*gasp* I forgot to be fat!

[darkemeralds]

The moment I rode away from the bike shop on Clyde back in August, I became aware of something magical: I completely failed to think of myself as a fat person.

I was a little self-conscious about being an obvious newbie, but from that day to this, I get on that damn bike and I'm instantly free from the shameful self-concept that has ruled my life.

What's even more magical is that the effect seems to spill over into my not-cycling time. At a public planning meeting last week, Mayor Sam surveyed the crowd, and one of the questions was "For you, what is the hardest part of maintaining a healthy lifestyle?" The choices were:

A. Time and discipline for exercise
B. A place to exercise
C. A full service grocery store
D. Cooking healthy meals
E. Stress – not enough time to relax

and it hit me like scratching the winning ticket: "None of the above! None of the above!" I have a healthy lifestyle. C, D, and E have been mine for a while, but now I've got a full house, the winning hand. This is a revolution.

I tried on a pretty new outfit yesterday (ruffly print blouse, aubergine sweater, black skinny-leg trousers), and I looked in the fitting-room mirror ("Fitting Room Mirror!" is the name of a horror movie AFAIC...) and thought, hey, that looks nice. I completely forgot to hate myself. This is also a revolution.

I wore my new outfit today as I cycled from work, to my healthcare appointment, to the uppity grocery store, and home. People smiled at me and said hi. My healthcare completely failed to be about losing weight. I completely neglected to feel ashamed about buying delicious food at the skinny-people's store.

I didn't start riding Clyde to create a revolution in my life, but that's what seems to be happening. Sure, I've been younger, I've been thinner, and I've certainly had better knees, but I have never felt better in my whole life.

Comments

[nwhepcat.livejournal.com]

That is terrific! Congratulations!

[emeraldsedai.livejournal.com]

Thanks. It's a brave new world.

[forodwaith.livejournal.com]

That deserves a \o/ with a few !!!

[emeraldsedai.livejournal.com]

[lyr]

That is one awesome revolution! I am really so happy for you.

[emeraldsedai.livejournal.com]

Thank you. Life just keeps being interesting. It's amazing.

[vampirefan.livejournal.com]

woo!!!!

\o/

[emeraldsedai.livejournal.com]

It's the best. I keep hoping to entice you back into cycling...

*wheedle wheedle wheedle*

Did I send you this?
http://letsgorideabike.wordpress.com/2009/11/16/how-to-dress-for-winter-bike-commuting/

I think I did, huh? But watch her little video about wearing real clothes for cycling in the winter. She even has a best friend named Tricia!

[vampirefan.livejournal.com]

hee! i do! i really do! but winter is coming and it's getting colder and i'm not that brave just yet.

i started reading that blog and it's really interesting! i'm adding ti to my google reader feed :)

and ha! i didn't see that her bff was names tricia! lol!

[lamentables.livejournal.com]

*grinsandgrinsandgrins*

So happy for you.

[emeraldsedai.livejournal.com]

Hee! Little umbrellas!

Thank you.

[kispexi2.livejournal.com]

*ear to ear grin* Yay! I'm really happy for you. It's about bloody time, Ms I-look-like-Elizabeth-Rohm!

[emeraldsedai.livejournal.com]

Ha ha ha. But thanks.

[lambourngb.livejournal.com]

You are amazing. I'm so happy Clyde carries you not just around town, but away from the crap that is shoved down everyone's throat. Haven't we paid enough for the Puritan founding of this country- let's not carry shame any further into the future.

[emeraldsedai.livejournal.com]

Hear hear! I will totally drink to that. Some frou-frou drink with cream AND sugar in it. Plus alcohol. Maybe flames. Spanish Coffee! That's the one!

[malanai.livejournal.com]

I enjoy this post muchly!! Good for you! ^_^

[emeraldsedai.livejournal.com]

Thanks. Now and then I hit a good nerve. \o/

[makena-smiles.livejournal.com]

I love this post because it expresses something I've been feeling but couldn't put into words (due to some of my own lifestyle changes). Thank you so much for sharing your joy!!

[emeraldsedai.livejournal.com]

That's wonderful to hear. Now and then I go out on a limb, and it's good to know that it resonates with someone else when I do.

[(Anonymous)]

This is so awesome to read. I love stories like this. I have noticed the same change in my life. I'm so busy enjoying how my body gets me all around the city, I have no time left to criticize it :)

[emeraldsedai.livejournal.com]

*waves at Dottie*

I know visitors to LJ don't get comment emails, but thanks for stopping by. You've been a great recent addition to my inspiration.

[roseambr.livejournal.com]

I love, love, love this entry! You make me feel so happy and, I don't know... tickled some how. It's our dream come true, the thing we have strived for over the last ten years! It isn't really about how many pounds you weigh, it's about being healthy, happy, active, well rounded in your life. You have managed all of them beautifully! YAY!!!!!

[emeraldsedai.livejournal.com]

I'm so glad you stopped by! I was thinking of you when I wrote this. What a journey we've been on, huh? I feel like I can finally embark on the next thing, whatever it is. Who would've thought that so much of life could begin so late?

[roseambr.livejournal.com]

Oh, and I've been meaning to tell you, we were driving through Newberg the other day and went past a bike shop. In the window was the cutest pale yellow girls bike! I wanted so much to stop right then and go buy it! I know just what mine will look like now!

[emeraldsedai.livejournal.com]

You have a yellow-bike icon! That's adorable. And if I'm not mistaken, the picture there is of the same make and model as Clyde, only in women's style. Adorable!

[roseambr.livejournal.com]

It's a Schwinn Jenny, Ladies comfort bike. I've got my eye on it now! Bob says he thinks there is a bike shop in Vancouver we can go check out sizes at. We may be riding together by Spring!

[emeraldsedai.livejournal.com]

From everything I've read, Schwinn continues to make very good bikes. I'm excited for you!

[roseambr.livejournal.com]

Me too!