Clydesdales/Athenas (200+ lb / 91+ kg) - Holy Smokes

Yes I am a Clyde. I did not know that until I saw this forum. Before that I was just a ol' fat dude on a bike.

Anyway, I am glad to have found this forum. I've been reading here for several days, finding inspiration and ideas. I'm 55yo, 5'11" and currently 245 lbs. Big broad shoulders and a gut. If I ever got down to 160 you think I had cancer. But if I got down to 205, I suspect, it would be great. I weighed 205 in HS and thought I was fat then. Looking back I wasn't. A lot of my belly is half no muscle tone, half fat. I fluctuate now and then, but stay in that area. The last few years I started dropping weight, as I lost my desire to eat. It's not as great as it sounds. My adrenal glands and thyroid had shut down due to pituitary issues. I had no energy, and little desire to do anything. Last winter I dropped to 220 and was having low blood pressure problems and ensuing passing out. After my second unplanned visit to the hospital, I saw a Endocrinologist who uncovered the cause of my symptoms, and a couple pills later I'm feeling 30 years younger. I even took up bicycling, hence my presence here.

SO, I recently mail ordered a Lycra-type biking jersey and bibs. It arrived today. I just tried it on, and saw myself in the mirror. It was a sobering sight. Holy smokes. I will not be wearing it soon. Maybe the bibs with a t-shirt, but certainly not the jersey. I saw the guy I see in photographs, not the guy I usually see in the mirror. It was a special moment, for sure. It gave me a real reason to persevere and get into shape. Actually the duds looked good if I really sucked in my gut, but sooner or later I will have to breathe. They provide a goal.

Well I'm going to really have to look at a plan, so I joined a gym, but can't use it for two more weeks. The reason is it's on government property and my access card needs 3 weeks to be processed. I don't like to diet, so I'm trying to change what I eat, but not call it a diet but just eating better. And the bike...

I've got 3, two old ones and a new one. One is an old cruiser, the other an old road bike and the last one is a new commuter that I am treating as a fitness bike. In about 10 days, I've done a few four milers, as 12 miler and a 23 miler on the new bike.

The older bikes are driving me crazy. As I refurbish them, it's one thing after the other. Tires pop off the rim, inner tubes rupture, tire sizes that used to fit the frame 15 years ago, don't fit now. I'm considering taking the road bike to a shop and the cruiser to the curb.

Anyway, I look forward to posting andreading in this forum. I read the C&V a lot and was reading 50+, but those folks have a lot less in common with me than the CA forum.

Later
:saweeet:

Hey Gitarzan,
Glad the pills are making you feel better. I'm with you about not calling a diet a diet. Eating healthier is what it's all about. And riding the bike. Good job on the bike rides, keep it up.
I started out at 316 pounds the first part of June. Now I'm down to 280ish, depending on the day of the week. I've been doing my longest ride on Sundays, and usually eat more on Saturday, Sunday and Monday, then cut back on eating the other days. Seems to work for me. I'll ride shorter rides through the rest of the week, too.

Have a good one,

Bill

Welcome. I hope you find a good routine you can maintain to meet your goals. As you might have already seen, lots of good advice (with the usual assortment of dillweeds) on these forums.

Welcome and I'm pretty sure most of us aren't happy with the way we look in lycra. But function is what keeps 'em on. After a few hundred milers, you won't care what they look like as long as they keep you on the bike!:thumb:

Hi, This is the best place in the forums, IMO. Clydes seem to be less edgy about things and more fun! Have you considered a buying a modern/new bike? Craigslist has some really sweet late models for dirt cheap if you catch them right! I wear basketball shorts over my lycra and a t shirt. I am shorter and fatter(rotund, lol) than you are though! Just keep some pedals spinning and the rest will fall into place.

don't worry about the Lycra. If your feeling modest throw on a pair of mesh shorts. As far as the jersey goes aerotech (http://aerotechdesigns.com/) has baggier designs.

Oh, and before you take the old bike to the curb, check out the classic/vintage forum. Maybe someone there will buy/con you out of it. :thumb:

I have a modern new bike... The Vienna deluxe. It's 11 days old.

I am going to resurrect the coaster bike. It's cheap but solid.

Don't worry about the way you look in the lycra just ride they will soon fit better. I bought a biking jersey size xxl on line and i wear the spandex bike shorts that have a pair of regular shorts over them. I'm no day at the beech but all my freinds who make fun of me can't even walk to the mail box. ECB1

If you bought the gear wear it. In the end nobody much cares and if they do they probably are no friend to you anyway.

Over the course of the last few years I've lost about 100 lbs and maintained the loss for a couple of years. I lost 60 then yo yo'd a bit and then finally got it together and lost the rest and kept it off.

You seem motivated but don't wait on the gym card. You can get your body ready for the gym by doing push ups and other simple exercises.

I catch myself sitting on my butt watching TV these days as I live in a temporary lodging facility awaiting housing on a government military base. I get up every few minutes and do 10 pushups or a yoga pose or something.

My point is if your goal is to hit the gym but you can't for a couple weeks that you might lose motivation. Do something to stay motivated towards that goal of hitting the gym.

Keep fighting the good fight and welcome aboard.

John