Counting calories and cycling really does work...
 

Just need to share... Around April last year I weighed just over 330 lbs. Started to notice diabetic symptoms and the doctor confirmed I was type 2. Ended up with three different prescriptions between blood sugar, pressure and cholesterol. My mom was type 1 and had all of the horrible side effects of letting it run unchecked, complete with foot ulcers that led to amputations. It was pretty horrible seeing that myself as a kid and I really didn't want my own kids to see me go down that path... Started counting calories like crazy, no strict diet rules, just using an app on the phone to keep track of it daily. Also started biking daily, outside whenever I could or on the exercise bike in the basement. I've logged every ride since the beginning and it's crazy watching how you can progress. I could only do a few laps around the subdivision in a half hour before being exhausted. Now I can maintain a 15+ mph average for ~2 hours no problem.

I'm down to 198 lbs today and still losing, the doctor thinks another 10 to 15 lbs and it should be a good place to level off. At this point all my bloodwork is normal and I currently don't need any medication.

...Also just joined a cycling team at work, going to participate in my first group ride next month (been solo this whole time). I was shocked to find out I can even fit in an XL jersey now. (Used to be a 3XL t-shirt size before...)

*Just hoping this helps someone else get motivated and start riding.

https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...c662c7f20e.jpg

Congrats, and you look a lot younger :)

Congratulations!

That’s fantastic and inspirational, really awesome that you’ve been able to get to where you are at.

I agree that counting calories does work. My weight loss wasn’t quite as dramatic, but I got my weight down 3 years ago and have been successful maintaining at 155 since.

In my case I track with MyFitnessPal, but it made a huge difference in my ability to take control of my life.

Well done!

Congrats ! I hoping for similar results .

Great job!

Hi OP, congratulations. As others have said you look younger.
What is your weekly calorie intake at the moment vs your exercise regime?

Amazing! Super job! You look great.

Thanks everyone!
At the moment I'm trying to stay around 1600 calories daily with one hour minimum on the bike/15 miles. I usually burn ~800 calories during the ride but I honestly try to avoid dipping into that in regards to the budget.

As for logging, I've been pretty happy with Lose It! (just using the free version). MyFitnessPal looked good as well, I went with the former because it seemed really simple stupid ;-). It was also pretty good with easing me down from where I was intake-wise. (It didn't slam me down to 1600 calories, but a very gradual transition.)

Excellent, I’ve never tried using any of those apps previously but am now using Lose it. I’ve gone for a 45Kg reduction over 12 months which isn’t aggressive.

Can I clarify your approach? You have a budget of 1600 calories and burn ~800. Is your total typical intake then 1600 or 2400 calories?

Sorry, huge screenshot from the phone... Actual intake is ~1600. The app by default will take whatever you burn and put it back into the budget. (I really try to avoid dipping into that additional credit, but let's say bagels or pizza show up at the office... ;-)

https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...5ed57beb79.png

Got it, that’s really interesting, thank you!

Great job! I started back in May this year and between short 2-4 mile runs few days a week and no less the 65 miles per week the progress is awesome!

Chapeau! :thumb:

https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...54d0921d46.jpg
Amazing! Good job!

My own personal journey started May 1st when the doctor gave me 6 months to lose weight and cut sugars or go on Metformin. I was 230#. I now weigh 201.5# but have been stuck between 201.5 and 202.5 for two weeks despite a pretty decent calorie deficit. My body is fighting back. ;)

Anyway, I raced as a Cat 2 in the 1980s at 145# but exploded in the 1990s and have been fighting it ever since despite averaging over 6,000 miles per year of riding.

The good news is that my weekly "stick" is averaging 100 which is way better than the 135-140 when I started.

Goo job man, bravo, I hope you get better.

Congrats on your weight loss; Yes, the plateaus are extremely frustrating. Honestly I ran into quite a few along the way. I never really dug too deep into it, I'm assuming it could be chalked up to recomp (as in the balancing of burning fat with increased muscle mass)? Seems like as long as you stick to the plan they'll eventually pass after a couple weeks.

Nice job! Well done!

It's getting frustrating. My formulas derived from several months of logging was right on last month but I haven't dropped a single pound the last few weeks despite a 500 minimum deficit and usually a 1000 every day. I've been here before, so I know my body will give in sooner or later and start shedding pounds again. Just got to hang in there.

Likewise. Trying to do it slowly and steadily. Began in late March at 232#, initial goal was 215# to try it out. I've made that and now going for 210#. I'm 6'2.5" :) per my doc. I'll wait and see if I ever achieve 210. I'd have to break below 200# to shed my "over weight" label.

I will say, just tracking my intake and awareness has been huge help. MyFitnessPal has great search capability with a great data base, and flexibility. I couldn't handle an app that required weighing ingredients. If I'm in doubt I estimate high and treat exercise calories as a bonus

In my weight loss journey I have found the process frustratingly non-linear, but ultimately if you stick with it you’ll get there.

There were plenty of times when my weight loss would plateau or even increase when it made no sense at all - but eventually, the loss would continue, sometimes faster than I thought it should. And eventually I hit my targets and I’ve been able to maintain, though even that has some minor ups and downs.

Someone on the MyFitnessPal forum summed it up thusly: We are doing algebra when we count calories, but our bodies are doing calculus when it comes to shedding the weight. Not exact by any means, but reflects some of my experience.

Congratulations to all for your hard work at losing weight. 282lbs on March 7th with uncontrolled blood pressure. Lots of pills now and down to 254lbs. I too use Myfitnesspal. The plateaus are murder but I stop using the calories gained from exercise and if the weight still won't go I start cutting an arbitrary amount of calories out of the daily budget. I set Myfitnesspal up for a 2lb a week reduction and find it gives me about a pound a week reduction. I'm 66 and it could be my metabolism is slower and uses less energy. This is my second time losing weight and I'm thinking I probably can never give up the calorie counting because I will just balloon up again. The first time I lost weight down to 220lbs which was still out of a good BMI range for my height, 6ft5in. I now realize that I might end up at 200lbs or less and be quite skinny before hitting a healthy BMI. Someone earlier commented they wanted to hit 80 in reasonably good health and I join that sentiment. I don't recall seeing any heavy 80 yr old men. So off comes the weight.

Wow, amazing transformation, you even look younger now. I am working my way down as well. Was 280lbs, now down to 255 and dropping. My goal is 180-200 area.

thanks for sharing! good job! btw way I need to do the same kind of thing. looking at my iPhone 5S "health" icon I see some apps. may I ask what app you used & if you recommend the same one? oh, & can you enter activities into the same app? cuz that would be wicked easy for me to do

check out my fitness pal it also has the bonus of connecting to say a Garmin wrist base HR monitor watch.