Mary Kittleson, before and after losing 120 pounds with healthy lifestyle changes. Three years ago, Mary Kittleson, 56, weighed 289 pounds and needed to change her lifestyle. Now, she's 120 pounds lighter, thanks in part to her choice to jump off of an unhealthy track and onto her bike.
Mary works in the records division at the Gresham Police Department. She lives less than five miles from the office, so when her doctor suggested she needed more cardiovascular exercise, biking to work wasn't too daunting of an option.
She got a bike, nothing fancy, but it does the job. Mary also talked with coworkers and they decided to challenge each other with a friendly competition to see who could bike the most. Now every workday, Mary's off and pedaling. "I love it," she says happily.
Sound simple? Considering Mary's work schedule, not really. She's on the swing shift - arriving at 3:30 p.m. until midnight. Where others might use that as a hurdle to prevent them from biking to work, not Mary. She just rides smart.
Whether light it's light or dark out, Mary hops on the Springwater Corridor Trail rather than riding dangerous sections of Southeast Powell Boulevard and Division Street. She wears a yellow jacket with reflective tape on it, as well as a yellow safety vest. She has a good quality headlight and a bright flashing red light on the back of her bike.
Mary enjoys the money she's saving on gas – about a tank and a half each month. She says she also likes living greener by contributing less to air pollution. Her positive impact is expanding. Not only does she commute by bike, she rides to the grocery store, gym and with her grandchildren and for recreation.
How can you follow in Mary's footsteps, or tire tracks? Mary says just get a bike – it doesn't need to be expensive – or dust off your old one and challenge yourself. "Make a competition with friends or coworkers. Find a way to encourage each other. Give it three weeks."
Take steps to make you more confident behind the handlebars, Mary encourages. She takes biking classes at Mount Hood Community College, learning how to change a tire and adjust her brakes. Get a map so you know where it's best to ride. She uses Metro's Bike There! map because she says she can easily learn the safest routes.
While Mary acknowledges biking does take a bit more of a commitment, she says it's all in the planning.
Mary's living proof of the health effects of biking, not just the weight loss. "My legs work better. I have more range of movement. Biking is making me stronger," she says.
Mary's tried other weight loss techniques, but had a hard time sticking with them. She says sticking with biking will be easier because it has become a way of life for her, and she loves the side effects.
"People don't realize the benefits – stress reduction, a better attitude, the physical benefits – until they start riding."