Reading and Weight Loss

I never thought these two things could be related, but I am one happy camper right now. If you're a writer (or reader) who has never struggled with extra poundage, you can skip this post--also, I hate you. Not like hate hate, but like jealousy hate. First, three facts about me.

Fact #1) I don't love exercise. I have friends, a sister, and a husband who train for triathlons because they're "fun." Fun is laying by the pool while drinking pina coladas. Fun is going to the movies and eating a large tub of buttered popcorn. If you ever catch me swimming, biking, and running ALL IN THE SAME DAY, then you know the apocalypse has arrived.

Fact #2) I reward myself with chocolate. When revising my first YA novel last year, I'd treat myself with chocolate after every revised chapter. When revisions got really painful, I indulged after every page. Somehow I ended up gaining a few pounds in the process.

Fact #3) We have an entire workout area in the basement (courtesy of my exercise-loving hubby). I was vaguely aware that we had cardio machines and a weight bench, and some big ball that's supposed to have some sort of fitness function, but I'd never gotten up close and personal with any of it. I couldn't even use the excuse that the gym was too far away--it was down a flight of stairs, and I still never went.

I was talking with my hubby about my goal of reading more books in 2011, and how I wouldn't mind losing my revision weight. He said I looked great the way I was (part of why I've been happily married for almost 15 years), but when I persisted, he suggested doing both at once. So I grabbed one of the books on my monstrous TBR pile, and headed downstairs (he even vacuumed the whole basement, because one of my excuses was that there could be spiders and bugs congregating down there).

 I got on the recumbent bike and started to read. ONE HOUR later, I realized I was still biking. The book was that good. Now I love that bike, but mainly because I love reading. And granted, when I say 'biking,' it's not my hubby's version of a bike workout. He does Level 5 and is drenched in sweat when he's finished. I stick to Level 1 and don't think anyone who saw me after would even know I'd been exercising (and full disclaimer: I look nothing like the girl in the above picture). BUT... 

New Fact #1) I'm reading more than ever. I still don't love exercise per se, but I love anything that allows extra reading time.

New Fact #2) I lost all the revision weight.

New Fact #3) I still reward myself with chocolate. I'm now revising YA book #2, and eating chocolate by the bucket--but I'm not gaining weight thanks to my magical bike.

Any other tips out there for those who have struggled with writer's/reader's butt? Does anyone else love the recumbent bike as much as I do?