Clydesdales/Athenas (200+ lb / 91+ kg) - Before and After - the Chunky Monkey Challaneng

(apologies for the typo in the heading - for some reason the edit function does not alow me to correct it)

I've been loosing weight steadily for the last few years BUT not fast enough. So I thought really start knuckling down and put in some serious kilometers. I eat a healthy balanced diet... I do really... I've tried all the low cal, low carb, low fat you name it fads... but I've found if I step up my time on the bike I can loose serious weight AND IT STAYS OFF!

So all you Chunky Monkeys out there who's New Year resolutions should be wearing a bit thin by now.... here's the challenge:

Post a "BEFORE" pic of yourself as your are today ON or WITH your BIKE... mine attached - I can't bear to look :eek: :eek: :eek:

... and an "AFTER" pic when you've reached your target (or updates as you're going along).

I'm not going to weigh myself... my scales broke... STOP LAUGHING!!!! I'll let my belt be my guide... but feel free to post your weight and kilos/lbs lost as you go along.

If there's enough support (we may even get a "stickey") I'll design and produce a Chunkey Monkey Jersey :)

So, who's up for the Chunkey Monkey Challenge...

http://i122.photobucket.com/albums/o260/TomStormcrowe/Project1.jpg

http://i122.photobucket.com/albums/o260/TomStormcrowe/Christmas_2006_Trainer006.jpg

http://i122.photobucket.com/albums/o260/TomStormcrowe/FatPants004.jpg

Hey, seriously, keep it up! I give you MAD props for having the balls to ride, to ride what looks to be a speedy lightweight roadie, AND to do it in spandex. I'm finally trying to talk myself into a singlespeed road bike. I think that's what will get me to the "next level".

Me, I started at 567 in late June of 2005. Now I'm stagnant right around 380, thanks to the cold and laziness. I want to drop another 130 before August of 2008 (looking good on your wedding day is a hell of a motivator) but unless I kick my ass into gear it just ain't happening. So we're moving to a place two (hilly) miles from work, and I'm going to get a singlespeed. I figure 5 days/week of that + weekend rides should kick it into gear.

Anyway, what do you ride and how do you like it? I really want a roadie, but am concerned about it under my heft.

Also, pics will be coming soon :)

BY the way, not trying to step on your thread, just showing what's possible. I'm not really in the running as I am about 25 pounds from goal and plateaued right now. Good luck and good fortune to all of you.

Velomancer, are you interested in joining the Clydes database?

Here's a pic of me last September, summiting the last of three 8,000' climbs during the Sierra Fall Century.

About 4 years ago, I was a hefty 272 lbs. I got tired of being overweight, so I hit the gym and started losing weight slowly but surely. After losing about 20 lbs, I plateaued hard. I started eating more sensibly - no "fad" diet, but 5 small low-fat low-sodium meals a day with a balance of lean protein, "good" carbs, and plenty of steamed fresh vegetables. In addition, I took up cycling. I lost an additional 25 lbs, and plateaued hard again. Try as I might, I could not get past 225 lbs, despite spinning 5 days a week, riding on the weekend, and paying attention to my diet. Last year I logged 3182 miles and 9 centuries, with no net effect on my weight. I am a lot stronger, though, and cardio endurance is vastly improved.

For the last two years, I've ramped up my cycling kept in good shape, and pretty much maintained the 230 lbs you see in the photo. I do eat junk once in a while, but not much - my eating habits have really gone through a total transformation. I would like to lose 20 more lbs, though.......

http://img300.imageshack.us/img300/1704/meatwildrose1small13jk.jpg

BY the way, not trying to step on your thread, just showing what's possible. I'm not really in the running as I am about 25 pounds from goal and plateaued right now. Good luck and good fortune to all of you.

Velomancer, are you interested in joining the Clydes database?

You're not stepping on the thread... you are my hero! An inspiration!

Database... er... sure howzitwork?

Wow. The things you never know about people! Tom, I know others have said how amazing your transformation is. I never realised. Same for bigbossman, wow.

Gives me hope. I'm dying to get back out on the road after our snow and ice days here. I finally got to ride a road bike today, for the first time in almost two weeks. The last four or five days were mountain bike only.

By the way, bigbossman, Mr. East Hill wants to know where the photo was taken a little more specifically, if you can remember?

Keep it up, folks.

East Hill

Hey, seriously, keep it up! I give you MAD props for having the balls to ride, to ride what looks to be a speedy lightweight roadie, AND to do it in spandex. I'm finally trying to talk myself into a singlespeed road bike. I think that's what will get me to the "next level".

Me, I started at 567 in late June of 2005. Now I'm stagnant right around 380, thanks to the cold and laziness. I want to drop another 130 before August of 2008 (looking good on your wedding day is a hell of a motivator) but unless I kick my ass into gear it just ain't happening. So we're moving to a place two (hilly) miles from work, and I'm going to get a singlespeed. I figure 5 days/week of that + weekend rides should kick it into gear.

Anyway, what do you ride and how do you like it? I really want a roadie, but am concerned about it under my heft.

Also, pics will be coming soon :)

Lycra... I used to feel selfconsious wearing it but now I cycle so fast people just say "WTF was that" as I speed past. :D Seriously though, It's just sooooo comfortable. That pic was taken while I was doing the bike leg on an Olympic Distance Triathlon (1500m Swim, 40km Cycle, 10 run) hence tho No. 9 on my arm.

The bike is a Specialized S-Works Roubaix... Smoooth. I have a fixed gear bike which is great for training and a steel framed bike for everyday rides (and a few more). The one thing I have to do is ride them more. I want to do at least 200-300km a week 'coz if I keep that up I'll loose around 1.5-2 kilos a week regardless of what I eat.

I relatively fit (resting heart rate 48bpm) and can cycle a century without much fuss but I have trouble sheding the KGs. I've plateaued at the moment that why I thought of starting this thread... if everyones watching this, there's more motivation to get out of bed, and on the bike, in the morning.

Congrats on the wedding and my support on dropping the 130.

By the way, bigbossman, Mr. East Hill wants to know where the photo was taken a little more specifically, if you can remember?


Top of Wildrose Summit, 20 or so miles NE of Lake Crowley, CA. Right about HERE (http://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&q=wildrose+summit&ie=UTF8&oe=UTF-8&om=1&z=16&ll=37.724022,-118.596361&spn=0.006993,0.014291&t=k) :)

You're not stepping on the thread... you are my hero! An inspiration!

Database... er... sure howzitwork?
http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?p=3723674&posted=1#post3723674

There's the Weight Loss database thread. Do drop by!:D

http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?p=3723674&posted=1#post3723674

There's the Weight Loss database thread. Do drop by!:D

Thanks... but I've given up on scales. Actually they give up on me. I bought them in to the office, we have quite a few (non cycling) clydesdales and the poor scales gave up.

I've plateaued since I got the scales so I'm going to rely on my clothes and notches on my belt. I have anumber of great cycling jerseys that a "little" too tight at the mo' so that's another guide.

cheers

Thanks... but I've given up on scales. Actually they give up on me. I bought them in to the office, we have quite a few (non cycling) clydesdales and the poor scales gave up.

I've plateaued since I got the scales so I'm going to rely on my clothes and notches on my belt. I have anumber of great cycling jerseys that a "little" too tight at the mo' so that's another guide.

cheers
That's cool, and I understand!;)

Mr. Beanz in cycling duds during a BF'er ride. 240lbs, need to be at 220lbs in May for a serious climbing entury ride!:D

http://i98.photobucket.com/albums/l267/gulpxtreme/sgr07-1.jpg

240lbs in dress clothes. Need to be 220 by May. Gina, riding partner and wife with me. No need to reduce, she's a beauty no matter what!:love:

http://i98.photobucket.com/albums/l267/gulpxtreme/DSC03502.jpg

Gina in duds. SHe's just plain sexy!:p
http://i98.photobucket.com/albums/l267/gulpxtreme/Ginaendofride.jpg

Another one of Gina. Just cause I like her alot!:D
http://i98.photobucket.com/albums/l267/gulpxtreme/DSC03254.jpg

Okay, I'm in:

http://home.comcast.net/~i.bike/C71391_rhe8na0g0i_36238925_5x7.jpg

Not a great picture but it'll have to do. This is from the Sea Gull Century last October. I was at 236 at the time. When I started my better eating and exercising six days a week I was at 241 so, basically, not enough difference to matter...

Well, I wish I could join, but I have already dropped out of the range of clydedom... and am only 7 lbs from target. Not much weight shows up now. (192 - 6'2")

Down from 270 at the top. I am still losing about a lb a week now - I watch what I eat and excercise a ton.

Well, I wish I could join, but I have already dropped out of the range of clydedom... and am only 7 lbs from target. Not much weight shows up now. (192 - 6'2")

Down from 270 at the top. I am still losing about a lb a week now - I watch what I eat and excercise a ton.

Exercise is the key. I tried eating the same way I do now and at the time I was not really exercising (pre-trainer) and I lost little weight. I can tell I began really losing weight as soon as I added the trainer and walking at lunch. We'll see when I weigh myself on Jan 31.

Here I am in August 2006 around 345lbs. I am now at 313 (I gained a pound last week!) but I am on my way down. I will be under 300lbs by the end of February, I hope.

http://www.rykoala.org/ryanAug2006.jpg

Blog: http://notasfat.blogspot.com

You are a STUD!!! WOW! What an inspiration you must be to people around you...Bravo!!!!!

You are a STUD!!! WOW! What an inspiration you must be to people around you...Bravo!!!!!

that was directed to Tom Stormcrowe...I'm just learning the bells and whistles of the forum. sorry.

Hey, seriously, keep it up! I give you MAD props for having the balls to ride, to ride what looks to be a speedy lightweight roadie, AND to do it in spandex. I'm finally trying to talk myself into a singlespeed road bike. I think that's what will get me to the "next level".

Me, I started at 567 in late June of 2005. Now I'm stagnant right around 380, thanks to the cold and laziness. I want to drop another 130 before August of 2008 (looking good on your wedding day is a hell of a motivator) but unless I kick my ass into gear it just ain't happening. So we're moving to a place two (hilly) miles from work, and I'm going to get a singlespeed. I figure 5 days/week of that + weekend rides should kick it into gear.

Anyway, what do you ride and how do you like it? I really want a roadie, but am concerned about it under my heft.

Also, pics will be coming soon :)

Brother from another mother...DON'T BUY THAT SINGLESPEED!!!!!!!!!! You do love cycling i assume and i also assume you want to continue to love it. Again, don't buy one of those "knee destroying" pain in the ass single speeds - if you just can't get past the hype for one, stick your geared bike in your fav gear ratio and just ride it never changing gears for a two weeks - you'll see what I'm talking about. They're a blast for riding a mile to Blockbuster to rent "American Flyers" but trying going on a three hour ride on one of them. @$@5@^#^#&@**@^#^$%$%&@ Don't do it buddy...

that was directed to Tom Stormcrowe...I'm just learning the bells and whistles of the forum. sorry.
We're all new once or twice!;)

Here's a pic of me last September, summiting the last of three 8,000' climbs during the Sierra Fall Century.

About 4 years ago, I was a hefty 272 lbs. I got tired of being overweight, so I hit the gym and started losing weight slowly but surely. After losing about 20 lbs, I plateaued hard. I started eating more sensibly - no "fad" diet, but 5 small low-fat low-sodium meals a day with a balance of lean protein, "good" carbs, and plenty of steamed fresh vegetables. In addition, I took up cycling. I lost an additional 25 lbs, and plateaued hard again. Try as I might, I could not get past 225 lbs, despite spinning 5 days a week, riding on the weekend, and paying attention to my diet. Last year I logged 3182 miles and 9 centuries, with no net effect on my weight. I am a lot stronger, though, and cardio endurance is vastly improved.

For the last two years, I've ramped up my cycling kept in good shape, and pretty much maintained the 230 lbs you see in the photo. I do eat junk once in a while, but not much - my eating habits have really gone through a total transformation. I would like to lose 20 more lbs, though.......

http://img300.imageshack.us/img300/1704/meatwildrose1small13jk.jpg

As an ex endurance racer/rider and now a severe Clyde, let me tell you...A guy that can handle multiple 8000ft climbs, a century and 3000 plus logged miles in a year - Who gives a damn what the scale is telling you, if you're healthy and happy, your sig. other is happy all the rest is so unimportant.

Lycra... I used to feel selfconsious wearing it but now I cycle so fast people just say "WTF was that" as I speed past. :D Seriously though, It's just sooooo comfortable. That pic was taken while I was doing the bike leg on an Olympic Distance Triathlon (1500m Swim, 40km Cycle, 10 run) hence tho No. 9 on my arm.

The bike is a Specialized S-Works Roubaix... Smoooth. I have a fixed gear bike which is great for training and a steel framed bike for everyday rides (and a few more). The one thing I have to do is ride them more. I want to do at least 200-300km a week 'coz if I keep that up I'll loose around 1.5-2 kilos a week regardless of what I eat.

I relatively fit (resting heart rate 48bpm) and can cycle a century without much fuss but I have trouble sheding the KGs. I've plateaued at the moment that why I thought of starting this thread... if everyones watching this, there's more motivation to get out of bed, and on the bike, in the morning.

Congrats on the wedding and my support on dropping the 130.

Velomancer, you look like a badass in that pic, in fact, I ganked it, because I'm an illustrator (freelance) and I'm going to work up this cool Clyde logo deal and I like the visual dynamic of that pic and your position on the rig. But yeah, I was racing still about six years back (mountain bike) and I wore the lycra. Here's the deal; do we (Clydes) look as good as the skinny boys in it...nope! but then again, who gives a damn, we're out there, we're doin' it and and it's the appropriate equipment to afford us the best comfort while riding. And for me personally, other than a-holes with smart mouths in cars passing by, any skinny person that has a problem with me wearing what i need to is more than welcome to come share their opinions...however illadvised it may be. :)

240lbs in dress clothes. Need to be 220 by May. Gina, riding partner and wife with me. No need to reduce, she's a beauty no matter what!

You two look GREAT! How fun having a wife that rides...My wife will ride with me but she's just an occassional weekend warrior...baby steps ;)

Okay, I'm in:

http://home.comcast.net/~i.bike/C71391_rhe8na0g0i_36238925_5x7.jpg

Not a great picture but it'll have to do. This is from the Sea Gull Century last October. I was at 236 at the time. When I started my better eating and exercising six days a week I was at 241 so, basically, not enough difference to matter...

I can't say it enough (and I only am because I'm bigger than most of you) but when you can ride a century...236lbs. sounds pretty good! Good for you bud!

Well, I wish I could join, but I have already dropped out of the range of clydedom... and am only 7 lbs from target. Not much weight shows up now. (192 - 6'2")

Down from 270 at the top. I am still losing about a lb a week now - I watch what I eat and excercise a ton.

Inspiring.

Here I am in August 2006 around 345lbs. I am now at 313 (I gained a pound last week!) but I am on my way down. I will be under 300lbs by the end of February, I hope.

http://www.rykoala.org/ryanAug2006.jpg

Blog: http://notasfat.blogspot.com

You ROCK buddy! Just make the decision to hit that mark by February and it's done! Good job on your wonderful successes so far!!!!!

As an ex endurance racer/rider and now a severe Clyde, let me tell you...A guy that can handle multiple 8000ft climbs, a century and 3000 plus logged miles in a year - Who gives a damn what the scale is telling you, if you're healthy and happy, your sig. other is happy all the rest is so unimportant.

Thanks! Just to clarify, the pictured Sierra Century had about 8,000' of climbing total, and involved summiting three passes that were well over 8,000' in elevation.

Also, waaaay back in 1974 when I was lean and hard and playing high school football, I weighed 210. I've pretty much been 200lbs+ since 10 grade. You see those huge quads in the photo? Coach had us push 1973 Plymouth Fury III's around the parking lot to increase leg strength...... :eek:

I guess now I should post about myself a bit but again, I'm REALLY proud of you guys and those were amazing stories, so inspiring....I don't want to bore anyone with the whole story, it's long, long, loooong, long story but I currently weigh 397, I was recently up to 406. I used to be a sponsore triatlete traveling all around the country racing, bad things happened and I had to leave the sport entirely, within a year i went from a race weight of 180 to 283...that time I lost 90lbs in four months (but i was young and still had decent knees under me) but i lost that weight and dove back into bicycle racing (crits hear and there) then my knees went, depression had me all the way to the 450 range within a couple years and it stayed for awhile, a passion for riding and wanting my life back got me back to about the 250-275 neighborhood where i was pretty successful as a Clyde mountain bike racer for a couple years - blew out my knee for the third time.........wow, I'm boring myself at this time........yadda yadda yadda I got up to 406 this time, i've lost it all or most of it a couple other times but this time I have no knees, I'm 36, it's different.

But all that said, if it's not too late, I want into the challenge and hopefully i can be as much an insipiration to all of you to keep working as you've all been to me to get rocking again.

Thanks brothers.

Two Wheels Good, Four Wheels Bad!

I'll have a pic posted in here in the next couple days...

Thanks! Just to clarify, the pictured Sierra Century had about 8,000' of climbing total, and involved summiting three passes that were well over 8,000' in elevation.

Also, waaaay back in 1974 when I was lean and hard and playing high school football, I weighed 210. I've pretty much been 200lbs+ since 10 grade. You see those huge quads in the photo? Coach had us push 1973 Plymouth Fury III's around the parking lot to increase leg strength...... :eek:

Pushing a Plymouth Fury! Who was your coach...Ditka!?

You know it seems that after my tri-days and youth, in the times where nobody would call me fat (by visual standards) and i was eating and drinking when and what i wanted but was still racking up the miles on my bikes, my body would plateau about 235 to 250 - considerably more than the charts would say i should weigh but i was fit, fast and strong and always happy at the dinner table. i think that our bodies let us know through plateaus where they want to be. Opposed to a doctor's opinion based on height/weight ratios.

Pushing a Plymouth Fury! Who was your coach...Ditka!?

Naw - he wasn't that pleasant.

Yes - a 1973 Plymouth Fury. The Driver's Ed cars. Four door sedans. Looked just like this, only blue:

http://mywebpages.comcast.net/Plyfury/73FGS.jpg

You two look GREAT! How fun having a wife that rides...My wife will ride with me but she's just an occassional weekend warrior...baby steps ;)

Thanx! You new guys are always so nice!:D

She used to ride a weekend here and there. This year, I bought her a carbon Fiber Trek Pilot 5.2. SHe must have really liked it cause she logged over 3,000 miles!:)

We did 4 centuries on our tandem a few years ago. This year, I would like to get her to do a century on her single.

Thanks! Just to clarify, the pictured Sierra Century had about 8,000' of climbing total, and involved summiting three passes that were well over 8,000' in elevation.
:eek:

Thanx for clarifying that one. I was scratching my head thinking,"Whaaaaat?".:eek:

Velomancer, you look like a badass in that pic, in fact, I ganked it, because I'm an illustrator (freelance) and I'm going to work up this cool Clyde logo deal and I like the visual dynamic of that pic and your position on the rig. But yeah, I was racing still about six years back (mountain bike) and I wore the lycra. Here's the deal; do we (Clydes) look as good as the skinny boys in it...nope! but then again, who gives a damn, we're out there, we're doin' it and and it's the appropriate equipment to afford us the best comfort while riding. And for me personally, other than a-holes with smart mouths in cars passing by, any skinny person that has a problem with me wearing what i need to is more than welcome to come share their opinions...however illadvised it may be. :)

Er... thanks... I think... never been "ganked" (???) before. I was just turning into a fast corner, the photographer was standing in the way and I nealy hit him. I don't know the maths but a 130kg weight traveling at 30kmph would have made a serious dent in said photographer :) I certainly don't wear lycra to look good, but I couldn't imagine cycling in anything else... It's hard to find 4XL bibshorts and jerseys though. I haven't had problems with people heckling me about what I'm wearing... but I was very self consious at first. Now I don't give a toss. I'd like to see the "Clyde Logo".

Brother from another mother...DON'T BUY THAT SINGLESPEED!!!!!!!!!! You do love cycling i assume and i also assume you want to continue to love it. Again, don't buy one of those "knee destroying" pain in the ass single speeds - if you just can't get past the hype for one, stick your geared bike in your fav gear ratio and just ride it never changing gears for a two weeks - you'll see what I'm talking about. They're a blast for riding a mile to Blockbuster to rent "American Flyers" but trying going on a three hour ride on one of them. @$@5@^#^#&@**@^#^$%$%&@ Don't do it buddy...


bdinger,
I hope you don't let stuff like this kill your desire to ride a single speed. I've heard comments like this from other people for a long time, but as with anything else in life, your mileage may vary. There are plenty of people on this forum who ride centuries on single speeds. Personally, I had chronic knee problems (too much time behind the plate as a catcher) for years until I started riding single. Now my knees are about the only part of my body that don't hurt when I get up in the morning.:o
Riding in a single gear is, indeed, a good way to see if you will like single speed, but it doesn't give you a true feel for what it's really like. The only way to get that feel is to do it. So, go ahead and get that 925. If you don't like it, I guess I'd be willing to take it off you hands.:D

Hello all and congrats on dropping so much weight.

Cycling is awesome.

After college, I started an office job. Before I knew it, I weighted 260# at 6'6" and did not even notice it until people started to refer to me as 'BIG'; not tall anymore... something was different...
I looked at weight / height graphs; I was 50# overweight. I MTB heavily for a year and dropped 20#. Last year I changed my diet, picked a road bike and dropped another 30#.

Little changes in daily life make a huge difference: drink diet soda instead of regular, eat fruits instead of cookies, eat smaller portions, drink a beer every now and then... not every night...

Finaly, always keep an eye on the scale. You have to stay focused on your weight goals.

I can't say it enough (and I only am because I'm bigger than most of you) but when you can ride a century...236lbs. sounds pretty good! Good for you bud!

Thanks! I have to admit I was proud and suprised! I have ridden the same ride when under 200lbs. and it was a lot easier! That's my strongest motivator at this time - to ride 30 to 40lbs. lighter this year and every year!

I'm Bumping this thread because it deserves more attention...

Hello all and congrats on dropping so much weight.

Cycling is awesome.

After college, I started an office job. Before I knew it, I weighted 260# at 6'6" and did not even notice it until people started to refer to me as 'BIG'; not tall anymore... something was different...
I looked at weight / height graphs; I was 50# overweight. I MTB heavily for a year and dropped 20#. Last year I changed my diet, picked a road bike and dropped another 30#.

Little changes in daily life make a huge difference: drink diet soda instead of regular, eat fruits instead of cookies, eat smaller portions, drink a beer every now and then... not every night...

Finaly, always keep an eye on the scale. You have to stay focused on your weight goals.

Man I'm in that same boat now!

I can't believe some of the numbers and huge success stories here!!!!

I've always liked cycling; when I was a teenager I had a MTN Bike, a BMX and an Old Roadie, I rode everywhere. In college I picked up a New Mtn bike and used it when I had the chance, but worked a physical job and hit the Weights Regularly. I

Love Mtn Biking in the woods but I really dislike riding it on the pavement, so I'm hoping gettin' a Roadie will keep me happy and get me back into the Regular routine.

I am at 5' 10" and 245 and planning on picking up a bike soon.
No picts yet, I will wait till I get the bike. Reading these posts are proof it is possible and an insperation. Do you wonder if Skinny people have threads where they congratulate each other for gaining a little weight? hahaha.

LJ