FatguyRacer

+1

FHE - I lost 50 lbs from June 1, 2005 to Oct 1, 2005. I started small and gradually used the training principles i already know before i stopped racing and training after the 2000 season. All diet and exercise. Eat less, ride more. Plain & simple. After the Seagull Century the 2nd weekend in October (I did fine), I was BURNT OUT! My intention was not to quit riding. I just didnt want to. I rode 2-3x each in Nov & Dec. But i had gained back 15 lbs. I started training again in earnest around the Christmas holiday and have only just now lost the 15lbs I gainined back. But, i'm not burnt out. I have another 30 to lose and dont expect it to be off completely until late summer, early fall. Just in time to give cyclocross a go. Fortunately the hot weather is comming and my weekly milages and intensities going up. So i may loose it faster buy chance, not by design.

Im not saying you cant do it either, but be careful. The only reason i didnt gain it all back is that im highly motivated to compete again and to never ever be 260lbs much less over 200.

FWIW, I did my first race of the year today. 12 lap, 25 mile circuit race with a 250m big ring hill every lap. I did the Mas 40/50+ race. Cat 4/5 sold out (im a cat 4) in 10 min on BikeReg so i had no choice. But, Im glad i did the Masters race. Except for some shenannigans at the back it was smooth and steady the whole race up front where i tried to stay in the upper 1/3 of the field. Last lap i worked my way to the front 10 and hit the hill in a good spot to go for the win. But I died 100m from the line and limped in 53 outta 100+. Now i know what to work on next!!!

Eatadonut

Actually, every nutritionist or diet specialist I have talked to says 1%, not 1 pound, so 2 pounds a week is not bad, and would put him pretty close to his goal. Make it the end of July and it would be no problem. My weight fluctuates more than that in any given week.

CJKarl

Good luck, I'm 6' and only dream of getting my weight down to 225.

bonkerz

Or watch Super Size Me That made me stop.

mrfreddy

you can try the low carb approach, you might lose the weight by july, certainly by august or september. I lost that much in 4 - 6 months and have kept it off for over three years now, even when I wasnt exercising.
1) you wont be losing muscle, since you will be giving yourself all the protein you need.
2) you'll lose a lot in the first two weeks, but most of that is water weight. all the same you dont need to be carrying that around, do you? the rest will come off in the next few months.
3) it will take you a couple of weeks or more to adapt to using fat for fuel instead of carbs.
4) most of the people on this forum will tell you that a low carb diet is impossible for anyone who engages in a lot of endurance activities. I'm here to tell ya just not true. and it's been argued ad naseum here:
https://www.bikeforums.net/training-nutrition/166201-certified-nutritionalist.html

Pelon

Here are some thoughts from a guy who has lost 115 lbs of fat:

1) Don't focus on your weight when you first start a fat loss program. Your weight is just one indicator of fitness, and it is often misleading. Weight changes can come from fat loss, but they can also come from water loss, muscle loss, glycogen loss, etc. Many people who start an exercise program add weight during the first month. Instead, focus on activity based goals. For example, spend 30 minutes on the bike 5-6 days per week for the next 6 weeks, eliminate a class of bad foods from your diet, etc. As you achieve a goal, create a new one that is a little harder. Eventually, you can start tracking your weight, but if you start right away, it is likely to cause disappointment.

2) Calories consumed being less than calories burned is what leads to weight loss. There are no magic foods or pills that will change this basic rule. Some foods and supplements may make it easier to maintain a calorie deficit, but they won't change the fact that you have to have one.

3) Track your diet and your exercise. It can be a burden at first, but journalizing activities is consistently listed as a key factor in successfully developing a healthy lifestyle. If you don't track what you do, you have no way of knowing if you are making progress. There are many software programs that make this easier.

4) Eat more and eat less. Most people find it hard to only eat three times per day. Instead, incorporate healthy snacking throughout the day. Reduce the amount of calories you consume at meal time in order to offset the snacking. This really helps prevent gorging at meal times. Also, pick high volume low calorie foods. This allows you to feel full without getting too many calories.

5) Realize that maintaining a healthy lifestyle is hard. If it was easy, 2/3 of the adult population wouldn't be overweight. Understand that you will have failures and setbacks. Learn to work through them.

Good luck!

steel_on_wheels

Hi,
congrats on wanting to lose weight! I don't know if anyone said this yet, but you might want to rule out hypoglycemia. It's good to rule out a cause of the binge eating. If your problem is indeed hypoglycemia, it will be nearly IMPOSSIBLE to lose the weight!!! Believe me, I've tried for years. I gained 40 pounds, and couldn't keep it off. I couldn't stop myself from binging because my body was starving for sugar, and it was a vicious cycle. My blood sugar level would sky rocket after eating, then fall below average. And then I would binge. That is really bad for the body because it shocks the body and makes you more susceptible to diabetes. I finally found out 2 months ago that I have pretty bad reactive hypoglycemia (low blood sugar). It actually makes me have a sugar/carb dependancy. I just binge often and thought it was emotional... but once I learned how to get the blood sugar under control (6 meals/snacks a day with small portions and no simple sugars like white rice, white sugar, and white flour) I have stopped binging!!! I've also lost 10 pounds in a month and a half with moderate exercise. If you suspect hypoglycemia (you can read up on all the other symptoms), DO see a doctor who will be willing to help you with it. ok, keep us all posted!!!

rthomse

I've had excellent results with weight watchers.

chromedome

I agree with patc too.
Diets are pretty evil, mainlt because of the stigma they have. Its more like changing to better habits of eating: at the right time, the right stuff, the right amount. After 3-5 days it won't seem so much like torture. It doesnt have to be real complicated, just find info about the basic food pyramid, and identify your weakest type of food (mine is dairy fat.)
Patc is also right about lifestyle changes. Regular exercise regimen, each day. And staying more active throughout the day: taking the stairs instead of the elevator; parking at the back end of the parking lot instead of close to the door (if you keep driving!); walk to the store instead of drive; do manuel labor jobs yourself instead of hiring out. That kind of stuff.
Sometimes when I read what Michigander has to say, I think "WTF?" But he/she mentions swimming. Swimming is great for anybody. You dont have to be a good swimmer to get a lot of benefit from it. And its a good switch from other forms of exercise that might get boring. And you can swim indoors (if you have a pool in your city) in the winter, if you're not able to ride or exercise outdoors yearround.
Good luck. I think you'll be quite successful. Dont forget to have fun!