why i totally suck, part 2

Posted in get outside and tagged with , , , on 08/06/2009 07:36 am by Becca

I have pretty much gotten up every day with the mind that I will ride to work.  I have even gotten dressed in cycling-friendly work clothes and shoes.  But for some reason, once I get down stairs, I head for the car keys instead of my bicycle helmet.  Today was the fourth in a row.

I don’t know why it was so easy for me to ride for two weeks straight and now I can’t even manage one day. I think a lot of it has to do with stupid lies I tell myself (but Annie can tell you more about that):

My stomach hurts today.  Riding, fresh air and getting my heart rate up a tiny bit will certainly make my tummy feel better.  I don’t ride.

I’m going in early. What kind of bullshit lie is this?  Because I’m working harder/more at the office, that means I don’t have to work as hard on myself, my health or the environment?  We all know the air/temperature is a basquillion times better at 7 a.m. than it is at 8.  I don’t ride.

I’m too stressed. Another ridiculous tall tale.  Exercise and fresh air have been proven to reduce stress.  I don’t ride.

I’ll start again when I get back from vacay. Can anyone tell me why this means I shouldn’t ride now anyway?  Wow, I’m absurd!  I don’t ride.

But hey, on the plus side, what I have lacked this week in rides, I have more than made up for in lattes from Starbucks (3), far surpassing my weekly limit (1).

Harumph.

  • You often read that you need about a month of doing something before it becomes habit. The two week period you rode probably wasn't long enough to become habit forming. There is much to learn and be comfortable with to become a full time bicycle commuter. Give it some time.

    I'm going on 1 year, 9 months without driving to work. It doesn't even cross my mind that I should drive now!
  • Sam Coturri
    Aight, so it's clearly the jew in me but,
    I read this and after every "I don't ride"
    All I could think of was "Dayenu"

    "I have to go in early. Dayenu"
    "My tummy hurts. Dayenu"
  • Sarah Bray
    The "I'll do it when I come back from vacation excuse" is my personal favorite. It's been my go-to excuse for the summer.
  • Aren't we so good at telling ourselves sweet little lies? Well actually not so sweet ... more like bitter.

    I think sometimes the cure is to remember that old WW adage that you have to get back on track as soon as possible. Instead of waiting for a certain event or date, you just have to start as soon as you can with dieting, exercise or general healthfulness.

    Now tell me that when I'm nestled in my comforter with True Blood telling myself that if I go to the gym I'll lose my parking spot ...
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