Indie

There are a lot of threads about getting out of the Clyde/Athena weight range, getting rid of old clothes that don't fit, etc. But what about the less tangible benefits? I'm not riding enough yet to make weight loss a possibility (and I may actually be putting on my winter hibernation fat -- what was that other thread about bears? ), but I'm noticing improvements in other areas.

I used to get lightheaded and tired a lot during the day. That doesn't happen anymore. And I don't get winded while climbing stairs.

I used to have a lot of anxiety problems and could work myself up into a panic attack on the subway ride home with nothing else to think about for half an hour. Riding my bike forces my attention onto other things, like safety and my surroundings and traffic signals.

I feel more confident and graceful and steady on my feet. I stand straighter, and I feel less likely to trip or turn my ankle or bump into things.

There's more research out there to suggest that being overweight or even obese isn't as dangerous as we thought, as long as you're active. And it's definitely possible, especially for women, to be stubbornly 'overweight' despite being active and having a healthy heart and good blood pressure and normal blood sugar maintenance.

All of you permanent Athenas and Clydes, share your little victories here.

Mr. Beanz

Being from a diabetes filled family, I've always figured that if I was somewhat in shape, I could do whatever, whenever. If I got the bad news, I'd handle it no problem.

Everybody in my family is sick in one way or another. I'm the only healthy dude walking around here. My goal has always been to rmain strong. Riding helps my breathing and actually my sinuses have been much better since I started riding 1 years ago.

I have lost weight to do some killer rides, I'm happy about that, but not my goal year after year. My goals change form year to year. I do have this little itch right now nagging me to get back into cycling shape. GO kick some arse on the mtn rides. But that will change later on.

I figure when I get to be about 60, I just might start pumping iron again. Be one of those healthy looking old dudes getting all the wimmins at the retirment center!......If Gina lets me!

Cycling is just another notch in my 'stay healthy' Clydesdale lifestyle!

funrover 

For me its:
I can beat some of the lycra/spandex roadies on the MUP
I am considered in shape by many peers(Which to me is just plain AWESOME)
I have actually been looked up to as a person to listen to and respect when it comes to biking
I do breath a lot better when I do my commutes
and that's just a start!

CliftonGK1

No matter how much fat I lose, I will always be a Clyde. That's just the way it is at 6' 6" with a Sasquatch build. I actually like being able to express my weight in fractional tonnage, then watch people work the math to figure out that I weigh around 250 pounds. (I'm actually down to 242, and I'm aiming for 220 or so.)

My recent victory was entering the weights and measurements into my nutrition tracker software last week, and finding out that I even though I'm only losing about a pound/week (when my calories in vs. out say I should be losing a bit more), I've dropped 4% bodyfat since I started tracking things a few weeks ago, and I've increased my measurements at my chest, bicep and thigh. So, while I'm losing the spare pounds I carry around my midsection, I'm putting on lean mass elsewhere.

Wogster

Heck the Toronto Subway is good for a Panic attack at any time, most often when your on a packed train, running late and hear that dreaded message, "This train will be going out of service at ..... ". which is always at least one station before where you want to get off

I think the key though is being active, lots of people, as they put on weight, become less active, a guy who thought nothing of jogging 5 miles at 180lbs, at 250lbs needs to take the car to go around the block. What is interesting is that often when that same person gets into their 40's they go through a mid-life crisis, and want to get back to their 20's by doing the things they did in their 20's, and the excess weight gets in the way of that. Which is when one gets interested in losing the weight.

scrapmetal

Oh, I like that! Maybe I should gain some weight for the kicks of it

bakerjw

I haven't lost much weight but I've lost inches from the waist and fat from the face, neck, etc... So far it is replaced with muscle. As my legs have bulked up I've noticed that my center of gravity is lowering. Now just to make it through the winter.

atcfoody

For the past 10 months, the scale has said that I weigh between 235 and 244. Given I got all the family "build him like a fire plug" genes, I'm okay with that. So, for me, the scale doesn't change much, but I've definitely moved things around. I got a physical about a month ago and the nurse had to take my pulse for 30 seconds. When she finished, she said "I'm not used to people coming in and having such a low pulse rate" (58 bpm, I think). Add to that all the remarks I get from my players about my legs (lets face it, when a college men's soccer team is jealous of your calves, your doing something right) and you can run 3 miles without stopping again (haven't done that in 16 years), I'm pretty happy with what progress I've made.

D

bdinger

I have plenty of number victories, but I think the best are the other ones. I can do just about anything now that I couldn't when 500+ pounds, and I actually am starting to like what I see in the mirror. There is much much much to be said for the latter.

Aside from that, I have a clear mind, I just plain feel good and life is better. I wouldn't trade the benefits for anything ever. `

Doohickie

Actually....











....I have lost weight. Since the last week in July, I've lost 26 lb. and technically I'm no longer a Clyde.