It's Just Like Riding a Bike

This summer, my plan was to continue exercising until I looked like a super-model. That was the plan. Then reality happened. While my kids and I were in Chicago, we ate pretty much nonstop, stocking up on all our favorite foods from our favorite restaurants. Then, when we returned to Florida, I developed several blood clots from sitting too long on our return drive. My leg became too painful to handle walking, let alone any other kind of exercise. After a couple weeks of that, I had a blood clot go to my lung so I was unable to breathe well for another few weeks.  And now, I've started back to work. By the time I get off work, pick up Savannah from swim, the littles from after school care, and drop off my middle kids to football and cheer, I need to make dinner, clean up, do some laundry, write, help my kids with homework, pay bills, etc. Before I even finish, it's after midnight and I have to call it quits. Needless to say, I'm having a difficult time fitting fitness back into my schedule.

But today, I took time out for exercise, and more importanly, for FUN!  This summer, I got a new Huffy Cruiser. It's pink and aqua (my absolute favorite colors) and I was so excited to ride it, but when it arrived, I was having problems with blood clots so there it sat, unused, lonely. Today, I hopped on and rode a bike for the first time in probably fifteen years! I was honestly a little scared to take off because I wasn't sure I'd even remember how to pedal. But like the saying goes, it was just like riding a bike. A little wobbly at first, perhaps, but then it was pure fun!

I live near a biking/hiking trail and I see riders all decked out with their little bike shorts, snug fitting shirts, and aerodynamically designed helmets. That's not me. Instead, I donned comfy clothes and cruised (although, next time I'll trade my flip flops for tennis shoes, I think). I wasn't in a race with those guys on the trail; I was on a mission to feel the wind in my face. I wasn't trying to make time; I was trying to have a good time.  I wasn't trying to qualify for the next Tour de France; I was trying to forgot about the stacks of work waiting for me at home. I wasn't trying to burn calories; I was trying to recapture that feeling I got when I was a kid, riding around the neighborhood on my bike, free, independent, invincible. And you know what? I did all those things! It was truly FUN!

Huffy's new Cruisers are all about the fun of riding! This bike doesn't have several speeds. It's not designed for racing. It's not designed to handle all sorts of crazy terrain. In fact, most of the Huffy Cruisers have all sorts of saddle bags and baskets. You can head to the park or the beach, packing a picnic, sand toys, sunscreen, drinks, whatever into those bags. The Panama Jack Cruiser even has a bottle opener on the frame! Now that's my kind of bike! And my kids think I'm nuts, but my favorite thing about this bike (aside from the fact that it's PINK) is the seat! Really! Most bicycles have these tiny little seats designed for a size 2 butt. Huffy Cruisers have a nice sized seat which is awesome for those of us who do not possess a size 2 butt! You can check out Huffy's Cruiser line of bicycles HERE!

Next weekend's agenda? The park with my kids and a picnic!