September 17, 2014

Multnomah County is proud to support the Bicycle Transportation Alliance's 2014 Bike Commute Challenge

For added inspiration, read this story from The Department of County Human Service’s Brenda Kemple-Richards on lifestyle change through bike commuting. This is Brenda’s second year as co-captain of the Lincoln Building team. In her own words, Brenda shares how bike commuting helped her take control of her health, a journey that lead to her first Bike Commute Challenge in 2013.

I have a story to share. Back in March of 2013 I weighed about 192 pounds. My resting blood glucose was high, and cholesterol about 238.  My doctor was concerned. She said: “Time for medication, Brenda.”

She explained that the combination of increasing weight, pre-diabetes, and high cholesterol mean that I was at an increased risk for heart disease. I asked her to give me six months to make improvements before putting me on medication. At that moment I made a decision to change my life.

The very next day, I decided to take my bike to a shop for tuneup. After all, I had not even taken it on the road in over a decade. I began a regimen of slowly riding my bike and walking my dogs. I started off at one mile a day on my bike to increase my stamina and strength.  Eventually, I worked up to seven miles a day , three times a week.

Brenda poses with a sign made by her husband when she rode in the 2013 Providence Bridge Pedal, an annual event in which cyclists have exclusive access to ride Portland's many bridges

In July of 2013, I decided to push myself a little harder and started riding my bike to work two days a week which is 16 miles round trip. I was inspired and that inspiration caught on in my department at AMHI. Others started riding their bikes to work each day.

My diet changed, too.  I ate oatmeal for breakfast three times per week. I dressed it up with cinnamon and added flax seed to my foods to increase the cholesterol-reducing fiber and lower my cholesterol levels. I ate lean proteins and plenty of vegetables.

In September 2013, I went back to the doctor. My blood pressure was strong and healthy at 172/68 and my cholesterol went from 238 mg/dL to 184 mg/dL. My doctor was so surprised. She said my numbers resembled readings when I was 21!  My weight dropped by almost 20 pounds to 177.  I was feeling the best I ever had. I was very proud of myself and my accomplishments.

This journey encouraged me to inspire others, and with the BTA bike challenge in September, my coworker and I became co-captains at the Lincoln building. We encouraged nearly 60 other teammates to join. In previous years the team had attracted between 8-10 people. 60 was quite a change!

My journey has helped me see my true potential.  I was able to change my outcome from developing diabetes and heart disease to living a life where I feel vibrant and in control. I did it by starting very slowly - one day at a time.

Brenda poses with her fellow 2013 Bike Commute Challenge Co-Captain Amber Culver and Amber's husband Jacob after a 50 mile ride from Tillamook to Lincoln City.

Today, I feel I am on top of the world! Stress levels are in check, cholesterol levels the best I have seen in years, and I forgot to mention, glucose readings below 100 most every day. I have learned I am in control of my own destiny and it only takes a little motivation and a lot of determination and reaching out for support and encouragement from my community to make this happen.

Brenda Richards