caloso

Good job guys.

For myself, I'm going to my 25th HS reunion next month at the same weight I graduated (168lbs).

swanktaspi

I went from 240 to 180 two years ago, running most of the time. And then I went from 180 to 160 the next year, just lifting weights. And then this year down to 147 (approx. cause I don't have a scale now), lifting weights and now commuting on bike. Hopefully I can get to 140 and stay there so I can say I lost 100lbs. I'm 5'7" by the way and went from a 40" to 28" waistline. Most of the weight loss is from portioning food.

When I first started losing weight, I thought 180 would be my limit. I never knew I would be able to go down to where I am today. So, it is possible. And great job to everyone! Keep it up! And surely all these stories will continue to inspire others!

AdamDZ

Good! Keep it up! I went from around 235lbs to 190lbs in about a year without any major changes in my diet. I seem to have plateaued at 190lbs. I guess to drop any more weight I'd have to start watching my cookie and cakes intake

bhdavis1978

I just calculated my BMI (6'0, 218 lbs as of this morning)- first time in a long time- 29.6- so I'm out of the obese category. I calculated that I'd need to get down to 185 in order to be a 'normal' weight, so I guess maybe that's my new, long term goal. Right now my goal is to get to say 200-205 range by November, when I have to stop commuting to work by bike. At that point I will probably buy a bike trainer- something by Kurt Kinetic, and keep doing it indoors.

I ride 70 miles per week to and from work, and then another 20-30 miles per week in group rides. I'd like to get that up to 40-60 miles per week in group rides, but it hasn't happened yet. I met a guy at one group ride, and we're going to start riding together in the evenings and on weekends, so hopefully I'll be able to add another 20-40 miles / week in.

I've tried to really cut back on the amount of pop I drink- it's one of my three big vices. I don't drink much alcohol (no alcohol most weeks). I also eat junk food when hanging out at home watching TV, so I'm trying to cut that back a bit too.

I should quit smoking too, but I don't really have any plans to. I am bipolar, and I have tourette syndrome, and a lot of problems with managing anxiety. Smoking is one of the few things I can do to keep myself from panicking when it gets bad. I've spent years on various prescriptions: prozac, zoloft, paxil, serzone, welbutrin, haldol, seroquel, lorazepam, clonazepam, etc (not all of them at the same time though). They varied in their degree usefulness in terms efficacy and side effects. Some of the combinations of medications were really good at stabilizing my mood swings and anxiety, but basically turned me into a robot (I didn't feel anything, which wasn't pleasant, or unpleasant- it just was). I suppose that's not entirely true, cause the benzo's did work well on the anxiety, but then I had a problem with taking too much of it.

I did quit one time, and I tried to manage my stress by exercising more- and that works, to a point- but I always had to constantly work out longer, and harder, to maintain the stress relieving benefits. e.g. At one point I was up to working out 3 hours per day (1.5 hours in the morning, 1.5 hours in the evening) doing a combination of running, rowing, weight lighting, and aerobics classes, and eventually that wasn't even enough. After I'd been exercising for 15-20 minutes, I'd start to feel 'better', and then I'd feel pretty good for 30 minutes to an hour after I finished working, but then it'd creep in again, and I'd feel terrible. Smoking really helps. I smoke less than a pack a week, and while it may reduce my lifespan, it makes my life way more livable and enjoyable.

exile

Went from 240 in December to around 200 now. Most of it is from changes in diet. Congratulations to the rest of you guys (and girls).

pharasz

That was my point. My triglycerides and LDL to HDL ratios were excellent. About 15 years ago I got down to 180 LBS, which left me literally with washboard abs. I managed to stay in the 180 - 185 range for about six months. I looked incredible but I got tired of feeling hungry all the time. At 190 I'm much more comfortable but "overweight" (in BMI speak).

After 30 years of exercising consistently I have found that I can be lean and fit, and fat and fit. I've been as lean as 180 LBS, and as fat as 215. In the end, you can not escape watching what you eat. Exercising makes weight control a little easier, but it is only 20 percent of the effort. For me, 80 percent of the effort is watching what I shove down my pie hole. And that ain't easy, as the popularity of this thread demonstrates.

Oh how it is so easy to put on, and so damn hard to take back off!!!

john423

Yeah, when you get down so low, your body starts fighting with you to eat - it's scared you're starving to death, so it starts slowing the metabolism down AND ramping up your appetite - not a good combination. There's supposedly a "set point," a body weight your body is comfortable being at, and going below it invites peril. The "set point" can be shifted down, to a point, but only if weight is kept low for a decent chunk of time.

Adding 10 pounds onto washboard abs does not make one "overweight," but you know that. Every doctor I've ever talked to about BMI rolls their eyes at how useless it is. And yes, it is all about what you eat. Exercising does burn calories, sure, but not enough to overcome today's modern diet.

kekkiumai

I"ve dropped 35lbs from march to present. not from bike riding though but just exercising more. but as soon as i start commuting with my bike i'm sure to lose more lbs by the week. i weight 145lbs now at 5"8' but i hope to become 130-135 full of muscle with like 1% fat.

GeneO 

Congrats! I started commuting this summer and watching my calories and since about May have dropped 30 lbs. I started at 225+ and am down to 195. I am putting in between 400 and 500 miles a month cycling.

Best of luck reaching your goal

trekker pete

You are bragging.

And you know what? You deserve to.

I wish I was in the position to brag.

Got off to a pretty good start with commuting this year, but other projects around the house served as a convenient excuse to not do it. On the plus side, building a deck was good for a 10 pound weight loss.

Just getting back into commuting mode, despite a-hole boss banishing the trek from the building.

Congrats! And keep up the good work and the deserved bragging. It serves as motiviation to those of us in need of it.

travelmama

Congratulations to all of you.

confounded

Nice work! I started riding to work 4 months ago and have dropped 8 lbs, trimmed my waist line, and toned up my legs, stomach, and arms substantially. I ride a fixed gear for the extra exercise - mostly flat - 7 miles round trip. Try to get 50 miles a week with other rides. Will likely try to up that, particularly during the winter when I can't play tennis or soccer.

confounded

That would be impossible for me. I weighed 125 when I graduated. Now 172. I grew 2 1/2 inches after high school so if I went back to that weight I'd be malnourished!

kekkiumai

I'm so jealous... I wish i grew an extra 2 1/2 inches after high school!! Dx If i was 5"10 1/2 my present weight will be my ideal weight. =[ Not only that, I will look sexier.

Spire

Great work! Good luck with the last 10lbs!