Clydesdales/Athenas (200+ lb / 91+ kg) - Down 140 lbs now - been a heck of a year and a half - last cylde post I believe :)

Started June 2010. Weighed 345 lbs. Got a Fuji Comfort bike - rode it till the wheels literally were falling off - that got me to 275 ish. Replaced it with a Surly Cross Check - which was quite the steed - that got me down to 230 ish - until I was hit by a truck on a 700 mile tour that I had almost finished. (Long story - and ouch - yea, I got hurt).

So, recovered from that - replaced my dead Surly with a Salsa Casserole which I hope has a longgg life and never gets hit by a car - down to 200 even give or take a pound. Looking forward to 165-170 lbs this time next year :)

I've ridden three centuries so far (one loaded with 60lbs of gear), numerous metric centuries (almost every weekend now), and I bike commute full time.

Thought I'd stop by and say hi again :) this may be my last week as a clyde - should break the 200lb mark any day now.

My pressure last checkup was 110/48 - before weight loss 160/95 all the time.
I 'had' sleep apnea - and required a breathing machine to make it through the nite.
My resting heart rate is now low 50's - was hi 90's.

Size 56 pants down to a 36 now. XXXL shirts - to a L or even a M now.



The best part is getting my teen son into cycling - he is looking at some real racing. He got himself a FELT F95 racer - and rides the heck out it. He is a natural at speed.

Dude, don't leave the cyde's forum; some of us are well sub-cyde's (ok former cyde's) hang here. Have more in common with cydes than the slim lean folks!! I was 290 2 years ago and am 183-185 today. Like you CPAP user before not now; BP down; I lost most of my weight walking and got back to the bike when the heat got to where walking was just not doable! Riding at least you make a bit of a breeze!! Not sure I will go back to walking except I have a 50-80 pound walking buddy who misses our times together!! No; I will walk because I like to hike but I will probably split it 75% bike 25% walking!

i am a CPAP user.... hope there comes a day that I dont need it anymore!

Now that's inspiring! Congratulations! But I agree, don't go, your knowledge and experience can help out guys like me with a lot to lose. I started at 300lbs, down to 260 but I still have a long way to go.

You've lost enough weight to equal my wife plus a few pounds... way to go!

Now that's inspiring! Congratulations! But I agree, don't go, your knowledge and experience can help out guys like me with a lot to lose. I started at 300lbs, down to 260 but I still have a long way to go.

Congrats, this is awesome. Really an inspiration as that is where I want to be. I started close to where you were, a bit over 330 this past Christmas and in at the beginning of June when I really started to take losing weight seriously was down to a little over 320. Now I'm in the low 290's range and looking forward to keeping it going. It's awesome to read stories like yours because I still have a long way to go, but seeing posts like yours lets me know it's doable.

Honestly, everything I ever did can be found on this podcast.

http://www.fat2fitradio.com/

Anything these guys say is gold.

In a nutshell - I found out you have to change your lifestyle. You can't look at it as a diet - you have to look at it as a commitment to eat like the thinner person you want to be. I figured my BMR for my target weight, and I just started making sure not to exceed it every day. I eat 2400-2700 calories a day. Don't starve yourself. It will be worse if you do (you'll loose muscle). Do resistance excercises if you can. Aerobics of course. My big one - no more drinking any calories. Really, if you have an mp3 player fill it with these guy's stuff. The host started really heavy and lost 100lbs over the duration of the show. I have not 'dieted'. I've ate my share of pizza on the way down. I had a fried chicken breast and mashed potatoes last night. I just didn't have 2 of them and drink a liter of sweet tea. Just a for instance. I usually eat lots of oatmeal and fruit for breakfast. I tend to eat a protein bar for lunch - I'm busy. Then I have a grand ole supper and snack.

Congratulations, Episodic. I'm hoping to wrap up my journey with a similar number of pounds lost. Started at 304 and am shooting for 165, but these final 25 pounds are being pretty stubborn.

Oh, and I was a CPAP user, too, but was able to stop using it after having a UPPP/tonsillectomy 8 or 9 years ago. The weight loss of the last couple of years has been the final part of my apnea recovery.

Honestly, everything I ever did can be found on this podcast.

http://www.fat2fitradio.com/

Anything these guys say is gold.

In a nutshell - I found out you have to change your lifestyle. You can't look at it as a diet - you have to look at it as a commitment to eat like the thinner person you want to be. I figured my BMR for my target weight, and I just started making sure not to exceed it every day. I eat 2400-2700 calories a day. Don't starve yourself. It will be worse if you do (you'll loose muscle). Do resistance excercises if you can. Aerobics of course. My big one - no more drinking any calories. Really, if you have an mp3 player fill it with these guy's stuff. The host started really heavy and lost 100lbs over the duration of the show. I have not 'dieted'. I've ate my share of pizza on the way down. I had a fried chicken breast and mashed potatoes last night. I just didn't have 2 of them and drink a liter of sweet tea. Just a for instance. I usually eat lots of oatmeal and fruit for breakfast. I tend to eat a protein bar for lunch - I'm busy. Then I have a grand ole supper and snack.


l love Fat2Fit Radio! They have a separate podcast called Power Tips, but I haven't listened to that yet. Do you listen to bike podcasts? There's one called Bike Talk that I like. It's folks out of Providence, RI talking about why they love to cycle and interviewing locals. Found it on iTunes.

Thanks for being an inspiration! Stick around and share your experience with the rest of us who are still on the journey.

Cheers!

l love Fat2Fit Radio! They have a separate podcast called Power Tips, but I haven't listened to that yet. Do you listen to bike podcasts? There's one called Bike Talk that I like. It's folks out of Providence, RI talking about why they love to cycle and interviewing locals. Found it on iTunes.


This is my fav so far (cycling podcast)
http://cycling360media.com/

Stick around, please. Folks like me who fell can use someone to remind them by example to get up.

Congratulations! And yes... please... stick around! I need inspiration from success stories like yours. :thumb:

Woot! Congrats at the cool milestone!

I'll always be an Athena. When I was in peak fitness in the military I still was 157 and in the Athena category. :D

Definite inspiration for me, Im currently 342 and looking to lose it all by bike riding, I havent been consistent, but Im now making a point to ride my bike at least 3 to 4 days a week to work, I rode the last 2 days but brought the car today to work becauze im a little chafed, and im glad I did cuz after riding my bike 2 days in a row, and pushing myself yesterday to pedal through longer when I usually coast to rest, my thighs are burning! I couldnt DREAM of losing that much in a year but maybe I can, definetly need to change my diet. Eat less. Thanks for your post, your a total encouragement that I can lose 100 lbs. in a year!

I think im pre-cpap maybe, im 34, doc told me im healthy now but with this weight im borderline high blood pressure, diabetes, stroke, heart attack. Have to change now before Its too late and im stuck with issues for the rest of my life. I have a 11 month old son that I have to get healthy and better for so I can be the healthy athletic role model dad, not a fat slob who doesnt want to do anything other than sit on the couch. I have woken up in the past, lungs collapsed (i think thats what its called) with no oxygen whatsoever in my lungs, and had to force oxygen back into my lungs slowly. That is a horrible feeling, especially the first time it happens. Hasnt happened recently, and im heavier now then when that happened, maybe I just sleep through it. Regardless, im building my way up to working my weight down.

Congratulations! Definitely an inspiration. And, thanks for the podcast links. I am always looking for new material for my drives, and those will fit the bill and hopefully inspire, as well.

In a nutshell - I found out you have to change your lifestyle. You can't look at it as a diet - you have to look at it as a commitment to eat like the thinner person you want to be.

episodic

If the whole diet world could just get this through their heads; there would be less people losing and gaining and losing again. Oh, yeah that's how they make money!!

holy ****. CONGRATS!!!!!

I think im pre-cpap maybe, im 34, doc told me im healthy now but with this weight im borderline high blood pressure, diabetes, stroke, heart attack. Have to change now before Its too late and im stuck with issues for the rest of my life. I have a 11 month old son that I have to get healthy and better for so I can be the healthy athletic role model dad, not a fat slob who doesnt want to do anything other than sit on the couch. I have woken up in the past, lungs collapsed (i think thats what its called) with no oxygen whatsoever in my lungs, and had to force oxygen back into my lungs slowly. That is a horrible feeling, especially the first time it happens. Hasnt happened recently, and im heavier now then when that happened, maybe I just sleep through it. Regardless, im building my way up to working my weight down.

Jesse, it might be the feeling of suffocating due to airway collapse, which is obstructive sleep apnea. If you stop breathing too many times in an hour you should use a CPAP. You should talk to your doctor to see if you should have a sleep study. I lived with untreated sleep apnea for years, it is dangerous and I am lucky it didn't kill me by giving me a heart attack or stroke. It sure drove up my BP. Even though I lost weight I still have sleep apnea, it just isn't as bad, and I will be lifer on CPAP.

I think im pre-cpap maybe, im 34, doc told me im healthy now but with this weight im borderline high blood pressure, diabetes, stroke, heart attack. Have to change now before Its too late and im stuck with issues for the rest of my life. I have a 11 month old son that I have to get healthy and better for so I can be the healthy athletic role model dad, not a fat slob who doesnt want to do anything other than sit on the couch. I have woken up in the past, lungs collapsed (i think thats what its called) with no oxygen whatsoever in my lungs, and had to force oxygen back into my lungs slowly. That is a horrible feeling, especially the first time it happens. Hasnt happened recently, and im heavier now then when that happened, maybe I just sleep through it. Regardless, im building my way up to working my weight down.

Jesse
you have one if not two of the signs of sleep apnea; high blood pressure (borderline) and the chest pain when your body wakes you up. You admit to weight issues sign three. Do you fall asleep while watching TV, at a movie; or just feel tired all day long and feel like you can not get enough sleep (sign #4). Do you awake in the morning with a headache that goes away without takeing a pain med? (sign #5) I echo goldfinches words "Get thou a sleep study!" You may only need it for the short term like some of us or you may be like goldfinch and be a lifer BUT you have an 11 month old that I am sure you would like to see grow up, graduate with his/her PHD/MD or both! I say this as a father who could have not seen his son do the listed things; still waiting on Middle School graduation in 3 year then Highschool, college; Masters and Doctorate(s)! I am 50 and plan for another 50!! Here's to OUR (every one of us Cydes) health!!

cpap save my life. I would fall asleep all the time during the day. Almost hit a family one day when I fell a sleep at the wheel. Dont do it.... go to your doc now and get it. I am telling you, you will love it and it will help sooo much. I sleep great now!

Congrats man. I hope one day I can be sub-clyde as well.

This is my fav so far (cycling podcast)
http://cycling360media.com/

Thanks for the link! Will definitely check it out.

Jesse, it might be the feeling of suffocating due to airway collapse, which is obstructive sleep apnea. If you stop breathing too many times in an hour you should use a CPAP. You should talk to your doctor to see if you should have a sleep study. I lived with untreated sleep apnea for years, it is dangerous and I am lucky it didn't kill me by giving me a heart attack or stroke. It sure drove up my BP. Even though I lost weight I still have sleep apnea, it just isn't as bad, and I will be lifer on CPAP.

I'm on a bipap machine (different air pressures for the inhale and exhale). For years my mum told me it was not normal to be so tired. I'm glad I finally got the sleep study and got my machine. Makes a world of difference.

I'm on a bipap machine (different air pressures for the inhale and exhale). For years my mum told me it was not normal to be so tired. I'm glad I finally got the sleep study and got my machine. Makes a world of difference.

Yes, the thought of the machine is daunting to people so they avoid the sleep study. But I feel so much better with the CPAP (in my case, actually an APAP as it adjusts the pressure according to my needs). The APAP, the weight loss, and the exercise have dramatically changed how I feel. I sleep better. I live better.

Wonderful story. Big Smiles here.

Just to add to your tips....I lost a bit over 80 lbs in six months last year riding and modifying my eating habits. Mostly, I just cut out cola, booze, and adjusted my portions so that I wasn't eating until I was full. I got to right near 200 lbs and had one heck of a time getting below that. Never did, and quit riding for a year. I gained back about 20 lbs mostly because I stuck with the changes in my eating habits.
I am back on the bike now with the goals of getting in the 190's and doing a Century.