When Numbers Don't Matter

I have gotten SO far away from caring about the numbers when it comes to working out and cycling. Over the weekend our cycling up Canada way wasn't the kind of distance that we've cycled in the past...much to the chagrin of one of our new members who came for her first time. She is working up for her MS 175 ride, 100 one day, 75 the next. I did that ride with her a few years back, but have since given up doing benefit rides (pay me to go have a blast on my bike! ...eh, doesn't sit too well with me).

So instead I shared my trick with her: if I'm not racking up the kind of miles I might prefer, I crank up the intensity of my ride and kick up the speed! Another club member agreed and the three of us did "intervals" where we would BLAST OFF for a stretch, then back off, repeat until good, sweaty & satisfied.

During one of my solo blasts another rider pulled up along side me and asked how fast I was going apparently impressed with my speed.

To which I replied: don't have a clue! My speedometer / odometer never worked right so I just ditched it a few years ago. I just pump it up when I want to, take 'er easy when I want to. I don't care about the numbers, I care about moving my body in ways that feel right for the present moment which I'm trying savor as much as possible. Perhaps a song in my head or the view that lies ahead or catching up with another rider for chit-chat. That's what it's all about for me.

The other point is that when it comes to working out and calories, who really KNOWS how much of whatever activity burns whatever amount. There's so much variation in ways of measuring this.

The number that matters to me is the amount of time I spend moving my body and the consistency of doing this day-in, day-out.

The numbers that REALLY matter way more than ANYTHING are the quality and quantity of calories I'm taking in. The rest will take care of itself if I'm on top of my food choices.

Don