Taking A Turn In the Road

This Bikin' Grama has taken a turn in the road.  Although I don't plan to give up on riding my bike.....I am on a new adventure.    Glenn and I began serving a mission September  22, 2015.   We are currently serving in the Washington DC Temple, as temple missionaries.  We have been here almost 2 months.   We will be leaving March 2, 2016, after which we will be starting an 18 month mission.   We have been called to the Missouri Independence Mission.   Glenn will serve as an Area Medical Advisor.  I have been called to be his assistant!!:):)

 We helped put up Christmas lights at the Washington DC Temple.  I can't wait to see them.  They turn them on December 3.

 We were amazed at all the lights they had stored.    We didn't even put a dent in them.

 We got to take a trip to Gettysburg.   It was amazing!   We hired a guide who drove our car and drove us all around Gettysburg, all the while telling us about the history and what took place.

 Aside from the Prophet Joseph Smith, I believe Abraham Lincoln is Glenn's favorite person in American History.

 What a cute Senior missionary Couple!!

 We are always up for fun adventures!!!    The mountains surrounding the Shenandoah Valley!

 No worries...we don't do anything dangerous!!!

 With some of our fellow Senior missionary couples!!

As I get older, I realize that mom's spend their lives caring for and loving their children!  A mothers' needs and wants become secondary to the needs and wants of her children.  Then...one day you wake up, and your children are grown, and have lives of their own.  For me, the reality of my children  now gone,  was hard.  I questioned my purpose in life.   But good news!!!  It didn't last long....the grandbabies started coming...and I've decided that  being a Grama is the best feeling in the whole world!  So...what have I done to fill up my time, when the babies aren't here?   I have always had a love for baking....hence the creation of Sugarlene's Cakery Bakery.  What fun that has been.....  Then that glorious day in April 2013, my son, Aaron, took me for a bike ride.  Hence....The Bikin' Gramas!!  These past 8 months have been a thrilling "Ride", (excuse the pun!)  It's become a passion of mine!  I believe that incorporating exercise in your life should require a "friend" to share the adventure!  I have that friend, Cindy, who started with me on my adventure.   It's become "our" adventure!!!  We both have agreed that we have been on rides that at our age, never dreamed we'd be able to do!  But we do them!  Our next adventure is The Goldilocks Ride coming up on May 10.  Our goal is to do the 80 mile ride.  It's in Herriman, Utah.  If you'd like to join us, go to their website:  goldilocksride.com.  Look for The Bikin' Gramas, and join us for an awesome ride!!   (The above picture is my 6 children with their kids.)  I bike for me, but I bike for them too....cause I want to be around for a long time to see our Grandchildren grow up!  I feel healthier than I did 20 years ago, and if you promise not to tell...I will be 60 in March.  Ride On!!

 Seeing results from hard work, is so very exciting!

 Cindy and I ride to the top of Suncrest once a week.

 I was in Coeur d' Alene, Idaho with Aaron and Tami and their family in July.  Aaron took me on some amazing rides!

 Being the proud Grama I am,  have to throw in a picture here and there of my babies.   Baby on the left, is Parker, Rachel and Charles 3rd child, and only boy.   Baby on the right is Sawyer, Aaron and Tami's 4th child and 3rd boy.  Baby, oh I mean, the cute guy in the middle is Parker's dad, Charles.

 Having to buy new clothes is the highlight of hard work and exercise.  This is the very first new outfit I bought since riding my bike.

This is in Gilmer, Texas, my husband's hometown.  We go "home" every October for the East Texas Yamboree.  Glenn, my honey, is standing next to me..Sitting is his brother Charles, and his wife, Barbara.  That is Joseph looking on!

 My Bikin' Buddy, Cindy and I rode in a Woman's bike ride called The Wonder Woman.  We rode 73 miles.

 My Granddaughter, Belle, came with mommy and daddy to cheer for me at the finish line.  Belle and her mommy made these flowers for me.  Belle gave them to me after I crossed the finish line!

 Belle and daddy, my son Andrew, waiting for Grama.  Andrew recorded my ride!  I will be posting it soon!

Here come the "Bikin' Gramas" coming over the finish line!!

So you're asking yourself, if this Bikin' Grama is so into fitness and health, what's up with Sugarlene's Cakery Bakery link?  In my introduction, I talked about what I do as a Grama with all but one of my Grandchildren living so far away....I started a Bakery.  We all have a sweet tooth, and I personally feel it's ok once in awhile to have a tasty treat.  I am not in any way trying to promote my bakery.   Cause to be honest with you, since I have started biking,  I have cut way back on my baking.  Recently, I have been baking only for friends and family.  However, I will always love to bake and be in the Kitchen!!!

I want to introduce you to my nutritionist, Bethany Tenney.   The first month after I began cycling, I saw absolutely no results from my riding.  I was introduced to Bethany by a friend.  I have been with Bethany for 6 months now, and the results have been exciting!!!   One of the things I love about Bethany is even if I am not doing so great, for whatever reason, she always tells me I am doing great and is so encouraging.  I see Bethany on a weekly basis.  For me, it is very helpful knowing you have to report to someone.  In the short time I have been with Bethany, I have lost 20 pounds....20.5 inches....and I have gone from a size 14 to an 8.  Instead of wearing XL, I am wearing MEDIUM!!  I have lost 4% body fat, and I have so much energy.  Sure, I have had weeks where I gained, or, plateaued.  But I am slowly learning to accept my defeats as well as my successes.  I have been so fanatical about my weight that I was weighing myself everyday.  Luckily, I have quit doing that, thanks to Bethany.  Knowing how very strong my legs have become....my overall health has improved, and I'm feeling so good...is my motivation to keep going.    Besides, I LOVE riding my bike....I guess you could say, I am addicted.  I just had my Cholesterol checked, and here are the results:

Total Cholesterol:  175
LDL(Bad)              88
HDL(Good)           69
It can't get any better than that!!!

In this section, I will be sharing tips that I learn from Bethany.  If you have any questions, please feel free to ask...and I will try to answer your questions honestly!

Choices!

My biking journey began 7 months ago.  Riding 5-6 days a week is exciting and easy when you have beautiful, warm weather.  Now with winter settling in....it won't be so easy!  I rode yesterday in 35 degree weather with the wind blowing.....today it was much colder so I chose to got to the gym.  (Anytime Fitness).  I decided to break up my exercising....so I began with a half hour on the Elliptical....followed by a half hour on the treadmill. I saved the best for last.....I did a half hour on the Spin Bike.....I didn't produce a drop of sweat until I got on the Spin Bike...after a half hour I was soaked!!!!  Nothing like Sweet Sweat!!!  I ended with a half hour of upper body weight training!  Although I am grateful for the gym option, it does not replace being on my bike!!  My goal however, is to keep up with "Winter Fitness", so I will be willing to do whatever it takes, come Spring, to be better and stronger riding!  I don't want to be a beginner biker, come Spring!

Ride On! Even When It's Cold!

November 3, 2013.  This is my first time riding in the cold.  It was 35 degrees...but as you can see, I was dressed for it.  I rode 22.5 miles, and by the time I got home my toes were freezing.  As you can see in this picture, I have shoe covers.  But I guess next time, I will have to wear an extra pair of socks.  Other than my toes being cold, I was warm the whole ride.  I also wore a face mask, which I don't have on here.  Ride On!