitter (even though I'd regained)!

    ReplyDelete
  25. Shelly,
    You should be very proud of yourself. Looking a the photos you need to pat yourself on the back for the weight you have lost since 2008 and keeping it off through riding your bike, swimming, and eating healthy foods. Weight loss is a lifestyle change and I would say you have made a change in your lifestyle. The bigger problem that you have found is maintaining your lifestyle and making adjustments in your foods and exercises over time to continue your weight loss motivation.

    ReplyDelete
  26. What an inspiration - you look great. I know maintaining is so difficult, I had trouble last year as well. But you are healthy and you have a great lifestyle, and there is a lot to be said for that.

    ReplyDelete
  27. You are just amazing! I love how Paco is always weaseling his way into every pic! You look great and should be proud of yourself!

    ReplyDelete
  28. (Sorry I'm late to this party...) What I love most about your current photo (aside from the fab shirt and Paco the Wonder Dog) is the honesty behind that smile you're sporting. Look at all you've put out here the last three years. Yeah...that's a lot of soul-searching, and that woman looking at us from 2008 made it happen. Happy belated Fourth. You're awesome :)

    ReplyDelete
  29. Does it matter what type of bike you use or no? Considering of buying one but I want a fancy one but idk if a mountain bike is better

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It definitely matters - my bike is a cruiser, which, while pretty to look at, is not meant for much more than an easy, short bike ride. I'm not riding much at the moment, but if I really wanted to get back to it, I'd probably get a hybrid bike - sort of a cross between a mountain bike and a street bike. Those bikes have more gears which makes it a much more efficient ride. Good question - thanks!

      Delete

Comments are now moderated to prevent spammers from leaving, well, spam - but rest assured that as soon as I read a real comment, I will publish it. So please, comment away, even though the blog is officially closed. Thanks!