Find the Bike that Transforms Your Life

There are friends in the weight loss community which I refer to as my exercise muse.  These are those individuals who make me think about my own exercise efforts.  They inspire me.  They give me incentive to get out there and try other things.  To get out there and move.  Stay active and enjoy a physical life.  Tom from Beariatric.com is one of my exercise muse.

I’ve asked Tom to write a guest post on My Tiny Tank.

Tom is my first guest blogger and I couldn’t imagine anyone else who can inspire us more than Tom.  Not only are Tom’s stories inspiring but he writes eloquently which makes everyone of his posts a pleasure.

I asked Tom to choose his own topic for this guest post.  It doesn’t surprise me that he choose to talk about this bike.  In fact I hoped he would.  Here is what he had to say:

Find the bike that transforms your life

Five years ago I was preparing for my weight loss surgery. My mind was preoccupied with getting approval for and undergoing bariatric surgery. My bathroom scale held the power in my life. It told me I was fat; too fat. It told me I was lazy; too lazy. It told me I was unhappy; too unhappy. The scale did not have a voice but its messages were loud and clear.

As I approached my surgery date, I came to realize that the journey I was about to embark on was not about the scale and weight loss. It was about my ability to change, the ability to transform myself. Pounds could go and pounds could come back. I needed a change in mindset to keep those pounds off after surgery.

I was fortunate that my bariatric care center pre-surgery counseling included a series of fitness assessments and coaching sessions. It was at those sessions that I saw the importance of fitness in living a healthy life. I committed fully to becoming fit and began a daily treadmill and walking routine.

The treadmill gave me the confidence to explore other avenues for fitness. I remember the Saturday when I pulled my dust laden bicycle with two flat tires from the garage ceiling. I cleaned that bike, filled the tires and embarked on an eight mile bicycle ride.

I did not know it at the time but this was a transformational event in my new life. There was no doubt after that ride that I was hooked on cycling. I cycled every chance I could. I explored new places and trails. I regularly cycled with other weight loss surgery patients. We founded a bicycle club focusing on health and wellness while enjoying the friendship group cycling brings.

Today I find myself in a much different place in life. I am happy; not just happy but extremely happy. I cycle, hike, snowshoe and run regularly. In 2013, I plan on running a half marathon. I am registered for four 2 – 7 day cycling events totaling 1,000 miles. This in addition to the 1,500+ miles of  cycling I will do on my weekly rides.

I ditched the scale for a bike. I stopped allowing the scale to control my life. I strongly urge you to find a fitness activity that you love. Once you find the sport or activity that gives your life passion, you are on the way to transforming your life. I had no idea the dusty bicycle hanging in my garage would have the power to change my life in a way that it did.

Today is the day to begin your transformation. It may not be on a bike. I challenge you to find the bike in your life that will transform your life. I can speak from my personal experience that you can change your life in ways you never imagined.

Tom Bilcze, Blogger @ Beariatric.com

You can find Tom @beariatric on Twitter

He is Co-founder of Spinoffcyclists.com

Tom, thank you for inspiring us!  Ride one!  We will keep reading!

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