celticfrost

Just a story I thought I'd share:

Went to Target today and started looking @ scales (I have a goal of 175lbs this year) and figured I was about +10 lbs from my goal as my usual weight is ~190# and I've been back on the bike for about 5 weeks/ 500 miles.

Tried out scale A (digital) and was @ 198. "Pfffffttttt" I thought --- stupid digital scales: work like crap and are expensive to boot. Then the retro grouch in me tried out the old school, "real", tried and true $6 analog scale. Sure enough, it read 201#.

Long winter, lots o'work, back trouble = about 6 months off the bike.
+ ever slowing metabolism = me > 200lbs.

I guess (in hindsight) before getting back on the bike I may have been closer to 205#. Nothing against being 200lbs on the right frame, I just don't think I have the right sized frame and have been (until now) between 180-190 for about 10-12 years.

Wildwood 

I have found that just riding the bike is not my total solution for weight loss. For me I have to cut out the nightly bowl of ice cream and reduce my consumption of breads. Since March, I've been more disciplined than usual (about the ice cream & bread) and with 100 - 150 mi per week my weight has gone from 218 to 200. Goal is 190 by end of July. I haven't been below 200 for about 12 years.

Neil_B

For me, it's not a solution at all. I've bounced around 247-250 for about a month and a half now. The more I bike, the more I eat. I'm packing it away like almost like I did in my 385 pound days. :-(

europa

Hah. Been back on the bike since last July. Lots of riding. Not changing my diet so much as moderating what I take in. Weight loss? Well, there's that bike pump I lost last year

Richard

jskwarek

You guys are starting to worry me. I've started riding to loose weight. I've been riding more and more over the last month and was hoping to get down under 250# (currently 270-272) by the end of the summer. Although I just found out that I've got a Thyroid problem so that might slow the process until they get that figured out. What's up with you folks not loosing weight?

Jason

Neil_B

Jason,

It could be the dreaded "plateau" that dieters hit. Or it could be overstating the calories burned and underestimating the calories eaten. In my case, it's the latter.

You can do it, Jason. Keep riding!

bsyptak

You all know about partially hydrogenated [any] oil and high fructose corn syrup right? Throw everything out in your cabinets that contain it, and never allow it back into your house. Yes, it eliminates probably more than half the items in a standard grocery store (and cabinets), but that's a good thing. Less choice makes it easier to buy.

These items are the devil.

europa

I guess I'm a clyde - the scales say so. But I don't FEEL it.



Look at the aerodynamic figure, that climber's build, that ...

Richard

for the record, I ride with Shyshorts, cycling jersey, clipless shoes, gloves and a bash hat - that is NOT my normal cycling kit

Wogster

I used to be about 115kg, worked in computers, but the computer business decided that it much would much prefer to hire 20 something recent immigrants from the former Soviet Union, China and India who thought $6/hr was a fortune, then an experienced 40 something who was looking for 40K a year.

I ended up working for a courier company, doing about 50 times as much walking, carrying, lifting, etc. Without changing diet much, I dropped to about 100kg, I wonder now, If I am that much..... My goal is about 80kg, not sure if work gives me more energy for biking, or biking gives me more energy for work....

Wildwood 

I was a 50+ something in the electronics industry when the technology market crashed in 1999/2000/2001, thought I was just a few years away from retirement. I had to find a second career which has been bumpy, but you are right the money is the *****s compared to electronics in the roaring 90s.


OOps that not the topic for this thread. Sorry.

neilfein

Gotta agree that biking isn't really a weight loss tool, but it's certainly a health tool. Not sure how many clydes also have high blood pressure (I do), but I imagine it's probably a lot of us. And CV exercise, which biking certainly is, has lowered my BP significantly. (Mid-130s over high-80s last time, down from 140s over 90s). Keep in mind, the spare tire isn't the problem, it's the stuff it brings with it.

That said, looking good is my main motivator. My current goal is to look grrreat in bike pants.

Tom Stormcrowe

Mine used to be high, but now it's 128/58 on average with an average resting HR of 56. Not bad for a man who was wheelchair bound and on Oxygen in March 2005 and suffering CHF!

rs hunter

THAT IS AWESOME!!!

Neil_B

It's time for post a photo of your O2 panniers, Tom. :-)

Tom Stormcrowe

This might be more effective this time.....my old pants!

stevel610 

I thought I was doing well riding 4-5 times a week for the past 8 months. I don't own a scale but went to the Dr. recently for a check upand found out I GAINED 5 Pounds! 235 to 240. But I feel much better other than that.

rs hunter

Keep in mind that muscle weighs more than fat.....

evblazer

That is very true though I tell you I hate it!!
I was 250 3 years ago before I moved to where I had to drive instead of commute by bike. I peaked at over 300 and when they changed my job again at work, to something I really hate, I needed an outlet so now I am commuting again. Everyone at works says I am losing lots of weight but I'm not. I am losing inches here and there but still barely any weight.
I guess for health reasons muscle is better then fat and better for your heart and all that. But my bike still groans a bit when I stand up hills along with all the other reactions with inanimate objects because of my weight.

big john

Dude! Fly out here and we'll go up Mount Baldy and I'll be able to keep up this time. Welcome to the Clyde Club!

CliftonGK1

<-- There's my excuse. I'm holding at a steady 245 for the past few months, down from 262 at the start of the year. I'm still losing fat, but since I started throwing in a lot of hill work I'm gaining muscle in my legs. The bodyfat calipers are a much more appropriate measure of how I'm doing, and the percentage is consistently going down.
It could be dropping a lot faster, but, ya know... -->

FarHorizon

DANG! I didn't know I had a TWIN! I swear we're BOTH identical-looking, handsome guys!

neilfein

Speaking of huge pants... check out today's bizarro.

Tom Stormcrowe

Yep, funny!

I earned mine the hard way though

huhenio

I have been dropped from group rider by guys 15 years my senior and 6 sizes over my clothes size.

But I have only one gear ...

Big guys can push wheel.