Training & Nutrition - How Long?!

I recently got a mountain bike for my bday, and have been biking about 3-4 times a week. Began at about 5-6 miles and am now up to 20 mile rides. I have been doing this for about 6 weeks now, and have not lost any weight. How long does it typically take to start seeing results? I haven't changed my diet much...could that be a big factor? According to my odo, I burn close to 700 calories! Just feeling frustrated without seeing anything!! Any help?!

I love seeing the pounds go off, but, as others will tell you, muscle weighs more than fat. Consequently, you could be slimming down and not having the improvement show up on your weighings. Have you monitored measurements such as your waist size as well as weighing yourself? If not, have your clothes become a bit looser?

I've gotten back into cycling since about the beginning of May of this year. At first, I too didn't show much on the scale, but have now lost over 30 pounds.

Still, I also do upper body weights because muscle just burns more calories period. I also do wind sprints, which really raises my metabolic rate. Now, I'm eating more and the pounds still keep on shedding.

Another thing I do is really count how many calories I'm taking in as closely as possible. I'd suggest you keep track of how much you're taking in just to be on the safe side.

Good luck to you. My feeling is that you're on the right track to success!!!

You gotta watch your food. Technically you should have lost 5lbs already but it's real easy to replace those 400 calories a day it takes to lose that weight. That's like one California Roll. When I first started actually looking at what I was eating I was pretty surprised. There were days I would eat 2000 calories at lunch after riding 20 miles.

I agree that it's important to track food (portions, calories, etc.). When I first started doing this, I discovered if I ate 'whatever I wanted' my body naturally ate exactly the number of calories I burned. When I increased my activity, my calories increased which meant maintanance, but no weight loss. Exercise definitely increases appetite. Strength training and a healthy (slightly restricted) diet changes the body's metabolism . . . and biking is some of the best cardio exercise out there. A combination of the three (cardio, strength, diet) sets you on the right track. Also, I notice when I make any change, it takes my body exactly 6 weeks of consistency before it registers the change (on the scale or inches lost), so I've had to practice patience along the way.

Sandy

I forgot to mention fitday.com is a great free website for tracking calories with both food and activity. It also breaks down % (protein, fat, carbs).

thanks everyone for the feedback.

i am not a "horrible" eater, but since i am still nursing my baby, my body has been craving extra calories. i seem to not be able to give up sugar, which is by far my biggest downfall. i have really tried to limit it more than i was...i do eat the occasional fast food lunch, but am not a big snacker or evening eater. i guess i should pay closer attention though. i have not noticed a difference in the way my clothes fit (i was thinking the same thing, that i may have lost inches)--and i haven't measured. i have noticed my legs feel more toned...maybe by paying more attention to food and giving it a little more time, i will see something?! LOL...hoping for that at least!!

I second (or third or whatever) the suggestion to look carefully at EXACTLY what you're eating. There's really no substitute for actually logging everything you eat, at least for a while. You'll most likely be very surprised at the results. As a rule, we that are overweight aren't too great at guesstimating portion size, and tend to way, way underestimate the number of calories we take in.

Get a cheap food scale and try logging your intake for a week. Included EVERYTHING you eat — no cheating as you're only cheating yourself.

Hey they say nursing takes 500 calories a day!

Kuan-LOL, I know! I think I well cover that 500 extra calories! HA!
I only want to lose 10-15 pounds, it is just frustrating that I am so close, yet so far away! I will start logging my food...went to FitDay.com and started a log there. Thanks! :)

Don't worry about the weight. Work on getting fitter and faster on the bike (can burn more calories/hour) and the weight-loss is an automatic side-effect. :)