ihatehowilook

I used to ride, about 2-3 years ago. I only rode at night, but even so, people would slow down or stop in the middle of the road, to yell or throw things at me.
I quit after a while because I was embarrassed. I still am, but I'm moving to a slightly more rural area, so I'm hoping that I'll encounter less of that where I'm going.

Just wanted to say hello for my first post. I'll post occasionally with my updates, and I look forward to getting to know you folks.

PS: I frequently get advice on how to lose weight and whether or not I should be biking or doing this or that. With respect, please try to refrain from providing unsolicited weight-loss advice here. I'm working with a bariatric doctor on my weight loss, and I am very much not going to allow anyone off a forum to overrule their advice. I AM here to discuss bicycling and weight-loss, I'm mainly referring to advice about whether or not I should be bicycling at all and things of that nature.

TrojanHorse

If you're sincere then **** what people think. You will find supportive people here.

I find your user name strangely negative. I'm 6'2" and I weighed 227 this morning and I'm not fond of how I look either. Regardless... what kind of bike are you riding. Post some pictures, we all like pictures of bikes.

ihatehowilook

Sorry about the username. I didn't want this account to be tied with any username I've used elsewhere, but I couldn't think of anything that fit.

As for my bike, I'm still trying to get my hands on one of my own. I'm riding a loaner, but only very gingerly. I'm hoping to get my hands on a Worksman, but they have a 1-to-2-month long lead-time on production, and it would take another 1-2 weeks to get to me. I can't wait that long.

My plan is to go build up the courage to go into a bike shop in Portland, and say "I'm fat, here's a thousand dollars, please find or build me a bike that won't weep under the weight of me".

shelbyfv

I think you may hold a record if you can actually ride a bike at your weight. Congrats and post pics because people will be skeptical.

ihatehowilook

Your probably right. I will. I've always been extremely heavy, but I've never felt like it. I have no issues getting around. I can ride long (to me) distances with a little practice, if the last time I rode was any indication (10 miles at a time).
Since I have no mobility issues, my calves are 38 inches in circumference, and carved of solid granite. The only lower body workouts I do consistently, are squats - which, again, leverage my mass as resistance. Every squat it's squatting like 500 pounds without weights.

Anyway, I haven't actually taken any pictures of myself in.... Ever. But I'll orchestrate a couple of me with my bike once I get it. Thanks for the advice

daviddavieboy

Great for you, I have been over 200lb from when I was 14 years old but have only been up to a hair under 300 lbs when I was a long haul team truck driver. Cycling has always been my means to control my weight. As I find cycling and eating cathartic and deal with depression at times my weight fluctuates a fair amount. I still drive truck a always have a bicycle with me but now that I am a lone driver I have a fair amount of time to cycle and enjoy myself. I have met a lot of truckers who are as slim who couldn't bicycle 10 miles if they had someone pushing them so I think you are doing very well, it probably has to do with your strong lower body. Keep on trucking. . . er spinning

Thunder Horse

Good on you ihatehowilook for wanting to lose weight. I am have the same goals, and then some, as you.
If you like, please feel free to follow on the blogger sub-forum. You might want to try recording a journal there as I am.

Riding a bike is one of the few sports that allows you to sit down to do it. So it's a good choice.
Don't forget about stationary bikes too. The weather is cold and wet at the moment (Australia, NSW coast), and today I pulled out the bike trainer from the garage. Tomorrow, if weather is bad, I will ride that for at least half an hour at an easy pressure on the pedals, but rotating those pedals about 90 rpm. This is aerobic type workouts and they are best for losing weight.

You have a long haul in front of you. So keep logging in your progress.
I only started last Monday, and plan to lose 30 kg (66 lbs) by my next birthday in mid-April 2018.
I know I can lose 1.5 lbs per week if I keep riding my bike.

Reminders:

• Remember, that you need to burn more than you consume.
• Don't worry about weight training, or any anaerobic workouts, because you are already doing it by carrying the excess weight.
• While losing weight, you will be eating less than you would to stay the same weight. That is, you will be starving yourself for a long time to lose the weight. BUT as soon as you get to your desired weight, you can eat a little bit more to keep that weight stable. (I am looking forward to that day).
• Exercising, such as cycling, will eventually increase your metabolic rate. This will help you to burn those calories, and you will start to feel more virile than you had for a long time.
• Minimal exercising time is half-hour.

To be honest, every time I see someone overweight, and exercising to lose that weight, I feel inspired by them.
Most of use who have decided it's time to do something about it have come to a point of being sick and tired of being sick and tired. Well, that is how it was for me.

brianmcg123

You should look up a guy named Scott Cutshall. I used to read his blog all the time.


What kind of bike do you ride?

Dennis609

I started significantly lighter than you, but still felt incredibly self-conscious the first few times out (and I'm a guy who typically isn't overly concerned about what others thing of me.) I'm with TrojanHorse on this: **** them. It's your life. If you're getting an hour of meaningful exercise out of it each week, you're doing more than the vast majority of the U.S. population, including the asshats that are heckling.

Equipment-- the bike, not you-- will be a challenge at first. No getting around that. As the pounds drop, your choices will expand greatly (the Surly LHT is fine with loaded weights into the mid-300s, for example.)

I am out of my depth, and am not an engineer, but have you thought about recumbent trikes as a "stopgap?" Same physical benefits, but seems like it'd be a little easier for a builder/manufacturer to over-engineer one for strength.

Don't let the world's bastards get you down. There are few things I enjoy seeing more than "I weighed xxx and now am at xxx, can do these things now, and don't have these med issues anymore." I'm not even close to alone on that.

TrojanHorse

Worksman... bleh. I get it, they're built like tanks.

Here's another option for you, assuming your budget can support it - https://www.zizebikes.com/

The component you will likely have the most problems with are the wheels, followed by the seat/seat post, but there are stories of guys your size riding so as Dennis says, don't let the bastards get you down! The fella that founded this forum (RIP) started out in your neck of the woods, weight wise. Check this out - https://www.bikeforums.net/clydesdale...pics-here.html

mj0

something like Zwift might be a good route to take

ihatehowilook

Strangely, I haven't found a good indoor stationary exercise bike that would likely support me. If you know of one, please let me know. :-)

travbikeman

I still vividly remember how some young children used to just stare at me when I used to be 537 pounds. Yea, I can understand how uncomfortable that is. Granted I didn't try to bike at that weight, I waited till I lost over 150 pounds but yea, it's a serious challenge that is really rewarding when you gain momentum or start understanding what you need to do for yourself. I look back, granted I'm still a clyde yet, but do look back and don't understand why I imprisoned myself like that.

1nterceptor

Early morning rides might be more optimal compared to nite time;
less drunks, young drivers, etc. In the summer time; it's cooler.

fietsbob

Maybe a Schwinn Airdyne, they were built rugged for Gym use.. worked arms and legs..

that would be a craigslist / eBay find , they haven't been made in a long time.

wheel has a fan blade array for resistance & a guard to keep fingers out..

jimincalif

Glad you are working with a doc, hope it goes well.

About riding, you will keep it up if it's enjoyable. Focus on making it fun. What others think is not important. Regardless of your weight, if you are out there doing it you are that much ahead of those who are sitting on the couch.

Good luck!

corwin1968

Good for you OP! I'm in the high 300's (high of 416) and I'm self-conscious about being seen riding my bike but fortunately, I enjoy it so much that once I get going, I'm having too much fun to give a flip what anyone thinks.

I think it's great that you are working with a bariatric physician. I'm initiating that process myself and am excited about the prospect. Just out of curiosity, are you prepping for bariatric surgery? The clinic I'm going to go to has a non-surgery option that is basically the same as the pre-surgery option. If the non-surgery option works, that's a best case scenario and if it doesn't, I've done the prep necessary for surgery.

I have an Airdyne (just got off it, in fact) and it's built like a tank. They have recently become popular with the MMA/Crossfit crowd so cheap used ones may not be as easily found but I think they are still out there.

Juan Foote

At your weight, you will need to have a fully custom bicycle built to hold you. Aside from a strong frame, fork, and seatpost; you will certainly need some custom wheels. It would require custom wheels at half your weight. Stock built bikes are generally not designed for people over the 300-ish # mark, and many of the road bikes are sub 250 and less.

In the meantime, I might consider you seeing if a gym (etc) has a spin bike you can check out to see if even (going through) the motions agree with you.

mwalsh5757

I agree - it's rare to see other people when out in the very early morning. So if seeking relative anonymity, that's when I'd probably want to be out and about. You can switch off to evenings when you feel more like you "fit in". Or maybe you'll decide that you like being out in the morning? Back in the day I used to be a night-owl, mostly because I worked second shift and would get home at 11:30pm-12am, too keyed up to go straight to bed, but now I'm in bed by 8pm and am usually up between 4am and 5am. I like mornings much better than I liked sleeping in.

ihatehowilook

I am. I know it's the easy way out, but I've tried so hard and seen such minimal results, and now I've got so far to go that I can't see a way out without surgery.

I've never been typical for my weight-range, but I feel a sense of urgency now, as I approach borderline high blood pressure and borderline diabetes. I'm turning 30 in July. I never really got to experience what it's like to be social or do any of the normal things a person does with friends. I want that, just a little bit, before I'm too old to enjoy it. Surgery is the only way I can see to accomplish that.

corwin1968

Trust me, going for the surgery is NOT the easy way out. I'm not 100% there on the decision because it's the hardest damn thing I've ever had to do. Give yourself credit for manning up and deciding to do what needs to be done. THAT takes courage.

bigbiker1

How tall are you? I am really surprised that you are borderline HBP and pre-diabetic. I take it you must be pretty young? I know I was about 280 when I was pre-diabetic and I was about 25. Diagnosed at 27 and 320lbs. I have been as high as 425, its not fun at all.

I would get the surgery in a heartbeat if I had insurance that covered it. At my last job my insulin and meds were costing my company over 30k a year (self-insured company) and they refused to pay 20k for surgery that the doctor told them would save them minimum 25k a year after a years time. If you have the means and your doctor agrees you are a candidate then I say go for it!! Its NOT the easy way out. People don't understand what it is like unless they have been there. I have a huge love of good food that my whole family on my mother's side shares. I love to cook and eat. When I stress I eat. I got all the way down to 300 from 425 and then lost my job, stress ate my way back to 385 in less than 6 months. It is an epic struggle.

Good luck to you and if you need to talk to someone that has been there feel free!!

ihatehowilook

I'm 5'10 and 29 years old. Turning 30 in July. My insurance also won't pay for my surgery, but I've been extraordinarily fortunate in my career, so I'm able to pay for it out of pocket at the same time as I'm having a new house built with extra wide doors, reinforced floors, and all other manner of lovely things to make my life feel more normal before I've hit my goal weight. -- and also, because I acknowledge that I'll never be "normal". I'm HUGE. My shoulders are wider than any door I've seen. I wouldn't use the old cliche of being "big boned", but my bone structure is quite large, and I don't think my body is meant to be of a typical size.

Anyway, I'm fortunate, and while it won't be the easiest thing to pay an additional $25k on top of the $60k down-payment and the $30k in decorating costs, and the $10k for a new bed that I need to buy every year anyway because the old one wears out, and the $10k in pre-surgery medical costs, most of which my insurance also won't pay for and so on, it is among my top priorities. I've been considering this since I was 13 years old and was first called "b*tch tits" or "baconator".

Thank you! It is reassuring to know someone else has been there. It does sometimes feel very lonely at this weight.

NYSteve

This thread has a very off feeling for me. Kind of like we are being Punk'd
,

Juan Foote

Agreed. There is another poster above calling the situation into question as well. It seems that OP has even mentioned not finding a stationary that would hold him, above post references reinforced house build....and yet, not a word about the questions on what could possibly BE ridden at that weight.