Article: Bicycles for Christmas

NO TO JOGGING
I never liked jogging. For me, it produces DISTRESS instead of the EUSTRESS that joggers usually claim to get when they run. I could walk (fast-paced) all day just by being at my workplace and I must have been correlating work-related stress with jogging as an exercise, which in effect, makes me feel heavy whenever Roland urges me to go jog with him. Makes me feel bad when I turn him down, but I just can't force myself to jog.

EVEN FOR HEALTH
At this early age I already have Osteopenia (a bone condition that may lead to Osteoporosis when it gets worse) so regular exercise is very important for my health. However, I am not really fond of going to the gym or being active in sports (or even taking Calcium supplements). I'd rather lie on the bed for hours, watch television, surf the net or watch my niece amuse herself in her own way. Yes, a sedentary lifestyle is what I have.

WHERE ARE THE POOLS?
This was not the case in my youth. As a child, I loved swimming. I have tried jumping into the deep parts of the ocean. I have watched poisonous baby octopuses change colors as their means to ward off enemies. I have swam with clown fishes and Nemos. And up to now, probably I can still stay in the water all day without getting "stressed". Unfortunately, it is now quite inconvenient to go to the beach or even find a decent pool in the city. And when I say decent, I refer to those with a bit of privacy or exclusivity, and clean and clear water. We have them, but it can be expensive.

ALTERNATIVE: BICYCLING

Thus, in order for me to get going and have a more active lifestyle, we chose an alternative, that is, bicycling. So as Christmas presents for each other, Roland and I bought bicycles together on the last week of November, and gifted ourselves early with a lady bike (for me) and a mountain bike (for him). And it's a good thing that he likes bicycles too so I don't feel like I'm being selfish. (Actually, he's the one teaching me the do's and don'ts of biking on busy roads.)

I don't have the guts to go cycling alone. Yet. Because I don't have adequate skills. Yet. Just to put my two cents in. Time will come I may go alone because I've mustered enough skills. And I will ride my bicycle like I'm riding a motor bike. So to speak.

Our first trip was to the Christmas Bazaar at our town's city hall. Went there to eat. I was exhausted after that trip and had sore muscles the morning after. Second trip was to the grocery.
I can now use my bicycle to save fare expenses for grocery shopping.