Originally Posted by Fairmont

I am six feet tall, and according to the charts I should top out at about 180 for my age (forty in two months--yikes).

I just got back into biking, and even though I hate the MANY hills we have in our area, I always feel great when I get to the top. I can't stop smiling (I refuse to quit a hill and walk. No freaking way. I'd rather go a snail's pace in first gear, but I am not going to stop and walk).

Anyway, I topped out at 211.5 one day and said, "I am going to have some serious health problems in a couple years.

For me, 212 is officially obese, and I missed it by half a pound.

So I started riding again, then sold my bike and bought a new one today (more for road...a Trek Soho 1.0).

Since I started back a couple weeks ago I've lost six pounds. I'm down to 205 give or take a beer), and am committed to riding to work and back everyday this year (I teach, and my ride is four miles each way with plenty of climbing, especially on the way there).

SO.

I guess I'm an official Cylde?

What happens when I lose the weight?


Has anybody here been a slob, like me, and then a year or so later took his shirt off at the pool and gotten glances from the ladies?


Another motivator for me was an incident at the neighborhood pool. Twenty years ago I was a fairly attractive guy. I wasn't what women would consider hot, but I have a nice face and was fit most of my life. Then life got ahold of me (and Wendy's McDonalds, Burger King, Pizza Hut, etc.). Twenty years ago I'd drop my shirt if the weather topped 70. Now? I try not to.

So, anyway, I was at the neighborhood pool, and an attractive lady smiled at me. Then, when I took my shirt off (not knowing she was still looking at me), I watched her face melt from a smile to a frown.

That was VERY obvious. Shoot!

So, I'm motivated to get fit, and biking is just the ticket, especially when it's to work and back (saving gas/money). I can pay for my bike in under a year with the gas savings.


Just thought I'd share that un-unique story.