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In a previous post, I mentioned that I've gotten into cycling. I really enjoy it. I think that out of all of the exercise activities that I could be doing, cycling is on the top of my list. I prefer to do my activities outdoors so going on a bike road through my town is typically nice (except when it's raining like yesterday or hot like it was today).
How I wish I looked while cycling. How I actually feel when I hit them hills.
What I've noticed though is that I'm worn out. When I first started, my husband kinda had to push to keep up with me (I have a very strong lower body). However, the past four rides have been murder to me. Here is what I think is the problem:
1. Improper nutrition. I don't eat like I'm supposed to. No clean eating here. That's the problem. I need a good, lean protein for muscle development and low-glycemic carbs for prolonged energy. I have not been a good girl. I've been grown and now I'm paying the consequences. *sigh* My muscles get very tired very quickly and I'm not recovering as quickly as I should. I try to keep in mind that I'm traveling further and I'm trying to push just as hard each time, but I've noticed that I'm winded and struggling up relatively minor inclines within my first mile (one of my favorite routes has an incline within the first half-mile). I know the problem, but I refuse to embrace the solution. I'm ignorant. Pray for me.
2. Dehydration. With that Pimp named Caramel on my back and my constant treks to Starbucks (I really ought to rebuke that den of iniquity), I have not been ingesting the proper amount of water. For me, it's in excess of 135 oz. I'm lucky if I get in 32 oz. I did try to hydrate last night and clearly was able to put enough in because my muscles didn't try to seize up as if they were on strike. I also sweated real sweat. If, when you try to sweat, nothing buy salt and dust appears, you have a problem. If, when you attempt to sweat, your sweat glands just give you a chuckle like "that's cute", you have a problem. If, when you try to sweat, your face tries to shrivel up just to spit out a couple drops of liquid, then you have a problem. Hydrate, Hydrate, HYDRATE! If you do nothing else, make sure you get plenty of water.
3. Rest. I need to figure out what the proper ratio is for me. One day off, one day on? Two days on, one day off? This equation can be tricky and I have lots to consider. I need to figure it out quickly because my quads feel like overworked slaves and are about to revolt.
4. Additional cardio. I need to get back to the gym. When I say gym, I do not mean the typical gym, but the camp that helped me start my transformation. I've enjoyed my time there, but most importantly, my gains in endurance and capacity have grown by leaps and bounds. I've seen greater improvements in six weeks of training with them than I did when I was working on my own or with a personal trainer. I'm going to go back Monday. I will probably pass out and require medical attention because I haven't been there in a while, but it's the beginning of another session of campers and most of them will be more out of shape than I am. At least I won't be the most out of shape person trying to do my version of working out.
Looking at these skinny girls makes you want to punch them in their left tit sometimes.
