First Ride

[TX WJ]

Well yesterday I bought two Specialized Expedition Bikes, one for me and one for my GF. The goal here is for me to get in shape (lose 50 lbs) while I get to spend some quality time with her.

Well today we went 10 miles, and while my legs were tired, it wasn't as bad as I thought. In fact I could have gone further but she was tired. I might change my mind in the morning.

I am looking forward to doing this at least twice a week, I guess my goal is to be able to ride 20 miles a day. I know that isn't much compared with some of you. I do have a question.

If we did 10 miles today, how much should we increase the distance each time. I don't want to over do it.

Thanks

[Robert Gardner]

As to how much you should increase your ride depends on too many factors to give specifics. It depends on your age, what kind of physical condition you are in, etc.
However you should worry about the time spent and forget about the distance. I think also that you may want to ride further than your girl friend if your object is weight loss. How long did it take you to ride 10 miles? Just listen to your body and if you are sore from such a short ride, limit you rides to this ten miles till you no longer feel it. Otherwise fifteen or twenty miles at such short times is not an unreasonable jump. As the rides get longer the percent increase it time should be shorter.

[DnvrFox]

Enjoy your bike and find nice places to go.

Listen to your body - you will know when you can go further. Don't push too hard, increase as you feel it is okay.

If you push too hard, you may grow to hate biking.

If you are going to lose 50 pounds, biking will not do it without a change in eating habits.

You might want to get the book "Body for Life" (or go to their website -

http://www.bodyforlife.com/

for a simple eating plan.

Body for Life combines good eating, cardio and weight lifting (resistance exercises). It is a decent program, and if you follow it, you will lose weight. You do NOT need to purchase their supplements to accomplish your goals.

[TX WJ]

Thanks for the advice. I have been working on the eating habits in last month and I think that will help. I try and walk on the tread mill, 2-3 times a weeks as well, but that can get boring. I totally agree about the weights, I have to make time to go when I am on the road. I travel most weeks for business so I will have to make it a point to work out with weights 2-3 times a week.

I guess what I am saying is if I do 10 miles again (took us like an hour and a half), then maybe I should just continue to do the hour and a half rides, just increase the distance a mile or two after 3 or 4 more rides.

I am 6 foot 4, 295 -300 lbs. I have asthma, but my allergy shots keep that in check pretty much. I am not sore today, and I plan on going out this afternoon for a 4-5 mile ride, to stay loose.

I appreciate you taking the time to answer my questions.

[calibrate]

I should just continue to do the hour and a half rides, just increase the distance a mile or two after 3 or 4 more rides.

I think you've got this right. One rule of thumb that I follow in late Winter is to increase my mileage by 10% if I am riding regularly (at least once or twice a week).

Another rule of thumb says mileage doesn't matter as much for basic fitness as time in the saddle.

Enjoy! You're doing great!

[RonH]

Don't forget to drink water, especially as you increase your mileage.

Rules for cycling:
1. Drink before you're thirsty.
2. Eat before you're hungry.
3. Have fun.

[Artie]

I try and walk on the tread mill, 2-3 times a weeks as well, but that can get boring.

Hi TX, I'm in close to the same boat as you, (6'1" - 250 lb's). Me and my wife also bought a treadmill, and also found it boring, until we did one simple thing:

Get a good quality "boom-box", or one of those nice little CD shelf systems, and place it on a shelf right in front of the treadmill. Pop in a CD of your favorite music, and boogie away. :D One CD worth of music makes a nice little walk.

And, oddly enough, both my wife and I, like listening to a style of music while on the treadmill that we wouldn't listen to normally. Its a upbeat, sorta disco type of music: names like The Crystal Method, John Digweed, Sasha, Paul Oakenfold, Paul Van Dyk, etc.

Its great music to "walk" to. ;)

Artie

[BlastRadius]

A good way to keep motivated about modifying your eating habits to loose weight is to log your progress. Check out http://activebody.org.
It's fun to see the stats.

[Artie]

A good way to keep motivated about modifying your eating habits to loose weight is to log your progress. Check out http://activebody.org.
It's fun to see the stats.

That was a great site. I made a "team". :D

[MrEWorm]

I was in Houston, TX last week and the weather was unusually beautiful. I wish that I had brought my bike with me.
The weather there will get very hot and very humid again soon.
You may find it difficult adding miles to your ride as the normal Houston weather pattern returns.

Good Luck!

[MichaelW]

Your plan is quite a sound one. You are riding sensibly, and not going overboard with a new type of exercise.
Try and factor your cycling into your everyday life. You may be surprised how much shopping you can carry on 2 bikes.