So, this morning I decided upon waking to get on my bike! Don’t laugh … for those of you who know me, cycling is not a sport I would put at the top of my list. However, it was sunny, the temperature hadn’t risen too high and truth be told I didn’t have a workout planned for today. I’m currently following a new programme which is all about cardio and weights and includes working out 4 days a week with 3 rest days. However, I really didn’t feel like a rest day today, hence my decision to go for cycle.
Grabbing a bike from the garage, I left the house. In my head I had already planned a route and knowing that there was an incline leaving the village, I decided to tackle that first. Now some may call it a hill but where I come from, I don’t think it was in my remit to call it that (or if friends from my hometown saw it, they would laugh in my face). However, MAJOR incline it was!! Epic fail … as all cyclists know you keep your legs going … mine failed – miserably! I got off my bike and pushed it up the hill … oops, major incline. My legs just wouldn’t push the wheels around! So I gracefully (if that’s the right word) made my way to the top. Feeling exhausted (yes, I am unfit), I could have easily turned back and gone home. However, I am not a quitter and although that easy option was right up there on my list, I got back in the saddle and headed in the direction of my 6 mile route.
As I turned off the main road, onto a country back road, the thrilling thought came into my head … if there is an uphill, there must be a downhill!! Sheer joy in mind, I battled on with my cycle amidst the sights of cows, sounds of birds and smells of …. well you can imagine!
In life we have many uphill struggles – these can be personal, family, work, financial etc. and with them we can go in a downward spiral. As my journey continued I began to think of this analogy …. is it more rewarding get to the top of a hill or make the descent? Approaching my half way point, I came to the conclusion that it does have to do with your mindset. The ascent in anything can be tiring and can rob you of every minute but when you hit the top and see what you have achieved, surely it is rewarding and allows you to smile? The journey afterwards can be the downhill, free-wheeling (I know, you shouldn’t do that in cycling) and allow you to take the pressure off, gather your thoughts and prepare yourself for the next ascent.
Mindsets are amazing … we have the choice to take a positive or negative twist on things; don’t get me wrong there are days when I can be very negative but surely it is better to see solutions rather than always looking for problems?
My thoughts on cycling? I actually really enjoyed it and am even contemplating a 20 mile cycle later today!
Do feel free to contact me if you would like to turn your lifestyle around … initial consultations are free and there is no obligation afterwards. My aim is to allow you to find your happy, healthy, confident self.
Have an amazing day, smile and breathe.
Susan x
Happy Healthy Confident 