One of the reasons why I STARTED commuting by bicycle was because I noticed that I was putting on weight as a result of work cutting into my gym time. I started out at 195 pounds with approx. 26% body fat. After commuting for about a month, 3 miles each way, I definitely noticed that I was feeling healthier and that I was looking leaner in the mirror. I probably lost about 5 pounds that month, which I'm perfectly happy with. Unfortunately as a veteran of "yo-yo weight loss", I knew that as soon as I stopped biking every day the weight would come back. Seeing as how I started commuting in October, once the real winter weather set in, it did!

Once the warm weather comes back and I can commute regularly by bike again, I intend on designing my fat loss plan around my commute. Eventually, I hope to drop down to 175 pounds with a body fat percentage of around 15%. One interesting obstacle I've noticed is just the switch of mentality from other sports. As a former offensive lineman, I was always taught to eat as much as possible, go 100% sprint all the time, then take a break to catch your breath. After speaking to some more experienced bikers, I've realized that the mentality that I had ingrained into my brain may have worked for during weight lifting sessions in the football days, but only made me a "masher" in the bike world! I'm trying to spend my all-too-rare winter rides working on technique. Once spring comes around, I'll hopefully have my cadence and technique mastered and I'll be ready to tear down my body and rebuild! However, I'm interested in hearing about any diet or supplemental weight lifting plans that have worked for others in the past. While dieting and cycling may go hand in hand, weight lifting doesn't seem to enjoy the same crossover appeal. Unfortunately I can't give up weight lifting due to my own vanity, so if anyone wants to share their workouts I'd love to see them.