I've often held my tongue on various posts on this topic, because it's hard to know how much to say before I go to far. I am, as I believe I've mentioned before, of the, erm, more rubenesque variety of female. A size 18, a good bit over 200 pounds.

I will say this. There is no sure-fire simple solution. I cycle as much as many of the posters on the forum, over 125 miles a week most weeks. I eat a moderately healthy diet, usually only whole grains, lots of vegetables, a moderate amount of sweets to satisfy my sweet tooth. I'm in great shape and fifty miles is nothing to me. I'm not as fast as I'd like, but I still leave a lot of other riders in the dust. Here's the real kicker though. I'm still fat! If you were to look at me without knowing me, you'd probably think, "what does that fat chick think she's doing on a bike?" Indeed, I've produced many surprised stares from much skinnier riders as I pass them easily.

I made a committment to fitness nearly two years ago and though I dropped down from nearly 300 pounds to just over 200 fairly rapidly at the start, I stabilized at my current weight about may of last year. I've been seriously cycling for two summers in a row, plus worked out in the gym five days a week, 60 min cardio all winter. Haven't changed weight though. I've been doing all the "right" things, including using a heart rate monitor. Maybe I'm unusual. All I'm saying is, for me, it's not a simple equation of "cycle+eat less+eat healthy=get skinny"