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HaagenDas
04-13-05, 04:17 PM
I wonder how long it will take to pass through my latest phase?

My weight loss seems to have stopped dead in its tracks and I don't even seem to be getting any fitter even though I'm doing longer rides. I almost feel as though I'm wasting my time. I still enjoy biking but it doesn't seem to be doing what it started to do.

Anyone else been through this and how long did it take to jump back on with joy?

* jack *
04-13-05, 05:06 PM
How long have you been at this, a month???

suntreader
04-13-05, 05:14 PM
It could be that you're replacing fat with muscle, so the weight loss may have slowed a bit.

HaagenDas
04-13-05, 05:33 PM
Prolly six weeks now and the knees are marginally better. I feel a bit fitter but it ain't progressing and that's the worst part for me. Sh1t 12 years of sedentary work has left me totally stuffed up.

yalrighty
04-13-05, 05:40 PM
As you lose fat, and keep excercising you are going to be gaining muscle ... keep in mind the saying muscle is heavier than fat is true .. you might even gain a few pounds after a while.

Keep at it and try to eat healthy .. eat little meals 5 or 6 times thru the day instead of one or two big meals :)

webist
04-13-05, 05:50 PM
I wonder how long it will take to pass through my latest phase?

My weight loss seems to have stopped dead in its tracks and I don't even seem to be getting any fitter even though I'm doing longer rides. I almost feel as though I'm wasting my time. I still enjoy biking but it doesn't seem to be doing what it started to do.

Anyone else been through this and how long did it take to jump back on with joy?

To me a "longer ride" itself suggests increased fitness.

Is your "joy" in losing weight or cycling? For me the joy is in the ride. Losing weight I ascribe to diet even though intellectually I realize it's both.

If you really find joy in riding your bike - ride it. If less weight however, is your only pay-off you needn't force yourself to ride to achieve that. :)

Rowan
04-13-05, 05:51 PM
Prolly six weeks now and the knees are marginally better. I feel a bit fitter but it ain't progressing and that's the worst part for me. Sh1t 12 years of sedentary work has left me totally stuffed up.

Six week isn't going to undo something that took 12 years to develop. The fix isn't that easy and simple, otherwise everyone would be doing it as the "quick fix".

Be patient, Haags. You do plateau on the way through. I think also you might try finding other positive reasons to cycle. You seemed to doing all right with that a couple of weeks ago. Look at cycling as a lifestyle choice.

By the way, you are using a moderately high pedalling cadence, aren't you? Two reasons: It will be better for your knees, and your heart rate will be in a fat-burn zone more often. Maybe also take to using the tape measure on legs, arms, waist, hips, etc. As has been pointed out, muscle mass is heavier than fat. There is a good chance you'll be replacing adipose tissue with larger muscle fibres.

Oh, and stay off the grog if you want to see a real and more rapid improvement. Just some personal advice that works for me.

2manybikes
04-13-05, 05:55 PM
Be Patient HD it takes a while. Did you change your diet too? Or anything else? Did you do any on line research about cycling for weight loss? Taking it easy on the knees may keep your loss a little slow for a while. Just keep on riding. If you can't push hard on the knees, if you can keep increasing the distance that will help over time.

About the gain from increased muscle, maybe there is a place to get your body fat measured? Or are you getting slimmer?

HaagenDas
04-13-05, 06:25 PM
I enjoy the ride but I took up riding for several reasons. 1. Mobility, I sit here all day at work on my fat arse and couldn't go anywhere. Now I can - fantastic. 2. Wanted to get fit, that's happening albeit too slowly for me. I know, I know... slowly, slowly. 3. I wanted to lose weight really badly. Once again yes, it's happening but too slowly :D.

I am noticing the difference in my shirts. Once upon a time they were tight, now they're loose. Even my gut is starting to dimple, I assume that's caused by fat disappearing.

Anyway, it seems to have stopped and the effort almost doesn't seem worth it. I guess I'm just a bit down that's all. I'm sure it will pick up.

Bolo Grubb
04-13-05, 06:48 PM
I enjoy the ride but I took up riding for several reasons. 1. Mobility, I sit here all day at work on my fat arse and couldn't go anywhere. Now I can - fantastic. 2. Wanted to get fit, that's happening albeit too slowly for me. I know, I know... slowly, slowly. 3. I wanted to lose weight really badly. Once again yes, it's happening but too slowly :D.

I am noticing the difference in my shirts. Once upon a time they were tight, now they're loose. Even my gut is starting to dimple, I assume that's caused by fat disappearing.

Anyway, it seems to have stopped and the effort almost doesn't seem worth it. I guess I'm just a bit down that's all. I'm sure it will pick up.


I know how you feel. We have all hit plateu (sp?) at some point. When this happens to me, I like to change things up a bit. Try different excercises, do something different. It is ok to take a short break from the bike. Or change up the type of riding you do

Are you eating better? A good diet is an important part of the weight loss process. Be sure to treat your self once in a while, something that you like but know you can't eat all the time.

HaagenDas
04-13-05, 07:01 PM
Forgot to mention my diet. Yeah, I haven't changed it so much but I've cut stuff out. I'm off the cookies (up to three a day) also cut out sugar in my hot drinks. Worked out to a cup of sugar a week that I'm not quaffing down my guts. I did some very basic maths and worked out that a cup of sugar is equivalent to your daily required intake of joules. So if I'm cutting out a day's worth of eating I'd expect a more apparent weight loss.

yalrighty
04-13-05, 07:24 PM
You're on the right path!

tulip
04-13-05, 10:05 PM
Wise Merton has spoken simple truths...again!

Yes, instead of thinking about what you can't eat, think about what you CAN...apples (yum), bananas (yum on Special K), raspberries (double yum), carrots, pears, fresh lettuce from the garden. I swear that good things happen when one eats an apple a day.

And WATER--DRINK alot of water every day. Eight big, tall glasses per day. That will help.

It took years for the flab to gather; it'll take more than 6 weeks to get it off. Try walking, as long as your knees can handle it, and keep biking. You're getting stronger, healthier, and fitter! Don't stop now.

HaagenDas
04-13-05, 10:49 PM
Yup, plan to keep it up. The diet isn't that bad and I'm walking and riding. I guess I just want it all to happen faster when it seems to have stopped. Guess I need to pull my head in and keep at it.

Machka
04-13-05, 11:37 PM
If you've been at it 6 weeks, you've barely begun! I've been cycling seriously for 15 years now. There are good days and there are occasionally some bad days, but the trick is to stick with it!

Many times I've found that even if I really don't feel like going out for a ride, I do anyway and within a few minutes I'm enjoying myself so much I can hardly believe I considered not going out.

Also, you might need to consider doing some things like:

- changing your route. EXPLORE! I've just moved to a new province, and my current goal is to ride every paved road I can find in about a 100 mile radiius (or possibly more!). Where I lived before, there were a grand total of 24 paved roads (out in the country). Here, it seems every other road is paved. Every time I go out I see a new paved road I haven't tried yet, so I make a note of it for next time.

- joining a club. Check for a local cycletouring club with whom you can ride once a week or so.

- setting a goal. Don't set something like, "I want to lose weight and gain fitness" - that has to be one of the worst goals out there because it is so vague. Set a goal like ... "I want to ride a century in September", or "I want to do a 3-day, 100 km/day tour in July" or something very tangible like that. Then you've got something to work toward.

And most importantly, don't forget to go out and have FUN while riding. Riding isn't supposed to be a chore - take a look at the scenery around you, bring a camera to capture it, talk to the cows, do your thinking and dreaming and planning ... :)

terrymorse
04-14-05, 12:23 AM
Anyway, it seems to have stopped and the effort almost doesn't seem worth it. I guess I'm just a bit down that's all. I'm sure it will pick up.

Fitness gains happen in fits and starts. When you start out, you get a rapid improvement for a few weeks. Then the fitness curve flattens out. Don't worry. Keep up the riding and the curve will move up again.

Below is an excerpt from Arnie Baker (http://arniebakercycling.com/), ACE Training.

2manybikes
04-14-05, 12:52 AM
talk to the cows, do your thinking and dreaming and planning ... :)

If the cows talk back, take a couple of days off. :D


HD....
It is a good idea to take a day off the bike once in a while. It's good physically and mentally.

kf5nd
04-14-05, 08:44 AM
you really do need to change what you eat, not just cut back.

brown rice, oats and other whole grains, legumes, fruits, fish, vegetables, soy protein, lean dairy, minimal sugar, monosaturated fats...

and keep riding

superdex
04-14-05, 12:49 PM
HD I feel for ya, I'm in the middle of a plateau myself (though it took me 11 weeks to get here rather than six). I gave myself a goal: a two-day 150mi ride for charity in June (link (http://www.fanfreeclinic.org/ride/index.html). The training rides alone are going to be longer than I've ever ridden, and I get to notch a couple metric centuries to boot. It's also gotten me biking with other people, something that helps get through these plateaus. I know all too well how it feels to want to binge and give up, have a few Milky Ways and then hit Carl's Jr/Hardee's on the way home from the bar, but ya gotta stick it out. Mental fitness is part of the game too :D

You're on the right track, cutting things back (like the sugar). Little stuff like skim milk, brown rice, whole wheat anything over white, and more fruit/veggies will do wonders. Having a cornerstone meal may help too. (yes, I just made up the term) It's a meal that is basically the same, day in and day out. Mine is breakfast: a bowl of Fiber One or uncooked oats, some raisins with skim milk, and a yogurt. Having a cornerstone can be an anchor when you think your other meals may be slipping. I know I'm doing my body good with breakfast, it gives me a positive mental outlook on doing the rest of the day like that :)

Hang in there, if you need to take a day or two away from the bike, that's cool. Don't lose the love of cycling (or exercising in general) over a plateau. They're normal, and you're doing great :D

Scott

SSP
04-14-05, 12:55 PM
Forgot to mention my diet. Yeah, I haven't changed it so much but I've cut stuff out. I'm off the cookies (up to three a day) also cut out sugar in my hot drinks. Worked out to a cup of sugar a week that I'm not quaffing down my guts. I did some very basic maths and worked out that a cup of sugar is equivalent to your daily required intake of joules. So if I'm cutting out a day's worth of eating I'd expect a more apparent weight loss.

A cup of sugar is most definitely *not* equivalent to the daily required intake of joules (or, calories, depending on your units of measure). 1 cup of sugar (192g) contains 720 calories, or 3014 joules. A 6' tall, 50-ish male who weighs 190 lbs and is lightly active can expect to burn 10406 joules per day (2485 calories).

It sounds like you are on the right path, but are a bit impatient. As others have pointed out, you did not get overweight and out of shape overnight...don't expect to lose your excess weight and get "buff" overnight either. Successful weight loss requires patience and persistence.

For long term success, you need to achieve a modest daily energy deficit. A deficit of 500 calories per day (2093 joules) should result in weight loss of about 1 lb (0.45 kg) per week. This is considered a safe, and healthy, rate of weight loss. But, even smaller deficits can result in substantial weight loss if maintained over time...and, they're easier to achieve.

As for achieving the energy deficit - it can be done via dietary control, or exercise, or (ideally) both. But, be aware that dietary control is far more important than exercise - it's very easy to subvert a good exercise program with a few poor food choices.

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jnbacon
04-14-05, 01:09 PM
As many have mentioned above, your weight loss plateau might be due to muscle gain. So, you might think about getting your body fat percentage tested, so that you have a baseline, and then checking back periodically to see if you've made gains (that is, losses in your body fat percentage). My wife recently found out that after 3 months of regular exercise, she has reduced her body fat percentage by 10 points, a fact that means a lot more in terms of fitness than her weight, which has gone down all that much. And it was very energizing and motivating for her!

fsor
04-14-05, 01:55 PM
Wow, this was a really good thread! Lots of good info. A suggestion that I would add is trying to put other muscle groups to task. Can you do some swimming in between the cycling? The plateau that I hit in my weight loss efforts took nearly 12wks to get past...I think that a lot was due to the building of dense muscle in areas that were sadly lacking.

Roody
04-14-05, 03:33 PM
If you quit I'm gonna quit too.

Row a real boat in a real lake. Row hard for 30 minutes, then drift on the water for 30 minutes. Give your mind a break and your knees a rest. A lot of parks rent rowboats real cheap.

Quit worrying about plateaus. that's just the way our bodies respond to new situations. You're normal!

HaagenDas
04-14-05, 06:26 PM
I'll keep at it. I'm sure it's all happening, I actually feel slightly trimmer today and I don't care if that's only a mental thing. Gonna change my route home tonight just to give myself something new to look at.

My diet is already pretty good. I could do better I suppose and will look at ways of doing that too.

Fitness is improving and i guess I am expecting a lot.

Thanks for all your help people.

kf5nd
04-15-05, 08:54 AM
God God, I love the grass-fed beef you get in Argentina... butterflied churrascos seared in garlic butter...

I just rode 25 miles into work, I am damn hungry now.


nah. skip the fish. but if you can get hold of beef that has been fed !!!!!!!!!ONLY GRASS!!!!!!!! it's perhaps even better for you than fish.

Rowan
04-15-05, 09:04 AM
I'll keep at it. I'm sure it's all happening, I actually feel slightly trimmer today and I don't care if that's only a mental thing. Gonna change my route home tonight just to give myself something new to look at.

My diet is already pretty good. I could do better I suppose and will look at ways of doing that too.

Fitness is improving and i guess I am expecting a lot.

Thanks for all your help people.

Yeah, Das, you've neatly dodged around the grog thing I mentioned earlier. You live in the wine region and you're on record as liking the tipple. Come clean. Cut the tipple, and you'll lose the weight. I kid you not.

Doctor Morbius
04-15-05, 09:38 AM
I know how you feel Haagen. I'm pretty discouraged these days myself. I've not trained for about 4 weeks due to a nasty case of bronchitis. Got back on the bike and it seems all of the gains I'd made since mid-January are down the toilet. I've pretty much decided that I'm out of the game for a while and all of my big plans are officially shelved. And I was just getting some decent distance and times in too. :(

Since October of 2004 I've lost 71 days worth of training due to colds, flu and bronchitis!!! That's over 2 freakin' months off in the past 6 months. How do you think I feel? And each time I start back it's some little paltry scheiße like 30 minutes for about 2 weeks just to ease back into it.

I had high hopes of accomplishing the following...

get in 1500 base miles between Jan 15th & May 15th - forget that (only have 728)
get in 5000 miles (100 per week) by year's end - most likely will not make it now
do a century on the trainer in early May - forget that
do a century outdoors in late May - forget that
beat my last Fall's personal best 50 miler this Spring - forget that
beat my last year's personal best 5 mile time trial - forget that
get my resting heart rate lower than 56 BPM - forget that
(it's been stuck there for about 2 years!)

So you see, you're 6 weeks of cycling/fitness training are nothing to fret about. I'm going to have to go back to square 1 and push all of these Spring time goals back to Fall just because I tend to have so many breathing problems in cold dry air.

Add to this frustration that fact that I'm also looking for work in IT and have to compete against ultra-cheap labor overseas. :mad: It ain't pretty, Son.

Daoooo
04-16-05, 05:14 PM
you will loose it during the summer heat. keep well hydrated tho, get a camelbak if you don't have one yet.

tulip
04-17-05, 09:21 AM
you will loose it during the summer heat. keep well hydrated tho, get a camelbak if you don't have one yet.

He's in Australia--winter (such as it is) is coming on down there, but good advice to those of us approaching summer. Keep up the good work, Das!

Maelstrom
04-17-05, 12:29 PM
I wonder how long it will take to pass through my latest phase?

My weight loss seems to have stopped dead in its tracks and I don't even seem to be getting any fitter even though I'm doing longer rides. I almost feel as though I'm wasting my time. I still enjoy biking but it doesn't seem to be doing what it started to do.

Anyone else been through this and how long did it take to jump back on with joy?

Mine isn't a block from working out but I understand and hitting that final wall, mines, well not sure why anymore. I walk 20minute 2 x daily fast paced, and ride on the trainer 4 to 5 days a week with a decent hr (60 to 70%) and one of two those might be trails if the weather permits (my hr is high on those @ around 80 to 85%). I don't seem to be improving much and my weight isn't dropping (it went way up this winter)...I am getting pretty disheartened. Even stopped drinking alcohol, pop etc, and my eating is good. Can't wait till summer to really get out there and ride. Hope that gets the old body going again.

SSP
04-17-05, 01:20 PM
Mine isn't a block from working out but I understand and hitting that final wall, mines, well not sure why anymore. I walk 20minute 2 x daily fast paced, and ride on the trainer 4 to 5 days a week with a decent hr (60 to 70%) and one of two those might be trails if the weather permits (my hr is high on those @ around 80 to 85%). I don't seem to be improving much and my weight isn't dropping (it went way up this winter)...I am getting pretty disheartened. Even stopped drinking alcohol, pop etc, and my eating is good. Can't wait till summer to really get out there and ride. Hope that gets the old body going again.

Losing weight is all about calories in vs. calories out. If you consume a few less calories than your body burns each day, you will lose weight.

Exercise is good for many reasons, and helps with weight loss by burning calories, but it's really easy to subvert a good exercise program with a few poor food choices. I've heard many stories of, "I ride my bike 150 miles per week, but I can't lose any weight"...this illustrates the importance of diet, and how a good exercise program can be subverted with a few poor food choices.

A deficit of 500 calories per day will result in weight loss of 1 lb per week, but smaller deficits are easier to maintain and can be just as effective if maintained over time.

BaadDawg
04-17-05, 08:13 PM
I have been doing hard cardio workouts at least 6 days a week for 15 months with no breaks. Spinning classes in winter/rainy days and 2-5hr road rides daily in season.

Have not lost 1 pound. In fact I might have put a few on the last few months.

I wouldn't mind losing 10-15 pounds but while I am not thin, I am definintely in the best shape of my life. Tha's good enough for me. The thought of calorie counting and reducing while working out as hard as I have does not sound appealing at all. I eat well, very well in fact, but probably eat too much and have a bit of a sweet tooth.

Mentioned this to a leading cardiologist I saw a few months ago, and he said that studies show that fitness is a stronger indicator for heart health than body weight. He didn't consider me overweight at all even though I am 5'10" 205lbs and it's not all muscle in the middle. Nothing hanging out or anything but not svelte either.

SSP
04-17-05, 08:27 PM
I have been doing hard cardio workouts at least 6 days a week for 15 months with no breaks. Spinning classes in winter/rainy days and 2-5hr road rides daily in season.

Have not lost 1 pound. In fact I might have put a few on the last few months.

I wouldn't mind losing 10-15 pounds but while I am not thin, I am definintely in the best shape of my life. Tha's good enough for me. The thought of calorie counting and reducing while working out as hard as I have does not sound appealing at all. I eat well, very well in fact, but probably eat too much and have a bit of a sweet tooth.

Mentioned this to a leading cardiologist I saw a few months ago, and he said that studies show that fitness is a stronger indicator for heart health than body weight. He didn't consider me overweight at all even though I am 5'10" 205lbs and it's not all muscle in the middle. Nothing hanging out or anything but not svelte either.

Being fit helps (especially for cardiovascular diseases), but being fat is an independent risk factor for many diseases (especially cancers). Your current weight puts you just below the "Obese" category (which starts at 209 lbs for your height).

Plus, if you like to ride bikes, losing weight is a really good way to improve your power to weight ratio (in other words, you'll be faster...especially going uphill).

oldspark
04-17-05, 08:56 PM
I feel blessed, I have no trouble losing weight riding about 5 to 6 hrs a week (40lbs), expecting quick results and not getting them is the reason a lot of people quit. If it was easy and quick everyone would be slim and trim. Keep on keeping on.

BaadDawg
04-17-05, 09:00 PM
Your general bmi rule is not applicable to every person. It is like the max HR formula. It is an approximate and works for some people. I have been to enough doctors for various things and believe me if they felt I was 4 pounds short of obese they would have been all over me to lose weight. When I tell them I would maybe like to drop 5 or 10 pounds, they look at me in a weird way and ask why.

I agree being lighter would improve my biking and hill climbing but being fit has been my priority and it has worked out very well.

My original comment was meant to reassure the original poster that as long as he keeps up the fitness routine he should not be discouraged if there is no weight loss. If losing weight is a big priority for him then he has to count calories and reduce intake.

SSP
04-17-05, 10:01 PM
Your general bmi rule is not applicable to every person. It is like the max HR formula. It is an approximate and works for some people. I have been to enough doctors for various things and believe me if they felt I was 4 pounds short of obese they would have been all over me to lose weight. When I tell them I would maybe like to drop 5 or 10 pounds, they look at me in a weird way and ask why.

I agree being lighter would improve my biking and hill climbing but being fit has been my priority and it has worked out very well.

My original comment was meant to reassure the original poster that as long as he keeps up the fitness routine he should not be discouraged if there is no weight loss. If losing weight is a big priority for him then he has to count calories and reduce intake.

Good points.

Have you ever had your body fat tested? This web page http://www.he.net/%7Ezone/prothd2.html has a free tool that uses the "Navy" method for estimating body fat - it only requires a tape measure, and is reasonably accurate (but ignore their odd recommendations for "Ideal Weight").

berny
04-18-05, 12:48 AM
I bought LA's book 'Performance Program'. In it he recommends a training prog. to get you to loose weight and improve your performance. I covers beginers to elite cyclists and gives diet/calorie/training/exercise etc. etc.
A really great book IMHO.
I've lost 9kg in 4mths and I'm now riding 50+km's in 2hrs.
It's a slow process but you need to remember that the longer it takes to get it off, the longer it'll stay off. And the reverse is also true i.e. the quicker it goes the quicker it can come back!
Best just to enjoy yourself a see the fitness and weight loss as a bonus.

Does the riding hurt you? If you haven't been properly fitted to the bike you'll find it isn't the pleasure it should be. Best to go talk to a good bike fitter, maybe at your LBS.
This is your life remember, it ain't no dress rehearsal.

HaagenDas
04-19-05, 07:18 PM
Bit happier today. I know this means little to you pros out there but I just clipped 37 seconds off my commute last night. I knew that I was breathing heavy when I pulled into the driveway but I didn't think I'd busted my PB. Then I looked at my computer and couldn't believe it.

2manybikes
04-20-05, 08:23 AM
Bit happier today. I know this means little to you pros out there but I just clipped 37 seconds off my commute last night. I knew that I was breathing heavy when I pulled into the driveway but I didn't think I'd busted my PB. Then I looked at my computer and couldn't believe it.


Yea HaggenDas! Keep it up! :D :D Anytime you break a PB is a reason to celebrate. I'm sure you know that races are won by .037 seconds!

If you are approaching your cold season (?) don't be too unhappy if you slow down a little in the winter. As it gets colder you lose a little speed. But you can still improve your fitness.

As soon as spring comes around you will be starting off in better shape than last spring, and will go forward from there. It may seem strange if you are out of season with the others, like me who are just starting summer and are very up for the season.

You can get even with us when we have our winter. :)

Pedal Wench
04-20-05, 10:45 AM
In a similar boat. I thought I was doing great - looked better, and clothes fit a LOT better, but according to the scale, I'm heavier than I've been in years. I ride as much as I can, usually long weekend rides, and since the time change, I get in a few 25 mile rides during the week. I should check my body fat. I don't own a scale, and I wish I hadn't weighed myself. I was happy thinking that I was thinner, when in reality, I've gained.

Now, since everyone is gonna say that it's muscle weight, how does this effect my climbing? I wanted to trim down to make climbing easier. Do you ever try to lose muscles to lose weight?

tulip
04-20-05, 12:53 PM
In a similar boat. I thought I was doing great - looked better, and clothes fit a LOT better, but according to the scale, I'm heavier than I've been in years.


Don't weigh yourself anymore if the scale speaks louder than your clothes and how you feel. Just don't do it!

HaagenDas
04-20-05, 08:32 PM
Yeah, I've been keeping off the scales. This muscle/fat weight issue isn't good for me either. All I know is that I'm getting faster - slowly, clothes are getting baggier - slowly and I appear to be losing weight - slowly.

2manybikes, it's getting cool here now, dark early as well. I tend to enjoy the cooler weather. Yeah, fitness is what I'm really trying to up at the moment. I enjoy being able to walk to the bathroom without starting to breathe heavy. The last little uphill jaunt home is now almost enjoyable. 4 weeks ago I had pregnant mothers pushing prams passed me as I wheezed up hill at 2knots. Now I'm doing 7 and wheezing... big diff.

yalrighty
04-20-05, 10:02 PM
Yeah, I've been keeping off the scales. This muscle/fat weight issue isn't good for me either. All I know is that I'm getting faster - slowly, clothes are getting baggier - slowly and I appear to be losing weight - slowly.

2manybikes, it's getting cool here now, dark early as well. I tend to enjoy the cooler weather. Yeah, fitness is what I'm really trying to up at the moment. I enjoy being able to walk to the bathroom without starting to breathe heavy. The last little uphill jaunt home is now almost enjoyable. 4 weeks ago I had pregnant mothers pushing prams passed me as I wheezed up hill at 2knots. Now I'm doing 7 and wheezing... big diff.

Keep it up. You are an inspiration to others!

2manybikes
04-21-05, 12:57 AM
Yeah, I've been keeping off the scales. This muscle/fat weight issue isn't good for me either. All I know is that I'm getting faster - slowly, clothes are getting baggier - slowly and I appear to be losing weight - slowly.

2manybikes, it's getting cool here now, dark early as well. I tend to enjoy the cooler weather. Yeah, fitness is what I'm really trying to up at the moment. I enjoy being able to walk to the bathroom without starting to breathe heavy. The last little uphill jaunt home is now almost enjoyable. 4 weeks ago I had pregnant mothers pushing prams passed me as I wheezed up hill at 2knots. Now I'm doing 7 and wheezing... big diff.

Great! It only gets better.... sometimes the progress sneaks up on you and it's a surprise, sometimes it seems too slow....

You have no idea how much trouble it was for me to travel over there and get Olympic champion ringers with pillows under the clothes to push those prams, and then get here to post quickly so you would not be suspicious. I'm glad it's over I'm jet lagged. :D


3cannondales..........

more muscle, less fat, same weight= higher power to weight ratio,better climbing

Doctor Morbius
04-24-05, 04:49 PM
Yeah, I've been keeping off the scales. This muscle/fat weight issue isn't good for me either. All I know is that I'm getting faster - slowly, clothes are getting baggier - slowly and I appear to be losing weight - slowly.

2manybikes, it's getting cool here now, dark early as well. I tend to enjoy the cooler weather. Yeah, fitness is what I'm really trying to up at the moment. I enjoy being able to walk to the bathroom without starting to breathe heavy. The last little uphill jaunt home is now almost enjoyable. 4 weeks ago I had pregnant mothers pushing prams passed me as I wheezed up hill at 2knots. Now I'm doing 7 and wheezing... big diff.Haagen, get a trainer to use indoors. It will allow you to keep your fitness levels up (and possibly even improve them) during those nasty winter months. Some people hate them but I'm still in love with mine. I would recommend the Cycleops Fluid 2, but I just noticed mine has a small leak. I thought they had fixed that problem with the newer models but apparently not.

Anyway, get a trainer and a heart rate monitor and start training properly. By next Spring you'll be a wrecking machine! Kinda like Mr. T or something. :o