kevmk81

Ok, so since Thanksgiving last year, I've lost a lot of weight by biking and just eating better (smaller portions, not as fattening, etc...). Now that I'm actually at my weight, my ma insists that I am still on my "diet" and that eating more fattening foods will be better for the brain!!!? I try to explain to her but she doesn't seem to care what I say. Along with that, she doesn't understand why in the world I would still bike long distances, bet it 20 miles, 50 miles, or 100 miles. Saying that I don't need to lose anymore weight, she doesn't seem to understand that I'm riding for enjoyment, and to become a better rider. Has anybody else dealt with this type of issue? Any suggestions? Don't get me wrong, I love my mom to death, and she's in fairly good health too! She says the same about my gf, she's losing weight, and now she (my ma) says that if she'd (my gf) lose any more weight she'd look sick!! Why would some people say this type of thing? Oh yeah, it's not only her that's saying this, but different folks too. I just don't understand! I feel like I shouldn't say anything about it to my gf because whenever they are near eachother things go so well.

umassned

out of curioisity what is your height/ weight? and do you know your daily caloric intake?

IF you are at a healthy weight and maintaining it with a good mixed diet (note I mean the aaverage of what you eat and not some weight loss plan) then you are correct and generally people will make comments based on their own insecurities. The same advice also applies for your girlfriend.

kevmk81

5'7'' - 25 years old, I went from 176 to 140ish depending on how hydrated I am. It dips into the upper 130's every once in a while. Yeah I don't have a whole lot of upper body muscle, but I'm no weakling, in fact I feel stronger right now than I did before I realized my health was going to the shi**er nearing 180. I do try to include upper body weight training each week, along with lower body weight training. I only have dumbbells so I'm guessing to get more muscle I would need to buy heavier weights, my heaviest is two 25 lb dumbbells.

Nickel

Most people don't understand basic nutrition. The reason why 'diets' don't work is because people think you can eat healthy or restrict for short periods of time and then go back to what they were eating before and have everything be happy. Dieting (ick I don't even like the word) to me is a lifestyle choice, where you aren't happy with what you look like/feel/health and you make permanent positive changes to help get yourself to your ideal. I have noticed a lot of people like to make healthy people feel guilty for how they live their lives. Jealousy? Making them feel bad about themselves? My family does the same thing to me; how I am going to blow away in the breeze. I just smile and say I'm happy.

Fat is good, of course in moderation. She might be referencing omega 3 fatty acids, which are found in fish (fish is good for the brain...) and are very good for you. Of course eating the proper 'fatty' foods helps too, not just any fatty food.

umassned

Weighing in at 140 would put your Body Mass Index at 22ishKg/M^2 which is healthy, the BMI scale is fairly rough but is close enough to say I wouldn't worry, though I wouldn't lose much more either.

kevmk81

"how I am going to blow away in the breeze" If I had a dime each time I heard this said to me, I'd have maybe 50 cents. Yeah, I guess that is the only thing to do, just smile and say I'm happy. Yeah one of my drinking buddies from college just doesn't understand what/why I'm doing it, along with a handfull of coworkers... I told them I was going for a group ride on one of my Tuesday rides a couple weeks ago, and they said something along the lines of "what, are you trying to be like Lance?".

kevmk81

I guess this is turning into a rant, sorry about that folks. Just wondering what some people would do in my situation with loved ones (family members) and still hold healthy/strong relationships without the gossip of "oh my gosh, he is still trying to lose weight" when I really am not.

kevmk81

And I don't plan on losing any more than what I already have, just maintain my weight. I eat often, always healthy/good food with the occasional hamburger or ice cream maybe once every other week. It's great hearing the reaction I got from doing my first century not too long ago.

UmneyDurak

Have you tried to explain that you are not on the "diet" anymore, and maintaining your weight. If you start to eat more you will be back to chubby 180 pounder you were? If you tried already and failed I guess only thing that remains is just "smile and wave", and don't pass the comments to your GF.
I went from 173 pounds to 143 in the last year and a half, and do get you look so skinny remarks. Although they are more of a compliment then an accusation.

umd

Diet, the sum of the food consumed by an organism or group.
Dieting, the deliberate selection of food to control body weight or nutrient intake.
Diet food, foods that aid in dieting

Everybody has a diet, its just that some are dieting because they want/need to lose weight. Most people just have horrible nutrition and get no exercise, so anybody who is exercising and try to eat well looks like they are dieting to fat and lazy people.

Warden11

I got this yesterday, we were having lunch served at work. Fried chicken, spaghetti, potato salad, bread, and some fruit. I had 3 pieces of fried chicken, a couple of pieces of bread, and some fruit. One of the guys asked me what kind of diet I was on since I had lost so much weight since May. Well, I ride about 90 miles a week, run 15, and lift weights twice a week. I've actually lost only 5 lbs but my body is much more lean. He didn't believe me when I told him I wasn't on any special diet. I was eating FRIED CHICKEN!

umd

I usually tell people I'm on the "see food" diet.

LT Intolerant

The question in the title of your post seems to be slightly different than the question you're asking (above in quotes) in your post. Most serious cyclists I know are told all the time that are too skinny. But what would you expect in a nation where 60% of people are overweight?

I spent the 1st half of July in Italy, in the cycling crazy Veneto region, racing and training, and trust me, I did not feel or look skinny. Most of the people are at an appropriate, "healhty" weight.

My response to the "you're too skinny" comment is to let it go. You can't explain bike riding/training/racing to the average person. They just don't get it, and that's ok.

gene r