My No-Excuses Exercise Secret!

This time of year, we all have good excuses for not exercising…it’s cold, it’s dark, I’m busy, the kids need a babysitter; it’s too much work, it’s too hard, the house is too messy, and there is no room inside to exercise, blah, blah, blah. Well, I remembered something I did a long time ago that worked for me, and I’ve gone and done it again, and it works this time, too (because all those excuses are true for me, too). I got a bike. I got a “trainer” (not a personal one—keep reading), and I put it on my front porch so I can go for a ride outside in the fresh air any time of day or night and not worry about cars, hills, babysitters, or even getting anywhere. It’s awesome.

Keep your activity levels up, eat healthy diet, and don’t obsess over how many minutes you exercise.

So, this is how it works. And if you need hep getting it set up, find a local bike shop and they will make it work for you.

Get a bike. Any bike. Then get a trainer, which is basically a device that lifts your rear wheel off the ground so that you can ride in place—it pops the bike in and out, no tools required! Get it set up to your pleasure. You can do this inside your house, but I so much prefer to exercise in the fresh air, and my front porch is big enough. That way, I can ride while the kids play in the front yard or in the driveway. And if they want to, they can be a part of my exercise (although this time of year, unless there is snow out there, it’s unlikely).

Now, because my trainer is on my front porch, I had to get a real pretty bike. So I chose an Electra Amsterdam, which makes me feel very European. It also positions me upright, which doesn’t put any pressure on my hands, which have suffered in the past from carpal tunnel syndrome. And of course I needed a really nice basket to put my iPod in so I can listen to music while I ride (which I would never, ever, ever, do if I were really riding on the street or trail, mind you!). My setup is so cool that my son-in-law asked for a trainer for Christmas so he could set his bike up in his apartment in New York to train for some race or other he is doing this summer. So it works in all sorts of scenarios.

What’s great about this is you can set it up anywhere, and you don’t need a whole exercise bike that can’t be used for anything else. When you want to ride the bike, just pop it off and go! And, for me, I love that I can get out in the fresh air and ride, even in the pitch dark—even in the rain, because it’s under the porch.

See? No excuses!

Unusual bikes could help keep people more interested in exercise.

Disclaimer: The views expressed above are solely those of the author and may not reflect those of
Care2, Inc., its employees or advertisers.

Marianne G.

7:47AM PDT on May 1, 2013

Thanks. I enjoy bike rides.

May 1
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Duane B.

8:53AM PST on Nov 17, 2012

Thank you for sharing.

November 17
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KS G.

12:46AM PDT on Apr 29, 2012

Thanks for the article.

April 29
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Michele W.

1:37AM PDT on Oct 7, 2011

Thank you

October 7
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Kerry S.

11:10AM PDT on Jul 13, 2011

I need a bike first! Mine was stolen :( Thanks for the info.

July 13
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Franco D.

5:59PM PDT on Jul 11, 2011

Great idea...

July 11
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Jane K.

12:46PM PDT on Jul 11, 2011

Great Idea I'm gonna check into a trainer!

Deborah S.

8:55AM PDT on Jul 11, 2011

I need to get a new bike!

Bela W.

6:34AM PDT on Jul 11, 2011

Great idea! Love it. Thanks

Shirley E.

9:05AM PDT on Jul 8, 2011

Great idea. I could see that being good for utilising the odd few minutes for a quick pedal when time and inclination clash, and benefiting from the little-and-often approach. Much better than thinking of a solid slog down at the gym!