Akron Life January 2023

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F R O M T H E P U B L I S H E R

[ Publisher | Colin Baker | cbaker@bakermediagroup.com ]

Pedal On

Accomplishing a resolution takes dedication.

Last January I wrote about how I had bought a Peloton exercise bike and was going to really get in shape. It is that season of resolutions, and being active and losing weight are often in the top five most common resolutions. I am happy to report back that the Peloton was not used as an expensive coat hanger — I have kept with it. It started with a ton of conviction, like anything I get new, and I would ride mul tiple times a day. I’m not a bike rider, so I had to work through the early muscle pain and muscle building. It was hard at first. I had this idea about where I should be or how I should feel, and nothing lined up with that. If you don’t have a Peloton or haven’t rid den, it is an exercise bike that has a video screen, and you are in a live or recorded class. All of your metrics, which include speed and work output, are shown on a screen so you can follow the instructor’s suggestions. You can also see where other riders are and how you compare. This was my problem in the beginning. I would get competitive and push myself too hard. I don’t know who these other people are who are at the top of the leaderboard, but they are clearly not human. I could never match the top — or even come close. The best thing I do now is turn that setting off so I only ride against myself. I have been consistent in riding, except for as I’m writing this in December. I haven’t

ridden for a few weeks. I also paused in the summer after I had stitches in my leg from an injury with a power saw. I waited a few weeks after the doctor’s recommen dation and stayed off the bike. When I got back on, I was motivated because I was going to Colorado to backpack for a week, and I knew I needed to strengthen my leg. After that trip, it was a push to exercise. If I can get myself into a groove and ride three to four days a week, I then have the motivation to keep going. There also lies a problem — the motivation. My goal is

to never give up once I start. That’s the motto for everything I do, and sometimes I don’t give up to a fault. Maybe this year’s New Year’s resolution will be to keep rid ing another year. I was recently talking to a friend who said that they have goals or resolutions they set as the four F’s: fitness, family, finances and fun. Don’t forget to set goals for fun. That’s my favorite part and, maybe my goals will be the four F’s of fun, fun, fun, fun.

[ Publisher Colin Baker is a retired racing driver and gearhead. ] Comments? Email them to Kelly Petryszyn [kpetryszyn@bakermediagroup.com].

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