I've been a bit frustrated lately. I'm a clyde, but I probably shouldn't be - 5' 10", currently 239 lbs. I've been as low as 210 in the last couple years, but had been steadily gaining until a few months ago. Lately, I've been riding a lot of miles (for me, anyway) and seeing great progress in my fitness level, commute times, etc. and feeling pretty darn good. But I've been struggling terribly to discipline myself with regards to what, when, and how much I eat. Not sure why, haven't thought about it too much. But since my goal is to lose 40 or more pounds, I've been frustrated with myself. And then, this morning, I had a thought... I've been basically eating anything and everything I want, when I want, and often to excess, and haven't gained a pound in a month. I've always wanted to be one of those guys that can eat anything without consequence, and I realized this morning that the riding has made me exactly that! The really encouraging thing is that I know that if I can find a way to control the intake for a while, the weight will come off and the riding will get even easier. Just thought I'd share...

Control it for a while? You want to control it forever or you'll put the weight back on. It's not easy, but sometimes, a change of scenery and change of food can make the right impression. For ex., if you went on vacation someplace where fresh food in smaller portions was the norm, you might like it and get used to it and start doing the same thing when you got back home.

One good way to change food habits for the better is "quality first" -- that is, when you're hungry, make yourself eat something high-quality first, then wait and see how hungry you are for more. If you eat a bowl of oatmeal when you get up in the morning, you won't be hungry for the Pop-tarts.

I've been basically eating anything and everything I want, when I want, and often to excess, and haven't gained a pound in a month.

This doesn't work for me; I wish it did. I can ride 150+ miles a week and still gain weight if I eat enough. Lucky you.

Control it for a while? You want to control it forever or you'll put the weight back on. It's not easy, but sometimes, a change of scenery and change of food can make the right impression. For ex., if you went on vacation someplace where fresh food in smaller portions was the norm, you might like it and get used to it and start doing the same thing when you got back home.

You have a good point. I've lost significant weight in the past - 70 of my then 280+ in about 6 months - and the first 50 was done strictly by changing eating habits, no exercise at all. I KNOW that intake matters most - I can consume 1000 calories in less than 5 minutes, but it takes >1 hour to burn that much...

Ideally, I'd like to get to a weight where I'm comfortable and healthy and then be able to burn enough calories to have some leeway with my intake - I really like food :)

My boss is a triathlete -- does the ironman thang, and is very lean. One of his stock answers when anyone asks him why he wants to do that crazy triathlon stuff is, "I like to eat." It's said with a disarming smile and pretty much instantly deflates the balloon of those who are asking semi-antagonistically in order to call him an "exercise nut" (and feel better about the fact that they don't exercise). It's not his real reason, but it's not a bad line.

^^^^ it may not be the reason someone stays in shape, but it is definetly a nice benefit to being in shape. later.