Training & Nutrition - Weight Loss Club

Was = 308 pounds
Now = 267.5 pounds
Goal = 180 pounds
To Go = 87.5 pounds
WWW.TOURDEPANTS.COM :D

Yowza! -- Back in september I weighed 230. I went on a 1500 cal diet and started bike commuting. This week is 185 or bust.

I'm stalling a bit at 290, but I have only worked out once this week and it hasn't been the best for food intake.

I am still soda free for one month now. I feel a lot better about myself. I am hitting the gym again tonight to get some lifting in, and I'm hoping to report a true weight in the 28x's.

Well I have over 6000 miles on since the gradated in Jun. 2004, I have lost a lot of weight about 30-40 pounds. I have lost a lot of fat and I am gaining a lot of muscle. Down to about 160 from 200 pounds.

Sunday February 13, 2005.


Current weight........= 218lbs

Max weight............= 340lbs

Target/goal weight...= 180lbs (by August 24, 2005)

Distance to goal......= 38 lbs

2005 Weight loss......= 7 lbs

Glad to report that I've lost more weight. I'm now at 286. Four pounds since Thursday! It has turned out that I'm weight lifting more than doing cardio exercises, but I'm still trying to do both every week. I'm sure that will change once the weather gets a little better for biking.

Very exciting day. I just went and bought new jeans that are 1 size down in the waist (36 down from 38) and 1 size down in length (30 down from 32) and I am down 2 belt loops. I have only been biking since the second week of January, so this is pretty awesome. I am currently biking about 80 miles a week. All this change is while eating almost exactly the same diet.

Chris

I don't know my weight now, but I have been averaging about 1500 calories a day, and riding as much as possible. The most recent pair of pants I bought now slide off of my ass , so I think I am progressing. I was down to 205 from 285, but I quit smoking and gained a few back (more like 40). Last time I checked was a few weeks ago and I was down to 230, and falling.

I just started riding again. I've been sedentary for 12 years because of my lousy knees. Anyway, had replacments put in and I've lost 20kgs in a month... not all due to biking. I bought a mag the other day to try and sort out what's happened to bikes in the last 12 years and noticed a letter to the editor saying he'd lost 51kgs in 7 months.

Wow! Sounds like everyone is doing great!

zachisageek
Good job! Keep up the good work! I've had to stop lifting due to an irritation of my left rotator cuff.

Chris Peterson
Welcome to BF Chris! Congrats on your progress so far! I cleaned out my closet a couple of months ago to get rid of my "fat" clothes. What a scary thing it was as that time. I don't even look back now! I lost about 35 lbs last year mainly just cycling. I'm now just under 40lbs from my goal. I think I'm going to have to modify my diet a bit to hit my goal weight by my target date.

trekkie820
Great Job on quitting smoking! Don't sweat the weigh gain. It will come back off.

HaagenDas
Welcome! Congrats on taking the initiative to get healthy! Bikes have sure changed a bunch over the last 12 years!

I lost about 35 lbs last year mainly just cycling. I'm now just under 40lbs from my goal. I think I'm going to have to modify my diet a bit to hit my goal weight by my target date.

That's great. 35 pounds would be awesome. I have a feeling that I have lost 10 so far, maybe 15 (no scale). As soon as this road rash clears up (another story all together), I will keep riding and hopefully I will have the same results as you.

Stalled out (Temporarily) at 265.5 pounds. I'll jump start that with another 50+ mile ride like I did Saturday. (68 miles) I'm feeling better than I have in a lot of years. Praise God! WWW.TOURDEPANTS.COM Ritz.

Figured I'd chime in as I am on a weight loss mission. In January 2003 I started cycling seriously after getting an MTB the summer of 2002. It started with the goal of riding an MS 170 (my mom has MS) and that was all it took I got in great shape, rode all the time, knocked out a few centuries, ate very healthy. But even with all that I was still a big guy, according to testing I'd be 195 with 0% body fat so I will never be a climber, however I still could have been smaller. So winter comes and I don't ride as much, gain a little weight, I was going out to bars alot. I don't worry because once I start cyling it will fall off, well between a nagging medical issue and work and school my cycling season never really gets off the ground the way it did in 03. Sure I ride 4 centuries and an MS ride and even set a new PR of 123 miles in a day, but I am slow and struggling to finish every ride, training very little, and now 30 pounds heavier than I was in 03. I also lifted weights all summer in an effort to loose weight and actually packed on weight in muscle (which is fine by me) while not getting any smaller in the waist (not so fine).

This year I won't let it happen, I won't repeat 04, I have an assortment of tools to help me, I've got a trainer so I have no excuse not to ride, I've got a fixed gear to beat myself up on, a food scale, I read Heft on Wheels like its the Gospel, and a renewed sense of determination with last years failures motivating me. So I pass on News Year Eve parties so I can do a 40 miles ride, kick things off just right. I gradually let my eating get cleaner, I've found going cold turkey doesnt work.
Ok I am not doing so well as far as the scale goes. I've been riding a decent amount (354 YTD as of today) compared to the past few months as my cycling was sporatic at best. I have been eating a great deal less and even what I eat as improved a great deal, I am even using a food scale. However according to the scale I haven't lost anything in the last 2 weeks. My pants feel looser and I feel so much better mentally and physically so I am not too worried but I really need the weight to come off. This was the first week of a structured training plan for a double century in June so my mileage will start increasing, I am hoping this will help. I also have been hitting the gym once a week for a high rep low weight upper body and core workout.

Anyway thought I would chime in, hoping I can start posting results like some of guys who are dropping pretty steadily. I also am dabbling in the idea of making a commitment to no beer or pizza until I finish my double, not that I am taking in much of either lately but it could be a carrot on a string for me.

Well it's been a while since I've said anything in this thread.

Started : July 2004 at 235 pounds

Today : February 17th at 162 pounds

Goal : By May; 155 pounds (with better body definition)

I recently found out why I may be stalling as far as losing weight goes as I've been at or around 165 for a couple months. I apparently lack sufficient thyroid hormone which I've been told also makes my metabolism slow down. So I'm gonna be put on the hormone and hopefully I can work out easier (low thyroid also means I'm fatigued a lot of the time) and lose those last few pounds with my new and improved metabolism.

Two more pounds this week putting me at 284. This is now 20 lbs lost since I started keeping close track of everything a month ago to the day! I never thought I could lose the weight this quick, I'm almost hoping it slows down a bit once I lose a little more, just so I know that its staying off for good.

I am still soda free after a month, and I don't miss it one bit. I have been preparing most of my own dinners and I think that really makes a difference. I'm doing very well at eating and getting to the gym.

I am still soda free after a month, and I don't miss it one bit. I have been preparing most of my own dinners and I think that really makes a difference. I'm doing very well at eating and getting to the gym.

Keep it up Zach...good work!

Ron

Well I must be losing weight despie the scale, I came home for the first time in two weeks and my mom said I look much thinner. This was without me prompting her by mentioning dieting or riding more, she actually said it the moment I walked in. I also noticed that my legs feel much more solid.

Spinning 30 medium intensity miles today, plus a few intervals. That might get me unstuck from 265.5 pounds. At least that's what I'm praying it will do. WWW.TOURDEPANTS.COM

Well I must be losing weight despie the scale, I came home for the first time in two weeks and my mom said I look much thinner. This was without me prompting her by mentioning dieting or riding more, she actually said it the moment I walked in. I also noticed that my legs feel much more solid.

It is possible that you're thinner and haven't lost weight. Muscle mass is more compact than fat.

Start (1/1/05): 156
Today: 155
Goal: 135

Been lifting and doing Pilates, so I'm hoping the poundage hasn't gone down because of the gain in muscle mass. Feeling stronger though, definitely. Haven't been riding as much, but been hitting treadmill and elliptical to get ready for a snowshoe'ing trip in March and 40-mile backpacking trip in June. I hop on the stationary bike to give my knees a break.

Sunday February 20, 2005.


Current weight........= 217lbs

Max weight............= 340lbs

Target/goal weight...= 180lbs (by August 24, 2005)

Distance to goal......= 37 lbs

2005 Weight loss......= 8 lbs

http://www.fitday.com/WebFit/PublicJournals.html?Owner=N7CZinMT

N7CZinMT, Don't get discouraged! Look at my progress, or lack there of, and you can see you're not alone. WWW.TOURDEPANTS.COM . Ritz.
HEY!!!!!! one of those member using this 'site said "XMAS" But You never chased after Him. Blaming Him for leaving that biblical name out. And you keep preaching all of these times, us others.

Whom are you addressing? Maybe I missed it, but I don't remember reading anything like what you have described. Just because someone "Chooses" to call Sunday, Moonday doesn't make it somthing else. You have my personal approval to call Christmas whatever you wish... It won't change what it is. :D

Ritz, I'm not sure exactly what he was trying to convey or who he was trying to convey it to. Probably a poke at your expression of faith in your signature line. Such an outwardly expression can be intimidating to some folks. I'm not a religious person, at least in the modern sense. But am respectful of those who are, whatever they're deity may be.

I would hope that those of us in the Weight Loss Club who are traveling similar journeys would be more accepting of one another. A positive attitude and helpful inclination is a big part of what makes this thread the treasure that it has been and hopefully will continue to be.

Zin

Okay, I think i'm gonna' get in on this group as well. Sounds like a good idea, and maybe it will give me some incentive to lose some pounds. Just ordered a trainer, and i'm waiting for that to arrive, as well as a couple Spinerval DVD's. I'm not sure of where i'm at goal wise, but as soon as I find out i'll let you know. I'll check out N7CZ's fitness page, maybe that will give me some info. I think i'm between 190 & 200 lb's, but at 5'7" that's too much. I'll post my details as soon as I know them.

Denny
KB3IBY

P.S.
N7, us (Hams) gotta stick together, I thought that was a call in your user name.

Well, tomorrow will mark five weeks since I started and I've lost almost exactly 10 pounds, which is just about the rate of weight loss I was hoping for.

January 18, 2005 --> 213 lbs.
February 21, 2005 --> 203 lbs.

I've noticed that my belt is a lot looser on the notch I've always used, and I can almost comfortably wear it on the smallest notch now. In a few months it may even be time for a new belt altogether! The best part is that I've dropped the 10 pounds almost entirely because of manageable changes to my diet. Once the weather improves a little bit, I'll be able to resume commuting by bike and then hopefully the pounds will really melt away.

I have to say that FitDay is about the best thing I've ever come across (thanks Ron!). I've found it very addictive to track everything I eat and study the graphs and stuff. I also find that I'm constantly trying to top myself, lowering my average calorie intake bit by bit as the weeks go by. (In the beginning I averaged close to 2,500 calories a day, then 2,300, then 2,200, now it's down to about 2,000.) Hopefully I can break the 200-lbs barrier by the end of March.

Anyway, congrats to everybody else. Keep it up!

Im tryin to gain weight.

I was at 155lbs before i went to army basic. came home at 195 4 months later. lost about 20lbs over the next 4 months. finaly back up to 185.

Thanks for the kind words Zin. My faith isn't affected by such inflamitory outbursts... Because of my faith. :) I agree, that while we all may feel strongly about different things, we should all remain respectfull of one another. We are here to encourage each other in our weight loss. Peace. WWW.TOURDEPANTS.COM .

Just saw this thread guess I can post my progress so far.

November 20th went to the doctor, had to get a stress test, ekg and some other stuff. I weighed 220 pounds. At that point I figured I should probably do what I can to get healthy, I don't like the idea of having a heart attack.

My original goal was to weigh between 175 and 180 by April 3rd. That is the first race of the season.

12/6/04 I started at the gym. After my workout I weighed 215.6. Just guessing I would say that before the workout I weighed right at 220.

Well today is 2/22/05 and I weigh 186. So far I have lost approximately 34 pounds.

I have been going to the gym 4-5 times a week since 12/6/05. I do mostly cardio workout, my current routine consists of 28 minutes on the stationary bike (level 15 weight loss), 28 minutes on the stairmaster (level 11 weight loss), 25 minutes on the treadmill, warming up 2 1/2 minutes, run 20 minutes at 6 mph, cool down 2 1/2 minutes.

I have also cut way back on my food intake. My typical meals consist of a large bowl of Honey Nut Cheerios with 2% milk for breakfast. For lunch I have a bowl of Campbells Chunky soup. For dinner I have something that feels me up but I try to keep it half way healthy. I have cut out all sweets, which was the primary reason I had gained so much weight.

Anyway, until I reach 175 or 180 I am planning on continuing to do mostly cardio work. Once I reach my goal I intend to change my workout to 1/2 hour of cardio a day and weights the rest of my workout.

I can already tell such a big difference in my riding it is unbelievable. I am climbing hills in two or three gears higher than I was before. I can go on three or four hour mountain bike rides and still feel pretty fresh afterwards.

This race season is going to be so much better than last year. I still have another month and a half to reach my goal. I'm pretty sure I'm going to be able to do it.

Good job! I hope to post sucsessful results like that. WWW.TOURDEPANTS.COM
308 lbs (Was)
-265.5 lbs (Now)
----------
= 42.5 lbs gone so far, 85.5 more to go! My goal weight is 180 lbs.

Well I'm still going strong after one month.
Max = 304
Now = 281.4
No soda, barely any sweets, and just watching the calories on FitDay. Check out the journal in my sig if you like.

Keep it up everyone, I never thought I could do this until I was encouraged by you guys and now look at me! Thank you all so much!

Well here is my story: I used to exercise like crazy: 1 hour racquetball, 1 hour aerobics, 1 hour PowerBike or Spinning, and 30 minutes of swiming+ weight trainning, all these 6 days at week. And I used to eat like crazy, I never knew what a diet was. In my best years I was 175 lbs of muscle. And one day I got married, move to America, and everything when downhill: No more training, no more gym, but same diet (actually worst, because fast food was not in my regular menu); In march 2004 I had a open heart surgery for an old problem that never bug me while I was skinny.

So finally this year I order my Cannondale r700, and decided that before this year ends, I will be in my 31-size pants again (I'm 34-36 in this moment), and some pounds ligther (size concerns me more than lbs) from 212 lbs to 175 or 180.

I think the secret to be skinny is: eat healthy, sleep well, and exercise religiously. So I will try to do it again, and see how it goes!!! I will keep you informed.

Good luck to everyone in this enterprise, and remember stay focus: just you can save yourself from selfdestruction!!!

For dinner I have something that feels me up...

What the heck do you eat for dinner?!? J/K :lol:

Praise God! Down 3 more pounds!
Was = 308 lbs
Now = 262.5 lbs
----------------
45.5 lbs lost so far! VIVA LA PANTS!
WWW.TOURDEPANTS.COM

What the heck to you eat for dinner?!? J/K :lol:

LOL, d@mn typo's. It's amazing how a small typo can completely change the context of a post. :)

Well I thought I'd join in, like many have said, I had the wake up call....

Went up to Ohio to visit a college buddy, and ate nothing but crap
(Chipotle anybody?) and hit my all time high of 296lbs. I'm 5'11" on
a good day, and very stocky. I already have qutie a bit of visible
leg muscle definition, as I carry most of my extra weight up top.
Well I knew I would eat horribly up there, and it certainly showed. I've
been eating better, and am down to 287 now, without much exercise at
all. Funny, the beginning of the semester always kills any sort of exercise
routine I've had.

Diet (details for those that are interested) is weight watchers. I had
originally gone with their core plan, which is eat as much as you want
(in moderation of course), but you have to eliminate certain things. Kinda
like Atkins, and I found this incredibly hard. While I had no trouble sticking
to the recommended foods, although I would crave glorious tasty cheese,
I had trouble keeping the portion size down. I moved to their point system
where you count the points you eat. I found this better (although at first
I thought counting points was pretty lame), as I realize just how much I've
been eating. So now I'll have cereal in the morning (cheerios!), a veggie
wrap at lunch, which is usually a spinach or tomato tortilla, loaded with
humus, loads of veggies (I never used to eat so many veggies), and some
hot sauce. Dinner is usually a lean cuisine meal (as they're conventiently
labeled with their point content), and a salad. Like IowaParamedic said,
the biggest difference has been drinking as much water as possible. Amazing
how a small meal with tons of water makes you feel full for hours, very nice,
and you don't have to feel guilty about drinking water! :D

I commute around 3-6 miles a day, and try to bike 20 miles every other
day now that I'm getting back into my routine. I started lifting weights
last week. I was incredibly sore after the first time, and it was certainly
a test of will to go back in there (once the soreness had passed). After
a few times now, I'm no longer sore, althuogh I am certainly exhausted
afterwards. Have that nice feeling from being physically tired for a change
instead of mentally tired (classes are demanding to say the least).

I also just got a new fixed gear to commute on, and in the summer for work
my commute will be up around 25mi/day, which should help alot too. It
definately is a lifestyle change as many have said, I used to eat pretty
well, never got into fast food, but I'd eat a ton of whatever was for dinner.
I've come to realize a pound of pasta is perhaps not the best thing, unless
you're a serious racer, which I'm certainly not.

I've really enjoyed reading the success stories, and it certainly is motivation
to get back on the bike as often as possible and pedal around.

My current goal is to be down to around 230-240 by my birthday (6/29),
as a present to myself. Here's hoping that I'll make it.... :beer:

Keep up the good work! Remember, we didn't get this way overnight. WWW.TOURDEPANTS.COM

I am ready to join this club too, if you will allow. I am 6' 3" and have weighed up to 250lbs. Last weighin (Sunday) I was 248 (down 2 lbs.) If I can continue in 2 lb increments all should weok well. As far as diet goes, I eat healthy, close to natural, low fat, limited sugar (I love sugar). I don't have a problem with healthy choices, so all I need is a reminder to chose well. 6 hours on the bike a week is my plan (always seems to be something derailing that plan). I have a trainer, so I have no excuse for not poping a spinnerval dvd in and doing the work once I get home. I did "No slackers Allowed" (Pace and Tempo training) last night. I will keep you posted on my progress. I am counting on you all to hold me accountable and I will do the same.

I am ready to join this club too, if you will allow. I am 6' 3" and have weighed up to 250lbs. Last weighin (Sunday) I was 248 (down 2 lbs.) If I can continue in 2 lb increments all should weok well. As far as diet goes, I eat healthy, close to natural, low fat, limited sugar (I love sugar). I don't have a problem with healthy choices, so all I need is a reminder to chose well. 6 hours on the bike a week is my plan (always seems to be something derailing that plan). I have a trainer, so I have no excuse for not poping a spinnerval dvd in and doing the work once I get home. I did "No slackers Allowed" (Pace and Tempo training) last night. I will keep you posted on my progress. I am counting on you all to hold me accountable and I will do the same.

"No slackers Allowed" will get your heart going! I use it also.

IMHO, the number one thing to do is to watch (and reduce) portion size.

Welcome to the "Club". WWW.TOURDEPANTS.COM .

Where are you located Ritz?. I live in New Jersey. I ride Essex and Morris County roads (when they are snow free, that is).

Picked up a training/diet journal from GNC. I will be monitoring what I eat and what exercises I do.

Great to see everyone getting on with the mission at hand!

I'm in the process of working up my spring training program. Its looking something like this:

Monday - 20 miles flats
Tuesday - 20 miles mixed
Wednesday - 20 miles mixed
Thursday - OFF BIKE
Friday - 20 miles flat
Saturday - 60-100 miles mixed
Sunday - <20 miles flat recovery ride

This plan is very doable and should get the fat burning off.


TrekDen, Yep. N7CZ here in Montana. :D ...-.-

Zin

Since I think this has to do with my weight loss, and since this is the only place I really post, would you guys have any idea why I'm thirsty all of the time?

Ever since I gave up soda and started carrying a water bottle, I find myself always feeling parched. I would say that I'm averaging around 40 oz. a day at least.

Since I think this has to do with my weight loss, and since this is the only place I really post, would you guys have any idea why I'm thirsty all of the time?

Ever since I gave up soda and started carrying a water bottle, I find myself always feeling parched. I would say that I'm averaging around 40 oz. a day at least.

Hey Zach,

I'm not positive, but I don't think that's enough water. I seem to recall you should drink something like 10 to 12 eight ounce glasses of water a day. If that's right, you're only getting about half the water you need. Someone else may know better though.

Its just wierd, because I never felt this thirsty before I started losing weight. I go through at least one 34 oz bottle of water a day, usually two. But I guess even that isn't enough. I'm just not used to drinking all water, I used to have a soda or three a day.

Zach, your body is now metabolizing fat, you need to shoot for close to a gallon of water per day. It helps speed the exit of the waste product from the burned fat.

Metro, I live in the bike friendly capitol of the known universe... Houston, TX. Yeah, I know, wishful thinking at best! But hey, someone's got to do it. WWW.TOURDEPANTS.COM .

Zach, your body is now metabolizing fat, you need to shoot for close to a gallon of water per day. It helps speed the exit of the waste product from the burned fat.
WWW.TOURDEPANTS.COM .

Wow thats a lot. I had a theory that was pretty close to what you're saying here. Well, looks like I need to suck it up (literally) and drink about twice what I'm doing now.

If it helps here is my trick for water. I fill up a gallon at the start of the day, drink as much as I can during breakfast and before going to work. When I get home at night I keep the gallon with me and make sure I finish it before going to bed. I also keep a 1 quart nalgene bottle with me during the day so I know what I am taking in. Using the gallon jug helps me make sure I take in enough. I also like to squirt a little lemon in for taste.

Its just wierd, because I never felt this thirsty before I started losing weight. I go through at least one 34 oz bottle of water a day, usually two. But I guess even that isn't enough. I'm just not used to drinking all water, I used to have a soda or three a day.

You're not that unusual at all. I am not losing any weight currently, but always drink 64 oz at a minimum per day, between sports beverages and water, and it only goes up from there if I get on my bike.

I also like to flavor my water... I'll put a small amount of apple juice or orange juice in mine as well as the occasional lemon squirt. It just changes things up a little bit. WWW.TOURDEPANTS.COM