The Winter Squishies

I just came back from a 3 hour bike ride and the reality of just how out of shape I am is on my shoulders. I originally started with 9 other women and we were going to do a casual ride from San Jose and around the Morgan Hill reservoirs. I huffed and puffed my way up Bailey Road at about mile 5, fearful that my legs and lungs would turn against me at any moment. I made it up the hill, but at the first rest stop I told the other women to go on without me. I didn't want them to have to wait for me at every stop. So, I continued on and rode through Morgan Hill and the Coyote Creek Trail, all the while thinking, "I used to be able to do this faster and more efficiently." Not so much today. In fact, that first killer hill wasn't even that bad. I did it twice last year (once in a training ride and once in the San Jose Triathlon) without any problems. But today I felt like that scene in Knocked Up where Seth Rogan is taking a spin class ("I'm breathing like James Gandolphon over here.").

The truth is --- I have been a lazy, lazy girl. The winter is supposed to be about base training, strengthening your core and all that. The only thing I am strengthening are my fingers playing Guitar Hero. Plus---I have a major case of the Winter Squishies.

The Winter Squishies occur when one moves less, and eats more. What happens is that body parts that used to be firmer are now squishy. I mean, I know I am not going to be Heidi Klum or anything, but with this economy and all I don't think I can afford new (bigger) pants.

So now what? Do I need a goal? A race to sign up for? A commitment of working out a certain number of days a week and eating the FDA recommended servings of fruits and vegetables a day?

I will ponder this some more...and hopefully not eat anymore cookies.