Clydesdales/Athenas (200+ lb / 91+ kg) - First post in here.

What's up? My name is Eric. I guess I can tell a little about myself and why I'm here. I used to be EXTREMELY into bikes when I was younger, up until I got lazy when I got my license. I stopped seeing it as recreation and exercise when I could just "drive to the gym" and in between high school and now, I've gained about 190 pounds. This is a long post so skim if you'd like. I figure I'll post up some info since **** seems like somewhat tightly knit forum between members so I might as well join in where I fit in.

Here's a few somewhat recent pics of me.

http://a6.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/180558_10150089847101674_544541673_6700895_4497192_n.jpg
Chicago Auto Show 2011

http://a4.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash2/77037_454707531673_544541673_5980951_8060073_n.jpg
Chicago "Bean" 2010

http://a4.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/12645_187254191673_544541673_3463156_4152216_n.jpg
Chicago 2009

Here are the reasons I stopped riding..

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y268/chevroletz71ss/clean003.jpg
http://i70.photobucket.com/albums/i85/erics95se/June%202007/June%201/DSC06980.jpg
http://a3.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/227241_10150177249716674_544541673_7292262_4026757_n.jpg

I basically invested so much time in my cars I've had since 2005 that I had no real time to ride, and as mentioned above, "just not fun".. Got a job at a local bike store a few months ago, got me back into riding. I have since lost the job (Misunderstanding with management, their loss, I can build **** with my eyes closed.) but I have gotten back into riding.

Here's my fleet..

2006 Mongoose Rockadile AL

I got it when I was 13 or 14 and rode the hell out of it before I got my license at 16 and took the wheels off and put it in the attic of the garage. Got back into biking to lose weight (22 now) and it when new, looked like this:

http://img222.imageshack.us/img222/9554/2ymg315.jpg

And here's how it sits now :

http://img861.imageshack.us/img861/6792/24769910150194066311674.jpg

Mods I did when I was younger..

JensonUSA rhynolite/deore disc wheelset
Bontrager Jones tires
Hayes HMX/1 F/R
Deore XT rear derailleur
Deore hollowtech crankset
Easton EA50 handlebar
Deore LX Rapidfire/brake lever combo
Profile? Bar ends
Bell xenon headlamp

New stuff as of the past few weeks..
2 bottle cages
Trek 3-LED tail lamp (old 90's stuff, stepdad didn't want it and told me I could have it)
Trek seat pack with complete toolset, glueless patches, etc etc (stepdad gave that to me as well)
Trek micro tire pump (same with the last two things)
350? MM 27.2 off brand cheapie heavy duty seat post

The only original parts on the bike are the forks (cheap junk, never got around to replacing / upgrading) , front derailleur , handlebar stem.

I'd LIKE to upgrade to newer LX or XT shift/brake combo, f/r derailleurs, and a nice cable set. Been LOVING the bike since I got back into riding.

Here it is out on the Glacial-Drumlin Trail just west of Waukesha, WI.

http://img835.imageshack.us/img835/8063/22927510150177092381674.jpg

The good part of upgrading this bike when I was younger was that I had a decent amount of new parts, and literally a few weeks after I got done with the Mongoose, I found a '95 Trek 830 in the garbage. This was some time in 2004. I completely brought all the paint down to bare metal, repainted, and restored this bike using the wheelset, crankset, handlebars, etc. that I took off the Mongoose. I don't even remember what I had to buy NEW but it was VERY LITTLE from what I remember. Here's the bike on the road tire setup:

http://img807.imageshack.us/img807/676/23030310150178373756674.jpg

And here it is on some Tioga Psycho's on the original wheel set (currently on, GF uses this bike when she rides with me in the woods around here)

http://img196.imageshack.us/img196/6426/23058910150178373676674.jpg

Next up is a 1991 Schwinn Mirada which I got for free from the trash from the bike store I worked at.. the guy didn't wanna pay for a brand new wheel and people thought it was too bad to be properly trued, not to mention 650B tires would cost more than the bike was worth. Tires were ok in my opinion. My fix? Take a hammer to the rear wheel like I was pissed at it, get the kink straightened. I fixed it , and then trued the wheel. Rides like a dream.. I detail cars for a living so I was able to use a nice process to bring the paint back up and get it looking deep and glossy the way it should, along with polishing the wheels, aside from the normal tune up stuff. Bike is flawless , save for the layer of dirt it had on it when I got it.

http://a7.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/224807_10150165186431674_544541673_7171010_4131575_n.jpg
http://a3.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/218014_10150164800871674_544541673_7166009_1748562_n.jpg
http://a5.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/222118_10150164800841674_544541673_7166008_4080950_n.jpg

Lastly, a 2009 Schwinn Point Beach. Got a different seat on it now but these are the only good shots of it I have that it's clean.


http://img687.imageshack.us/img687/1260/dsc01088mu.jpg
http://img19.imageshack.us/img19/8493/dsc01093g.jpg
http://img684.imageshack.us/img684/9826/dsc01094ye.jpg


Basically, in the end.. the reason I'm here is because there's others here I can identify with not only on interests, but my weight issue as well. I'm 6'2, probably north of 440. Last measured weight was 402 and I have gained since then since I had to buy a few new bigger shirts. My problem is late night eating, soda, junk food, and fast food. I need to cut down on all that and I figure I will use people here as partial inspiration besides looking, feeling better and living longer once I'm to my goal. I'd like to be maybe 300 or 290 and just plateau. I'd be happy with that.

Congrats, nice bikes (especially that rescued Schwinn), and welcome! Don't give up--you;ve already got the right tools (your bikes and you knowledge of what keeps your weight up). Now its a matter of instituting discipline bit by bit. Ride more, each less junk. :)

Welcom aboard and good luck!

Like anything else, the hardest part is overcoming inertia and getting going. If you ride, regularly, you will lose weight and once the weight starts to fall off you'll likely find it easier to have the discipline to pay attention to what you're putting in your mouth. That's the way it's worked for me anyway.

I'm also 6'2" and two years ago was at your weight. Have you had your bloodsugar level checked? IMO (I'm not a doctor) getting used to a lower bloodsugar level is the first step. You've listed 4 problem eating situations. Pick one and work on eliminating that habit. You need to give yourself enough time to form new habits. There's no magic just perseverance.

Looks like you are in the right place with the right tools, welcome.

Welcome to the herd slow chevy :thumb:!

Nice looking bikes as well. Yeah, we tend to accept everyone here and offer advice, encouragement, or best wishes to others.

Late night eating can really be a big factor in being a "big guy". Most things I read revolve around stop eating carbs after 7 and try not to eat anything after 9.

What helped me though was limiting the amount of junk food I have around my house, and having better alternatives for late night food cravings. Things like Cottage cheese, yogurt, protein shake, and some cereals help me the most.

Welcome aboard. Seems like you already have the tools to get out and ride...so do it and keep riding. Like someone said pick something to get rid of and start form there...maybe give youself a reward to shoot for when you drop some lb's...(ahem...new bike is always a good one)

EB

Welcome aboard. Seems like you already have the tools to get out and ride...so do it and keep riding. Like someone said pick something to get rid of and start form there...maybe give youself a reward to shoot for when you drop some lb's...(ahem...new bike is always a good one)

EB

There's nothing wrong with any of my bikes and no need to replace.. got a lot of memories with the trek and the mongoose both and money tied up, the schwinns are newly acquired but will gather more memories , parts cost and love for them over time. I see bikes like I see cars, extension of myself, who I am as a person. For giggles, I'll mention that I've got about $20,000 tied up in my Impala between purchase price, body work, having my trans built up, building up my motor to handle the increased pressure when I eventually strap a turbo in, the suspension, drop springs, all the other misc. modded junk. I had about 15K in the blue Pontiac before that and 18 or 19 in the Suburban I had before that. I sold the Suburban because it got 8MPG on a good day being easy on it, the Bonneville I had gotten rid of because of extensive rust in the rear frame area and the Impala was a graduation gift to myself. Just because something is old doesn't mean it needs to be replaced, and that "new is better" mentality drives me nuts.. besides, I have a faster car than most **** I'll encounter on the road and that's how I look at bikes. I've got blood sweat and tears involved in them and the only way I'll get rid of them is if I'm in an accident that makes it unfixable. They're great products and there's nothing wrong with them, same with the car.. just more unnecessary money to be spent really :)