General Cycling Discussion - Struggling

After my own experiences commuting by bike and hearing the experiences of so many in these forums, I can't help but notice that the non-cycling world is missing out on a huge discovery.

A.F. Baker said, quite seriously, that he had "only lost 37 pounds so far." And apparently, that is not unusual for many of us. Heck, I lost 25 pounds and I'm only 5'5" tall! I am concerned that
the dramatic examples of weight loss amongst us is so common that we take it for granted.

Do we realize what a struggle it is for sedentary types to lose any weight at all? The weight loss industry (if I can call it that, made up of the Jenny Craigs and the pharmaceutical companies) is a multimillion dollar, maybe multibillion dollar-a-year business. Even with all the attention given to weight loss in our overweight, motorized, desk-bound, snack-ridden, couch-potato society (of which I have also been a lifetime member, though recently I have dropped out,) it has been said that it is extremely rare for anyone to lose 20 pounds and keep it off for more than a few short years. Most people who actually lose 20 pounds or more gain it back, and then some.

There is something about cycling that just zeros in on excess weight. I don't know if it's the calories burned, or the muscles built, or the oxygen consumed, or the appetite suppressed, or what. But the fat just seems to melt off, as long as we learn to eat sensibly.

No wonder everyone else who doesn't cycle is amazed at how I look compared to the way I used to look. For anyone who doesn't know the secret (although it's not really a secret, I blab it to everyone,) losing as much weight as I have would be amazing.

And I find it very easy to keep it off, too. :thumbup:

Pete, I'm 6'4" tall, and although I've lost 37 pounds, I still look really big. However, it isn't excess fat anymore that makes me big. I think even if I lost 50 more pounds I would still be in a size 2XL shirt due to my oversized shoulders.

A woman with whom I work is on the Weight Watchers diet. She has been losing 2 pounds a week for a few months, but still looks a bit plump. I'm thinner than I have been for a very long time (since way before I gained the weight in the first place). I like to tell people who spend their money on fad diets (social diets) that I didn't need a diet to lose weight. In fact, I'm not on a diet at all. I've lost an additional 2 pounds this past week, and I've eaten ice cream at least 3 times in that week. I wonder what I would look like if I went on nebill's 1000 calorie diet.

I also wear lycra short without thinking twice about it. But I'm not studly enough to wear a jersey...yet... :)

Hey, AF, here's todays dietary intake:
Toast, whole wheat, very thin! 80 calories
Salad 35 calories
Dressing 85 calories
Chicken breast 200 calories
Another salad! 50 calorie
Dressing 85 calories
Total - 535 calories!
(Oh yeah, I had a banana, too, but I don't know how many calories are in one of those!)

Three cups of coffee (I used to drink it all day long...probably 10 or more cups a day!)
And, lots of water!

I will admit, today is a little on the light side, but I am getting along okay, so that will probably be it! I try to keep my body into the fat burning mode!

You know, some of those folks on the commercial diet plans could probably use that money to buy a really nice bike, then get thin, get in shape, not pollute, and generally just be all around better people!
When I graduated from High School, I weighed in at 180 pounds, and since I worked with my step-father and hauled baled hay for a living, there was no fat! The coach in gym class couldn't believe that a kid 5 ft. 9 in. would weigh that much!

I will pack in a few more calories as I near the weekend...weather is supposed to be nice, so it's hard to tell where I will go on the Roubaix, so I may need a little more energy!

You know the folks on those commercial diet plans probably spend enough money to pay for a really nice bike! Then, they could loose weight, get in shape, and have a lot of fun!!!

Toast, whole wheat, very thin! 80 calories
Salad 35 calories
Dressing 85 calories
Chicken breast 200 calories
Another salad! 50 calorie
Dressing 85 calories
Total - 535 calories

Yikes!

Here is what I've eaten today. It is a little off since I took a trip to the zoo.

Breakfast:
1 can of diet pepsi & 1 slice of sausage & banana pepper pizza (left over from the night before).

On the way to the zoo:
Split a 24 oz diet pepsi with my wife.

Lunch at the zoo:
1 slice of cheese pizza with a cup full of diet coke (I didn't drink it all).

I was hungry an hour later so I got some french fries and an icee (I split them both with my son and wife).

Before I left the park I got a soft serve ice cream on a cone. It was very hot at the zoo today.

When I got home I ate sliced turkey and cheese rolled in a 10" herb and spinach tortilla shell (very good!) with baked tortilla chips. I didn't drink anything with my supper. I'll probably have a cup of hot tea after I get my son in his bed.

Okay, I'm not on a diet and I don't count calories, but I don't make bad eating choices after all.

Originally posted by Pete Clark
And I find it very easy to keep it off, too. :thumbup:
I know what you mean Pete. When I started mountain biking two years ago I weighed 220 lbs. My goal was 185. I weighed in last night at 180. I watch what I eat but don't starve myself at all. And I'm still losing weight! I could eat more and still maintain.
And the problem with those "diets" is that you can't keep them up forever. You have to change your lifestyle and eating habits.

Originally posted by Pete Clark
There is something about cycling that just zeros in on excess weight.
I think it's the body's natural, inborn yearning for Lycra.

I have lost over 30 pounds since I started commuting 20+ miles round trip last November. I have not dieted at all, just tried to be reasonable. Still have a few pounds to go but it is getting there.
Raymond

Dangit, all I've done is gain 10 pounds, and I've been starving myself!!!!

Fubar, don't worry, it will come off, just hang in there!

AF, you know, the more I think of it, my 535 calorie day was really kinda stupid. I think I will probably improve my eating habits just a little. With that low of input, and still riding my 21 mile commute, I am probably depleting some things that shouldn't be messed with! What good is a thin body if you are sick....after all, you can't ride if you are ill! Your diet probably provides more fuel for riding than mine does, and as you are loosing weight, stick with it! "If it ain't broke, don't fix it!"

Originally posted by fubar5
Dangit, all I've done is gain 10 pounds, and I've been starving myself!!!!
You/re probably gaining muscle, as well as just--whether you like it or not!--still growing, period, since you're 17 years old. Please don't starve yourself! You might start losing brain cells, and then your posts wouldn't be nearly as fun. :)

I am 28 years old and every summer when I am biking more, I start to lose weight. For me this is not a good thing...I am 6 foot and weigh 150. I eat all day long, snack between meals, but can't keep weight on. Some of you may be envious, but for me it is a real issue. Maybe I have tape worms...

No, that doesn't sound good. Have you seen a doctor about it?

Originally posted by Steele-Bike
I eat all day long, snack between meals, but can't keep weight on.
You're still pretty young. When I was that age I didn't have any problem either. If there's nothing medically wrong, in a few years your metabollism will probably slow down and you'll start gaining like the rest of us!:(

And, when that metabolizm slows down, if you quit biking, you will end up looking like I used to! As Dirtgrinder said, if there is no medical problem, enjoy it while you can!

I am 5'9" and I weight 145 lbs., and I am skinny...

Guys,

I was enormous. I've always been into cycling, but I took a hiatus from serious cycling after I graduated from college and started my full time career. I got up 260 lbs. it was embarrassing and depressing. The depression made me want to just eat more. I'm now back down to about 225, thanks to cycling and my goal is to be down to 200. I feel great and have a ton more energy. Good luck to those who are struggling!!!

Later Big Gator:D