W4ZWA

I'm at 230 currently. About a month ago i was around 240. Have a baby on the way and need to get in better shape. I've been embarrassed about my weight for years now and feel better about myself with ever pound lost. Goal is 175lbs by July 2014.

ksisler

Been there. Yep, people are mean and unfair...generally people suck. You are making great progress! Keep up the good work. We are all pulling for you!

jendpu

W4ZWA, good to see someone in the area. I live in Apex. What kind of riding do you do?

nerys

Tom you ROCK another hero to inspire me !!!

to the OP. this part your talking about is a mental game. I am no expert on cycling but I have experience in the mental game.

YOU are taking control. YOU are taking responsibility for your mistakes/condition.

THAT is the start of HUGE MASSIVE WIN. Period. End of discussion.

NEVER GIVE UP NEVER SURRENDER.

Pub

Wow, when I started this thread I didn't know there would be so many positive and encouraging replies. Top support from top guys and I thank you all for that.

A short reply to Appolled - the "hairy bikers" as they are called (tv chefs) have now gone on a health kick and are now using Specialized bikes and put their motor cycles away for the time being. This was before the Olympics which has now in turn encouraged many new bike riders because of the success and presentations of all the cycle disciplines including road, velodrome, mountain, and bmx.

As to myself, I am still not over being or feeling embarrassed. I am no way near as much as I once was, but that is probably just in my make up.
I guess we all feel or have felt this way at some time or other so its very encouraging that so many have taken the time to post with positive feedback.

Rob65

Thought I would use this thread to make my second post. As I mentioned in my introduction thread, I began serious riding back in 1987 with the purchase of a brand new Schwinn Super Sport. I am 6 feet 6 inches tall and back then I weighed 265 lb. Marriage and a kid intervened and I gradually lost interest. 25 years later i had gradually ballooned up to 407 lbs. 3 months ago I got sick of being tired all the time and taking type 2 diabetes meds and started dieting and walking. As of now I've lost exactly 40 lbs, which puts me at 367 lbs. I intended to go to wally world and pick up a cheap bike to see if I could spark interest in riding again, but ran across an old cannondale H300 REALLY cheap. I'm gonna have to get a longer seat post, as the frame isn't my size, but at least it's a start. Here's a pic of the bike:


I went on a 1 mile first ride and nothing broke, but I know something will eventually give. Gonna ride some more this weekend so I'll keep my fingers crossed. Money is tight right now, but I intend to get a better fitting bike when able. Wish me luck....

Awesome thread, by the way

Robert

starbite

Good luck, Robert. I'm in a similar boat as yours and starting to get into the riding. My endurance is embarrassingly low and so far I've been riding late at night to protect my delicate self-consciousness. But with time we'll both get better and be rocking the trails with everyone else.

Rob65

Thanks This thread is so inspiring....I don't feel so alone in my situation anymore.

A question for you guys: I just had an unbelievable deal fall into my lap on a really nice older road bike that has those TINY 700x23c tires. As mentioned above I'm currently at 367 lbs. and was wondering how much more weight I would have to loose to be able to ride this bike without destroying the tires/tubes lol. Its a mid to late 90's Klein Quantum and it even fits me. A friend at work was impressed with my weight loss and insisted on letting me pay it out. Here's a pic:


It could use a new seat and he didn't have the shoes that went with the Look pedals, so I have to replace them. It has a complete Shimano 105 group.

Thanks again to the OP for a truely inspiring thread

Robert

CraigB

That looks like a real nice Klein. Congrats on it, and on your weight progress so far. I can't offer an opinion about your current weight on tires like those, since my own weight only ballooned to about 304. FWIW, I rode my road bike with 25s on it while as heavy as 270 or so without any ill effects. Just make sure you keep enough air in them to avoid pinch flats.

Oh, and I wouldn't be in a hurry to replace the saddle unless it causes you comfort issues. Looks like a nicely worn Selle Italia Turbo, a classic design from that era. The visible wear is just an indication that it's been well-used. Might as well let that cache rub off on you.

mikemartin

Holy sh*t congratulations man,

russd32

Congrats to the OP for getting the fire started! Make cycling part of your life and you'll naturally become a healthier person.

That Klein is a great old bike. Those old aluminum frames are really stiff and it looks like it's in good shape. I would keep that saddle around, you might be surprised how comfortable it is. I'd buy some flat pedals and ride it as it is. If you can fit some wider tires on the rims that might help a little but I'd be surprised if anything wider than a 25 or 28 will clear the brakes. Also, 32 hole wheels aren't the best at your size but if you watch out for big holes and take it easy on them you might be surprised how long they'll last. If you feel them flexing (or even rubbing brake pads) when you take a corner you might consider getting some 36 or 40h wheels but I probably wouldn't run out to buy wheels or tires before you ride it. I'd probably start with about 85 psi to see how it feels. Happy riding!

correction: That's not a good bike. You should box it up and send it my way

Rob65

Well, after managing to inflate my tires to just under 120 psi(they're rated for a max pressure of 150psi) I took a chance and rode the 2.5 miles to work. No flats or wheel flex when I turn so far. With my full weight the tires compress about 1/4 of their height. If I can get a decent pump that doesn't leak, 150 psi might do the trick. I'm willing to sacrifice ride quality for a bit more security.

Robert

Rob65

It looks I'm able to manage 5 miles a day with the 2.5 mile ride to work and back, but I've found that 3 miles at one time is about all I can manage at one time at my current fitness level. Looking for that to improve as I ride more and the pounds continue to melt.

So far the tires and rims are continuing to hold up....I can't believe I haven't wrecked them yet lol!

Robert

tpy2010

Keep it up! You are writing your own story here! A re-newed start on a new life! It's great!

Black wallnut 

Keep it up Rob! When you wear those tires out you might consider replacing them with 25mm tires or even 28's if they will fit in your brakes. Just keep pedaling and you'll gain strength and fitness.

Cactuskid

wow guys, you all make me feel like I am not trying hard enough, been riding 5 yrs and lost ONLY 30 lbs. I stiil am weak around the kitchen LOL

There is a 9 mile road to top of a mountain here our club rides and a HUGE woman was climbing up it half way there, some steep ass hills too. I thought it was great and cheers her on

goldfinch

Five years with no weight gain and a weight loss is very fine. The toughest battle is keeping it off.

Cactuskid

have kept it off for at least 3 years, only because I ride over 4000 miles a year, my frustration is I am stuck where I am, still 25lbs overweight, need to eat healthier NOT easy for me

kinetic

Are you targeting a HR on your rides?

aquito

So here it goes. I'm 27 years old, 5'8 and 250lbs. Been embarrass of my weight for a few years now. Back in my young teens I was really into mountain biking and was probably around 150lbs. I just got a Fuji 29er Tahoe Pro for mountain biking and a Mercier Kilo TT for street use. Will try to go down atleast to 190 by the end of 2013. This thread is realt inspiring. Keep it up everybody !!

firchk

I am very worried about this embarrassment thing but I know that I cannot let it get to me.

I am nearly 400lbs and have decided that my life needs to change ~ something has to give and I'll be damned if I am going down without a fight

This is my first post as i have been lurking for about a year; as I approached the 400 mark it wasn't bad ( at least that's what I told myself ) I am very active for my size which i do feel is true

we wear pedometers at work and walk more then 6 miles a day and at almost 400 and 6ft tall I believe that to be good

My wife began training for the MS150 from Houston to Austin to ride in the years past event however, was sidelined due to medical issues. Those have since been resolved and she is now cycling again. Her team gathers once a week; so the last 2 rides I took my camel back and hit the trail and I managed to log nearly 20 miles on foot over the two trips. staying moving for nearly two hours straight according to the GPS

I believe that I should have no issues getting back on the bike after a 13 year hiatus ~ but I certainly do think that as a group cyclist could be a bit less; dare I say "snobish" most of the folks you see at the park are nice but there are more then a few that make you feel as though you are intruding on them by just being there. I am starting out and I have acquired a "higher end" Walmart bike and honestly I am already mentally preparing myself for the ridicule this weekend over my size, my bike, and the speed on the trail. It is sad that someone on a $ 5k mountain bike can't appreciate the idea of someone else trying to better themselves.

But regardless I will be out there big boy on the bike and they can all go around and say what they will ~ what i have learned in my short existence (36) on this earth is people are people most you will never know; they will routinely let you down as a whole. But you must understand this is for you and, you only; trust in God keep your friends close and your family closer and you can achieve anything.

so let them talk and know in your heart if the your situations were swapped do you think they would have the physical and mental strength to over come and be successful?

thank you all for you posts I have read over the last year; you truly have inspired me to do something about my situation. Hope to see some of you out there

Neil_B

I don't mean to poach on anyone's turf, but even though I'm not new to either riding or Bike Forums, I'm struggling with embarrassment as well. I used to be an active rider during 2007-2011, after having lost most of a 150 pounds in 2006. Years of deteriorating knees and injuries sidelined my riding a year ago and led to bilateral knee replacement in March. During my layoff and recovery I've lost a lot of my stamina, regained far too much weight, and lost my nerve. I went from attempting to ride across Pennsylvania in 2011 to wondering if I'll ever have the courage to ride again.

Again, I'm sorry to intrude in this thread, but I didn't see one for "old embarrassed rider."

tpy2010

Well Neil, you're hanging out on a bike forum.. Good start! If you have medical clearance, find a riding buddy and have at it. you may have to start off in the gym if you live in a harsh weather environment to increase your chance of consistency. Recumbent exercise bike, eliptical, regular stationary bike etc. Get back to it one day at a time for the short term, and for the long term, the "RAP" ride. (ride across Pennsylvania). To offer an incentive ride, you could aim at riding rAgbrai (Registers annual great bike ride across Iowa). (Biggest organized ride in the world(so I am told) I am an extremist! You can do this, you know you can, and there are plenty of folks on this forum that visit frequently to drink from the fountain of perpetual encouragement!

99Klein 

When my daughter was born (1992) I decided that at 262 lbs I needed to get into shape and got back on a bike for the first time since a kid. I loved it. Put on several thousand miles a year, got co-workers involved, we did century's and I even raced a bit. Got down to 165.00 and that is THIN for me at 6'2". Then I started my own business and road less and less. I tried a couple times over the last 8 years to get back on but always with a MB. I finally got some HD wheels for my Klein and got back on the bike almost three months ago. I was 265. I'm down to 240 now and lost a BUNCH of body fat. I didn't really care what people thought and still dont. People look at you funny on a bike it 165 just as much as 265. I just enjoy my time on the bike.

lostforawhile

I love this thread, I have lost friends due to complications from being dangerously overweight, and other who gripe about it,yet never do anything, dont pay any attention to those who who yell insults,etc, the fact is getting on the bike and exercising means you are doing something about it, and bettering your self. many others will never reach that point.