Training & Nutrition - Cycling works!

Actually I knew it would, but had to brag...Just got back from the doctor - blood pressure is down to normal, cholesterol is back to good, and have lost 13 lbs since end of May...all thanks to that new road bike, the occassional MTB ride and cycling in general!

:D :D :D :D :D

Way to go! Keep up the good work. :D

Same here! NO blood pressure problems, but ten pounds lighter since the season started ( nearly 4200k so far). In fact, people have been complimenting me on how good I look. And I have a nice tan (except for white hands and feet). Yep, cycling works!

Now that the racing season is coming to an end I can change my riding, increasing it. I have always known cycling works but it still amazes me that all I need to do is go from riding 4 days a week to 5 and in 3 weeks loose 12lbs. Once I get back up to 6 days a week of training my weight will drop another 20lbs in 8 weeks.
Cycling does wonders.
Slainte:beer:

Originally posted by wabbit
And I have a nice tan (except for white hands and feet).

Wear it with pride, you worked for it!!

It's good to hear success stories like yours. Brag away as much as you like, you earned it so enjoy it. Well done.

I lost 15 lbs in the past two months with only riding 2-3 days a week. I'm loving it.

Way to go on the weight loss and better health.

Would everyone still cycle if there weren't any health benefit? I know I wold.

For sure mountain biking is the first sport I have done where power and endurance are required in the same instance. The closest thing to the whole body rush is power lifting.

I would cycle with or without the weight loss. It's just an added benefit! That and the clothes that fit me again.

Roadies (can't speak for mtn bikers) definitely get a unique tan. Because of the gloves, my hands are white except for a big, tan polka-dot just above the wrist between thumb and forefinger and, before I started wearing a "do-wrap", always had a barbecue-grille tan on my bald head.

I just love riding. I find it destresses me so much that I find this the biggest benefit.

Thanks all for the input...

...actually I have always loved to ride, just forgot that for about 20 years...needed the potential health benefits to justify the costs of the new road bike to the wife...:D

Anyway, keep the wheels down and the weight will follow...;)

Congratulations to everyone who has improved his/her health through cycling.

One of the things I appreciate about such stories is that the weight loss and health benefits were derived, largely, because of lifestyle changes and NOT dieting. Your cycling addiction promotes exercise and awareness to eat better, i.e. less calories, less fat and to fuel the furnace instead of for simple pleasure.

My story: 45 lbs. dropped in 2 1/2 years, and wrestled my cholesterol problem into the normal range.

Congrats to all you other people who got healthy through cycling. The world is a lighter place thanks to us.

About a 16 months ago I decided to start cycling in earnest.
I got my very high blood pressure down to normal, and I lost 65 lbs. so far.

20 of those pounds I had to loose twice because I gained them over the winter and had to re-loose them again. This winter I will keep on riding.

Indeed cycling works! I really am inspired by stories like this.

I started cycling a year ago (amost exactly) on a comfort hybrid. Two months after I strted, my wife purchased the same bike, a Giant Sedona DX. In august, I purchased a Giant OCR1 road bike. It is not likely that my wife will follow that example though.

Whenever, I am disatisfied with my progress, I look back at that first ride a year ago and review what has happened since then. I am still not "satisfied," but am just a little proud of myself. My first ride was about 3 miles up gentle grades. It took me about 40 minutes and I was wiped out. This past Saturday morning, I did 20 miles in just over an hour and 14 minutes. This Saturday's ride included the route of my initial ride twice.

In a year, my average speed on a ride has gone from 7-8 MPH to an average of 13.5 MPH. This morning I did 13.5 miles in an hour!

I have lost 10 inches from my waist size. Dilliards loves that statistic :) My shirt size a year ago was XL - XXL and is now a very comfortable M. My weight has gone from 246 to 188 in the same year. Cholesterol has dropped 100 points. Never had a blood pressure "problem," but the doctor is now surprised at how low it is. Blood glucose levels, which were my initial motivation for changing my life style, are now under tight control without any medication whatsoever.

It pleases me when folks congratulate me on my "new" appearance. It pleases me how much better I feel.

Next year I expect to report that I have completed at least my first century ride. As I said, I am still not satisfied. I want an average speed in the 20 MPH range. I want to ride 20 miles minimum every day.

One of the most splendid things about my new lifestyle though is the amount of friendly, expert advice and encouragement I get from this forum. I thank you all for that.

Carl

Carl,
WOW!!!!! Those are some impressive statistics. All I can say is you're the man! As far as being satisfied... I don't think anyone should ever be satisfied with where they are. Always have to push a little harder and a little farther!

I should say that I was very healthy anyways, but I gained some weight over the past two years because of an underactive thyroid (recently diagnosed) which is not serious at all, and I'm still very healthy. But the weight gain (about 15 lbs, which is normal) bothered me because it was so hard to get rid of. However, as soon as the season started I began to lose the weight again. I admit i didn't like how it looked either. It's not like my health was in danger or I was sick, but that doesn't mean I still can't enjoy losing the weight and all those inches. ANd now at 20% bodyfat, which is what women of my height and size are supposed to aim for. Now I just have to hope I don't blimp out over the winter.

I've lost 22 lbs in 8 weeks. I want to lose another 10 before the season is out. By next year I want to be down 15-20 from where I am so I can really fly up those hills!! It feels great, both mentally and physically.

Some marvellous statistics from all you folk!

Well done to everyone.

Now get out there and show all those lardy-ar**d motorists what healthy transport can do for you ;)