WOW, it’s over and I actually completed it. My 30 Days of Biking is complete. Who would have guessed that when I got back on my bike back on April 14th I would actually make it to May 14 for 30 consecutive days of biking? Now when I first started I would have been the first to tell you that I was not going to be able to complete this, but here I am blogging about my month long adventure of biking which also ushers in 30 days of exercise that also brings 30 days of healthy habits to a longer life.

April 3, 2012 marked 4 years that I’ve been living with HIV. My doctors appointment went well and right now I am not required to take any HIV medications. However my doctor said she wanted me to concentrate on getting rid of some weight. Over the past year I’ve gained over 130 lbs. While there is no sign of any heart disease or diabetes and my cholesterol is perfect, having the extra weight is not a good thing. So the challenge was to start doing things that reduce my risk of harm. What my doctor likes to call harm reduction.

I made the commitment to try to eat better and to get on my bike more often. My doctor use to see me riding my bike along Beverly Boulevard way back when I I first started seeing her as my doctor, but that was also when I was homeless, so I was riding all over the city. In any case, I took to heart what she said and started to do things to shed some weight.

April 14 was the first real day that I took time out to simply get on my bike and ride. I really trying to prepare myself for the CicLAvia bike ride the very next day. I did pretty good, but I knew I would not be able to complete the long course for CicLAvia. Man was I ever wrong. I completed the entire course and even back tracked a few times before running into my Twitter friend Kim. Before I knew it I had been on my bike for more then 8 hours and I felt great.

Each day I jumped on my bike was a completely new challenge for me. The first being myself, making excuses as to why I could not go. In the end I would force myself and I would enjoy every single minute of the rides I went on. One day I even got brave enough to ride from an appointment in Santa Monica all the way back to the West Hollywood Library to get some work done and then home to Hollywood. I paid for that ride a few days later when my legs really started to kick in. However that did not stop me from getting on my bike. I did however dial it back a few to allow my body to adjust for the long rides I had been on.

Before I knew it, I was on my bike daily and the days were zooming by. My clothes were starting to fit differently, my sleeping patterns were awesome, but most of all I was feeling great. Not as sluggish as I was before starting the 30 day journey. However where I really saw major differences was in my moods and the way I handled things that stressed me out. I also noticed how I also saw a huge difference in how I handled toxic people in my life. Before I would eat to calm myself down, Anything from loading up on junk food to eating when I wasn’t hungry. Just when I had to make some hard choices about people in my life that I really needed to free myself from, I simply started making less time for food and them and their bad behaviors and more time to get on my bike. The results have been a more happier me, peaceful environment and no bad energy in my space. Most of all it has meant the loss of 8lbs.

I’ve met a few new people while out riding my bike and the adventures to find new places to ride and explore have been awesome. I’ve been able to snap some really cool photos as well. All the while I’m finding myself spending more time outdoors enjoying life,  exploring the passion in the possibilities of a happy, productive, healthy more abundant life. 30 days have come and gone and just like that I’m already on day two of another 30 days of biking and I am loving it.

Right after I was told I was HIV positive I made the choice to live my life just as I had planned. I was not going to fall victim to HIV, nor was I going to allow it to shape, mold and define me as a person. I was not going to sit up day in and day out in HIV support groups with people who want to bitch and moan about the bullshit in their lives that they create. I was not going to be another statistic on some CDC report and I certainly was not going to be locked in my apartment afraid of someone knowing about my status. Afraid to have friend who were no HIV positive. I guess what I am saying is that I refused to be a prisoner of any kind.

Another thing that being back on my bike has revealed to me is something I sometimes need to be reminded of, things that I sometimes forget and that’s the amazing people in my life who love me for who I am. I have a great set of friends and I know these special people will stand with me through anything I have to get through. They love ME and for this I am so richly blessed.

Most people spend their entire life not knowing what it is to just get out and enjoy life, live life or embrace the sun on their face. Most people spend their lives pretending, shucking and jiving, never taking time to just enjoy the simple things in life. These past 30 days have taught me to be present, love the richness of my life and the people in my life who have become very much like family to me. These 30 days has taught me to love live to fullest and spend any time worrying about people, places or things that have no place or purpose in my life.

So here’s to good health, great friends and 30 days of biking. Here’s to an abundant life.

I dont  have internet at home any longer, so feel free to view the pics from the past 30 days here: Los Angeles River